Monday, 30 April 2012
June Recital
We will be playing at the Joyful Sounds year-end recital on Tuesday, June 5 at the Gordon Snow Community Centre in Fall River. I am already excited for what will surely be a great evening! The teachers are even working on a fun little surprise...
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Christmas recital
What a fantastic job everyone did playing in the studio recital last night! I was so proud of you all for your courage, concentration, and conduct. I received many compliments on your playing. Thank you for a great concert and a terrific semester. We will start our winter semester on January 11.
Have a very merry Christmas!
Have a very merry Christmas!
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Practice Tips and Upcoming Events
Practising Tips:
Things are sounding so good! Please practise page 9 in your books this week, especially Good King Wenceslas. Also try playing Jolly Old Saint Nicolas on page 10, and Jingle Bells on page 12.
Aim for long notes that float on one stream of air. Don't stop your air between notes, simply interrupt the airflow with your tongue!
Check that your posture is correct. Lengthen your spine and keep both feet flat on the floor.
Are the corners of your mouth firm? Don't let your lips stick out.
If a line is frustrating you, take a deep breath, then break it down into manageable amounts. First, only clap the rhythm while counting "1,2,3,4" Next, say and "ghost play" the notes (no sound from the instrument--just use your fingers. Then SLOWLY play through the line and speed up gradually as you are able.
For each selection that you play, decide which bar is the trickiest. Practise only those 4 notes until you can play them well. Then play the whole line.
Upcoming Events
Monday, December 12 from 6:15 to 7:30 is our studio recital. This will be held at the Gordon Snow Recreation Centre.
Thursday, December 15 at 11:00 at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium is the Nutcracker ballet. Reply to the email from Louise for ordering tickets.
Things are sounding so good! Please practise page 9 in your books this week, especially Good King Wenceslas. Also try playing Jolly Old Saint Nicolas on page 10, and Jingle Bells on page 12.
Aim for long notes that float on one stream of air. Don't stop your air between notes, simply interrupt the airflow with your tongue!
Check that your posture is correct. Lengthen your spine and keep both feet flat on the floor.
Are the corners of your mouth firm? Don't let your lips stick out.
If a line is frustrating you, take a deep breath, then break it down into manageable amounts. First, only clap the rhythm while counting "1,2,3,4" Next, say and "ghost play" the notes (no sound from the instrument--just use your fingers. Then SLOWLY play through the line and speed up gradually as you are able.
For each selection that you play, decide which bar is the trickiest. Practise only those 4 notes until you can play them well. Then play the whole line.
Upcoming Events
Monday, December 12 from 6:15 to 7:30 is our studio recital. This will be held at the Gordon Snow Recreation Centre.
Thursday, December 15 at 11:00 at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium is the Nutcracker ballet. Reply to the email from Louise for ordering tickets.
Sunday, 23 October 2011
October 23 Update
Hi, everyone,
I am so proud of how well everyone is doing after only 3 band rehearsals! I want to encourage you to keep chugging along! There is a lot to put together when playing a wind instrument, and I admire your accomplishment and perseverance. You are learning to read music (a whole new language), how to sit and hold an instrument, where to put your fingers for each note, how to blow enough air into your instrument, how to train your embouchure muscles...and to do it all while watching and counting with my beat!
This week is Hallowe'en Dress-Up Week at Joyful Sounds Music Studio. As an optional activity, anyone wanting to wear a costume to band practice may do so. Siblings are welcome to participate, too :-) The room is quite warm, so I recommend light-weight costumes or layers.
Happy practising!
Andrea
I am so proud of how well everyone is doing after only 3 band rehearsals! I want to encourage you to keep chugging along! There is a lot to put together when playing a wind instrument, and I admire your accomplishment and perseverance. You are learning to read music (a whole new language), how to sit and hold an instrument, where to put your fingers for each note, how to blow enough air into your instrument, how to train your embouchure muscles...and to do it all while watching and counting with my beat!
This week is Hallowe'en Dress-Up Week at Joyful Sounds Music Studio. As an optional activity, anyone wanting to wear a costume to band practice may do so. Siblings are welcome to participate, too :-) The room is quite warm, so I recommend light-weight costumes or layers.
Happy practising!
Andrea
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Rehearsal Tomorrow
I'm looking forward to rehearsal at 1:00 tomorrow. Please note the change of location: Joyful Sounds Music Studio at 3108, Highway #2 in Fall River. Bring your instrument (and reeds, if applicable), method book (Standard of Excellence Book 1), and a folding stand.
If you don't yet have all your equipment, please come anyway. We'd be happy to have you sit in and to discuss your plans for or questions about band!
If you don't yet have all your equipment, please come anyway. We'd be happy to have you sit in and to discuss your plans for or questions about band!
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