| 1. A good teacher - my best progress was made with my first, and probably best teacher many years ago.
2. Appropriate embouchure approach - I started playing in a more lips together type embouchure "concept" and I think that was a significant step.
3. Performance opportunities - IMO, you need the opportunity to perform to reach the "next level" so to speak. All the practice in the world won't give you that something "extra" that regular performance will do. It all sort of comes together then. Especially in a solo or small group context where you can't "hide" in a section of a large ensemble or band.
There are other things I might mention, but these are, IMO, three of the most significant for me. |