Re: how do you actually improve


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Posted by Ken Herrick on April 10, 2001 at 03:52:31:

In Reply to: how do you actually improve posted by Fei Huang on April 09, 2001 at 20:37:19:

There is really no substitute for regular practice. Don't forget that a lot of practice can be done away from the instrument. As a youngster Arnold Jacobs spent a considerable time confined to bed and had only one way to practice - his mouthpiece! He became a mouthpiece virtuoso! It is amazing just how much good music you can play on the mouthpiece after practice and it all transfers to the instrument. Don't forget, play the music, then play the instrument and don't let the instrument dictate what you can do.That is one way around sometimes finding it impossible to pick up a tuba and practice.In fact it should be a part of daily practice.
After regular practice, a good teacher is valuable. If you can not get to a top tuba teacher, find another instrumental teacher who teaches music and listen to all the live and recorded performers of good music you can and build a library of good music in your mind. Use the web to find good tutorials such as the Jacobs and Cuthbertson masterclasses. Speaking of tutorials, the good old Kopprasch etudes are great study material.
One of the best ways to improve your playing all around is small ensemble work. When I studied with Harvey Phillips he and the four of us studying with him at New England Conservatory at the time spent a lot of time playing duets, trios, quartets etc. Harvey was really fantastic at spending time working with his students this way. A big part of his teaching, put in simplest terms, was 'just do it'. It works! Have the music in your mind and by blowing air between your lips make music and let the instrument do its simple job of amplifying it. The important thing is, and Jake taught this too, have the music in your head.
Then of course, get a good instrument, or two, or three. and finally, go back to my first point, practice and parctice, and practice. Better yet perform music as often and as well as you can.
Just quessing at your age, highschool?, if you can spend a summer at Interlochen or some similar place. Being fully immersed in music making will help you decide how far you want to and are able to go. Oh, and good luck


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