The goal of this exercise is for students to know the feel of having their embouchure set and ready to play immediately. First, determine a “leader” and pick a note. The leader should randomly play the note for any length of time. It could be sustained, short, or a quick combination of long and short. The second player should be ready and try to play and release the note exactly with the leader. The second player will quickly learn to listen carefully, and once they know the feeling of being “ready to play” it will start to sound more like one attack and release. This fun little activity also works with a larger group, with you or a designated student as the leader and the rest of the ensemble in the second player’s role.
Peter Blair, Composer
