Le Grand 8 (0+0=8) by Gilderic

In order to change who you are, you must first change your habits.

In order to change your habits, you must first change your thoughts.

This list of 8 fundamental thoughts about practicing the saxophone will help you move closer to becoming the saxophonist you want to become by first changing your habits.

The habit we are focusing on in this case is the habit of practicing.

1. If you want to get better, then you have got to do it. Nobody else is going to do your work you. Make a personal choice to develop the habit of practicing and you will personally reap the rewards.
2. 30 minutes of concentrated daily practice is always better than one weekly 4-hour practice session. Demonstrating regular repetition is the key to your success.
3. You will not improve if you only review things that you can already play well. Practicing means focusing on improving areas that need improvement.
4. The quality of your saxophone tone is based on the quality of your air column. If you would like to improve your sound, then start by using more air.
5. Reviewing your chromatic and 12 major scales daily is fundamental to your development. Every time you make music on the saxophone, you are playing some variety of scale regardless of the style of music.
6. Ensure that a good part of your session is dedicated to practicing with a metronome. Listening to your personal metronome is essential to improving your internal pulse.
7. In order to improve your music reading, you simply need to read more music. Expose yourself to one new piece of music at each practice session, and you will improve your ability to sight read.
8. You have to stink at something before you can be great at something. The faster you make a lot of mistakes, the faster you can learn from those mistakes and improve. There are no failures; there are only results. So, get excited about making a lot of mistakes and getting results.

Further Reading

You’re Not Practicing Practicing. You’re Practicing Playing.

Saxophone Lessons Online Using Skype

Saxophone Tips: New Patterns for Fresh Practice

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