So, now you're back in shape after some time off, and you're in the middle of summer. Schools out, and the next school year is still more than a month away. Perhaps you have a summer job, or some camps to attend, but this doesn't mean you should pack up your trombone, baritone, or euphonium until August! The summer is a great time to experiment, get a leg up before school starts, or just play for fun! Here's some options to explore:
And of course, there are plenty of other ways to stay active during the summer months, so find any music that excites you and get to playing! Use the same beautiful sound you make during the school year, and play your new music for your friends and family. And please share your music with me! I'd love to hear a performance in our next lesson, or a recording you made! The best thing you can do is find music you enjoy and play it! Play with your friends, or play along with a recording. A quick search on YouTube might bring up some backing tracks that can let YOU play the melody too! Happy practicing!
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As students, all of our teachers always tell us to practice as much as we can. Some provide practice logs, while some give us those scathing looks in rehearsals when they can tell we didn't go over that tricky passage last night. But what most teachers don't tell you to do is take a break and put the horn away for a while, or how to get yourself back in shape after a summer vacation.
Taking a break from playing can actually be a very healthy aspect of developing our musical skills and honing our instrumental technique as brass players. I have consistently found summers to be the best time to make large changes in my own playing, especially after taking some time off. The break allows our body to literally forget our old habits, and provides us the opportunity to retrain our bodies in a new way. We can REPLACE our habits with new ones, rather than trying to change our technique. When dealing with breaks and post-break practicing, keep a few things in mind:
Remember: taking time off is a good thing, and the summer is a great time to enjoy it! During the school year, you'll be busy with marching band competitions, band rehearsals, Solo and Ensemble contests, and more. Take some time to rest now, but return to the instrument with a newfound sense of ambition and goals to reach the next level. Play simple tunes and technically easy music when you pick up your instrument again, and feed the buzz consistent and copious air! And now after almost a week of traveling without playing, it is my turn to brush the dust off my trombone and get to practicing again! Enjoy your summer breaks and happy practicing! Jeff |
Jeff Dunn, tromboneAn avid educator, performer, and advocate for music. Archives
May 2015
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