Teaching

As you know I’m naming the jazz band I’ve formed at the school I peri. It’s more difficult that you would think. If anyone has any ideas let me know.

I’m leaning towards a suggestion by one of my army; ”The Off Beats”.

One of the kids wants King Kiaser and the Crochet Crew ?! - I don’t think it’ll stick.

It’s still awsome to see 7-11 year olds playing So What and actually starting to make a grove out of it. I’ll no doubt post an audio recording at some stage.

James is my top pupil and I found out the other day he was the feature when a camera crew came into school. (He neglected to tell me this himself, instead I heard it from the head of music) Follow this link and have a listen to him playing Andante and Allegro at the age of 12.

James Trumpet Clip

James has currently received his second music scholarship and awarded his place in the NCO (National Children’s Orchestra) for the second year running. We are currently working towards his grade 8 and I think he’ll get it before the end of the year.

Living in Liverpool is great at the moment but it does mean I have to drive 112 miles to get to gigs and teaching in Birmingham. Thank god for gadgets and audio to keep me sane.

For example tom tom, blue tooth hands free, ipods, podcasts and for the early morning drives The Chris Moyles Show.

I’m looking forward to my MOT next week to find the tole this excess milage has taken on my car.

I have to say that the personnel I was given is a surprise; four trumpets, three sax’s, a flute, kit player with promise of pianist and TWO BASS players.

Playing will always come first to me and I’m happy to add that I’m not even a little tempted by the income that peri teaching brings (which is a surprise) but I love the way I have my teaching. Enough to keep me ticking over and enough to be passionate about it and get some quality from the kids. Plus it’s a great laugh.

I’m sure that my Army/Big Band will be just has much fun.

Infact I’ve spent this evening arranging ‘So What’ for my double bass’s - Not the Big Wooden thing - rather my two individual bass players.

I can’t wait to hear them play Miles Davis next week!!

Tomorrow I start my first Big Band with pupils from the school I work at. Of course the trumpet section is made up of my pupils but it’s the first time that I’ve had a complete horn and rhythm section at my disposal!!

…I like to think of them as a small army…

Anyway, I spent most of the weekend arranging a Big Band piece, simplifying it for them and mixing some play along CD’s for them on my Macbook. So I’ll get to see how that goes down tomorrow.

It’s quite challenging stuff bearing in mind that they are between the age of 8 and 11 but have a look at the marks my last 10 year old got on his grade 4 and the age of my grade 8 student on my Tuition Page and you’ll see I like to challenge my pupils.

Of course there’s Plan B in the form of All Blues. Good Old Miles Davis!!

This is for 2 reasons.

First, I’m back!! and regular blogs are back to.

Second, I’ve had some great news on the teaching front.

Not only has my top pupil got into the the NCO (National Childrens Orchestra) for the second year in the row - getting 1 of only 6 places auditioned for in the whole country. But also that another pupil of mine achieved 140/150 in his grade 4 ABRSM exam.

Horray for blogging!!!

I finished my last day of teaching this year. Few.

My students are ace! I got cards and Christmas presents including two bottles of wine (very nice - although a little worried about where they got it form), gift voucher and a new tie. What more could a teacher want?

Those who know me might say, “but you don’t really like wine that much so surely that’s no use.” To them I say; NEY! For if decide I that I don’t fancy the wine they can be then recycled into out-going Christmas presents from me and therefore they are brilliant.

 Of course as one day ends another day closer to Eurobusk Dawns!!

The most important point for most trumpet players is: Hold the instrument up!!!!

Why do so many trumpet players lack the ability to hold the damn thing properly!!!

The answer; young trumpeters are taught by non-specialized teachers players. This is a subject that I could write pages about and am sure that one day I will. However, for today I will only lightly touch upon this subject.

Quite plainly (excluding those with extreme facial characteristics) the trumpet should be held at a near perfect 90 degree angle to the face.

This insures that the lip muscles are working together as a strong effective unit, that the diaphragmatic, intercostal and clavicular muscles are able to let you blow freely without fear or chop resistance.

These images display a cross-section of a flawed and a strong technique:

1) Poor Technique

2) Good Technique

When you use only part of your lip to form a note it is like trying to pick up a weight with your little finger rather than the entire arm. The results are a weak and feeble tone and even worse, a dangerous way of playing which could potentially damage your playing muscles irreparably.

So step 1 of becoming a strong trumpet player - Hold The Instrument Properly!!!