​APPENDIX VI
DAILY PRACTICE ROUTINE
AND
​DAILY WARM-UP TIPS & TECHNIQUES

  1. Prepare to Practice: 5 minPractice in a room where you won’t be disturbed (no TV, computer, cell phone, little brothers or sisters, etc.).  Have the following out and ready to use: Straight backed chair, music stand, metronome, music, mirror & pencil on stand, instrument and accessories (reeds, spray bottle, oil, etc.)
  2. ​Long tones, register slurs, natural slurs: 4-5 minPlay slow scales (in whole notes) for sound production, intonation, breathing, embouchure and scale knowledge.
  3. Finger Work: 5-7 minHands should be relaxed and fingers should be curved whether up or down.  Check contact points of thumbs and sides of fingers.  Finger motion should be small and precise.
  4. Tonguing exercises: 5 minTongue should be relaxed and allowed freedom of movement. Avoid moving the jaw while tonguing. Tongue only with the very tip of the tongue and do not allow the tongue to move far from the tonguing position.
  5. Scales and arpeggios: 7-9 minScales must be played in very even rhythm with a metronome.  Work on scales slowly and gradually increase speed every two days.  Scales should extend into extreme registers.
  6. Etudes: 15 minWork on two contrasting etudes at a time or alternate working on slow and fast.  Stress correct rhythm and articulation.
  7. Solo Repertoire: 10-15minHave two solos you can rotate in practice sessions.
  8. Band Music:Always stress the difficult passages that seem to be a problem.
 
Remember: You are responsible for learning your own parts to the best of your ability.

​DAILY WARM-UP TIPS & TECHNIQUES

WARM-UP
This part of your daily playing is the most important part; therefore, use it with great care.
  1. Don’t play high.
  2. Don’t play low.
  3. Don’t play loud.
  4. Don’t play soft.
Play in your middle register, mezzo-forte, and gradually extend the register and dynamics as your lips and embouchure begin to respond with agility and flexibility.
 
TECHNIQUES
Strive to master all phases of your instrument not just one part or the part that you already do best. Work for progress and results.
 
The “Big 4 DO’s” for focus during practice session:
  1. DO work to increase breathing capacity and support.
  2. DO work to develop embouchure strength flexibility.
  3. DO work to increase strength and speed of fingers.
  4. DO work to develop tonguing abilities
Each day attempt to strengthen your breathing technique and gain better control, attempt to strengthen your lip muscles to gain endurance in your playing (long tones are good), attempt to strengthen your finger muscles for better dexterity and control (a good metronome is a must), attempt to strengthen your tonguing muscles to gain control, evenness, and speed (in this order – never speed first)
 
OTHER PHASES (TO BE COVERED AS NEEDED)
  1. Range (brasses especially)
  2. Altissimo exercises (clarinets)
  3. Scales/Arpeggios
  4. Intervals
  5. Lip slurs (brasses)
  6. Chords (broken argeggios)
  7. Single/Double/Triple Tonguing
  8. Flexibility exercise
  9. Long tones
  10. Sight reading skills