| Re: Endurance
One mistake that I found was limiting me in high school was how I divided up my practice time. Instead of practicing for hours at a time, you need to be practicing in small chunks. Play for 15 minutes, rest for 15 minutes, play for 10, rest for 10, etc. I find that I improve the most with little practice sessions throughout the day(which I know may be hard for a high school student).
Also, it all starts with a proper warm up. Get to school 20-30 minutes early and play long tones, lip slurs, 2 octave scales, whatever else is in your warm up routine. You'll be amazed at how great your lips feel when you have a consistent morning warmup!
Tuning can make your lips more tired, especially if you have good ears. With good ears your lips will start trying to adjust pitch to match around you, tiring you out. Try getting your section together and matching tone & tuning on a Bb.
Sounds like you're doing great, though. Keep it up!
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Currently transcribing: Kenny Dorham
Currently arranging: John Cheetham's 'Scherzo'
Currently arranging: Harry James's 'The Truth' |