Playing Tips

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Published: 01 June 2016

Never play to "impress" others! I have seen dozens of musicians tie themselves in knots at auditions, performances and even rehearsals trying to impress someone else — the conductor perhaps, the anonymous committee at auditions or even people in the audience! Play for the joy of the music, the composer and for yourself!

Stephen Heyde
Baylor University

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Published: 12 April 2016

To accelerate learning for B above the break, I put 1/4" round color coding labels on both pinky keys. Students learn that B is the bulls eye of the music staff and played with both pinky's.

Michel Nadeau

Burr Intermediate School

East Northport, NY

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Published: 01 March 2016

The dot makes a note longer by half the notes value. I first teach the dotted half note, then the dotted whole note. Learning to read the dotted quarter note becomes much easier for students to grasp the concept of augmentation dots.

Michel Nadeau
Burr Intermediate School
Commack, New York

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Published: 01 February 2016

Before playing your flute, take the mouthpiece only and do a few slurring exercises (going from the lower octaves to the high octave) and play around with your sound a little while looking into a mirror. Listen carefully how your sound changes by either pushing more air from your stomach, or loosening/tightening your embouchure. Make sure that your bottom lip is covering half of the mouthpiece! Do this as a 5-minute-warm-up and it should improve your tone quality!

Anahi Nanez
New Caney High School
New Caney, Texas

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Published: 08 January 2016

Tip: I always start my practice with a stretch of my hand. By doing this, I can play more efficiently and easily with my hand not cramping up. To protect my hand from any strain, I also rub out my hand when I am through.

Nicole Reed

Bartlett High School

Anchorage, Alaska

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Published: 11 December 2015

Play it again!

Often in rehearsal, we are quick to stop playing and "fix" something. Many times, simply playing a passage again and getting some repetitions in will "fix" the problem we wanted to stop and work on. Our students can "iron out the kinks" pretty well themselves if we give them the time and opportunity!

Lloyd McDonald
Feagin Mill Middle School
Warner Robins, GA

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Published: 11 November 2015

Practice articulations by using visual representations. Draw a picture of staccato.

Read more: Picture This…

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Published: 22 October 2015

Characteristic tone and tuning start with air. Unrestricted air requires use of the diaphragm, posture that allows for expansion in the abdomen, a relaxed and open throat, and no tension in the shoulders or neck. Good air should move a piece of paper held in front of the face from vertical to horizontal.

Carolyn Ireland

Dr. John Folks Middle School

San Antonio, Texas

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Published: 15 September 2015

For a well-rounded tone quality, I am convinced you need to warm-up the band always using long tones from B flat concert and play half steps down to low F concert and back up using half steps. It results in better tone and better tuning. It’s simple, but it works over a period of time.

Read more: A Long Tone Warming Up in Half Steps

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Published: 14 August 2015

Reseat string orchestral sections into multiple string quintets. This approach emphasizes listening beyond your section and part while playing in an ensemble. It can also be a smooth introduction to conductor-less chamber music. Additionally, it’s a good way to check for individual accuracy much more efficiently and more in context than having them play one at a time.

David West
Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music
Bronx, NY