That means what exactly?

[sax_appeal]

I won my division in the South Australian Band Association solo championships this morning, but I was the only competitor in the division. I got feedback from the adjudicator and a score of 84 out of 100. Seeing as there was no one else in the division is this a good enough indication of my standard of playing?

[gary]

Hey, congratulations, sax_appeal! But...if this is an Australian standard aren't you asking the wrong people? We're foreigners who think a great Ozzie beer is Fosters export :roll:

A thought: What kind of grade system do you have in your schools? An 84 out of 100 would be a "B" in the US, maybe? or a "2" here? That would be above average but not outstanding. Now, the question really is, what does that mean to you in the long run?

Based on how much work you had to do to get your rating, is "above average" an accomplishment where you really brought yourself up or does it represent a lack of preparation on your part or maybe a last-minute lapse in your performance? I think the significance of the rating is relative and only you can put it really in perspective.

[sax_appeal]

The average is in the region of 75-80, so its just above average, but a lot of work was put in- which is necessary to get results.

Three months ago I would barely have been a 50, so its a huge step, but 84 is just short of A- I'm competing with the same piece in an esteddford (I doubt thats spelt correctly...) and I'm fairly confident that I can get it into the high nineties. I'm working on another piece as well, a Hindemith which is too long to compete with :( .

There are a few Australians here like Dog Pants etc.

[Dog Pants]

Congrats Sax Appeal! I'd be pretty laid back about the actual score. With no one to compare you against, it sounds as though they might have taken the easy option and just given you the "average," sort of grade. The important thing to remember is that you've done bloody well.
BTW, this whole forum is infested with "Sons of the Southern Cross". Bootman, Martin, Mick, Torachan, etc...
I ran into a very good alto busker on Friday, and thought to myself, "ah well, they aint all lame." Then I knocked off work, and who was at the bus stop just waiting to assault my ears? Yep, our very own LAB. :D
I'm gonna shed 24 hours a day for the next 3 years. Get famous and headline my own band. Then I'm gonna hire LAB on alto just so as I can have the pleasure of Firing him. :)

[Torachan]

Dog Pants........ But by then LAB might be better than you. Then the band will have to sack you :P

[sax_appeal]

Thanks Dog Pants! Great to hear from another Aussie. It turns out the adjudicator is a doctor of music and is renowned for being a tough marker. BTW, I got the full 'report card' today:

Intonation (20 marks): Intonation is mostly secure. There are issues in some soft passages and in the extremities of range. Ensure that the first note of each phrase is heard in your ear before you play.

Phrasing (20): The music flows very well- nicely shaped.

Technique (30): Secure playing at opening. Perhaps a more rubato style for the recit. would be more appropriate. Some notes are problematic in execution and pitch- don't underestimate easier looking passages.

Musicality (30): A strong tone, but consistency across the range is very important. Some good interpretive dynamics- thankyou.

General Comments: Very good concerto/soloistic approach to performance. You approach performance with confidence- good. There are some pitch issues that need your attention, but you also display solid technical facility.

[Martin]

The lame alto busker is actually bootman in disguise.

Go ahead, pull his beard, it's real.

[gary]

Go ahead, pull his beard... Uhhhh - that doesn't get the same results as pulling someone's finger, does it? :twisted:

[Torachan]

Nice report card Sax_appeal. I certainly would be happy with it (but then again I am having my second lesson tommorow ;) ) No seriously I think it's pretty good. The question is "were you happy with your performance?" That is perhaps the question you should be asking. Everyone can improve. John Howard for instance might like to take a lesson on what constitutes a lie.... but that is my opinion.....

I vote that 60 characters is to short for a signature :)

[Bootman]

Not me, it was Martin doing a Milly Vanilly with dog pants playing behind the trees. :roll: Actually, it could have been the other well known Sax Loony with Clogs..Ed hiding behind the tree.

I would be doing the alto part on Bari at pitch for the fun of it!

Dog Pants, have you been seeing the Dctor about your problems with LAB's everywhere you go?

[sax_appeal]

I thought it was quite good. I liked my sound in the hall, much better than when I was practising. Intonation is a problem but I'm working on that at the moment. It was my first time competing so I'm very pleased with the performance. Looking forward to Nationals nex year (in Adelaide!!!). Are any of you other Aussies (Dog Pants, Bootman, Torachan, Martin) planning on competing?

[Bootman]

Sax A, catch up with Ralph Franke who is now down your way in Adelaide, he will be able to help you with many questions and answers. Drop me a lineif youneed to find him but checking around many of th elocal Jazz haunts should find him about.

[sax_appeal]

Is he a forum member, and more importantly what kind of music can I expect from him.

[Bootman]

I spoke to Ralph today, he is gigging this weekend. Drop me a line off forum and I will pass along his details for you to catch up with him.

[Torachan]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Sax_Appeal

Wasn't aware that there were competions for playing the Sax. Pretty good idea though. Do many people enter?

I can play the first 4 bars of fre a jaquea(?) and scales. Do you think I'll make the grade :o

I would like to know who is entering the comp tho. I'll cheer you from sunny Queensland (yesterday was 10 degrees below average..... what the hell is going on?.. record highs and record lows???)

Anyway I'm off to get a blanket (ok another bourbon and coke... thanks America)

[Stacey]

...fre a jaquea(?)...

Frere Jacques

(ok another bourbon and coke... thanks America)

Hey, you're welcome - thanks for the kangaroo-skin sax pads!