Developing Balance Within Each Section of the Band 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 bySBO Staff 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 bySBO Staff 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 bySBO Staff 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” bySBO Staff 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’ 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! byMike 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 byMike 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...
Essential for Embouchure byMike Lawson October 28, 2020 0 Young clarinet players often play with unsupported, flat sounds in the upper register. This is often caused by a mushy...
Getting Good Air byMike Lawson October 1, 2020 0 Characteristic tone and tuning start with air. Unrestricted air requires use of the diaphragm, posture that allows for expansion in...
10-Minute Brass Warmup byMike Lawson September 2, 2020 0 Brass players warm up on your mouthpiece only. Play descending major arpeggios chromatically in whole notes from tuning Bb to...
The Sound of Silence byMike Lawson July 31, 2020 0 I’m very insistent on the sound vs. silence duality. We will often practice by starting a note together with a...