I Know My Instrument
Describe how to properly open up your instrument from its case.
Set it down on the ground, make sure it is facing the correct way, and open it up carefully.
How many beats are in a measure with the time signature 4/4?
4 beats
Name an acronym used to help us remember the lines on a Treble Clef or Bass Clef (whatever you read).
Treble Clef: Every Good Boy Does Fine
Bass Clef: Good Boys Do Fine Always
Describe what a good audience member should do when there is a performance happening on stage.
Giving the performers your full attention, not talking to people around you, not shouting out names of performers, applauding appropriately and at appropriate times.
What is your favorite part about band?
Band is the most awesomest of awesome classes and Mr. M is an absolute legend. I wake up every morning thinking "Wow. I can't believe how lucky I am to be in Mr. M's class. I feel bad for every other kid in the world that doesn't get to be in band in the School Town of Munster."
Demonstrate how you should sit with great posture.
Feet are flat on the floor, back is away from the chair, sitting up nice and tall.
How many eighth notes are in a measure with a time signature of 4/4
8 eighth notes
Name an Acronym or word to help us remember the spaces on a Treble Clef or Bass Clef (dependent on what clef you read).
Treble Clef: Face
Bass Clef: All Cows Eat Grass
Describe how you should act as a performer on the stage.
Sit with good posture, not talking to people around you, give the conductor your full attention, play with your best sound, face front at all times, acknowledge the audience when they applaud for you.
If I say "Play a Concert Bb" What note is that for your instrument?
Trumpet: C
French Horn: F
Low Brass: Bb
How many eighth notes are in a: Quarter Note? Half Note? Whole Note?
2 in a quarter note; 4 in a half note; 8 in a whole note
What is the note that is 1 space below the treble clef or bass clef? *hint draw out the staff and work from the notes that you already know*
D on Treble Clef
F on Bass Clef
Describe resting position, ready position, and playing position.
Resting Position: Facing front with your instrument in your lap with good posture. Give the conductor your full attention
Ready Position: Great posture, instrument up one your knee ready to lift up, eye contact with the conductor
Playing Position: Best posture you have, instrument is up to your face, horn angles are high, taking good breaths, eye contact with conductor
Why is singing/humming pitches important for us as band students?
Being able to hear a pitch and recreate it with your voice means that you are hearing that note in your head and really listening and matching. If you can sing it you can play it/buzz it.
Describe what you have to do differently with your air if you are playing quietly vs playing loudly.
Describe what this rhythm would look like based on the following. Tell me what the notes should be:
1+2+ 3+ 4+
Half Note; Eighth Notes; Quarter Note
What is the note that is 2 ledger lines below the treble clef or bass clef? *hint draw out the staff and work from the notes that you already know*
A on Treble Clef
C on Bass Clef
If you are sitting in the front row and the percussion section is playing behind you what should you do? What shouldn't you do?
Stay faced front. You may listen to the sections behind you, but you can't turn around.
What is the small opening that our lips create to let out air when we play? As we open and close this opening it helps us play higher and lower notes.
Aperture
Tell me the name of 7 notes on your instrument, and tell me what the fingerings/slide positions are for those 7 notes.
Answers will vary dependent on instrument.
As a group, write out the following rhythm. Make sure to label the eighth notes above and write out the counts underneath:
1+ (2+) 3+ 4+
Eighth Notes; Quarter Rest; Eighth Notes; Quarter Note
What is the note that is 2 spaces higher than the treble clef staff or bass clef staff? *hint draw out the staff and work from the notes that you already know*
Treble Clef: B
Bass Clef: D
At the end of the concert the conductor will move to the side and signal the band to stand up. What should you do at this time?
Stand up tall, face the audience, smile and show appreciation, don't fumble around with things on your stand, wait to sit until signaled to do so
If I don't feel that our articulation is very clear I will have us stop, set our instruments down, stick our palm out in front of our face, and repeat some air patterns. Why is this helpful? What is the purpose of doing this?