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February 5, 2012
Music Notes From Matt
The Top Ten ways you can the band improve over the next 2 weeks in preparation for the concert!
1. Continue to have fun and exude a quiet confidence and joyful manner when approaching the band … the way we carry ourselves and how we view the band directly impacts the music we make
2. Home practice – work out difficult finger patterns slowly with a metronome - check your intonation with a tuner. Chop building begins today…. practice several times each day for the next 2 weeks … try several 10-15 minute sessions per day - and then have a long one each day .... buzzing the mouthpiece in the car counts!
3. Focus on the conductors instructions during the rehearsal and limit unnecessary talking
4. Running the concert in order at home … look for spots you get weak in and pencil in trade offs with your stand partner to give yourself some rest.
5. Starts and Endings are critical … the key is to have practice both many, many times at home, in tempo, with a metronome
6. Practice good stage posture during practice; practice Concert Rest, and WAIT for the conductor to raise your instrument … if you raise early … you will stick out and make the band look amateurish
7. Listen carefully to your sound, your section and to the entire band and adjust balance and pitch as needed
8. Watch YouTube videos of Lincoln Portrait and Tubby the Tuba (posted on website) and make notes on the music as needed
9. On rehearsal and concert days, be rested and have music in order .... and have fun!
10. Don’t play notes … Make Music
did I say ... have fun! ;-)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Music Notes From Matt
The Top Ten ways you can the band improve over the next 2 weeks in preparation for the concert!
1. Continue to have fun and exude a quiet confidence and joyful manner when approaching the band … the way we carry ourselves and how we view the band directly impacts the music we make
2. Home practice – work out difficult finger patterns slowly with a metronome - check your intonation with a tuner. Chop building begins today…. practice several times each day for the next 2 weeks … try several 10-15 minute sessions per day - and then have a long one each day .... buzzing the mouthpiece in the car counts!
3. Focus on the conductors instructions during the rehearsal and limit unnecessary talking
4. Running the concert in order at home … look for spots you get weak in and pencil in trade offs with your stand partner to give yourself some rest.
5. Starts and Endings are critical … the key is to have practice both many, many times at home, in tempo, with a metronome
6. Practice good stage posture during practice; practice Concert Rest, and WAIT for the conductor to raise your instrument … if you raise early … you will stick out and make the band look amateurish
7. Listen carefully to your sound, your section and to the entire band and adjust balance and pitch as needed
8. Watch YouTube videos of Lincoln Portrait and Tubby the Tuba (posted on website) and make notes on the music as needed
9. On rehearsal and concert days, be rested and have music in order .... and have fun!
10. Don’t play notes … Make Music
did I say ... have fun! ;-)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 8, 2012
_
Music Notes
from Matt
You Want the Truth? …. You Can’t Handle the Truth!!! …. Oh, yes you can….
Question:
What is the single biggest issue musically that we can improve on individually which will help the band.
Answer:
Intonation.
In a band like ours, to be able to take our performances to the next level we ALL must be in tune. If only three to six players are out of tune, the entire band will sound very out of tune. Consequently, it is the responsibility of each player to know their pitch throughout a performance.
This can be a very difficult thing for many of us as there are many reasons why we play out of tune. As I’ve said before, I have prosthetics in both my ears and I know a lot of us have lost some of our natural hearing ability. This is, without doubt, a handicap. Additionally, pitch changes as the instrument warms, as new mouthpieces are used, as the health of the player changes and as the players focus changes. Maintaining concentration and awareness of one’s own pitch is more difficult than it may seem.
Of course, most instruments are somewhat out of tune “with itself” which require the player to find which notes are inherently sharp or flat and compensate with a slide or embouchure or both. Simply put, it is hard work to stay in tune.
As I look into your eyes, I can tell that we, as the Laguna Concert Band, aspire to become the finest community concert band in the region and that we recognize that to become such a band, we will have to go further in our music dedication than players might do in other community bands.
Learning your instruments particularities and analyzing your sound is the serious step each of us now must undertake individually. Tuners are an invaluable tool as they are visual devices which tell you if you are sharp or flat… for those of us hearing impaired … they are a must. If you have a newer style cell phone there are many “free apps” which allow you to download a tuner, otherwise I strongly suggest that you buy one … they are relatively inexpensive $20-75. and can be found on-line or in any music store. Either way, you can then make it a habit to put the tuner on your stand for all of your practice … I’d suggest keeping it on just about all the time.
Let’s make playing in tune our highest priority for if we do, our concert will blow people’s minds.
Matt
You Want the Truth? …. You Can’t Handle the Truth!!! …. Oh, yes you can….
Question:
What is the single biggest issue musically that we can improve on individually which will help the band.
Answer:
Intonation.
In a band like ours, to be able to take our performances to the next level we ALL must be in tune. If only three to six players are out of tune, the entire band will sound very out of tune. Consequently, it is the responsibility of each player to know their pitch throughout a performance.
This can be a very difficult thing for many of us as there are many reasons why we play out of tune. As I’ve said before, I have prosthetics in both my ears and I know a lot of us have lost some of our natural hearing ability. This is, without doubt, a handicap. Additionally, pitch changes as the instrument warms, as new mouthpieces are used, as the health of the player changes and as the players focus changes. Maintaining concentration and awareness of one’s own pitch is more difficult than it may seem.
Of course, most instruments are somewhat out of tune “with itself” which require the player to find which notes are inherently sharp or flat and compensate with a slide or embouchure or both. Simply put, it is hard work to stay in tune.
As I look into your eyes, I can tell that we, as the Laguna Concert Band, aspire to become the finest community concert band in the region and that we recognize that to become such a band, we will have to go further in our music dedication than players might do in other community bands.
Learning your instruments particularities and analyzing your sound is the serious step each of us now must undertake individually. Tuners are an invaluable tool as they are visual devices which tell you if you are sharp or flat… for those of us hearing impaired … they are a must. If you have a newer style cell phone there are many “free apps” which allow you to download a tuner, otherwise I strongly suggest that you buy one … they are relatively inexpensive $20-75. and can be found on-line or in any music store. Either way, you can then make it a habit to put the tuner on your stand for all of your practice … I’d suggest keeping it on just about all the time.
Let’s make playing in tune our highest priority for if we do, our concert will blow people’s minds.
Matt
November 27, 2011
Music Notes from Matt
Status Report – Oh Mildred!
It’s pretty obvious to each of us that our band has grown in size and quality in a short span of time; we’re like a snowball rolling downhill … as we continue to improve, our concerts are more fun & rewarding for the player and audience alike. If asked today, I would have to say that the LCB is the fastest growing, most enthused, and most improved organization in our community, and, with new grant money coming in, it seems like the Community agrees. Might I just say : “Good Job” to you and … “Ya ain’t seen Nothin’ yet” to the community.
Our band is fun and I know a lot of us revolve our lives around Tuesdays … and when that happens, I know things are going well. Of the many goals that the LCB board sets, developing our current players and attracting new, fine local musicians is at the top of our list. To develop our current players, we hire local pros (some from the Pacific Symphony) to tutor us, have the unique asset of having three conductors which allows multiple groups to simultaneously practice, and we continue to explore new music, both challenging and enjoyable to play. Look for more clinics in 2012!
The small ensembles play an increasingly important role in the overall development of our organization. 2011 has been a break-out year for LSS, the Flutes have really come on strong, and SwingSet has some high profile gigs for Christmas and New Years booked. Brass ensembles, jazz combos etc… we are always looking for ways of putting members together for making music … 2012 should see this growth continue. Your input is a driver to this effort.
The rewards of the focus on education are obvious; most of us have improved as musicians over the past couple years… many of us have dramatically improved our playing. Additionally, to further our member’s development, Ed has developed a database of local private teachers, and has begun structuring a scholarship fund for members who find that lessons, although desired, are a financial hardship. Members who fall into this category are encouraged to contact Ed privately to look into the possibilities.
As mentioned, attracting better players is another area of focus. Although we are firmly in the community band family and are a college class open to the public, we have now reached the point where new players are allowed to play with us for 1 rehearsal, and then must be asked back to join. This is a significant change and is a signal of our growth and changing direction. Our band wants to be a place for local musicians who want the challenge of striving for excellence. Our major concert programing will continue to be on the WOW side of community band literature and this in turn will assure serious minded players that their ability is valued. (Attracting Gene Pokorny for our Feb concert is no small feat, and is just another indication of our direction). With this said though, we’re not a band wanting to do difficult music just for the sake of doing difficult music … we will always keep the “fun” in our time together and promise never to be boring.
A key area of growth for this next year will be to raise the musicality level of the entire band. We know that we have made huge strides in dynamics and phrasing … but we can still improve our concentration, listening and focus. There are two areas I ask for your attention: 1. Intonation and 2. Ragged entrances’ / releases. We’ll focus more on these issues in the coming weeks, but I simply wanted to put it out to you that these are the two areas in which I feel will make the most dramatic improvement to our bands performances. So I ask you: Consider how you would approach improving your intonation and entrances / releases and work on it at home. (Do you practice with a metronome and tuner???? Is one on your stand right now????)
Laguna Beach is a world-class city for the Arts and has significant infrastructure which supports the arts; our grants and donors are but an indication to the potential. I suggest that we have a unique opportunity before us. We are on the rise, and, if we keep it fun, yet maintain our growth curve, there are no limits to our potential.
Speaking of the arts, I am reminded of a conversation I had overheard when leaving the Festival of Arts this summer; a couple ladies near me were walking when one said to the other
”… oh Mildred, the art was ok, but that Band … oh, it was Fantastic!” ….
C YA Tuesday... Matt
October 30, 2011
Music
Notesfrom Matt
The Word
The password for the website and what I feel tonight is one in the same. Consider where we were as a band in
the not too distant past … consider where we are today. Remember the look of the face of the audience today; remember the look at
the face of your stand mate.
Consider the complexities of a concert we just gave, the difficulty of the literature and the relative short notice we had on some of the pieces. Take into account the number of moving pieces we had with very little preparation. Think of the infrastructure that it takes to pull something of this level off. Just think about it for a bit…. Just let it sink in.
Think about where you were as a player just 3 months ago and where you are today. Think about how your viewpoint of the band and of
yourself as a musician has evolved over the time you’ve spent with the LCB.
What we are doing is special. Enjoy the moment.
Let’s make some more.
See you Tuesday! Matt
Music Notes from Matt
Status Report – Oh Mildred!
It’s pretty obvious to each of us that our band has grown in size and quality in a short span of time; we’re like a snowball rolling downhill … as we continue to improve, our concerts are more fun & rewarding for the player and audience alike. If asked today, I would have to say that the LCB is the fastest growing, most enthused, and most improved organization in our community, and, with new grant money coming in, it seems like the Community agrees. Might I just say : “Good Job” to you and … “Ya ain’t seen Nothin’ yet” to the community.
Our band is fun and I know a lot of us revolve our lives around Tuesdays … and when that happens, I know things are going well. Of the many goals that the LCB board sets, developing our current players and attracting new, fine local musicians is at the top of our list. To develop our current players, we hire local pros (some from the Pacific Symphony) to tutor us, have the unique asset of having three conductors which allows multiple groups to simultaneously practice, and we continue to explore new music, both challenging and enjoyable to play. Look for more clinics in 2012!
The small ensembles play an increasingly important role in the overall development of our organization. 2011 has been a break-out year for LSS, the Flutes have really come on strong, and SwingSet has some high profile gigs for Christmas and New Years booked. Brass ensembles, jazz combos etc… we are always looking for ways of putting members together for making music … 2012 should see this growth continue. Your input is a driver to this effort.
The rewards of the focus on education are obvious; most of us have improved as musicians over the past couple years… many of us have dramatically improved our playing. Additionally, to further our member’s development, Ed has developed a database of local private teachers, and has begun structuring a scholarship fund for members who find that lessons, although desired, are a financial hardship. Members who fall into this category are encouraged to contact Ed privately to look into the possibilities.
As mentioned, attracting better players is another area of focus. Although we are firmly in the community band family and are a college class open to the public, we have now reached the point where new players are allowed to play with us for 1 rehearsal, and then must be asked back to join. This is a significant change and is a signal of our growth and changing direction. Our band wants to be a place for local musicians who want the challenge of striving for excellence. Our major concert programing will continue to be on the WOW side of community band literature and this in turn will assure serious minded players that their ability is valued. (Attracting Gene Pokorny for our Feb concert is no small feat, and is just another indication of our direction). With this said though, we’re not a band wanting to do difficult music just for the sake of doing difficult music … we will always keep the “fun” in our time together and promise never to be boring.
A key area of growth for this next year will be to raise the musicality level of the entire band. We know that we have made huge strides in dynamics and phrasing … but we can still improve our concentration, listening and focus. There are two areas I ask for your attention: 1. Intonation and 2. Ragged entrances’ / releases. We’ll focus more on these issues in the coming weeks, but I simply wanted to put it out to you that these are the two areas in which I feel will make the most dramatic improvement to our bands performances. So I ask you: Consider how you would approach improving your intonation and entrances / releases and work on it at home. (Do you practice with a metronome and tuner???? Is one on your stand right now????)
Laguna Beach is a world-class city for the Arts and has significant infrastructure which supports the arts; our grants and donors are but an indication to the potential. I suggest that we have a unique opportunity before us. We are on the rise, and, if we keep it fun, yet maintain our growth curve, there are no limits to our potential.
Speaking of the arts, I am reminded of a conversation I had overheard when leaving the Festival of Arts this summer; a couple ladies near me were walking when one said to the other
”… oh Mildred, the art was ok, but that Band … oh, it was Fantastic!” ….
C YA Tuesday... Matt
October 30, 2011
Music
Notesfrom Matt
The Word
The password for the website and what I feel tonight is one in the same. Consider where we were as a band in
the not too distant past … consider where we are today. Remember the look of the face of the audience today; remember the look at
the face of your stand mate.
Consider the complexities of a concert we just gave, the difficulty of the literature and the relative short notice we had on some of the pieces. Take into account the number of moving pieces we had with very little preparation. Think of the infrastructure that it takes to pull something of this level off. Just think about it for a bit…. Just let it sink in.
Think about where you were as a player just 3 months ago and where you are today. Think about how your viewpoint of the band and of
yourself as a musician has evolved over the time you’ve spent with the LCB.
What we are doing is special. Enjoy the moment.
Let’s make some more.
See you Tuesday! Matt
