If you've been paying attention during rehearsal - you have been paying attention, haven't you?! - then you have definitely heard me talk about practicing with a metronome before. Today's practice tip involves a different way to keep a beat. If practicing with a metronome is getting kind of stale, try using a drum machine! There are many free web-based options available; one that I stumbled across is called "drumbit" found at https://drumbit.app/ You can set the tempo, create a tasty beat, and then get to practicing! The drum machine keeps the tempo but also gives you something a little spicier to listen to while working on your scales, long tones, or difficult parts of your band music. Dr. Beat was never so fun!  Yesterday during "Coffee with Ren" I suggested using backing tracks as you practice. Students in jazz have talked about this in rehearsal before, but the applications extend far beyond just playing the blues or working on improv. As an example, check out this pop/rock backing track in concert D major. These backing tracks do several different things as you practice.
I turned this on and was playing my concert D major scale. I started by playing half notes, quarters, and eighths, but then I started making up patterns. Here is a sample scale practice routine that you can try with this track: ⭐ Play the concert D major scale in half notes, up and down, repeating the top note.  ⭐ Next, play the same scale but this time in eighth notes. Always play with the beat.  ⭐ Now, make up your own rhythm patterns as you play along with the backing track.  ⭐ Finally, make up your own patterns of rhythms and notes. See if you can make it sound melodic, like someone is singing along with the backing track.
We call that improvisation. You are now an improviser. Go sign up for jazz band. Check here to make sure your name is on the State Hockey Pep Band roster. You will need to be signed in to your @chipfalls.org account. Things to Bring:
⚠️ What to wear? School spirit, hockey jersey/sweatshirts, etc - dress warm-ish. Crazy clothes are more of a basketball thing. ⚠️ The bus will not be stopping on the way down or the way back. Our timeline is very tight to be able to also play for the playoff basketball game. Plan accordingly. ⚠️ Percussion should all bring an instrument to use - cymbals, tambourines, extra bass drums, etc. Itinerary for Friday, March 67:30am
Ren arrives Load drumset, rug, stands, instruments 8:00am Bus leaves 11:00am Bus arrives in Madison Check in, security, unload, setup band ~12:15pm Game begins Pregame, National Anthem We will play during timeouts and during zamboni time ~2:30 Load the bus Depart for Chippewa ~6:00pm Bus arrives in Chippewa 6:40pm Pregame begins for PLAYOFF BASKETBALL! 🏀 |
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