Expert: jack wiard - 1/25/2012

Question
We're doing Alfred Reed's Punchinello in band class and around measure sixteen there are six consecutive sixteenth notes that are staccato. I can play single notes staccato but I've never played so many of them in a row. What techniques can I use to practice this properly- and so I can get it at about 130 beats per minute, which is how fast the piece goes.
Thanks a lot. Any help is much appreciated.

Answer
Hello Nick....Thank you for your question....The tongue is a muscle which has to be exercised to make it move faster....Try setting your metronome to 80 and play quarter notes [one note per metronome click]....You should be able to manage that...Next, play 8th notes [two notes per metronome click] along with the '80' metronone setting.....Next, try triplets [3 tongue notes for every click]....When you can do all these, move the metronome up to 84 and repeat the exercise with the different value notes....You should do this exercise 30 minutes a day...It gets boring but besides doing the exercise on open G, do it on 3rd space C, top space G, and high C[LEFT HAND THUMB]....You should also keep a written practice diary of what you can do on each day...If you do this, you will be amazed how fast your tongue speed will increase, WHICH YOU CAN CHECK WITH YOUR WRITTEN DIARY....Remember, 30 minutes  a day, and while you practice, it is important to work on all the notes having the same volume [no notes to stick out] and all the notes have the same length....Cheers    JACK