Prioritizing your practice time 10/30/2017 Time management seems to be a recurring issue for lots of players. None of us have as much time for getting things done, as we would like. So, what should you do with the practice time you have? Fundamentals. When you only have a finite amount of time, you should always use it for working on fundamentals. Working on air control, slide technique, clean slurs and articulations will help a player execute any music that comes on the stand. There is no shortcut, I’m sorry. Every great player
Time management seems to be a recurring issue for lots of players. None of us have as much time for getting things done, as we would like. So, what should you do with the practice time you have? Fundamentals. When you only have a finite amount of time, you should always use it for working on fundamentals. Working on air control, slide technique, clean slurs and articulations will help a player execute any music that comes on the stand. There is no shortcut, I’m sorry. Every great player
Symphonie Fantastique 09/29/2017 One of many advantages that string players have over wind and brass players is that of bowing indications. In addition to helping the section sound more homogenous, they are also an indicator of musical emphasis and phrasing. In case you are not familiar with bowings, an up bow, shown as a V over a note, is generally lighter and can often be used on a pick up note or other weaker beat. A down bow, shown as a P, is generally heavier and used for strong beats or notes with an accent. An up bow
One of many advantages that string players have over wind and brass players is that of bowing indications. In addition to helping the section sound more homogenous, they are also an indicator of musical emphasis and phrasing. In case you are not familiar with bowings, an up bow, shown as a V over a note, is generally lighter and can often be used on a pick up note or other weaker beat. A down bow, shown as a P, is generally heavier and used for strong beats or notes with an accent. An up bow
The Hardest Thing 09/27/2017 The hardest thing is always the first step. When you have a big paper to write for a class, the first paragraph can take longer than the last several pages. When I let myself get out of shape, getting the motivation to exercise for the first time is so much harder than the actual workout. Getting into the practice room for the first time on any day is no different. Sometimes the worry about how difficult something is going to be can completely stop us in our tracks. But, like so many things in
The hardest thing is always the first step. When you have a big paper to write for a class, the first paragraph can take longer than the last several pages. When I let myself get out of shape, getting the motivation to exercise for the first time is so much harder than the actual workout. Getting into the practice room for the first time on any day is no different. Sometimes the worry about how difficult something is going to be can completely stop us in our tracks. But, like so many things in
Reckless Abandon 09/20/2017 Last week Colin and I had the privilege of working with the brass students of the Interlochen Arts Academy. While how to practice was one of the major recurring themes of the week, there was another problem that came up with several students who were otherwise excellent young players: playing self-consciously and with fear. One student only played a true forte volume when we asked them to play ugly. Another never let go and went for it, even as we both jumped around in front of them trying
Last week Colin and I had the privilege of working with the brass students of the Interlochen Arts Academy. While how to practice was one of the major recurring themes of the week, there was another problem that came up with several students who were otherwise excellent young players: playing self-consciously and with fear. One student only played a true forte volume when we asked them to play ugly. Another never let go and went for it, even as we both jumped around in front of them trying
Developing Musicianship, Part 1 07/23/2017 Musicians bandy around the word “musical” a lot, but teachers don’t often break down how a student is supposed to actually do it. In a previous post I said that one should make “researched choices.” I would like to explain what I meant by that here. Deciding to play a phrase in a certain way because one feels like it is usually because our instincts tell us to. These instincts are shaped from infancy as we are surrounded by Western harmony. Sing Twinkle, Twinkle to yourself and you will hear
Musicians bandy around the word “musical” a lot, but teachers don’t often break down how a student is supposed to actually do it. In a previous post I said that one should make “researched choices.” I would like to explain what I meant by that here. Deciding to play a phrase in a certain way because one feels like it is usually because our instincts tell us to. These instincts are shaped from infancy as we are surrounded by Western harmony. Sing Twinkle, Twinkle to yourself and you will hear
I Don't Have Time! 02/17/2017 Whether you are a student, a professional, or a hobbyist, there never seems to be enough time to practice as much as one would like. As a result, I am always sharing ideas for how to maximize one’s time. What it really comes down to is planning ahead and answering these two questions: 1. What is your schedule for this week? 2. What do you want to accomplish in your practice this week? No two days or weeks ever seem to be exactly the same, so it’s important to look ahead and see what the
Whether you are a student, a professional, or a hobbyist, there never seems to be enough time to practice as much as one would like. As a result, I am always sharing ideas for how to maximize one’s time. What it really comes down to is planning ahead and answering these two questions: 1. What is your schedule for this week? 2. What do you want to accomplish in your practice this week? No two days or weeks ever seem to be exactly the same, so it’s important to look ahead and see what the
