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LEARN TO PLAY IN A WEEK
2007
Day by
Day - - - - -Details - - - - - Press
Release
6th to 10th August 2007
Day by Day
Saturday 4th August
Five band members were at the bandroom from 9.30 to 12.30 preparing
for the Learn to Play Week. All available instruments were checked over
and put on display. A selection of music, and a group of photographs were
also put on display.
We had a visit from the local press photographer who took
photos of the instrument display and group photos.
We had a few visitors including one who may join us next
week.
Monday 6th August
A very satisfactory start to Learn
to Play in a Week lead by Musical Director, Mel Hopkin assisted by two
band members, who welcomed nine visitors aged from 8 to 70 years! Two
of the youngest are already involved with the band's learner group. One
of the oldest played bugle over 55 years ago. None of the others have
played before.
All the newcomers were given an instrument
of their choice and were shown how to produce a sound. After a while,
they were all given a different instrument to produce a sound with..
After producing short and long open
notes (i.e. without use of valves) the effect of the valves was shown.
The group played a series of exercises including the use of different
valves. By the end of the session, the group was playing a series of 5
notes from G down to C and back again.
Tuesday 7th August
All the newcomers returned for a second day, with one extra
(the wife of one of the newcomers). They all settled on the instrument
of choice and will now stick to that instrument for the rest of the week
(although one was struggling with the chosen instrument and an alternative
one was offered).
After reviewing the progress of the first day, the newcomers
continued with group and individual exercises concentrating on the first
five notes of the scale. The Musical Director introduced them to the basics
of music. He also introduced rhythms made up of (i) crotchets, minims
and semibreves and (ii) quavers, crotchets and minims - the newcomers
clapped to the rhythms and then played them on the instruemnt of their
choice. They also practiced conducting 4 beats to the bar.
Wednesday 8th August
Two of the yougest were unable to
come for thr third day of the Learn to Play week, but the others came
back. Again, they reviewed the progress of the previous days, and repeated
the exercises of the second day. They were introduced to the last three
notes of the C major scale, and carried out exercises including these
notes. They also repeated execises on rhythms.
Towards the end of the session, they
looked at their first tune 'When the Saints go Marching in'. More of this
tomorrow!
The Musical Director was very pleased
that four of the newcomers came to the band's weekly Learner session in
the evening; and two of them stayed for the first half of the main practice.
Thursday 9th August
Another successful day although only
six of the original nine turned up. Once again we reviewed the previous
days and played exercises based on the C major scale, including long notes,
short notes and rhythms.
In view of the excellent progress
made by the group, we went stright into playing tunes. We used the training
book of Clyde E Hunt (see the
reference on our home page) which includes four tunes: London Bridge,
Mary Had a Little Lamb, Yankee Doodle and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
All four of these arrangements are within in the range low C to middle
C which makes them ideal for this purpose. We worked through each tune
note by note and slowly pieced the tunes together.
During the half time break, there was a discussion on the
effectiveness of the Learn to Play week and all learners agreed that their
progress during the week was considerably better than they had expected.
After the break each learner played one of the tunes as a solo.
The afternoon emded with an introduction to sharps and flats,
and extending the range above middle C and below low C.
Friday 10th August
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And so we reach the end of the
week. Two learners were unable to attend but the survivors repeated
the exercises palyed throughout the week. And repeated practising
the tunes started yesterday. The Musical Director introduced the
learners to sharps, flats and accidentals. They started a new tune
'All Through the Night' featuring a dotted crotchet/quaver rhythm.
All the learners were presented
with a Certificate to show they Learned to Play in a Week. Musical
Director, Mel Hopkin, thanked cornet player Steven Butter for his
help every day.
From the band's point of view
the week has been very successful because five of the learners have
agreed to join the band and, initially, will join the band's learner
group.
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Details
We encourage people of all ages (from 8 upwards) to come to our bandroom
every afternoon in the week when we teach them the basics of playing a
brass band instrument. This is from 2.00pm until 4.00pm from Monday to
Friday.
Subject to availability, the instruments will be:
- Cornet or trumpet (including Soprano Cornet)
- Flugel Horn
- Tenor Horn
- Baritone
- Euphonium
- Trombone
- Tuba (Bass)
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Over the week there will be a series of lessons on playing
instruments; cleaning and maintaining them; reading music; playing rhythms;
conducting.
- Monday - get used to producing notes on two or three different instruments.
- Tuesday - Learn the first few notes of the scale and learn to play
rhythms in unison
- Wednesday - Learn to play simple tunes in unison
- Thursday - Learn the C major scale and continue practicing simple
tunes in unison
- Friday - Continue to play simple tunes in unison and introduce parts.
At the end of the week each learner will be presented with a certificate.
PRESS RELEASE
Once again, Holbeach Town Band will open its doors in Back Lane, Holbeach
every afternoon for a week from 2.00pm to 4.00pm from Monday 6th to Friday
10th August. The Band welcomes visits from anyone interested in learning
to play a brass instrument or anyone who just wants to have a look around,
have a sit down and have a chat and a cup of tea!
The 'Learn to Play' week has been arranged during the school holidays
and the Band hope that school children will be interested. The week is
not limited to children and people of all ages are welcome to come along.
If you have ever thought about learning to play a brass instrument, or
if you have played in the past and would like to try again, this is the
perfect opportunity. The band's experts will be on hand to show you how
to play a range of brass instruments - cornet, tenor horn, baritone, euphonium,
trombone and tuba.
The Band will be able to teach you how to play an instrument and how
to read music. You can return as often as you like during the week but
willl get the most benefit from coming every day.
The Band is also putting on a display of instruments and music. And they
are providing light refreshments.
If you can already play, or have done in the past, come along as well
and join in with Band members and visitors for some ensemble playing.
The Band can offer longer term training through its learner and improver
sessions on a Wednesday evening from 6.30 to 7.30. The Band is always
pleased to welcome existing players to its rehearsals on a Wednesday evening
from 7.30 to 9.30. In addition the band offers individual training with
reduced rates for band members.
For further information contact the band's Musical Director, Mel Hopkin.
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