Fil-Am Vets Rondalla
How hard is it to learn a brass instrument after playing woodwind?
I play baritone saxophone in my high school marching band, and I was just wondering how brass instruments work, and how hard it would be to switch to sousaphone. I’m used to the heavy weight of holding an instrument while playing (the bari sax is heavy and really bulky), so the physical aspect wouldn’t be difficult.
But when it comes to playing, how hard would it be for a person who has never played a brass instrument to switch to a brass instrument?
I would think so. Two of my friends (one is a clarinet player, the other plays the snare) want to learn brass instruments. The snare drummer is trying to. She’s having an incredibly hard time learning it, but maybe that’s because she’s never had to blow air in her instrument.
The baritone saxophone is completely different than a brass instrument like the sousaphone. They both read on bass clef, so that’s one similarity. But switching from a reed to a mouth piece is not easy. I’ve tried playing my friend’s clarinet (i’m a trumpet player) and it is definitely hard to do. I can only play mary had a little lamb and it sounds like poop.
You would need a LOT of practice to play sousaphone (not to mention during concert season, you would play a regular concert tuba, not a sousaphone, and that is different) because the way the mouth is positioned, the fingerings, and the amount of air you have to use is completely different.
October 22nd, 2009
Posted by admin in instrument | 2 Comments »
How hard is it to learn a brass instrument after playing woodwind?
I play baritone saxophone in my high school marching band, and I was just wondering how brass instruments work, and how hard it would be to switch to sousaphone. I’m used to the heavy weight of holding an instrument while playing (the bari sax is heavy and really bulky), so the physical aspect wouldn’t be difficult.
But when it comes to playing, how hard would it be for a person who has never played a brass instrument to switch to a brass instrument?
I would think so. Two of my friends (one is a clarinet player, the other plays the snare) want to learn brass instruments. The snare drummer is trying to. She’s having an incredibly hard time learning it, but maybe that’s because she’s never had to blow air in her instrument.
The baritone saxophone is completely different than a brass instrument like the sousaphone. They both read on bass clef, so that’s one similarity. But switching from a reed to a mouth piece is not easy. I’ve tried playing my friend’s clarinet (i’m a trumpet player) and it is definitely hard to do. I can only play mary had a little lamb and it sounds like poop.
You would need a LOT of practice to play sousaphone (not to mention during concert season, you would play a regular concert tuba, not a sousaphone, and that is different) because the way the mouth is positioned, the fingerings, and the amount of air you have to use is completely different.
October 22nd, 2009
Posted by admin in instrument | 2 Comments »
How to change the instrument cluster on a 2003 Chevy Venture?
I need to change the instrument cluster on my 2003 Chevy Venture. If you have the schematics please send them to me.
my answer is check the www.chevy.com
October 14th, 2009
Posted by admin in instrument | 1 Comment »
How to change the instrument cluster on a 2003 Chevy Venture?
I need to change the instrument cluster on my 2003 Chevy Venture. If you have the schematics please send them to me.
my answer is check the www.chevy.com
October 14th, 2009
Posted by admin in instrument | 1 Comment »
What instrument has played a major role of our understanding of cells?
What instrument has played a major role of our understanding of cells and what three different types of this instrument have?
The microscope. It allowed scientists to look at individual cells as opposed to a whole organism.
October 12th, 2009
Posted by admin in instrument | 3 Comments »
What is the easiest instrument to learn?
My daughter has the opportunity of learning an instrument and wants to do the trumpet,Is that easy or hard?
My daughter is good at music.At primary school she learnt to play the recorder really well.At high school now she can choose from a wide variety of instruments.Flute clarinet, saxaphone drums, drums, trombone guitars and the piano.
As a general rule, every instrument is easy to learn and hard to excel at. They all have a different learning curve, but similar start and end points (although there is no end, really). Some instruments are harder at first, but once a certain point is passed, improvement becomes easier. Some instruments are easier at first, but then improvement require more work later on…but it’s all so similar in the end. Also, some students are better suited to different instruments.
A big indicator of whether or not a student will be successful is if they are attracted to the tambre/sound of an instrument. Given this, I would encourage your daughter to to learn to play the trumpet. Brass instruments – especially trumpet- can teach discipline in a big way. Because of the way the embouchure/muscles around the mouth are developed, trumpet is a less forgiving instrument when it’s not practiced as regularly. All instruments benefit from regular practice, but trumpet in particular needs consistency.
A good trumpet sound is really unlike anything else. It has been said that it’s the closest to representing a human voice. Trumpet players get to play a lot of melodies in lots of different ensembles.
By comparison, reed instruments (clarinet, saxophones, oboe, bassoon) are a bit easier on the chops (lips/muscles around mouth area) but still need work there, and you will need to buy reeds regularly. Also, with reed instruments, it is easier to just push a key and blow and have the right note come out (not necessicarily in tune) where with trumpet and brass instruments, you need to develop your ears and really understand the music you are playing. Remember, this is a GOOD thing, not a "drawback" or something!
Anyways, another thing to consider is the kind of music your daughter wants to be involved in and the instruments associated with it. Piano and guitar are chordal instruments that promote the understanding of music because of how much they regularly deal with harmony. Guitar is versatile and involved in many kinds of music, but usually not school ensembles. Piano is in most orchestras but not band. Both are in jazz ensembles. Percussionists who play drumset might be the most versatile musicians as far a the variety of styles/genres they are involved in.
Anyways, sorry for the long answer. Your daughter should know that any instrument is a big committment and will take a lot of work. The trumpet is a really special instrument, in my personal opinion, that can be extremely expressive and beautiful and powerful, more so than a lot of other instruments (although anything can be played that way, to a degree) depending on the person, they can take to it well or have so much difficulty that they quit (as with any instrument). It’s just so different from person to person. It will take a lot of disciplined practice and patience but the payoff will be great if she can do it. IT IS WORTH GETTING A REALLY GOOD TEACHER, by the way. Also, this is a really important point, but I should have mentioned it a lot earlier. An instrument is a means to play music, and you might learn more about music through your experiences associated with playing an instrument, but it would be great for your daughter if she understood a lot of music aurally before she even started an instrument. Can she sing in tune? Like, simple folk songs. Can she sense the harmonic movement of simple chord changes, and improvise/make up new melodies on them? (kids often do this naturally on the playground!) Can she keep a steady beat, moving/clapping/whatever? Just these basic things are a good starting point that will make learning an instrument MUCH easier!!!! The greater a person’s understanding of music (mainly aural and also theoretical) the easier they will learn an instrument. Good luck!
October 10th, 2009
Posted by admin in instrument | 5 Comments »
How does learning a new instrument make you a better musician, if you already play an instrument?
How does learning a new instrument make you a better musician, if you already play an instrument?
How does the process of learning a new instrument inform/develop one’s musicianship?
You may discover another instrument you enjoy equally or even more. I know several people who started out with one instrument, but decided to try another one, and did a permanent switch. I know one person that played the Alto Sax all through school. she went on to university (music degree) and now teaches flute and Saxophone, and plays the banjo in a band. I personally enjoyed trying other instruments because of the type of music they usually play, or the sound they made.
October 9th, 2009
Posted by admin in instrument | 6 Comments »
What instrument should I start to learn to play?
I’m fascinated by music, and everything that involves it. Especially instruments. If I watch someone playing the violin, or guitar, or piano or any other instrument I just get transfixed. It’s amazing. I know how to play the piano and Im still doing lessons, but I’d love to take up another instrument. I’m 14 years old. Any ideas?
I was thinking about the violin.
I’d love to be able to play the piano, but bass is next on my list 
Guitar is fairly simple (speaking from personal experience). Cello is awesome.
October 9th, 2009
Posted by admin in instrument | 3 Comments »
Which instrument is most rewarding to play?
I play piano and my teacher said that piano is the most rewarding and fun instrument to be able to play. I disagree, I think electric guitar is the most rewarding. I only can dream to play a guitar solo and I wish I could bust out playing like john mayer or santana. What do you guys think is the funnest instrument to play?
well my opinion, the piano is the most rewarding, you can do more thing with a piano.
the chances of going on the electric guitar and becoming famous with that is a low chance unless you get really lucky.
the funnest instrument to play for me, is either the sax or the bassoon. and the bassoon you can go far in many things since it is a more rare instrument to see and if your good you can get into so many things.
October 3rd, 2009
Posted by admin in instrument | 4 Comments »
Which instrument is most rewarding to play?
I play piano and my teacher said that piano is the most rewarding and fun instrument to be able to play. I disagree, I think electric guitar is the most rewarding. I only can dream to play a guitar solo and I wish I could bust out playing like john mayer or santana. What do you guys think is the funnest instrument to play?
well my opinion, the piano is the most rewarding, you can do more thing with a piano.
the chances of going on the electric guitar and becoming famous with that is a low chance unless you get really lucky.
the funnest instrument to play for me, is either the sax or the bassoon. and the bassoon you can go far in many things since it is a more rare instrument to see and if your good you can get into so many things.
October 3rd, 2009
Posted by admin in instrument | 4 Comments »