Here are some of my thoughts on a variety of topics related to performance and practice.  I believe that progress occurs when we are on point and focused on the desired product.  Feel free to contact me if you would like my insight on a particular issue!

PRODUCTIVE PRACTICE HABITS

 

Keep It Consistent:

• Always budget time earlier in the day for a proper warm up:

  • Breathing and Buzzing

  • Glisses and Long Tones

  • Articulation:  Scales, Arpeggios, and Overtone Series

  • Slurs and Flexibility

 

• Always allow for additional practice time to focus on Fundamentals:

  • Arban, Mueller, and Kopprasch:  Tone Stability, Consistency, and Technique

  • Edwards:  Slurs and Flexibility

  • Blume and Ostrander:  Lower Register – F Attachment

  • SIGHT READING!

 

• Always spend time working on Expression and Creativity:

  • Etudes:  Bordogni (3 ways) and Blazhevich

  • Solo Repertoire

  • Duets, Trios, Chamber Music

  • Improvisation

 

Keep It Goal-Oriented:

• Always go into the practice room with a definitive game plan.  What is the mission?

  • Ex:  This 20 minutes will be spent on first 4 lines of Blazhevich 72 under tempo

  • Ex: This 30 minute session will be focused on sight reading

 

• Always stay on point.

  • Record yourself to identify wasted time or “noodling”

  • Take a break when you begin to lose focus

  • Be able to walk out having spent your time EXACTLY as intended

 

Keep It Simple:

• Always do the “little things”

  • Mark breaths: which are determined by your intended phrasing

  • Define all terminology: which indicate the composer’s interpretation

  • Have a definite metronome marking for where you are and want to be

  • Bracket all problem areas for targeted practice

  • Reminders:  accidentals, phrase direction, rubato, etc.

 

• Always approach problems with LOGIC (not emotion).

  • WHAT is the problem?

  • WHEN does it occur?

  • WHY is it happening?  (identify several possible reasons…it’s not exact science)

  • HOW to fix it?  (identify at least 1-2 ways to fix each reason for the problem)

 

Keep It Positive:

• Always start where you ARE – and move steadily to where you want to be

  • SLOW PRACTICE:  Keep it slow, but play EXACTLY how you intend at faster tempi

  • Law of averages:  Have you played a passage correctly or incorrectly more times?

  • Recognize the difference between honest critique and destructive thoughts

  • Embrace struggle and challenge – they are necessary for improvement

 

• Always track back to sources of inspiration.

  • World class musicians….trombonists and others

  • Live performances – both as participant and as audience member

  • Have a group of friends with whom you can TALK about music…and grow.

 

 

 

Teaching & Practice Concepts