My goal for this year (2016-2017) is to improve on my knowledge of all the scales and the minor scales. I want to be able to know them by memory and be able to know the key signatures. I would also like to be able to tune my instrument in accordance to my section. Lastly, I would like to learn alternate ways to learn how to play different notes in order to be more efficient.
Some of my weaknesses are that I have a very small attention span, so I get distracted very easily. Also, I have a bad habit of having bad embouchure when I'm playing. Some of my strengths, however, are that I am willing to work hard and help others who need it.
For my very first assignment on smart music, I got a 77% on the first take.
Leading up to the 9/11 performance, the band and I practice our three songs, Armed Forces, America the Beautiful, which would be performed with the choir, and the Star Spangled Banner. With Armed Forces, we practiced through the parts that we had trouble with and worked on balance and sound. America the Beautiful, we struggled with tempo and balance between the different sections, but we worked together and managed to acheive good sound. Before this concert, we had played the Star Spangled Banner multiple times, so we didn't have much trouble in working through the song. Overall the rehearsals and practices leading up to the performance were fun, but productive. On the actual performance day, I was not able to attend because I got sick, but I know that the band did an amazing job.
Recently, we have been learning about the relation between major scales and their relative minor scales. We learned three major scales and their relative minors. I learned that the relationship between a major and it's minor is that the Major La, or the sixth note of the scale, will become the first note, Do, of the relative minor scale. A Major scale and it's relative minor share the same key signature. I am excited to learn more about the scales and their minors.
For the Alto Saxophones, in order to transpose, we must go down three half steps.
For our smart music scales, I received a 100% on all the scales that we had to do. I only had to do a couple of scales a couple of scales and overall it went well. I also will soon have to do edute #204 and beat my score of 85%.