Elements of Productive Practice

As a Student, have you ever wondered what it takes to get better? Here are some Proven Elements of Good Practice. As a parent, if you’ve ever wondered what your kiddo should be practicing; be listening for these elements.

Warm up

Main Focus Points:

• Consistent good sounds.

• Using good air.

• Play with good posture.

• Develop a good embouchure.

Exercises:

• Neck and mouthpiece sounds.

• Mouthpiece flexibility.

• Long sounds.

• Octave Slurs.

• Use a tuner/drone.

Technique and Skill Building

Main Focus Points:

• Reading.

• Mechanism and technique.

• Articulation.

• Tuning - reinforcing beautiful tone in all registers.

• Vibrato.

Exercises:

• Rhythm studies.

• Articulation patterns and exercises.

• Scales, arpeggios, and mechanism exercises.

• Vibrato exercises.

• Overtones.

• Voicing.

• Etudes.

Repertoire

Main Focus Points:

• Improving your solo/ensemble performance.

• Learning and perfecting your parts for ensembles.

• Learning and perfecting assignments for lessons (etudes, solos, chamber music, etc).