User talk:Jacobbarnby

Back to the Basics: Common Errors in High School Band Performances
In high school band and orchestras across the nation, there is an under-emphasis on the basics. Students are taught to play their parts; to play musically. However, more often than not they are neglecting the basics of playing their instruments and playing music in general. The most common errors I have noticed have been with breathing, and holding note values the correct length of time.

Breathing;

Most instrumentalists forget how important breathing is and how important it is to have proper technique when breathing. Breathing is natural. We've been doing it our entire lives, so we have never given much thought. Some teachers tell their students to breath from their toes, or to use their diaphragm when supporting your air. Here's the problem I have with that suggestion; that implies that breathing is achieved with only the front portion of the body. When you breathe, you don't breathe into your gut; your lungs expand in all directions, forward and backward. I like to use the balloon analogy. Air comes in, and the entire balloon expands simultaneously. It doesn't expand from the bottom up, or only expand in the front of back. It expands in all directions just like our lungs do.

Note Lengths;

A sign of immature playing is not holding out notes for their full length. As a warm up exercise, I have my band play through corrals, and focus on playing all the way through the notes.