Now the fun begins with new music galore for all with new band, orchestra, honor band, and solo and ensemble music flying around all over the place.
Two of my high school students this week brought me new music that they had received with widened eyes and wanted to know what was up with 7/8 4/4 and 3/4 2/4 with some 4/4 thrown in there every now and then.
My best tip for playing pieces with rapid meter alternations and changes is: Pick Your Subdivision. The easiest way to warm your brain up for these types of things is to actually practice your conducting skills (or lack of :) I obviously have no skills in this department).
Here is a little chart to help out:
1. Practice your 4/4 conducting pattern
next "ta" quarter notes as you conduct (one "ta" for every beat in the pattern)
2. Practice 3/4 conducting pattern now
now "ta" quarter notes as you conduct in 3/4
3. The fun part! You are going to alternate measures of 4/4 and 3/4 while "ta"ing quarter notes
You will find that the result is this; the quarter note stays the same!
If you keep your subdivision consistent, moving through meter changes is no big deal at all! :)
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