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.
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.
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?
Posture Reminders...
  • ​Sit on the front edge of the chair
  • Sit with both feet flat on the floor
  • Lengthen the spine & widen the shoulders
  • Head is relaxed and floating
  • Hold instrument with proper hand & finger placement
  • Music stand is an extension​ of posture
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...
​I​NHALATION - “How” Breath
  • Breathe down and from the diaphragm
  • Stay relaxed at all times
  • Keep the throat open
  • 2-Step inhalation (Half - Full - Reverse)
EXHALATION - “Ho” Breath
  • Do not hold or “cap” the breath
  • Air is always moving - in or out!
  • Stay relaxed at all times
  • Keep the throat open
  • The air should have a warm sound and texture.​
You will need to access your Tonal Energy Tuner App for the next section.
TONAL ENERGY TUNER APP
Click the TONAL ENERGY GUIDE for a reference manual.
Using the SOUND (DRONE) feature...
  • ​Select Sound from the bottom menu
  • Select Instrument Sound
  • Select appropriate Octave
  • Toggle on/off the Sustain
  • Select instrument Pitch from the wheel or keyboard
Using the TUNER feature...
  • ​Select Tuner from the bottom menu
  • Select Temperament - Equal / Just
  • Under Wind... Select IN-TUNE RANGE
NOTE:  You can toggle a drone on/off from this screen by holding the pitch on the wheel or keyboard.
​Using the METRONOME feature...
  • ​Select Metro from the bottom menu
  • Follow the on screen prompts to select Tempo. Meter, Subdivision, etc.
WINDS
PERCUSSION
STEP #4:  Sing, Buzz, Play
This is when we begin to connect the sounds we hear to the sounds that we create.
  • ​​Set the TE Tuner App to a drone of Concert F or Concert Bb
               (Select your instrument sound)
  • Sing/Match the pitch on "Oh"
  • Sing/Match the pitch while buzzing (Brass Only!)
  • Match the pitch on your instrument​
NOTE:  Repeat this process on other notes, simple scale sequences, etc.
STEP #4:  Stretch
This can be combined with STEP #3.
STEP #5:  Long Tones, Remington, Flow Studies
​This is when we apply our fundamental skills towards producing the best possible sound on our instrument.
  • ​​Set the TE Tuner App to your starting pitch (Concert F or Bb)
​               (Select your instrument sound)
  • ​​Set the TE Tuner App to mm. = 80
REMEMBER:  Stay relaxed, take a full breath, move the air, and play with a beautiful sound.
STEP #5:  Legato Strokes
​This is when we start to move our hands.
  • Legato Strokes (Single Hand, Hand to Hand, Double Stops)​
REMEMBER:  Stay relaxed, use a full stroke, and play with an evenness/consistency of sound.
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.
STEP #6:  Instrument Specific Concepts
This is when instrument specific skills and techniques are used to complete an individual warm-up routine.
  • Flute - Octave Studies, Harmonics
  • Oboe/Bassoon - Octave Studies
  • Clarinet - Register Studies
  • Saxophone - Octave Studies
  • Brass - Flexibilities, Range Expansion
STEP #6:  Instrument Specific Concepts
​This is when instrument specific skills and techniques are used to complete an individual warm-up routine.
  • Snare - Rudiments
  • Timpani - Tuning, Rolls
  • Mallets - Scale Patterns
​ENSEMBLE DEVELOPMENT - ​These are the concepts, techniques, and exercises that help students grow individually and as an ensemble.
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:
  • Note Length/Articulation Exercise​
  • Check Patterns
  • ​Rhythmic Sight-Reading
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.
STEP #8:  Scales - Scale Patterns
This is when we continue to develop our technique.
Exercises include:
  • Mini Scales - Tonic Arpeggios
  • Major/Minor Scales (Scale Pattern #1, Scale in Thirds, "Krause" Scales)
  • Chromatic Scales​
  • Check Patterns
​NOTE:  This is where you can also apply a bit of Music Theory.  Use the Circle of Keys as a guide.
CAN YOU...
  • play all 12 Mini Scales w/Tonic Arpeggios?
  • play all 12 Major Scales?
  • play all 12 Minor Scales? in 3 forms?
  • play the Chromatic Scale the full range of your instrument?
  • play all scales from memory?
  • play all scales in 1, 2, or 3 octaves?
STEP #9:  Tuning
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)
               (Select your instrument sound)
  • Hum the pitch
  • Sing the pitch on "Oh"
  • Match the pitch on your instrument​
MR. SMILEY COMPETITION  (Use the Tuner setting on the TE Tuner App...)
  • Set the in-Tune Range to Wide (Intermediate), Medium (Advanced), Fine (Professional), or Ultra-Fine (Insane).
  • Set the Temperament to "Equal"
  • Match your tuning pitch (while watching) and try to get Mr. Smiley to stay on the screen for as long as possible.  Use a built in timer to record your time and try everyday to match/beat your last time.
  • VARIATION #1:  Work with a partner.  Match your tuning pitch (without watching) and try to get Mr. Smiley to stay on the screen for as long as possible.
  • VARIATION #2:    Set the Temperament to "Just" and adjust the key area to any major key.  Play each scale degree working to center the intonation on each pitch.  Repeat this Variation using a drone, matching without looking.
STEP #10:  Chorale
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. 
REPERTOIRE...
​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.
SYMPHONIC BAND​
If you need access to music, please contact Mr. Fischer.
SYMPHONIC WINDS
​If you need access to music, please contact Mr. Fischer.
WIND ENSEMBLE
​If you need access to music, please contact Mr. Fischer.
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
​If you need access to music, please contact Mr. Fischer.
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.
SYMPHONIC BAND
SYMPHONIC WINDS
WIND ENSEMBLE
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE