How to Develop a Practice Routine for Saxophone
A daily practice routine for saxophone is a must if one desires to be a good player. Ideally, a routine will be just that, routine. Practice must be uniform and deal with issues you have as a player, not reinforce the things you do well already. A practice routine should be well rounded and grounded in technique.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Practice the following breathing exercise: Force the air from your diaphragm, propelling it through your throat and out your mouth in the shape of a column. Do this without an instrument. Use the diaphragm to keep the pressure consistent. Place your hand on your stomach and breathe in as if you are about to play. If your stomach does not move, you are not using your diaphragm. In that case, lie on your back, a position in which the body automatically uses the diaphragm. In that position, breathe in as deep as you can and let the air out in a controlled way.
-
2
Rehearse scales daily, as they are a fundamental part of music. There are twelve major and twelve minor scales. Start with the major scales and play them two octaves, using eighth notes with a metronome. Start at a tempo of 90 beats per minute and increase until you can no longer play the scale without a mistake. You should work through all the scales and arpeggios.
-
-
3
Take as deep a breath as possible and play middle C, holding it for as long as you can without letting the notes thin out. Change embouchure (by perhaps relaxing the facial muscles) and see if the tone comes out more clearly. Long tones not only help with breath control, but with overall tone as well. Sigurd M. Rasher has a technique book on tones that will help to increase your range. (See Reference No. 2.)
-
4
Choose a pattern exercise book, which will force your fingers into common musical progressions like II-V-I or I-IV-II-V. Work these daily and always with a metronome. Uncommon patterns must also be practiced. Most music is developed in thirds and fifths, so by practicing patterns in fourths and through chromatic studies, you can achieve technical proficiency. Ramon Ricker's series on these exercises is very helpful. (See Reference No. 1.)
-
5
Put it all together by playing to music minus one. MMO is available on CDs that have accompanying music books. You play the leads and try your technique out in real songs. Jamey Aebersold has many available titles. (See Reference No. 3.)
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Ideally, a practice routine should not be shorter than 45 minutes. However, some practice is better than none.
