Comments on: Back to School: 8 Tips for getting back into Shape http://thepracticenotebook.com/back-to-school-8-tips-for-getting-back-into-shape/ flutist Zara Lawler shares tips on learning music Fri, 25 Oct 2013 18:46:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Lisa Dee http://thepracticenotebook.com/back-to-school-8-tips-for-getting-back-into-shape/#comment-235 Lisa Dee Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:21:06 +0000 http://www.zaralawler.com/blog/?p=538#comment-235 Twice in the two years since I started studying horn, I have been very sick and have missed a weekly lesson and had to "start again" after as much as two weeks of no practice. I would only add this thought to your really excellent points: sometimes, it seems as though when I have been away from the horn, when I come back, my "basics" are OK and what I have done is let go of my bad habits. It's reassuring to realize that if I have a really solid base of good practice and lessons, having to stop practicing for a while (because it hurts my ears or I can't sit up!) may just give me a chance to assimilate the good and release the bad. Twice in the two years since I started studying horn, I have been very sick and have missed a weekly lesson and had to “start again” after as much as two weeks of no practice. I would only add this thought to your really excellent points: sometimes, it seems as though when I have been away from the horn, when I come back, my “basics” are OK and what I have done is let go of my bad habits. It’s reassuring to realize that if I have a really solid base of good practice and lessons, having to stop practicing for a while (because it hurts my ears or I can’t sit up!) may just give me a chance to assimilate the good and release the bad.

]]> By: admin http://thepracticenotebook.com/back-to-school-8-tips-for-getting-back-into-shape/#comment-234 admin Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:20:38 +0000 http://www.zaralawler.com/blog/?p=538#comment-234 Dear Kyle, That is a tricky situation you find yourself in, and one that is not unique to the world of marching band. Lots of musicians, professional, amateur, student, etc. struggle to find the time they need and want to practice. The only “trick” I’ve ever found to make more time in the day is to get up VERY VERY early in the morning and squeeze in some practice then. I did that in high school when marching band and other activities made it hard to get all my practicing done in the evenings, and I did it just two years ago when I was preparing for a big recital while still in Tales & Scales (and I have the practice log entries to prove it!). It can be a bit grueling, and means you have to go to bed early, but because you do it first thing in the day, your practicing gets done, and that is a great feeling. Another way I found extra time in high school was to practice during study hall periods…if there is practice space at your school, maybe you can negotiate with your teachers to have free periods (lunch time if not study hall) be practice time. I am assuming from your email that you are required to be in marching band. I spoke to my percussion partner, Paul Fadoul, a little about your situation. He is a great marimba player, and also coaches drumlines. He suggested that you might enjoy playing in the front ensemble of your band instead of alto sax. It might be more fun for you, and would also be valuable musical training to boot, what with all those rhythms and playing several notes at the same time, etc. If you are not required to be in marching band, maybe you can start looking for some other musical outlets at school. Orchestra? Chamber music? Or is there a youth orchestra or band you could join outside of school, and maybe not be in marching band at all? And now to your last question…I did play in marching band for the entirety of my high school career, but ours wasn’t competitive—we played for the football games, and came up with new routines practically every week of the season! I remember making a giant pumpkin shape on the field the week of Halloween, and I remember all of us having red balloons hidden behind our backs for a dramatic moment in 99 Red Balloons (a German pop song from the 80’s—check it out on iTunes). And then there was the boredom of sitting through all the games, most of which we lost. The interesting thing is that now, as a professional musician who plays from memory, and moves as I play, I think of marching band not as a boring or comical experience, but as useful training. Maybe you’ll see it that way one day, too. In the meantime, start setting your alarm really early to find some practice time on the flute! -zara Dear Kyle,

That is a tricky situation you find yourself in, and one that is not unique to the world of marching band. Lots of musicians, professional, amateur, student, etc. struggle to find the time they need and want to practice.

The only “trick” I’ve ever found to make more time in the day is to get up VERY VERY early in the morning and squeeze in some practice then. I did that in high school when marching band and other activities made it hard to get all my practicing done in the evenings, and I did it just two years ago when I was preparing for a big recital while still in Tales & Scales (and I have the practice log entries to prove it!). It can be a bit grueling, and means you have to go to bed early, but because you do it first thing in the day, your practicing gets done, and that is a great feeling.

Another way I found extra time in high school was to practice during study hall periods…if there is practice space at your school, maybe you can negotiate with your teachers to have free periods (lunch time if not study hall) be practice time.

I am assuming from your email that you are required to be in marching band. I spoke to my percussion partner, Paul Fadoul, a little about your situation. He is a great marimba player, and also coaches drumlines. He suggested that you might enjoy playing in the front ensemble of your band instead of alto sax. It might be more fun for you, and would also be valuable musical training to boot, what with all those rhythms and playing several notes at the same time, etc.

If you are not required to be in marching band, maybe you can start looking for some other musical outlets at school. Orchestra? Chamber music? Or is there a youth orchestra or band you could join outside of school, and maybe not be in marching band at all?

And now to your last question…I did play in marching band for the entirety of my high school career, but ours wasn’t competitive—we played for the football games, and came up with new routines practically every week of the season! I remember making a giant pumpkin shape on the field the week of Halloween, and I remember all of us having red balloons hidden behind our backs for a dramatic moment in 99 Red Balloons (a German pop song from the 80’s—check it out on iTunes). And then there was the boredom of sitting through all the games, most of which we lost.

The interesting thing is that now, as a professional musician who plays from memory, and moves as I play, I think of marching band not as a boring or comical experience, but as useful training. Maybe you’ll see it that way one day, too. In the meantime, start setting your alarm really early to find some practice time on the flute!

-zara

]]> By: Kyle http://thepracticenotebook.com/back-to-school-8-tips-for-getting-back-into-shape/#comment-233 Kyle Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:48:27 +0000 http://www.zaralawler.com/blog/?p=538#comment-233 Quick question, I'm a high school flute player but I'm in marching band (a very competetive one!) and I play alto sax in it! It's horrible! The hours and hours of rehearsal prevent me from practicing (I also want to say that I hate marching band with a passion) my flute. On the days when I don't have any after-school rehearsals, I'm too exhausted and swamped with homework that I need to catch up on. I want to play flute flute flute but these factors just prevent me from practicing. I even had to take a break from my private lessons because of my hectic schedual. So my questions are: Is there a trick to MAKE time with my flute and me, or is the only option to wait for marching season to be over? How do I keep my skills up? Even random advice/answer is appreciated :) Also, just because I'm bored, did you have any funny stories when you were in marching band? How did you like it and how did you DEAL WITH IT? Thankyou! Quick question,
I’m a high school flute player but I’m in marching band (a very competetive one!) and I play alto sax in it! It’s horrible! The hours and hours of rehearsal prevent me from practicing (I also want to say that I hate marching band with a passion) my flute. On the days when I don’t have any after-school rehearsals, I’m too exhausted and swamped with homework that I need to catch up on. I want to play flute flute flute but these factors just prevent me from practicing. I even had to take a break from my private lessons because of my hectic schedual. So my questions are:
Is there a trick to MAKE time with my flute and me, or is the only option to wait for marching season to be over? How do I keep my skills up? Even random advice/answer is appreciated :)

Also, just because I’m bored, did you have any funny stories when you were in marching band? How did you like it and how did you DEAL WITH IT?

Thankyou!

]]> By: Wayla Chambo http://thepracticenotebook.com/back-to-school-8-tips-for-getting-back-into-shape/#comment-232 Wayla Chambo Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:46:28 +0000 http://www.zaralawler.com/blog/?p=538#comment-232 Great tips! If you are still looking for ideas, I would love to hear your thoughts about organizing practice time when you have a large amount of different repertoire to learn/work on at once. Thanks! Great tips! If you are still looking for ideas, I would love to hear your thoughts about organizing practice time when you have a large amount of different repertoire to learn/work on at once.
Thanks!

]]> By: Anne Anderson http://thepracticenotebook.com/back-to-school-8-tips-for-getting-back-into-shape/#comment-231 Anne Anderson Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:18:53 +0000 http://www.zaralawler.com/blog/?p=538#comment-231 Great advice. Interestingly for me, a relative beginner, I've been finding that my travel breaks of two or more weeks primes me for surprising improvements in my playing...even my teacher notices. It might have to do with "gestation", if by that you are referring to letting something sit within for a while, which I do while I'm away from my cello. I do things like imaginary practice, sing my music while I'm walking down the Champs Elysees, go to concerts and fantasize that the soloist throws up and I have to take over..... Great advice. Interestingly for me, a relative beginner, I’ve been finding that my travel breaks of two or more weeks primes me for surprising improvements in my playing…even my teacher notices. It might have to do with “gestation”, if by that you are referring to letting something sit within for a while, which I do while I’m away from my cello. I do things like imaginary practice, sing my music while I’m walking down the Champs Elysees, go to concerts and fantasize that the soloist throws up and I have to take over…..

]]>