HOMESCHOOL BAND
"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul." Johann Sebastian Bach
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Happy Snow Day!
I was reminded today by our sudden wonderland of snow that holidays are approaching soon. In light of that, I want to offer a few tips for practicing during these "breaks". I use quotes on "break" very purposefully. Just like we use muscles to walk and talk, we also use muscles to play our instruments. Could you imagine how painful it would be to walk after lying in bed for a week straight? How about how odd it would feel to speak after that same amount of time? We have to keep in practice, so there shouldn't really be a break. We need to keep practicing even when we are away from home. Most of our instruments are small, so unless you are flying somewhere, you can probably take your instrument in its case to wherever you are holidaying. But, sometimes we do fly, and some of our instruments ARE too big to transport on holidays. For that reason, I offer you some options to practice with, while you are away from your instrument. *Cardboard!* Use an empty paper towel roll, or a wrapping paper tube and draw your keys/valves onto it. You can then have a lightweight (and foldable) version of your instrument to practice fingerings on. This doesn't make any sound, so you can use the wrong fingerings easily, so be very methodical as you practice this way an make sure you're as accurate as possible. Also, make the tube while you're at home so you can trace the keys as closely as possible. *Mouthpiece!* Brass players..... This is a technique used by the pros! Take your mouthpiece on holiday with you. It fits in a pocket! Buzzing will keep your chops up even without your horn. Now woodwinds, this tip is only half the battle. If you are taking a trip that you can't bring an instrument BUT you can borrow one when you get there, bring your own reeds and mouthpiece, they're what you're used to and you won't be as uncomfortable with a different instrument. But just blowing on a mouthpiece isn't as helpful as it is for brass. *Sticks!* Mallets, take sticks and draw a keyboard out on paper, practice hitting the "keys". It works on the same concept as the tube of cardboard, but you need the sticks to be really working on it. Same as the others, trace your instrument as accurately as possible to get the most out of it. And that's all I have for you! If you can take an instrument and music... DO IT. I guarantee your family won't mind a private concerto while you're visiting. ~Harold
4 Comments
Harold
11/26/2018 12:51:20 pm
Congratulations! Leave your name as a comment here to answer correctly!
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Sebastian
11/29/2018 04:06:44 pm
Sebastian- Found it!
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Payton and Claira
12/5/2018 08:32:49 am
We found the duck together
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Peter Willem and Johanna
12/5/2018 10:20:32 am
Quack
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Angela Squire
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