HOW & WHERE TO PRACTICE
Learning to
play an instrument requires Muscle
Memory, which is where we teach our
muscles how to do certain things. If we
repeat this enough correctly, our
muscles (our lips, lungs, diaphragm,
tongue, cheeks, fingers, hands) will
"remember" the right way to do the work.
Playing an instrument includes many fine
motor skills and coordination. Sitting
in a chair correctly (no slouching,
crossed legs), breathing properly,
holding your hands and fingers in the
correct position, forming the correct
embouchure (the way your lips and mouth
form around the mouthpiece), tongue
placement and shape of the inside of
your mouth, evenly and actively moving
the air from your body through the
instrument - these are only some of the
physical requirements. Add to that the
mental exercises in identifying the
correct notes and fingerings/slide
positions, dynamics (loudness and
softness), then there is a lot going on
at once.
- Find somewhere quiet, without
distractions. No TV, No Phone, No Pets,
etc.
- Find a good flat, balanced, straight
chair. Try not to practice on your bed, and do not sit on the floor.
- Sit up straight - don't slouch. Don't prop yourself up on your legs or chair.
- Make sure your feet are flat on the floor - no crossed legs.
- Hold your head up - raise your stand if
needed. Don't play toward the floor (or the ceiling).
- Take a deep breath and actively move the
air through the instrument - our air is
like gasoline for cars. If you don't use
enough air, your sound will suffer.
Playing a wind instrument is not like
passively breathing during the day.
- Don't puff out your cheeks. Focus the
air and energy through the instrument
and mouthpiece/reed.
- Make sure you are using correct hand and
finger positions. When in doubt, refer
to your fingering chart in the back of
the book. Make notes (in pencil) when
needed.
- Try practicing in front of a mirror -
pay attention to your embouchure,
finger/hand placement, posture, puffed
cheeks, etc.
- Write down questions that arise, and ask
Mr. Paul about it when you can.
- Insist on making GOOD sounds. If it
sounds like a duck, moose, etc. - it's
probably not a good sound. Think about
making the kind of sound you want to
hear. Use rounded vowel shapes (oh, ah,
oo), be aware of the position of your
tongue (up or down). Always use lots of
air!
- Practice music that is giving you
problems, not just the easy stuff that
sounds good.
- Always include scales and long tones in
your practice routine.
- When practicing a challenging section,
break it down into smaller groups (one
measure, two measures) and slow down the
tempo. Sometimes even working on the
same two notes over and over can be
helpful.
Preparation - Practice - Patience - Perseverance - Performance