Techniques for All

• Seeking direction and guidance for how to achieve your goals while practicing can be tricky. Here is a great flow chart to demonstrate how to make the most of your practice sessions.
• Why do we practice things over and over again? What is really going on that makes practicing an action/any action an effective way to ensure you can reproduce the desired results? Check out this excellent graphic on the subject to learn more.
• Colonel Thomas Palmatier, commander and leader of the United States Army Band, "Pershing's Own," has put together a comprehensive list of performers you should be listening to in order to have what he calls a "sound image" to provide guidance towards your perfect sound. You'll not want to miss out on the Colonel's "Sound Like This" page!
• Are you struggling with improving your skills? A Tupractis prescription may be right for you.
• Want to improve your practice techniques? Check out this great article to get you in a S.M.A.R.T. frame of mind for effective practice sessions. You can check out this S.M.A.R.T. chart to aid you in setting your goals.
• Check out this awesome breathing exercise for to get more "gas in your tank," increase breath efficiency, and ease anxiety all in one.
• Just what does "ONE MORE TIME" really mean? Great resource to illustrate what really happens during every repetition (rep), why they're important, and how to maximize your rep strategy.
• PITCH TENDENCIES by instrument. Anticipate tuning issues and adjust on the fly for better pitch accuracy.
• Performance anxiety is a real and common problem among musicians. There are ways to help yourself to work through the anxiety to ensure performing is as pleasurable an experience as it should be. Check out this article on performance anxiety tips for ways to help.
• Fear is the enemy of success (particularly fear of leaving your comfort zone). Here is some handy and succinct insight for help with overcoming your fears.
• Part of being a well-round musician is staying positive when things get tough. How many times have we squeaked a note, or dropped a stick, and then bad-mouthed ourselves about it? Music isn't supposed to be that way. Check out this great article about ways you can train yourself to be more positive.
• Criticism is a natural part of the developmental process, but that doesn't mean it isn't intimidating. We are often seeking praise, and shying from criticism, especially if we aren't equipped to handle it. Here is a simple article that will help with learning how to accept criticism, which can be a very rewarding experience, necessary to development in anything you do.

Music Apps and Websites

Test your skills while enhancing your knowledge and abilities with these great resources.

• MusicTheory.net - excellent resource to learn and build upon your understanding of music theory including pitch, rhythm, scales, and chords.
• The Shed - Great site for learning more about theory through the jazz idiom.
• NinGenius - arcade style learning tool for learning music theory, and enhancing your skills and knowledge of your instrument. Available in Lite, or $2.99 in app store.
• Complete Rhythm Trainer - Free and AWESOME tap-based app to learn about rhythm and time signatures, and test your skills with fun arcade style games.
  • Available on ANDROID, and another version from the APPLE STORE.

Metronomes and Tuners

• For Apple Products:
  • Pro Metronome (free)
  • Pano Tuner - Chromatic Tuner (free)
  • Tonal Energy Tuner - Full service tuner and metronome. Highly useful app when used regularly. ($3.99)
• For Android
  • Pro Metronome (free)
  • 7 Metronome (free)
  • Pano Tuner - Chromatic Tuner (free)
  • Tonal Energy Tuner - Full service tuner and metronome. Highly useful app when used regularly. ($3.99)

Fun with Music Theory