Here is some information regarding
schedules and helpful practice tips for your child.
Brass (Trumpets, Trombones) Percussion – All Mondays and Thursdays
Woodwinds (Flutes, Clarinets, Saxophones)
– All Tuesdays and FridaysWednesday, October 23 – Trumpet, Trombone and Percussion
Wednesday, October 30 – Flute
Mize
Brass (Trumpets, Trombones) – All Mondays and Thursdays
Woodwinds (Flutes, Clarinets, Saxophones) and Percussion– All Tuesdays and Fridays
Wednesday, October 23 – Trumpet and Trombone
Wednesday, October 30 – Flute
Horizon
Brass (Trumpets, Trombones) Percussion – All Tuesdays and Fridays
Woodwinds (Flutes, Clarinets, Saxophones)– All Mondays and Thursdays
Wednesday, October 23 – Trumpet, Trombone and Percussion
Wednesday, October 30 – Flute
Our M, T, Th, F schedule will stay the
same all year. All band students will
meet on Wednesdays later in the year.
Everyone should come on the days they have band, even if they forget
their instrument.
I would like all 5th graders
to practice at least 60 minutes a week.
This can be broken up into several days.
It helps them to be more comfortable on their instrument which makes
playing more fun.
For Brass (trumpets and trombones) – We
started on # 9 in the book and worked backwards through the odd numbers. This allows us to start low, which is easier. They should remember in order to play higher,
the lips need to be squeezed a little more and they should blow a little faster. If you think they are too loud, you are
right!! We are moving on to some
familiar songs like Hot Cross Buns, Mary Had a Little Lamb and Go Tell Aunt
Rhody.
For
Percussion – The lines we have played so far are easy on purpose. I want them to learn stick control. They should keep their arms still, only play
with their wrists, and practice using both hands instead of only one. The songs on page six are a quite a bit more
challenging than what we started with.
They need to keep their eyes moving from the book to their mallets and
back to know what know what notes to play.
Most of the time I see them stare down at the bells.
For
Woodwinds (Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone) – The first day with instruments we
started with the easiest note to play, which different for each
instrument. By now, they should be able
to play all the new notes on pages four and five. If not, that’s ok. They will get it soon enough. We are starting to work our way through the
even numbers learning how to change fingers and notes. If flute players have trouble on notes, I
want them to blow only on the head joint to make sure their lips are in the
right shape. They know how to do this. Sometimes their lips and the flute move out
of the proper position while playing. If
saxophone players have trouble, they should check that the correct keys are
pressed down. Their hands should be
curved, not flat, so they are not pushing down extra keys. It is important to not over blow on the
saxophone and clarinet. They also should
have their bottom lip barely covering their bottom teeth and their top teeth
should be on the mouthpiece. Clarinet
players should check that their fingers are covering the holes completely. They should be using the flat, soft part of
their fingertip, not the tip near the fingernail.
For
everyone, patience is very important.
They are all anxious to learn some songs, but it would be more
frustrating if we go too fast through the book.
Everyone is doing well and I’m proud of them for trying a new
activity. Thank you for your investment
in them. I hope they have thanked you
too!!!
Please let
me know if you have any questions or if I can help in any way.
For those of you familiar with Remind101, you can now get text or email reminders from me. Text the following code to 913-305-5049:
For Belmont: @beband5 or email beband5@mail.remind101.com
For Mize: @meband5 or email meband5@mail.remind101.com
For Horizon: @heband5 or email heband5@mail.remind101.com
For Clear Creek: @cceband5 or email cceband5@mail.remind101.com
For Riverview: @reband5 or email reband5@mail.remind101.com
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