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SUDBURY VALLEY
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FALL 2024
Fall Soundfiles are now posted here and also in the Practice Soundfile Dropbox
--> Always "reload" the webpage to be sure you have the up-to-date info.<--
I hope that with the soundfiles, you will do more listening and following along in your music rather than playing. (The more you listen and learn what the piece sounds like, the better you will play it and the easier you'll be able to jump back in when you get lost! - Note, not "if" you get lost!) We want you to get in the habit of learning it by looking at the music, not learning by ear. Just listening is not always accurate and you can end up with some pretty obnoixous mistakes that are hard to unlearn. ALSO, too much playing along with the soundfiles can get you stuck so that you can only play the piece at the recorded tempo instead of whatever tempo the conductor gives you!
EMAIL DIANE IF YOU NEED MUSIC - PARTS ARE NOT ON THE WEBPAGE AND MUSIC WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT REHEARSAL
To download our recording soundfiles, get them from our Practice Soundfile Dropbox.
LINKS TO INFORMATION
Updated August 30, 2024
FALL STRINGS and BAND TOGETHER
(let me know if soundfiles don't work OR of omissions in info OR errors)
Always "reload" the webpage to be sure you have the up-to-date info.
STRINGS & BAND TOGETHER (fall)
Wizard of Oz (coming soon!)
STRING ENSEMBLE - FALL
LISTEN A LOT to these soundfiles and any other recordings you can find.
The more you listen, the better you will understand the flow of the music and the faster you will learn to play the piece! That said, please do not try to learn the music by listening - it is never accurate enough.
Oliver & Kett have chosen 4 terrific classics for you.
- Faure's Pavane
- Dvorak's Largo from the New World (with Oliver's cuts)
- Beethoven's Theme from the first mvt of the Pastoral Symphony
- Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue Themes
Information for each of these pieces, links to recordings of the originals, and hints to help you play them better can be found in the
Fall 2024-String Music Info and Soundfiles
You should have the music, but if not, the link was in Diane's email of May 27, 2024. If you have lost it, email Diane for a copy of the email.
BAND - FALL
LISTEN A LOT to these soundfiles and any other recordings you can find.
The more you listen, the better you will understand the flow of the music and the faster you will learn to play the piece! That said, please do not try to learn the music by listening - it is never accurate enough.
John, Linda & Diane have chosen 4 fun pieces for you.
- Hopak (slower)
- BlueRidge (slower!)
- FanAmerSailing (errata-mark in your parts!) (Getting Ready to Play)
- Yorkshire
Fall 2024-Band Music Info and Soundfiles
You should have the music, but if not, the link was in Diane's email of May 27, 2024. If you have lost it, email Diane for a copy of the email.
HINTS FOR EFFECTIVE USE OF SOUNDFILES IN YOUR PRACTICE
There are several really good reasons for listening to the soundfiles of music you are playing:
- *To get a sense of how the music sounds, its style, its phrasing, its harmonies (Most important reason!)
- Following your music while listening to the soundfile (not playing) helps you learn how your part fits with the whole and helps you learn to keep your place. If you can't keep your place while listening and following in the music, you will struggle to keep your place when you are playing!
- Playing along with the music gives you more opportunities to "practice with the group" than you can get just in rehearsals. You will not be able to determine when to play the very first beat, so come in on the next measure.
- If it goes by too quickly, see the next bullet
- Purchase the software, Amazing Slow Downer (from http://ronimusic.com/) and you can practice with the soundfile slowed down to where you can play along. (Soundfiles must be on the same device where the Slow Downer resides; you can not use YouTube, AppleMusic or soundfiles that are streamed from the web). For those of you cautious about what you download, this software site is safe according to Norton)
- You can also slow down YouTube by clicking the gear and adjusting the percentage. You don't have the minute control of the speed, but it is better than nothing!
If you are new to working with soundfiles, DO NOT try to play along right away. Your first task is to listen several times while just following along in your own music (not playing), perhaps even using your finger to keep your place in the music. See if you can stay with the music, whether or not you can hear your own part (sometimes it doesn't sound like your instrument because you are playing the same thing as some other instrument and your part adds to the overall, but isn't itself distinguishable). Watch for things like holds or sudden loud spots or a change from legato to staccato to see if you can hear those as you listen. Until you can reliably follow along & keep your place in your music while listening and looking at your part, you will never be able to successfully play along. Be sure to do the listening first or it is just frustrating! Once you get good at that, try listening and speaking your rhythms. Once you can do that, then try playing with it, although you may find that it is too fast for you to keep up. (See bullet #5 above)
