I've played the flute for roughly 2 semesters. Now that it's summer break I can't organize my practice. What do you think of Wye practice books? What do you guys start your daily practice with?
I do tone exercises on long notes (chromatic, like b-b flat, b flat-a etc.) and then I do scales. I like the exercises in Wye books, but isn't it too much for one day? I mean, who can expect one to get through daily exercises together with scale exercises, or maybe they weren't designed to be done all in one day???
The exercises are good, but what the book lacks is clear instructions - what and when.
I'd appreciate it if you shared ideas about practice.
Re: Hi all, another newcomer here 06:17 on Friday, July 6, 2007
What some do for their daily routine is to divide up their work time.
So much time for tone exercises. (BTW: Don't always start whth them)
So much time for scales. (Vary your pattern. Vary your articulations.)
A certain amount of time for etudes, studies and such.
Then work on your Solo literature & Sight reading.
Others might assign time frames for each area of study but if you want to be good, do what you feel is necessary for the day. It may be good to divide up your workout periods. AS an example, do 1/2 hour of scales then something else, then do more scales.
Something to understand is that the thing about the Wye book and it's reference to the long tone exercise is that 1)That is a small part of the Moyse, "De La Sonorite" book. It is prescribed as to be played slow and the action gets rather repetetive. As such, it can quickly grow old and your mind will eventually begin to wander. This is not good for developing good listening / performing skills. 2) Doing that exercise repeatedly at the front of your daily practice is not always the best. It's actually not meant as a warmup exercise but an exercise to develop your tone/embouchure skills. YOu really can't get the best from your embouchure if you aren't warmed up.
As for th daily studies, I'd recommend a few daily study books in the long run if you are serious. That way you can develop a more broad sense of technique. Working on one way to practice your scales and arpeggios and doing it daily can get old and the amount of improvement will eventually diminish. Variety is a good thing to keep the mind active. Practice as if you are on stage performing.
