Originally Posted by John Lamkin

At your age, I suggest that you establish a daily practice routine that will last only one an a half to two hours a day, and stick to it at least 6 or 7 days a week (its sometimes good to take a day off, and come back to the horn fresh the next day). The routine should include lip buzzing and mouth piece buzzing, scales and arpeggios, long tones, lip slurs, tonguing exercises, jazz studies and your classical repertoire. At each practice session you can decide what to focus on - the focus may change as you decide what your deficiencies are. The point is that you practice regularly, focus each practice session, have a plan, and don't over do it. Remember, the horn is a piece of metal that will NOT give out. Your lips will. Plus you want to have time to enjoy your high school life. You won’t ever experience being a high school student again. So don’t cut yourself out of the fun of being a kid.