When the Note Ends… by Mike Lawson March 18, 2022 0 A note ends when the next note or rest begins. Pay attention to where notes end, not just where they...
Tuning the Band and Orchestra by Mike Lawson March 18, 2022 0 When tuning the band or orchestra, be sure to focus not only on matching pitch, but tuning octaves. Many instruments...
To Conduct or Not to Conduct? by Mike Lawson September 19, 2022 0 When playing your chorale at the end of the warm up, try not conducting and ask the band/orchestra work together...
Creating Forward Motion In Phrasing by Mike Lawson November 12, 2021 0 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...
Developing Balance Within Each Section of the Band by Mike Lawson October 9, 2021 0 As you work to develop and teach balance within sections of the band, try rearranging the seating based on part...
Sing & Show by Mike Lawson August 13, 2021 0 “I have my trombone players sing note names to me as they show me the correct positions. A variation to...
June 2021, Playing Tips: Policing the Posture by Mike Lawson June 12, 2021 0 When students sit up, their chest cavity will be more open and allow them to take in even more air....
Keep It Warm by Mike Lawson May 4, 2021 0 Begin each rehearsal with a warm-up routine that focuses on some basic playing. This will develop good tone, intonation, blend...
Clarinet “B for Bulls Eye and Both Pinkies” by Mike Lawson April 7, 2021 0 To accelerate learning for B above the break, I put 1/4” round color coding labels on both pinky keys. Students...
To ‘daah’ or not to ‘daah’ by Mike Lawson March 6, 2021 0 “One of the most common contributions to a non-characteristic brass sound from a young player is the approach to articulation....
Walk It Off! by Mike Lawson January 31, 2021 0 “When in the final stages of preparation for any form of concert or performance, be sure to allow your students...
Tape Your Flute by Mike Lawson December 3, 2020 0 “To avoid some confusion for beginning flute players’ finger position, I put a small piece of masking tape on the...