Hey everybody -- I started this blog as a means of sharing info, links, clips, exercises, random thoughts, and ideas with my saxophone and woodwind students. This is my very first posting, and as time goes on, I will add more content, so check back regularly.

Today, I want to talk about -- the P word. That's right, PRACTICING. It's the one thing that I know will improve my playing, and that's why I get after each one of you to spend as much time as possible working on the stuff I send you home with each week.

I know that my students lead busy lives that include homework, families, chores, even day jobs. It all adds up. But you have a responsibility to your music too, and the only way is to spend regular time with your horn.

Many of you know I'm a big believer in the 5-minute drill, meaning, at the very least give it 5 minutes a day on long tones or on a particular exercise. Leave your horn out of the case, and pick it up and blow any time you have 5 extra minutes.

Or 10.

Or 15.

Better to put saxophone first and play a little every day than to cram your practice into an hour a week. Or, right before you show up for lessons!

Next comes focus. Wynton Marsalis the legendary trumpet player once said that 10 minutes of concentrated practice is way better than an hour of goofing off with your horn. In other words, have a plan before you start, and concentrate on perfecting that one thing -- be it a scale, a difficult passage, a melody, or tone issues.

Turn off the TV, the stereo, your cell phone, etc, etc, and whatever self-doubts you may have about your own ability, and focus on the playing. I promise you'll see the results at our next lesson.