Student Teaching Day 9

My Day

Today I observed the Advance Jazz Band rehearse during their preparation for the state music convention.  They are to the point where they know the music and are working on musicality.  In this group, as well as all of the others, I try to vary my position from sitting in front of the group to get a general sound, standing next to different sections, and sitting in and playing with different instruments.  In the Jazz Band today I really tried to hang out in the rhythm section and follow the drum set part and bass and piano parts and comps.  I feel like I am getting better at hearing balance in the Jazz Band after sitting in front of the whole group and with individual sections during sectionals.  The Wind Ensemble rehearsal went really well today when I warmed the group up and rehearsed a piece.  I need to improve on tuning into specific section’s balance and pitch. 

 

Instrument techniques

Trombone

-If you see an f# or Bnat it is difficult for the trombones and that part will definitely need work.

Percussion

-Percussion technique with dynamics contrast

Trumpet

            -“Mute” means straight mute if unspecified

General Instruction

Jazz Band

-When vamping sections brass can put their part in a comfortable range to save chops

-When drummers are trading solos, change timbre of sound by using drums, high hat, cow bell, etc.

-When a certain piece has a certain “sound” or style make sure the students know and can differentiate

-To help with dynamics and style show through conducting what it should look like, then students play the sound to match the look

-Pay attention to drummers to keep the tempo locked in

-4 measures, 1 breath.  Talk phrasing in jazz music.

-play drums with parts (segments) to where they line up with the wind players (weird) entrances

-Bosa Nova, lay back don’t rush the +’s

Band

-Have students locate intervals in piece (example, find tri tones through Fortress by Frank Techeli)

 

Quotes and Other Random Happenings

"Touch your shoulders and play it straight."

Conducting

            -Drop arms

            -Breath to prep

            -Balance: pay more attention to inner parts of a section, or 3rd players

            -On fermatas prep the next beat more clearly

            -In order to better hear what is going on in a section, don't look at the score so much or even             step away off podium

            -After rehearsal reflect immediately

            -"Subdivision" break down and explain how to subdivide

            -Vocal cue, be exact

            -Set goals, reflect on self