Katie O'Hara LaBrie
Composer • Conductor • Clinician
What's The Big IDEA?
I
Identify:
Identify a small section of a piece that needs work. This should be 1-12 measures, avoid large sections. Avoid "playing through" a whole piece.
D
Decide:
Decide on an OMG = Obtainable Musical Goal
What aspect of music needs work?
Fingerings, Intonation, Rhythm, Tempo, Tone,
Bowing Articulation, Dynamics, Phrasing...
E
Execute:
Execute your goal using a variety of practice strategies.
Repetition will always be a part of your practice, but should not be the only factor.
A
Analyze:
Analyze how you did. Did you improve?
Did you reach your goal? Did you choose effective strategies? Should you try something else next time?
About The Big IDEA
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The Big IDEA method was designed by Katie O’Hara LaBrie, a Middle School Orchestra Director, and Tracy Magwire, a Middle School Band Director, with the goal of teaching their students how to practice efficiently and effectively; to get away from simple time based practice records, and give students a path to becoming self-motivated, independent,
life-long learners.
In quantity-based logs, we often wonder whether the students are being truthful. Are they truly practicing, or just “playing through” the music? With these types of logs the goal of practice can become skewed - the goal focuses on time practiced, rather than effort and achievement.
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Using The Big IDEA, we have designed quality-based practice journals, where the students set goals based on musical principles, execute a variety of strategies that effectively help them meet those goals, assess their skills, and analyze what to do next.
Since implementing The Big IDEA into our classes, we have seen an upswing in student practice, musical knowledge, rehearsal interaction, and performance. We hope that these resources will prove useful for you and your students!
Practice with Purpose
Resources
An extensive list of practice strategies for band musicians organized by musical concept.
Tips for setting up a successful practice routine and general strategies for successful practice.
An extensive list of practice strategies for string musicians organized by musical concept.
A list of general strategies as well as fun practice activities to encourage musicians of all ages in their practice endeavors.
Assignments
We have found that it is important to build a foundation of knowledge leading into The Big IDEA. We begin by teaching students how to set OMGs - Obtainable Musical Goals. We then teach them strategies to reach their goals, and how to analyze how they've done. The IDEA journals should be introduced one at a time, depending on the level of background knowledge the student or group possesses, all leading up to the Step 4 - The Big IDEA Journal. On this page we have also included other activities that go Beyond The Big IDEA. We encourage you to mix it up, keep kids thinking, and trying to find what works best for them and you. The goal is to help students to Practice with Purpose!
IDEA Journals
Step 1: Identify & Decide: Goal Setting for ORCHESTRA
This assignment helps students learn to set goals that IDENTIFY a section of their music to work on as well as DECIDE what musical concept needs attention. This example acts as a one-day practice guide, or you can provide several copies for students to use throughout the week.
Step 1: Identify & Decide: Goal Setting for BAND
This assignment helps students learn to set goals that IDENTIFY a section of their music to work on as well as DECIDE what musical concept needs attention. This example acts as a one-day practice guide, or you can provide several copies for students to use throughout the week.
Step 2: Executing Strategies
This assignment teaches students EXECUTE a variety of strategies to help them accomplish their goals. It can be introduced as an individual assignment, sectional activity or class project. We recommend introducing this step along with one of our practice strategy guides.
Step 3: Analyze 3-2-1
This assignment asks students to ANALYZE what went well and what needs to improve. It can be edited and used for group or individual assessment to reflect upon individual practice, ensemble rehearsal, or performance.
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Step 4: The IDEA Journal
This assignment combines all 4 elements of IDEA into one journal. Student will IDENTIFY a section, DECIDE on OMGs, EXECUTE their plan, and ANALYZE their work. Included are four variations (based on length of the project and quanity goal options)
Beginning IDEA Journal
Guided IDEA-based journal for beginning and intermediate students to strategize and reflect on practice assignments.
5-5-5 Planning Guide
Done individually, as a class activity, or sectional discussion the 5-5-5 planning Journal is designed to have your students pre-plan their practice for the week. They are to IDENTIFY and DECIDE on 5 goals, come up with 5 strategies they will use to EXECUTE those goals and then use those things to guide their practice for the week, (at least 5 days).
Beyond The Big IDEA
Music Growth Project
This zip file contains a Blended Learning Project where students earn points each quarter by completing different music activities. Included are sample documents that you can use to help students keep track of their points and activities.
Choice Board
An alternate Blended Learning Project where students get to choose their own music activities to complete over one quarter.
Music Listening Project - Orchestra
A month long project that will get students listening to a variety of music. They will also spend time Analyzing at the end of the month.
Music Listening Project - Band
Concert Check-List
A teacher-created checklist to help young musicians streamline their practicing leading up to concert day. Fill in everything in red.
30 Day Practice Challenge
Inspired by Hilary Hahn's #100days of practice, this activity encourages students to practice every day for 30 days in a row, while tracking their OMGS through video submission.
Practice BINGO: Generic
A fun way to get kids practicing more! Try using it prior to a big concert and attach prizes to the game to really get kids motivated to play! This generic version will work for distance learning and beyond.
Practice BINGO: Orchestra Specific
Videos
An overview of the the Big IDEA
The Chunk It Strategy
The Add-A-Note Strategy
The Mixed Rhythms Strategy
How to Create a Practice Strategy Video
For Parents
Want to help your child grow as a musician,
but not sure where to start?
Start Here!
Create Routines
It's important to help students create routines for practice.
Do you have a set time of day they will practice
(perhaps before or after dinner)?
Do you have a set location where they can practice?
Do they have tools like a music stand, metronome, and pencil?
These things can help set them up for success.
Find out more in our
Set Goals
It's important for students to set Obtainable Musical Goals (OMGs). Remind students to avoid "playing through" whole pieces of music in favor of selecting small spots to work on. Ask them leading questions on WHAT they are trying to improve. Once they know the basic notes and rhythms there are so many other musical concepts to focus on such as Tempo, Tone, Intonation, Dynamics, Phrasing, Articulation & Posture. They should select one main concept to focus on at at time, building each time they find success. Remind them to use The Big IDEA acronym to help them practice with intention. Check out our overview video for additional tips and tricks.
Keep it Fun!
Practicing is about more than just plain repetition.
Make practicing more fun by incorporating a variety of strategies into your routines. The Penny Game, for example is a great way to mask repetition into a competition style game.
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Check out our Practice Strategy Guide for some simple ways to vary your practice. For more advanced students, use our individual Band and Orchestra strategy guides that provide strategies for each musical concept.
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Looking to mix it up even more?
Perhaps Practice Bingo might do the trick.
The great thing about practicing is...
the more they practice,
the easier the music becomes,
which in turn makes it more fun,
which makes them want to practice more....
Contact
Like what you see? Get in touch to learn more.
