8th Grade Festival Perfomrance

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Since we missed so much school last week, I have modified last weeks blog for this week. Remember that practice logs are due on Wednesday!! You must have at least 160 minutes to get an A and it must be signed by a parent.

Btw your concert is in two weeks, ARE YOU READY? ARE WE READY?

Sunday, September 20, 2009

EQ: How do you learn a new piece of music?

I AM LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE OF PRACTICE AND WILL BE TAKING CONDUCT POINTS FOR THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE NOT PREPARED FOR CLASS!

Monday
: D Scale
--pay attention to finger patterns they are the difference between good intonation and bad intonation, Open String Warm-up, #6 Tone piece for a grade--balance and ensemble are our focus for this piece. You have all of the parts in front of you, how does your part fit? Dotted Quarter Notes in the Book--we took the pre-test and did not do so well so this week we will focus on how to count dotted quarter notes and read the road signs. Melody--Rites of tamburo excerpts and 1st violins play Symphony from measure 35-53.

Tuesday: D scale, Rhythm from Rites of Tamburo---see your warm-up. Dotted Quarter Notes in your Book---you play this for a grade tomorrow. Melody--Rite of Tamburo excerpts. Viola Hero from the beginning to the end---we have already learned the rhythm from this piece now all you must do is support the viola melody....what does this mean? 1st violins play Symphony from measures 35-53 and begin learning the end of Danny Rocks with Dr. K. Cellos how do you play quietly?

Wednesday: Open String Warm-up, Listening Log, D scale, Dotted Quarter Notes Post test---make sure you follow the road map and count all dotted quarter notes (1-2-3). You will be taking this by stands in small ensembles. Rites of Tamburo excerpts with cello/ bass accompaniment---guess what they play dotted quarter notes : ) 1st violins play Symphony from measures 35-53. Continue working on Viola Hero from 25 to the end....what special effects do we need for this piece!!!!

Thursday: Theory--play your chord progression for each other and be able to explain it. D scale and Rites of Tamburo---the major riff....all of our bows need to go the same direction and follow the articulation. Danny Rocks from the beginning through the time signature....focus on changing the changing timbres, how must you change your bow stroke, articulations, dynamics, and bow speed?

Friday: Test on Rites excerpts and Viola Hero as a class from beginning to the end. 1st violins will also play Symphony from measures 35-53.

Learning Goals:
  1. Viola Hero
  2. Rite of Tamburo main riff with appropriate articulations
  3. Have an understanding of how to create standard chord progressions
  4. Learn how to count dotted quarter notes

Sunday, September 13, 2009

EQ: How do you accompany/support the melody?

Monday: G Scale --pay attention to finger patterns they are the difference between good intonation and bad intonation, Open String Warm-up, #6 Tone piece--balance and ensemble are our focus for this piece. You have all of the parts in front of you, how does your part fit? Dotted Quarter Notes in the Book--we took the pre-test and did not do so well so this week we will focus on how to count dotted quarter notes and read the road signs. Rhythm--the Funk in Danny Rocks and opening Viola Hero rhythmic motif

Tuesday: G scale--using the rhythm from Viola Hero...make sure you are at the frog with a heavy rock stroke!!! Dotted Quarter Notes in the Book, Danny Rocks--the Funk for cello/ bass and the slide for 2nds and violas. What techniques are necessary to play in a rock style?

Wednesday: G scale (same as yesterday), Open String Warm-up, #6 Tone piece, Dotted Quarter Notes Post Test, Sectionals--violins, cello, and bass will play they Funk part in Danny Rocks. Violas are with MC learning Viola Hero from 28 to the end. You will have to play as a section the funk so make sure you are practicing efficiently during sectionals.

Thursday: G Scale---play using Viola Hero rhythm for a grade, Open String Warm-up, #6 Tone piece--play for a grade in small ensembles...I am listening for balance and ensemble (playing together in the same part of the bow using correct articulations). Danny Rocks--measure 76-84...how does this part change in character and how do we communicate that with our bows?

Friday: Test on Danny Rocks--measures 55-84. YOUR WARM-UP IS DUE!!!

Learning Goals:
1. G Scale--intonation and FINGER PATTERNS
2. Viola Hero Rhythm (measures 1-10 and 25-32)
3. #6 Tone piece with proper balance and ensemble (playing together in the same part of the bow using correct articulations)
4. Danny Rocks measures 55-84
5. Understanding of Dotted Quarter notes and how to read a musical road map