Cool Instrument Videos

Here are a few neat instrumental videos to inspire your own music making:

Flight of th Tuba Bee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5YqXjsJAI0&feature=youtu.be 

Oboe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PygPri0-LNA&feature=youtu.be

Carrot Clarinet

http://youtu.be/_MkMdlfl8Hg

Band Concert - December 6th

Greystone Heights Band will be presenting their winter concert on Thursday, December 6th at 1PM and 7PM.  Students are asked to wear black pants and a white shirt as part of their band uniform.  Please arrive at 6:30 for warm up. Grade 6 students should meet in their homeroom, Grade 7 students in the library, and Grade 8 students in the band room. 

Ensemble Playing

Here a couple links for outstanding brass, woodwind, and string playing.  Take a look at how these ensembles work together to create a polished and unified performance.

Canadian Brass - Pachelbel Canon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut_vq0eN1WA&feature=list_other&playnext=1&list=AL94UKMTqg-9A1LWQoAfE5r-L8-nRmuHJJ

Los Angeles Woodwind Quintet - Themes from Harry Potter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv5-BooE9E8

2Cellos (Sulic and Hauser) - Smooth Criminal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjOQac1vOEc

Funny facts or jokes

                              Find a joke or piece of trivia about your band instrument. 

Share this interesting fact or humorous anecdote with your classmates.  Here is one website to check out:

 

http://canonicalbandjokes.webs.com/

 

Recording Time

        Record yourself playing a song, either from the band method book or sheet music. This may be either video or audio.  See Miss Helms if you require assistance with this.

Watch/listen to your recording.  Assess yourself and be prepared to discuss your performance on the following criteria:


      (1)    Correct notes and rhythms

      (2)    Tone quality (sound your instrument produces)

      (3)    Dynamics (how loud or how soft)

      (4)    Articulation (tonguing/slurring, etc)

Find an audience member

Ask a friend or family member to listen to you play a song or selection of short songs on your instrument.  Ask them to watch for these three playing techniques:

(1)    How often do I breathe?

(2)    How loud or soft did I play?

(3)    Did I demonstrate good posture and holding position?

Think about: What was it like performing for someone?  Did they give you any tips that will improve your playing?

Tone Quality Listening Assignment

Please find a recording (audio/video) that best represents good tone quality on your instrument. 
Ideally, this should be performed by a professional musician who has developed their sound over many years of practice.  Observe how the factors that impact tone quality (breath support, use of air, embouchure/bowing technique, posture and holding position, articulation/tonguing, dynamics, tuning) all come together to produce good tone.  If you find an excellent recording for your instrument, please post a link in the comment section for others to find.  Happy listening!

Welcome to our blog!

Welcome to the brand new band blog at Greystone Heights School. This will be a place where you will be able to respond to listening and performance links, receive assessment reminders, and various assignments. Happy blogging!