Secrets of the School Band Pt 1. - Brass Section

Following on from last week, this week we are going to take a look at the School Band.

School Band - Photo by CopaDave on Visual hunt / CC BY-ND

The Band is made up of Brass & Woodwind instruments, and this week we will start by having a look at the Brass Section.

Brass Section - Photo by Phil Roeder on Visualhunt.com / CC BY

Now, forgive me if I start gushing, because this is my favourite bit. I was a brass player myself a million years ago, and the beauty in the sound of a group of well tuned, well played brass instruments in second to none - imho.

Trumpet player - Photo on Visualhunt.com

One of the great things about Brass instruments, is that all of them - except the enigmatic Trombone - are played exactly the same way, with a buzzing mouthpiece, and three buttoned valves that lengthen and shorten the tube, thus changing the pitch and therefore the note being played. If you were like me as a child and thought you could only get three notes on a Trumpet, you are very wrong! The higher register is achieved by tightening the aperture  - which in the Brass section, is your lips - so the reason we look so impressed by Trumpet players hitting those really high notes is because it means they have really - really - strong lip muscles. And just like any other muscle, it needs to be exercised - it's better to do five minutes practice every day, than nothing for three days then an hour all at once. Ouch!

A Trombonist - Photo credit: rhwalker22 on Visualhunt.com /  CC BY

That enigmatic Trombone I mentioned has a slide instead of valves to change the length of the tube. This means two things: 1. you need longer arms to start on this baby, and 2. you can do an awesome party trick called a glissando - or gliss as the cool kids say - which is that long slidy note that goes from the bottom to the top in one smooth motion, the yyooooouuuuuUUUUPPPPP! This is what makes it so popular for so many different types of music. Every Trombone player I know is in at least three different bands. Choose this instrument and you will never be lonely!

Brass mouthpieces - Photo credit: ACE Foundation on Visual Hunt /  CC BY

So the thing that makes a Brass instrument a Brass instrument is the buzzing mouthpiece. It's a round cup shaped affair that you pop over your lips and blow a raspberry into. This is quite a feat, and takes practice to get it right. In the early years (and I know some professionals that still do this), it's not unusual to pop the mouthpiece into your pocket so you can sneak in a few minutes of practice during the day as you go about your routine. Also, the bigger the instrument the bigger the mouthpiece, and to an extent, the easier it is to get a sound out of. My first performance on the Trumpet (the smallest mouthpiece of the Brass family) was quite a long set, and left my lips swollen and bleeding. The conductor mentioned to me that maybe I'd be better off switching to a larger instrument for a while, as the mouthpiece wouldn't hurt me so much. I moved down to a Tenor Horn, and have never looked back. (The Tenor Horn is popular in traditional Brass Bands, but not in common use in school bands. The mouthpiece is the same size as the Trombone, so the next size down from the Trumpet is the Trom).

A Euphonium - Photo credit: Vater_fotografo on Visual Hunt /  CC BY-SA

So after the Trumpet and the Trombone, the next biggest instrument in the school Brass Section is either a Baritone Horn or a Euphonium, or in some cases, both. They are of similar size and shape, the difference being that the Eupho has a conical bore and the Bari has a straight bore. That might sound like a bit of a bore to you :P But the point of the matter is that the Baritone gives a sharper sound and the Eupho is a warmer tone. "Euphonium" is Greek for "beautiful sound" - and oh, it is.

The Tuba - Photo credit: usarmyband on VisualHunt /  CC BY

Heading in size order, the big boy of the band is the Tuba. You have to be pretty tough to play this baby. Simply holding it is a feat in itself. And you need a powerful set of lungs to push enough air through to get the big booming "BOOP" that it's famous for. The equivalent of the bass guitar in a rock band, it lays down the foundation for the music, and adds substance. And looks nice and shiny in the process!

French Horns - Photo credit: slgckgc on VisualHunt.com /  CC BY

The one-member-of-the-family-that-always-has-to-be-different of the Brass Section is the French Horn. Similar principles to  the rest of the family - buzzing mouthpiece and three valves - but the mouthpiece is more like a cone than a cup (I've never tried one, but it looks ouch!), and keys instead of buttons. It also looks different, being very decoratively arranged in a circular shape. The pay off for all this is that is sounds AH-MAAAH-ZING. If the Euphonium is "Beautiful", then the French Horn must be "GORGEOUS".

Photo credit: TheodoreWLee on Visualhunt /  CC BY-ND

At the end of the day, the choice to play a Brass instrument is something that will set you up for the rest of your life. Learn one, you've automatically learnt them all. Play literally any genre of music you can think of, and sounds awesome while you're doing it. Low maintenance, cheap to run (really the only ongoing accessory you need is valve oil), lightweight and something you can carry with you everywhere (well the smaller members of the family at least - not many people could pop a Tuba in their handbag!) - and the age old tradition of Brass Bands that I hinted at earlier (go Google it now - I'll wait!) is still alive and well in every city - so your social life will thank you. Now I may be biased, but I think little Johnny coming home and saying he's just joined the School Music Program and wants to play Trumpet (or Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium, French Horn or even Tuba) would be music to my ears - literally :)

The Music Spot display table at a School presentation night

And we at The Music Spot know that journey very well, so we have made it very easy for you to get all the accessories you need, in one convenient package. We also have the books that each school requires, and stands to put then on, and expert advice if you are feeling overwhelmed at beginning this exciting journey. Come and have a look at our Brass Cabinet today!

Secrets of the School Orchestra

Has your child been chosen to do music at school this year?

First of all, congratulations! And second, this is a wonderful journey that will benefit your child - and all those around them - for years to come. And there's no rule that says only children can learn these instruments - they can be a fulfilling part of life for people of any age. So let's take a closer look at some of the ins and outs of the School Instrumental Music Program - this week we'll have a look at the Orchestra.

Photo by woodleywonderworks on Visualhunt / CC BY

The Orchestra is made up of stringed instruments - Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass. You might recognise these as the instruments that send chills up your spine in scary movies, or make you cry in rom-coms, or generally just move your emotions in whichever way they want you to go. The string section is always in demand, and a Violin can make rock, pop, hip hop, jazz - anything you can think of - as well as classical music.

 Photo by Mathias Gawlista on Visual hunt / CC BY

So the Violin is the smallest of the String Family, and the most popular - the school orchestra will have lots more Violins than Violas, Cellos and Basses. Violins are played by holding the instrument on your shoulder under your chin, holding down strings with fingers on your left hand and sweeping a bow across the strings with your right hand. The bow is made of horsehair, so to get it to grip the strings enough to cause the vibration that makes the sound, you will need to purchase rosin. To get it sitting right on your shoulder, you will need to purchase a shoulder rest. The Violin usually comes with a case and a bow, so those are really all you need to get playing.

Photo by Joni.Maccheroni on Visual hunt / CC BY-ND

The Viola is slightly bigger than the Violin, and just to be different - very different - it uses the Alto Clef. That's a weird kind of clef in between the Treble and Bass clef, so the bad news is that you would need to learn a different clef if you wanted to play any other instrument. The good news is that not many people choose to take this challenge - so if you become a reasonably good Viola player, you will be well sort after - much less competition than for Violin. Like the Violin, you need rosin and a shoulder rest, and they usually come with a case and bow.

Photo by limaoscarjuliet on Visualhunt.com / CC BY

The next biggest is the Cello. This is a sit-down-type affair, typically played by sitting in a chair and holding the instrument in front of you. They make beautiful deep, soulful music that can really stir the emotions. Like all string instruments, rosin is a requirement, but you don't need a shoulder rest for this one - rather, you will need a small black rubber thingy to stop it sliding all over the floor while you're trying to play. Called a rubber stop, end pin holder or even black hole, they go by many names but serve a simple, but essential, function.

Photo by garryknight on Visual hunt / CC BY

The big boy of the family is the Double Bass, also known as String Bass and Upright Bass. Played standing up and either plucked like a Guitar or bowed like a Violin, these guys are synonymous with jazz, blues, drum-and-bass, all kinds of cool music. Like all the others in the string family, they come typically come with a case and bow, but like the Cello you will need to purchase rosin and a rubber stop.

If your child is doing Orchestra at school, they will be instructed to purchase a book and music stand, along with the aforementioned accessories. We also have spare strings for each instrument.

Our Orchestral Instruments cabinet

At The Music Spot we have been looking after local schools for over 25 years now, and understand the needs of new students very well. If you need any instruments, accessories, books, service or advice, pop into the shop at 129 Browns Plains Rd, Browns Plains QLD, or give us a call on 07 3800 5229, text on 0411 088 440, or email on info@musicspot.com.au and we will help you with all your music needs.

And remember: it's never too late to learn, if you would like to embark on this magical journey yourself ;)


PS. Tune in next week to explore some of the other instruments that are played at school!

8 New Years Resolutions You Should NEVER Make

Two more days till New Years! Almost time to dust off the scales and/or call Quitline right?

Well losing weight and quitting smoking are the two biggest New Years Resolutions every year, and if you can carry them through the year, good on you! But each year in the Music game, people set themselves up to fall time and again, and then get themselves in a bad energy place that has a flow on effect to their creativity. We are here to help you get out of that place before you get in!

1. This year I'm going to "make it", or I'm out.

This cuts right to the crux of the matter right here. Why are you playing music? Do you have a yearning in your heart to share your craft with others, for their enjoyment, because you have this burning passion and you have to let it out or you will explode? Or are you trying to gain the approval and love of a screaming audience of teenage girls to make up for the validation you missed out on as a child?

Please note, I am in no way a psychologist here. Just a "failed" muso that gets it ;)

Anyways, if the former, like Taylor Swift says "it's like I got this music in my mind saying it's gonna be alright". Just play. Create. Perform. And the rest will sort itself out.

If the latter, sit yourself down and have a little chat with yourself. Why do you want to "make it"? What does  "making it" look like to you? Is this really the best way to go about that?

Because music is meant to be balm for the soul, not a cross to have to bear. Let it heal you. And then let the passion take over from there.

2. This year I'm going to practice EVERY DAY!

Are you really? I've done this one so many years in a row I could write a book on it. And you know what happens? Life. Life has a habit of not running to schedule, and things come up, and get in the way, and your daily practice time gets eaten into. Then the inevitable cloud of "gah I didn't do my half hour yesterday, I'd better do an hour today" turns into "I'm so tired, I can't be bothered doing a whole hour" which turns into "grr I have to go practice my stupid instrument. I hate this thing. I hate music." And that's not what we're trying to achieve here, is it?

The trick is to only play (yes, "play", not  "practice") while it's still fun. By all means get the scales in. Just do some fun songs in between. If you don't love it, you'll leave.

But yeah, try to do a little bit every day - even if it's just that one riff you can't get out of your head.

3. This year my band is going to get famous, or I'm going to quit and find another band / pursue a solo career.

Ok hold on a minute here Beyonce. First, if you're only in this game to get famous, re-read Resolution #1.

Second, ever wondered why they call it a "band"? You're banded together, a band of brothers-from-other-mothers, a family forged in the fires of creativity. You've decided at some point that this motley crew is the group you want to play with. For whatever reason. Playing music is about giving a little part of yourself to the world, sending it out to go where it wants and do what it will. Giving, not taking. If you're thinking the above resolution, then you've got the mindset all wrong - you should be asking yourself what you can give to this band, not what you can take from it. Otherwise, maybe you should pursue that solo career - because your bandmates deserve better.

Thirdly - if your band is not "making it" they way you would like - maybe the problem is you? Check your own "Communication & Contribution", see if that could be improved, before you start blaming the others for holding you back.

4. This year I'm going to record an album!

Whoa nelly. Have you recorded albums before? Have you recorded a bunch of singles and have enough to piece together in an album? Have you got a long enough back catalogue to start recording these songs? Enough brilliant (not good, not great - jaw-droppingly brilliant) songs written and practiced to perfection? Have you got eight months and around $15,000?

No?

How about we stick with the old "keep it achievable and measurable" adage, and aim for a single instead?

There's nothing wrong with that - full length albums are really more of a last-century thing anyway, with the advent of streaming. If you can write and record an amazing, brilliant, omg-stop-everything-and-listen-to-this song, then you can shop that to promoters, radio stations, maybe even make a video and get it on someone's Rage guest selection.

Or just chuck it up on SoundCloud and YouTube and wait to be discovered. Look what happened to Justin Beiber (no really). Or just make an amazing song so you can listen to it and know that you have created something beautiful that will live on and bring joy to people.

The point is, don't set your goals too high, and then beat yourself up for not achieving them. Start with baby steps - and most importantly, love every second of it. If you're not loving it, find out why, and fix it so you do love it.

5. This year I'm going on tour!

Same thing here. There's tours and there's tours - book a string of local pubs up and down the coast, or book out arenas across the European capital cities. Only you know where you're at in your musical career - and where you want to be, for that matter - so keep it achievable. Something nice, a step in the right direction, the kind of thing that will make you feel proud of doing - but not something so out there that you will knock yourself out for not getting anywhere near it. 

I just spoke to a friend whom I consider incredibly successful, who has just returned from another overseas tour where he was playing large venues in capital cities across Europe, only to come home and have to go back to his nine to five and save up for his next amplifier. There's no money in metal, he told me. I saw his Instagram photos of screaming fans and merch selling out and his band looking amazing on stage - not to mention I can hear how amazing their music sounds - but the main reason they are doing this crazy life, is because they love it. They shoot out amazing energy on stage because each of them loves what they do - which is why they go back to their nine to fives so they can do it all again. These guys are tight. This is what you play music for. Not for the money.

You make the money so you can play the music, not the other way around.

6. This year I'm getting out of my bedroom and joining a real live band!

Photo by VisualHunt Evil Erin

Now, there's nothing wrong with this one, per se. If you've been spending your life being a rock star behind closed doors and Introvert McIntrovert Face as soon as a human appears, maybe it is time to get out of your comfort zone and get some personal growth happening. But there are two potential areas where one could come unstuck:

First - are you actually a rock star behind closed doors? Or are you one of those people that get put on the clip reel of Idol audition shows who make people jam their fingers in their ears? Just to be sure, this is probably the best time to get a few lessons. Doesn't matter if you've picked up a guitar at a garage sale last month, or you've been shredding the fretboard for a decade - everyone could use a couple of lessons every now and then, just to keep themselves on the right track. Even the greats still have coaches they call on to keep themselves in top performing condition. You're not saying you're better than them are you?

Second, (and this one is much easier to fix), joining a "real live band" is no longer the only ticket to successville, like it was back in my day. You youngsters now have these gadgets called computers and this amazing thing called the internet. It's easier than ever to get the creativity out of your heart and into someone's ears. And if it's burning bright enough in there, you will find the way - go take a few computer or sound engineering classes if you need to. Save up to buy the equipment. There's nothing wrong with being a recording artist, as opposed to a performing artist, these days. It's just another creative outlet, and some people are better suited to that outlet than to others.

Again, make it realistic and achievable, and don't beat yourself up if you don't get it. There's more than one way to the shop if you want a sausage roll!

7. At least 30% of my time this year is going to go to marketing my music.

Well I'm glad you have the kind of life where you can draw up a spreadsheet and divvy up your time like that. Like Resolution #2, sometimes you just have to realise that life will get in the way, things will come up, and you just have to roll with the punches. Some days you won't have time to do anything. And that's ok! Like the rich say, work smarter, not harder. Find the most effective channel for your marketing, and focus on that. There's no point spending hours on something that no one is going to see. Do some research first.

And again, make sure you are spending the biggest part of your day doing what you love, not chaining yourself to a schedule that will make your passion become a ball and chain. They say never make your hobby into your career. This is why.

Roll with the punches, and always bounce back. You should be making music first, marketing it second.

8. This year, I'm going to meet my hero, and he/she/zie will light a fire under me and push me to that next level. Or better yet, discover me and ask me to go on tour with them.

This can be the biggest game changer of them all. First, we can't all be Ed Sheeran. And second, not all our heros are Taylor Swift.

We've all read the interviews about Dave Sabo going to his first KISS concert and having his course in life set that night. We've all felt the energy our favourite artists exude form onstage and thought if we can just get a bit closer, we will be able to catch what they've got, like success is a virus and we just need to get infected. And yes, in some rare cases (like the abovementioned Mr Sheeran), it does happen. Meeting your hero can be the best thing that ever happened to you.

But (unfortunately more often than not), you will meet your childhood hero and discover that they are just a regular human being, no super powers, their own problems to figure out, and worst of all, they don't have all the answers, and in some cases, if they did they wouldn't give them to you.

I've seen people crushed from meeting their heroes and being so disappointed in what these people actually are, that that have given up on their own dreams of musical success. They've been flattened by the discovery that the magical person who wrote those special words and sings them just for them, is actually paying someone else to write the words, sings them in order to get paid, and doesn't care a damn about the fans that pay their hard earned money for their art.

So moral of the story - don't ever give someone else the power to direct your course in life. It's fine to be inspired by the success of others, and to want to emulate them, but at the end of the day, you are the one that is going to live your life, no one else. Live it for you.

Play. Create. Perform.

Merry Christmas from The Music Spot!

It's CHRISTMAS!!!!!

It's CHRISTMAS already! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I hope you have got all your presents organised - if not, we are open all the way up to Christmas - 9am to 5:30pm today (Friday), 9am to 4pm Saturday, and 10am to 3pm Sunday. 

And we still have lots of stocking stuffers, as well as really awesome big gifts, left for you to grab!

All this and much more!

If all your gifts are taken care of and your turkey is stuffed and your pudding is plumbed, then we hope you get to sit back and relax and enjoy a wonderful Christmas time with your loved ones, and reflect on a great year while looking forward to a new one!

We will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, but will reopen on Wednesday 27th December, and be here all week. So if you would like to escape the heatwave, pop on in and enjoy our air con!

Merry Christmas gang!

Give the gift of Music this Christmas!

Well we decided doing two catalogue sales at once this year just wasn't enough - so we are also launching another!

Some great gift ideas for Guitarists

Welcome to the Music Spot Christmas Catalogue! We have great deals across all departments to ensure you can find exactly what you need, no matter who you are buying for.

..and some great gift ideas for Drummers too!

If you are looking for something special for someone who has always been interested in playing Guitar, you can't go past the Fender Squier Packs - everything you need to start playing, in one box. Or if you already have a guitarist in your family, you can always top up the stockings with strings, collector's picks, care accessories - you name it, we have it!

And drummers don't miss out either - lots of colourful percussion options as well as kits to suit any budget, including electronic kits so you don't annoy the neighbours!

 - and everyone else in your family!

If you're a ukulele-sing-along-around-the-bbq type of family, we've got you covered with the gorgeous Mahalo patterned Ukes, Smiley Art Series ukes or the solid dependable R series. And we have Harmonicas, care products, mics, tuners, headphones - gifts for everyone you know :)

We have only NINE DAYS till Christmas! And we are making it easy for you by being open EVERY DAY till then - 9am to 5:30pm weekdays, 9am to 4pm Saturdays and 10am to 3pm Sundays - so you have no excuse to not have everything covered in time! Come down to 129 Browns Plains Rd, Browns Plains to check out our great range, or call us on 07 3800 5229 or text 0411 088 440 to check that your favourite item is still here - they are flying off the shelves these days. See you soon!

All I Want For Christmas Is..

We are really getting into the Christmas Spirit here at The Music Spot! Might have something to do with all this tinsel.. or it could be all the excited faces coming in and getting things they know their loved ones will enjoy unwrapping on the big day. We know of LOTS of families that are going to have a very exciting Christmas! So what have you got planned for yours?

We are brimming with gift ideas for all budgets!

I thought I'd ask the Team what they would personally want for Christmas, you know, in case Santa reads my blog.

It was perhaps no surprise that Dave, guitar extraordinaire and now amazingly talented drummer, went straight to the drum department. He alighted on this gorgeous acrylic snare from the DW Performance Series.

Quality clear as a bell

I asked him why. He looked at me like I was crazy; isn't it obvious? Apart from the amazing sound, this snare is a brilliant alternative to the standard timbers, in seamless acrylic. You have to look good while you sound good, right?

Next up was Johnny. He's a guitarist at heart, so he headed for this Ibanez Jem77 - of course. 

Johnny's found his perfect present

Why does he loves this? It's a limited edition Steve Vai signature model, there's not many of these in the country. And we all know Johnny loves being special ;) Plus the Dimarzio Dark Matter II Humbuckers make for an amazing sound. 

Even our office assistant Tamara got in on this. She's a brass player, but she's always wanted a flute - and went straight for the Yamaha 212. 

Tamara wants a flute for Christmas

Why, we asked? Because it's the best, of course - if you're going to get me a present, I want the best! 

Can't argue with logic like that ;) Tamara's been playing Yamaha instruments since she was four years old, so she know's she's going to get quality, with a great sound, and easy playability. Something to treasure for a long time to come.

Have you found your loved one's perfect Christmas gift yet? If not, there's still time! Come into our Browns Plains superstore and let us help you create the perfect Christmas this year! We are open every day from now till Christmas!

The Sounds of Summer Are Here!

Summer is finally here! And to celebrate, we are having an awesome Sounds Of Summer Catalogue Sale. You can check out all the great deals here!

With great brands on board like Fender, Yamaha, PDP, Ibanez, Maton, and Tanglewood, you are sure to find something you like!

Lots of quality Acoustic and Electric Guitars at great prices..

And ukuleles - perfect for Christmas!

Speaking of Christmas, there are lots of stocking stuffers here!

And gift ideas for everyone, no matter what their interest..

..or even just something for yourself ;)

Imagine what you could make with these babies!

This catalogue has something for everyone, so if you haven't got your copy in the mailbox, come instore and grab one, so check out the website for these great deals today!