Wednesday and Thursday will be test days for band students. We will be testing page 6 of our method books. Get off the computer and PRACTICE!
Next time you're on the computer, check out www.musictheory.net for help with all things music theory: note names, note duration, clefs, signs and symbols, ear training, etc...
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Hard Work Pays Off
The CMS volleyball team is wearing T-shirts today in honor of their game (Go volleyball and soccer teams! Beat PPMS!) that state "Hard Work Pays Off". This applies to band as well. So many students are involved sports but they don't always see the relationship of team work and playing in a band.
On a team, everyone has their position or strength that the rest of the team counts on in order to be victorious. In band, everyone counts on each other to know their part well enough that the song will sound the way it should. If a player on a team doesn't do well, the team may lose. If a band member doesn't know their part, the band may mess up.
Students should be practicing their instruments at home, working on the hardest parts of the songs so that when they come together in class, they learn how their part fits in with the rest of the group. One of my favorite trombonists said, "You do not come to rehearsal to learn your part, you come to rehearsal to learn everyone elses's part."
Make it a goal to practice at least 10 minutes a day - that means taking instruments home during the week and practicing EVERY day! If we all do our part (or know our part) we will all win!
On a team, everyone has their position or strength that the rest of the team counts on in order to be victorious. In band, everyone counts on each other to know their part well enough that the song will sound the way it should. If a player on a team doesn't do well, the team may lose. If a band member doesn't know their part, the band may mess up.
Students should be practicing their instruments at home, working on the hardest parts of the songs so that when they come together in class, they learn how their part fits in with the rest of the group. One of my favorite trombonists said, "You do not come to rehearsal to learn your part, you come to rehearsal to learn everyone elses's part."
Make it a goal to practice at least 10 minutes a day - that means taking instruments home during the week and practicing EVERY day! If we all do our part (or know our part) we will all win!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Week 6
Hopefully everyone has had their fill of funnel cakes and carnival rides and they are settling in to do homework and practice!
Remember to have page 6 from your method book prepared for this week. We will have a test on this material on Wednesday and Thursday. See you tomorrow.
Remember to have page 6 from your method book prepared for this week. We will have a test on this material on Wednesday and Thursday. See you tomorrow.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Earn Paw Bucks!
Answer correctly for paw bucks:
Name the key signature(s) for each piece of music that we are preparing for the Winter Concert.
Post your answers in the comments.
Correct answers will earn paw bucks.
Name the key signature(s) for each piece of music that we are preparing for the Winter Concert.
Post your answers in the comments.
Correct answers will earn paw bucks.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Interim Grades
Today is the day that students receive their first quarter interim grades. I've stressed to students that this is not their "permanent" grade, but rather a way to check where they are going and what they need to change or continue doing.
If a student has an A or B in band, they are coming to class prepared, participating and cooperating. If a student receives a C, D, or E, chances are that he or she has not been prepared which means that they cannot participate. If a student does not have his or her instrument on the day of a test, the test score is then a 0%.
For those student with a C, D or E - all is not lost! Students can do many things to improve their grade before the end of the quarter:
BE PREPARED PART 1 - This means bringing band materials to school on the correct day. The A/B schedule can be confusing, but everyone received a copy of this schedule when they received their CCPS calendar. The page before "August" shows the entire school year in A and B days. Please refer to this schedule when you get confused.
BE PREPARED PART 2 - Once students get their instruments and music to school, they cannot leave them in their lockers. Locker passes cannot be issued for forgotten materials. It is the student's responsibility to take the necessary materials from their lockers for their morning and afternoon classes. Make a check list that can be posted in the locker or color code folders to help with organization.
BE PREPARED PART 3 - Practice! See the earlier post about what and how to practice.
EXTRA HELP OR SECOND CHANCES - Students can come to me during AM advisory to make up any tests that they missed, failed, or would just like to try to do better. Students can also sign up for after school practice starting October 6th.
Hopefully, by the end of the quarter, everyone will be happy with the grade that they've earned.
If a student has an A or B in band, they are coming to class prepared, participating and cooperating. If a student receives a C, D, or E, chances are that he or she has not been prepared which means that they cannot participate. If a student does not have his or her instrument on the day of a test, the test score is then a 0%.
For those student with a C, D or E - all is not lost! Students can do many things to improve their grade before the end of the quarter:
BE PREPARED PART 1 - This means bringing band materials to school on the correct day. The A/B schedule can be confusing, but everyone received a copy of this schedule when they received their CCPS calendar. The page before "August" shows the entire school year in A and B days. Please refer to this schedule when you get confused.
BE PREPARED PART 2 - Once students get their instruments and music to school, they cannot leave them in their lockers. Locker passes cannot be issued for forgotten materials. It is the student's responsibility to take the necessary materials from their lockers for their morning and afternoon classes. Make a check list that can be posted in the locker or color code folders to help with organization.
BE PREPARED PART 3 - Practice! See the earlier post about what and how to practice.
EXTRA HELP OR SECOND CHANCES - Students can come to me during AM advisory to make up any tests that they missed, failed, or would just like to try to do better. Students can also sign up for after school practice starting October 6th.
Hopefully, by the end of the quarter, everyone will be happy with the grade that they've earned.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
What should I be practicing?
Students, have you ever started to practice and were confused as to what you should practice?
Here's what I recommend:
Start with long tones. Play a nice comfortable note for as long as you can. Do this 3-5 times breathing normally between each note. Drummers practice long sustained rolls going for a nice smooth "buzz".
Move on to basics - the "Circle of 4ths" or scales. Drummers practice rudiments.
Practice 2 or 3 lines from your current method book assignment. If you are sight reading the line for the first time, use STARS. Challenge yourself to follow all dynamics, articulations, accidentals, etc.
Move on to band music. Practice those areas that we've been working on in class. Start slowly and gradually speed up. Always focus on STARS. Don't forget: PRACTICE LONGER ON THE HARD STUFF! (I know that it is not as much fun to play something you haven't mastered, but think of how rewarding it is to work on something and finally get it!) You don't need to practice whole pieces...just the parts that are the hardest.
Reward yourself after a practice session by playing something you enjoy: a favorite song from years past, that song that is not allowed in the band room, an improvised melody...whatever makes you happy.
Cool down with more long tones.
Practicing just 15-20 minutes a day will make a difference.
Here's what I recommend:
Start with long tones. Play a nice comfortable note for as long as you can. Do this 3-5 times breathing normally between each note. Drummers practice long sustained rolls going for a nice smooth "buzz".
Move on to basics - the "Circle of 4ths" or scales. Drummers practice rudiments.
Practice 2 or 3 lines from your current method book assignment. If you are sight reading the line for the first time, use STARS. Challenge yourself to follow all dynamics, articulations, accidentals, etc.
Move on to band music. Practice those areas that we've been working on in class. Start slowly and gradually speed up. Always focus on STARS. Don't forget: PRACTICE LONGER ON THE HARD STUFF! (I know that it is not as much fun to play something you haven't mastered, but think of how rewarding it is to work on something and finally get it!) You don't need to practice whole pieces...just the parts that are the hardest.
Reward yourself after a practice session by playing something you enjoy: a favorite song from years past, that song that is not allowed in the band room, an improvised melody...whatever makes you happy.
Cool down with more long tones.
Practicing just 15-20 minutes a day will make a difference.
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