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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > OT Looking for advice on leading a youth band
OT Looking for advice on leading a youth band
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STME58
987 posts
Jul 16, 2014
7:02 AM
The comment a got from a scout parent,"I knew you played the harmonica but I did not know you were a musician!" has escalated and I have been asked to lead a band made up of boy scouts from the troop who play instruments. It looks like I am going to have about 10 musicians on horns, percussion, guitar, banjo keyboards. Most of them can read sheet music but few of them can improvise. I have some experience leading kids in other endeavors(4H,cub scouts, boy scouts), and I have been in a few bands, orchestras and small groups, but I have never lead a band. I have collected 4 and 5 part sheet music for a couple of tunes that I have in Finale so I can transpose and give a part in the right key to any of the musicians.

I know that many of you here on this forum have a wide variety of musical experience and was hoping to get a bit of sage advice that might apply to this situation.

Thanks
Steve

Last Edited by STME58 on Jul 16, 2014 7:03 AM
Frank
4832 posts
Jul 16, 2014
5:22 PM
Depending on how rhythmic they are - I'd teach them some cool blues tunes :) Have a few lay down the groove, a few to mess with that pocket, the rest to add some spice and take turns soloing or singing etc. :)

Last Edited by Frank on Jul 16, 2014 5:23 PM
STME58
988 posts
Jul 16, 2014
10:10 PM
I would love to get them to that point but I think most of them are going to be lost without sheet music in front of them. A couple of them have played in jazz bands and can work off either sheet music or charts.

I have until next Wed to prepare. I am rally glad I have been taking music lessons lately. I have learned a lot from my instructor that I think will come in handy here. The main goal is to keep it fun so the kids won't lose interest. I am hoping I can convey to them that if they put in a bit of work to acquire skills, it can be even more fun.
Frank
4835 posts
Jul 17, 2014
3:50 AM
What songs are you doing, "When he Saints Go Marching in" should be a winner :)

STME58
989 posts
Jul 17, 2014
6:22 AM
Good suggestion Frank, That one will be easy to find or write a chart for. Don't think well sound like heartbeat for a while though! I had not thought of the Dixieland style for this group. IT looks like my instrumentation will be similar to the group you posted. I don't know how it will work with an alto sax instead of a clarinet and a bari sax instead of a tuba. How they due will be largely determined by how much energy they are willing to put into this. My job is to guide and inspire them (we'll see if I am up to the task) I am also curious to see if any of the boy scouts would be willing to sing.

One cool thing about this is rehearsals will be held in a Banjo Factory. I hope that provides some inspiration.
SteveTech
2 posts
Jul 18, 2014
4:45 AM
I used to do this very thing with ecclectic groups, and I could write for hours, but here's my advice in a nutshell:

1. Kids want to sound good. They will work with you to sound like real muscians playing real songs rather than sounding like 4th graders playing Hot Cross Buns. (4th graders can play some great blues, by the way.)

2. Because of that, find a good recording of whatever song you are teaching them. Make them listen to it a couple times before they rehearse the first time, then from time to time thereafter.

3. I can't stress this enough: PLAY WITH THEM. You are not stealing their thunder, you are modeling good musicianship and earning their respect. (This guy isn't only a teacher, he can really play! Awesome!) How many great bands had their band leader play with them? Enough said.

4. Don't worry. They will sound pretty bad for a while...but it will work out...trust me...it will be fine.
J_Bark
15 posts
Jul 18, 2014
5:20 AM
As a father of two and an educator to many I want to add a couple points.

middle and high school aged kids are often very hesitant to look bad in front of their peers. As such they are often hesitant about things like playing solos. Just be aware and respectful of this if some of the kids seem hesitant. Don't pressure them to do a solo, but certainly allow and praise them if they do give it a try. Build a safe and fun environment where you respect them and they will come along with you wherever you take them.

Also, many middle and nigh school aged kids are extremely sensitive to criticism. It is best with young people to focus on praising their work and making simple suggestions for improvement. It never hurts to screw something up in front of them and laugh at yourself for doing it. But NEVER laugh at a teenager who screws up, you can laugh with them if they are laughing about it though.

Remember that teens are a different type of being, hormone overloaded and struggling with growing up, new bodies and new feelings about others. Patience, respect and fun need to be your guide words. If they learn some music all the better.

I also want to agree with Steve when he says play with them. My two are both band geeks and they love it when they get to play with talented adults. The only thing I would caution here is to play with them, not above them. In other words play similar parts to theirs and play them well, but do not make the show about you.

Steven Tyler once wrote:

"Life's a journey not a destination, and you just don't know just what tomorrow will bring"

take a journey with these young people, let the destination be what it will.

Cheers,
Jerry
STME58
990 posts
Jul 18, 2014
1:18 PM
Thank you all for your advice. I was debating weather to play along with the kids or leave my instruments in the case.

This could be fun. I was surprised at how many kids enthusiastically signed up for it. Some are very beginning musicians, and one has already performed at Carnegie Hall. I have yet to hear any of them play.

I have been attending Walt Richards Slo Jam here in San Diego. They have quite a range of musicial abilities but always make things work. Walt frequently emphasizes that you do not have to be a virtuoso to make good music with others. I will be using a lot of what I have learned in this group with the Scouts.

One of my sons will be in the group, the other has told me in the past that playing music with a parent is about the most uncool thing he could think of. In fact he has quit all instruments in part due to fear of us forming a family band(so he says). He also says he does not like me involved with Scouts because other scouts tell him his dad is cool, and he has to explain to them how not true this is!

I read a great description of a teenager the other day, it said they vacillate between feelings of invulnerability and worthlessness. As you folks have pointed out here, the task I am embarking on is not all about the music. Thanks again for sharing your experience.
STME58
1001 posts
Jul 23, 2014
11:58 PM
I met with the Scouts for the first time today. You guys advice was right on. I was glad I brought an instrument. It helped get things across. One of the musicians struggling was a trombonist and it was easier to help him having my trombone there. Boy did they sound awful at first. I thought I had screwed the arrangement up. By the end of the hour things were much better. We did my arrangement of "Scotland the Brave" and a Dallas Brass piece called "Next Stop Funksville" that was available free on their website and had some alternate woodwind parts. I was impressed how well the kids read this piece.

I was glad I brought something to play the arrangement on . I hooked my computer up to an amp and played the arrangement using Finale. This let them know how it was supposed to sound and helped my confidence that I had not screwed up the arrangement.

I learned why conductors have such big music stands, scores take a lot of space. I learned I need two scores, one in concert pitch and one in the pitch of the instruments because I don't transpose too well. Most of all It was reinforce not to give up or loose composure when things look like they are going in the tank. Perseverance has a way of getting things to work out. I am looking forward to doing it again next week. Thanks for your advice.

Last Edited by STME58 on Jul 24, 2014 12:02 AM


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