[TokyoRain]

I'm in 8th grade and the director of the CMC college band asked me to join the college jazz band because they're Baritone sax player graduated. Any tips? Thanks,

Ali

 

[steakboy]

lucky dog!

look, i bet you're feeling pretty intimidated. the prospect of being seated along side older and more experienced players probably feels very daunting, but because of that exactly, this sounds like a great opportunity to get a whole lot better, quickly!

has the director heard you play? if so, s/he wouldn't have extended the invitation to you to join if they didn't think you were up to the challenge.

good luck. go git 'em.

 

[harmonizerNJ]

This is a great opportunity for you.

Stick to the basics: make sure your chops are in good shape for the first rehearsal, do some extra sight-reading practice between now and then, make sure you show up ahead of start time, etc. If the director has asked you to join, they must have already decided they do not have a student in their college who could fill the position......so that would mean you are both wanted and needed.

At least one other student in the band will probably say something to try to rattle you, based on your age, but they might not really mean anything by it - they might be the type of person who does not know how to avoid saying such things. Ignore any such person and let your horn do your talking.

I am jealous of your opportunity. Enjoy!

 

[cann0nba11]

Congrats! This is a huge compliment. I got asked to play alto in the high school jazz band when I was in 7th grade. It was an outstanding experience and I learned a lot. If you are playing bari be sure you have good reeds and plenty of volume. Your job as bari player is to mirror the lead alto player. Often you will have the same exact part as him/her, so you need to match the lead alto's phrasing, articulation, etc. Also, bari parts are often counter to what the rest of the section is playing; you may be playing with the trombones instead of the saxes. Dont let this throw you off... play confidently and you will have a blast!

 

[Jonathan C.]

Your playing with people who have way more expierence then you do, more than likely. Respect them. Take the kidding that you probably will recieve, its called inatation. Get past it, and you will have smooth sailing. Pratice the parts, get to know them. Have several good reeds, and play your butt off. Good luck, and I envy you!!!

~Carbs

 

[grevsax24]

Thats awesome. Play your butt off. And don't mess up(i.e. practice your part). They'll like you if you don't screw up. Ya know, basic stuff.

 

[harmonizerNJ]

Tokyo Jazz Beat,
did you attend your first rehearsal yet with the college jazz ensemble? If so, how did it go?

 

[W. Z.]

First off congrats! Second, find out if you can get the horn that you will be using adjusted by a pro, for your hands. Bari's blow over a lot of ills. You want a horn that works well.If the thumbrest is hard to reach, Oleg has a real nice thumbrest that is made for smaller hands to reach. On a lot of horns, it's just a matter of screwing it on. Also this is the best practice in the world for your tone. Every other horn sounds better after you've played bari for a while!