Things to note -
1) Ta or "tah" is a form of articulation in instrument pedagogy
2) I am on medication and slightly sleep deprived
3) I can sink quicker than many
So it started by me telling my female tenor sax player in a section of 2 other males to play "more manly". She was playing too soft to be able to control her sound, but this was the best instruction I could offer. Needless to say, it wasn't that great.
Next, we had a passage that required a staccato or separated articulation. This was to be achieved by going ta-ta, using the front of the tongue to more definitely interrupt the air stream. So I proceeded to instruct, "We need more "ta-ta" , bigger "ta-ta"" Well, the purity and innocence of my little protected school must be depleting as over half the class erupted into laughter. Great. Once I realized what made them laughed, I chuckled and little and then jokingly scolded them for being inappropriate. Not two seconds later I said, no joke, "That performance was so dull, so flat. What happened to the "ta-ta"? " For the love of all that is holy, I couldn't seem to redirect articulation instruction to a less.... feminine variety. After the laughter got going again, I chuckled myself because of course, I went there too. They asked what I was laughing at and, having no sensor due to medication and lack of sleep I replied, "I guess that was the male version of our performance" Luckily only a few got it. It's sad when you get that parental side to side head shake from high school adolescents.
Better start that job hunt sooner than later ;-)
This one time..... in band class. Ah, what my students will remember about me. :- L.
7 comments:
AWESOME story! Wish I coulda been there! Man, sometimes I really miss the good ol' days of high school band. Think I need to join the F(rederick)SO and try to relive my youth.
Do it!!! Or find a community band to play in. Less pressure :-) Does Fred city have one of those?? The bush does, if you're willing to drive.
FSO is a community orchestra, so I assume same concept as community band. My great aunt (2nd violin) has been in it a while. http://www.fredericksymphony.org/
There also seems to be a Frederick Wind Ensemble, but perhaps not as well established. http://frederickwinds.webs.com/
Of course then there's the whole issue of what to play. Would prefer baritone horn/euphonium but I don't own one. I do still have a slide trombone, but only ever played that in jazz band and Ravens marching band, whereas I played baritone in concert band, all county, wind ensemble, etc. throughout middle and HS. Other issue is I'm not sure if orchestras "do" baritones. ugh.
As for my 2 cents, I'd pick euph. It's easier to get back into and really doesn't require hours of practice..... unless you're doing the carnival of venice or something :-) As for orchestras using them, only in very specific literature. They are mainly a trombone ensemble. And the really hoite toite ones, one of the bone players moves to euph. for those pieces requiring one.
Play what ever you think you'll enjoy playing!! That's the best choice, I think :)
Definitely would enjoy euph more, especially if I could rent one cheap or whatever. I need a patron! With orchestra, I could always be the euph/trombone guy. Like I said, not as crazy about trombone, but at least I own one. Guess I need to make some phone calls or something, or this will turn into one of so many other ideas I've had that have fizzled out from inaction. :-/
Ebay man. Watch Ebay. I have had great luck buying the kids horns there and have struck gold way more than buying lemons.
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