Post by megga on Nov 9, 2005 12:17:39 GMT
How often does your conductor talk about the physical aspects of playing a brass instrument? Things like breath control, eg. Not all that often I suspect.
At our last rehearsal our conductor Craig took five or ten minutes to talk to the band about quiet playing and the breath control required for this difficult area of brass playing, highlighting that it's speed of air that changes form loud to quiet playing rather than volume of air.
I found it puzzling that Craig seemed to feel that some players might be insulted at being given what might appear to be such fundamental instruction. Why?
It may be fundamental, but I for one took something from it and I bet quite a few others did too.
The band definitely sounded better once everyone was made to think about how they were breathing.
how many of us can honestly say that we practice the fundamentals of technique on a regular basis?
Craig commented that quiet playing is probably the most neglected area of all, and yet despite this, most players expect to just walk on stage and be able to produce nice pp playing, in tune, whilst under pressure. We all know it rarely works out that way does it?
So, I suppose my point Craig is keep it coming. I can take all the help and advice you can give. I might even start trying to put it into practice!!! ;D
At our last rehearsal our conductor Craig took five or ten minutes to talk to the band about quiet playing and the breath control required for this difficult area of brass playing, highlighting that it's speed of air that changes form loud to quiet playing rather than volume of air.
I found it puzzling that Craig seemed to feel that some players might be insulted at being given what might appear to be such fundamental instruction. Why?
It may be fundamental, but I for one took something from it and I bet quite a few others did too.
The band definitely sounded better once everyone was made to think about how they were breathing.
how many of us can honestly say that we practice the fundamentals of technique on a regular basis?
Craig commented that quiet playing is probably the most neglected area of all, and yet despite this, most players expect to just walk on stage and be able to produce nice pp playing, in tune, whilst under pressure. We all know it rarely works out that way does it?
So, I suppose my point Craig is keep it coming. I can take all the help and advice you can give. I might even start trying to put it into practice!!! ;D
