Category: Personal Development

Yesterday, I participated in one of the greatest and most traditional of Banding events. The Whitsun Friday Marches. (the whits) I played euphonium with my Girlfriends Brass Band (Towcester Studio Band)

It is a most endearing festival which encourages Brass Bands of. All standards from all over the country, and sometimes, even Europe. During the whits – bands travel from village to village in the Manchester/Oldham area. From here, the bands will engage in a brief march from where they are taken to a nearby stage area. It is on the stage area where the band are adjudicated playing a March of the conductors choosing.

During Delph, one of the villages we visited, the heavens opened just as we formed up. In true Banding spirit the drums sounded and the band marched on. As the band marched on the rain never let off. It could have been a scene from an amazonian documentary. The spectators applauded and cheered and even the stewards expressed their enjoyment and support for this bands sheer dedication to their art and passion.

If that wasn’t enough to highlight what being a bandsman is all about, our coach broke down in Dobcross so the band decided this would not ruin their day out. So the drinks flowed and we stuck it out listening and supporting all the other bands as they marched and played. One band we saw consisted of a 25 strong contingent of no more than 12 year olds. Each of them playing the march without any music and by memory. The sound they made was beyond admirable! They departed their formation to the most ruptuous applause I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing at the whits. They were not the only group of youths to perform as we followed students of a county music service. All of who show so much promise for the next generation of banders.

During the course of our outing a drama occurred where one of the horn players had a domestic dispute which triggered a harmful psychological response. However, as being part of a band, I witnessed the true power of the comradery that stems from being a bandsman.

If I learned anything from my experience playing at the whits it is that there is such a fruitful abundance of life skills and experiences that can only be accessed through playing in a band of a tight cohesion. The ability to work as a team and pull through whatever is thrown at us, is such a reason that the financial abandonment of music services by the British Government is destined to create more harm than good.

Yesterday I had a very productive video call with my tutor. I discussed what I had completed of the course and asked some questions regarding my concerns. My first deadline is now set and I am looking forward to working on it.

One thing my lecturer mentioned is that I can utilise the opportunity of the small projects to really experiment with sound. Write what I like about my composition and what I don’t like about it. He mentioned that if I compose something I don’t like that is okay and that I should say why I don’t like it. Food for thought! maybe I can compose something really quirky?!

I fully understand the need to develop a detailed understanding of rhythm but I do look forward to the further parts in the course where I can experiment with harmonies as well! I find that working with just percussion can be quite limiting but maybe that is more of a reflection of a weaker area of mine and my lack of percussion knowledge!

Today, I read over one of the learning resources provided by the O.C.A. entitled “making notes on listening to classical music”. The reason for my doing this is that its been a long time since I have had to take written notes on music. My main concern is that i will need to rebuild my critical listening skills.

I found the step by step guide on listening most useful as it breaks down the process in to east to manage chunks. This gives me an idea of how to format my page;

First, I need to analyse the basics. What instruments can I hear? What is the tempo? Is the harmony consonant or dissonant? How clairvoyant is the message of the piece of music i am listening to. What are my opinions on what I am hearing?

The next step is to think about the personal experience that I encounter as I listen to the music. I.E. how does the piece effect my emotions or what images develop as the piece progresses?

Thirdly I have to pay attention to the technical aspect of the piece of music. This is where, without a score, I may struggle until a re-build my critical listening skills. I aim to develop my ear as it will help when I conduct my band or when I perform on my own instrument. The technical aspects which I will need to understand include;

• What is the main Melody line?
• How is this piece structured?
• How are the instruments used? (what does it represent)
• Are there any solo lines or key instruments?
• How often do the Harmonies change?
• How are the chords voiced? (inversions? suspensions or resolutions?)
• How is dissonance used in the piece?

My next step is to think about who the audience of the time would have been. Where would the piece have been performed? who would perform the piece? I then have to compare the music to a modern day performance. After these steps, I can form my own opinions IE what I like and dislike.

The next step is then to talk about other works including influences on other composers & comparison to their work. Can the message of the music be heard? Is there a political agenda to the composition or does it create a picture of any sort? Can I hear any influences from other pieces and styles of music?

After I have noted these factors, I need to analyse my own opinions. Have they changed? did I miss any detail(s) that I now understand? Can the experience help me analyse other works of the same composer. Has the music left a lasting impression on me?

After having read this material I now feel more capable of critically listening and analysing the music. Through reading the music notes and reflecting on them, I have realised some of my strengths and weaknesses. I can identify key instruments well and I feel I have a competent understanding of the relationship of harmony, but, I struggle when I have to analyse the extremely subtle parts of the technical aspects of an advanced score. This is a skill that I aim to develop as the course progresses.