Managing Homework

Composing

Homework frequently involves composing short pieces of music which highlights a technique or concept.

• Rhythms: Always start a composition by establishing the rhythmic feel. Refer to pre-existing tunes that you like.
• Form: Decide on a form. AABA, ABAC, through composed, vamp, blues, etc.
• Motifs: Once you have a motif, be sure to develop it and refer back to it during the song.
• Harmony: Star with a simple harmonic structure. You can always re-harmonize later
• Notebook: Keep a notebook in which you jot down musical ideas, rhythms and harmonies as soon as they pop into your head. Being in a musical environment will stimulate creativity and ideas.
• Notation Software: Flesh out your compositions on Notation Software as much as possible, since that allows instant playback, but be prepared to hand write the asignment, for your teacher.

Practicing

If you are an instrumental major, then practicing your instrument will be a big part of your daily routine.

• Pacing: Don't spend too much time on a single piece. Try to cover a varied repertoire each day..
• Slow: It's better to practice fewer bars slowly without mistakes that practicing the entire piece fast and with mistakes.
• Sight-reading: Constantly tackle new material to develop your sight-reading skills. A few minutes every day is enough.
• Mornings: Get your practicing done early in the day, before you are fatigued or stressed by other work.

Notebooks

Buy a separate notebook (or ring binder) for each of your classes. You can reduce the weight you carry around by just taking the notebooks for the classes of that day.

Some classes will require written music. This is best organized in a ring binder which also allows you to change the order of the music in your binder.

Pressure

Sometimes homework builds up, deadlines overlap, and the pressure builds. Here are some tactics to cope with this situation:

• Simplify: Reduce the task to its simplest terms. Write the shortest acceptable response, or compose the simplest composition, or adopt basic information. The teacher doesn't know how hight you have set yoru own expectations, and often the most straighforward answers are sufficient to get a good grade.
• Start Early : Always start an assignment on the same day it is assigned, even if you only create the folder or write the heading. This helps you assess how much time it will take to complete, and you will subconsciously adjust your priorities during the week.
• Talk to classmates: Talk about homework with your classmates. You may discover short cuts or get ideas for completing the assignment.

Assignments

Each time an assignment is give, be sure to write it down clearly and put it at the top of your ring binder. It's easy to lose track of assignments as the days go by, and by looking at it frequently you can start processing the solutions before even putting pen to paper.

Discuss assignments with your classmates to ensure you are on the right track, and alsways contact the techer if you have any doubts about what is required.

Exam Preparation

Being well prepared for an exam is usually the result of sustained work throughout the semester. Here are some tips to stay on top of the subject matter:

• Quiz Yourself: Constantly quiz yourself on the material of the course. When was so-and-so born? What scale would you play on that chord? How would you write that musical phrase? How does the ending to that tune go? This way you will be second-guessing the real test material.
• Total immersion: Set aside 2 - 3 hours when you will completely and totally immerse yourself in a particular task or topic. Do as much reseach on and around it, and turn the experience into a major event of your day. This is often more productive than piece-meal study sesions.
• Create Templates: Create templates for how to work out the answer to a particular type of question, like a simple diagram from which you can deduce the transposition of all the orchestra instruments. Create simplified "cheat sheets" of dates and names that you can put in your back pocket and consult add odd moment during the day.
• Locate your weaknesses. When practicing or studying, always tackle first the topics you feel weakest in. This will give you confidence, and make everything else seem easier.
• Book a Tutor: Many colleges offer free tutoring from senior students. This is a great way to test your skills and weknesses in front of another person, and get help clarifying difficult concepts.

Scope

It's very tempting to spend more time on homework for the classes you enjoy, and less time on others, but it's important to strike a balance. What counts at the end of your semester is yiur grade point average (GRA) which includes all classes. Your GRA can have an important impact on scholarships and grants, so you should aim to keep it high.

When you are set an assignment, try to stick to the requirements and do no more than that. This will give you more time for other homework, and also ensure a higher grade, since teachers will look for how well you address the specific tasks rather than how ambitious or adventurous the work is. You can save experimentation for vacation time!