Here's what a good routine might include:
BEGINNING PLAYERS
- Technique Building:
- Long tones- G major scale, up and down, 8 seconds per note (2-3 minutes)
- 3 note finger drill G major done 3 times (1-2 minutes)
- Attack Assignment:
- Worked on one line each night until it could be played perfectly.
- Next night, played the line(s) from the night before, and then added the next line. (5-10 minutes)
- Played for Fun:
- Figured out how to play the song from Sponge Bob Square Pants. Played it repeatedly to annoy older brothers and sisters. 5-10 MINS)
Total: 15-20 minutes per day. Very specific and productive.
INTERMEDIATE PLAYERS (For 2-4 year players. Growth will be noticeable and steady.)
- Technique Building:
- Long tones- Chromatic Scale, up and down, from G to G. 10 seconds per note (5minutes)
- 5 note finger G major done 3 times focusing on finger position and relaxing (5 minutes)
- Attack Assignment:
- Worked on one line each night until it could be played perfectly. Next night, played the line(s) from the night before, and then added the next line. (10-15 minutes)
- Played for Fun: Just got a Brittany Spears For the Saxophone book, and memorized the first song. Parents in hiding (5-10 minutes).
Total: 25-45 minutes per day Very specific and productive..
ADVANCED ROUTINE (3 years and up, if they are gung ho! Good routine for more serious high school players.)
- Technique Building:
- Long tones- D major scale, two octaves, up and down, 10 seconds/note (6 minutes)
- All Major Scales up to 4 sharps and flats - any that couldn't be played on first try had to be played 3 times correctly! (5-15 minutes)
- Attack Assignment:
- Worked on one line each night until it could be played perfectly. Next night, played the line(s) from the night before, and then added the next line. (10-20 minutes)
- Played for Fun:
- Played along with F Blues CD and worked on improvising (10-? minutes)
Total: 30-60+ minutes per day. Very specific and productive.