Consistency with low register studies

[one.kidney]

When practicing, how long does it take usually for one to see significant progress in one's low register practicing Snedecor etudes and Rochut vocalises down 2 octaves? To achieve maximum success, what is a recommended "low register targeting" practice time?

[happyroman]

Rex Martin suggested the following breakdown of practice time to me recently. He suggested spending 80% of your practice time in the two octave range from low Bb to high Bb. Then, he said to spend only 10% of your time above high Bb and 10% below low Bb. For the 80% in the two octave cash register, he suggested 50% in the lower octave and 30% in the upper.

What is critical, however, is not how much time we practice (i.e., quantity) but how focused we are during that time (quality).

Everyone should Google "Itzhak Perlman practice" for a series of videos that he published on what he recommends for "How to practice." His ideas are perfectly adaptable to any instrument.

[PaulMaybery]

I like Bloke's idea on having a bit more resistance at the point of the mouthpiece to avoid just dumping air. It can afford you a temporary scenario that is a bit more "user friendly."

But other advantages to that is that a bit more attention to some of the other matters can be afforded.
I'm thinking of: Corners, jaw position, tongue anchoring, (setting and release of the tongue) Keeping a continuous feed of wind. And ... then playing intervals and passages so that you develop the navigational skill to get from one low note to the next without "schmucking it up."

Things do take time, and everyone is on a different schedule. It is generally futile to practice past a certain point. Not just for muscle fatigue, but also for learning development. Usually the neuro pathways get established better when done day after day, not hour after hour. After a certain point, with any type of repetition, the mind/nerves/muscles go more or less on auto pilot and certain things simply tune out. This is often why when you come back the next day after say 4 or 5 hours of practice, it seems as if you really accomplished nothing.

You can always practice all day. I love too sometimes, particularly if I'm on a roll. But it is actually, at that point, more about me entertaining myself than really developing any new strengths or skills. Sure I can play thru all sorts of literature and begin to learn it. But is my physical playing actually developing at that point?

So, IMHO, more than likely the greatest benefits will probably be occurring in the first hour or so after a good warmup.

But also remember, as you practice, it would be great if you can successfully develop habits and skills, that because you are so well self trained and conditioned, you really don't need to think about as you play. At that point it is fun to just sing music through the horn.

[Davidus1]

Lots of good advice on here already.

One thing I would recommend would be to get lessons with the best teacher you can find/afford. Feedback is imperative. Sometimes improvement is gradual and you don't notice it for awhile. Walking down a snow covered sidewalk might seem slow but when turn around and see the footprints you realize all the work that was done. I like what Paul said about creating solid habits that you reinforce until they are second nature. That's great advice. Remember its a marathon and not a sprint! I wish you well!

[swillafew]

What's your objective in the practice? If you don't make one, you'll not be as efficient as if you do.

I heard the "cash register" idea a long time ago. I expect a healthy goal would be to extend the cash out in both directions; that is, to make an expanding range uniformly strong and easy. This would of course mean gradually playing a little more around the edges of it until the strength develops.

In the event that you can't find a teacher, invest the money in method books that come with recordings of the etudes.