My Practice Sessions: Myles Blakemore
Myles Blakemore is a trombonist with the U.S. Navy Band and the Professor of Trombone at Howard University.
What time do you begin your first practice session?
I am an evening practicer so I typically get my first session in right after dinner. If I have evening plans or a performance then I will reluctantly practice in the morning.
What is your daily warm-up routine?
I am currently doing Peter Steiner’s warm-up.
How long has this warm-up been a part of your practice sessions?
I just started using it 3 days ago so it’s very fresh. These arpeggios are kicking my butt!
How long is your warm-up routine?
Approximately 30 minutes…and if my phone is around as a distraction it’ll take much longer.
What part of your warm-up do you look forward to the most?
I love incorporating articulation exercises!
What different elements have you changed (or removed) from your warm-up routine over the recent years?
For whatever reason things start getting stale around the 1-year mark. So every summer since freshman year of college I’ve started a new warm-up routine. At this point, I’ve done quite a few people’s routines (including my own for a year).
What time of day do you generally practice?
Evenings work best for me! If I’m off of work I like spending my day just living. Then I can practice with a free conscious at night with my to-do list checked off. If I do work it’s normally during the day. I need the time to recover my chops before hitting the practice room that evening.
How many practice sessions do you typically have a day?
Typically just 1 practice session (not including my warm-up). If I have a recital or audition on the horizon then I’ll have 2-3 separate practice sessions a day.
Do you have a strict time limit for each practice session?
I wish! I normally practice until I’m either fatigued, bored, or I have accomplished a preset goal. Probably not the healthiest thing.
How does your partner’s and/or family’s schedule fit into your practice sessions?
Surprisingly well. My partner usually swims and works on her hobbies in the evening while I practice.
After your last practice session of the day, do you do anything the night before to prepare for the next day’s sessions?
No, I’m normally too tired to. Although if I record the practice session sometimes I’ll listen on my commute home.
Do you have any non-musical routines such as meditation or exercise to help prepare you for your daily warm-up?
If I have done any form of cardio that day I usually forgo breathing exercises in my warm-up. My lungs feel great on those days as is.
What apps or products do you use to aid in your practice sessions?
I always have a Korg metronome/tuner on my stand and carry my iPad everywhere. Remember books??
If you fail to not get in a solid warm-up, do you do anything different for the rest of your practice sessions?
If my chops aren’t feeling great I normally take it easy on the practice session. No reason to force it. There’s always tomorrow after all.
When you are on tour or traveling, how are you able to adapt your practicing to fit in with the given circumstances?
I look for small windows when things are calm. 15 minutes of practice a day is still better than no practice. Of course, I sometimes fail like anyone and miss a day.
Is there anything else you would like to add that would be beneficial to other musicians?
Sometimes practice takes practice. In other words, don’t be afraid to experiment if you’re not getting the results you want.
Photos by Kris Will Photography
