Words by:
Nicola Robinson (horn QLD)
Welcome to the Practice Room Diaries, a new series where I’ll be regularly interviewing a different musician and getting their unique view of life in the practice room. While most of us spend more than three hours a day in there, the make-up of these hours seems to be quite elusive...
First up I chat with James Littlewood (VIC), about life as a bass trombonist.
James Littlewood. Photo credit: Pia Johnson
Hi James! Let’s talk practise. But first, what’s on your stand today?
Today there are four pieces of music, and they’re all by Australian composers! We have: Prelude for Trombone and Piano by Gary Wain; I’ll Meet You There by Sarah Elise Thompson; Krazny by Peter McNamara; and Maninya IV by Ross Edwards.
They sound fantastic, and amazingly I’ve never heard of any of them before. Are these pieces you’ll be performing soon?
They are! Krazny is one of five pieces I’ve programmed to be performed in my Soundbite at ANAM later this year. Maninya IV is a chamber ensemble piece scored for bass trombone, percussion and bass clarinet and I’m fortunate to be performing it with ANAM colleagues Clare Fox (clarinet NSW), and Nathan Gatenby (percussion QLD). As well as having performed it on the Australian Digital Concert Hall in August we’ll be revisiting it for ANAM’s end of year Chamber Music Festival.
Next, some quick-fire questions… What is always in your practice room?
My trombone!
What is never in your practice room?
Food.
iPad or paper?
Paper! I have an iPad but it’s incredibly unreliable and notorious for shutting down at crucial moments.
Before I practise I always…
Keep a practise journal, and try to write in it at the beginning of my practise and throughout the session. If I’m organised enough, I try to write out a practise plan for the day. For me this is a really important tool for self-reflection, making new discoveries and documenting my progress.
After I practise I always…
If I have a big day of practise, in between sessions I try to go for a walk, maybe get a coffee, or just do something else away from music. I really try to give myself a decent mental break in between or after a heavy session.
James performinmg at the ANAM Set Festival
Photo credit: Helga Salwe
Best practise snack?
Fruit. Particularly mandarins and apples, and always plenty of water.
Best practise break?
Getting a coffee with a friend, or going for a walk on the beautiful trail around the Convent.
Weirdest things you’ve found in a practise room?
Can of tuna, Rexona deodorant, a plush toy.
Now, finally, I’d love to hear about your time physically in the practice room... if you’re happy to divulge some trade secrets?
Of course! My practise depends on how many other commitments I have during the day. Ideally, I’d like to do three hours a day, but on a busy day I’m happy if I can get two.
My practise always starts with a half hour of a good warm up routine. For those who don’t know, brass players are renowned for their practising routine. Routine can take many forms but is based on practising the fundamentals of your instrument and usually comprises technical exercises such as scales, long tones, articulation, sound, efficiency, range, dynamic range, and flexibility.
Catch James in upcoming ANAM performances.
SOUNDBITE: JAMES LITTLEWOOD
Friday 4 November, 1pm | Rosina Auditorium, Abbotsford Convent