Jackson Creek Middle School
Exploring Music & Bands

Brass & woodwind instruments

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR PRACTICING

(30 minutes/day, 5 days/week)

STEP 1...GET READY Assemble your instrument (obviously!) Now's the time to check for dirt, worn/damaged parts, & proper lubrication. If your instrument requires reeds, do you have at least four in good condition that you rotate on a daily basis? When one is unusable, replace it immediately.

STEP 2...WARM-UP You are nothing without a good sound. Spend 1/4 to 1/3 of your available practice time warming up as we do in class, using long tones, expanding long tones, and lip slurs. Blow through your horn, not just into the mouthpiece. In your mind, project your sound as a beam to a spot on the wall, using that beam to push against the wall. This will be loud at first, so practice getting soft, but keep that beam moving. Great tone quality = a focused, steady steam of air.

STEP 3...BUILD TECHNIQUE Carefully work on the technical part of your playing. Look in a mirror – how's your hand position & posture? Keep a steady tempo – metronomes are great! Start off with slow scales and arpeggios, using the full range of your horn. Do as many as you can – learn one new scale every week or two and add it to your practice session. Try different rhythmic patterns, different articulations. For speed, keep your fingers close. Use minimal motion. Trombones – use your wrist before moving your arm.

Go to your Accent on Achievement book and work on scale patterns and repetitive-type pieces that force your fingers and mind to really work together.

STEP 4...THE MUSIC Work on an exercise in your book or short sections of a song.

• Level 1) Check the time signature, then clap & count the rhythm.
• Level 2) Check the key signature & accidentals, then try the pitches.
• Level 3) Finger & sing with a slow, but steady tempo.
• Level 4) Play it slowly, with precision.
• Level 5) Bring it up to tempo, but don't sacrifice accuracy.
• Level 6) Add expression (dynamics, grace notes, etc.) & feeling.

Don't leave a level until you can do it right. Practice until you improve something. Play the entire piece only when the bugs are worked out.

STEP 5...SIGHT READING This is the real test of your abilities. Choose music that is easy. You've got to be able to tell if you're doing it right or wrong. Can you play it perfectly? As you get better, pick harder music. Go to a music store and see what they have available or ask us for some help.

STEP 6...DEVELOP YOUR EAR Can you play songs you heard on the radio on your instrument? Try it. What about making up your own songs?

STEP 7...PACK IT UP Now's the time to clean the mouthpiece, dry the reed (put it in a reed case), get rid of all the internal moisture, swab the inside, and wipe the fingerprints off the outside your instrument. Do this every time you practice. Once a month do a complete cleaning in the manner that is appropriate for your instrument.

Bob Austin - director ... 330-2451 x154 ... raustin "at" mccsc.edu