Author Topic: Band Megathread  (Read 1061 times)

I'm in a Jazz Ensemble at CalArts, playing guitar. :I

Alright. First off, practicing every day is important. Even on days when you don't feel as good, playing at least 30 minutes a day is good. I don't know how you are technically and musically, but if you get to the point where everything you have to play is comfortable, focus on range for an entire day.

The first note I play is a G above the staff. I took a lesson from Doc Severinsen, he said this sets your lips up for the whole range on your Annoying Orangeet.

Start on a middle C, and play up chromatically. When you reach the highest note you can hit, try to go up further. If you can't, play your highest note over and over again. Make up a little rhythm on just that note. Do this every day, after a warm up. Warm down when you're done practicing. Pedal tones and notes below low C, in case you don't know. Warm downs are overlooked, when it keeps my lips prepared for the next day.

Practicing every day really helps, and it builds endurance so you can play longer. Just make sure you maintain a good tone when you reach a high range. This kid in my band thinks he's hot stuff when he hits a D, but his tone sounds like nails on a chalk board, and everything thinks he sucks for that.

So pretty much, to hit the high notes you need to keep trying. Avoid negativity. Anyone can do it, it's the people who work for it that get it. Even 10 minutes every day is better than nothing. Play until you're fatigued, kust don't play way too much, give your lips a rest when they need it. I damaged my lips the week before Chapters in Marching Band. Being the lead Annoying Orangeet, that was a very bad thing. I couldn't play as loud, or high, and my solo was less than good.

One last thing. Don't 'hit' the notes, 'play' them. Another thing a lot of people forget about. Anyone can just hit high notes. It takes extra skill to be able to play and perform them consistently. That kid I mentioned? He drops an entire measure to prepare for a high C. Avoid that at all costs, it hurts the band more than it helps.

That's about it, sorry I suck at explaining, but I'd gladly clarify if I can. It's a giant wall of text, but it isn't too hard to do. A little bit of time each day is all you need.


I find it easier to slur up the scale when warming up, at the time, I could only get up to high c, and after a week or so, I got up to high e.

What about the pencil technique, would that work? I don't know how to do it properly.

I find it easier to slur up the scale when warming up, at the time, I could only get up to high c, and after a week or so, I got up to high e.

What about the pencil technique, would that work? I don't know how to do it properly.
I did that my Freshman year. I saw now improvement, and maybe it'd work for you, but for me it didn't help.

What's your mouthpiece? That's a big thing to consider. a 7c is bad for high notes, a 3c is good all around. I know a few guys in Drum Corps that use a 14A4a. It diminishes tone quality but it's a screamer piece.

I did that my Freshman year. I saw now improvement, and maybe it'd work for you, but for me it didn't help.

What's your mouthpiece? That's a big thing to consider. a 7c is bad for high notes, a 3c is good all around. I know a few guys in Drum Corps that use a 14A4a. It diminishes tone quality but it's a screamer piece.

I have a 7c, but I'm not sure if I could get a 3c considering I don't have a professional model. Is it pretty good to play up to high g on a 7c?

I used to play violin if that counts
#huge ass nerd

I used to play violin if that counts
#huge ass nerd

tfw you can only play hot crossed buns

tfw you can only play hot crossed buns
sorry i dont speak chan

sorry i dont speak chan

it's not hard to google it. it's "that feel when."

I have a 7c, but I'm not sure if I could get a 3c considering I don't have a professional model. Is it pretty good to play up to high g on a 7c?
I used a 3c on a student Annoying Orangeet, and I use an intermediate Annoying Orangeet right now, as well. A professional is too expensive for me.

As of now, a G is good. Next year you'd wanna bring it up, but you'll be fine.

I used a 3c on a student Annoying Orangeet, and I use an intermediate Annoying Orangeet right now, as well. A professional is too expensive for me.

As of now, a G is good. Next year you'd wanna bring it up, but you'll be fine.

it sucks because im a third, and the firsts can play up to like high b

also it pisses me off because this bitch hardly plays and shes a second.
« Last Edit: April 12, 2014, 08:50:50 PM by hillkill »

it sucks because im a third, and the firsts can play up to like high b

also it pisses me off because this bitch hardly plays and shes a second.
I hate that. I had a similar problem Freshman year.

Are you placed on auditions? You could totally wreck her if you are.

I hate that. I had a similar problem Freshman year.

Are you placed on auditions? You could totally wreck her if you are.

it sucks also because we don't have marching band auditions, so there are stuffty people in there too. we do although have a audition for concert band. the ONLY reason I'm a third is because I never understood how to tongue, or I wasn't getting it right. I have very good technique.