2014 Prep

So, it's been a very long time.. like over 2 years.  Happy 2014!  But I'm back because I feel the need to type all my practicing thoughts out.

I'm currently at DePaul studying with Jim Smelser.  Oto Carrillo and Neil Kimel are also professors there.

I'm preparing for an audition for Rice University and very soon a lesson with Bill VerMeulen.  I also have the San Antonio Symphony 4th horn audition coming up in a month.

So, I've been practicing and these are things that I'm thinking that I want to remember!

Ravel Piano Concerto:
- practice attacks on G's for consistency (not too quiet so I can decrescendo directly)
- think about the phrasing -- it's not just high notes, it's a melody
- begin growth and crescendo on 2nd quarter note.
- strengthen for the slur on the last quarter note, and then think FAST AIR FLOW through the whole phrase
- Fast Air is soooo key to make it through this smoothly and without falling off notes.  If you can get the C, you can definitely get all the other notes.
- It might not work every single day!  Practicing it every other day (maybe a few more) will improve consistency.

Heldenleben (opening):
- practice short articulated notes before playing the excerpt. (Singer heavy routine scales) This will improve your overall ability to play the articulated notes clearly.  There are a lot of slurs before any fast tonguing is needed, so it's easy to get bogged down and then when you get there sloppily mush through it and miss notes.  Make it possible to get them on the first run by doing a tonguing exercise first!
- think strength and power and be confident (and maybe cocky) play through all of the phrases, don't die down -- blow through (especially the slurred 16ths in the first line!!!)

Don Quixote var. VIII:
- HEAR THE OPENING NOTE
- keep air moving through phrases to keep everything smooth and connected
- phrase with the topography of the line. This makes it much more interesting and easy and funnnn!
- blow through the descending passages, even if you think it should decresc.  They will come out lumpy and twa-twa'd if you don't!!!
- use metronome to make sure 16th are in the right place and are fast enough!