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LEARN TO PLAY IN A WEEK
2008
4th to 8th August 2008
Day by
Day - - - - - Details
- - - - - Press Release
Day by Day
Monday 4th August
A very satisfactory start to Learn
to Play in a Week lead by Musical Director, Mel Hopkin assisted by one
band member, who welcomed 13 visitors - aged from 6 to teenage with two
adults. Most have not played before and most cannot read music..
All the newcomers were given an instrument
of their choice and were shown how to produce a sound. After a while,
they were all encouraged to try different instruments.
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 4
notes from C to F.
Tuesday 5th August
All but one of the newcomers returned for a second day;
one of the adults was due to start a holiday, but he enjoyed yesterday
so much that he came back for the second day. They all settled on the
instrument of choice and will now stick to that instrument for the rest
of the week.
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 6th August
Now down to nine! Another youngster
gave up today. The adult started his hoilday and another was unable to
come. Again, they reviewed the progress of the previous days, and repeated
the exercises of the second day. They also repeated execises on rhythms.
The Musical Director was very pleased
that two of the newcomers came to the band's weekly Learner session in
the evening.
Thursday 7th August
Two more unable to come due to other
commitments, but they have not given up! Another successful day. Once
again we reviewed the previous days and played exercises based on the
C major scale, including long notes, short notes and rhythms.
Friday 10th August
And so we reach the end of the week.Nine
of the original 13 turned up and repeated the exercises palyed throughout
the week.
All the learners were presented with
a Certificate to show they Learned to Play in a Week. Musical Director,
Mel Hopkin, thanked band members for their help during the week.
Conclusion
From the band's point of view this
week has been the most successful in terms of recruitment. 11 of the original
13 have joined the band's weekly learner group. The average age was much
younger than last year, and the rate of progress was slower but the enthusiasm
is there and, given time and commitment, they will make good progress
Learn to Play Report 2007
Follow this link to the Learn
to Play Week Day to Day report and photographs from 2007
Day by Day reports will be entered here as the week progresses.
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.
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Instruments available for learners
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PRESS RELEASE
Now in its 7th year, Holbeach Town Band will open its doors
in Back Lane, Holbeach every afternoon for a week from 2.00pm to 4.00pm
from Monday 4th to Friday 8th August. The Band welcomes visits from anyone
interested in learning to play a brass instrument.
The 'Learn to Play' week has been arranged during the school holidays
and the Band hope that school children will be interested. Details have
been sent to all local schools. 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 wide 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 will
get the most benefit from coming every day.
New for this year:
In the mornings of the Learn to Play week the bandroom will be open, by
appointment only, for people of all ages to visit and have a 30 minute
session with the Musical Director. If you have played in the past, come
along and see if you can still do it! Or come and try different instruments.
Please book in advance.
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.
For further information contact the band's Musical Director, Mel Hopkin
or email mel@holbeachtownband.org.uk
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