Thomas J. West Music

Music Education Practice Tips

Music Education Articles, Tips, and Instructions

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This site will help you learn more effective methods for the study of any major musical instrument. The information provided here can be applied to any band instrument (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, tuba), any orchestral instrument (violin, viola, cello, string bass), any popular percussion instrument (snare drum, mallet percussion, drum set), and guitars. The most time-honored teaching techniques are combined with new developments in neurology to give you practice tips that work.

Want to cut your practice time in half and still make lots of progress?

How about taking the method book you are currently using and learning the content of the book even more thoroughly?

Want to start learning a musical instrument for the first time?
 
Here are some of the topics covered on this website:
  • Focus and Attention: How to maximize the results of your practice time.
  • Visualization: The power of the movie theater in your mind.
  • Neuroplasticity: What science tells us about mastering a physical skill.
  • Pitch Development: Exercising your "inner ear".
  • Rhythmic Development: A mathematic rather than traditional labeling approach.
  • Time Awareness: The sixth sense of music.
  • Hardware: The impact of reed, mouthpiece, sticks, bow, and strings on your results.
  • Private Instruction: How and when to find a great instructor.
  • The Myth of "Talent": Every person has innate musical intelligence - unlock yours.
  • End the Addiction!: How to find and eliminate bad playing habits.
  • Who's Running This Show?: The body/mind ego and how it holds back your progress.
Visit the Articles page and the Blog for all this great information.


Who Is Thomas J. West?

Thomas J. West bleeds music for a living. He has been teaching, writing, arranging, and performing music for most of his life. He has directed concert bands, orchestras, choirs, a cappella groups, marching bands, jazz bands, and piano students. Learn more about him on the Bio and Commissions page.

Original Music Compositions

In addition to teaching music, Thomas J. West also writes original music for concert band as well as field shows for marching band. Visit the Compositions page for more information.


Private Lessons Service

For students in my geographic area, I also provide private lessons services for any band, orchestral or piano student ages 1 to 99. I am a certified teacher with TakeLessons (shown on the left) and Musika.

In addition, I also maintain local students as a freelance instructor. Visit my Private Lessons page for a list of my policies.

Free Practice Tips Newsletter

Sign up for the free Musical Mastery newsletter, filled with tips and ideas on maximizing your effectiveness in your own musical practice sessions. Your email address will be kept confidential and won't be shared. Easily unsubscribe at any time. Newsletters are sent about once a month.

If you enjoy the free information available on this site, you're sure to enjoy the free newsletter as well. Sign up right here:


I am a published composer with TRN

I use Finale notation software
I use Pyware 3D Java drill software
Certified Private Instructor
Certified Private Instructor

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