Hello Musicians,
We did it! 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.
What we did:
This week we spent time on breathing and making sure that we are breathing in through our mouths (for winds players) and not constricting our air flow by tightening up or incorrect posture. Practice breathing in a relaxed manner in time!
Essential Elements: lines 1-4 with correct articulation (tonguing “too” “tee” “ta” depending on the instrument or stopping string or proper striking)
MakeMusic– this is a multiproduct company, including smartmusic that can help you to practice out of the book and learn pieces. I do not have a login key, so you can use classic smartmusic. I looked for a cellphone app and I couldn’t find one that was this program. Here is the website: https://www.smartmusic.com/
Rooms for next week:
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.
Listening Links:
Jamaican Holiday: https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=2702011
Theme from Jurassic park: https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10556811
Barrage: https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10094292
