Playing Tips

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...

As you work to develop and teach balance within sections of the band, try rearranging the seating based on part...

“I have my trombone players sing note names to me as they show me the correct positions. A variation to...

When students sit up, their chest cavity will be more open and allow them to take in even more air....

Begin each rehearsal with a warm-up routine that focuses on some basic playing. This will develop good tone, intonation, blend...

To accelerate learning for B above the break, I put 1/4” round color coding labels on both pinky keys. Students...

“One of the most common contributions to a non-characteristic brass sound from a young player is the approach to articulation....

“When in the final stages of preparation for any form of concert or performance, be sure to allow your students...

“To avoid some confusion for beginning flute players’ finger position, I put a small piece of masking tape on the...

Young clarinet players often play with unsupported, flat sounds in the upper register. This is often caused by a mushy...