Week of Monday May 18th

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Practice Logs:  

 

See some practice suggestions below for this week:

Review Exercises

• 7th Gr. - Accent on Achievement #91, 94, and 98 (watch the key signatures!).  Same as last week, but feel free to add on 99 if you’re getting the other’s well. 

• 8th Gr. – Green Book, work on pg. 18 (#69 – 72).  Same as last week, but add on 79 if you’re looking for another challenge. 

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If you are practicing, I would like you to fill out the following google form once-a-week.

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Practice Form: https://forms.gle/P7pHyi16dkNJMoPS7

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Escape Room:

 

For our last week of school, I’ve prepared a digital escape room!  7th graders have done this one before, but since it’s been so long, I don’t think you’ll mind trying it again.  Set a timer on your phone, computer, or something as soon as you start the first page and see if you can finish it under an hour! 

 

If you do not have internet access, see if you can make your own escape room task!  Maybe I’ll use it for a new one I develop!  I’ve attached one as an example. 

 

Escape Room 2.0 Link:

 

https://forms.gle/T7Wz6zwnbauYdHzk6

 

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Happy Summer!

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It’s hard to believe it’s already going to be summer.  Remember, summer doesn’t mean playing is over.  On the contrary, summer is where strong players separate themselves from mediocre players.  Find a routine, keep working through your books, and find some songs you enjoy playing along the way.  Never hesitate to get in touch if you need anything.  Once my student, always my student. 

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To 8th graders, thank you for an amazing couple of years.  I’m so sorry it had to end this way, but I look forward to keeping in touch as you go onto greater adventures in high school.  Don’t be a stranger!

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For 7th graders, I can’t wait to have almost all of you back next year and know that, in spite of all the adversity we’re dealing with, we are going to have an awesome 8th grade year!

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Week of Monday May 11th​

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Practice Logs:  

Review Exercises

• 7th Gr. - Accent on Achievement #91, 94, and 98 (watch the key signatures!).  Also, give yourself a scale workout.  See how many major scales you can play in the least amount of time possible. 

• 8th Gr. – Foundations for Superior Performance (Blue) Book.  Review pg. 24-25.  In your Green Book, work on pg. 18 (#69 – 72)

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If you are practicing, I would like you to fill out the following google form once-a-week.

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Practice Form: https://forms.gle/P7pHyi16dkNJMoPS7

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Choose Your Own Adventure:

 

PICK ONE (or more) option to do this week. If you're doing any of 1-4 and able to share, please do so with Mr. Konrad via flipgrid or email. 

 

1. Make a video or write a persuasive essay about "What Being in Band Means to Me" and email it to Mr. Konrad

2. Find a piece of music on Youtube or JWPepper.com and write a paragraph (or make a video) about why we should play it.

3. Create a piece of artwork (can be drawing, painting, anything) while listening to a new piece of music.

4. Make a Band MEME! 

 

 

Bonus:

 

Put on a short Porch Concert! Perform outside on a nice day, any song of your choice and have someone email me a picture/video! You can perform in your driveway, porch, patio, deck  etc. and have some fun.  Send me a video if you can! Please do this during normal hours, such as 10AM-6pm.

 

Week of Monday May 4th​

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Practice Logs:  

 

See some practice suggestions below for this week:

Review Exercises

• 7th Gr. - Accent on Achievement #91, Chromatic, and 95.  The last is a tough one, try looking it up on Youtube.

• 8th Gr. – Foundations for Superior Performance (Blue) Book.  Work on pg. 24-25.  It’s your Db Major Scale exercises and technique builders.  Work as many exercises as you can starting at a slower tempo and working upward. 

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If you are practicing, I would like you to fill out the following google form once-a-week.

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Practice Form: https://forms.gle/P7pHyi16dkNJMoPS7

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Happy Birthday!

 

So, if you didn’t know, my birthday is this week!  Since that’s the case, I would LOVE to hear you figure out how to play “Happy Birthday” on your instrument OR the version that we sing in class (“This. Is. Your. Birthday Soooong…”) and send it to me.  You have three options if you would like to send it that I’ll put below and one of them lets your record with friends without being in the same place using a program called A Capella:

 

• Use Flipgrid:

 

7th Grade – https://flipgrid.com/konrad8272

8th Grade – https://flipgrid.com/konrad402

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• Record and send it to my email at zkonrad@paplv.org

 

• Collaborate with friends using A Capella.  The premium version of this app does cost money, but you can record up to one minute using the free version.  You will need to make an account to collaborate with friends though.  If you missed it, a bunch of the band teachers in PLCS made one using the “Hold My Hand” song by Jess Glynne.  Check that out below.  

 

A Capella App:  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/acapella-from-picplaypost/id924635678

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PLCS Collab: 

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Week of Monday April 27th​

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Practice Logs:  

 

See some practice suggestions below for this week:

Week of Monday, April  20th Review Exercises

• 7th Gr. - Accent on Achievement #91, 94, and Song Pick! 

• 8th Gr. - Standard of Excellence (Green Book) #67, 68, and Song Pick!  

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Song pick means you pick something YOU like to play!

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If you are practicing, I would like you to fill out the following google form once-a-week.

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Practice Form: https://forms.gle/P7pHyi16dkNJMoPS7
  

 

Check-Up:

 

It’s been a bit over a month since we’ve been apart, so I’d like to get a progress check on how we’re doing.  In order to do that, we’re going to listen to one of the songs out of your books.  Take a video or recording of yourself playing.  If able, you can get it to me one of three ways, otherwise just work on your own:

 

1.  Smartmusic:  If you haven’t seen previous communications, students can use this premium service for free through June.  I’ll have the song posted in the “assignments” section, although it will NOT be for a grade.  Directions to enroll below:

 

 

Open a Chrome browser and visit: https://admin.smartmusic.com/join

 

When prompted for a class code, please enter:

 

RRNG2-PJRLX – 8TH Grade Band

WHXQX-HX7YU – 7th Grade Band

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2.  Flipgrid:  All 7th graders already have an account through school, but 8th graders can also use making an account with their school emails.  See the links below: 

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7th Grade – https://flipgrid.com/konrad8272

​8th Grade – https://flipgrid.com/konrad402

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3.  Record and Email:  Make a recording and email to zkonrad@paplv.org

 

 

Check Up Songs

 

7th Grade - #91 Blow Away the Morning Dew (notice it’s in cut time)

8th Grade - #67 (Green Book) The Four Seasons (cut time, play top notes)

 

Week of Monday April 20th​

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Practice Logs:  

Week of Monday, April  20th Review Exercises

• 7th Gr. - Accent on Achievement #90, 91, 94, and Clarinet Hoedown 

• 8th Gr. - Standard of Excellence (Green Book) #67, 68, and Great Locomotive Chase

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If you are practicing, I would like you to fill out the following google form once-a-week.

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Practice Form: https://forms.gle/P7pHyi16dkNJMoPS7

  

Music Theory:​

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Some more musictheory.net exercises.  7th grade will work on generic intervals (the space between notes) and the 8th grade will work on recognizing the difference between Major and Minor scales by through listening. 

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7th Grade – bit.ly/2vMllak​

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8th Grade – bit.ly/2W0osGc

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Week of Monday April 13th

Practice Logs:  

Week of Monday, April  6th Review Exercises

7th Grade. - Accent on Achievement #84, 90, 91, and Aliens Landing

8th Grade - Standard of Excellence (Green Book) #62, 67, and Shenandoah Triptych

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If you are practicing, I would like you to fill out the following google form once-a-week.

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Practice Form: https://forms.gle/P7pHyi16dkNJMoPS7

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Flip Grid and Pop Lick:
 

Since many students already have access to Flip Grid (7th grade at least does), I am going to be using this to allow students to submit videos.  You can get to the different classes at the below link.  You will need your school email address to sign up if you haven't already signed up:

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7th Grade – https://flipgrid.com/konrad8272
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8th Grade – https://flipgrid.com/konrad402 


For this week, I want you to try and take a popular short tune/melody (also known as a “lick”) and learn to play it by ear (you should see the assignment on the grid).  

 

Example: See if you can learn how to play the beginning of “Careless Whisper” by only using your ears.  Kinda like we did in class when we learned Ghost Busters

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Week of Monday April 6th

 Practice Logs:  

Week of Monday, April  6th Review Exercises

7th Grade. - Accent on Achievement #62, 64, 70, and Carpathia

8th Grade - Standard of Excellence (Green Book) #32, 33, 43, 44, and Forest Brook

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If you are practicing, I would like you to fill out the following google form once-a-week.

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Practice Form: https://forms.gle/P7pHyi16dkNJMoPS7

 

Musictheory.net:
 

Using a great online resource called Musictheory.net, we’ll be doing some challenges to reinforce theory we’ve learned this year. The first activity will help you work on your key signatures. Press the link below for your corresponding grade:

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7th Grade – bit.ly/38GkiWG
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8th Grade – bit.ly/2WdyPGX


 

8th Graders Doing Band in HS:
 

Any 8th graders going into High School Band interested in auditioning for All-State, please fill out the below form:

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https://forms.gle/c2vcVVcW7m39NYeF7

I hope these resources and activities are helpful! Don't forget to check out Smartmusic for resources, accompaniments, and other music you may want to explore. It's free!

 

​Week of Monday March 30th

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Smartmusic:  

This program allows you to play along with music on a screen while also having accompaniment.  It's a fantastic practice tool that's being offered for free right now given the current circumstance.  Check out https://youtu.be/R5EEsIuraGA to see a brief tutorial and overview.  

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In order to use the software, you need to create a SmartMusic account and join the class using the appropriate class code below:

 

1. Open a Chrome browser and visit: https://admin.smartmusic.com/join
2. When prompted for a class code, please enter:

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RRNG2-PJRLX - 8th grade band

WHXQX-HX7YU - 7th grade band

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Practice Logs:  

March 30th

For those of you that have your instruments, let’s play! Each week you will be asked to practice 1 or more review exercises. You should practice about 2-4x a week (or more!). A practice session should look like the following: 

  

• 5 minutes warm up – scales, lip slurs, long tones, chorale (nothing crazy, get your brain thinking music) 

• 10 minutes assigned exercise – focus on proper articulations (staccatos, accents etc.), dynamics (louds/softs), and making is musical.  

• 5 minutes for fun – pick your favorite song from the book or anything else you really enjoy! Have some fun with this!  

 
Week of Monday, March 30th Review Exercises
7th Gr. -  Accent on Achievement #61, 66, 81
8th Gr. -  Standard of Excellence (Green Book) #31, 48, 53

If you are practicing,  I would like you to fill out the following google form once-a-week.  

Practice Form:  https://forms.gle/P7pHyi16dkNJMoPS7 

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Why is your Instrument the Best?!:  

Lastly, for fun, could you make a video and email it to me about why you think your instrument is the very best?!  All you need to do is make sure it’s school appropriate and that you play your instrument at least once in the video.  Otherwise, feel free to be silly and creative!  Try to keep the lengths reasonable…you can email them to my school account.  zkonrad@paplv.org

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