SCORE STUDY ACTIVITIES:
- Review Bb transpositions
- Discuss and practice Eb transpositions
- Based on last week's video, identify sections in the music that need better clarity of gesture.
CONDUCTING PRACTICE:
- 2 conducting sessions of Student Conductor Piece
**Below are the answers from last week's Bb transposition exercises:
Most likely, the Eb transposing instruments in your Student Conductor piece are:
- Eb Clarinet
- Eb Alto Clarinet
- Alto Saxophone
- Baritone Saxophone
Since the Eb clarinet is pitched in Eb (and Eb is a minor 3rd above C), the composer counteracted that by writing their parts a minor 3rd below C. That way, the SOUND is in "concert pitch."
For example, when you see this note (WRITTEN for an Eb clarinet player)
it will SOUND this pitch:
(a minor 3rd above)
An abbreviated way of saying this is: "The Eb clarinet sounds a minor 3rd (m3) above written."
Below is an example with the SOUNDING notes written-in below each pitch. Remember, each sounding note is a minor 3rd (m3) above what is written.
Try one on your own. What would the sounding notes be for the following passage? (the first two notes are given)
**Play your sounding notes at the piano to check your work. (It should sound familiar)
For example when you see this note (written for either Eb Alto Clarinet or Alto Saxophone):
it will SOUND this pitch:
An abbreviated way of saying this is: "The Eb Alto clarinet and Alto Saxophone sound a Major 6th (M6) below written."
The Baritone Saxophone is also pitched in Eb, BUT sounds a Major 6th (M6) PLUS an octave below the written note. So, when you play these parts at the piano, you'll have to transpose down a Major 6th PLUS another octave. (Hint: this is still the same letter name as if you were to transpose up a minor 3rd -but it is 2 octaves lower)
For example when you see this note (written for either Baritone Saxophone):
it will sound this pitch:
Below are 4 brief melodies to practice your Eb transpositions. (Answers are on WEEK 6).
Score Study
After reviewing the video from last week, are there areas in need of better clarity in your gesture? Did the ensemble react to your preparatory gestures appropriately? Are you gesturing fermatas appropriately? Are there any musical lines that are in need of more attention (through gesture - not talking)? Is there a need for additional cues? Are you hearing each line in the music? Go through your score and mark as appropriate to assist you during your next conducting session.
Conducting Practice:
**Continue to practice your conducting technique using the conducting exercises from the previous weeks, conducting exercises you've written, and conducting exercises you've acquired from other sources.
Ask your band director if you can schedule 2 conducting sessions this week - preferably one early in the week and one later in the week.
Before each session:
- thoroughly review your score
- know what each instrument is doing at all times
- review any markings you've made
- sing and play through melodic lines at the piano
- sing and count through any complicated rhythms
- practice conducting through the piece ensuring that all gestures are clear, tempo is appropriate, etc
- review video and take notes critiquing your conducting
Journal Reflection:
Are you comfortable with the basic concepts of Eb transpositions? Are you more comfortable conducting the band? After reviewing your most current conducting video(s), what improvements can you make to be more clear and convey the music more accurately?
