Are you looking to sharpen your woodwind skills? Private lessons might be the key to unlocking your potential. These lessons aim to help you develop your skills much faster than if you were to study on your own.

Here are a few things you'll need to practice so that you can make the most of your private sessions.

Embouchure

The embouchure is one of the most important aspects of playing any woodwind instrument. It's essentially how you shape your mouth and lips when playing, impacting everything from tone quality to intonation.

The tone you produce should have a full, round sound that is consistent throughout different dynamic levels. This will require you to have precise control over your embouchure to be able to adjust the intonation quickly with minimal effort.

Having an effective embouchure will allow you to get the best sound out of your instrument, so it's important to focus on this during practice. Your instructor will be able to give you specific instructions for developing your embouchure, so make sure to take notes and follow their directions as best as you can.

Breath Control

Along with embouchure, breath control is another essential skill for woodwind players. This involves controlling the airflow to produce a consistent sound and maintain a steady pitch. It also helps you play with a smooth and even tone, free of any cracks or breaks.

To practice this, focus on taking slow, steady breaths as you play. This will help you develop self-awareness and teach you how to adjust your breathing to produce the desired sound. Your instructor can also help by giving you specific exercises to practice during your lesson or at home. These exercises help you improve breath control through repetition, so make sure to keep up with them.

Repertoire

Knowing what repertoire is appropriate for each instrument is key to getting the most out of your lessons. That means learning various pieces of music specifically written for your instrument and spending time polishing them up until they sound great. This is a much more effective way of improving your technical and musical skills than simply playing scales or exercises.

Before each lesson, look up some appropriate pieces for your level and practice them. Talk with your instructor about which pieces they recommend practicing. They could even suggest some pieces you think would be fun to work on. This way, you'll have something ready for each lesson and can make the most of your time. 

For more information on private woodwinds lessons, contact a professional near you.