Band

- We Will Rock You- here we go rock stars! Play along with these recordings of We Will Rock You and Go Tell Bill. The tempo is slow enough to follow along. With practice (there's that word again) and before you know it you're playing it quicker! Rock out with Mrs. Hart!!!

We Will Rock You

- Keep playing your instrument!! The more you play the more fun you'll have. Promise!!!

I miss having band with all of you and watching and listening to the improvements that have been made since September. Wow! Just think of when you could only play "Band on Parade" on page 6. Now you can play songs like Star Wars and Go Tell Bill and more. See what Practice can do? It becomes so much fun! If it wasn't fun- who would do it? No one I know!!!

In order to keep growing with your instrument keep trying music sections that are giving you a little trouble (troubleshooting) and get past it. Even just a measure or two can be enough to frustrate you. Work on those little sections(or just a few notes) and all of sudden you'll wonder how you ever thought it was hard.

Still having trouble getting a sound? Focus on the way you hold the instrument and use your embouchure (band face- the way you shape your mouth). Keep the air out of your cheeks (chipmunk cheeks) and into the instrument.

Each instrument is treated differently . Flute- toot air across the mouthpiece- tighter embouchure (band face) for higher notes. Clarinets - bottom lip under the mouthpiece on the reed and top teeth over the top of the mouthpiece then toot into the instrument. Saxophones- bottom lip under the mouthpiece on the reed and top lip over the top of the mouthpiece (pretend you've got no teeth) then toot into the instrument. Trumpets and trombones- buzz your lips into the mouthpiece. The tighter your embouchure (band face) the higher the sound. Percussion- Use matched grip with your drumsticks keep close to the drum head. Practice your sticking ( left, right) and paradiddles (right, left. right, right) to feel like a real rock star!

Here are some links to help you along!

- Review a song or two from the songs that we have done in class- Jim Along Josie and Go Tell Bill on page 13- Skip it Lou on Page 14. We started Bingo on page 16 if you would like to try that one. The finger chart for the new in that song is on the same page.

There are also the songs that are not in the book- We Will Rock You, Here We Go Cheer Medley, Star Wars and BB Does Latin Rock. If you review the major scale -you know, do re mi fa sol la ti do- you'll have an easier time with the higher notes of Star Wars and that's when the fun begins!

If you want to try the special performance songs- here is Pink Panther for those who would like to work on it- try small sections of it at a time.

A few might have Harry Potter music. Play only the 2 first lines of Harry Potter. That's the main theme.

Have your finger chart handy- and as I've said before- focus on the small sections of a song that troubles you the most. Play that small section -a measure or two- over and over again until it no longer is so very difficult for you. Fingering is usually the issue that presents a problem. Don't give up! You know-PERSISTENCE!!!

In the time that we don't have band class due to the school closure still find time to play your instruments in order not lose the skill you have learned since September. You can go to the drop down to your school name to find what you can be working on. And please remember to HAVE FUN!!!