Playing Tips

Through my years of teaching beginner trumpet players, I found the “M-P” technique has been the most successful way to...

Have your students play in instrument-specific choirs or chamber groups such as trumpet ensemble, clarinet ensemble, low brass ensemble, brass...

By changing the name of the “Warm-Up” to “Technique”, the students perceive and will approach this crucial daily process differently....

Tone quality, intonation, and balance all go hand in hand in creating a great ensemble sound. Start by reminding your...

The ensemble that breathes together will play together. This doesn’t just apply to wind instruments. Have you ever watched a...

Adding percussion to your daily warmup routine will engage those musicians from the beginning of the rehearsal.  Consider doubling the...

When playing your chorale at the end of the warm-up, try an unconducted performance. This forces the band or orchestra...

Barlines are finish lines, not stop signs. You run through them. Heather Hoefle, Teacher & Composer Homewood SD153 Flossmoor, IL

A note ends when the next note or rest begins. Pay attention to where notes end, not just where they...

When tuning the band or orchestra, be sure to focus not only on matching pitch, but tuning octaves. Many instruments...

When playing your chorale at the end of the warm up, try not conducting and ask the band/orchestra work together...

Instead of counting 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, count 2-3-4-1, 2-3-4-1. This helps push the music over the barline. Heather Hoefle Homewood SD...