Author: oboedrew
Date: 2009-05-14 18:59
HautboisJJ wrote:
> If there is no thought and aim involved in doing
> an exercise, nothing will benefit from, just,
> the simple act of doing it. Thus if it is to be simply
> a drone, one must find a reason for it and and
> focus on that very reason, i.e. intonation?
> Good attack? Good morendo ending? etc.
Well said. Every exercise should be a conscious attempt to improve some aspect of control or technique. And the best exercises are the ones that improve several aspects simultaneously.
As a general practice principle, I try to turn every technical exercise into a test of breath control too. Why play a scale or arpeggio just once, when instead you can play it several times in a row to simulate a lengthy phrase? A mere hour of practice becomes a grueling workout if every time you put the reed to your lips you play no fewer than thirty seconds on a breath. Every exercise becomes a long tone, and then the Strauss concerto doesn't seem so tiring anymore!
Cheers,
Drew
www.oboedrew.com
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