Oct 25

We had another great week and we are making some good progress.  We have learned a new note on page 8 and are learning lots of new songs.  I would like everyone to practice Hot Cross Buns, Rolling Along, Listen to Our Sections, Au Claire de la Lune and Mozart Melody.  If the songs on page 6 are still a little challenging, they should try to get those under their fingers quickly.  Here are some more helpful tips we have talked about in class:

Flutes – Think about which fingers are changing.  On a song like Mozart Melody, there are not a lot of fingers that move around.  Sometimes it is only one finger.  Also, use plenty of air on the high notes, which means you will need to take a big breath!

Clarinets – Try to keep the fingers you are not using close to the instrument, so you can quickly put them down when you need to.  Feel the circle under your finger so you can cover the whole key.  Do not let your right hand rest of the four side keys.  You need to use your thumb to hold the instrument.

Saxophones – Keep your hands round so you don’t touch other keys.  Feel like you are dropping your jaw when you are playing low notes and be careful not to blow too hard.  Sometimes, I like to use a little more mouthpiece to play low notes.  It makes it easier without overblowing.

Trumpets – If anyone is still having trouble playing high notes, you can practice this by playing our five note scale going up.  Make sure each note is higher than the previous one.  You may need to feel like you are squeezing your lips as much as you can and bring your teeth closer together instead of dropping your jaw.  That makes squeezing your lips easier.  Also, practice the first four notes of Mozart Melody.  It should sound like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. 

Trombones – The easiest part of some our songs are the ones that move on the scale.  Find where these scales are and think about your starting note.  If the scale starts on F, move the slide down each position we know: 1, 3, 4, 6.  Move your slide quickly from 6^th position to 1^st. 

Percussion – Practice these songs one or two measures at a time.  It may help to memorize the songs or parts of the songs.  It can be tricky to look up at the book and back down to the bells.  Use both hands; it will make it easier.

Here is a schedule reminder for next week:

Belmont - Clear Creek - Riverview

Brass (Trumpets, Trombones) Percussion – All Mondays and Thursdays

Woodwinds (Flutes, Clarinets, Saxophones)– All Tuesdays and Fridays
Wednesday, October 30 – Flute

Mize

Brass (Trumpets, Trombones) – All Mondays and Thursdays

Woodwinds (Flutes, Clarinets, Saxophones) and Percussion– All Tuesdays and Fridays
Wednesday, October 30 – Flute

Horizon

Brass (Trumpets, Trombones) Percussion – All Tuesdays and Fridays
Woodwinds (Flutes, Clarinets, Saxophones)– All Mondays and Thursdays
Wednesday, October 30 – Flute

I would still like everyone to practice for 60 minutes a week.  It really helps when they are able to take their instrument home and spend some time to get these songs under their fingers.  All the classes are getting better and I’m looking forward to getting on to some new music.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

For the baseball fans, here is a fun video featuring the brass sections from the St. Louis and Boston Symphonies playing Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better and Take Me Out To The Ballgame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faSXwwz0kFU

Mr. Harvey