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Finding a new routine after a long break

887 Views 2 Replies 1 Participant Last post by  CircaRevival
G
Hey everyone, I haven't hung around here in a while but I think I'm back here to stay now. :)

Because of many other activities (school, work, SATs, ACTs, APs, sports etc.) I haven't had a chance to pick up my sax in a few months. I'm about to pick it up from school later where it has been sitting. About a year ago I was extremely serious about my sax, practicing as much as possible and putting a lot of pressure on myself to keep up with the great players around me and my teacher's high standards. I think that also affected my decision to put down the horn and focus on other things. At the time I stopped I was just really getting into the Aebersold series and learning how to play tunes and nailing down my scales from playing patterns.

At this point, instead of giving up on school, sports, and video games, I want to play sax as a hobbyist...not an extremely serious student who is considering majoring in it college. Instead of putting so much pressure on myself to keep up with other people by doing boring exercises I want to do what I feel like doing now.

I'm just wondering what you beginner/intermediate hobbyists are up to, and what you guys practice and play to get the most enjoyment out of playing. I have lots of great books, most of the standards that everyone talks about around here, and I'd love to play a 1/2 hour to an hour everyday and have fun with it, but at the same time work on my weaknesses and get out of my comfort zone.

Thanks for reading...and sorry about all the run-ons. :) Just wanted to re-introduce myself to my fellow saxophonists. :)
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This may not be what you are looking for but....

Nothing will beat a few minutes of long tones, scales and arpeggios for getting you into shape. Try this: 5 minutes long tones, 10 minutes of scales/arpgeggios (a different key each day to keep you from getting bored with routine), and then the rest of the time (15-45 minutes according to your timeframe above) playing songs you want to play, perhaps the Aebersold books. And play with a group (wind or jazz ensemble, combo, whatever) to have fun playing music with other musicians.
G
Thanks a lot. I don't think it is going to be the most structured schedule, but I can have fun playing patterns and arpeggios and such :)
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