Summer Practice Practice Practice

When the final school bell rings and summer officially begins, it’s tempting to stash your instrument in its case or return your rental and take a well-earned break. But maintaining a fun practice routine can take your playing to another level whether you’re gearing up for band camp, preparing for auditions, or simply want to maintain your skills

Why Summer Practice Matters

Over the summer, it’s easy for muscles to weaken and embouchure strength to fade without regular playing. Even a couple of weeks off can make it harder to hit high notes or maintain endurance when school resumes. Think of your instrument playing like a sport — consistent training leads to better performance, while long breaks set you back. Practicing during the summer gives you the edge when you return to band in the fall, whether it’s mastering a solo or leading your section with confidence.

Set a Manageable Routine

You don’t need to practice for hours each day — even 15 to 30 minutes a day, a few times a week, makes a huge difference.

Here’s a simple weekly routine to keep you on track:

• Warm-ups (5–10 min): Long tones and simple scales.

• Technique (10 min): Articulation drills, range expansion, or flexibility exercises.

• Repertoire (10–15 min): Work on solo pieces, band music, or songs you enjoy. Keep your trumpet on a stand in a safe spot where you see it often — just seeing it every day reminds you to pick it up.

Make It Fun

Summer’s the perfect time to stretch your creativity, try new things and play the music you want to play. Try learning melodies from your favorite songs or movie soundtracks. Play along with recordings or explore trumpet covers on YouTube for inspiration. You can even record yourself and track your progress week to week — it’s super motivating to hear how much you’re improving.

Stay Connected

Music is more fun when you share it! Find a fellow band player and challenge each other with weekly practice goals or mini-performances over FaceTime. If you have a private teacher, summer lessons can help you improve faster and keep you accountable.

Try Something New 

Summer is a great time to explore new things on your instrument. Learn how to improvise with some basic jazz scales, try transposing simple tunes, or work on expanding your range. If you’ve always wanted to try out a mute or a new accessory, now’s your chance! Adding variety keeps practice interesting and helps you grow as a musician.

Summer practice doesn’t have to be a chore — it’s your chance to enjoy music without the pressure of school assignments or deadlines. Staying in shape over the summer means you’ll walk back into the band room ready to play your best. So open that case, take a deep breath, and let your instrument sing all summer long!

Summer Tip: Make a “Summer Practice Playlist” and pick one new song each week to play along with. You’ll be amazed how much better you sound by the end of summer!