Post by Mike H on Dec 16, 2008 21:12:52 GMT
Been meaning to post about this for a while; the new year provides a good opportunity. Would be good if we can generate some 'lurkers' to come on and give us their thoughts.
I'd point out that I'm not trying to be critical of anyone or things folk have done, just making some observations and offering some thoughts on what we can do.
I think the band as a whole went through a period of making good, gradual progress until about 12-18 months ago when we hit a bit of a plateau and our progress seemed to stall a bit. There was probably a couple of good reasons for that; changes in personnel, frustration that we weren't making as much progress with new music as we'd been used to - the new music was much tougher though.
Personally, I feel that there are some basic but vital areas that we don't spend as much time on as we should. You probably know what I'm going to say but...
* tuning
* dynamics
* watching the stick
Starting with tuning; we've got to get away from thinking that blowing into a tuner is our sole contribution to tuning, either in practice or at a concert. We've got to listen to the sound we're producing, and adjust our tuning accordingly.
How to work on it? We need to do some hymns before each practice, not because we want to practice a particular hymn, but because they are a good way of getting our ears tuned into how we sound. Practicing in smaller groups helps too, as you can hear yourself more easily than you will amongst the full band. Next time you're not sure whether you are in tune, or it just doesn't sound right, pull your tuning slide (or reed etc) all the way out, then adjust it till it sounds right. Also, be aware of blowing out of tune when you blow harder/play higher.
Next - dynamics! I know we keep mentioning it, but we've still got to make more of the dynamics on the page. We've got to practice playing quietly - again, hymns to warm up are a good way to start. If we cant play a 16 bar hymn quietly, what chance have we got with a 3 page score?! I thought I could play quietly until a few weeks ago when I played with another band and couldn't even blow my instrument, they were all playing so quietly.
Watching the stick! Like the above, its nothing we've not said before, but we need to do more exercises to get everyone watching the stick. Again, hymns are a great way to do it, speeding up slowing down etc. I know its frustrating, and folk will say we'd never play a hymn/song like that, but as above, if we cant do it for a short hymn...
We're all pretty good at reading the black dots on the page, we've got to start doing all the other things that are just as (maybe more!) important, in order to progress. As well as the band as a whole making progress and sounding better, we'll enjoy it much more individually. Having spent the last 12 months playing with another band who are really trying to do all the things I've mentioned, I can say from experience that we'll all get more out of our playing.
So, what are everyone elses thoughts on this? Who wants to sign up to this NY resolution!? Lets get some debate going!
I'd point out that I'm not trying to be critical of anyone or things folk have done, just making some observations and offering some thoughts on what we can do.
I think the band as a whole went through a period of making good, gradual progress until about 12-18 months ago when we hit a bit of a plateau and our progress seemed to stall a bit. There was probably a couple of good reasons for that; changes in personnel, frustration that we weren't making as much progress with new music as we'd been used to - the new music was much tougher though.
Personally, I feel that there are some basic but vital areas that we don't spend as much time on as we should. You probably know what I'm going to say but...
* tuning
* dynamics
* watching the stick
Starting with tuning; we've got to get away from thinking that blowing into a tuner is our sole contribution to tuning, either in practice or at a concert. We've got to listen to the sound we're producing, and adjust our tuning accordingly.
How to work on it? We need to do some hymns before each practice, not because we want to practice a particular hymn, but because they are a good way of getting our ears tuned into how we sound. Practicing in smaller groups helps too, as you can hear yourself more easily than you will amongst the full band. Next time you're not sure whether you are in tune, or it just doesn't sound right, pull your tuning slide (or reed etc) all the way out, then adjust it till it sounds right. Also, be aware of blowing out of tune when you blow harder/play higher.
Next - dynamics! I know we keep mentioning it, but we've still got to make more of the dynamics on the page. We've got to practice playing quietly - again, hymns to warm up are a good way to start. If we cant play a 16 bar hymn quietly, what chance have we got with a 3 page score?! I thought I could play quietly until a few weeks ago when I played with another band and couldn't even blow my instrument, they were all playing so quietly.
Watching the stick! Like the above, its nothing we've not said before, but we need to do more exercises to get everyone watching the stick. Again, hymns are a great way to do it, speeding up slowing down etc. I know its frustrating, and folk will say we'd never play a hymn/song like that, but as above, if we cant do it for a short hymn...
We're all pretty good at reading the black dots on the page, we've got to start doing all the other things that are just as (maybe more!) important, in order to progress. As well as the band as a whole making progress and sounding better, we'll enjoy it much more individually. Having spent the last 12 months playing with another band who are really trying to do all the things I've mentioned, I can say from experience that we'll all get more out of our playing.
So, what are everyone elses thoughts on this? Who wants to sign up to this NY resolution!? Lets get some debate going!