I'm a huge proponent of to-do lists. I use one every day to help me remember what I need to get done. Items on my to-do list could be things like sending an email when I get to the office, picking something up from the store, or other things that I need to get done that day. I also have recurring tasks for things I need to do regularly, like writing new Tuba Tuesday emails or evening long tones for my practice rest day.
Have you ever thought about making a to-do list of things you need to practice today? In issue #14 of the Tuba Tuesday Newsletter I discussed becoming your own greatest asset by taking a proactive approach to directing your development as a player. One of the ways to do this that I mentioned was to record yourself and fix problems you hear in your recording. 
I record practice sessions regularly. I've got a recital coming up in two weeks and will record run-throughs of my recital repertoire several times between now and then. When I listen back to the recording I always use the sheet music of the piece I'm listening to for reference. As I listen and follow along in the part I write down feedback on what I hear.
This feedback could be complimentary, "Great entrance," or "Nice vibrato." Or it could be critical such as, "Accuracy, m. 65," or "Louder through crescendo, m. 122." I try to be as specific as possible with the criticisms so that I know exactly what to work on when it comes time to practice the piece again.
The list of feedback from listening is now your practice to-do list. Next time you practice you know exactly what to work on. Work your way through all of the criticisms and mark them off the list if you want. When you've fixed all of the problems, record yourself again. Listen, make a new list, and repeat the process. Do this as many times as you can before your performance.
One important suggestion; this process is most effective later in your performance preparation. I only start recording myself after I think I've fixed everything in the piece.
What's on your practice to-do list?
Thank you for reading!

Today I'll discuss being your own greatest asset.
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Happy practicing!

An asset, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is an advantage or resource.
A liability is a debt or pecuniary obligation.
Let's re-frame my questions. If you have a lesson teacher, great! Pump them for every scrap of knowledge you can. You are with them a half hour a week or a full hour if you’re fortunate. 
You have yourself for the other 167 hours every week. So wouldn’t it be useful if you could be your own teacher? Are you an asset to yourself or a liability? 
How can you teach yourself? 

• Listen 
  • To recordings of anyone who’s better than you 
  • Imitate what you listen to 
  • Articulations 
  • Vibrato 
  • Phrasing 
  • Etc 
  • To all types of brass and classical performers 
• Record yourself 
  • Your routine 
  • Etudes 
  • Exercises 
  • Solos  
  • Record yourself playing in an ensemble (with your ensemble director's permission)
  • Record yourself in every performance/practice situation you can come up with
  • Record your lessons

How do you know what to fix? 

• The more you listen to others, the more you’ll hear problems in your own playing 
• Like anything worth doing, it takes practice 

How do I fix the mistakes I hear? 

• The practice room is a laboratory 
• You are a scientist 
• Run some experiments 
  • If something works take note and use it again in the future 
  • If it doesn’t work, forget it 

How do you plan to become your own greatest asset?
Thank you for reading!

Today I'll discuss my foundational rules for teaching.
Happy practicing!
Hey! It's been a while, stranger (I realize that I'm the one that was gone, but please disregard). School is back in session and I've already had several thought-provoking conversations with some of my students. Thank you, Allen, for helping me with this list!
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an axiom is, "a statement accepted as true as the basis for argument or inference : postulate." Well, here are the axioms I use as the basis for my teaching.

1. Always be musical (play with expression).
2. Always produce your best sound.
3. Everything is an exercise in sound.
4. Practice is for problems.
5. If you can think it, you can play it.
6. Practice slow, learn fast. Practice fast, learn slow. (This one I stole shamelessly from Richard Murrow).
7. Be as efficient as possible when you practice and perform.

I'm sure I've missed a few, but I think the ones listed above are the most important.
What are your axioms?
Thank you for reading!