How I made my boring practice sessions unboring

[@justanotherpiccplayer3511]

Loving the paint rabbits 🐰🐰

[@Andromeda-mz1qk]

aOIFe scully lol me too

[@pmh1nic]

Thanks for sharing your love of music and the flute. I am late getting started (64 years old) and my 20 year old granddaughter is teaching me to play. I've enjoyed your instruction, honesty, openness and inspiration.

[@mellowyellow6729]

I'm a beginner on the flute and I use the Rubank Elementary Method!

[@huntartist2981]

I practice long tones in front of the tv, when I am practicing harmonics I watch myself in the mirror and listen to music in one ear,and when I practice scales I walk around the house. it made it a little less boring, but it's probably not a good thing. 😁

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

Oh, walking around the house while doing scales is a GREAT thing--did you know that even James Galway does that?? So cool!!

[@huntartist2981]

+JustAnotherFlutist OMG! I didn't know he did that I knew walked to school playing, and I luv your vids 💖 I tell my section about your vids

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

Sending my love to all of you!!

[@susan_altemose]

I do that all the time! It's just a natural thing I do when I do long tones and scales.

[@JLGluvsLara]

Thank you for explaining this. In middle school, I guess they just pushed us through. As an adult, I learned the way I learned from them. However, the result is that as I play more complicated pieces, I struggle more. I suspected it was because I lacked development, but couldn't figure out how to fix it. This helps me not only for the flute but the clarinet that I'm also learning.

[@randeringer]

I'm a pianist (and also a terrible flautist) and totally agree with what you're saying here. I think it helps with practice so much when you're also working on pieces you like. I stopped taking exams a few years ago so I get to pick the pieces I'm learning, and the difference was night and day. It actually became pure pleasure to practice for hours everyday to perfect a piece. I only wish I went out of syllabus sooner.

[@kelzagarcia8112]

Totally did this when I was relearning the flute/scales! Saw SO MUCH improvement in my higher register

[@zacharycoronado6749]

I have a very hard time staying motivated during practice sessions. Advice like this is immensely helpful. Thanks Joanna.

[@RememberPluto]

That's such a good way to put it. A reason to practice is a great way to get someone to understand the impact of what you are doing and why. My violin teacher does it all the time now that I realize this. I don't think my flute teacher does it much though.

[@Anfpotatolos]

It's the legendary sleeveless shirt :O The last time was on the 15.07.2014 if I remember correctly :D

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

My arms! My arms are _melting_!!!!

[@davidianmusic4869]

I remember the Rubank method, tried to avoid teaching from that for decades. I’ve seen a lot of disillusioned wind students who’ve struggled through it. I taught the long notes on a first lesson, and got the students to BAG Mary had a little lamb in huffs. Always was amazed to see the light come on when kids played that simple tune. For books, Trevor Wye’s beginner book is a lot more inspirational. Lots of exercises applied to nice tunes and duets with the teacher.

[@alexandriacantu111]

Okay so I'm in band at school. I joined my city youth orchestra last year. And I'm now taking private flute lessons. My band director has a certain disliking for some people and I happen to be one of them. I do what I'm supposed to. I practice about every day. I really love to play my flute. But when I try getting help from her, she ignores me. When she asks a question to the class and I answer, she ignores me. If she doesn't ignore me, she gives me curt responses. Anytime I try talking to her or asking for help, she always looks at me like I'm bothering her. She doesn't do that to everyone though. I really do work hard and try my best. But I feel like most of my efforts go unnoticed. She treats me like I'm invisible and I don't even want to continue with band because of that. The only reason why I'm staying with it is so I can try to make it to the region and state band. I can only do that if I'm part of my school band program. My parents have gotten involved and nothing's changed.

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

Dude, that super sucks. I understand the idea of needing to stick things through even though things suck. You can do it! In the meantime, is there any way you can also join an extra curricular band/youth orchestra just to up the fun factor? The other thing that _could_ be happening when a teacher does not like a student for no apparent reason is that maybe for some reason, you remind her of herself (some people _hate_ this), or you remind her of someone she doesn't like and she is wrongly projecting that image onto you. It may not even be the way you act, it could just be the way you look! There unfortunately isn't much you can do about a person who just has the wrong perception of you if they refuse to change their perspective. It's pretty sad on their part, if you really think about it. I'll keep thinking about your experience. Other people have also commented with similar stories, and it always makes me feel pretty sad because it reminds me of my own pretty sad times. One day, I'll be able to articulate exactly how I dealt with it. :)

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

Adding another thing: You also may be showing a lot of promise. Some teachers take this negatively and get super intimidated. That could be another reason behind how she's treating you. It's a sad way to be a teacher, but unfortunately, it's also very common. Don't get stuck on just these few reasons I suggested though. Keep in mind that you don't know her full story, so it's very dangerous to make assumptions. If you ever pick up on anything in her background, you may be able to put some pieces together. I only made the above suggestions to get you started on considering what _might_ be going on. :)

[@UwUOwO-fj4sn]

Why do I feel like band teachers are either really amazing, or extremely negative.

[@kiaraeijo]

You're not alone. My college band director was like that with me for three years. I showed up on time, I always made sure that I was prepared, and I always tried to be polite with him but it was never enough. Don't give up because I promise you that someone else( possibly the proctor of your all-state auditions) will like your playing. :)

[@Vini087z]

my advice: keep doing you boo! It sounds like you're passionate about music and I encourage you to take advantage of your private lessons! THAT is the teacher that will take you to the next level because he or she is working with you one on one instead of your band director who is working with many students.. So be the best you can be so you can show your band director you did it without his or her help! hope this helps :)

[@david.brackett]

I just wanted to let you know that you are very funny and interesting person and you you have helped me learned so much for my own musical practice. Thank You.

[@kerrylynch-butwithallduere7426]

I absolutely love your videos!! When I'm doing my warmups, I sometimes put you on in the background for moral support ;)

[@sarathemadam]

this is something I always struggled with in the beginning high school, not so much middle school because I just enjoyed getting better. I really wish my instructors would have emphasized the reason we practice these exercises. thank you for your wonderful videos! I've been following for a very very long time even though I have long been out of high school band. i find that a lot of your info is applicable to other areas of my life which is pretty cool 😊

[@birdyinabox]

What if you get bored with practicing the same rep for months on end (while preparing for a recital or competition, etc)? Like, I've seen that same arrangement of notes way too many times and it makes it difficult to keep up the practice grind.

[@haleyanderson2258]

That's how I feel about my audition piece

[@doctor_slap]

Thank you very much, this will change my approach to practice, it is something that I was missing

[@shontayann9773]

Try the Abracadabra flute book for beginners it has whole notes and minima and crochets and I found it much more fun to play

[@francojimenez8828]

When I practice I do measures or parts in my music from school, and at the same time I concentrate in tone and articulation ect. For me it makes it more fun to start with different warm ups instead of the usual.

[@christoffernordenstrom]

Hahaha this video was fun, but very important aswell! It's very helpful to listen to other teachers (like you) perspectives when it comes to teaching or music in general. Myself is a pianoteacher, and since I learned piano by myself by listening to records when I went through primary school, I'm focusing alot on playing music by ear with my students :-).

[@sunn7045]

I've always heard people in my band going: "Oh I practiced for 2+ hours straight" and me, being one of those people that do intense 15 minute practice sessions(where for 15-20 mins I put 200% into my flute and my music) and I've always felt kind of embarrassed because I didn't practice for 2 hours and this video helped me a lot. Could you do a video on practicing during summer or in general long breaks because I'm so used to having so many pieces to practice that in the summer I feel empty and don't know what to practice.

[@Kaiandherfloof]

Sunny Cai ignore the haters and you practice however you want to practice 😊

[@brittani1125]

Hi 👋

[@thadyndupont9609]

I totally agree. Mindless repetition is never the answer to musical advancement. Practicing with purpose creates improvement

[@JBreznai]

It’s always fun to listen to your old videos about flute and music pedagogy. So when does the book come out? ;-/

[@maddiesmusic1123]

I played violin in 5th grade. I decided to play it in 6th grade at my school and it was so boring because I knew everything that we were learning, so things were slow. I still play it at my school in 7th grade. It is so much better than last year. I should've been in the 7th grade orchestra last year, but the class was during the time 6th graders had a core class, so I had to relearn everything.

[@kagomiko3134]

I went through 12 years of music school, hating my instrument, hating to practice, hating to perform, thinking i`m the worst musician. I used to think that practice is about going through the music mindlessly, 50000x times, as you said, and waiting for the notes to just magically solve themselves. After I went to computer science uni, I started playing the flute (it was one of my biggest dreams, but there wasnt enough place in school and my teeth were like a bunny's teeth). I realized technical exercises are fun too, and i learned to practice. Shame I didn't realize this sooner...

[@C123Martins]

I'm learning from that Rubank book right now! Been at it for a year now. Trying to master it.

[@anitashipley4930]

With piano you don't just put the right finger on the right note you have to put the finger clorectlyn you have to put it with meaning , same with flute except with the ambosure

[@bluejay7058]

Another tip I have is try to (if you can) listen to recordings and just conjure a picture to describe the mood/style. Then, when you practice, just think about that picture. For technique and such, just have fun with it! There's no catastrophically bad way to practice the simple things, so as long as you are ACTUALLY practicing, go wild! Johanna herself uses a movie theme for her low-note register practicing. Just make it fun!

[@crystaljacob619]

so helpful you are a good teacher!

[@julesartchannel3056]

you deserve so many more subscribers!!!

[@rivahgotmusic]

Could you maybe do a video on double tonguing (if you haven't already)? I have SO much trouble with double tonguing! During the day, I will usually do what all the instructors say: articulate: "ti-ka-ti-ka" over and over again. I can do it just fine without my flute, but when I even just have the head of my flute out, I can never seem to get a clear sound out. It sounds really really airy when I try it. I tend to lose focus on what I am articulating after a few "ti-ka-ti-ka's".

[@justanotherpiccplayer3511]

How do you deal with music teachers who hate you for no reason?? If that's ever happened...

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

See my reply to Alex Styles! It's here in the comments. :)

[@Vini087z]

Do you and be the best you can be and show your teacher your passion and talent!

[@justanotherpiccplayer3511]

Thank you

[@PinkPianist]

This had me dying! 😂😂 You are hilarious!

[@Bassocontinued]

Hey, Joanna! I absolutely love your videos! I find that they apply to not only my own flute playing, but my other instruments as well. I have a suggestion/request for a future video. Could you please make a video sometime about the different types of sound you can make on your instrument. I'm talking basically about and orchestral/ensemble sound versus a soloistic sound. I'm asking because I have a problem with this myself on bassoon especially. I get so many comments from colleagues and professors that my sound is, in fact, too soloistic and not as orchestral. By orchestral I mean being able to blend better with other instruments and having a wider dynamic contrast/range and having an overall more mellow tone. It's just frustrating because I always do extremely well on my final juries, BUT when it comes to orchestra rehearsal or concerts, I sound completely separated from the rest of the ensemble in terms of tone, dynamics, etc. I guess I'm just asking how to have the best of both worlds - orchestral AND soloistic - on flute or even for all orchestral woodwinds, the same applies. Thank you :-)

[@ravifernando1637]

Thank you so much, I came home from temple thinking how to motivate myself practicing my flute and piano?and your U-tube video is there. Every day after coming home from work I am very lazy to practice due to tiredness. Weekend comes and my wife wants to do shopping and at the end no mood to practice. Long time ago I was playing my bamboo flute very nicely. I was very young. All my neighbors praising me, and some uncles purchased flutes thinking to learn it from me. I was playing Hindi movie songs, and I do not know how I got that ability, strange I learned it by myself. But I had a dream that one day I will buy a European steel flute with all these gadgets and will learn to practice to play better. Time passed and I am here with my Jupiter flute. I was thinking how to motivate myself to continue practicing. So it is not that. That this beautiful Video enlightened me, it is not motivation, that there should be a reason why you practice. Hmmmm......that's something. Thanks Joanna.

[@zoeyrodriguez4749]

I'm gonna be playing the flute this year I'm so exited for middle school

[@kiaraeijo]

Hi, I have a question for you.. What is the best way to practice orchestral excerpts efficiently? I'm currently learning them for grad school auditions. :)

[@Vini087z]

allow me to suggest using a metronome at a quarter speed then half then a third and finally at full speed.. when you can play the excerpt perfectly 10 times only then move on to the faster speed. hope this helps :)

[@kiaraeijo]

+Vinicio Ordonez This helps a lot and I will make sure that I use a metronome because I have problems with rhythm.

[@Vini087z]

+Kiara Eijo Happy to help! :) Something that helps me with rhythm is finding the beat of each measure. Sometimes I practice playing only the beat of each measure and then I begin filling in the rest of the notes.. Let me know if you need clarification :)

[@anhhuydo7147]

+Kiara Eijo Listening to the orchestral excerpts themselves give you nearly everything you need to know. The tempo, contrast in dynamics, vibrato, rhythm, tone color, and over all style of how you should play it is given most of the time by professional recordings of the excerpt.

[@kiaraeijo]

+Anhhuy Do The excerpts that really kick my butt are Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis, Daphnis Et Chloe, the solo from the classical symphony, and Mendelssohn Midsummer Night's Dream. I will make sure that I'll listen to as many recordings as possible

[@justanotherpiccplayer3511]

Thanks for your last video, it really helps :)

[@I.WeepforSleep]

How do you motivate yourself to practice at home when you don't want to?? What would your practice schedule look like??

[@eligelsinger2947]

Hey Joanna! Nice video... but I have an issue I'd kinda like advice with... in my All Star State Band there is a minority of woodwinds, we regularly have sectionals but they only do them for brass instruments because all the teachers are former brass players... I kinda feel left out sometimes because they have sectionals way more often than we practice together... Just Yesterday one of my teacher's (who is an amazing musician) just offered private lessons for ONLY brass players.... I'm mad lol...

[@kathleenkinney8536]

These stories about teachers who show favoritism are really disappointing. I would be hurt and angry, too.

[@Vini087z]

Hi, Joanna! My name's Vini. Love your videos! There are so few musicians that step up to the plate and create this one on one content on KZbin. You are encouraging me to follow suit :) Anyway, do you have any tips for encouraging kids to practice?? Kids always want a reward for doing something they think is work. Maybe some suggestions on making it seen like practicing is fun? thanks!

[@jiannaongsioco4617]

I'm still a kid, but one suggestion is if u practice for a whole week, then you give candy like smarties or something as a reward. Maybe also if they do good on a music test?

[@animarghe7535]

I can't have a clear sound... how can i?

[@gourmetbubbles8810]

Ah Rubank. I use those for my bassoon

[@nonae5]

The rabbits were awesome!

[@coolflutist5467]

Dear Miss Joanna: My name is Wilfredo I'm 14 years old. I'm from Puerto Rico. In my country we refer to music school as a place where youngsters from 7th grade to 12th learn music and practice their instruments. Here begins my story... I'm currently going to start 10th grade and I just finished my first year of music school and I still have some pieces that I need to play to complete the Rubank Elementary Method. I want to become a flute Instructor after graduating from high school. I have a friend who has been 5 years in the school and she still have 5 left I only have 3 left. I'm afraid that the judges at the conservatory of music will reject me becuase I lack of skill but I know that if she audition she will not. I... I want this musical experience to be worth it. I've always wanted to become a profesional flute teacher and I don't want my dreams to be crushed. If you see this please respond and put an end to all my worries Blessings, Cool Flutist

[@kiaraeijo]

Cool Flutist It seems that you're passionate about the flute.. My advice to you would be to not waste your time comparing yourself to other people because if you do then you won't be happy. You can only control your progress.😊

[@Thomas-eo1lp]

OMG you are a great flutist. Can you play a bit starting video?

[@itsguidry8125]

What are some tips for having better tone? I'm a second year flutist and my tone is udder CRAP.

[@micahandrews8459]

“BRB GUYS” lolololol

[@cammiecane2000]

Are you going to the flute convention?

[@alcain0209]

Omg Cameron I found you lol

[@cammiecane2000]

+Anthony Alcain uh oh

[@roberthaller3516]

Like this one Robert Haller

[@wan-lisun6625]

Where did you get that tank? XD Totally off subject...

[@marcorubenabuyuanllanes71]

Hi joana haha, I know I've already asked a question (and you answered praise the lord), but I have a really serious one. As playing the instrument I play, people constantly doubt my professionalism and think that I'll be poor or something, so I always always run into the "Why don't you play the *insert instrument here*" question. I get it almost constantly, I've been forced to play oboe, clarinet, cor anglais, guitar, and just a minute ago, the cello. It makes me extremely extremely sad and makes me want to stop everything I'm doing in music, it's like hearing "Your instrument sucks, and so do you, play this other one". I've cried way too many times hearing those things. How do you deal with this?

[@marcorubenabuyuanllanes71]

(About the cello thing: i was called by my mum downstairs and then she was with a group of people who were my schools teachers and then they told her that I should play the cello. I got super angry but held it in, i got even sadder when my mum and everyone in the little teacher circle were all giddy and happy I was going to "play" the cello. I cried for like 10 minutes after hahahaha)

[@kommentiererin1792]

+Marco Ruben Abuyuan Llanes oh, that's not nice... Maybe tell them in a diplomatic way how you feel about that? which instrument do you play? (I'm just curious...)

[@alexandriacantu111]

What do you suggest?

[@jennguyen4549]

I hate practicing because when I practice things in suppose to practice... I feel that its too simple... I end up playing flight of the bumble bee or phantom of the opera....in a 8th grader..

[@kierstin8734]

3:24 - 4:17 😂😂😂😂

[@tmann986]

Ling ling loves to practice 40 hours a day. Be like ling ling!

[@mckenzieehlers5328]

Twoset!

[@zanderjein]

I actually enjoy practicing flute. I practice around 2 hours everyday, but I’m just a 12 year old flutist.

[@howdosebaekhyunknowsehunsr5703]

she is wearing the same top from ''How to Deal with Crappy Instruments'' enjoy the view. thank you for realizeing it

[@gyuru1234]

The biggest motivator I had to practice was the to be principle bassist.

[@jcortese3300]

I can very much identify with you when you said that you first thought practicing meant "doing it over and over and over and over and OVER and it will just get better by magic." Oy, was that boring. As an adult, I finally learned what it meant to practice in a deliberate, goal-oriented way, and it was a revelation.

[@coolflutist5467]

I practice becuase when I grow up I want to become a pro flute instructor

[@kezevineihu5542]

You need to do a video with your Brother!

[@gktudela1]

I tend to find that the best inspiration for practicing is spite xD

[@UltimaFunk]

I love your video's lol YOU CRACK ME UP. Thank You

[@Lionhearted626]

Like the new video. Can you talk about making money in teaching aside from public schooling? I assume, but not sure, that you don't teach in public school. Thank you.

[@TheAndrewBarber]

If you only like performing and you don't like practicing then you're not doing the right thing. The majority of your time playing your instrument is practicing so if you don't enjoy it then.......welp

[@memattia3198]

oh I love rabbits :D

[@1324DudeCool]

Wow is that a Poro plushie in the back???

[@MateoFrancisco]

Hey!!! I was watching some of your older videos and I got to the one that was titles Adult Acne. My mom has her own skin care line and she would be glad to send you some makeup in return if a video of you using or talking about it. I love you!!!😘😍

[@Nefz1]

POROOOO

[@kadethegayblob7376]

I'm a beginner I can do A and B but G over here is nonexistint

[@raquelvillatoro468]

pilates hurts

[@mi2c20]

OMFG....LMFAO!!!!!!!

[@alexandriacantu111]

Hi!:):):)

[@jean-jacqueskaselorganreco6879]

so cute

[@whitefang531]

Cant tell if you play league or not because of the poro in the back.

[@merlettaastrid5870]

Hi I'm the 100 comment

[@saxman14214]

Insufferable!

[@tobiasherrmann4719]

Why are you screaming so much? Can you stop that?

[@gisellelovesgogurt]

She doesn't have a mic she has to speak up