Self-Recording

[jaysonr]

I have found that recording myself on a consistent basis the best thing I have *ever* done to improve my playing. I have done it occasionally in the past, but really picked up the habit last semester when I took voice. My voice prof required it -- I saw the difference it was making in my vocal quality, and decided to do it consistently with my trumpet. I record myself playing *something* every day.

I have also found that by practicing, and recording in a dead room it's easier to sound resonant and beautiful in a big room that allows your sound to develop. I used to dislike my sound up close, say reflecting off of a wall or music sound, but "thought" I sounded good in a big room -- I was amazed at how much better I sound in a big room once I got that up close sound centered and resonant.

If you don't record yourself now, start, and I promise you'll be amazed at the result (assuming you listen critically and adjust).

Came back to add:
It's also helpful to save the recordings and revisit them, and hear the progress you are making.

[Arjuna]

I find it best to record no more than 2 times per week.
The reason is it allows for more rest to the mind.
This gives more freedom to the creative process.
I actually prefer a room that allows you to open the sound.

[jaysonr]

[Sycil]

two things to add: 1. record with the metronome on
2. Listen to the recording again a week later.

[trickg]

When I started playing drums for one of the praise bands I was a part of for 5 years, they would record services every Sunday, and quickly copy the master to CDs on a CD copier (coped 5 or 6 at a time) and then distribute them as a CD ministry for $1 to anyone who wanted to revisit the service. I'd get copies, take them home and extract the praise tunes, and then listen to them throughout the week as a critique of what I needed to improve, and what I did well - that helped me zero in on a lot of things, and made me aware of certain things in my playing that I wasn't even aware I was doing until it was exposed on the recordings.

I think that being able to record yourself is a fantastic way to check your progress. I also think that home studio projects are a good way to dial in because you want the final product to be as good and polished as possible, so it ramps up your concentration and helps to bring things into a sharper focus on your playing.
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"95% of the average 'weekend warrior's' problems will be solved by an additional 30 minutes of insightful practice." - PLP

[aTrumpetdude]

Totally agree recording yourself is super helpful. Sometimes it is just small things you will notice that you can pretty easily change and will have a huge impact on your playing.
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Scodwell Boston
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[nkunkle]

I also find it helpful to slow down the recording (on my laptop using Audacity). It makes it sound more like a trombone, but you can really hear inconsistencies in articulation and evenness of tempo that are less noticeable in real-time. I especially like to use it for excerpts before auditions.

[RandyTX]

You can record (including with a metronome) inside of the Tonal Energy app. Then play it back at various speeds, without the pitch being changed.

Warning: it will expose a lot of things you don't normally pick up on about your playing.
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