Daily Routine part 2 - The 10 minute rule

As I was searching the web for some articles about practicing I came across one by Josh Bledsoe who is getting his DMA in Trombone at ASU. His article talked about the 10 minute rule. Basically, if you have tasks that you want to get done over time but never seem to get them done, you spend ten minutes a day on them. As simple as it sounds this is a really good approach that I have been trying over the last couple days. For me it is things like reading a book, score studying, blogging, etc.

How can the ten minute rule apply to practicing? Think back to my previous post about the daily routine. If you took all the areas that need attention in brass playing and gave 10 minutes to each then you could have a fairly lengthy routine that never gets bogged down in one area. That's the whole point of the 10 minute rule, it is a short enough amount of time where you can spend the whole 10 minutes being focused on whatever it is you are working on. Imagine spending 10 minutes a day working the upper register. That would be 1hr and 10 minutes per week spent in that range. Plus, those 70 minutes will probably be more focused and concentrated than if you just sat down and started playing. This leads me to another topic for later: having a goal while you practice.

So over the next few days/weeks try spending 10 minutes a day doing something that you would like to get done; Cleaning a room, reading, listen to music, research, whatever. See if you don't begin to chip away at the task without over working yourself.

Be back in 10....

Read More

Daily Routine Part 1 - Setting a Routine

So lately I've been trying to find different routines to start my practicing with. I have been doing the same few sets of things, mostly Remington and Schlossberg. I have been looking around and have found some different routines by Alessi, Ellefson, Brent Phillips, and John Whitaker. I don't like any of them but I do like some from each, so I'm gonna put them together to make my own I think.

I think it is a good thing not to get in a rut of doing the same stuff everyday, especially if it is a limited routine. This idea promotes working on things a certain way whereas if you approach the same concepts in different ways then in theory you will be more flexible with whatever it is that may be presented to you. Not to mention if you do have a routine that you do everyday it is very easy to not focus during that time, which defeats the purpose of the routine. If you do not have a daily set of things that you practice meaning.....you don't really practice fundamentals, then I suggest you start. Remington and Schlossberg are great places to start for brass players. Just remember that your routine/drills/warmups or whatever you call them have to touch all the major areas of brass playing.

Read More

Thanksgiving

My wife and I's first Thanksgiving dinner in our home was a success. We had all of my family and hers over for a total of about 15 people. My first attempt at deep frying a turkey was also a success, but believe me it tasted better than it looked. My mother in law put a lot of butter and seasoning on the outside of the bird so when we put it in the deep fryer it was turning black on the outside within 30 minutes. We took it out and put it in the oven for a few just to get the legs done a little more. I gotta tell you, it was one of the best tasting turkeys I have ever had and I'm not a turkey fan either. There were rolls, muffins, cornbread, stuffing, cranberry sauce, beans, rice, mac n cheese, sweet potatoes, collards, ham, pineapple casserole, potato and chicken salad. All in all it was a great meal and a great time spent with both our families. Hopefully next year we can get the turkey to look as good as it tastes!

Read More

TYBE First Rehearsal

So my first rehearsal as music director of the Triangle Youth Brass Ensemble was last night. Everyone was there and it was a great time. Since hearing the auditions last week I've been real excited to get started. We have a full band which is totally awesome AND we are going to be a real brass band this year!! We passed out baritones, flugelhorn, and Eb soprano cornets last night and in the next two weeks we are getting tenor horns and Bb cornets. There really are going to be some very cool things happening this year.

For the first time playing together and sight reading the music I thought the group did very well. I can tell that this is going to be a good group. The repertoire I picked is challenging yet fun to play and is going to make them work. I also plan on working their tails off too! There is a lot in store for them this season: Scott Hartman, trombone soloist and James Ketch, trumpet soloist will be working with the band this year. Plus we will be able to give a performance at the NABBA competition this year since it's in Raleigh. All I know is that I need to go work on my baton skills!!

Read More