unit four: festival score sheet
Balance
Balance is the blend of the various voices in a music ensemble. In other words, it is how loud and soft each part of the band is playing. Typically, basic good balance is making sure the harmony plays below the melody so the melody is heard at all times. A good trick for remembering good balance is the underwear analogy. Think of melody like pants and harmony like underwear. You wouldn't wear the underwear on top, right? The same thing goes for balance: underwear (harmony) underneath!
Additionally, there is balance within each chord. Harmony should be balanced like a triangle in which the low voices (like tubas) are the base, thus being the loudest, and the high voices (like trumpets) are at the top, who play down enough so the low voices can be heard. Below is an example of the balance triangle.
Additionally, there is balance within each chord. Harmony should be balanced like a triangle in which the low voices (like tubas) are the base, thus being the loudest, and the high voices (like trumpets) are at the top, who play down enough so the low voices can be heard. Below is an example of the balance triangle.
intonation
Intonation is being in tune with the instruments in your section, as well was the rest of the band. When an instrument is out of tune in the band, you can hear a wave sound. It is a very unpleasant sound and should be avoided by playing accurately and making adjustments as you play. Being out of tune consists either of being sharp or flat as compared to how the note should sound. If you are sharp, you need to pull out your tuning slide on a brass instrument or pulling out the mouthpiece on a woodwind instrument. It you are flat, you need to do the opposite and pull out your tuning slide or mouthpiece.
INterpretation
Interpretation is the way (style) in which a piece of music is played. Interpretation includes playing at appropriate tempos and paying attention to style elements. Styles could be marcato in a march piece, legato in a chorale, or swing in a jazz piece. Playing the appropriate style also includes using proper articulation and dynamic range to the style. For example, forte in a ballad can be different than forte in a march.
Expression
Expression in music is playing to communicate emotion, rather than just playing the notes of the page. Expressions consists of two main parts: phrasing and dynamics.
Phrasing
A phrase is kind of like a musical sentence. Generally within a phrase, the dynamics rise towards the middle of the phrase and fall towards the end of the phrase. Phrases can be varying lengths, although four measure phrasing is very common. Another way phrases are indicated are phrase marks. It looks like one big slur over multiple measures, and during this phrase, one should avoid taking a breath unless otherwise indicated by a breath mark. One of the best ways to learn phrasing is to actively listen to the phrasing in certain songs. Go on YouTube and listen different solos on your instrument, paying special attention to the rise and fall of dynamics in the phrasing.
Dynamics
Dynamics are how loud and soft music is played. Markings such as piano (p) and forte (f) indicate soft and loud, and crescendo and decrescendo indicate a rise and fall in dynamics. Other important dynamic markings are:
subito- suddenly
cresc. and decresc. abbreviations and indicated by < and >
piu- more
meno- less
Dynamics are essential to balance and for keeping a song interesting, so ALWAYS pay attention to your marked dynamic. Remember the size of your section and importance of your part also affect how loud and soft you should play.
Phrasing
A phrase is kind of like a musical sentence. Generally within a phrase, the dynamics rise towards the middle of the phrase and fall towards the end of the phrase. Phrases can be varying lengths, although four measure phrasing is very common. Another way phrases are indicated are phrase marks. It looks like one big slur over multiple measures, and during this phrase, one should avoid taking a breath unless otherwise indicated by a breath mark. One of the best ways to learn phrasing is to actively listen to the phrasing in certain songs. Go on YouTube and listen different solos on your instrument, paying special attention to the rise and fall of dynamics in the phrasing.
Dynamics
Dynamics are how loud and soft music is played. Markings such as piano (p) and forte (f) indicate soft and loud, and crescendo and decrescendo indicate a rise and fall in dynamics. Other important dynamic markings are:
subito- suddenly
cresc. and decresc. abbreviations and indicated by < and >
piu- more
meno- less
Dynamics are essential to balance and for keeping a song interesting, so ALWAYS pay attention to your marked dynamic. Remember the size of your section and importance of your part also affect how loud and soft you should play.
Technique
Technique includes having accurate, clean, and unified rhythm patterns, articulations, and pulse throughout a piece. This is achieved by making sure entrances and releases are together, and by playing accurately within you section and the band. Good technique can be improved by practicing technically different parts of whatever pieces are difficult.
Presentation
Presentation has less to do with music and more with the professionalism of the group. Attention to director, good posture, and not talking while on stage are all good things for presentation. Dressing to the uniform of the group can also help to create a better presentation, as well as organized set up and take down.
tone
Tone is the sound that a voice or instrument makes. Each instrument has its own characteristic sound and players should always strive for the best tone possible. A good tone is open, supported, full, and focused in sound. A lower quality tone is airy, distorted, or lacking control. Proper posture and air support are extremely important to having good tone quality.