Again, good crew this morning! We missed Brigitte!
We were able to play most of the way through pages 6 and 7. The rest of page 7 starts dealing with half notes and rests (two beats each), and then page 8 introduces quarter notes and rests (one beat each), as well as two new higher notes, concert E-flat and F (Eb and F for flute, C and D for alto sax, F and G for trumpet and clarinet). Be sure to encourage their including practicing their instrument as part of the afternoon homework routine!
A reminder that we will not be meeting next week due to the Columbus Day holiday. This gives them all some extra time to get comfortable with pages 7 and 8!
REED PLAYERS (Sax and Clarinet)….A reminder to be very gentle with your reeds! They are fragile, and they certainly aren't free. Some are down to one decent reed, and a bad reed is a real obstacle for learning. I would encourage you all to pick up a supply of spare reeds. They are not designed to last forever by any means. They are available on-line or in area music stores. I recommend a #2 strength at this point. As they grow to be more confident and comfortable, we will look at stronger reeds.
There are some really nice sounds starting to come out of the group. I am encouraging them all to maintain good posture, good hand position and technique, and to be sure they are keeping on top of proper fingerings, note names, and notation on the staff for each note.
All the best, and please do not hesitate to send questions as they pop up in their practice. I will do my best to give you a prompt answer!
Joe Wright
Sanborn Band
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