Category: Band (Page 1 of 2)

Band Instruments

September 4, 2024 /

BRASS INSTRUMENTS: for these, it is possible to get a practice mute which can make the sound very quiet for practicing at home.

TRUMPET
• medium size case
• plays lots of melody parts
• A good choice for students interested in concert band or jazz band in high school
Example videos:

 

TROMBONE
• larger size case, but not very heavy
• plays lots of bass parts with repeating patterns
• A good choice for students interested in concert band or jazz band in high school
• many district-owned instruments available for a user fee that is less than rental price Example video:

 

BARITONE / EUPHONIUM
• larger size case
• plays lots of bass parts with repeating patterns
• A good choice for students interested in concert band in high school
• One of the “easier” instruments to begin on (but it still takes practice!)
• many district-owned instruments available for a user fee that is less than rental price Example videos:

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WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS: cannot be muted while practicing at home. Most woodwinds (except for the flute) will require the purchase of replacement reeds (an important part that eventually wears out as you use it).

FLUTE
• very small size case
• plays lots of melody parts
• does not require purchasing reeds
Example video:

 

CLARINET
• small size case
• Plays a variety of melody and harmony parts.
• Can play very low and very high
• Requires reeds to play (additional ones will likely need to be purchased throughout the year) Example video:

 

BASS CLARINET
• medium or larger size case, depending on type
• Same fingerings as regular clarinet
• plays lots of bass parts with repeating patterns
• Requires reeds to play (additional ones will likely need to be purchased throughout the year)
• many district-owned instruments available for a user fee that is less than rental price

Example videos:

 

ALTO SAXOPHONE 
• medium size case
• plays a mix of melody and harmony parts
• good for homes where you can practice more loudly
• very limited number of spots available in the band
• Requires reeds to play (additional ones will likely need to be purchased throughout the year)
Example video:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=092VyThpHUM

 

TENOR SAXOPHONE
• larger size case
• heavy
• plays lots of harmony and sometimes bass parts
• good for homes where you can practice more loudly
• very limited number of spots available in the band
• Requires reeds to play (additional ones will likely need to be purchased throughout the year)

Example video:

 

OBOE*
• small size case
• Beautiful sound when played well
• oboe reeds are more expensive.
• *More challenging for beginners: uncommon in beginner band. A good fit for a very ambitious student with a good ear who is willing to put in extra practice time.
Example video:

 

For TRUMPET players: How to clean your valves

November 14, 2022 /

If you have added lots of oil but some of your valves are still slow/sticky, try cleaning them as shown in this video.

Notes: Only out and clean one valve at a time (not all 3 at once like this person does) in order to avoid accidentally mixing up which valve goes in which spot when putting them back in again.

You can use a chopstick and a cut-up piece of an old T-shirt instead of the flute rod and cheesecloth. Just make sure that the stick is fully wrapped so that you can’t accidentally scratch the metal inside the trumpet.

When adding oil again before putting the valve back in, use 5 or 6 drops and twist the valve back and forth a few times  to spread the oil around evenly inside the casing before lining it up straight and screwing it back in place.

Grade 7 Band for 2022/2023

May 24, 2022 /

For parents of students who will be going into grade 7 in September, here is a digital copy of the grade 7 band registration form.

If you are unable to return a hard copy of the form to Sperling, sending me an email is also fine.

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Band Video Tests if you are having trouble using Teams Assignments

November 18, 2020 /
We are using Assignments in Teams to submit our video playing tests for band this year.



If you are having trouble accessing or uploading to Teams from the device that you are filming on, here is a different way you can send your file to me:


STEP 1:
Record a video of your playing test. Please make sure that I can see your face and hands (as much as possible), this will help me to be able to provide more useful feedback. If you have questions, you are welcome to ask them in your video if you want.


STEP 2:
Upload your video to OneDrive, then create and copy a share link.

Got to OneDrive at https://sd41-my.sharepoint.com/ or by downloading the free OneDrive app to your phone/tablet 

You will need to log in using your school Outlook ID and password (same as for your school email and Teams login). If you are uploading from a phone or mobile device, the free Microsoft OneDrive app will probably work better than using the website link. You may need to ask your family to help you install OneDrive app. 

Create and copy a share link for your video file in OneDrive by pressing the 3 dots > “share” > “copy link” 

If you are having trouble with the steps for OneDrive, please watch these video walk-throughs: 

OneDrive for mobile devices (part 1) 

OneDrive for mobile devices (part 2) 

OneDrive for computers (or if mobile app is not possible) 

Please remember that some buttons and menus might look a little bit different on different types of devices, but these steps should all be available if you look for them. 

STEP 3:
Go to this Playing Test Form (below) for your test and paste your share link into the answer box, then press Submit.
(to see the “paste” button, do a short tap with your finger on the answer area if using a phone or tablet. If using a computer, click on the answer area and then press the Ctrl and V keys at the same time on a windows computer or Command and V keys at the same time if using an Apple/Mac computer) 


I am trying to avoid having people e-mail me large files, because sometimes they are too large to to delivered and it is harder for me to keep track of files this way, but if you have exhausted all options with Teams and these forms, feel free to try: james.martin@burnabyschools.ca
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PLAYING TEST 1
“Notes In Review” at the top of page 6 in Essential Elements backwards and forwards, for 4 beats on each note.
It’s ok to take more than one video and choose the best one to submit (and remember, it’s totally ok if you are having trouble and things don’t sound good yet!)

CLICK HERE FOR THE TEST FORM 1

PLAYING TEST 2
#18 “Go Tell Aunt Rhodie” – (click here to hear it) – don’t forget, the :|| at the end is a repeat sign, you need to play it 2 times!
or
#25 “Lightly Row” – (click here to hear it)



PLAYING TEST 3
#31 “A Mozart Melody” (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)



Star Wars and another Duet

June 3, 2020 /

Congratulations on helping to make the Burnaby Beginner Band 2020 Virtual Ensemble possible!

Here is the district version with most of the schools in Burnaby. I will share the final version of our Sperling-only mix on Teams in the next few days. Stay Tuned for Ayre and Dance!

 

For this week, a few new items in Essential Elements to learn and practice:

#105-108, and and you can do another self-duet on SoundTrap with #109.

Also, see if you can memorize page 40 Bb #1 & #3 and Eb #1 & #3

I won’t be assigning these on SmartMusic, but free to use it as a tool to help you learn learn and practice these pieces and exercises.

Self-Duet

May 27, 2020 /

This week, you will be recording a duet… with yourself! It’s a very short piece and not too difficult to learn.

Watch the video if you want to see a complete walk-through, or just follow the instructions below.

click here for the video if you are having trouble playing it on my site.

  1. Learn and practice #103: Minuet – Duet in Essential Elements, both the A part and the B part (if you like, you can use SmartMusic to help with the practicing)
  2. Log In to SoundTrap and enter the Studio start a new project.
  3. Use the gear icon button in the top-right corner to change the time signature to 3/4.
  4. Turn on the metronome (bottom of the screen) and adjust the click sound and volume so that you can hear it clearly in your headphones while playing.
  5. Create a new vocal/mic track.
  6. With your instrument ready, plug in your headphones and press the red button to begin recording. Play the A part of 103 in time with the metronome.
  7. Listen back to what you just recorded. If it is out of time or if there are mistakes, do it again.
  8. Create a 2nd vocal/mic track to record part B.
  9. optional: MUTE the 1st track (part A) when recording part B.
  10. Once both parts have been recorded, listen to them together and make sure they sound as good as they can. Re-recording is always an option!
  11. Press the SAVE button,
  12. Either SHARE the project with me (james.martin5) or export it as a file and upload to Teams to share with the whole class.
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