ASBDA Toolbox

Spend more time on the fundamentals of proper technique than you think you should. Everyone wants to get to the music but the better your students can play their instruments before you get to the music the more successful they will be.

Set a routine for students to follow from day 1. Get their instrument out, get their music ready and have them start warming up on their own before you start rehearsal.

For better posture, practice conducting with your heels, hips and shoulders flat against a wall. Take a small step away from the way and try to maintain the same feeling while conducting.

Seating, parts assignments: rather than the traditional seating placements by auditions or "first clarinet", I seat students basically alphabetically by grade. Within each grade there is always a mix of stronger and weaker players. I rotate parts on each piece, so on piece 1, the senior group might get the 1st clarinet part, but on piece 2 they might get 3rd, piece 3 the 2nd part, etc. This way no one plays exclusively 1st parts (or 3rd parts). Everyone plays all the parts at some time, and never gets "stuck" playing 3rd. It also reinforces the fact that all parts are important. There is much consideration, however, to difficulty and range, etc. Easier 1st parts might go to the freshman group, higher trumpet parts would go to where the strength is... some modification to this plan might be necessary, especially for trumpets. But it works, develops better "team" spirit, reduces competitive antagonism, and promotes a collaborative environment. This approach absolutely has not diminished students aspiring to be better - the cream always rises to the top.