PRESIDENT’S TOOLKIT

Ask Simon …

BY SIMON MINSHALL

A couple of months ago, Martin, our fantastic social media manager, asked you enthusiastic lot to suggest subjects you’d like me to delve into. Here are the first you asked for:

How Do You Approach Sight Reading? Any Tips?

This comes up a lot. Due to the versatility of the trombone, we often find ourselves performing in many different genres, with a vast array of music that we are expected to read at sight. UK musicians have always been highly respected for their ability to play to the red light and get it right first time. I enjoy the challenge of practising sight-reading, and I do it by simply getting some new music and playing it. We all have study books that we play the same numbers from … find a new one. Before playing, take time to look. I have a little check list: clef, key, speed/time signature, geography. There is nothing worse than successfully playing each note (in the right order) and then getting thrown by a 1st time bar or a D.S./Coda.

How do you keep going without stopping if something goes wrong, especially at home where you can ‘get away with it’?

Well simply, don’t let yourself get away with it; even if you make mistakes train yourself to keep going, you are practising a specific skill. Use a metronome (this prepares you for playing to a click track), and a recording device (your smart phone maybe?). Experiment with playing at different tempi. The recording device is there to give you some feedback on your playing.

Playing in ensembles with people who share the same mentality really does help; maybe bring a new piece to every rehearsal none of you have seen.

Don’t be afraid to use a pencil before you make the mistake! That one thoughtful moment can really make your life a bit easier. It has for me!

What Makes an Employable Freelancer?

A few years ago, I was asked to write 10 points on this kind of subject, and they apply to all of us: amateur to seasoned professional. They are by no means gospel, and you will have some other points I am sure:

1. Always be early – never on time.

2. Adapt to your surroundings, playing and other musicians’ personalities. Still be yourself but your job is to make others sound better.

3. Always buy your round – pub or coffee.

4. Always be in good shape – take care to look after your basics – especially on free days or mornings/when work is slow.

5. Smile – no one likes a miserable person, manners cost nothing.

6. Pencil! (And spares) just buy a clip for the instrument so you don’t forget (update: I’ve learnt you can get magnetic ones too!).

7. Practise at home but keep a practise mute handy if you feel you need to have a blow in the venue – don’t blow open whilst the harp is tuning or whilst someone is having a conversation.

8. Keep your instrument in fully working order (mouthpieces clean, mutes corked).

9. Every gig you do doesn’t need to be broadcast on social media but do promote your own events if you think others will find it interesting or if it’s something you are particularly proud of.

10. Do other things – a few very similar weeks can affect your mood and quality of playing. Meet up and play with others; keep healthy, fit, and strong so you’re ready for any occasion.

Rotary, Thayer or Hagmann Valves?

I think sound should always win! This could mean ending up with the valve set up you didn’t expect and not always the easiest to play. Having used all these valves, I settled on Rotax. I enjoy the ‘good resistance’ they create, allowing you to blend with most large bore tenors but free enough to navigate the silliness some composers write for the bass trombone: I do use Hagmann’s on my contrabass trombone though. I was asked to do a presentation on valves at the Dutch Bass Trombone Open and I ended up learning an awful lot from the people there. If you are interested drop me a message and I can share my acquired knowledge on this. There is certainly not enough space in the magazine for this.

Questions, corrections, queries? I am here to learn too, so any thoughts you might have just email me president@britishtrombonesociety and I shall try to include them.

Off we all go to practise … ◆

BTS NEWS 12.00pm – 5.00pm, Sunday, 8 May North East Trombone Day

Mark Hillary Arts & Music Centre, Collingwood College, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LT

Free to BTS Members; £10.00 Non-Members; £5 NUS cardholders, under-18s, and parents/guardians.

You can expect an afternoon of playing and listening, for trombone players of all ages and from all backgrounds. Our guest list at the moment includes Christian Jones of Opera North, the trombone section of the famous Fairey Band from Stockport, and a Trombone Ensemble from the Royal Northern College of Music.

We will get started as soon as we can after registration at 12.00, but you can expect an informal afternoon of playing in a large trombone choir, listening to recitals and sessions led by our guests, and appropriate coffee and sandwich breaks (we suggest you bring your refreshments as needed, although there is a coffee bar nearby in the college).

Towards the end of the afternoon, we hope to be able to make a video of the massed blow, to be broadcast under the BTS umbrella on Make Music Day* on 21 June.

Parking will be in adjacent College grounds, so there will be a short walk to the venue. Precise details will be published on the BTS website and Facebook page nearer the day, or available from the organisers:

Peter Chester: pm.chester@outlook.com and David Thornber: thornberdavid00@gmail. com

Although entry is possible on the day we would encourage advance booking, from Ticketsource, as it does help our planning.

*Make Music Day is an international event that has flourished in some countries for over 40 years. It celebrates music making in all its forms and on the appointed day, 21 June, musicians in many countries will be giving concerts, recitals and performances, in groups or as solos, with many in the UK being live-streamed on the Make Music Youtube channel. The recording we hope to make will also be broadcast on 21 June, but there is absolutely no reason why individual BTS members (and their friends!) cannot make their own recordings or investigate live streaming as well. This could be a great opportunity for performance and fun. The Make Music website is where you start your adventure: www.makemusicday.co.uk