Secrets to Improve Sight Reading Why are some people able to sight read much faster than others? Is it a natural occurrence or are there extenuating conditions which make some read much faster than others? To understand this inconsistency, we need to isolate the elements needed for rapid sight-reading. Elements…

Stiff Chops If you have been off your instrument for any length of time, stiff chops is not something you will be facing for extended rest periods will solve any stiff chop problems you might run into. Stiff or inflexible lip muscles are usually attributed to over practicing and under…

Endurance- noun 1. the fact or power of enduring or bearing pain, hardships, etc. 2. the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina 3. lasting quality; duration 4. something endured, as a hardship; trial. Of the four definitions listed above, I…

Finger Flexibility Exercises Clean breaks between notes require fast and coordinated valve action and for that reason you should practice finger or valve exercises daily. I have included a few exercises which will help increase this area of your performance. Playing fast material will hide many fingering faults where slow…

Range Developing your high range is not something that you can substantially increase in three days but getting back to a “useable” range is possible. When I say a usable range I am speaking of notes up to and including high C which is the normal upper register for most…

Notice the word “start”. To get back to your full potential after lying off an extended amount of time is something that will take more than three days but starting to get back in shape is where we all find ourselves from time to time. In most cases we are…