What and how do you practice?
After having played contra quite a lot during my studies, including playing a concerto in my diploma, but not really having touched one for almost 15 years, I got a nice instrument in 2024.
My goals are to a) generally develop and maintain a good level of contra playing (basically having at ready for all those frequent contrabass trombone gigs that come flying in
), b) preparing for specific playing opportunities, such as a trombone ensemble project in June and October and c) to a degree also just extending my capabilities and challenging myself.Overall I practice trombone somewhere between 30 and 90-120 minutes most days, doubling between alto, small/large tenor, bass and contra (plus very rarely euphonium or bass trumpet).
My current approach to contra practice:
- Appr. 15-30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week, so about every 2nd day
- Rather basic stuff like long tones, scales or Bordognis, sometimes mixing in some excerpts, obviously not all of it in each session
- Range-wise mostly between F above the staff to double contra Bb
- Focusing mostly on consistency, response, tone and intonation
In my opinion I am in some aspects of it better than "in my best days", but in other aspects there is still a good way to go.
How do you organize your contra practice? What are you aiming for? What do you find most challenging?
