My Practice Sessions: Dave Kutz
Dave Kutz is the Principal Tuba of the Netherlands Philharmonic.
What time do you begin your first practice session?
Depending on the orchestra schedule, usually 1-2 hours before the service. Then if not possible, I move my session until after the service (of course with a little warm-up beforehand).
What is your daily warm-up routine?
Setting up a plan is not often practical. I make my routine out of the projects I am playing or will play. I switch tubas a great deal (CC, BBb , F , Cimbasso, etc.) and each one of these deserves a little attention on specific things. Simple sound studies, articulation drills, etudes of many styles all lead to the study of the material I am on.
How long has this warm-up been a part of your practice sessions?
I have one this as long as I can remember but have used this specific way since leaving Northwestern [University].
How long is your warm-up routine?
1 hour for sure, sometimes much longer.
What part of your warm-up do you look forward to the most?
Getting to the sound. Sometimes this comes fast, other days it’s more of a struggle.
What different elements have you changed (or removed) from your warm-up routine over the recent years?
Too much dogma [and] routines that deliver negative results (Arban’s always, etc.)
What time of day do you generally practice?
Morning and evening
How many practice sessions do you typically have a day?
2-3
Do you have a strict time limit for each practice session?
No
How does your partner’s and/or family’s schedule fit into your practice sessions?
We both work so we work in tandem.
After your last practice session of the day, do you do anything the night before to prepare for the next day’s sessions?
I typically know the material that needs to be addressed. This is in my mind for the start of the next day.
Do you have any non-music related routines such as meditation or exercise to help prepare you for your daily warm-up?
Not specifically. Although I am a big fan of Don Greene.
What apps or products do you use to aid in your practice sessions?
Tuners (several!) and metronomes. I have also a Decibel meter for checking.
If you fail to not get in a solid warm-up, do you do anything different for the rest of your practice sessions?
Not really.
When you are on tour or traveling, how are you able to adapt your practicing to fit in with the given circumstances?
I have a travel tuba, and I try not to stress about not having the optimal session. The body and brain are very strong. You will be ok.
Is there anything else you would like to add that would be beneficial to other musicians?
Look at all aspects of practicing and decide for yourself what works best to get the results that you desire. For some, they do not know WHAT they want. That is where they go wrong and get into asking questions of pedagogy instead of music. I have been a big fan of improv if you get stuck. Make a study up, and change the way you think.
