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Helpful Tips for Practicing at Home
For Everyone: Remember to hold
instrument correctly and sit correctly
- feet flat on the floor
- chin up
- don't conform body to the instrument, make the
instrument conform to good posture
- proper hand position
- occasionally try looking at yourself in a mirror when
playing and check to see everything looks correct
- don't puff your cheeks
Clarinet:
- flat chin
- bottom lip rolled in over bottom teeth
- top teeth lightly touching top of mouthpiece
- fingers close to the instrument, even if they're not
pushing any keys down
Flute:
- bottom lip firm in order to rest headjoint on it, lips
should form a slight frown when playing
- fingers over the correct keys, and close to the
instrument
- think "Tu" when blowing air
- practice playing the headjoint only, with right hand
over the open end
Brass (Trumpet/Trombone/Baritone):
- lips together, think of saying "Mmmm" and hold the
lips in that position
- blow through the instrument, not at the instrument
- let the lips vibrate, that's how the sound is created
- practice playing just the mouthpiece and get it to
make a good buzzing sound
Percussion:
- hand position is EXTREMELY important, hold sticks with
thumb and index finger with the rest of the fingers
lightly curled around the stick
- bottom of hand should be facing flatly toward the
ground, not facing inward or outward
- lightly tap drum/bell and let the stick rebound off
the instrument, do not pound the instrument really hard
Thanks to Mr. Mahaffey for the Practice Tips!
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