Band Practice Lecture Notes

Breathing and Warm-up Exercises

• Deep Breathing Exercise
  • Inhale on a 4-count, exhale on a 4-count.
  • Emphasis on breath control and air support.
  • Full extension, hold breath, and controlled release.
• Stretching
  • Stretching to the left, right, and leaning back.
  • Importance of full extension and deep breathing while stretching.

Music Practice Overview

• Pedal Tones and Long Tones
  • Emphasis on air support for good attack, sustain, and release.
  • Internalizing the pulse to ensure everyone releases together.
• Articulation Exercises
  • Focused on staccato (short and light) and slurring (connecting notes).
  • Practicing different types of articulation.
• Balance and Blend
  • Importance of playing low/high notes softly for balance.
  • Blending so the ensemble sounds like one instrument.

Percussion Section Focus

• Rolling and Clear Even Rolls
  • Practicing near drum (~3 inches away) for soft playing.
• Multi-measure Rest Counting
  • Practice counting rests out loud.
• Flam Practice
  • Multiple repetitions of flam exercise.

Scale Practice

• Major Scales
  • Concert E-flat, Concert F, and Concert B-flat scales.
  • Emphasis on practicing at home and readiness for chair test.

Detailed Piece Review

• Piece 95 and 96
  • Review of key signatures, time signatures, repeats, accidentals, dynamics, articulations, phrasing, and vocabulary.
  • Explanation of first and second endings and counting rests.
  • Emphasis on playing full dynamics and following conductor cues.
• Specific Challenges Highlighted
  • Ensuring clarity in articulation (staccato and legato).
  • Following tempo markings accurately (Moderato, Andante, Allegro).
  • Dynamic contrasts (mezzo forte, forte).

Chair Test Preparation

• Expectations
  • No grades lower than a B expected.
  • Strong focus on performance quality with less technical errors observed in practice.

Vocabulary

• Tempo Markings
  • Andante: Walking tempo.
  • Moderato: Medium tempo.
  • Allegro: Fast tempo.
• Articulation Markings
  • Accent: Emphasized note.
  • Slurring: Smoothly connecting notes.
  • Staccato: Short and detached notes.

Practice Recommendations

• Daily Practice
  • Focus on key pieces and scales for upcoming chair test.
  • Pay attention to dynamics, articulation, and tempo markings.

Final Notes

• Performance Etiquette
  • Stay in playing position for multi-measure rests less than 4 beats.
  • Transitions and releases should be together as a group.
  • Focus and professionalism are essential during practice.