How to Practice

Ask yourself…

o Where?o What?o When?o Why?

First Steps

Where? – It has to be spacious enough for you to practice, and quiet enough to not be distracted.

What? – Instrument, music, music stand, mirror, metronome, tuner

When? – This is based on your schedule, but at least 25-30 minutes per session.

Why? – Because you need to get better at _____

w w w w

The Process

Warm Up• WWs- long tones and

articulation work• Brass- buzzing, long tones, lip

slurs, and articulation work• Percussion- Legato strokes,

accent tap, scales, muffling etudes, four mallet warm ups

WHY SO MUCH WARM UP?• If done correctly, long tones help to reinforce

embouchure, breath support, and tone quality. (If long tones are done with a tuner, you’ll learn better pitch center!)

• Doing an exercise with articulation practice helps to develop style and definition of different types of sound in music.

• Brass: Lip slurs create flexibility in the embouchure and aperture. Gives better ability to go from low to high or visa versa.

• Better buzzing gives the brass players a better tone quality and a chance at better pitch center.

• Percussion: legato strokes help the player limber up and establish a relaxed characteristic sound.

• Accent tap helps establish relaxed upstrokes and downstrokes.

The ProcessContent Work• Large Ensemble Work would include music from

marching band, concert band, or orchestra.• Small Ensemble Work is also known as

Chamber Music which consist of 2-5 musicians playing a different part. (Example: woodwind quintet, string quartet, Trumpet trio.)

• Solo Work consists of music played by one instrument or voice with or without a piano or ensemble accompaniment.

• New Music where you learn on your own!1. Listen to professional recordings (if possible).2. Sing/hum/sizzle/clap difficult rhythms with a

metronome.3. Practice your part at a half-marked tempo then

slowly speed it up to marked tempo.

Why Practice That?• Helps to allow for more listening to better

contribute your talent with a group of people. REMEMBER: You and your ensemble are working together to deliver an exciting product that your friends and family will LOVE!!!

• Being prepared for a small ensemble makes you dependable. You’re the only one playing your part!

• Solo work develops your personal musicianship, dedication, patience, and efficiency.

• With consistent practice, playing certain pieces will become second nature, so we can focus on expression.

Tips for personal practice• Make a personal goal of what you want to improve• Section the piece so you can “clean” little by little• If there’s a difficult measure, count it out, sizzle it,

finger through until you feel better about the notes and rhythm.

• Start the metronome at least 20 clicks under performance tempo. NEVER NEVER NEVER just jump into it at temp until you can play it slow!

• When in doubt, take it slower.• Ask someone else’s opinion. (Section Leader, Drum

Major, Conductor)• Watch a professional recording if possible.• Record yourself and evaluate your own progress.

Rehearse how we practice!