Ross Valley School District

5th Grade Brass Practice Blog

Practice: Prepare for Evening Concert on Feb 10 at White Hill Gym, 7pm

Posted by Pete Santucci on 1/9/2020

Homework: Practice for Concert at least 30 minutes per week outside of school. Remember to get your parent's initials!

Reminder!!!!!
Monday, February 10, Evening Winter Concert in White Hill Gym
(all schools will play together):
5th GRADE CLARINET, FLUTE, TRUMPET, and TROMBONE (BAND) CONCERT - Monday, February 10th, 7:00-8:00pm in the White Hill Gym - Students should arrive at 6:30pm in performance attire (RVSD 5th Grade Music T-shirt with nice jeans or dark pants). This concert will also feature performances by the White Hill Symphonic Band and Jazz Band.

What to practice:

Song #30 London Bridge
Song #31 Mozart Melody (which is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star),
Song #57 Ode to Joy
Song #58 Hard Rock Blues
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Click here for a video of song #30 London Bridge (Trumpet & Trombone)
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Video help for #31: (You will have go forward near the end of the video to get to #31)
Click here for a trumpet video of songs #22, #25 and #31

Click here for a trombone video of songs #22, #25 and #31

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Trumpet video for Ode to Joy #57
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Trombone video for Ode to Joy #57

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Click here for a video of how the trumpet part & trombone parts both sound together on #57 Ode to Joy.

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Click here for a Trombone video of Hard Rock Blues #58

Click here for a Trumpet video of Hard Rock Blues #58

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Music Assembly Performance this Week at Holiday Sing-Along!

Posted by Pete Santucci on 12/16/2019

This week is our winter Holiday Sing-Along performance! See date and time below for each school.

Each group will perform a couple of songs at their school's daytime holiday sing-along assembly. Students may wear any nice Holiday-Themed clothes or hats they have. (Our purple shirts have not arrived yet, and will be for our evening concert on February 10.)

Daytime Winter Sing-Along Assembly in your own school’s Multipurpose Room
Wade Thomas Afternoon Assembly and Winter Sing-Along, Wednesday, December 18th, 12:55-1:40 pm
Brookside Morning Assembly and Winter Sing-Along, Thursday, December 19th, 11:15am-12:00 pm
Hidden Valley Afternoon Assembly and Winter Sing-Along, Thursday, December 19th, 12:50-1:35 pm
Manor Afternoon Assembly and Winter Sing-Along, Friday, December 20th, 1:05-1:50 pm

What to practice:

Song #22 Split Decision is a great song to practice your notes, and we will probably play it as a warm-up song at our upcoming performance.

Video help for #22:
Click here for a trumpet video of songs #22, #25 and #31

Click here for a trombone video of songs #22, #25 and #31

AND song #38, Jingle Bells.
(Use the "Notes in Review" at the top of page 6 if you forget any of your notes.)

Click here for a trumpet video of Jingle Bells and My Dreydl

Click here for a trombone video of Jingle Bells and My Dreydl

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If you want more challenges, you can also learn song #30 London Bridge and Song #31 Mozart Melody (which is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star), and #57 Ode to Joy.

February 10, Evening Winter Concert in White Hill Gym
(all schools will play together):
5th GRADE CLARINET, FLUTE, TRUMPET, and TROMBONE (BAND) CONCERT - Monday, February 10th, 7:00-8:00pm in the White Hill Gym - Students should arrive at 6:30pm in performance attire (RVSD 5th Grade Music T-shirt with nice jeans or dark pants). This concert will also feature performances by the White Hill Symphonic Band and Jazz Band.

Scroll down to previous weeks' blog posts for even more video help!!!

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5th grade music T-Shirt information

Posted by Pete Santucci on 12/1/2019

Music T-Shirt for 5th Grade Evening concert attire:
Please click here to purchase your child's music t-shirt
(Shirts will be delivered by the end of January, a few weeks before our evening concerts in February.)
T-SHIRT ORDERS are due by December 6th

Click HERE If you want to Print the t-shirt order form.

5th grade student musicians are asked to wear a 5th grade music t-shirt with jeans or dark pants for our evening concerts this year. The requested donation is $10 per shirt.

PLEASE NOTE: The shirt design is the same as previous years. If your child is going to wear a purple music t-shirt that has been handed down by an older sibling or neighbor, please email Pete Santucci to let him know you do not need to purchase one. Thanks!
psantucci@rossvalleyschools.org

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Week 11, Week 12, Week 13 Brass homework: Holiday Sing-Along performance preparations! Get ready!

Posted by Pete Santucci on 11/17/2019

Time to get ready for our winter Holiday Sing-Along performance!
Each group will perform a couple of songs at their school's daytime holiday sing-along assembly.

Please take a moment to add the applicable dates to your calendar now!
All fifth grade music classes will be performing in their own multipurpose room for a brief “work-in-progress” demonstration during their own school’s Winter Sing-Along Assembly in December. In addition, each 5th grade student will perform at an Evening Concert in February in the White Hill Middle School Gym.

Daytime Winter Sing-Along Assembly in your own school’s Multipurpose Room

Wednesday, December 18th, 12:55-1:40 pm - Wade Thomas Afternoon Assembly and Winter Sing-Along
Thursday, December 19th, 11:15am-12:00 pm - Brookside Morning Assembly and Winter Sing-Along
Thursday, December 19th, 12:50-1:35 pm - Hidden Valley Afternoon Assembly and Winter Sing-Along
Friday, December 20th, 1:05-1:50 pm - Manor Afternoon Assembly and Winter Sing-Along

Evening Winter Concert in White Hill Gym:
5th GRADE CLARINET, FLUTE, TRUMPET, and TROMBONE (BAND) CONCERT - Monday, February 10th, 7:00-8:00pm in the White Hill Gym - Students should arrive at 6:30pm in performance attire (RVSD 5th Grade Music T-shirt with nice jeans or dark pants). This concert will also feature performances by the White Hill Symphonic Band and Jazz Band. PLEASE NOTE: There is a separate concert that is only for the 6th-8th grade White Hill Band students which will take place on December 12th. The 5th grade students are not playing at the concert on December 12th but they are welcome to attend the concert as an audience member if they would like.

(Please note that the 5th grade orchestra and chorus students are performing their evening concerts on different dates. Orchestra is Dec 12 and Chorus is Dec 13.)

What to Practice?

Practice assignment:
Continue working on the songs on Page 6, 7, 8, and 9.
Especially song #38, Jingle Bells.
(Use the "Notes in Review" at the top of page 6 if you forget any of your notes.)

After you have learned Jingle Bells, You may try #39 My Dreydl

Click here for a trumpet video of Jingle Bells and My Dreydl

Click here for a trombone video of Jingle Bells and My Dreydl

If you more challenges, you can also learn song #30 London Bridge and Song #31 Mozart Melody (which is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star).

Scroll down to the previous blog posts for more video help!!!

Song #22 Split Decision is a great song to practice your notes, and we may also decide to play it as a warm-up song at our upcoming performance.

Video help for #22:
Click here for a trumpet video of songs #22, #25 and #31

Click here for a trombone video of songs #22, #25 and #31

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For those of you who are struggling to play the "notes in review" on the top of page 6: It's OK, don't give up hope! But you should email me and arrange a meeting with me after school or during lunch so that I can give you some individual pointers that can really, really help you! (Make sure to remind me which school you are at!)

Always feel free to email me if you have questions or need advice!
~~Mr Santucci psantucci@rossvalleyschools.org

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Just for fun and Inspiration

Posted by Pete Santucci on 11/1/2019

Check out these videos if you want a little inspiration to keep practicing!!! We are not learning these songs, it is just a few fun things that I thought you might want to watch. I hope this makes you want to keep playing your instrument and getting better! -Mr Santucci

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Week 7, 8, 9 - Note Practice Logs are due this week!

Posted by Pete Santucci on 11/1/2019

Practice logs will be collected at music class this week (Week 9) and I will give you a new log to be used for the next grading period. Please have parents initial your log before you turn it in!

Individual assessment (playing test) is happening now!
(Most students have already passed their test. If you have not passed the test yet, you must take it this week.

Sometime before November 8, I need to hear each student play a song for me individually so that I can assess your progress and give you tips or advice about how you can continue improving.
You may play any song with three or more notes from page 6, 7, 8, or 9.
I will listen to volunteers first, and then I will start calling names from the class list when I have run out of volunteers. Don't play a song that is too hard, and don't play a song that is too easy for you! Show me what you have learned!

#22 Split Decision is a great song to practice your notes or to play for your test!

Click here for a trumpet video of songs #22, #25 and #31

Click here for a trombone video of songs #22, #25 and #31

Practice assignment:
Continue working on the songs on Page 6, 7, 8, and 9. Especially number 38, Jingle Bells. (Use the "Notes in Review" at the top of page 6 if you forget any of your notes.)

After you have learned Jingle Bells, You may want to play #39 My Dreydl

Click here for a trumpet video of Jingle Bells and My Dreydl

Click here for a trombone video of Jingle Bells and My Dreydl

If you more challenges, you can also learn song #30 London Bridge and Song #31 Mozart Melody (which is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star).
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For those of you who are struggling to play the notes we learned on on pages 4 and 5: It's OK, don't give up hope! But you should email me and arrange a meeting with me after school or during lunch so that I can give you some individual pointers that can really, really help you! (Make sure to remind me which school you are at!)

Always feel free to email me if you have questions or need advice!
~~Mr Santucci psantucci@rossvalleyschools.org

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Week 6 Brass: #22, plus 2 more songs.

Posted by Pete Santucci on 10/10/2019

Week 6 Brass practice assignment:
Song #22 "Split Decision." Line "A" and Line "B"
Plus two more songs from page 6, 7, 8, or 9.
(You may practice #14 or #17 or any other song that you want to play on those pages.)
Also, you should write in the missing notes on exercise 19.

Videos below!!!

Click here for a trumpet video of songs #22, #25 and #31

Click here for a trombone video of songs #22, #25 and #31

IMPORTANT: Instrument playing test coming soon!!!Individual assessment (playing test) coming soon!
Sometime before November 8, I need to hear each student play a song for me individually so that I can assess your progress and give you tips or advice about how you can continue improving.
You may play any song with three or more notes from page 6, 7, 8, or 9.
I will listen to volunteers first, and then I will starting calling names from the class list when I have run out of volunteers. Don't play a song that is too hard, and don't play a song that is too easy for you! Show me what you have learned!

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Week 5 Brass: #10, #11, #12, #13, maybe try #14 !

Posted by Pete Santucci on 10/3/2019

Week 5: October 3-8
Scroll to the bottom for new instructional videos!!!

Be sure to have your practice log signed by your parent/guardian after practicing for at least 30 minutes this week.

Now that we are learning the notes out of the book you will remember them MUCH better if you practice 3 or 4 days per week rather than just one day per week.

If you want some review... read this: Continue the same buzzing and long tones when you first start to practice. Buzz on your Mouthpiece a soft, steady, long tone. Buzz on your mouthpiece low and high like a siren. TRY TO GET LOWER AND HIGHER THAN BEFORE. If you are having trouble, try thinking of saying "AHHHHH" or "OHHHH" on the lower notes and "EEEEE" on the higher notes. Also remember that your lips will have to be slightly looser on the low notes and will have to be slightly tighter or stronger on the higher notes. You might also have more luck with the higher notes if you think of blowing faster air or blowing the air all the way through your instrument and all the way across the room.
NOTE: If you are having trouble, remember to experiment with the location of your mouthpiece on your lips. You might have to move your mouthpiece slightly higher or lower. Also, don't press your mouthpiece against your lips too hard. To play low-pitch (deep) notes your lips should just be touching the mouthpiece gently. If you are still having trouble, watch in a mirror and make sure your lips are pretty even and you don’t have one lip covering the other. (You don't want your upper lip covering your lower lip, and you don't want your lower lip covering your upper lip.)

Week 5 assignment: continue page 4 and 5 until you can make it to page 6!
On page 5...Play Exercise 10, 11, 12, 13 (write notes under exercise 13 and then play it).
Then go to page 6 if you're ready!!!
Please use a pencil to complete the written work on exercise 13 if you have not yet done it. Then go on to page 6. See if you can learn number 17 (Hot Cross Buns) and number 14 (Rolling Along)

USE PRACTICE VIDEOS THAT I HAVE MADE FOR YOU!!!
I have recorded videos to help you practice! Watch the video and pause after each of my examples so that you can try playing the notes with the correct pitch and rhythm. Be sure to watch the correct video for your instrument.

Here (again) are the old videos if you need to review pages 4 and 5:
Trumpet players click here for review video of page 4 and 5
Trombone players click here or review video of page 4 and 5

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New videos for week 5:

These videos will help you with exercises 10, 11, 12, 13 and then go to page 6 for exercise 14...
Watch the video and pause after each of my examples so that you can try playing the notes with the correct pitch and rhythm. You do not have to watch the whole video at once. (They are too long.) You can watch a few minutes at each practice session until you have seen all of it. (You really only need the first half of the video for this week's assignment.)

Page 5-6 videos (exercises 11, 12, 13, 14):

Trumpet players click here for NEW video that takes you from page 5 to page 6

Trombone players click here for NEW video that takes you from page 5 to page 6

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Special note about holding your instrument...

Now that we are changing notes you really need to learn the correct way to hold your instrument:
Click here to watch a GREAT video showing how to hold your trombone
Click here to watch a GREAT video showing how to hold your trumpet

Trombone players remember that the best thing for your slide is to order some Yamaha Trombone Slide Lubricant. (You can buy it at Magic Flute Music Store or order some online.)

And it is also good to get a small misting spray bottle to spray a mist of water on your slide after you put the oil on it. (You don’t have to get one made for trombone! You can just buy a small spray bottle from CVS, Walgreens, or the container store, and put regular water in it.

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For those of you who are struggling to play the notes we learned on on pages 4 and 5: It's OK, don't give up hope! But you should email me and arrange to try to meet with me after school or during lunch so that I can give you some individual pointers that can really, really help you! (Make sure to remind me which school you are at!)

Always feel free to email me if you have questions or need advice!
~~Mr Santucci psantucci@rossvalleyschools.org

Video for trombone exercises 11, 12, 13 14

Video for trumpet exercises 11, 12, 13, 14

How to hold your trombone correctly

How to hold your trumpet correctly

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Week 4 Brass practice: Continue to practice Page 4 and 5: Learn your notes!

Posted by Pete Santucci on 9/26/2019

HOMEWORK PRACTICE assignment for Week 4
Hello again 5th grade trombone and trumpet players!!! Your homework for this week is to practice at least 30 minutes total before your next music class on the exercises we practiced in class. Buzz, play long tones, Play low and high, and try to play All the songs on pages 4 and 5.

If you can already play all of the songs on pages 4 and 5, you may go on to page 6 and 7 and start learning some of those songs.

Review 1. Buzz on your mouthpiece a soft, steady, long note.

Review 2. Buzz on your mouthpiece low and high like a siren. (Ahhh - EEEEEE) Change the angle of your air-stream and change the tightness of your lips. Experiment to create different pitches.

Then put your mouthpiece into your instrument and...
Review 3. Play a nice, beautiful, steady long tone through your instrument. (See if you can play 10-20 seconds with one breath.) Do NOT attempt to do this more than 3 times in one day or you may get dizzy!!!!

Review 4. With your mouthpiece still in your instrument, play your instrument and try to use your lips to change between higher notes and lower notes (without changing your fingers on the valves or slide.) If you are having trouble, try thinking of saying "AHHHHH" on the lower notes and "EEEEE" on the higher notes. Also remember that your lips will have to be slightly looser on the low notes and will have to be slightly tighter or stronger on the higher notes. Try NOT to let your cheeks puff out like a squirrel!

Week 4
Week 4 Homework: (Use the videos below to help!)
Learn to recognize and memorize all the notes on Pages 4 and 5 in your book. (These are also the "Notes in Review" listed at the top of page 6.) Before you play each song, you should use this process:
1. Point to each note and say the name of the note.
2. Sing (or say) the names of the notes while pressing down the correct valves or slide position.
3. Play the song very slowly.
4. Play the song more quickly.
If you can already read the notes and play all of the songs on pages 4 and 5, you may go on to page 6 and 7 and start learning some of those songs.

These videos will help you with pages 4 and 5...
Be sure to watch the correct video for your instrument.
Trumpet players click here.
Trombone players click here.

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Week 3 Brass Practice assignment: Play "Hot Cross Buns" by ear and continue with pages 4 and 5 in the book.

Posted by Pete Santucci on 9/19/2019

HOMEWORK PRACTICE assignment for Week 3
Hello again 5th grade trombone and trumpet players!!! Your homework for this week is to practice at least 30 minutes total before your next music class on the exercises we practiced in class. Buzz, play long tones, Play low and high, and try to play Hot Cross Buns.

Review 1. Buzz on your mouthpiece a soft, steady, long note.

Review 2. Buzz on your mouthpiece low and high like a siren. (Ahhh - EEEEEE) Change the angle of your air-stream and change the tightness of your lips. Experiment to create different pitches.

Then put your mouthpiece into your instrument and...
Review 3. Play a nice, beautiful, steady long tone through your instrument. (See if you can play 10-20 seconds with one breath.) Do NOT attempt to do this more than 3 times in one day or you may get dizzy!!!!

Review 4. With your mouthpiece still in your instrument, play your instrument and try to use your lips to change between higher notes and lower notes (without changing your fingers on the valves or slide.) If you are having trouble, try thinking of saying "AHHHHH" on the lower notes and "EEEEE" on the higher notes. Also remember that your lips will have to be slightly looser on the low notes and will have to be slightly tighter or stronger on the higher notes. Try NOT to let your cheeks puff out like a squirrel!

NEW 5. Play "Hot Cross Buns" on your instrument using the notes from exercise #5, #7 and #9 in your book:

Mi Re     Do...
Mi     Re     Do...
Do Do Do Do, Re Re Re Re,
Mi     Re     Do...

Trumpets use the notes E, D, C for Mi Re Do
Trombones use the notes D, C, Bb for Mi Re Do

I found these really good videos that show you how to play hot cross buns using Mi, Re, Do:

Click here for trombone Hot Cross Buns Video

Click here for trumpet Hot Cross Buns Video

6. If you have more time to practice, keep trying to learn all the notes on Pages 4 and 5 in your book. (See video lessons on last week's blog from week 2)

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