Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introducing Balance
§ McBeth Sound Pyramid
§ Inverted pyramid to demonstrate incorrect balance
§ Listening down to the lowest voice in your family
If you still hear yourself and you made the adjustment in #1:
2. You are playing with poor tone quality! Make the necessary adjustments (embouchure,
breath support, posture, reed, etc.).
If you still hear yourself and you made the adjustments in #1 and #2, then:
3. You are playing out of tune! Make the necessary adjusting by extending or shortening
the length of your instrument.
Caitlin Ramsey, the director of bands at Cape Elizabeth Middle School, holds undergraduate degrees in horn performance and music education
from Miami University as well as a Masters of Music from Kent State University. Additionally, as a Maine Arts Teaching Fellow, Ms. Ramsey
studied conducting at the New England Conservatory of Music in the summer of 2009. For the past fifteen years, she has been an active
adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor throughout the state of Maine. Outside of school, Caitlin performs with the Bayside Brass and Dirigo
Winds. She lives in Portland with her husband Tim, the band director at Gorham High School.
Recommended Warm Ups
Breathing Exercises
Air & Pulse/Rhythm
Resource: Sam Pilafian/Patrick Sheridan’s Breathing Gym
Remmingtons
Air, Tone, Intonation, Flexibility
Resource: Foundations for Superior Performance: Page 4, Long Tone 1: 1a
Warm Up Sets
Flexibility, Technique, Pulse/Rhythm
Resource: Foundations for Superior Performance: Page 6, Warm Up Set 1
Setting Rehearsal Priorities packet: Pages 11-12
Rhythm Training
Pulse/Rhythm
Resource: Winds Basic Training for Concert Band
Hum/Sing/Buzz/Play
Intonation
Resource: Beth Bronk: http://apps.texasbandmasters.org/archives/pdfs/bmr/2010-12-bronk.pdf
Chorales
Balance/Blend, Intonation, Phrasing
Resource: Bach and Before for Band
Thank You!
Neil A. Kjos Music * Alfred Music * Bravo Music * CEMS Parent Chaperones * Cape Elizabeth Music Boosters
* Cape Elizabeth Middle School Parents Association * Troy Eastman, CEMS principal * Chris White