Staying Active During the Summer

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:

• Practice and play with other musicians!  Find some friends from band to play with, whether they play a low brass instrument, flute, percussion, or anything else!  Pull out some of your favorite tunes from last year, one of your lesson books, or try to find music online to play together.  Just because a piece of music isn't marked "trombone/baritone" doesn't mean you can't play it!  If you have questions about reading different music, or if something just doesn't sound quite right, let me know and I'll help with clef and transposition!
  
  
• Figure out how to play your favorite song!  Break out your iPod, computer, or smart phone and plug in your headphones!  Pick a song on the radio, a YouTube video, or one you keep on Repeat on your playlist and figure out the notes on your horn.  Start by listening so many times that you can hum along to the ENTIRE song.  Then make some notes about the different melodies and how often/when they come back during the song.  Pick a part that is comfortable and familiar, and try to play along.  If you're struggling to find a certain note, listen to the recording first, pause it and hum the pitch, then find that pitch on your instrument.  Try to use a track/equipment that allows you to start and stop quickly, and scan through the track at your convenience; it'll make your task easier!    

• Sight read new material!  Remember that page in your method book you didn't quite get to last year?  Or maybe that piece of music you had in your band folder but never played?  Go ahead and pull those out and see how much you can play!  It might not be perfect on the first try, but remember what your teachers have taught you to make it better!  Out of things to play?  Find a new book or borrow one from a friend!  I'm always available to make suggestions and recommendations!  Or, generate new music at sightreadingfactory.com

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!