A reminder about the many different ways you can use a metronome in the practice room.
Half (Ghost) Tonguing: A 5-Note Exercise to Make Playing Fast Easier
Using half tonguing when playing faster lines can help keep articulation and time in check.
The Rhythmic Density Scale will improve your technique, time feel, and improvisations
There’s more to “60 bpm” than just a metronome setting. Use this important technique to open new levels of accuracy and rhythmic control in your improvisation.
How I Practice Scales to Maximize Accuracy, Control, Range, and Dexterity
In a single 25-minute practice session this exercise gives me a feeling of total control of the horn in all 12 keys.
Stan Getz’s Palm Key Exercise
This palm key exercise was given to me by George Garzone, who in turn got it from Stan Getz as a young man. Use it to clean up technical glitches in the high register of your horn.
Get Your Reps In: Use Repetitive Phrases to Improve Your Time Feel and Groove
Looping short phrases slowly and repeatedly can make any difficult passage less daunting. You might even lull yourself into a “flow” state.
SSS (Slow, Straight, Slurred): A Reminder Why It Helps
Hear that tripping over myself? All that tongue getting in my way? Those 8th note lines coming out so uneven?
Use Simple Triads to Get Away from Root-Based Improvising
Guide tone lines and triads are a concrete way to sound good over any chord changes, especially difficult, non-functional harmony.
Step by Step Process to Play Scales with Speed and Perfect Execution
A rock-solid approach to getting things under your fingers—without your fingers flying—and leading you to more responsive and even execution.
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