I often get asked 'are grades worth doing?'. As a teacher who encourages enjoyment in learning an instrument, here's my honest opinion.

On clarinet or saxophone, alternate fingerings, when used, will improve your speed and smooth transition between notes.

Over the years, I've come across many sources specifying ways to practice but just how often should we be practicing?

As musicians, we're always told 'practice makes perfect' and to keep to a regular routine but it's also good to know when not to practice.

Despite having a focus on solo performance throughout my music lessons, it was playing in a band that allowed me to hone those skills and...