HOMESCHOOL BAND
"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul." Johann Sebastian Bach
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Another great week at class.
Seniors - keep on practicing who knows just what we might be able to accomplish! We hope to add a new song to our list for next week. Intermediate - we passed Joyeux Noel today. Don't be afraid to work ahead a bit! Beginners - We are up to Hot Cross buns. Make sure you understand what you are looking at before you work ahead. It is important at this stage that you understand the language of music. It seems slow but we are building a solid foundation so that we can create great music later This week we talked a little bit about some of the extras you might like to have in your cases. A tiny flat screwdriver comes in handy very often. The correct cleaning tools, oils and greases. Extras of things that break easily (reeds, strings) Some things you might like to invest include a music stand, an instrument stand, a bag or zippered binder for your music and accessories. Harold and I also carry musicians ear plugs to protect the priceless gift of hearing. Don't be afraid to research your instrument as well you might learn something specialized or exciting about it. You might hear another teacher explain something in a different way from Harold and I - that might be very helpful.
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Hello all!
We had a great rehearsal today with our full numbers! Now we can get a grasp on what we're capable of, and it's not small! For Senior Band, I want to remind you to be listening to good music as a part of your growth as musicians, just like we speak English, but we also listen to it, we can hear music as well as play it. There are good videos on this site, but feel free to explore further! Intermediates! I want you to keep working on page 6 this week, even if you don't know how it's supposed to sound. (Tracks help) Keep pressing ahead, we have so much potential! And Beginners, take your time to thoroughly work as you practice on your technique and tone. We're getting good sound pretty much across the board but as you practice make sure you continue to make that good sound. If you have someone to practice with, that's awesome, but it's also good to practice by your self sometimes to really hear yourself and the sounds your instruments are making. If something doesn't sound right, make a note of it and feel free to ask me about it. FOR EVERYONE! Pay attention to your posture as you play, even while practicing. If you're sitting make sure you're sitting properly (Straight up and tall) and if you're standing make sure you have both feet planted (while sitting too actually). In either case make sure you're breathing properly. Even if your instrument doesn't require breathe support, breathing with your diaphram will greatly help with nerves and concentration! ~Harold Well.... That's awkward... I don't have a podium this year..... Oh well, It sounds nice as a title.
We're off to a great start this year and I for one am super stoked for what we're going to do! Please familiarize yourself with our site, there's lots of great stuff here to discover and use to help yourself while we are apart. To ensure this year is as productive as possible I must remind you to do your part and practice. We are extra dependant on everyone this year with our small groups. The smaller number doesn't mean we can't do amazing things, in fact it means we can do even more awesome things, but everyone is a little more exposed than usual (so you can't hide inside your neighbour's sound). Please use the tracks that we have made available on here, they will be of immeasurable help to you. (They also sound AWESOME, right Intermediates?) Lastly I want to thank you all for your patience as we get this year running with the two groups, it will be great once we get everything ironed out... but until then it will feel like we're glossing over a lot of wrinkles ('cuz we are!) ~Harold What are the colour coded boxes for?
As you look through your lesson book you will notice that there ore orange boxes and green boxes. What are these for? Of course the first reason is so that you notice what is written there. Anything in a green box is special for your instrument. A green box in a different book will have different exercises. These are like a weight station at a gym. Practicing the green boxes will build the muscles needed for your instrument. The orange boxes are for new information. Harold tries to explain all of this but it is good to be able to remind yourself and sometimes even relearn the information there. Explore your books, you never know just what might interest you! Sr. Band - you know what to do. Set your goals high we'll accomplish great things this year. Intermediate band The challenge is out! number 7 and 13 - played perfectly and to speed. (check the KJOS button on the side) Beginners - we haven't really begun yet. Because of the 2 different groups look forward to some interesting adjustments. Meanwhile practice any thing in the book that seems fun. Schedule The new year has begun and yet there is still so much to do. We still have lots of room for new members so tell your friends!!
Here is what we worked on today! Senior Band exersize 1 and 2 in the green book You've got a Friend in Me You were also given Coventry Carol and Carol of the Bells to get familiar with. As we have time we will add listening tracks Intermediate Band We practiced exercise 1-7 in the Blue book Beginner Band Because most of our new students were able to attend this week we do not have any assignments. Instead we hope you look at some of the videos here or do some research on your chosen instruments. Everyone Remember you need to exercise your music making muscles. Start with 15 minutes of practice per day and add a couple of minutes each day. Aim for a goal of 30 minutes per day. |
Angela Squire
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