Playing long tones is a solid foundation to individual practice, rehearsals and performance. The long tone helps to strengthen the embouchure, develop breath control and shape the player’s tone and intonation.
The attached PDF file is a one-page series of long tones, starting on second line G and chromatically alternating higher and lower tones.
When practicing, use a metronome to make sure you give full value to the exercise. Start tones softly but distinctly. Make sure that the pitch does not get sharp or flat as you crescendo or decrescendo. Periodically check your tuning against a tuner, but work to develop your ear. Play tones steady, without any vibrato.
Click to download:
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[tags]Brass, Practice, Warm Up, Long Tones, Exercises, Free Download[/tags]
Written by Ian McKenzie on April 30th, 2006 with no comments.
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McComish March Award 2006 Composition Competition
The McComish Fund for Brass Music has been established at Trinity College, the University of Melbourne, to promote the creation of new music for brass instruments, encourage composers’ interest in brass music, and enrich the repertoire of brass music.
The McComish March Award has been established to encourage the composition of music for Brass Bands.
The first McComish March Award will awarded for a composition of ‘The Great Australian March’ – a march/patriotic song.
TWO PRIZE CATEGORIES
* March Prize $5,000 AUD
* Slow March Prize $5,000 AUD
Criteria:
This competition is open to all composers, regardless of age, nationality and professional status.
The marches are to be composed specifically for this competition, having been neither published nor previously performed.
The marches are to be 5–8 minutes in length.
The march is to be composed for brass band, suitable for wider community use.
Entries will be adjudicated by a judging panel of musicians with relevant experience. In an initial round, a committee of professional musicians comprising representatives of the Melbourne International Festival of Brass will evaluate the submitted pieces, preparing a shortlist of 6 in each category to be assessed by the panel of judges.
Click for entry form Link
Written by Ian McKenzie on April 30th, 2006 with no comments.
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