I mentioned this at practice last week, but just a reminder that practice this Wednesday, April 30th will be from 5:00-7:00 NOT 7:30. This is due to the budget meeting for the band boosters.
Also, for my students for Wed. lesson times will be normal even though school lets out early. If you are unable to make it please let me know.
Thanks
29 April 2008
22 April 2008
Rehearsal Schedule
Here is the Rehearsal schedule through the first week of June.
Wed. April 23- 5:00-7:00
Wed. April 30- 5:00-7:30
Wed. May 7- 5:00-7:30
Wed. May 14- 5:00-7:30
Wed. May 21- 5:00-7:30
MONDAY MAY 26- MEMORIAL DAY PARADE-times TBA
Wed. May 28-5:00-7:30
Wed. June 4- 5:00-7:30
SATURDAY JUNE 7-STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL PARADE-times TBA
All Rehearsals are MANDATORY!!!! If you need to miss or be late or leave early you MUST give me a note signed by a parent ahead of time. This applies for school sports related events as well. If you have a game on a rehearsal day, I need to know ahead of time, not the day of. Work is NEVER an excused absence!
There will be more information on the two parades at a later time. Listen for times and such from Mr. Parks and Mrs. Marsh.
The schedule for June will be out shortly. Once I make the schedule it will be posted here.
Wed. April 23- 5:00-7:00
Wed. April 30- 5:00-7:30
Wed. May 7- 5:00-7:30
Wed. May 14- 5:00-7:30
Wed. May 21- 5:00-7:30
MONDAY MAY 26- MEMORIAL DAY PARADE-times TBA
Wed. May 28-5:00-7:30
Wed. June 4- 5:00-7:30
SATURDAY JUNE 7-STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL PARADE-times TBA
All Rehearsals are MANDATORY!!!! If you need to miss or be late or leave early you MUST give me a note signed by a parent ahead of time. This applies for school sports related events as well. If you have a game on a rehearsal day, I need to know ahead of time, not the day of. Work is NEVER an excused absence!
There will be more information on the two parades at a later time. Listen for times and such from Mr. Parks and Mrs. Marsh.
The schedule for June will be out shortly. Once I make the schedule it will be posted here.
16 April 2008
How to Practice
The biggest problem that young musicians have is knowing how to practice. Practicing is more than just trying to play through a piece of music over and over again. Some people think that every time they play their instrument that they are practicing. That is simply not true!
In order to be effective in your practicing you must know how to practice. A former teacher of mine said, "When you practice you should sound pretty bad." Of course when I heard that I was quite shocked. However, upon further explanation it made perfect sense. Whenever you are practicing the goal should be to improve. That means you must be trying to play the things that you struggle with. Playing things that you can already play may seem more fun but is not going to help you get much better.
When you are going to practice you should have a set a exercises that you go through before you begin to work on a piece of music. The warm-ups that we use are a good starting point. They work on all of the essential techniques that you are going to need to be able to play the parts. You do not need to spend a great deal of time on these, but at least play through them a couple of times. This sets your mind up for the work you are about to do and stretches the appropriate muscles that you need for playing percussion.
Once you have finished the warm-ups, have a plan of what you are going to work on. Pick out the areas of a piece that you struggle with and start there. Work on exactly what gives you trouble and then work out. Make sure that you can get into and out of the trouble spot. Once you have fixed the issue or at least done all you can for that practice session, move on to the next trouble spot and repeat the process. Continue this process until you have worked on all of the areas that you planned to address during that practice session. Once you have done that try to put those sections together and then finally try to play through the music. If after all of that you have time to just play for fun, by all means do it. Playing music is supposed to be fun, but it also takes a lot of work and dedication. Practicing is the only way to get better. As your skills imporve and you can play more complicated music, your confidence rises and playing becomes even more fun.
In order to be effective in your practicing you must know how to practice. A former teacher of mine said, "When you practice you should sound pretty bad." Of course when I heard that I was quite shocked. However, upon further explanation it made perfect sense. Whenever you are practicing the goal should be to improve. That means you must be trying to play the things that you struggle with. Playing things that you can already play may seem more fun but is not going to help you get much better.
When you are going to practice you should have a set a exercises that you go through before you begin to work on a piece of music. The warm-ups that we use are a good starting point. They work on all of the essential techniques that you are going to need to be able to play the parts. You do not need to spend a great deal of time on these, but at least play through them a couple of times. This sets your mind up for the work you are about to do and stretches the appropriate muscles that you need for playing percussion.
Once you have finished the warm-ups, have a plan of what you are going to work on. Pick out the areas of a piece that you struggle with and start there. Work on exactly what gives you trouble and then work out. Make sure that you can get into and out of the trouble spot. Once you have fixed the issue or at least done all you can for that practice session, move on to the next trouble spot and repeat the process. Continue this process until you have worked on all of the areas that you planned to address during that practice session. Once you have done that try to put those sections together and then finally try to play through the music. If after all of that you have time to just play for fun, by all means do it. Playing music is supposed to be fun, but it also takes a lot of work and dedication. Practicing is the only way to get better. As your skills imporve and you can play more complicated music, your confidence rises and playing becomes even more fun.
Practice VS Rehearsal
Often we refer to rehearsal as a practice. The term practice is really used far too often and is miss understood. So what is practice and what is rehearsal?
Practice is something that you do on your own time. You practice by yourself. This is the time that you figure out rhythms and work on the issues that you have with the music.
Rehearsal is something that we do as a group. It is not practice! During a rehearsal we are trying to put all of the individual pieces together to make a cohesive ensemble. We are working on making the music work as a group.
The problem is that far too often individuals show up to rehearsal and have not practiced. Then when we try to rehearse as a group, that individual is actually trying to practice during the rehearsal. This is detrimental to the success of the group. In order for a rehearsal to truly be effective, all of the members must be prepared.
This is in no way saying that you must be able to play everything perfectly before you arrive at rehearsal. However, you must be able to work through the piece and you should have spent a considerable amount of time working on the parts that you struggle with.
Practice is something that you do on your own time. You practice by yourself. This is the time that you figure out rhythms and work on the issues that you have with the music.
Rehearsal is something that we do as a group. It is not practice! During a rehearsal we are trying to put all of the individual pieces together to make a cohesive ensemble. We are working on making the music work as a group.
The problem is that far too often individuals show up to rehearsal and have not practiced. Then when we try to rehearse as a group, that individual is actually trying to practice during the rehearsal. This is detrimental to the success of the group. In order for a rehearsal to truly be effective, all of the members must be prepared.
This is in no way saying that you must be able to play everything perfectly before you arrive at rehearsal. However, you must be able to work through the piece and you should have spent a considerable amount of time working on the parts that you struggle with.
Things you need to have at Rehearsal
Always remember to bring everything you need to rehearsal. This includes, but is not limited to:
music(in binder with clear page protectors), pencil, shoes(that you can run and exercise in, no flip-flops), sticks or mallets, a positive attitude, willingness to learn.
Things you need to leave at home:
bad attitude, bad mood, personal problems.
Again this is a partial list. Failure to be prepared for rehearsal will result in your being very unhappy, and the entire line being upset with you.
music(in binder with clear page protectors), pencil, shoes(that you can run and exercise in, no flip-flops), sticks or mallets, a positive attitude, willingness to learn.
Things you need to leave at home:
bad attitude, bad mood, personal problems.
Again this is a partial list. Failure to be prepared for rehearsal will result in your being very unhappy, and the entire line being upset with you.
15 April 2008
Welcome
Welcome to the Tipp City Drumline blog. I have set up this blog so that you may view information regarding practice dates and times, performance dates, audition information, and any other information I feel you should be aware of.
Make sure to check the blog on a regular basis for changes to practice times and other valuable information.
Make sure to check the blog on a regular basis for changes to practice times and other valuable information.
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