Playing Test #1 Reflection

Marissa Adams

What was successful in your demonstration?

During my demonstration I was able to have a more consistent embourchere, which I

have been really struggling with since learning the saxophone. Picking such an easy and well
known melody that is already in my ear was helpful because I felt that I could focus more on
technique. Doing this also ensures that my foundation is strong before I try and take on a
challenge that is too difficult for my skill level. Knowing me, I feel that if I tried to play a piece
that is too difficult, I would get frustrated and ultimately want to give up, so this playing test
worked as a great start.

What might you change?

While I am still not very competent on the saxophone yet, I still feel the test may have
been a little too easy, melody wise. Even though my main goal of this test was to keep a
consistent tone and embourchere, and the overall idea was that anyone can use it and tailor it to
their own needs (adding dynamics, maybe grace notes, accents, etc.), it may have been too easy.
I feel that I should have challenged myself a little more and included some dynamics and maybe
an accent on the last note. This way I could step out of my comfort zone and make mistakes and
learn from them.

How can you use this type of activity in your future class?

I think this type of activity would work very well in a future class, especially with this set
up of students actually creating their own playing test that is tailored to their needs and goals. I
could also see myself using my own playing test, or a similar format, in a future classroom by
starting out simple and gradually building complexity to the piece. For example, the students
would start by learning the piece and all of it’s notes one week, the next week we could add
accents, the next week dynamics, the next week a more complicated rhythm, and by the end of a
unit the students will be able to confidently play a simple piece which overtime has become more
complex. By doing this, students will gradually feel confident in their own playing skills and
learn new techniques along the way.