Hi all, I guess that while ya'll may be listening to the different versions of flight and getting a vague idea of what we can improve on, here's some suggestions that we can consider:
For the 1st (top) video:
Basically this is the best version of the three, coordination is not too bad, although the tempo is a little unsteady at places. The running notes in the woodwinds are very clear, every note has equal note length and is very well-coordinated within the different sections. This is what we must be okay! =) Also, we must listen to the intonation of yourself, the section, other sections and the band! While this may seem difficult, you just need to hear yourself and everyone else. If you feel comfortable, you're okay, if you feel like you're a little out-of-sync with the rest, adjust! Simple as that. :) This is really important because it shows the different between an excellent band, a good band, an okay band and a lousy band. It's really significant because that affects how the listener responds to the music whether in relaxation and awe or in shock and cringes everytime the music blares. yup, so basically this band is in tune, in coordination and sounds majestic and cultured that's why it is the best! (Note that we should NOT follow the tempo here as it is slightly unsteady and distracts the listener from the music!)
For the 2nd video:
Okay, the tempo fluctuations here are even worse, I'm sure you can all hear it as well... Basically, just keep thinking about the pulse. It's like the heartbeat of the music, you must keep it steady else you'll get heartattack! Also, the tuning was quite bad, making the music quite jarring. In addition to what I mentioned earlier about the tuning within yourself and band right, you must make sure that when you enter with the same note as the other person playing it before right, make sure that you do NOT play a different pitch!!! This was like so extremely obvious when the saxophone entered after the flutes and it was like omg that's nearly a semitone off... >.<
For the 3rd video:
It's basically quite similar to the 2nd video... oh! erm 1 more thing, please try to emphasize the first three beats of the first section the semiquavers part. Because the last beat is very projective and in the 2nd and 3rd videos it was the only thing that I could hear. So, make sure that you bring out the first three beats to make this section more consistent and smooth. Also, when holding long notes, please do NOT go flat!!! :( Esp when the trumpet played the solo, the last note went horribly flat and was extremely D= yup so please watch out for the tuning! (if you run out of breath, please - either take another breath or just stop playing esp when it's the last ntoe of a quiet phrase) Here, the main problem is tuning and so it is the 2nd best video - the 2nd video was out of tune AND the tempo very obviously fluctuating so it's the worst of the three.
In conclusion, just make sure that you have
- Tuning! (yourself, section, other sections around you, the band)
- Coordination! (esp when the tempo is changing, please please please look at Ms Chong)
- Balance! (we're often not the melody instruments so please just hover in the background, our part is not really meant to make the listener stressed up so just add a LITTLE excitement to the music...) (This also includes bringing out the lower notes and controlling the high register)
- Clear and even running notes! (the 1st video sounded very controlled and articulate in the running notes, be like them!)
Okay, i think that's all for now. Just take note of what I wrote in the conclusion it's to sum everything I wrote above. :) Happy chinese new year!
- Meri
