WES and Pine Ridge Gr 5 band Starts September 2024!

 

Dear  Parents,

I’m looking forward to September when your child gets to be in his/her first band rehearsal!  

1.               Find and rent your instrument (unless you have asked for help on page 1 of the handout).

2.               September 5, 2024 – Bring instruments to school! 

Three ways to get instruments:

1.      Rent your own:

The monthly rental fees for new instruments are around $20 to $30/month. 

You may arrange rentals by phone, in person, or online at some music stores.  Here are two: 

·        Long & McQuade (click to visit, then click "Rent Now") - 1-204-284-8992   Winnipeg 

·        St. John’s Music (click to visit) – 1 800 515 5646  Winnipeg    

2.      Buy your own:

If you choose to buy an instrument, be careful!  You should buy it at a music store, and a good quality brand. You may be able to find a good used instrument on a local site like VarageSale, but you might have to send the instrument in for repairs before using it.

            3.      Borrow one: 

Lots of people have a cousin or aunt or uncle with an instrument in the closet you can borrow.  Make sure to bring it to the music shop to get checked over first, to make sure it works.  It’s very important for beginners to have a reliable instrument that works.

Get help paying to rent an instrument:

If you need help let me know.  I have some instruments at school I can rent to you for a reduced cost.  We’ll talk about it and arrange an amount. 

 

Rap your Way to learning the notes on the staff!

 Here's a couple of videos made by a music teacher that likes using rap as a learning tool.

Listen and try the challenge in the video!

Treble clef:

and for the bass clef:

here's a bonus song for bass clef notes:

Another cool video to showcase the instruments

Lean on Me

Lean on Me is an amazing song, written and performed by Bill Withers in 1971.  Many of my bands played it this year, or were working on it. 

Here is a recording of the original.  

I played along with this today, by ear.  If you want to try it, here are some of the starting notes for you.  

[start playing when he starts humming]

flute/trombone/guitar/euphonium/tuba/xylophone:

C    C D E F    F E D C      C D E E   D... 

clarinet/trumpet/tenor sax/euphonium TC:

D    D E F# G    G F# E D    D E F# F#   E...

Alto/Bari Sax

A      A B C D    D  C B A    A B C C   B ....

Horn:

G    G A B C   C B A G   G A B B  A...

Grab some headphones, turn it up a bit, and play along!

A Treat for the Clarinetists among you

I usually post trombone stuff.
But this is CLARINETASTIC!

This was posted April 19, just 10 days ago.  All these people are stuck at home like you and using their time to make joy and music for us!

My Video Experiment #1

I always love those multi-player video recordings people post to YouTube.   Here is one by one of my trombone heroes, Christopher Bill.  This one is not me...

Here is one of my first attempts.  Song- "As the Deer" by Martin Nystrom.  I guess i have a long way to go, but it is UNBELIEVABLY FUN making these!

How to Practice!

I love this video.  There are so many good lessons about practicing in it. 
As a special bonus, try to copy the 1980's hairstyles! 
I would like all band students to watch it.  We all can improve in our way of practicing.