Week 4 Saturday

Good morning!

So, yesterday was a day off for me. Woke up this morning and lips feel significantly less swollen yesterday.

Will play lightly today and get lips limbre for concert tomorrow.

Week 4 Friday

It's noon and swelling in lips seem to have gone down a bit. I woke up this morning and my face was killing me. Bought some chapstick and they've seemed to settle down. Will probably buzz (if anything today). I want to give them a rest.

**Need to re-focus on using air. Have been substituting lips for what air needs to be doing.

Week 4 Thursday

Warm-up
Farkas Ex. 1

Lips feel the most out of focus they have been since I started back on horn.

NSSB rehearsal tonight.
Positive: Played extremely assertively and a lot of the rhythm improved.
To improve: Note accuracy.

Lips during rehearsal were fatigued even before I picked up the horn to play. However, they didn't give in during practice and they seem to be okay.

Week 4 Wednesday

Session 1
Lips feel puffy and big today.
Warm-up+Farkas 1,2
CD play-along
Played through Parts of Mozart 3. Finding that the Farkas exercises are helping me play actual music. The exercises are forcing me to play out of my comfort zone.
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Ordered bear Tracks (done)

Today I had to turn down a gig:( I am very sad. It was for the Cantate Carlisle and $85 per service (4 services). Well, that's the weekend I'm in a wedding...oh well.
This is encouraging though! First invite to a gig! Woo!

PS Carl Lezzi with the NSSB invited me to join their group next year.

Week 4 Tuesday

Hello,
Well..today I found out that I didn't get the assistantship position I was hoping for at Cal University. I'm a little disappointed, but now I don't have to study for the Praxis! Day job options at this point are keeping the job that I have working towards the alternate certification with ABCTE.

Anyway, to practicing.
Last nights' rehearsal with NSSB went well. Rhythm... an issue...
Lips, however, endured and it was really quite encouraging. This week I need to practice the music!

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Session 1
Warm-up, Farkas 1 (25m)
Farkas 2-6 (30m)

Send Thankyou note to Lorraine Lippert (done)
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Email
River City Brass (done)
Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra (done)
Butler SO (done)

Week 4 Monday

Warm-up
Farkas Ex 1,2,3,4,5,6

Hi!
So, got through Farkas warm-up today. It took 60 minutes. I need to cut this down to 20. Getting there though.

I am technically behind on stuff to prepare for lesson with Bob. Tomorrow, I need to come up with what I'm going to play for lesson/what I need to work on for audition material.

For Lesson:
Mozart 3
Exerpts
Etude

Start working on scales this week.

Week 3 Saturday

Warm-up (buzz with B.E.R.P to Mozart 3 in concert Eb)
Farkas Ex 1,2

Lips are slowly finding their place with the arpeggios.
Solo to start working on: Mozart 3, mvt 1
Gave music to Sasha to practice.

Week 3 Friday

Warm-up (15m)
Farkas Ex 1

A lot of bobbles today....

Week 3 Thursday

Session 1 Warm-up

Mouthpiece buzz: core sound has improved a bit. Still striving for that "core". The sound can be attained by forcing it with the lips, but it needs to be with the air.

Upper left lip feels a bit fatigued today.

Sound: good, but striving for that big, core sound that Bob has.

Ex 1: Big improvement with slurs. Don't "bump" into each note. (Play these SLOWLY) I have a tendency to rush through the notes and hope that I get them. Play deliberately and purposefully.

EX 2: Play slow as well.

It took an hour to get through my warm-up plus Farkas 1,2. I need to play w-up+Farkas 1-6 in 20 minutes (once it's mastered).



**Look at Starrer


________________________________________________
Email Edgewood SO, Washington SO (done)

Week 3 Wednesday

Lips feel big today.
Sound muffled at first but has improved over course of warm-up.

Week 3 Tuesday

Warm-up

Lips had a work-out last night.
No pain. Just a lot of bobbles.

Note to self: don't pick up the horn at 9 pm. Tired.

Reminder: think of lips as a cushion and air pushing the notes through.

First Playing Experience

First rehearsal tonight with the North Suburban Symphonic Band. It was really fun and I am so surprised how everything was coming back! Two more rehearsals and then a concert! It feels really good to have just gone on a 'wim'. I literally got home, read the invite email, and jumped in my car:) Anyway, off to bed...just wanted to write to say this is exciting! I also sat next to this other nice girl-we're going to get together and play duets together.

Playing wise: High notes were really coming. I can remember in college it being so hard to hit the notes. Now, they're just coming almost effortlessly (I have been practicing with more air). Rhythm is still the biggest issue. Tuning, not so much an issue. Playing the rhythm needs the most work.

I spoke with the conductor of the group. He's a horn player and knew my old horn teacher. He said sitting next to him in the opera and ballet was like sitting next to a machine. He was always on and 100% accurate. It was cool to hear that and talk with someone who knew him.

Week 3 Monday

Hi, I've decided to start categorizing practice days by weeks. Friday completed day 10. Today is 3 days shy of the 3 week period. I am rounding up and calling today week 3.

Last week, I spoke with Chris from the Pittsburgh Opera. I will be auditioning in October! I need to figure out what to prepare for that.

Besides playing, the "day job" aspect of things is going pretty well. I have an interview lined up for this Wednesday at Cal U PA for a possible GA position. This is a pretty big deal because if I got this, it would mean possibly going to school to get EL ED certification for free.
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Session 1
Warm-up
Farkas Ex 1-improving. Continue to strive for accuracy in hitting each note in the center of the pitch and keeping the line very legato.

Ex 2-able to play at speed, which was not the case last week. Notes are choppy and not smooth.

Ex 3- play slowly with met.

(Lips are getting stronger day by day. I have had no problems so far, concerning lip pain.)

Day 10

Hello!
Tired today but doing well. Have a half hour to practice and then off to coffee!


***Really having no lip pain. Lips feel limber and good.


Session 1
Warm-up done

Goals for Teaching

Get business cards ordered
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Finish Curriculum and binder of info by mid May (after consulting Bob)
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Start advertising for students in mid May
*Contact schools
*Hang up flyers everywhere: grocery stores, post office, etc.

Goals For Playing

Short term goal:
Get playing in a community group now! (done-first rehearsal 4/20)
Take a lesson with Bob in May


Ultimate Goal: Get paid to play in a orchestra (done-JSO 5/9)

Day 9

Good morning,
Well I had another idea. Start a brass quintet. Too many ideas! Doing a pretty good job acting on these ideas. I've been contacting groups and people and have been getting a good amount of responses. Need to continue to move forward with practicing, however. Rhythm is a big hurdle for me to get through. Of all the things to have the most "issues" with, I'm glad this is it and not poor tone or something else.

Brass Quintet: Possible places to perform:
Monroe Stroke Support Group (email from elaine stolick)

Contact: done
Brad Courage
Jerry
Chris Rose
Dave Yeager

_________________________________________________________________

***It's been a challenge getting an additional session in for practicing. So far, I've only done a session a day. If I'm going to improve at the rate that I'd like, I need to add at least 1 more session to my daily practice.

Session 1
Warm-up
Farkas ex 1, 2

Day 8

Session 1
Warm-up

Farkas Ex 1,2
(how am I going to practice this?)

Am pretty fatigued today. Breathing is tense. Really excited about pursuing playing opportunities!

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Spoke with Loraine Lipert with the North Pittsburgh Orchestra. She will send me information via mail.
North Hills HighSchool
7:30-10:30
Monday's


Her daughter is pres. of the North Suburban Symphonic Band of Pittsburgh. Check this out as well.
(check out both of these groups websites and contact for and audition.)

Day 7

Session 1
Warm-up

Orchestra search

Goal: Get a position in a regional, semi-professional orchestra

Contacted:

Edgewood SO: Lined up to play their summer concerts! This could lead to a full-position.
North Suburban Symphonic Band: Currently playing in this group!

Johnstown SO: 5/9 Mothers day: Am playing a gig with them!
Butler SO: Am on sub list
Pittsburgh Opera: Possible audition for sub spot. Sent resume. Contact him at end of September for audition in October.
Akron SO: No openings at this time. 3rd horn opening audition in September. Will send me info.
ProMusica Chamber Orchestra: 'Extra' auditions in October. Check website in August for info.
Westmoreland SO: Check back in August for sub audition possibilities.
Wheeling SO: Check back in August for possible horn subbing auditions.
Canton SO: Will have auditions in September. Check website in August for audition details.
Erie Philharmonic: Inquire in Mid-may to see which horns are returning and if they will need someone. (5/8 contacted Mr. Barber to see if there are any new openings.) Inquire again at begin. of June to see if there will be any more openings besides the 3 horn position (which is open) auditions will be on September 9.
River City Brass: contact Bernie in late august when rehearsals start again to set up an audition time to play for them after their rehearsal. This would be for a fill-in position.
Washington SO-am added to a volunteer list (rehearsals are Wednesday nights 7:30-10:30)
Apollo's Fire Baroque Orchestra: Accepts resumes from horn players that play on period horns (valveless).
Ashland SO: Email them a resume and recording to try to be put on a sub list.
Central Ohio SO: Needs a resume. Waiting to hear back.
Columbus SO: No auditions at this time. Will contact, when they need a horn player.
Paragon Ragtime Orchestra: Don't need horns, but if they do, they'll keep me in mind.
Central PA SO: Too far. Volunteer Orchestra. Will contact if they really need a sub.
Huntington Chamber Orchestra
McKeesport SO
Millbrook Chamber Orch.
Nittany Valley SO
Northeastern PA Philharmonic
Mansfield SO
Southeastern Ohio SO
Tuscarawas Philharmonic
Warren Philharmonic
Williamsport SO
Youngstown SO
Undercroft Opera
Pittsburgh Philharmonic Orchestra (North hills)
South Hills Community Band
Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra

Practice (chart/farkas ideas)

1 What to practice
2 How to practice
3 How much to practice

Purpose of the warm-up:
To loosen and limber up muscels
Review all fund. of playing tech.
Emphasize lip tech. as opposed to finger tech.
Develop deep breathing
Gain flex. throughout 3 octave range
Maintain beautiful sound
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Daily Practice Chart:

Session 1
Warm-up

Session 2
Miscellaneous: lip trills, stopped notes, transposition
Kopprasch
Gallay
Maxime-Alphonse

Session 3
Orchestral Excertps
Solo repertoire

(read Farkas "how to practice" pg. 44)

Day 6

What a beautiful, sunny day!

A lot to do today and little time!
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Session 1
Warm-up

Session 2
Miscellaneous: lip trills, stopped notes, transposition, Kopprasch, Gallay, Maxime-Alphonse

Session 3
Orchestral Excertps
Solo repertoire



Note: I need to continue to remind myself to focus on the one task at hand. I find my mind wandering when practicing.
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TO DO: (compiled from last week's ideas/things to do).

Today:
*Incorporate Farkas W-up into daily practice
*email regional orchestras Done
*pick an etude to start working on (to gear up for lesson). Done
*Incorporate Crystobal's phone book exercise.
*incorporate tonguing and scales into practice sessions *add another session later in the day incorporating scales, rhythm, etudes, listening, sight reading. Look at Farkas book for practice ideas.

Sometime this week:
*Get Bear Tracks scale bk
*Get "The breathing gym"
*continue private studio preparation
*Once I've emailed regional orchestras, seek out other performance opportunities.
*Check out Undercroft Opera Orchestra (Dan Snoke)

Day 5

Today is the first day that I had to 'force' myself to practice. Now that I've started it's easier.

**Things to also incorporate in practice session on Monday: Physical Exercise and stretches.
**On Monday, email regional orchestras for possible summer playing opportunities. Get some playing set up for this summer.
**Also on Monday, continue private studio preparation
**Other things I need to work on: Tonguing, keeping air flow and sound steady (this will probably improve as I practice scales)
UPDATE: Received replies for performance/playing opportunities! woohoo!
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Agenda
F ex
Br. ex
MP Buzz
Horn im.

Rest

Pitch Benders

CD play-along- wow. I've forgotten how much I've loved to play horn.

Day 4

4/9 Emailed: Duet friends, JSO, ELCO, recital friends

Today's Agenda:
Face ex.
Breathing Exercise
MP buzz- having to work hard to get the core sound that I want- not quite there yet. AIR!---------->tongue interruption.

Rest

Horn improv.

Rest

Pitch benders (don't forget about the release of the note as well as the start)

**starting next Monday 4/12, have 2 playing/practice sessions. Continue what I'm doing, but add another session later in the day incorporating scales, rhythm, etudes, listening, sight reading. Look at Farkas book for practice ideas.

overall, lips are doing well. Sound is also pretty decent. Some fatigue in lips, but very slight.
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To get: mute

Day 3

Hi! Today is a sunny, beautiful day and one great for practicing!:)

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Today's Agenda:
Face Ex.
Breathing Exercise

MP buzz (with met) to focus: breath and release through mp. No stopping air! Firm embouchure to produce "core" sound. Do not produce sound by forcing lips to do the work-let air and support carry the tone.

Rest

Horn improv. (with met)

Rest

Pitch benders m C-l C + m C-h C (after going down to l C, lips began to feel fatigued)

Rest, Rest

mC-hC


**Again, I am surprised by the quality of sound on day 3. There have been times when the tone has completely gone and the embouchure is difficult to form when picking the horn up after not playing for months.

Exciting Idea: Put on a recital. Sasha-pianist, Alex-Saxophone, Whitney? Hillary?

*Get Bear Tracks scale bk
*Get "The breathing gym"

It feels so good to be practicing again! Tomorrow I need to add basic rhythm practice and sight-reading. Also, pick an etude to start working on. Incorporate Crystobal's phone book exercise.

Day 2

Breathing Exercize
Face Ex.
MP Buzzing with a whole tone on metronome
Rest
Improv. with horn and whl. tone on met.
Pitch Benders-middle C down to low C.

Notes:
*Sound is surprisingly clear for Day 2.
I really want to improve the quality of the sound. I remember my teacher's huge, round-yet-focused sound. Want sound to be "bigger" and more powerful in general.
*Air flow needs improvement.
*Lips are puffy and out of shape, but staying surprisingly focused.
No lip pain or pin pricks! yay!

Facing my fears: Rhythm. Reading rhythm, maintaining a tempo that is in time (not slowing down, or getting ahead of the beat).

Current Life Challenge: How to incorporate horn playing and teaching horn into daily life. Full-time or part-time (while able to make a living). Should I pursue a teaching certification in El Ed?? Will have a full-time job as an English El ED teacher encroach on music making/teaching?
I have decided that I do not want to be an El ED music teacher.

Goal for the end of the week: Contact Katie, Julia, and Mitch to see if anyone wants to get together and play.

Goal for the end of April: Seek out playing opportunities. Attend Monday night com. band rehearsals. Email Johnstown Symphony Orch. with summer availability. ELCO. Dan Snoke.

Goal for May 7: Organize a time to take a lesson with Bob. Prepare an etude to work on and a list of questions. Also, bring studio teaching ideas and other playing goals.

Overall, I am very surprised at how fast horn playing is coming back to me! This should be inspiration for all who just can't (or won't) seem to get past that initial hump of picking up the instrument again!

French horn playing renewed!

Hi!
This is a little out of the ordinary for me (starting a blog and all) but I've decided to blog the process of practicing French horn again. Having graduated music school two years ago, I have found it an on going challenge to keep the horn to my face. I will go months at a time without practicing, and really miss it. Also, I rarely listen to music anymore, because I miss it so much it just hurts to listen to it. The purpose of this blog is to "keep myself accountable" for practicing...daily.

Positive aspects of taking time off from horn playing:
*Re-group, re-focus on purpose for playing.
*Experience a renewed joy in music.
*Discover that I can play horn for enjoyment, because I like to, for God's glory, and for these reasons only.
*Realize that it is not good to waste the talents that God has given me.