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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Good work this week everyone!
I want to remind you all of what I asked of you for the time before next rehearsal. Beginners: I want you all to be logging your practice in your journals at the front of your red books. I am expecting 90 minutes or more for this week. Don't forget, Jingle Bells will be on our concert! Intermediates: I want you all to be logging your practice in your journals at the front of your red books. I am expecting 120 minutes or more for this week. Really focus on the opening introduction of "A World Of Christmas". Seniors: I want you to be really working on your pieces. Here's a suggestion for you; Record your practice session and play it back. If you wouldn't pay to hear a performance of what you produced, keep working on it. Listen for things that you don't like and pinpoint them in your practice. As you work on improving your skills, hone in on the things that need the work. For Seniors and Intermediates: Check your emails this week for confirmation and/or details, but I would like to rehearse together for 5 minutes this Tuesday. Please be ready to go right away. For EVERYONE!: here's the question of the week. How many instrument fingering charts are on the fingering chart website?
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It has been requested that I share the time I made a promise..... and then kept it.
So a couple of seasons ago I made a little competition between members of the band. The contest: To practice the most. The prize: An iTunes Giftcard. My thought was that everyone would be inspired to work a little bit harder, and pull all the stops out. Well, I was right. Everyone managed to work their socks off and brought the level of expertise to a whole new high within the band. But something happened that I was not expecting.... We had a tie... And so, with days before the concert running out I went back to the store and bought a second Giftcard... Thanks Danny and Isabella! I have learned from this experience, and I have extra prizes now for our ongoing contest! If I run out now.... well that means you are simply the BEST BAND EVER. (P.S. If you don't now what I'm talking about...... check your email!) ~Harold What a fun week! It's such a pleasure to play with the whole group. No one was sick today and only 2 senior students missed out because of a conflicting class.
Today I fixed a clarinet in class. This is a reminder to go over some of the basic tools you might want to have in your instrument case. A tiny flat head screwdriver is often needed as screws can work their way loose. Look at your instrument closely and notice how it should look. If you are not sure if something is out of place, ask! Often Harold or I can fix it on the spot but sometimes you need to have it professionally repaired. Other handy things to have include reed cases, instrument stands, portable music stands, folders or binders (you will need a binder in intermediate and senior band). Some people like to have instrumentalist ear plugs, Harold uses his all the time, ask him to show you them. This weeks practice Senior All your pieces plus scales and long tones. Remember practicing back to front can improve your endings. Intermediate We have those new scales and exercises. Greased Lightning, Breezin' and the Chromatic scales might be your focus this week. Beginner Congratulations you have begun to learn a new language! Don't be frustrated by all the repetition, this is what will help you memorize the finger positions. When you feel confident up to page 11 is going well, go ahead and work on page 12 and 13 for next class. Don't forget to listen to any available recordings on the right side of this page. Happy Snow Day!
I was reminded today by our sudden wonderland of snow that holidays are approaching soon. In light of that, I want to offer a few tips for practicing during these "breaks". I use quotes on "break" very purposefully. Just like we use muscles to walk and talk, we also use muscles to play our instruments. Could you imagine how painful it would be to walk after lying in bed for a week straight? How about how odd it would feel to speak after that same amount of time? We have to keep in practice, so there shouldn't really be a break. We need to keep practicing even when we are away from home. Most of our instruments are small, so unless you are flying somewhere, you can probably take your instrument in its case to wherever you are holidaying. But, sometimes we do fly, and some of our instruments ARE too big to transport on holidays. For that reason, I offer you some options to practice with, while you are away from your instrument. *Cardboard!* Use an empty paper towel roll, or a wrapping paper tube and draw your keys/valves onto it. You can then have a lightweight (and foldable) version of your instrument to practice fingerings on. This doesn't make any sound, so you can use the wrong fingerings easily, so be very methodical as you practice this way an make sure you're as accurate as possible. Also, make the tube while you're at home so you can trace the keys as closely as possible. *Mouthpiece!* Brass players..... This is a technique used by the pros! Take your mouthpiece on holiday with you. It fits in a pocket! Buzzing will keep your chops up even without your horn. Now woodwinds, this tip is only half the battle. If you are taking a trip that you can't bring an instrument BUT you can borrow one when you get there, bring your own reeds and mouthpiece, they're what you're used to and you won't be as uncomfortable with a different instrument. But just blowing on a mouthpiece isn't as helpful as it is for brass. *Sticks!* Mallets, take sticks and draw a keyboard out on paper, practice hitting the "keys". It works on the same concept as the tube of cardboard, but you need the sticks to be really working on it. Same as the others, trace your instrument as accurately as possible to get the most out of it. And that's all I have for you! If you can take an instrument and music... DO IT. I guarantee your family won't mind a private concerto while you're visiting. ~Harold |
Angela Squire
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