#PlayOnWNY Practice Help

PlayOnWNYpractice

BPO musicians present these general practice videos to encourage continued practice among young instrumental students.

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Practice Help

Click the tabs below to access instrument-specific practice videos by BPO musicians.
These practice videos offer instrument-specific advice from BPO musicians for technique, breathing, and scale practice.

VIOLIN: Working with a Tuner

Diana Sachs shares tips on how to work with a tuner during practice.

Diana Sachs

VIOLIN: Playing with a Straight Bow

Join Amy Glidden in straight bow technique.

Using a Straight Bow reference sheet

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VIOLIN: One-octave Scales

Join Amy Glidden in practicing one-octave scales.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Play Along BPO Scales sheet for reference.

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VIOLIN: Two-octave Scales

Join Amy Glidden in practicing two-octave scales.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Play Along BPO Scales sheet for reference.

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VIOLIN: Three-octave Scales

Join Amy Glidden in practicing three-octave scales.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Play Along BPO Scales sheet for reference.

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VIOLIN: Three-Octave Scales Advanced

Join Amy Glidden in practicing three-octave scales.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Play Along BPO Scales sheet for reference.

This video is geared towards more advanced students.

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These practice videos offer instrument-specific advice from BPO musicians for technique, breathing, and scale practice.

VIOLA: One-octave Scales

Join Matt Phillips in practicing one-octave scales.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Play Along BPO Scales sheet for reference.

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These practice videos offer instrument-specific advice from BPO musicians for technique, breathing, and scale practice.

CELLO: Practice Tips

Join Hausmann as he demonstrates practice tips for beginning cello players.

Cello Practice Tips reference sheet

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CELLO: One-octave Scales

Join Robbie Hausmann in practicing one-octave scales.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Play Along BPO Scales sheet for reference.

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These practice videos offer instrument-specific advice from BPO musicians for technique, breathing, and scale practice.

FLUTE: Good Breathing Technique

Christine Davis guides flute students in establishing good breathing technique.

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FLUTE: Good Tone

Christine Davis guides flute students in creating a good tone through practice.

Flute Tips for Improving Your Tone reference sheet

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FLUTE: Technique & Tips for Finger Placement

Christine Davis assists flute students in technique and tips for good finger placement.

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FLUTE: Articulation

Christine Davis describes and demonstrates a helpful exercise for improving articulation.

Flute Articulation Tips reference sheet

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FLUTE: Warm-ups

Christine Davis discusses the importance of a daily warm up routine and shares her own warm-up exercises and resources.

Flute Warm-ups reference sheet

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FLUTE: Fingerings for Flats

Christine Davis teaches flute students alternate fingerings for flats that facilitates easier playing.

Flute Fingerings reference sheet

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FLUTE: Advanced Fingerings 

Christine Davis shares alternative fingerings for advanced students.

Flute Advanced Fingerings reference sheet

This video is geared towards more advanced students.

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FLUTE: One-octave Scales

Join Christine Davis in practicing one-octave scales.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Play Along BPO Scales sheet for reference.

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These practice videos offer instrument-specific advice from BPO musicians for technique, breathing, and scale practice.

OBOE: One-octave Scales

Join Anna Mattix in practicing one octave scales.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Play Along BPO Scales sheet for reference.

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These practice videos offer instrument-specific advice from BPO musicians for technique, breathing, and scale practice.

CLARINET/WINDS: Daily Tonguing Exercises

Join Patti DiLutis in a daily tonguing exercise for intermediate to advanced players.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Daily Tonguing Exercises sheet for reference.

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CLARINET: 5-note Warm-up

Join Patti DiLutis in a daily 5-note warm-up for intermediate to advanced students. This warm-up from the late David Weber works on dynamics and tone.

This is a play-along video. Please use the 5-note Warm-up sheet for reference.

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CLARINET: 12-Tone Daily Warm-up

Join Patti DiLutis in a 12-tone daily warm-up for clarinet.

This is a play-along video. Please use the 12-Tone Daily Warm-up sheet for reference.

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CLARINET: Winter Care

Join Patti DiLutis as she goes through the basics of winter care of the instrument.

Clarinet Winter Care reference sheet

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CLARINET: One-octave Scales

Join Patti DiLutis in practicing one-octave scales.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Play Along BPO Scales sheet for reference.

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Introduction to the Clarinet Family

Join Patti DiLutis in an introduction to the B-flat, A and E-flat clarinets.

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These practice videos offer instrument-specific advice from BPO musicians for technique, breathing, and scale practice.

BASSOON: One-octave Scales

Join Glenn Einschlag in practicing one-octave scales.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Play Along BPO Scales sheet for reference.

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These practice videos offer instrument-specific advice from BPO musicians for technique, breathing, and scale practice.

BRASS: Mouthpiece Buzzing Technique

Sheryl Hadeka assists brass students in buzzing technique.

Mouthpiece Buzzing reference sheet

BRASS: Note Accuracy

Sheryl Hadeka guides brass students in how to focus practice around accuracy of note playing.

Brass Note Accuracy reference sheet

FRENCH HORN: One-octave Scales

Join Sheryl Hadeka in practicing one-octave scales.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Play Along BPO Scales sheet for reference.

These practice videos offer instrument-specific advice from BPO musicians for technique, breathing, and scale practice.

BRASS: Mouthpiece Buzzing Technique

Sheryl Hadeka assists brass students in buzzing technique.

Mouthpiece Buzzing reference sheet

BRASS: Note Accuracy

Sheryl Hadeka guides brass students in how to focus practice around accuracy of note playing.

Brass Note Accuracy reference sheet

TRUMPET: One-octave Scales

Join Alex Jokipii in practicing one-octave scales.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Play Along BPO Scales sheet for reference.

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These practice videos offer instrument-specific advice from BPO musicians for technique, breathing, and scale practice.

BRASS: Mouthpiece Buzzing Technique

Sheryl Hadeka assists brass students in buzzing technique.

Mouthpiece Buzzing reference sheet

BRASS: Note Accuracy

Sheryl Hadeka guides brass students in how to focus practice around accuracy of note playing.

Brass Note Accuracy reference sheet

TROMBONE: Good Posture

Join Tim Smith as he demonstrates good posture for playing trombone.

Trombone Posture reference sheet

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TROMBONE: Proper Breathing

Join Tim Smith as he demonstrates good breathing while playing trombone.

Trombone Breathing reference sheet

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TROMBONE: Slide Cleaning

Join Tim Smith has he demonstrates proper slide cleaning.

Trombone Slide Cleaning reference sheet

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TROMBONE: Legato vs. Smears

Join Tim Smith as he describes and demonstrates the difference between slurs and smears on the trombone.

Trombone Legato vs. Smears reference sheet

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TROMBONE: Smear Warm-up

Join Tim Smith as he demonstrates a smear warm-up for trombone players.

Trombone Smear Warm-up reference sheet

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TROMBONE: Slurs Exercise

Join Tim Smith in a demonstration of a slurs practice exercise.

Trombone Lip Slurs reference sheet

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TROMBONE/BARITONE/TUBA: One-octave Scales

Tim Smith guides low brass students in the practice of one-octave scales.

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TROMBONE: Masterclass

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Tim is offering a weekly trombone masterclass via Zoom to the local (and not-so-local) trombone community. These informal classes typically meet on Friday afternoons, and are open to students, teachers, and all trombone enthusiasts. Students are encouraged to perform current study repertoire, or to simply observe. Mr. Smith frequently invites guest clinicians from around the country to lead the class, including university faculty and professional players, so participants can gain exposure to varying concepts and widen their network.

This class is FREE and you can contact Mr. Smith through his website to be added to the weekly email list which will include the class topic, guest clinician information, and a Zoom meeting invitation. Classes usually last 1.5 hours but are informal — you may drop in for as long as you’d like! Tell a friend and see you there!

These practice videos offer instrument-specific advice from BPO musicians for technique, breathing, and scale practice.

PERCUSSION: Drum Pad Warm-ups

Join Dinesh Joseph in warm-ups for a drum pad.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Drum Pad Warm-up sheet for reference.

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PERCUSSION: One-octave Scales

Join Dinesh Joseph in practicing one-octave scales.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Play Along BPO Scales sheet for reference.

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PERCUSSION: Scale Patterns

Join Joseph in practicing scale patterns.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Percussion Scale Patterns sheet for reference.

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These practice videos offer instrument-specific advice from BPO musicians for technique, breathing, and scale practice.

WINDS/BRASS: Proper Posture

Sheryl Hadeka guides wind and brass students in good posture.

WINDS/BRASS: Exploring Resonance

Sheryl Hadeka guides wind and brass students in finding resonance.

Resonance reference sheet

WINDS: Proper Breathing

Patti DiLutis guides wind players in good breathing technique.

Proper Breathing reference sheet

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WINDS: Daily Tonguing Exercises

Join Patti DiLutis in a daily tonguing exercise for intermediate to advanced players.

This is a play-along video. Please use the Daily Tonguing Exercises sheet for reference.

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WINDS: Scale Practice- The Why and How

Join Christine Davis as she explains benefits and tips for practicing scales.

Scale Practice Tips reference sheet

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FOR ALL: Practice Meals

Sheryl Hadeka introduces her way of organizing practice sessions by breaking them up into “meals.”

Practice Meals reference sheet

FOR ALL: How to Overcome a Bad Practice Day

Patti DiLutis guides young musicians through a checklist that will assist with overcoming a bad practice day.

Overcome a Bad Practice Day reference sheet

Patti_DiLutis

FOR ALL: Studio Tour

Sheryl Hadeka shares her tips on setting up an organized practice space for optimal practicing conditions.

Studio Tour & Equipment Recommendations reference sheet