34 Studies (Based on Orchestral Motives) by Vassily Brandt
This book if one of my favorites: nearly every etude in this Brandt – 34 Studies book is a musical gem. They are each based on famous orchestral repertoire which makes these ideal for preparing for orchetral concerts and orchestral excerpts and developing an orchestral style sound.
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Difficulty: medium/hard
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Focus: musicality/phrasing, sound, intonation
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Use: auditions/juries, personal practice
Vingt Etudes (20 Etudes) by Marcel Bitsch
Complex in tonality, rhythm and form. Great for auditions and juries. I played one of these for my MM audition at Juilliard (along with a Charlier, Brandt, Tomasi Concertoand Haydn Concerto).
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Difficulty: hard
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Focus: musicality/phrasing, sound, intonation
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Use: auditions/juries, personal practice
36 Etudes Transcendantes by Theo Charlier
Pretty and stylish, these Charlier etudes are really fun to play and practice and perfect for auditions and juries. Working on these develops musicality, rhythm, practice habits and endurance. The beautiful 2nd Du Style Etude is one of the most popular choices for college auditions and juries.
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Difficulty: medium/hard
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Focus: musicality/phrasing, style, intonation, sound
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Use: auditions/juries, personal practice
Lip Flexibilities by Bai Lin
Bai Lin’s book on lip flexibility starts with many simple exercises and progresses at a very natural pace. Unlike other books, Bai Lin writes out each exercise in every key so you never have transpose.
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Difficulty: progresses from easy to medium/hard
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Focus: focus on flexibility
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Use: auditions/juries, personal practice
PS If you really want to amp up your lip flexibility, you will love these next exercises. I wrote them myself, and all I can say is they work. Not only will they dramatically improve your flexibility, but they will help you expand your range AND improve your accuracy. I hope you find them as useful as my students and I do.
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