Sawmill Creek

Sawmill Creek is a great song. This is the focus song for Beginner Band students (although Rising Band students are welcome to play it too).

This song is on Page 20 of the Standard of Excellence (Red) Book.

Lesson Outline.

Video Notes: Mr. Lovett has made this video a bit like how he teaches in band. He might demonstrate to the flutes, and then ask the trumpet to play something, and then onto another part or instrument. You can pause, rewind or skip ahead, or use the rehearsal skill of watching and listening to the other instrument advice, and be applying what you hear to your own instrument. Anyhow - the choice is yours of what suits you best. Enjoy!

TIP: Pause the video at the end of each section. The lesson is 20 minutes long, and can be done in one session, or broken into smaller parts.

Part One Video 0:00 to 4:45

1a. Open to page 20 in your book, or download the PDF of your instrument in the downloads below.

b. Watch Part 1 of the video (above). Look through your music and identify the 1st and 2nd time measures and look at the new note (m. 15)

c. Check out the fingering or slide position chart if needed, and replicate the exercise Mr. Lovett demonstrates.

Part Two Video 4:45 to 8:55

2a. The first two measures of this piece is for the piano, with the band instrument starting in m.3 of the music.

b. Clap the rhythm with Mr. Lovett and say the time names (Ta and Te Te)

c. Play the notes separately, and then apply the rhythm to the notes. Practice a few times.

d. Add the slur (joining the two notes) into your playing by tonguing once at the beginning of the eighth notes, slur to the second note, and tongue from the third note again.

e. Play m. 5 and m. 6 using the same strategy.

f. Practice the repeat and going to the second time measure.

g. Recognise this as the 'A' theme, and note where is returns (slightly differently) at m. 18.

Part Three Video 8:55 to 12:46

3a. Look at the two eighth note upbeats to m.8. Clap and say the rhythm, then apply the notes.

b.This section is the B theme, and repeats slightly differently for the next two measures, and then mostly the same for the following two measures.

Part Four Video 12:46 to 16:38

4a. Recall the new note and apply it in m. 15 after clapping and saying the rhythm.

b. Practice until the new fingerwork is comfortable.

Part Five Video 16:38 to 20:48

5a. Look at the last two measures.

b. Clap the rhythm and the time words.

c. Don't forget the rest (sah or shhh) and the accents.

Euphonium resources at at 20:48 to video end

Step Six (No video)

6a. Play the whole piece together by joining the bits of music you have practiced.

b. Download the 'slow' Play-Along to play with the piano accompaniment (count 1, 2, 3, 4 - 2, 2, 3, 4 for the instrument rests while the piano is playing).

c. Build fluency and try the 'Regular' and 'Fast' Play-Along tempos.

d. Send Mr. Lovett a message about how it went, or if you have questions or a part that is really tricky.