Technique and Performance Review

Whether sitting or standing, we should always take which steps before playing our instruments?

• sit up tall and straight on the front edge of our chair with both feet flat on the floor

• sit on the front edge of our chairs with our elbows relaxed on our knees

• sit up tall and straight with our backs against the back of our chair

• stand up tall and straight with our shoulders relaxed and feet together

Answer explanation

SITTING DOWN

We should always sit up tall and straight on the front edge of our chair with both feet flat on the floor!!!

STANDING UP

We should always stand up tall and straight with our shoulders relaxed and feet together!!!

Which music articulations/symbols is used for smooth and connected notes?

• staccato

• legato

• tenuto

• slurred

Answer explanation

A slur is an arch that is attached to note heads on each end. This indicates that all notes within the arch are smooth and connected.

A tenuto is a dash-like marking written above or below a note head to indicate a "sticky" note played at its fullest value. Consecutive tenuto markings make the marked notes sound slurred.

Which music articulations/symbols is used for short and disconnected notes?

• staccato

• legato

• marcato

• slurred

Answer explanation

Staccato markings are dots written above/below a note head to indicate short notes with no change in dynamics.

Marcato markings are V-shaped accents placed above/below a note head to indicate short notes that are played similar to an accent.

WINDS

When approaching dynamics, which quality of our air/breath changes?

• quantity

• speed

• amount

• velocity

Answer explanation

The velocity or speed of air should never change. We should ALWAYS have fast air to support the timbre of our instruments.

The quantity or amount of air directly impacts the volume we play!!

more = louder

less = softer

PERCUSSION

When approaching tempo (speed), what should we always keep in consideration?

• the faster we go the higher we play

• the amount of elbow we should be using

• proper stick-holding technique

• the faster we go

  the lower we play

Answer explanation

Faster tempos and high stick levels do not mix as we begin to lose stick control. We should consider lowering stick heights at faster tempos.

Regardless of the tempo or speed we play, proper technique should ALWAYS be considered: palms downward, fingers together, inverted "V" frame, and using our wrists!!!!

We can say (a)   when we breathe and attack our notes together.

Answer explanation

We can break "Yoda" down into two syllables (yo - dah) to help us attack together. Breath in while mimicking "yo" and attack the note on "dah".

While breathing is essential to playing woodwind and brass instruments, percussionists are encouraged to breathe in and out to further solidify tempo with the full ensemble.

How would you rate our performance of "Adventure In India" today?

Note: Rating should be chosen based on WHOLE GROUP and not individual...

• 1

  (marginal)

• 2

  (acceptable)

• 3

  (good)

• 4

  (excellent)

• 5

  (superior)

Reflecting on the previous question, describe one thing the ensemble should improve on and provide a possible solution we can use to do so.

Example: "I think we tend to speed up at measure 22, but I'm not sure what is causing it. We can try to have each section play that part to see if everyone is tapping their foot."