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WEEKLY BLOGS
The journey of a growing multi-instrumentalist and her composing.
This past week was the first time I genuinely tried out composing music in various genres. Even with my crazy schedule for MPA and the MPA preview concert preparation, I've managed to pick up a few jazz scales on my primary instrument, the trumpet. While practicing some improvisational techniques, I was listening to some jazz and indie music.
I discovered that Faye Webster's music truly helped me in developing my improvisational skills. Along with writing and experimenting with music, I've been searching for a new trumpet. I've used a Yamaha YTR2330 for around five years now. Even with the countless tuning slide issues it has had since the day I bought it, my trumpet, which I purchased used, has held up fairly well. Last week when my piston valves got jammed at the bottom of my valve casing, I realized something. I started to think back on how much I've improved as a musician, and I came to the conclusion that I want to look into the Cannonball company for my next trumpet.
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For my “Genius Hour" project, I want to compose a piece and play it on multiple instruments. I've always enjoyed making music, even if I just improvise and make things up off the top of my head. The reason I chose this project is to improve my independence and musicianship.
The first step in this project is to make sure that all of the instruments I have are in working order. For example, my plan as of right now is to use my trumpet, alto saxophone, and trombone. I need to make sure that I have cork grease, slide oil, and valve oil for instrument maintenance purposes. As of this week, I will need to start composing rough drafts of potential pieces. This will help me get a feel for what I want the final piece to sound like. For instance, I may take some rhythmic ideas from an old draft and put them into my final draft. I had the idea of using a monophonic-like melody in certain parts of the song to make it simpler in certain sections. The genre of my piece is still undecided, but I'm leaning towards indie or some version of a contemporary classical piece with a few jazz licks. Since composing music is a lot of trial and error, I'm assuming it will take me roughly four or five weeks to compose a rough draft piece. I'm hoping that the rough draft will be strong enough so that I only have to fix a few things. After that, it should only take me about another week or two to have my final piece. Once I have printed each individual part for each instrument, I will start the practicing segment of the project. My plan as of right now is to primarily practice at home. However, I'm curious if my band director, Mr. Brusseau, will be willing enough to lend me a spot in the band room to put one of my secondary instruments aside for flex time so I can practice. The practicing portion of my project will be challenging because I don't know how long it will take me to perfect everything. So, my goal is to have the composing done within seven (ish) weeks. Now it's time to see how everything plays out. (Sorry, no pun intended). |
AuthorI'm Hannah Baldwin, I'm a sophomore in highschool and I'm apart of my high-school Symphonic Band and marching band. I play multiple instruments such as trumpet, alto saxophone, trombone and guitar. I love composing music. Archives
April 2023
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