*
banner

Thornton's daily tips... No 1

David Thornton is providing 4BR with some daily tips to help players with their playing during the enforced period of self distancing and home isolation.

tHORNTON
  David Thornton has worldwide experience and expertise as a player, tutor, educator and conductor

The working lives of freelance players have been hit hard by the Coronavirus pandemic, so if you have the chance please get in touch with them and book some on-line lessons and tuition.

Question:


I get bored easily and my wanders if I spend too long doing one technical exercise, so how can I keep my home practice productive?

DT's suggestion:


I have been working on a way for my students to structure their weekly aims and self evaluate progress, as well as to keep their practice sessions 'alive' and forward moving.

It's a way of keeping your practice productive, efficient and progressive. Use the suggested audio recordings as part of any online tuition, and there is no need to cover all of the below in every single session of playing!

Part 1: Primary Colours of Technique — weekly aim:

Choose an exercise from each of the following areas and develop it to the point of technical ease and control:

1. Breathing
2. Flexibility
3. Poduction/tongue
4. Fingers

Part 2: Technical Study — weekly aim:

Choose one technical study to work up to a performable point and record it by the end of the week. You could choose one of the 14 Arban studies, or any other from the many sources available.

Part 3: Vocal/Lyric Study — weekly aim:

Choose a lyrical study or work to develop throughout the week. Use the material to develop sound, intonation, dynamic and expressive line, vibrato, articulation control. Record it by the end of the week.

Part 4: Solo Repertoire — weekly aim:

Identify 1 or 2 pages from an item of repertoire to prepare. Choose repertoire that challenges you, technically and musically, but is not out of your reach. Record it by the end of the week.

Part 5: Excerpts — weekly aim:

Choose one full excerpt and learn over the week. Listen to several recordings and identify context. Research and learn about the composer and historical context of the work, famous recordings or performances or performers. This could be brass band, wind band or orchestral. Record it by the end of the week.

Build up of a library of personal recordings to document your progress. Label them clearly and listen back to them carefully. They will effectively become your practice diary for this period. This will help self evaluation and for you to appreciate your progress over a period of time.

If you have any questions you would like David to answer, just get in touch with him and we will put it up on 4BR to help others as well4BR

Any questions

If you have any questions you would like David to answer, just get in touch with him and we will put it up on 4BR to help others as well.

David can also be contacted for private on-line tuition at: thorntoneuph@gmail.com

Find out more about David: www.davethornton.co.uk

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thorntoneuph

David Thornton's YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/thorntoneuph

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Fjord

Echoes of the fjord to be heard in Stavanger

April 3 • The Gala Concert at the forthcoming European Championships in Stavanger will evoke the folk music sounds of the fjords with a brass band twist.


Andrea Price

Andrea Price appointed to Kapitol Music Panel

April 3 • The critically acclaimed musician joins the Kapitol Music Panel to help select future Regional and National test-pieces.


SEWBBA

Welsh bands urged to attend Safeguarding seminar

April 2 • A special Safeguarding Training Seminar is to be hosted by the South East Wales Brass Band Association this weekend, with bands urged to attend.


Cheltenham

Cheltenham National Final schedule announced.

April 2 • The weekend of the 13th and 14th September will see 75 bands take to the stage.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band

April 3 • Putney & Wimbledon Brass Band is on the rise! We're off to Cheltenham for the 3rd year running and will be promoted to the 2nd Section. We need YOU to help us go even further! We play ambitious music under a great conductor and are a very sociable bunch.


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


James Chamberlain

BMus (Hons) PGCE
Conductor, Teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd