We all need to work on basic skills to become great. Some tips all musicians will agree on:
Intonation: playing in tune! This is incredibly important. The notes have a specific Hz such as bands normally tune to A440Hz which means the A we use has a frequency of 440Hz. In some parts of the world they use 432Hz so that would be flatter than the pitch we use. Orchestras often use 444Hz so a little higher than a band. As you can see, there's more than one version of the same named pitch, so just because you are in tune with the tuner in front of you, that doesn't mean you're right! Another thing to keep in mind is that it matters where you are in the chord. The following chart gives a good idea of what to do with your note in the chord. Here's a link to a few options for working on ear training. Once you spend enough time on it, it will be second nature!
Practice at a tempo you can play your piece/passage perfectly at, and then move the metronome up 2 beats per minute after you've mastered the difficult passage, until you can play it a bit above performance tempo. Sometimes, you'll get a guest conductor or just some nerves going and you'll have to perform it at a tempo faster than you've ever done before. Such fun!
Articulations: study the correct way to articulate not just as marked but as the style of the music dictates. You wouldn't play Mahler the same way you play in pep band.
Scales:
- https://method-behind-the-music.com/theory/scalesandkeys/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_musical_scales_and_modes
Timing: Play the notes exactly when they are supposed to be. Work with a metronome and become an expert at subdividing beats. Silence is part of the music as well.
Dynamics: work on playing in tune from a whisper to FFFF ("blastissimo"). Always keep in mind--you're making music! Not noise!
After you've mastered the 3 "T"s: tone, technique and timing, you are ready to start making music!
Study the different composers and what they are trying to convey with the notes on the page. Not all composers see a /\ the same way. A quarter note in jazz is different than a quarter note in classical. You will never run out of ways to improve. That's one of the things that makes music fun!
Violin:
- Hilary Hahn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEBX_ouEw1I
- Itzhak Perlman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtyTaE7LvVs
- Lindsey Stirling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHjpOzsQ9YI&list=PLg7uqwsXrCo5RGHermkKww9WihPK__pSE
Viola:
- Tabea Zimmerman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ofF7-RZeYs
- Yuri Bashmet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkS5sWtP9ZM
Cello:
- Yo-yo Ma: https://www.yo-yoma.com/
- Luigi Boccherini and more: https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/instruments/cello/features/best-cellists-of-all-time/
Upright Bass:
- Ron Carter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFNHrzsRzZE
- Giovanni Bottesini: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgZ_-f7pVk4
Flute:
- https://www.cmuse.org/famous-flutist/
- Hubert Laws (Jazz Flute): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBrl4ujR8I8
- Here's a link to some jazz--Jean Pierre Rampal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7jcXCBCI5c
- The Muppets (LOL): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhaO2crrH0k (Miss Piggy could use some help)
- Bach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_5vqieSAew
Clarinet:
- http://www.the-clarinets.net/english/clarinet-players.html
Oboe and Bassoon:
- Reed Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohANbRUr1wU&list=PLl9bwe9F2xxvzdoHFD72aAIWpCTvj2SJN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e84OmuUwCdk
- Cool Classical Bassoon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4LboPMextw
- Jazz Bassoon: "Take 5", one of my favorite tunes!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKBrnjxlKgU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vzhNTcUdho
Saxophone:
- https://www.cmuse.org/famous-saxophone-players/
Trumpet:
This is a free link to a great book we use all the time: http://www.el-atril.com/partituras/Clarke/Tecnical-Studies-for-the-Cornet.pdf
Many of the great books such as Arbans and Clarke have tips and ways to get the best practice techniques from various great teachers. It's a good idea to take a look at these suggestions and see what works best for you.
- Allen Vizzutti: https://vizzutti.com/
- "Tiny Thing," Tine Helseth--a fabulous performer with great technique. She was a world class performer at a very young age:
http://www.tinethinghelseth.com/
- Chris Botti--more of a smooth jazz style: http://www.chrisbotti.com/
- Arturo Sandoval: http://arturosandoval.com/home/artist/
- Alison Balsom: http://www.alisonbalsom.com/#royal-fireworks
Flugelhorn:
- Chuck Mangione: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIL-nwJfGgg
French Horn:
- Vienna Horns playing Jurassic Park: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAJT9Bk_GeQ
- Blue Devils horn octet (Cyn, the owner got to play in this. Amazing players and fun music). None of these recordings have been "touched up." In some chords, we cover 8 octaves! Most impressive was not only the high range but playing clean and in tune way in the basement!
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IhDwXucs-M
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXtX6vjjRpg
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwBAjCAGzvQ
- Classical: Froydis Ree Werke--Here's a link to a couple of master classes she did (she's a fabulous musician and lady!):
https://www.escuelasuperiordemusicareinasofia.es/conoce-canal-escuela?qMovimiento=&qRetorno=1&qVideo=2619
- "Sarah's horn hangouts" has a ton of great horn stuff: https://sarah-willis.com/horn-hangouts/
- One of my favorite horn guys is Phillip Farkas. He gave a masters lesson in Oakland one year and spent time with each musician. Such a nice man (as most horn players are)!!!
Trombone:
- https://www.cmuse.org/famous-trombone-players/
Valve Trombone:
- Rob McConnell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etx9tZc82GA&list=PLK3Ch4XLXSkpV9X-HAMgR2rxhCn6Qv_2n
Tuba:
- https://www.cmuse.org/famous-tuba-players/
- Patrick Sheridan playing "Flight of the Bumblebee" (on tuba!!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyQeYctaea4
Mallet Percussion:
- "Catching Shadows," performed by Ivan Trevino and Michael Burritt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lktMLiKaes
- Gary Burton, vibraphone master: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vf-gTakrp0
- "Moon Chasers," by Mark Ford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9lldV4TcFI
Drum Set:
- Art Blakey plays "A Night in Tunisia": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADWODreyby0
- "St. Thomas," with Max Roach on drums: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rymmf4Z1aIQ
- Elvin Jones' fantastic brushwork on "Shiny Stockings": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTnrNqCoFeQ
Intonation: playing in tune! This is incredibly important. The notes have a specific Hz such as bands normally tune to A440Hz which means the A we use has a frequency of 440Hz. In some parts of the world they use 432Hz so that would be flatter than the pitch we use. Orchestras often use 444Hz so a little higher than a band. As you can see, there's more than one version of the same named pitch, so just because you are in tune with the tuner in front of you, that doesn't mean you're right! Another thing to keep in mind is that it matters where you are in the chord. The following chart gives a good idea of what to do with your note in the chord. Here's a link to a few options for working on ear training. Once you spend enough time on it, it will be second nature!
Practice at a tempo you can play your piece/passage perfectly at, and then move the metronome up 2 beats per minute after you've mastered the difficult passage, until you can play it a bit above performance tempo. Sometimes, you'll get a guest conductor or just some nerves going and you'll have to perform it at a tempo faster than you've ever done before. Such fun!
Articulations: study the correct way to articulate not just as marked but as the style of the music dictates. You wouldn't play Mahler the same way you play in pep band.
Scales:
- https://method-behind-the-music.com/theory/scalesandkeys/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_musical_scales_and_modes
Timing: Play the notes exactly when they are supposed to be. Work with a metronome and become an expert at subdividing beats. Silence is part of the music as well.
Dynamics: work on playing in tune from a whisper to FFFF ("blastissimo"). Always keep in mind--you're making music! Not noise!
After you've mastered the 3 "T"s: tone, technique and timing, you are ready to start making music!
Study the different composers and what they are trying to convey with the notes on the page. Not all composers see a /\ the same way. A quarter note in jazz is different than a quarter note in classical. You will never run out of ways to improve. That's one of the things that makes music fun!
Violin:
- Hilary Hahn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEBX_ouEw1I
- Itzhak Perlman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtyTaE7LvVs
- Lindsey Stirling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHjpOzsQ9YI&list=PLg7uqwsXrCo5RGHermkKww9WihPK__pSE
Viola:
- Tabea Zimmerman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ofF7-RZeYs
- Yuri Bashmet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkS5sWtP9ZM
Cello:
- Yo-yo Ma: https://www.yo-yoma.com/
- Luigi Boccherini and more: https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/instruments/cello/features/best-cellists-of-all-time/
Upright Bass:
- Ron Carter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFNHrzsRzZE
- Giovanni Bottesini: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgZ_-f7pVk4
Flute:
- https://www.cmuse.org/famous-flutist/
- Hubert Laws (Jazz Flute): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBrl4ujR8I8
- Here's a link to some jazz--Jean Pierre Rampal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7jcXCBCI5c
- The Muppets (LOL): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhaO2crrH0k (Miss Piggy could use some help)
- Bach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_5vqieSAew
Clarinet:
- http://www.the-clarinets.net/english/clarinet-players.html
Oboe and Bassoon:
- Reed Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohANbRUr1wU&list=PLl9bwe9F2xxvzdoHFD72aAIWpCTvj2SJN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e84OmuUwCdk
- Cool Classical Bassoon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4LboPMextw
- Jazz Bassoon: "Take 5", one of my favorite tunes!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKBrnjxlKgU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vzhNTcUdho
Saxophone:
- https://www.cmuse.org/famous-saxophone-players/
Trumpet:
This is a free link to a great book we use all the time: http://www.el-atril.com/partituras/Clarke/Tecnical-Studies-for-the-Cornet.pdf
Many of the great books such as Arbans and Clarke have tips and ways to get the best practice techniques from various great teachers. It's a good idea to take a look at these suggestions and see what works best for you.
- Allen Vizzutti: https://vizzutti.com/
- "Tiny Thing," Tine Helseth--a fabulous performer with great technique. She was a world class performer at a very young age:
http://www.tinethinghelseth.com/
- Chris Botti--more of a smooth jazz style: http://www.chrisbotti.com/
- Arturo Sandoval: http://arturosandoval.com/home/artist/
- Alison Balsom: http://www.alisonbalsom.com/#royal-fireworks
Flugelhorn:
- Chuck Mangione: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIL-nwJfGgg
French Horn:
- Vienna Horns playing Jurassic Park: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAJT9Bk_GeQ
- Blue Devils horn octet (Cyn, the owner got to play in this. Amazing players and fun music). None of these recordings have been "touched up." In some chords, we cover 8 octaves! Most impressive was not only the high range but playing clean and in tune way in the basement!
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IhDwXucs-M
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXtX6vjjRpg
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwBAjCAGzvQ
- Classical: Froydis Ree Werke--Here's a link to a couple of master classes she did (she's a fabulous musician and lady!):
https://www.escuelasuperiordemusicareinasofia.es/conoce-canal-escuela?qMovimiento=&qRetorno=1&qVideo=2619
- "Sarah's horn hangouts" has a ton of great horn stuff: https://sarah-willis.com/horn-hangouts/
- One of my favorite horn guys is Phillip Farkas. He gave a masters lesson in Oakland one year and spent time with each musician. Such a nice man (as most horn players are)!!!
Trombone:
- https://www.cmuse.org/famous-trombone-players/
Valve Trombone:
- Rob McConnell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etx9tZc82GA&list=PLK3Ch4XLXSkpV9X-HAMgR2rxhCn6Qv_2n
Tuba:
- https://www.cmuse.org/famous-tuba-players/
- Patrick Sheridan playing "Flight of the Bumblebee" (on tuba!!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyQeYctaea4
Mallet Percussion:
- "Catching Shadows," performed by Ivan Trevino and Michael Burritt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lktMLiKaes
- Gary Burton, vibraphone master: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vf-gTakrp0
- "Moon Chasers," by Mark Ford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9lldV4TcFI
Drum Set:
- Art Blakey plays "A Night in Tunisia": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADWODreyby0
- "St. Thomas," with Max Roach on drums: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rymmf4Z1aIQ
- Elvin Jones' fantastic brushwork on "Shiny Stockings": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTnrNqCoFeQ