The Hexa-Panel Sci-Fi Instrument

Today's blog post comes from Andy in 6th grade, who has invented a brand new instrument...

I have an instrument that will blow you away! It is the “Hexa-Panel Sci-Fi” instrument that looks like it came straight out of the future! It is made with a curve so you can easily reach each panel, and it has pads on the bottom for you to step on and change the pitch of the notes. It sounds like an electric marimba with a gentle buzz, and you use the mallets that come with it, they’re specifically made so that they’re soft enough to not break the instrument, but hard enough for it to sense the hit. And you can get it today for only $95.95!

This instrument does not actually exist, and I apologize for any disappointments.

Practicing skills

Today's blog post comes from Casey in 8th grade:

To do well in band you must practice. Practicing is a key step to improving skills on your instrument. Every student should bring their instrument home each day and practice the things they are doing in class. Scales are another thing all students should practice every day. Another idea for practicing would be to try something new and challenging to help improve your sight reading skills. This practicing time should equal out to at least thirty minutes.

Not practicing causes students to lose the skills they once had. Losing instrument skills results in you not doing well during band class. The other students wouldn’t want one person messing up the rest of the band, which is why you should practice every day. Everyone should be able to find a minimum of thirty minutes to practice a day. You may not notice this now, but in the long run practicing will be worth it. What are your views on practicing?

The Benefits of Band

Today's blog comes from Caitlin, an 8th grade flute player.

The Benefits of Band

Band is something that lets us express ourselves in so many ways. Band also builds your self-confidence and it also helps you understand what you want to do in life. When I say band helps us express ourselves in so many ways, I mean that it is really easy to transfer your emotions to what you are playing. When you do something good in class it helps you build self- confidence. Then when someone acknowledges it whether it is a friend or Mrs. Gibbs and Mrs. Hill or yourself, it makes you feel amazing to where you actually start standing up for yourself. When someone acknowledges your strengths it gives you a feeling of what you are good at in life.

Band opens up many doors for colleges. You can get scholarships for music so I hope all of you who really want to do music in life stay in band and try to do this.

I have two questions for you, and would like for you guys to answer them. My questions for you are “What are the benefits of band in your point of view?” and “Do you love band so much that you want to make a career out of it?” Also if you love band so much, like I do, keep doing band. Some careers that you can do that relate with music and band are song writing, teaching, and playing professionally.

How to succeed in band

Today's post comes to us from Danielle in 7th grade. She is a most excellent percussionist!
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How to succeed in band
(From a band student’s mind)

Band is the most fun class in the school but you’ve got to know how to succeed in it. I’m going to tell you my top ways of getting A’s in band.

My first and most important tip is PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE! You may think band is an easy class, but it’s not unless you practice. Practicing is not as horrible as you think. Actually, it can be really fun. First, it is only 15-30 minutes out of your day. Second, you can make it fun by playing to the radio or performing for your family. Another thing you could do is find new music online. You can find popular and fun songs for your instrument simply by going on Google and typing “cool clarinet songs” or “fun percussion solos”.

The next tip is look up at your conductor. I know it is easier to look down at your music but you never know when the tempo will change. Your conductor can change the tempo at any time they want to. It might be just a little change or could be major. Plus, your conductor sometimes gives hints like “be softer” or “wrong measure”.

A really important thing you need to do to succeed in band is have good posture. I know it is a million times easier to slouch but it really affects your sound. When you slouch your breathing is worse which makes it harder to get your sound out. You might squeak or you might not get any sound out at all. I mean it’s not much just to sit straight for an hour. In every other class but gym you can slouch in your seat.

Another important tip is to stay organized. Keep your music in a folder so you always have it and keep your instrument in a case or your mallets in a bag. You usually have to turn your music back in and if you lose it some other kid next year won’t get to use it, plus our school pays a lot of money for the music. You probably know why you need to keep your instrument in a case, but in case you don’t, it keeps you instrument safe.

What are YOUR tips for succeeding in band?

5 Favorite Things About the Trumpet

Today's blog post comes from Kayla, a 7th grade trumpeter.
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My top 5 favorite things about the trumpet
• It’s fun to play with other trumpet players.
• The fingerings are easy to remember.
• They usually have the main part of a song.
• They can be loud & quiet.
• They’re not heavy.

What are some things you like best about YOUR instrument?

Logan's original composition

Today's post comes to us from sixth grade trombonist Logan B.
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I wrote this song because I was at this web site at school and we had a small assignment and while I was doing it I thought this is fun. So when I get home I became a member. All it needs is your e-mail and a password and a user name. Another good thing about it is when I typed in a user name and a password it didn’t tell me that the user name wasn’t eligible because it was not already taken so I think you shouldn’t have that problem as well.

I like this song because it comes in sequences and different patterns. Personally I think the song really represents life itself and life can be good and bad in many different ways. (To play the song there is a little play button in the lower left hand corner.)



Now I’d like it if you could listen to my song and answer this question: how many instruments are there in this song?
Hope you like my song - Logan.B

An original 6th grade song

Today's post comes from sixth grader D'Angelo, who has an original song to share with you. (Click on the song to make it bigger.)
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My name is D’Angelo. I play the baritone. I like the baritone because it sounds cool and its shape is cool. Here’s a song I wrote:



What measure does the violin play by itself ?

Meow! A musical cat!

Today's blog comes to us from Jackie in the sixth grade. She has a video she's like to share with you. Take it away, Jackie...

Hello everyone! I’m Jackie B. and I play the flute! I think you should watch this video! Just follow these steps…
• Get headphones or turn up the volume so you can hear!
• Watch the video.
• Then answer the question.



The question is…
What instrument do you think the song is being played by?
(Just for fun! It’s optional!)
Do you know this cat’s name without looking?

Why 5th Graders Should Sign Up for Band

Today's blog post comes to us from McKenzie, a flute player in 6th grade. McKenzie has a message for 5th grade students:

5th Graders should sign up because it’s a very FUN and EXCITING experience.
There are a lot of instruments to choose from.

BAND INSTRUMENTS:
1) Flute
2) Saxophone
3) Percussion
4) Clarinets
5) French horns
6) Trombones
7) Tubas
8) Trumpets
9) Bassoon
10) Oboe
11) Baritone

The band teachers, Mrs. Gibbs and Mrs. Hill, are AWESOME teachers!
They make band even better!

If you want to sign up for band, what instruments will you sign up for???

Important band skills

This video demonstrates the importance of keeping a steady tempo. Watch it and see what happens to Beaker at the end!

What is another musical skill or concept that is important to pay attention to in our music?  Leave a comment with your first name and your answer.

Welcome to the band blog!

Welcome to the CMS band blog!  We'll be using this page to post cool links, pictures, videos, questions about band, and general thoughts about music and our class.  Soon, some of you will help write posts for the blog this year too, which means that YOU might be a PUBLISHED author before the year is up! 

To test out this page, please leave a comment that tells your FIRST name (no last names, please!), your instrument, and why you like playing in the band.  Choose "anonymous" to leave your comment, so that you don't have to sign in.

All comments are emailed to Mrs. Gibbs for approval before they will show up, so if you don't see yours right away, don't worry.  Band students do receive grade credit for thoughtful comments!  Use your best writing skills.