My Practice Sessions: Gail Robertson

Gail Robertson is the Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Central Arkansas, a member of the Brass Band of Battle Creek, and President of the International Tuba and Euphonium Association.

What time do you begin your first practice session?
It varies, but sometimes 7:30 AM if I can.

What is your daily warm-up routine?
It varies. I do something different each day. I don’t like to do the same thing every day.

How long has this warm-up been a part of your practice sessions?
I don’t really have a warm-up. I usually just dig in.

What part of your warm-up do you look forward to the most?
I usually play the first thing that comes in my head. I make my own lip slurs and then modulate them from key to key. I do like a 4th valve exercise that I learned from a Japanese student while in grad school. Contact me if you would like to receive a copy.

What different elements have you changed (or removed) from your warm-up routine over the recent years?
It changes every day.

What time of day do you generally practice?
Any time of the day when I can.

How many practice sessions do you typically have a day?
It depends on the day.

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?
I usually only practice at school, so it doesn’t matter.

After your last practice session of the day, do you do anything the night before to prepare for the next day’s sessions?
No

Do you have any non-music related routines such as meditation or exercise to help prepare you for your daily warm-up?
No

What apps or products do you use to aid in your practice sessions?
None

If you fail to not get in a solid warm-up, do you do anything different for the rest of your practice sessions?
No

When you are on tour or traveling, how are you able to adapt your practicing to fit in with the given circumstances?
I do the same thing. I have purchased a Denis Wick Practice Mute for hotel emergencies!

Is there anything else you would like to add that would be beneficial to other musicians?
I play so much that I don’t usually do a “real” warm-up. I have sort of a bag of tricks that I pick from usually to get the instrument to a warm temperature.