Warm Ups.
Downloads for the warm up 'Ha Ta Ta.'
| ha_ta_ta_-_warm_up_-_alto_saxophone.pdf |
| ha_ta_ta_-_warm_up_-_tenor_saxophone.pdf |
Supplementary Information for 'Ha Ta Ta'
When a student is learning an instrument, the thought processes vary for different tasks. It’s very easy to become overwhelmed by trying to think about three or four things at once, which can ultimately lead to giving up on a task or feeling like you’re not progressing very well.
In my experience, it’s crucial to break tasks down so you can focus on one thing at a time, especially when starting out. Typically, tasks involve thinking about multiple aspects simultaneously, which becomes achievable with practice. However, initially concentrating on one aspect at a time can be very helpful.
Let’s use the exercise Ha Ta Ta as an example. Although it’s a warm-up, you are still thinking about multiple tasks while performing it. For instance, you start by considering:
• Your breathing, ensuring you can exhale for three beats and breathe in one beat at the end of each section.
• Your posture, to ensure effective and efficient breathing.
• Producing a ‘good’ sound with your instrument.
The last task alone may involve assessing and adjusting your mouth position on the mouthpiece. This could be as simple as moving further on or off the mouthpiece. It might also involve slight adjustments in lip pressure or focusing on the corners of your mouth rather than pressing down hard from the centre, to create a fast enough column of air.
As you can see, even just a warm-up involves juggling various tasks. After practicing for a while, you’ll start to find this more comfortable and be able to focus on more nuanced tasks. Initially, though, your focus might not allow you to consider all these aspects simultaneously, which can be overwhelming.
So, what am I getting at? Automation. You’re aiming for automation. Let’s break down the tasks for Ha Ta Ta in order of priority:
1. Posture
2. Effective inhalation and exhalation
3. Keeping lips engaged while playing through the entire exercise
4. Checking tone production and dynamics
5. Checking tuning
Initially, your focus might just be on posture and correct breathing while maintaining good posture. If you can achieve this but your sound isn’t great, that’s still a win. Practise this repeatedly, and it will start to become automatic, freeing up mental space to focus on more subtle aspects of step 3 while maintaining steps 1 and 2. Next, you add tone production as a focus. While playing, listen and analyse your sound, then make adjustments to see how they affect the sound and whether it’s closer to what you want.
You want to reach a point where each step becomes second nature, similar to riding a bike without stabilisers for the first time or driving a car by yourself. If you’re trying to juggle these basic tasks while also tackling more complex ones, you’re setting yourself up for failure. This aspect is often overlooked, particularly by adult learners. Adults tend to grasp concepts quickly but may struggle with consistent, patient practice. I experience this myself! In contrast, children have a remarkable ability to practise without worrying about sounding ‘bad’ and usually do the work. On the flip side, concepts can be harder to convey to them.
Regardless of whether you’re an adult or a younger learner— do, do, do and be mindful!!!
In my experience, it’s crucial to break tasks down so you can focus on one thing at a time, especially when starting out. Typically, tasks involve thinking about multiple aspects simultaneously, which becomes achievable with practice. However, initially concentrating on one aspect at a time can be very helpful.
Let’s use the exercise Ha Ta Ta as an example. Although it’s a warm-up, you are still thinking about multiple tasks while performing it. For instance, you start by considering:
• Your breathing, ensuring you can exhale for three beats and breathe in one beat at the end of each section.
• Your posture, to ensure effective and efficient breathing.
• Producing a ‘good’ sound with your instrument.
The last task alone may involve assessing and adjusting your mouth position on the mouthpiece. This could be as simple as moving further on or off the mouthpiece. It might also involve slight adjustments in lip pressure or focusing on the corners of your mouth rather than pressing down hard from the centre, to create a fast enough column of air.
As you can see, even just a warm-up involves juggling various tasks. After practicing for a while, you’ll start to find this more comfortable and be able to focus on more nuanced tasks. Initially, though, your focus might not allow you to consider all these aspects simultaneously, which can be overwhelming.
So, what am I getting at? Automation. You’re aiming for automation. Let’s break down the tasks for Ha Ta Ta in order of priority:
1. Posture
2. Effective inhalation and exhalation
3. Keeping lips engaged while playing through the entire exercise
4. Checking tone production and dynamics
5. Checking tuning
Initially, your focus might just be on posture and correct breathing while maintaining good posture. If you can achieve this but your sound isn’t great, that’s still a win. Practise this repeatedly, and it will start to become automatic, freeing up mental space to focus on more subtle aspects of step 3 while maintaining steps 1 and 2. Next, you add tone production as a focus. While playing, listen and analyse your sound, then make adjustments to see how they affect the sound and whether it’s closer to what you want.
You want to reach a point where each step becomes second nature, similar to riding a bike without stabilisers for the first time or driving a car by yourself. If you’re trying to juggle these basic tasks while also tackling more complex ones, you’re setting yourself up for failure. This aspect is often overlooked, particularly by adult learners. Adults tend to grasp concepts quickly but may struggle with consistent, patient practice. I experience this myself! In contrast, children have a remarkable ability to practise without worrying about sounding ‘bad’ and usually do the work. On the flip side, concepts can be harder to convey to them.
Regardless of whether you’re an adult or a younger learner— do, do, do and be mindful!!!
| 2024-08-29_supplementaryinfo_hatata.pdf |
|
Copyright © 2024
Ben Lowman Music All rights reserved |
|