Band. What comes to your mind? A pop or rock idol singing on the stage when you so recently went to their concert? Maybe. But a school band? Probably a bunch of nerds spitting into over sized instruments playing classical music played Mozart or Bach. If you even know who they are. The truth is that band can be somewhat "cool". We play all kinds of music in band. Talk to anyone in band and I can almost guarantee that they will say that their instrument is hard to play. I my mind music is essential to the soul. All of those movies you watch have background music to them which makes the movie more dramatic or romantic. Who composes that music you ask? Band players. Or at least, started out as band players, and then became orchestra conductors and music composers.
Much of the music we play in band is from popular movies, like Titanic. Yes, I know, Its pretty amazing. Last year the high school band played "My Heart Will Go On", and other pieces from the movie. The wind ensemble(which I'm proud to say I was invited to) played Pirates of the Carribean. Yeah it was awesome. We will probably play music from more popular movies this year too.
Playing the flute is not an easy job. There is about fifty fingerings, a certain way to blow into the flute depending on what kind of pitch you want, tuning(the nightmare), learning where the notes are on the music and finding the corresponding fingerings to them, and doing all this while paying attention to the conductor and not getting out of beat. Not to mention that I can't see what I am doing. And I am a beginner on the flute too. As you get more experienced, more things come along, like blending, listening to the other band members, and demanding pressure on you on stage as you stand for your solo. Any instrument is hard to play. When I was in fifth grade, Mr. Taranto sent out invitations to go to an "instrument petting zoo". I have always wanted to learn to play the flute, and this was my chance. I got there and they let me blow into the flute. He said that i would be a good flute player. I was so exited! We had a lot of students in band at first, at least thirty, but over time people dropped out and only twelve were left in the class of 2016 band. I am the only flute player. Band is not an easy thing just for nerds who can't play sports. I am also on the swim team. Don't judge a band by its cover. :)
Good post, Emma! You make a compelling argument for the coolness of band, and I like how you weave in your personal experiences beginning to play the flute. Do work on proofreading - there are a number of spelling errors here that make it difficult to read in places.
ReplyDeleteI am interested to see what you think of _The Princess Bride_. I grew up watching that movie and still love it, but I haven't read the book. Does the book have the frame narrative of the sick boy being read to by his grandfather, too, or was that just part of the movie?
Thank you for putting your feelings about this into words because I totally agree! I'm in band, as you are well aware of, and I don't think band is all about "being a nerd" I think that you have rightfully proven that band isn't all that it's put out to be! I am glad you feel strongly about this certain topic, because someone has to... But, I totally agree with you on this blog.
ReplyDeleteEmmy, this describes all the feelings about band of those who are in it to those who diss it. I agreee, its hard to play instruments- I often have a sore mouth after rehearsal and wind ensemble will make me hurt at the beginning. Thanks for defending band- a sport in its own way:)
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