Music Practice Coach

The MUSIC PRACTICE COACH workouts will help you learn HOW, WHAT and WHY to practice. They will challenge you, help you find tools to diagnose your weaknesses and improve any area of your playing, whether you pluck, strum, bow, blow, strike or sing!

The MUSIC PRACTICE COACH workouts will help you learn HOW, WHAT and WHY to practice. They will challenge you, help you find tools to diagnose your weaknesses and improve any area of your playing, whether you pluck, strum, bow, blow, strike or sing! Whether you are just starting out, have been playing for years or are coming back to playing after a break, I hope these workouts help and inspire you to reach (AND SURPASS) your goals! No one can practice FOR you! YOU have to put in the effort! Don’t just play the notes, dig deeper and make it your own! HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 1. Take the FITNESS ASSESSMENT 2. Read the book 3. Do the exercises 4. Fill out the worksheets 5. Take the FITNESS RE-ASSESSMENT 6. REPEAT AS NEEDED! Sprinkled throughout the book are quotes from musicians of all ages, with tips and thoughts on practicing. Many are from low brass players, since that’s what many of the folks in my “inner circle” play. However, I think you’ll find their thoughts are universal. In each workout, you’ll find FIT TIPS and BONUS DRILLS to explore and apply new concepts. The WORKSHEETS at the end of the book help you flesh out your S.M.A.R.T. practice plan. Since this is an e-book, you’ll need to print them out (If I had to explain that to you, you probably don’t know how to use an e-book, so never mind.). You can also find the worksheets and additional resources at musicpracticecoach.com. Now, LET'S WORKOUT!

LANCE LADUKE is internationally known as a performer, writer, speaker and educator. In addition to his duties on trombone and euphonium (and singer/court jester) in Boston Brass, Lance teaches at Duquesne and Carnegie Mellon Universities. Prior to joining Boston Brass, he served as principal solo euphonium with the River City Brass Band, the only full time professional brass band in the country. Lance has written for countless organizations, including sketches for radio, stage and themed attractions. He studied comedy improv and was a member of several improv troupes and regularly steps in front of audiences around the country in a number of character and comic roles. A graduate of Michigan State University, Lance received a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, with a cognate in English. After graduate study at the University of Akron (euphonium performance) and George Mason University (instrumental conducting), Lance joined the United States Air Force Band in Washington D.C. While there, he performed for two presidents, countless dignitaries and heads of state and in hundreds of protocol functions, ceremonies, and public relations tours. He maintained a Top Secret security clearance, played for well over a million people from the White House to Red Square, and can be seen (with a magnifying glass) in the movie A Clear and Present Danger. Lance has also performed with many of the top professional brass groups in the country, including the Brass Band of Battle Creek and the Nothing But Valves brass quartet. He has taught and/or given masterclasses at some of the world’s finest universities and conservatories, including Juilliard, the Royal Academy of Music in London and Yong Siew Toh in Singaporge. He has appeared on over thirty recordings, has produced nine others and has toured extensively throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia. His performances have been seen and heard on numerous television and radio programs and Lance has appeared onstage with such artists as Henry Mancini, Doc Severinsen, Morton Gould, E.G. Marshall, Morgan Freeman, and Frederick Fennell. Lance co-wrote and produced (with Deana Swoboda) Band Blast Off, a band recruiting DVD and is currently in development on another. His comedy songs, including a touching elegy to a dead goldfish and a song about getting underwear for Christmas, are available for viewing through lanceladuke.com. Additionally, he has recently launched a speaking career, sharing his ideas on practice, leadership, and self-development. Lance currently resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with his family, including 200-pound English Mastiff, Kitty. For question or more information on booking Lance, visit musicpracticecoach.com or lanceladuke.com