After 3 days of individual practice we are playing again. We will have sax sectionals tomorrow afternoon. We have sectionals about once every 2 months. The band does not have rehearsals ever. To play on this band you must read very well and pick the rest up on your own and FAST. That includes all articulations, tuning to match lead player(vibrato too), dynamics, releases etc. The Glenn Miller cds really help. I have listned to several to get the exact articulation for several passages. If you play saxophone you have to be able to improv some. I had two solos the first night I got here. That means wlking to the front of the band sticking your bell in the mic and GO. I have three tonight. One of the tunes I have not played yet. Wish me luck.
By the way, this is a clean cut band. No hair can touch your collar, no ear rings etc. If you have any inappropriate behavior you get fined just like when you are late to anything. It is great actually. everyone takes care of their business.
Please send comments it is really fun to get them.
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I like that you are sharing the band rules of behavior. I think it adds to the professionalism and allows the music to come first and foremost.
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ReplyDeleteYeah, Mr. Ratliff told us your rules today in high school jazz band to show us how easy we have it (LOL). I know I've had a lot of practice matching a lead player. At this point, since we've played so much together, I could probably match Mr. Ratliff close enough to make someone wonder if he's playing both parts (LOL). Do the section leaders have to match style of the recordings, or do they make their own decisions?
ReplyDeletehey nathan the section leaders do stay fairly close to the recordings but they have the flexability to change some things if they want to. we HAVE to go with the section leader no matter what. thhis is a fun experience. you should try this sometime.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to. It sounds like a LOT of fun, but disciplined fun (the best kind). I almost like the challenge of following a section leader's style more than playing the lead part. I guess that makes me a little more picky about being matched by the section, though, when I do play lead. Don't know if that's bad or good. At all-region, I made marks all over my music pertaining to articulations, dynamics, and note endings. Then I passed my music around and had everyone copy my marks. It really made a difference in the coherence of the section--we were really tight--but I hope it didn't come across as demanding or rude. Anyway, I would love to do some tours like that. Paid to practice--novel idea...
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