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“To achieve great things, two things are needed;
a plan, and not quite enough time.” - Leonard Bernstein
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Consider this page your DAILY REHEARSAL. We will start with our Daily Drill (Warm-up - Ensemble Development), followed by Repertoire, Sight-Reading, and other musical extensions to challenge you and help us grow as an ensemble. This is also a great format to follow as a daily practicing regime. If you want more information about how to practice, check out the PRACTICE FOR SUCCESS! page.
DAILY DRILL...
WARM-UP - The purpose of the warm-up is to physically and mentally prepare yourself to perform.
WARM-UP - The purpose of the warm-up is to physically and mentally prepare yourself to perform.
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Physical Preparation
In a sporting event an athlete cannot expect to do their best without a proper warm-up and training. They risk physical injury, reduced endurance, and mental defeat. Playing a musical instrument is only different in that we use different muscle groups. These muscle groups need to be conditioned and strengthened in order to grow as a musician. |
Mental Preparation
When you practice/rehearse, you should relax and focus your thoughts on what you are doing. Block out any distractions that interfere with your playing. |
"Avoid playing too high, too loud, too long, too soon."
STEP #1: Silence
A proper warm-up begins with focus. Silence your body and your mind so you can accomplish your goals.
A proper warm-up begins with focus. Silence your body and your mind so you can accomplish your goals.
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STEP #2: Proper Posture
The manner in which we approach sitting or standing to play a musical instrument is the foundation for mastery. Proper posture ensures that 1) the body is aligned, 2) we maximize space for breathing, and 3) we eliminate tension. Have you stretched?
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Posture Reminders...
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STEP #3: Breathing
The key to playing any wind instrument well is having great breath control. We will focus on the two fundamental aspects of breathing: inhalation and exhalation. The whole breathing process is similar to a sigh or yawn… a large, full, relaxed, steady inhale (expansion) followed by an immediate full, relaxed, and steady exhale (release). |
Breathing Reminders...
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You will need to access your Tonal Energy Tuner App for the next section.
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Click the TONAL ENERGY GUIDE for a reference manual.
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Using the SOUND (DRONE) feature...
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Using the TUNER feature...
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Using the METRONOME feature...
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WINDS
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PERCUSSION
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STEP #4: Sing, Buzz, Play
This is when we begin to connect the sounds we hear to the sounds that we create.
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STEP #4: Stretch
This can be combined with STEP #3. |
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STEP #5: Long Tones, Remington, Flow Studies
This is when we apply our fundamental skills towards producing the best possible sound on our instrument.
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STEP #5: Legato Strokes
This is when we start to move our hands.
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LONG NOTE COMPETITION
See how long you can sustain your tuning pitch (with good tone/intonation). Use a stopwatch to record your time and try everyday to match/beat your last time. |
LONG ROLL COMPETITION
See how long you can sustain a single stroke roll (with evenness/consistency of sound). Use a stopwatch to record your time and try everyday to match/beat your last time. |
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STEP #6: Instrument Specific Concepts
This is when instrument specific skills and techniques are used to complete an individual warm-up routine.
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STEP #6: Instrument Specific Concepts
This is when instrument specific skills and techniques are used to complete an individual warm-up routine.
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ENSEMBLE DEVELOPMENT - These are the concepts, techniques, and exercises that help students grow individually and as an ensemble.
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STEP #7: Note Length, Articulation, Rhythmic Studies
This is when we begin to open our ears beyond our own sound and begin to focus on the sound of the ensemble. Exercises include:
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Sight-Reading Factory is an online resource that allows you to create both rhythmic and melodic sight-reading examples. These examples are great for rehearsing Note Lengths, Articulation, and Rhythms.
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STEP #8: Scales - Scale Patterns
This is when we continue to develop our technique. Exercises include:
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CAN YOU...
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Music Theory
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Recording
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Notation
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STEP #9: Tuning
We have been listening and adjusting throughout this warm-up process, but now it is time to fine tune.
We have been listening and adjusting throughout this warm-up process, but now it is time to fine tune.
- Set the TE Tuner App to a drone of your tuning pitch (Concert F, Bb or A)
- Hum the pitch
- Sing the pitch on "Oh"
- Match the pitch on your instrument
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MR. SMILEY COMPETITION (Use the Tuner setting on the TE Tuner App...)
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STEP #10: Chorale
We have been listening and adjusting throughout this warm-up process, but now it is time to fine tune.
We have been listening and adjusting throughout this warm-up process, but now it is time to fine tune.
- Set the TE Tuner App to a drone of the concert key. (Select your instrument sound)
- Play through any of chorale setting.
EXERCISES & WARM-UPS...
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REPERTOIRE...
PART ASSIGNMENTS |
ENSEMBLE DEVELOPMENT - Rehearsing repertoire with your ensemble should be an extension of your ensemble development. Consider how your ensemble development time supports the repertoire to be rehearsed.
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PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
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SIGHT-READING...
Sight Reading, or the ability to read music at first sight, is a skill that can be developed just like any other musical skill. Click on the music title under your ensemble heading and locate your assigned part. Study your part for a few minutes and then click on the recording to the right to sight-read along with the recording.
Sight Reading, or the ability to read music at first sight, is a skill that can be developed just like any other musical skill. Click on the music title under your ensemble heading and locate your assigned part. Study your part for a few minutes and then click on the recording to the right to sight-read along with the recording.
