Week 1: Welcome and Share Some Music
Hello class! Welcome to the period 4 Wind Ensemble blog. This is a space where we can share ideas and music, discuss issues relevant to the music world, and learn about one another. Ms. Figueredo and Mr. Dickson will be participating along with you, giving you an opportunity to learn more about us and our thoughts on all things music. You will be asked to comment on each weekly blog post as well as comment on someone else's comment.. Know that this is a safe space for the class to share ideas. Here are the rules and instructions for our blog:
- Be respectful. No rude comments or language.
- Stay on topic. This blog is intended to share ideas, not to socialize.
- Do not post any personal information such as address, phone number, etc. This blog is a public format and personal information is not necessary or appropriate to post.
- To post your comment, find the section at the bottom of the blog that says "Enter your comment", click that area, and type away. Once comments are published, there will be a "reply" button under each comment. Use this button to reply directly to another person's comment.
- Replying to your fellow students' comments is encouraged, but know you must also post your own comment to the blog itself to get credit for the assignment.
- All comments will be approved by either Mr. Dickson or Ms. Figueredo before they appear on the blog. If we feel your comment violates any rules or standards, we will reach out to you and ask you to edit your post and resubmit it. Multiple violations of the rules will result in further action taken.
- Please use complete sentences and avoid using "text speak" such as IMO and FYI.
This week, search YouTube for a musical performance featuring the instrument you play in class that you really enjoy. Some ideas are sonatas, concertos, and solo performances. If you play more than one instrument, choose whichever one you'd like. Copy the URL of your chosen video (click the share button under then video, then click copy) and paste the URL at the beginning of your comment. Then provide at least three reasons why you like this particular performance (complete sentences, please). Use academic language as much as you can. Spend some time watching the music chosen by your classmates and teachers. Unfortunately videos can not be embedded in blog comments so you will need to highlight and copy the URL of the video you want to watch, then paste it in the address bar of a tab in your browser. You will probably discover a new piece of music you enjoy or gain some newfound respect for the other instruments in our ensemble. Leave a comment on someone else's post telling them what you enjoyed about the video they posted. Have fun and happy listening!
https://youtu.be/xjhZhI2Zthg
ReplyDeleteI love how Adam Ben Ezra plays melody, a bass line, and percussion at the same time. I appreciate his innovative technique of using the double bass body as a percussion instrument, something not seen very often. The way he maintains a steady tempo throughout the performance demonstrates his command of the multiple techniques he is employing throughout the performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0u5xn6o-mM
ReplyDeleteI picked this video specifically because it features different members of the clarinet family. You can see the members playing two soprano Bb clarinets (that's what I play) as well as a bass clarinet and a basset horn. Although it's common to see bass clarinets nowadays, basset horns are very rare.
This piece was originally written for a full orchestra and featured a solo clarinet at the beginning. In this arrangement, all four members are playing the solo together, including the famous clarinet glissando, which sounds like the clarinets are sliding between their notes, like a trombone might do.
I love that this group is able to stay together through tempo changes even without a conductor. They probably have practiced this piece together a lot!