Bandworld Magazine

Time management. Now there's a subject worth some time. It's time to discuss this important element of success. Do any of these phrases sound familiar to you? Just as the rehearsal starts to develop some momentum, we ran out of time. The fund-raising project could have been so effective, but we didn't have enough time to really do it...

New teachers come out of college with high ideals and great expectations and all too often don’t think about the nitty-gritty, commonplace situations band directors will face. Following are a few tips I’ve discovered, stolen and formulated over many years of teaching. Rehearsal Tips Try the Suzuki approach to rhythm. Students remember catchy phrases more rapidly than number patterns. In...

Developing Superior Rehearsal Discipline Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability. Good discipline is the result of student respect for you, your personality, your skills, your musicianship. Good discipline is a result of proper rehearsal atmosphere. Good discipline is a result of setting high expectations for your students. Good discipline is a result of setting and striving for individual and group...

The air/embouchure balance is the amount of pressure exerted on the reed by the lips as it relates to the amount of air pressure pushed through the reed. This balance not only affects intonation but also affects a student's tone quality and dynamic capability. Because of the bassoonís great flexibility of intonation, this balance is critical. Any of you who have...

Being versatile is practical Today’s saxophonists should be able to play with a variety of sounds in a wide range of styles, from jazz to classical music. Being versatile is practical: saxophonists who play both jazz and classical music are qualified for a wider range of playing and teaching jobs than those who specialize in only one style. Also, the...

by Fred Sturm & David Pelow Aural Techniques for Teaching Jazz Improvisation The instructional techniques that follow are intended to introduce the abstract nature of jazz improvisation from a totally aural perspective. The concepts range from simple imitation to “free” group improvisation, providing the instructor with a variety of avenues from which to address jazz as a unique musical language....

Those of you who know me are aware of the fact that I choose to live on the positive, upbeat side of life 99% of the time. It is, therefore, difficult for me to even think about writing a column based on the negative. However, I have observed the same maddening behavior in concert after concert and decided that...

The position of the hand in the bell is of utmost importance on horn playing. First of all, it is necessary to understand the "role" of the hand in the bell if we are to realize how important it is as an aid in controlling the tone and the intonation of the horn. The movements of the hand in the...

Download score and parts The third level of musical mastery is the beginning of a mature growth period for the student and director. Upon reaching this level, the student should have completed all of the basic music fundamentals such as rhythm counting, the chromatic and major scales, good tone production, and proper breathing techniques. The director, on the other hand,...

Selecting music for teaching instrumental techniques and providing the students with a successful learning experience is even more difficult at this grade level. The first two levels encompass all of the basic learning skills that a student must know in order to have a solid foundation from which he will advance to a higher level. After the student passes...