C Melody Saxophone Forum

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C Melody Saxophone Forum / Community and Church Bands / Small but Balanced!

WW2
User ID: 9955583 Jun 23rd 12:53 PM
Well, we only had 10 musicians in our Band and one member for our color guard at the first rehearsal. Quite an interesting mix:

1 - Conductor (flutist and tenor saxophonists also)
1 - Flute
1 - Bb Clarinet
1 - Eb Alto Saxophone
1 - Eb Baritone Saxophone
1 - BBb Bass Saxophone (me!)
1 - Tuba (not a Sousaphone, but a Tuba!)
1 - Bb Trumpet
2 - Mellophones (Horns in F)
1 – Flag/Rifle Color Guard

Yes, this is kind of small for a marching band, but we have great balance and a good bottom end!

My conductor (my daughter) had us sight read the first piece "Surf City U.S.A.". Usually our first rehearsal is dismal. However, this time she said we only needed to work our dynamics and balance. Imagine a 10-piece band with THREE bass voices, Three Tenor Voices, one alto voice, two soprano voices, and a conductor/drum major. It sounds great!

With a playing tempo between 144 and 160, we decided to march half time so that our feet are only running a tempo of between 70 and 80. That means the left foot is down on 1 and the right foot is down on 3 in a 4/4 number. It was just our luck that in the middle of our second number "God Bless the U.S.A." we have a single 2/4 measure that forces our right foot to 1 and our left foot to 3. It feels backwards! But, with two rehearsals left before the parade, I think we will nail it!

Alan (UK)
User ID: 8200143 Jun 24th 3:42 AM
Wade - did you delete my posting on this topic ?

WW2
User ID: 9955583 Jun 24th 12:09 PM
Um, no. I don't generally delete postings unless they are exceptionally rude and have no redeeming value.

By the way, my new bari sax player in the band just got a bass saxophone. Now there is the possibility of TWO bass saxophones in a 10 member band. That will be really cool. Now, if only I could get the C-Soprano and C-Melody players to join...

JC
User ID: 0255034 Jul 2nd 10:58 AM
Wade, My C tenor, I guess that's what I should call a C sax with a curved neck, just arrived Monday. It's a long drive but maybe I could at least join a rehearsal next year. I missed these postings until today. Will watch more closely next year. Good luck on Monday.

WW2
User ID: 9955583 Jul 5th 1:40 PM
JC;

After much debate, the people on this forum have decided, by most common usage, that the "C" saxophones are "C-Soprano" and "C-Melody", so calling it a C-Melody is fine. Although I personally prefer C-Tenor, I find I now use C-Melody to avoid confusion with the Bb-Tenor.

As for the community band; for next year, I am planning the rehearsals to be on Tuesday June 20, 2006; Thursday June 22, 2006; Tuesday June 27, 2006; Thursday June 29, 2006; and Saturday July 1, 2006 with the parade being Tuesday July 4, 2006. Times are generally 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. with the Saturday rehearsal and the Parade being at 10 AM. The location is yet to be determined but will be announced on the Temecula All-City Community Band page that is accessed through the link on C-Melody.com.

WW2 User ID: 9955583	Jun 23rd 12:53 PM Well, we only had 10 musicians in our Band and one member for our color guard at the first rehearsal. Quite an interesting mix: 1 - Conductor (flutist and tenor saxophonists also) 1 - Flute 1 - Bb Clarinet 1 - Eb Alto Saxophone 1 - Eb Baritone Saxophone 1 - BBb Bass Saxophone (me!) 1 - Tuba (not a Sousaphone, but a Tuba!) 1 - Bb Trumpet 2 - Mellophones (Horns in F) 1 – Flag/Rifle Color Guard Yes, this is kind of small for a marching band, but we have great balance and a good bottom end! My conductor (my daughter) had us sight read the first piece "Surf City U.S.A.". Usually our first rehearsal is dismal. However, this time she said we only needed to work our dynamics and balance. Imagine a 10-piece band with THREE bass voices, Three Tenor Voices, one alto voice, two soprano voices, and a conductor/drum major. It sounds great! With a playing tempo between 144 and 160, we decided to march half time so that our feet are only running a tempo of between 70 and 80. That means the left foot is down on 1 and the right foot is down on 3 in a 4/4 number. It was just our luck that in the middle of our second number "God Bless the U.S.A." we have a single 2/4 measure that forces our right foot to 1 and our left foot to 3. It feels backwards! But, with two rehearsals left before the parade, I think we will nail it!
Alan (UK) User ID: 8200143	Jun 24th 3:42 AM Wade - did you delete my posting on this topic ?
WW2 User ID: 9955583	Jun 24th 12:09 PM Um, no. I don't generally delete postings unless they are exceptionally rude and have no redeeming value. By the way, my new bari sax player in the band just got a bass saxophone. Now there is the possibility of TWO bass saxophones in a 10 member band. That will be really cool. Now, if only I could get the C-Soprano and C-Melody players to join...
JC User ID: 0255034	Jul 2nd 10:58 AM Wade, My C tenor, I guess that's what I should call a C sax with a curved neck, just arrived Monday. It's a long drive but maybe I could at least join a rehearsal next year. I missed these postings until today. Will watch more closely next year. Good luck on Monday.
WW2 User ID: 9955583	Jul 5th 1:40 PM JC; After much debate, the people on this forum have decided, by most common usage, that the "C" saxophones are "C-Soprano" and "C-Melody", so calling it a C-Melody is fine. Although I personally prefer C-Tenor, I find I now use C-Melody to avoid confusion with the Bb-Tenor. As for the community band; for next year, I am planning the rehearsals to be on Tuesday June 20, 2006; Thursday June 22, 2006; Tuesday June 27, 2006; Thursday June 29, 2006; and Saturday July 1, 2006 with the parade being Tuesday July 4, 2006. Times are generally 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. with the Saturday rehearsal and the Parade being at 10 AM. The location is yet to be determined but will be announced on the Temecula All-City Community Band page that is accessed through the link on C-Melody.com.