Consistent practice is a very important part of realizing performance goals. In utilizing the simple university credit system, consider that an undergraduate performance major (receiving 3 hours of credit for Applied Trumpet) should be practicing a minimum of 3 hours each day. Students receiving 2 hours of credit (BME & BA) should be practicing a minimum of 2 hours a day. Non-majors, those receiving 1 hour credit, should be practicing 1 hour per day. Remember that time spent in ensembles does not constitute time spent practicing!

Maintaining your current proficiency = 1 hour every day
Progressing a small amount = 2 hours every day
Progressing at a moderate rate= 3 hours every day
Progressing at a high rate = 4 hours every day
Preparing for a Recital, Contest, or Audition = 5-6 hours every day

PRACTICING

Don't try to accomplish everything at once. Divide your day into three sections, with the idea of working on different aspects in each practice session. Set up a schedule so that it works for you and stick to it!! Always play musically and end each session with a lyrical selection. A metronome should be utilized on a regular basis.

Session 1: Early Morning

This is primarily a warm-up session that should be completed prior to your first class, ifpossible. It is a vital part of your daily regimen which, when done properly, will help you improve and avoid serious injury. Buzz! Concentrate on the most basic aspects of producing music. Care should be taken to Breathe Deeply and Relax before beginning to play. Strive for an expanding breath, a resonant tone, a steady air flow, and superb intonation. Use a metronome some of the time and finish with a lyrical selection. Sources for the Warm-up might include the books of Grabowski, Plog, Schlossberg, and/or Stamp.

Duration: 20-30 minutes

Session 2: Late Morning/Early Afternoon

The work session! Develop and Practice a Routine! Use this time to practice all of those necessary things:

Scales: major, minors, dorian, phrygian, lydian, mixolydian, aeolian, ionian, whole tone, blues, & chromatic
Arpgeggios: major, minor, augmented, & diminished
Tonguing: single, double, triple, mixed articulations
Technical Studies
Transposition or Clef Studies

REST

Flexibility
Etudes and other lesson materials
Range exercises or studies for building strength & endurance
Lyrical selection

Duration: 1-2 hours

Session 3: Evening

Use this time to complete what might be unfinished from earlier in the day. Then, practice some things that might be a little more fun, such as:

Additional lesson material
Solo repertoire
Orchestral excerpts
Improvisation
Piano, Secondary, or other instruments
Ensemble parts

Duration: 1 to 1½ hours