Monday, October 29, 2012

Band Assignment due 11/1/12

Beginning Band:

Great class on your new instruments today- and I'm so excited to get you started!  Don't get discouraged if you don't sound so great in the beginning.  I promise it all gets better with practice- 30 minutes at least 5 days a week.  Here is what you need to be working on:

- Watch instrument DVD if you have one
- Read p.2-3 of your Essential Elements book- I will quiz you in class!
- Buzz/crow your mouthpiece on p. 42 lines 1-8 (Gabe- practice these rhythms alternating hands on the bell set)
- work on EE bk. #1-10 with your CD
- buzz/crow your mouthpiece every chance you get- we have to build up your embouchure (facial muscles used in playing your instrument)!
- Gabe- learn note names on bell set

Looking forward to some great progress this week!  =-)

Don't forget to bring your recorders and music to class next week!  Keep practicing them...

Intermediate Band:
Hey, guys!! The assignment for next week is the same as this past week's. Keep practicing those scales and your sheet music. There will be a pop-quiz pass-off next Thursday for those of you who did not have the opportunity this time. Happy practicing!

Advanced Band:

12 major scales and arpeggios (White book and I Recommend) Play two eighth-notes on each pitch on the arpeggios as explained in class. Play all with metronome.

Serenade:  Please work out the technical sections using the "untangle" method of practice as we've done in class.  Play slowly and with metronome.

Syncopated Swing: Same instructions.

Joyful, Joyful. Write in all breaths.

Practice all of the sheet music that you are playing with the Intermediate Band.

Review all the terms we've had to date.

Chromatic Scale pass-off is November 1.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Band Assignment due 10/25/12

Beginning Band:
Great job instrument testing this week!  I'm really excited about starting you out on your instruments next week.  Be sure to get your instrument and bring it to band class this week.  I'll have your books ready for you.  Be sure to handle your instruments carefully and keep them away from little people in your family!  They will get their turn later.  =-)

* Practice good posture and breathing while practicing recorder.

* Pass off on "Amazing Grace" and "Ode to Joy" this week.  We will probably use those on our concert- in just a couple of weeks!  It's coming up fast!

* Research and report on famous people who play your instrument.  Let me know if you have ever heard of them or not.

Intermediate Band:
*Practice all three scales (same ones as last week). And, remember, you don't have to play them so quickly.
*Practice Armed Forces Salute, March Militaire, Peter Gunn, and the Winchester March. We will have a pop-quiz pass-off for next week......oh, the horror!!
*Bring all of your books.

Advanced Band:
12 major scales, one octave or more according to your instrument's range

The arpeggios from I Recommend
Chromatic scale pass-off
All Sheet music
Woodwind duets
Terms to know:  meno mosso, ma non troppo, poco a poco, con moto, L'istesso.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Band Assignment due 10/18/12

Beginning Band:
Glad you had a great class with Mrs. Rachel last Thursday.  Looking forward to hearing your progress when I see you all on Oct. 18!
Remember, not everyone will pass-off each week but it is important to make progress through practice each week...

Don't forget Instrument Testing is Oct. 18 from 2-3pm!

* Practice good posture and breathing while practicing recorder.

* Pass off on "When the Saints Go Marching In", "Twinkle..." and as far as you can perform to perfection!  

* Research and report on your favorite band instrument we have talked about in class.  Be sure to include why you like the instrument.

Intermediate Band:
*Practice these scales: Concert Bb, Concert Ab, Concert Eb. You will need to pass off on the Bb and Ab scales, GMEA style.
*Practice your sheet music: the two marches, Peter Gunn, and the Salute.

Advanced Band:
There are no changes. See last week's assignment. We will continue to explore different practicing techniques as we did in class. Happy weekend! Remember to practice over the weekend.
Last Week:
This is how your 45-60 minute practice session should go: 1. Warm-up for 3-5 minutes. 2. Daily exercises (Hilliard 12 major scales, up to 2 octaves when possible, plus your GMEA scales) 10 minutes a day. 3. Chromatic scale full range of your instrument. 5 minutes 4. I Recommend, p. 21 #1 and #2 (practice #1 with different articulations) 10 minutes
5. Serenade, 5 minutes. 6. Syncopated Swing, 5 minutes. 7. Joyful, Joyful, 5 minutes. 8. Allstate Etudes (lyrical and technical, alternate days) 10 minutes. 9. Sheet music: Winchester March, Armed Forces Salute, God Bless America, March Militaire. Spend 10 minutes daily alternating between these.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Assignment due 10/11/12

Beginning Band:
I absolutely love the way this class comes so prepared each week!  Looking forward to some great concert performances in November!
Remember, not everyone will pass-off each week but it is important to make progress through practice each week...

Don't forget Instrument Testing is Oct. 18 from 2-3pm!

* Practice good posture and breathing while practicing recorder

* Pass off on "When the Saints Go Marching In", "Twinkle..." and as far as you can perform to perfection!  

* Research and report verbally 2 flute facts.  Try to stump Mrs. Rachel- it's not going to be easy!  =-)

Intermediate Band folks, please practice:
*Concert Bb, Ab, and Eb scales (one octave), with arpeggios.
*Page 14, numbers 1 & 2, and page 15, number 4 in the HILLIARD book.
*Page 46, number 1 and page 47, number 3 in HILLIARD book.
*Exercise 7 in MAXWELL book.
*Pass Off will be from Peter Gunn.
Please bring all of your sheet music as well. Happy week!

Advanced Band
This is how your 45-60 minute practice session should go: 1. Warm-up for 3-5 minutes. 2. Daily exercises (Hilliard 12 major scales, up to 2 octaves when possible, plus your GMEA scales) 10 minutes a day. 3. Chromatic scale full range of your instrument. 5 minutes 4. I Recommend, p. 21 #1 and #2 (practice #1 with different articulations) 10 minutes
5. Serenade, 5 minutes. 6. Syncopated Swing, 5 minutes. 7. Joyful, Joyful, 5 minutes. 8. Allstate Etudes (lyrical and technical, alternate days) 10 minutes. 9. Sheet music: Winchester March, Armed Forces Salute, God Bless America, March Militaire. Spend 10 minutes daily alternating between these. Just make sure you can play your own part independently of the band! (without audible help from your neighbors!) Great job in rehearsal yesterday!!! Keep working hard! Have a great weekend! Mrs. Rachel