musicteach
New member
I wanted to talk about "habits" that we all have. We ALL have them, some maybe good, some maybe bad. Since it's getting on to spring time--although you'd never know it as it was snowing here earlier--I thought maybe we could talk about spring cleaning some of those nasty habits!
But before we get into that, I really wanted to talk about DCI. If you're a DCI fan, sponsor, parent, participant, staff, judge or any one else involved with the program, seriously, great job. If you're not, don't you think it's time you supported the NFL of music? I'm proud to sponsor DCI, often sponsoring at least one of my students who march (mostly with Carolina Crown). It's a great organization, teaching leadership, music, respect, team work, hard work, and strength to youth.
ANYWAYS
Let's talk about some nasty habits musicians tend to get themselves in. I've been teaching music for twenty years, and I've seen some pretty interesting all be it bad habits.
I think quite possibly my favourite one I've seen over the years is the trumpet on the side trick. Instead of playing the standard trumpet with the valves going up (the way it's s'posed to be!) the player has some how managed to turn the instrument on it's side. Now this in itself isn't that big a deal. Obviously, it will play the same way. It does however create problems with your wrists, when they're bent and contorted in different ways. That's really a simple solution, just rotate the horn back to the upright position. When you're playing an instrument, your posture is important, especially has horn players.
That goes into the next one. I'm picking on trumpet players, so forgive me. The "classic" trumpet player slouch. You're sort of slouching in your chair, horn is pointed at the music stand.
Just a couple examples. For me, when I was in high school/college, especially when playing the lower of the family, I had this incredibly bad habit of just dumping my spit valve wherever I pleased, didn't look or anything before hand. So I ended up dumping spit on peoples' shoes quite often! I've gotten better, but that's one of my bad habits!
Does any one have any bad habits they'd like to share and improve on?
But before we get into that, I really wanted to talk about DCI. If you're a DCI fan, sponsor, parent, participant, staff, judge or any one else involved with the program, seriously, great job. If you're not, don't you think it's time you supported the NFL of music? I'm proud to sponsor DCI, often sponsoring at least one of my students who march (mostly with Carolina Crown). It's a great organization, teaching leadership, music, respect, team work, hard work, and strength to youth.
ANYWAYS
Let's talk about some nasty habits musicians tend to get themselves in. I've been teaching music for twenty years, and I've seen some pretty interesting all be it bad habits.
I think quite possibly my favourite one I've seen over the years is the trumpet on the side trick. Instead of playing the standard trumpet with the valves going up (the way it's s'posed to be!) the player has some how managed to turn the instrument on it's side. Now this in itself isn't that big a deal. Obviously, it will play the same way. It does however create problems with your wrists, when they're bent and contorted in different ways. That's really a simple solution, just rotate the horn back to the upright position. When you're playing an instrument, your posture is important, especially has horn players.
That goes into the next one. I'm picking on trumpet players, so forgive me. The "classic" trumpet player slouch. You're sort of slouching in your chair, horn is pointed at the music stand.
Just a couple examples. For me, when I was in high school/college, especially when playing the lower of the family, I had this incredibly bad habit of just dumping my spit valve wherever I pleased, didn't look or anything before hand. So I ended up dumping spit on peoples' shoes quite often! I've gotten better, but that's one of my bad habits!
Does any one have any bad habits they'd like to share and improve on?
