How to practice

[Jake 35]

Well, i'm somewhat of an intermediate saxophone player, past a newb, but definetely not a pro. I'm just wondering on what i should do in my daily practice session.
My present routine consists of
long notes (intonation)
overtones
chromatics, scales, and modes
sight reading
working on whatever music my school is playing or any of my own.

I'm wondering what the right order is, (warm ups first, etc.), and what i should add to my routine. Thanks for helping!

[Paul S]

jake - that sounds like a good foundation....only thing noticeably missing for me is solo transcriptions and some work on patterns (a al Jerry Cokers Patterns for Jazz, patterns taken from nice solo, transposed into all keys, or even your own patterns.)

Listening, copying and transcribing as much as you can is the most valuable all round practice for me. Also keeps it fun - just slap on a CD you like and play along.......repeat segments you like.......get the sound, phrasing......good ear training too. Ideally you should transcribe entire solo u like (i do this by ear first, then write it down).

Very important as a non-pro to keep it fun! that way you keep coming back everyday to practice and don't get stale/bored with the dry routine of technique. (technique is important, but having fun is MORE important :)

[saxfella]

Yeah - great practice routine ideas. I mix up overtones with playing the mpc only too - really helps develop throat control. Well worth it.

[michaelbaird]

Know all your scales evenly major, dorian minor, blues scales chords, and inversions of chords full range of the horn in rhythm. Listen to a tune that you like ie: disco or funk, find the key, knowing the blues scale or pentatonic scale of the key- both. Also know the relative minor key of the key the tune is in. Practice the scales and patterns etc in rhythm with the tune. You will eventually have spontaneous ideas and patterns. Learn the scales and chord inversions by ear where you can play them without thinking. Then go forth and conquer! Just keep practicing and don't get hung up on the process.