Do you practice playing softly?

[Randy Beschorner]

Given that our television is in the same room as my practice set-up, I use it as a benchmark for playing softly. I set the boob tube volume to a normal level on a news program and run my euphonium and tuba exercises trying to keep it soft enough that I can actually understand what the talking head is saying. Then gradually decrease the volume on the TV. As stated before I must have accurate attacks and releases and good tone/intonation before moving down a level. For life on the edge I do this while my wife is sleeping in the bedroom over the family room.