Page 6 - 2019 BMR April

A Band Director’s Toolbox

IMPROVE STYLE can still be heard and “F/FF” as full and urgent. Understand
Playing with proper style asked by the composer and the classic pyramid of sound and find fundamentals that
or reflected by the conductor should be guided by a are built around this concept of bottom to top. Have
simple system of articulation. I observed one of many students listen to recordings of the top professionals on
demonstration groups use vocalization and develop a their instruments and great wind band recordings as
vocabulary for their band when they see a musical assignments. This idea came from a past honor band
marking. For example, if they see a “– “use DOO, “>” use director winner.
DAH, “^ or .” use DIH and so on but stick to it. Students
should be able to explain simple terms like legato, marcato, IMPROVE PHRASING

and staccato and what they will do musically/physically A TBA Featured Clinician reinforced having students
to demonstrate those concepts. Work all fundamentals mark every breathing place. Apply staggered breathing
in various styles. So do a chorale one time smooth and between stand partners for long musical sentences using
connected and then immediately play it with accents. different colors. Use conducting techniques that fit the
Change style on your scales like ascending staccato and established phrase pattern. Seek ways to shape each phrase
descending legato. Make style second nature. by creating peaks and valleys or as simple as following the
contour of the line. Give special attention to the full value
IMPROVE INTONATION of sustained notes at phrase endings. Sizzle the phrases
Starting in 6th grade, a student must learn to listen, in one breath and once again seek fundamentals that are
evaluate and most importantly adjust correctly. A past similar in phrase lengths in the works you are performing.
Texas Bandmaster of the Year explained how to teach
critical listening and have students start to make the MARCHING BAND

intonation decision based on their ears and not just a I spent my entire career teaching marching band.
tuner. Teach the characteristic of each instrument and NEVER did I think when I started that an old man like me
learn all the alternate fingerings to adjust. Know how to would be teaching plies, Ronde de Jambes, or a full cardio
teach manipulation of pitch with the embouchure, oral stretch routine to train a musical athlete. At a TBA clinic,
cavity, breath support, and direction of air column on every I witnessed state champions at every level teach me how
instrument. Understand the chord tone roles of the root, to do those marching fundamentals, warm ups, rehearsal
3rd and 5th in all types of chords and how to adjust. Seek techniques for drill learning and yes…even a dance routine
technology that reinforces ear training and match pitch to teach movement to my band. I got to see the best in
with an accurate source. our nation demonstrate a fantastic guard and percussion
program including everything from design to budgets.
IMPROVE INDIVIDUAL AND ENSEMBLE TONE QUALITY Invest in yourself and you will continue to learn and
Understand the fantastic equipment (mouthpieces, grow as an educator. Keep building. Your tools will be
reeds, mallets, brands) being used by professionals and shiny and new and help you be a master carpenter of music
outstanding musical organizations that can help produce and your musical projects a source of pride and excellence
quality characteristic tone qualities on each instrument. for your community. I am honored to serve the Texas
Just walk the Exhibit Hall to experience this first-hand. Bandmasters Association. Join us in July. Bring your family
Ensemble tone quality is also impacted by dynamics so along and make this an annual journey to beautiful San
teach a simple approach to dynamics…especially with Antonio. My best to you as you finish another school year
young bands. Teach “MF” as normal, “P” as a whisper that and the wonderful work we have making music!

Bandmasters Review • April 2019 4 Texas Bandmasters Association