Practicing Tips

1) Establish a routine time and place where you can practice daily. Make sure you have a chair that allows you to sit up properly and a music stand.

2) Always listen to the tone you are producing. Aim for beautiful tone all the time! Things that will get in the way of producing a good tone include bad/old reeds, loose or improper embouchure, and/ or lack of breath support.

3) Divide your practice time into three different parts:

Warm-up: Stretch your fingers and arms before playing. Notice if you have any tension in your shoulders or fingers. Carefully assemble your instrument. Play long tones from a scale and/or lip slurs to help set your embouchure and air. (Use warm-ups from class or in method book.)

Isolate Difficult Passages: Look at passages within the method book or repertoire that you struggle with and isolate them. Remember that practice does not make perfect but rather permanent.  Play difficult passages slowly and out of tempo until they have the correct fingerings and rhythms.

Perform: End the practice session by performing a piece that you enjoy! Give a concert performance for your family and/or friends. Carefully clean/swab your instrument and put away in its case.

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