This week I went to a musical practice. My freind Jessica showed me some of the things as the cast did their thing. She told me a few things about the script and things like that. The people who sponsered the play is called Dypac. They practice at an auditorium in my hometown, Trenton. The auditiroium is a lot like the auditorium at eastern, except it's a bit smaller and it does not have huge organ pipes. It was just recently redone in the last few years so everything is still relatively new.
When everyone got together to practice they all got inot groups to learn the songs in their groups. The cast goes into groups of their vocal range. The boys get into two different groups called Tenor and Baritone. The girls ge into three different ones called Low Alto, High Alto, and Soprano. Usually it takes about an hour for the group to learn the song. The director was going around yelling a lot because of all the kids. She was not angry, it's just that everyone is talking so she needs to be heard. A lot of times she would show people how to sing and the other half of the time she was on the piano. After everyone was done in their groups they review over what they sang to get it right.
The book that everyone sings out of is called a Libretto. It's a mixture of the songs and the script. Jessica told me that the play had to buy the rights of the book in order to use it. Everyone int he cast either worte or high lighted in it so they knew what to do. During the last week of practice they learned how to sing and dance at the same time. They call it "Hell Week" because of all the things they need to accomplish and all the stress. The practice lasted about three hours and then everyone headed out.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Wind Ensemble
This week I went to the wind esemble class. This class was made up of all wind instruments with a little help from percussion here and there. There were three groups that went. As they came in they got bigger by the group. The class took place in Alexander. The classroom was pretty large, definately bigger than the choir room. There were instrument cases everywhere and chairs set up in a "U" shape like all music classes are set up. There was projecter screen and speakers all over the room. The walls had slits in them for sound reasons. There was one large white board, a few chalk boards in the back. Also in the back were all the drums and things like that.
The first group consisted of nine people. Each one with a different instrument. There was one person working the drums and the rest were winds. I noticed there was a much simpler sound than when I listened to the big band before. It was easier for me to pick the different instruments. I could also see exactly what the instructor meant when he picked a person out because they were too high or too low. It was a cool feeling being able to do that. The siund was unique also, it was a little cleaner, and a lot more simple. The guy on the drums did not have much to do. The first group was my favorite part of the whole class.
The second group was pretty cool because someone came and sang. This group was larger, with about twenty people. There was no drums or anything like that. The sound was still pretty simple but it had a catch this time. There was a freind of the instructor that came in and sang the song. The singer was a tall black man who has a great voice. He had a deep voice. He stood u next to the instructor at the front of the room. I could tell it was a lot different for the class. They had to make sure they weren't going to fast or too slow for the singer. At the same time though, they were going off of him so he had to make sure that he did not go to fast or too slow. He was an excellant singer though. He reminded me of an opera singer though. The way he stood when he sang and how he used his voice. He sang as if he was expressing his feelings that were characterized by the song.
The third group was the largest of the three. There was probably thirty to forty people in this group. They warmed the same way as the classical band and the two grous before them. One thing I noticed up close in the classroom is that while they are warming up, they are constantly fixing their instruments. Always adjusting them so they are either in a comfortable position, or making sure that they are working right. There three people on the drums for this one, but once again they were only used sparingly.
One thing I did notice now more than the other times is that people were looking at me trying to figure me out. One person came up to me and introduced himself. At certain points I could see some of the students glance at me and then look to their friend with a shrug. I don't think it was anything negative, they were probably just wondering why I was there and who I was.
The first group consisted of nine people. Each one with a different instrument. There was one person working the drums and the rest were winds. I noticed there was a much simpler sound than when I listened to the big band before. It was easier for me to pick the different instruments. I could also see exactly what the instructor meant when he picked a person out because they were too high or too low. It was a cool feeling being able to do that. The siund was unique also, it was a little cleaner, and a lot more simple. The guy on the drums did not have much to do. The first group was my favorite part of the whole class.
The second group was pretty cool because someone came and sang. This group was larger, with about twenty people. There was no drums or anything like that. The sound was still pretty simple but it had a catch this time. There was a freind of the instructor that came in and sang the song. The singer was a tall black man who has a great voice. He had a deep voice. He stood u next to the instructor at the front of the room. I could tell it was a lot different for the class. They had to make sure they weren't going to fast or too slow for the singer. At the same time though, they were going off of him so he had to make sure that he did not go to fast or too slow. He was an excellant singer though. He reminded me of an opera singer though. The way he stood when he sang and how he used his voice. He sang as if he was expressing his feelings that were characterized by the song.
The third group was the largest of the three. There was probably thirty to forty people in this group. They warmed the same way as the classical band and the two grous before them. One thing I noticed up close in the classroom is that while they are warming up, they are constantly fixing their instruments. Always adjusting them so they are either in a comfortable position, or making sure that they are working right. There three people on the drums for this one, but once again they were only used sparingly.
One thing I did notice now more than the other times is that people were looking at me trying to figure me out. One person came up to me and introduced himself. At certain points I could see some of the students glance at me and then look to their friend with a shrug. I don't think it was anything negative, they were probably just wondering why I was there and who I was.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Jazz Bass
Tonight I was out late with my friend Neal to observe hime play the Jazz bass. Because he goes to Wayne state and all our schedules collided and I couldn't get over there until late tonight. Anyways I went to his basement and sat don to get ready for him to show me some stuff. His basement is pretty cool, when you walk down there the first thing you see is the stacks of amplifiers everywhere. I mean they are stacked and all hooked up. Think of the amplifier from the beginning of "Back to the Future", it would probably be bigger than that. The amps are surrounding the wooden stand that was hand biult by his dad for the drum set. The drum set is blue and has some sound barriers so the drums don't out do the guitars. Right next to the little stage is a sand for all the guitars and basses he has. There were six guitars and three basses. There were also a couple stools where we sat while he played.
He pulled out his Schecter base and sat down in front of me to get ready to show me some stuff. Schecter is a brand of bass, it's not any spcific kind, but schecter makes good stuff. Neal is about 5'8" and has a really short buzz cut. He has blonde hair so he almost looks blonde. He has a pretty built sleek look to him. Combination of being on the football team, and being a track star. He was wearing blue jeans, a black fender shirt. Neal is a good guy and allowed me to listen in n some stuff. Plus music is his major and after he is done at Wayne State he is going to the Berkley school of music. It's a pretty big deal so hopefully it works out well for him.
When he started playing he followed up on the previous two places I have been. He warmed up his fingers on both hands. On a bass you play with your fingers on both sides. There was no guitar pick involved. He starte out pretty simple at first and then things got complicated. He would plays tunes that blew my mind even in the warm up. I have been around guitars for a while, but never Jazz Bass. He would also tap on fret board while he aould also tap on the string over the pickups of the bass. Very quickly he did this with precision and I could never tell if he missed a note. At some parts it sounded like the music in the show Sienfeld, when it switched scenes, they bass part sounded very similar. He would ask me waht songs I wanted to here, but I didn't know any, so he played me his favorite stuff, which was good enough for me. He would play like a made man, and look as smoothe as a violin player. The transition was great and I really enjoyed myself.
He pulled out his Schecter base and sat down in front of me to get ready to show me some stuff. Schecter is a brand of bass, it's not any spcific kind, but schecter makes good stuff. Neal is about 5'8" and has a really short buzz cut. He has blonde hair so he almost looks blonde. He has a pretty built sleek look to him. Combination of being on the football team, and being a track star. He was wearing blue jeans, a black fender shirt. Neal is a good guy and allowed me to listen in n some stuff. Plus music is his major and after he is done at Wayne State he is going to the Berkley school of music. It's a pretty big deal so hopefully it works out well for him.
When he started playing he followed up on the previous two places I have been. He warmed up his fingers on both hands. On a bass you play with your fingers on both sides. There was no guitar pick involved. He starte out pretty simple at first and then things got complicated. He would plays tunes that blew my mind even in the warm up. I have been around guitars for a while, but never Jazz Bass. He would also tap on fret board while he aould also tap on the string over the pickups of the bass. Very quickly he did this with precision and I could never tell if he missed a note. At some parts it sounded like the music in the show Sienfeld, when it switched scenes, they bass part sounded very similar. He would ask me waht songs I wanted to here, but I didn't know any, so he played me his favorite stuff, which was good enough for me. He would play like a made man, and look as smoothe as a violin player. The transition was great and I really enjoyed myself.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Classical Music
My second area for my research was at the Classical music class in Pease auditorium. It's not uaually held here, but they are getting ready for a concert on sunday. When I walked into the auditorium I remembered how big it was from when I was there for orientation. I went and sat up in the high balcony so I could get a good view of the entire place. The auditorium has a large stage with spot lights every where. There was the balcony in which I was sitting in, lots of seating. I noticed music cases everywhere, and other students sitting down on the audience. At first I thought that they might have been friends or spectators, but later I would realize that They were in the band also, they were just waiting for their parts. Behind the stage there were the biggest organ pipes I have ever seen in my life. They extended from the stage almost to the top of the enormous ceiling. The ceiling is round and looks like it made that way on purpose for sound purposes. There were all kinds of percussion instruments set up on the stage. There was a grand piano also. Overall the entire auditorium was very impressive.
This class was very comparitive to the choir class in the sense that no one recognized me. They didn't look at me in a bad way, they just did not recognize me. They all warmed up on there own while they were waiting for class to start. they warm up their lips, lungs and they get focussed. I noticed there are three main sections. Percussion, Winds, and Brass were the main three. There were no strings what so ever. All of the students were sitting down with music stands accept for the percussion people. They were serious in preparation, but at the same time they were having a good time. Some of them would talk a little bit and then go back to practicing. I saw some instruments that were for some reason strictly one gender. The flutes were all female and the trombones were all male. Everything else was a mixed gender. There are about sixty strong in the class. They seemed like they were very relaxed and ready to go to work.
The instructor stepped up to a stand that was on a box. He was pretty young looking, tall, and looked like he was having fun. He was dressed pretty casual. he had the class play a few notes together to get their rythum set. Just like the choir instructor, this instructor can pick out distinct sounds and sections and what they need to improve on. He can tell when people are early or late on their parts. After each piece, they would switch things up, different songs and different people with different instruments.
One person I noticed was the percussion person in the first song. He was amazing. He play on a lot different things other than drums. They looked like pans or something, I couldn't exactly tell. He played very quck, but at the same time he was very smooth. His knowledge of the song was very good, he didn't read any music while played. He just kept going and going. The song that he was a part of was from mission impossible. At least thats what it sounded like. He was an extraordinary musician.
One other person that I noticed was another professor that was helping out. He was sitting right behind me. He was alsovery good at what he does. he looked about ten years older than the main instructor, but he could hear the same things from where we were sitting. I think it helped the band a lot though have two people directing them. Of course it all sounded good to me, which is why I thought it was amazing how both instructors could pick out the distinct sounds.
I just want to thank Jacob Nurse for getting me into the class.... thanks.
This class was very comparitive to the choir class in the sense that no one recognized me. They didn't look at me in a bad way, they just did not recognize me. They all warmed up on there own while they were waiting for class to start. they warm up their lips, lungs and they get focussed. I noticed there are three main sections. Percussion, Winds, and Brass were the main three. There were no strings what so ever. All of the students were sitting down with music stands accept for the percussion people. They were serious in preparation, but at the same time they were having a good time. Some of them would talk a little bit and then go back to practicing. I saw some instruments that were for some reason strictly one gender. The flutes were all female and the trombones were all male. Everything else was a mixed gender. There are about sixty strong in the class. They seemed like they were very relaxed and ready to go to work.
The instructor stepped up to a stand that was on a box. He was pretty young looking, tall, and looked like he was having fun. He was dressed pretty casual. he had the class play a few notes together to get their rythum set. Just like the choir instructor, this instructor can pick out distinct sounds and sections and what they need to improve on. He can tell when people are early or late on their parts. After each piece, they would switch things up, different songs and different people with different instruments.
One person I noticed was the percussion person in the first song. He was amazing. He play on a lot different things other than drums. They looked like pans or something, I couldn't exactly tell. He played very quck, but at the same time he was very smooth. His knowledge of the song was very good, he didn't read any music while played. He just kept going and going. The song that he was a part of was from mission impossible. At least thats what it sounded like. He was an extraordinary musician.
One other person that I noticed was another professor that was helping out. He was sitting right behind me. He was alsovery good at what he does. he looked about ten years older than the main instructor, but he could hear the same things from where we were sitting. I think it helped the band a lot though have two people directing them. Of course it all sounded good to me, which is why I thought it was amazing how both instructors could pick out the distinct sounds.
I just want to thank Jacob Nurse for getting me into the class.... thanks.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Choir Class
The first place I went to for my research on different music environments that are unfamiliar to me was a Choir class. As soon as I walked in the building I could tell I wasn't in a place that's familiar to me. Everyone in the common area was either singing or reading music. They were discussing the different notes and things like that. I'm so used to a military environment and hanging out in the weight room. This was definately a huge difference.
When i walked into the class of about sixty people I definatly stood out. Class hadn't started yet, but they were all shooting glances at me that basically said "what are you doing here?" Everyone was really nice though. A friend of mine with a music major is the one who got me in. She introduced me to a lot of people and they were all pretty cool.
Before class began the instructor had everyone make a massage train to loosen up the shoulders. After that they stretched out and did breathing excersizes. They also did different types of humming and as they kept doing it they would hit higher notes. What I realized is they were warming up like I would before I work out. In order to perform at the best of your ability, certain parts of the body need to be warmed up. Just like warming up for a run, they warm up for singing.
What I noticed during the next hour and ten minutes was that the instructor was very knowledgable. He was very quick to tell people what was wrong. What seemed as a laid back class turned out to be very serious. The students worked very hard during that period to make the corrections and sound good. The instructor could pick out one person out of sixty like that was the only person in the room. He could here things that I thought sounded fine. I was sitting there listening to all of these students with amazing voices, and he would stop the song to tell them they were off key. The class was very business like and conducted really well. Even though they were working their butts off, they were still enjoying themselves.
When i walked into the class of about sixty people I definatly stood out. Class hadn't started yet, but they were all shooting glances at me that basically said "what are you doing here?" Everyone was really nice though. A friend of mine with a music major is the one who got me in. She introduced me to a lot of people and they were all pretty cool.
Before class began the instructor had everyone make a massage train to loosen up the shoulders. After that they stretched out and did breathing excersizes. They also did different types of humming and as they kept doing it they would hit higher notes. What I realized is they were warming up like I would before I work out. In order to perform at the best of your ability, certain parts of the body need to be warmed up. Just like warming up for a run, they warm up for singing.
What I noticed during the next hour and ten minutes was that the instructor was very knowledgable. He was very quick to tell people what was wrong. What seemed as a laid back class turned out to be very serious. The students worked very hard during that period to make the corrections and sound good. The instructor could pick out one person out of sixty like that was the only person in the room. He could here things that I thought sounded fine. I was sitting there listening to all of these students with amazing voices, and he would stop the song to tell them they were off key. The class was very business like and conducted really well. Even though they were working their butts off, they were still enjoying themselves.
Monday, January 28, 2008
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