Tom Waid

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MVB 1325 Applied Tuba

MVB 2315 Applied Tuba (Pre-requisite MVB 1325)

Fall Semester, 2009

Co-requisite: MUN 1120 College Concert Band, or MUN 1210 College Concert Orchestra. Also MUS 1010 Student Seminar and Recital

Texts: To be determined during lessons

Lesson Objectives: Mastering the Tuba

Tom Waid

Instructor of Tuba

The primary goal of receiving private instruction on a musical instrument is to ultimately achieve a professional level or performance ability on that instrument. Students are not expected to accomplish this in one term but are expected to make significant progress toward that goal. In an attempt to draw a clear picture of what is being strived for, listed below are most of the desirable attributes of a professional musician. Each attribute is then redefined as an objective and techniques are detailed to acquire mastery.

Attributes of a professional musician:

  1. Possesses a good characteristic sound throughout the range of the instrument and is able to maintain control of that sound over a wide range of dynamics.
  1. Possesses advanced technical abilities that enable the musician to perform most any piece of music he or she is asked to play. Among these abilities are:
  1. The coordinated use of breath, tongue, and fingers to accurately execute rapid and demanding technical passages.
  2. The ability to perform seamless and controlled melodic and legato passages.
  3. The ability to effortlessly play passages in the extremes of the instrument’s range.
  4. A performer on the tuba must be able to skillfully execute passages requiring multiple tonguing.
  1. Possesses the ability to play and sight-read in all major and minor keys.
  1. Possesses the ability to play in tune both alone and in ensemble with other musicians.
  1. Possesses the ability to play rhythmically complex music with extreme accuracy and to keep time flawlessly.
  1. Possesses a mature musical sense and has the ability to convey a wide range of emotions through musical expression.
  1. Is knowledgeable in a wide variety of musical styles and can apply that knowledge in musical performance.
  1. Understands the exact role of his or her instrument during every musical passage whether it is a lead or an accompanying role. (Knows how to be a member of a musical team.)
  1. Can produce professional quality results with a minimum of rehearsal time. This is achieved through the application of the following:
  1. An attitude of professionalism that drives the musician to keep his or her abilities in top form.
  2. When music is available before a rehearsal or performance it is prepared in advance to be assured of no technical problems during the rehearsal or performance. It is unprofessional to arrive at an event unprepared to capably perform every musical task that is asked for.
  3. When music is not available in advance the musician must possess expert sight-reading skills to produce a convincingly professional result.

Achieving Mastery of these attributes (Objectives).

We can redefine each attribute as an objective to be pursued during musical study. All the objectives can be mastered through a combination of private lessons, performance in both large and small ensembles, the study of Music Theory and History, and, most important, concentrated individual practice.

Objective 1: To acquire a good characteristic sound and the ability to maintain control of that sound over a wide range of dynamic levels. This is achieved through the development of a daily warm-up routine to develop a strong embouchure and good breath control and, among other things, includes the use of long tones, lip slurs, and scale studies.

Objective 2: To develop advanced technical abilities that enable the musician to perform most any piece of music he or she is asked to play. Work toward this goal will be done through the study of progressively more demanding technical and melodic studies as well as solo literature. Care will be taken to see that an equal amount of work be devoted to the execution of controlled and highly expressive legato passages as well as rapid technical passages. Facility in all registers of the instrument will be developed as well as multiple tonguing techniques.

Objective 3:To develop the ability to play and sight-read in all major and minor keys. As previously stated scale studies will be part of the daily warm-up routine. These will include all major and all three versions of all minor scales Additionally, etudes and solo literature in unfamiliar keys will be explored.

Objective 4 and 5: To develop the ability to play in tune both alone and in ensemble with other musicians and the ability to play rhythmically complex music with extreme accuracy and to keep time flawlessly. Pursued at all times during lessons and private practice and perfected during performance ensemble classes.

Objective 6: To develop a mature musical sense and the ability to convey a wide range of emotions through musical expression. Since emotional expression is the primary goal of developing facility on a musical instrument the development of musical skills will be pursued parallel to the pursuit of technical skills. Of particular importance will be the study of solo repertoire.

Objective 7: To become knowledgeable in a wide variety of musical styles and be able to apply that knowledge in musical performance. The study of Music Theory and History is very important in developing the knowledge of musical style. Application of this knowledge will occur during applied lessons and performance classes.

Objective 8: To develop an understanding of the exact role of the instrument during every musical passage whether it is a lead or an accompanying role. (Learning to become a member of a musical team.) Techniques of achieving this goal will be explored during lessons and developed through participation in performance ensembles.

Objective 9: To develop the ability to produce professional quality results with a minimum of rehearsal time. Work toward this goal will occur through active coaching and guidance from the instructor. Particular attention will be devoted toward developing sight-reading skills.

Developing an effective practice routine

Since success in the study of a musical instrument is best accomplished through the efficient use of practice time much work will be done in helping the student develop an effective practice routine. While it cannot be said that all lessons will follow this format most will mimic the following suggested practice routine:

Begin with the daily warm-up routine. Development of sound production (embouchure and breath control) as well as flexibility through the study of long tones, slurs, and lip slurs. In addition facility in all keys and development of the extremes of the instrument’s range are pursued through scale studies.

Proceed to technical and melodic etudes. As the student develops he or she will study progressively more challenging etudes. Technical and musical skills should be developed simultaneously.

Continue on to solo literature. The student will then apply his or her technical and musical skills to learning the solo repertoire of the instrument.

Finally practice ensemble literature. The student will be encouraged to be prepared when attending large or small ensemble rehearsals.

Again it must be emphasized that, to be successful, a music student must devote many hours to concentrated daily practice.

What is expected from the student;

  • Persistent hard work: As mentioned above you are expected to practice.
  • Attendance at all your lessons: A minimum of 13 lessons must be attended in order for you to receive a grade in your Applied Lessons. If an unforeseen circumstance prevents you from attending a lesson make sure you inform your instructor about the situation. Effort will be made to schedule a make-up lesson.
  • Purchase of etude books, sheet music, and reference materials appropriate to the student’s performance abilities: Exact determinations will be made in consultation with the instructor and purchases are expected to be made in a timely manner.
  • Metronome!: In pursuit of objective no. 5 listed above possession and frequent use of a metronome is essential.

Grading Scale: A = 90-100%, B = 80-89%, C = 70-79%, D = 60-69%, F = 59% and below

Lesson Grading Criteria: Each Lesson will be assigned a grade based on the level of preparation exhibited by the student.

AExceptionally Prepared Lesson: All assigned scales, studies, and solo literature exceptionally prepared. Student shows significant progress toward achieving the objectives outlined above.

BWell-Prepared Lesson: Student shows progress in preparation of assigned scales, studies, and solo literature but preparation is not necessarily complete. Student shows an average amount of progress toward achieving the objectives outlined above.

CMinimally Prepared Lesson: Student shows some evidence of work toward preparing the lesson but falls significantly short of adequate preparation. Below average progress toward achieving the objectives outlined above.

Jury: Twenty-five percent of the final term grade for Applied Music will be from

evaluation by jury. Refer to page 7 of the Handbook for Music Majors for details

of both Freshman and Sophomore Juries.

Sophomore Level Examination (Sophomore Recital): All second-semester

Applied Music students must take a performance examination in the form of a

mini-recital. Refer to page 7 of the Handbook for Music Majors for details of this.

Attendance at Student Recitals/Seminars: Attendance at the weekly

Recital/Seminar is mandatory and unexcused absences will negatively affect the

final term grade for Applied Music in the following manner.

  • 3 absences in MUS 1010: Maximum Applied Music Grade = B
  • 4 absences in MUS 1010: Maximum Applied Music Grade = C
  • 5 absences in MUS 1010: Maximum Applied Music Grade = D
  • 6 absences in MUS 1010: Maximum Applied Music Grade = F

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