Playing Tips

Set your metronome to 60 bpm (beats per minute), one note each second.

When learning and rehearsing a new piece with your ensemble, allow them to have access to a recording AND a...

Don’t start playing until you are ready; mentally and physically prepare to commence. Too often, younger players try to begin...

To get beginners to understand quantitative playing skills like air, tonguing, and embouchure, I use the 3 bears analogy and...

If you’re having a problem playing a certain passage, set out an empty glass with 10 pencils on the side.

Too often, younger players try to begin playing before they are actually “set” to begin, resulting in poor entrances, missed...

Brass players, warm up on your mouthpiece only.

My long-time sax repair man showed me a trick that has saved me a lot of money on pad replacements.

Having worked with elementary band students for the past 26 years, I have found that having my Woodwind and Brasswind...

Record yourself playing a song and compare yourself to professionals playing the same song. Ask yourself questions like, "Do you...

Don't practice until you play something right - practice until you can't play it wrong. Lauren Bushong Gaylord High School Gaylord, Michigan

Saxophone and clarinet players: look in the mirror, place the mouthpiece in your mouth with your normal embouchure and don’t...