MAKE A BETTER BAND - CONFERENCE

Hi all, we had our first meeting of the (make the band better) virtual rehearsal. In attendance were JJ, Randy, Aliyah and yours truly Brad Davis. We met online, with an application known as zoom. This application works well on apple and android. Special thanks to Mark B. and JJ who suggested this application, we were going to do a sectional for New horizons big band of Tualatan however the audio portion presented pitch and tempo challenges. We all decided that due to these limitations the virtual rehearsal would be better suited to address more cerebral aspects of making music rather than an actual performance. We talked Trumpet warm ups, peddle tones, range building. I must say I really enjoyed the virtual rehearsal. It was great to see and talk music with you guys. I hope Both bands will participate in future virtual rehearsals. Please see Suzanne’s email regarding these virtual rehearsals. We ask that you suggest topics and subjects related to the band and we will hone in on these specific topics for the V. R.

BRAD DAVIS

note from Suzanne:
Everyone interested - download the zoom app.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------email to band 3/16/20

WEEKLY CONFERENCE/MAKE A BETTER BAND

Starting as soon as this week, we will initiate a FREE weekly get together via Video conferencing (zoom or ??) or our blog.  Details are being worked out now.

We want to keep connected as a group.  We value your participation in our NHBB organization and we want to keep your interest up while we are all adjusting to our different way of life – whether it be weeks or months.

We want to touch on topics that would be of interest to you and start a conversation where you will have opportunity for input as well as presentation by Brad. When you have suggestions and input it spurs other people’s thinking and more questions and answers will come.

PLEASE SEND ANY IDEAS FOR TOPICS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE US COVER.

Possible suggestions:

• Intonation
• Why practice
• Improvisation – the value of knowing all your scales
• History of Big Bands
• The influence of big band leaders and arrangers on Big Band Jazz (Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Ellington, L Neihaus,  etc)
• The influence of big band leaders on dance/socializing in the 40’s (Glenn Miller, Dorseys, Harry James)
• The effects of music on the brain
• How did classical music affect big band music – examples:
• If I wanted to write my own song, what theory rules would I need to observe
• What makes a good arrangement that is playable and pleasing to the public?