mindfulmusician

3 people have had discussion on this topic - Fortissimo, mindfulmusician, and arundo. 4, including you, Band of Champions. And, the reason that many people haven't responded is because there don't seem to be many people that dabble in composing. It feels kind of lonely. - mm

Where was it? And when was it?

OMG! So true. I mean, when you walked into the band hall in the morning, that seemed to be the normal situation. And when you saw them going to the practice room with their instruments, you knew they were doing anything BUT practicing. - mm

A picardy third is when you end a piece that is in the minor mode with a major chord - it was used a lot in the Baroque period, so you'll hear it sometimes in the music of Bach. Anyway, the whole reasoning is because back in the day, a major third was much easier to tune (esp. on keyboard instruments and such) than a than a minor third. However, in this day and age, if you try to use the technique on modern instruments (esp. on keyboarding with an equal tuning temperament), it loses some of its power. It gave a great feeling of resolution when you played a piece entirely in the minor key, with little or no major chords, and then ended the piece with a nice, rich major chord. However, it seems that the technique is not as present in modern music today (or any music after the baroque period, for that matter), and so I was asking if anyone knew if this is still done, or if it should still be done today. - mm

Where'd you hear this from? Any more info, like a website or something? - mm

lol...very true...but I would have to say that the tubas, are, BY FAR, the most laziest section in the bunch...perhaps thats a reason why there is no tuba post yet. Anyway, I guess its good to meet some other lazy trombonists. - mm

Band

From what I've researched, the picardy 3rd is primarily a baroque technique, and hardly anyone uses it anymore. Does anyone know if it has any presence, or SHOULD have any presence in modern music today? - mm

Internet

Wow...I would never believe that there would be so much trash-talking on THIS site, and I am even more shocked that there is such blatant woodwind hating, ESPECIALLY since this is a woodwind forum. So, just out of curiousity - to those who were saying hateful comments about the woodwinds, is this an irrational animosity? Do you hate woodwinds in general, or do you just hope that they stay out of corps? I mean, it sounds like that when someone says that woodwinds suck, and that brass can do anything they can do. Because I will admit, that despite the fact that I am a brass player, I still admire the color and sounds of woodwind instruments. Its quite a beautiful thing. Personally, I think that DCI is fine the way it is. IF someone happens to add woodwinds, and IF it REALLY adds to the color, then I think my opinion would change. However, that hasn't happened yet, so, for now, I side against the woodwind change. Yet, I will not submit to the unsubstantiated hate against woodwinds that exists on this post. I would think that band students had more respect for their brothers and sisters. Some of you have proved me wrong. - mm

So, after reading about the Trumpets, Mellophones and Euphoniums, I figured it was time to start a post of our own here. To all fellow trombonists: Greetings! I hope you have found plenty of happiness playing the loudest, best instrument on this planet. Personally, I play a Conn Bass Trombone (courtesy of my college - I usually play tenor trombone, but I had to play bass this year), and usually play on a Schilke 52, have a Bach 5G (but don't use it much) but am practicing on a Schilke 59 to hit some LOW notes. I have a range from about the pedal Bb (can usually get to pedal F, and have tried to get to pedal Bb BELOW that, but no success yet) to the High Bb (three lines above the bass clef). But I can best tune notes in between the pedal Bb and the high G. Oh yeah, I'm trying to work on my upper range, so that I can hit the high Bb's and above with more ease (usually I hit the high Ab a few times before finally hitting that Bb)...does anyone have any tips on how to increase range? Any special exercises? So, I decided to make this post, because I've seen a few of y'all out there, but I figured I'd take it upon myself to gather us all together. So, feel free to talk about whatever you know about the instrument, experiences, your expertise, etc, etc. I hope to hear from some of you trombonists soon. Thanks for reading! - mm

Abuser

lol...God Bless those TMEA CD's. I did nothing but listen to that CD, and practice hard-core for about a week, and I was able to snag a chair at District. I think most of us seniors got senioritis, which I kinda regret. Yeah...but oh well. I still need to practice those etudes...for some reason I think they're really fun...but that's just me. - mm

I see...well, aside from the fact that you forgot to mention the trombones (Grr!), having only 4 (although I think that number jumps up to 6 including trombones!) brass players return to the top ensemble, with the rest being composed of mainly underclassmen, is not good. However, if it is true that most students are in Wind Ensemble because of the prestige and reputation associated with it, you need to get that idea out of their heads. You need to make sure that these students are in the top band because they want to be challenged with the music. You need to show them that much is expected out of them. You need to let them know that if the Wind Ensemble starts to lose its strength, then the prestige is worthless, for what good is the prestige if the organization which they seek prestige from cannot perform? As I said earlier, I think that some universal qualities among all band leaders should be strength, coupled with the ability to guide younger students. I know you (and others) possess both these qualities, and I know that you can work past this situation. Also, as I said in the last post, even if this year isn't as great as last year's, the band WILL be better for it in the long run, when these underclassmen become even MORE skilled, and advance past the accomplishments done before them. - mm

lol...true. And, yeah, threevalvecircus, I think the UT FS is "Eyes of Texas." Here's a funny story. You know how in fight songs there's always a section where you put down the other teams? Well, at Seguin the line is at the end. It's "we're going to roll those....in the dirt, make it hurt. Fight, fight, FIGHT!" Well, the ... is where you put in the name of the other team, the "Unicorns" for example, if the opponent was New Braunfels. However, when I first read the fight song in middle school, I saw the ... and thought that you could put whatever in that spot, including obscene words. I thought it was odd that the schools would encourage name calling, but I went along with it. So, I came up with "****", and some other things that I can't say on this site, to say in the fight song. Yeah...its a good thing I realized you were supposed to put the team name in that spot before I tested any of MY names at a game. lol!

darn it! I just got Shepherd's Hey stuck in my head. I probably knew it was a mistake when I first downloaded it...darn that crafty Grainger! Oh well... - mm

I'm interested in writing for TxBPress, but I have further questions. But, I'll e-mail you those in private. But, yeah, I'm QUITE interested in this. - mm

lol...that's odd. Why did we all shut up? Perhaps its not because she's God, but rather, we thought that we would meet the same fate as Pikachu. Poor, poor Pikachu... - mm

The only pics that you have of yourself is a nude one and one when you're about to eat an innocent Pokemon?! Can I say oddly eccentric? I think I can. What is it with these crazy clarinetists? Although, as eccentric as you are, I do have to agree about the Charizard thing. He is a pretty scary ****, more so than Charmander (I mean, as cute as he is, he could still burn the heck out of you). - mm P.S. I was just kidding about the crazy, eccentric thing. I'm sure you have SOME sanity left...lol

But isn't it somewhat detrimental to practice for long periods of time like that without breaks? - mm

Did you know that Percy Grainger was a vegetarian? Just throwing that trivia out there. - mm

Is that you with the terrified look on your face? How could you be scared of Pikachu? I mean, if anyone, I would be scared by Charmander. lol...I know this guy who does this dead-on impersonation of Charmander...yup, college kids are weird. - mm

And then some! Oh man...stuffing, potatoes, turkey, gravy...it was great, to say the least. PLUS, despite being hundreds of miles away from Texas, my hosts were able to throw together an AMAZING pecan pie. Quite outstanding...definitely one of the best. - mm

Dude, you know that SHS' Wind Ensemble has very high standards. Didn't you make a UIL judge CRY last year at Judson because you played so beautifully? It takes great talent and ability to do that. If the Wind Ensemble is kept at the same standards that it has always been (which are REALLY high), then I believe that there will be amazing growth, especially among the underclassmen. True, there will be some growing pains, and its possible that this year may not be that great. However, the band will be better for it in the years to come, as they will continually get better. You may have to bite the bullet this year, but I believe that the band will be a better one in the years to come, IF they are sucessfully guided by the few leaders that are there...this means YOU, bored2damax, and others that are there as well. You need to take these underclassmen under your wing, and YOU need to set an example, along with the other juniors and seniors there. This is universal among bands...in times of crisis, there must be strong leaders that guide the newer students to victory. In short, no matter what you think, you MUST do your best to help these kids keep the Wind Ensemble as great as it has been in the past few years. I wish you the best of luck in this, bored2damax...Godspeed! - mm

Of course! We welcome band members of all backgrounds! Thanks for the regards; let me reciprocate by wishing you AND everyone here at txbands.com a very Happy Thanksgiving!