Hi everyone,

Here is the homework for this week.

Ruth-Ellen:

  • Keep working on long tones & getting a nice even sound. Try to play quietly by starting the note at full volume and then de-crescendo.
  • Work on C-Major & G-Major scales, arpeggios & thirds (thirds are optional). Isolate the parts that are difficult. Try these with a metronome. Try to work with the book & also without.
  • Keep working on your band music. Clap out the rhythms that are giving you difficulty & take things bar by bar. Play things one bar at a time & then add a bar once you feel confident, and so on.

Susan:

  • Memorize the names of the notes & fingerings for the lower register. Remember to try & use both fingerings for the 3 notes we talked about. If you want, start trying to memorize the notes in the upper register.
  •  Work on the scales we talked about ( I believe C, G & F-Major?) and the accompanying arpeggios & thirds. Try to visualize the notes before you play them & be able to remember the names of the notes in the scale without the book.
  • Keep working on your reading with the Rubank book. When you get bored add articulations & dynamics to the exercises.

Gabriel:

  • Be smart with your practice time; if you know you don’t have a lot of time, try to be focused & alternate between practicing scales & band music. Try “finger practicing” where you don’t have the actual horn in your mouth.
  • Work on Bb-major scale & arpeggio. Remember to be relaxed with your jaw & use a lot of air for the lower notes. Review any other scales you think need work.
  • Work on the “Sketches of Canada” music. Focus on getting all the rhythms right & practice with the metronome.
  • Think about some music you would like to work on in our lessons & maybe have a couple of suggestions for next week.

Good luck with the practicing, see you guys next week.