Category Archives: Teaching Low Brass

“The Old Paths,” Part One

Posted on December 21, 2021 by Micah Everett

There is an ongoing debate among brass players that pops up from time to time on social media and internet message boards. The subject: “What do you do to warm up?” What should brass players do to prepare for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alto Trombone, Arnold Jacobs, Baritone Horn, Bass Trombone, Breathing, Daily Routine, Emory Remington, Euphonium, Music, Music Education, Musical Interpretation, Pedagogy, Performing, Physical Fitness, Playing Fundamentals, Practicing, Scales and Arpeggios, Teachers, Teaching Low Brass, Tenor Trombone, Trombone, Trombone Ensembles, Tuba | Comments Off on “The Old Paths,” Part One

The Limitations of the “Pyramid of Sound”

Posted on December 2, 2021 by Micah Everett

From an early age, many band students are drilled in the “Pyramid of Sound” model for achieving a properly balanced ensemble sound. This model was perhaps most prominently championed by the prominent band composer and conductor W. Francis McBeth (1933-2012) … Continue reading →

Posted in Alto Trombone, Baritone Horn, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Music, Music Education, Musical Interpretation, Pedagogy, Teaching Low Brass, Tenor Trombone, Trombone, Tuba, W. Francis McBeth | Comments Off on The Limitations of the “Pyramid of Sound”

Method Books: “Concepts over Checkmarks”

Posted on November 13, 2021 by Micah Everett

As a high school and undergraduate student, I made it a particular goal to “pass off” as many studies and etudes as possible in my trombone and euphonium lessons. I prepared as much material as I could each week, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Alto Trombone, Baritone Horn, Bass Trombone, Contrabass Trombone, Daily Routine, Euphonium, Method Books, Music, Musical Interpretation, Pedagogy, Playing Fundamentals, Repertoire, Teaching Low Brass, Tenor Trombone, Trombone, Tuba | Comments Off on Method Books: “Concepts over Checkmarks”

Professor Harold Hill Wasn’t Completely Wrong

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Micah Everett

Every music teacher understands and emphasizes the importance of regular individual practice for students’ growth and development. There is a particular joy that comes from working with a student who is consistently well-prepared, demonstrating steady and sometimes rapid growth. Lessons … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Music, Music Education, Pedagogy, Performing, Playing Fundamentals, Practicing, Teaching Low Brass, The Music Man | Comments Off on Professor Harold Hill Wasn’t Completely Wrong

Fifteen Steps to Playing a Better All-State Audition (Repost)

Posted on October 9, 2021 by Micah Everett

Today I am reposting, for the tenth year, one of the more popular articles on this blog. With high school students preparing for auditions for all-state groups and similar ensembles around this time of year, posting this article every fall … Continue reading →

Posted in Auditions, Bass Trombone, Daily Routine, Education, Euphonium, Mississippi Lions All-State Band, Music, Music Education, Playing Fundamentals, Practicing, Scales and Arpeggios, Teaching Low Brass, Tenor Trombone, Trombone, Tuba | Comments Off on Fifteen Steps to Playing a Better All-State Audition (Repost)