Hello Musicians,
We did it! Just as every musician has done before us, we played the first note (and then some!) Special congratulations to those of you who are beginners bravely starting out on your music-making adventure!
For true beginners, the first 6 weeks are a steep learning curve, but once you master the first notes then you will feel more confident. You are well on your way to playing exciting pieces in harmony with your bandmates! Please avoid the temptation to practice for hours at a time! All your muscles will need time to adjust to the new demands of posture, holding the instrument correctly, and forming the correct embouchure. Please read over pages 2-3 in Essential Elements to review correct posture, etc. It is critical in the first few days of playing to implement correct technique, as it takes only a week or two for a bad habit to creep in, and months to unlearn a bad habit!
Practice Tips:
10 – 15 minutes at a time is the best way to practice for the first weeks… but you could practice twice a day if you wish!
Pick up your instrument with the correct hand position at every commercial during your favourite TV show. Move your body to proper playing posture at the edge of a straight chair with no arms (or stand), and play a long steady note, with a consistent stream of air.
Play, or take a break and “do the fingering” without blowing, for two different pitches (like C – D – C – D), alternating back and forth, to get the feel of your fingers (or the slide) moving efficiently. If playing, the tone of the pitches should sound clear and supported with strong, steady air.
Rehearsal Notes:
For anyone who missed our first week with our instruments, we had one hour of clinics, and then met in full band and played lines 1 – 10 (11 is the same as 10, without the “cheat note names”. Musicians who have previous experience played line 14 for us.
Next week, our clinics are scheduled as follows:
6:30-7:30 Room Number Clinician
Flute/Oboe Room 112 Sheila White
Clarinet Room 114 Angela Blackwell
Saxes Library 108 Felicia Persaud
Trumpet Room 115 Jessica Granata
Trombone, Baritone, Tuba Room 110 Malcolm Wade
Percussion 143 (guidance room) and/or stage Kyle Nurse
7:30-7:45 Refreshments in Room 142
7:45-8:45 Full band: Music Room 154
Listening Links
We have four charts for this session. Go ahead and listen! These pieces represent a range of difficulty, but are definitely doable!
Autumn Antonio Vivaldi (Gil Shaham)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSM-mzRljP0
- Autumn Antonio Vivaldi (arr Douglas Wagner – the version that we will play a fast and lively allegro)
https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10279765
- Big Raven Vince Gassi (Toronto composer – inspired by the paintings of Emily Carr, the sounds of the forest, and legends surrounding the Raven)
http://www.alfred-music.com/player/AlfredConcertBand2009/31690/player.html
To view the paintings which inspired this piece:
- Ogopogo(Legendary Lake Creature of Okanagan Valley, BC) Robert Buckley (Canadian)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKNOkBLUR8I
- You Must Know Ryan Meeboer (Canadian – Burlington)
http://www.enpmusic.com/sound/CB11197.mp3
Musically Yours,
Cathy and Felicia
Announcements:
You are invited to contribute $2 for juice and cookies. If you wish to bring fruit, home baking or cheese and crackers to share one week, it will undoubtedly be appreciated!
Volunteer Positions:
Social Sparkplugs (2 – 3 musicians) We need two or three!
Refreshment set up and pack up: (2 Bytown musicians and 2 Elgin Encores)
Refreshment buying: Thank you, Paul!
Potsdam NH Band Invitation to play music together; Dinner provided by Potsdam NHB: Nov. 4 from 1-7 pm.
Band Rep. John Telner, or by election in early October
When you have time, check out the New Horizons International Music Association at http://newhorizonsmusic.org/
The ONHB FIRST Annual General Meeting is October 15 at 2 pm at Woodroffe United Church.
Tentative Concert Date is Sunday, Dec. 10 in the afternoon.
Mark your calendars now!
