Things to Remember
-Jazz Band students - Jan. 22 Jazz night
-Junior Select Band students - Bring forms to Select Band
Back Into the Routine
Happy New Year to everyone! This week for all band students was about getting back into the routine. Students were reminded that if they did not practice over the holidays that they would probably feel sore after playing their instrument this week. Students were reminded to get some practice in on their instruments so that they re-build their muscles and quickly get back to where we left off.
Grade 6 Band
In Grade 6 Band we began new sheet music. We began working on Courtly Dance and Procession, and Gentle Winds. Both of these pieces have very specific challenges for students. We worked figuring out different styles of notes. We names and played staccato notes, agogic accents, tenutos, and as we called them "normal" notes. As we began figuring out our sheet music we did it in this process. We first clapped the rhythms, we then played the rhythms on our concert Bb note, we then aired it, and then we began trying to play - SLOWLY! We stressed to Grade 6's that learning music slowly is important so that we get all the right notes and rhythms first.
As we worked on Gentle Winds, we worked on a new time signature. We learned 3/4 time. Students were told that when we play in 3/4 time, we always go back to one right away. This makes sure we do not leave gaps in our music. We tried waltzing and some of us even composed a 3/4 song on the spot.
This week we also reviewed our note tree, and learned that a dotted half note in 4/4 or 3/4 time gets three beats. We spent a fair amount of time learning that a dot beside a note makes the note longer, a dot above or below a note makes the note shorter. Most students are about on page 13 of their books. Students were given a couple of lines that circled in their books to practice.
Grade 7 Band
All Grade 7's this week began work in the Second Measures of Success Book (The Orange Book). If students do not have this book, they were asked to pick up a copy at either St. John's Music, or Long and McQuade. Please call first to make sure the instrument type book is in stock. If students are unable to get a book, please let us know.
We have been working on note types this week. We have specifically been concentrating on "agogic" or accented notes. We have learned that it is one thing to play it as an individual, but an entirely different thing to be able to do it as a group! We have also begun work on our Concert C scale. We have begun working on Prelude et Celebration and Cathedral. These will be the two pieces we will be performing at Optimist festival.
Some of the Grade 7's have been asking about music apps. We have suggested if they have their parents permission, they may want to download "pro-metronome." This is a metronome app that is free. There are some fingering apps available as well, however, the ones we have found so far cost something. We will keep on the look out for free ones. Until then, one student suggested downloading a fingering chart and importing it into ibooks. We have not tried it yet, however, this student has done this successfully. If students come across useful music apps, they are asked to please let us know so that we can let others know!
Grade 8 Band
Grade 8's should begin working on our two pieces for Optimist Band Festival. We are having a playing test on our circle of 4th's for memory next week and also the first 9 measures of Amen. Amen is a very difficult piece and students are reminded that practicing needs to happen if we are going to be able to play this piece in time.
The other piece we are working on is African Marching Song. This piece has been fun to play and students should practice this piece keeping their eyes on the rhythm. There are lots of syncopated rhythms in this piece and the melody keeps repeating but with slight variations in the rhythm.
So if there is a theme to this week's message it's practice practice practice!
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