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September 28, 2006
Here are 2 pictures of violin/viola left hands. The one on the left is correct. The one on the right is not. On the correct hand notice the thumb pointing toward the ceiling, the straight wrist and the tall square first finger.
Click "Continue reading" below to see pictures of cello and bass left hands.
The picture on the left is a correct cello left hand. The picture on the right is incorrect. On the correct picture notice the well spaced, arched fingers and the thumb directly behind the 2nd finger at the back of the neck. Another common cello problem is when the fingers "cave in" at the first knuckle and are not gently arched from hand to tip of finger
The picture on the left is a correct bass left hand. The picture on the right is incorrect. On the correct picture notice the well spaced, arched fingers and the thumb directly behind the 2nd finger at the back of the neck. Another common bass problem is when the fingers "cave in" at the first knuckle and are not gently arched from hand to tip of finger
Posted by Doemel at 04:38 PM
These things are happening in October.
Monday October 2nd - Last day to turn in Six Flags form and money.
Tuesday, October 3rd - Fundraiser ends. Turn in order brouchure and money.
Saturday, October 7th - Solo and Ensemble Festival.
Monday, October 9th - 2nd practice record due.
Friday, October 13th - Trip to Six Flags (Teacher Workday).
October 16-20 - Conference Week.
Saturday, October 28th - All-State Audition, Pope HS.
Posted by Doemel at 12:09 PM
September 26, 2006
Here's what's going on in class.
6th Grade: The 6th grade orchestra is awesome. We're working hard on our left hand 'set-up'. They know what it looks like. Have them show it to you and monitor their practice to make sure they stay in that position. I have asked them to spend some time in front of a mirror so they can monitor their left hand themselves. We'll soon be learning notes on the A string.
7th Grade: We're working on new notes, C# and G#. This requires a new hand position for cellos and a new finger pattern for violins and violas. We're also working on rhythms that include eighth notes in different arrangements.
8th Grade: These classes are working on shifting, vibrato and our 2nd 2-octave scale, G Major.
Posted by Doemel at 12:36 PM
September 24, 2006
A Mabry parent forwarded this article to me. It details a study showing what we know already, that studying music makes you smarter! I love this kind of stuff because it's great ammo when I talk to prospective orchestra parents. Check it out because there's a bunch of other cool stuff at this site.
This kind of research is a great plus for studying music, but as I've said in another post on this blog, if I felt that my raison d’être was to help my students score higher on the SAT test, I'd quit teaching tomorrow. My intent is to provide students the means to explore, create and appreciate beauty.
Here are a few quotes you may have already read.
Red Auerbach
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
Thomas Carlyle
Music is well said to be the speech of angels; in fact, nothing among the utterances allowed to man is felt to be so divine. It brings us near to the infinite.
Frank Zappa
Remember, information is not knowledge; knowledge is not wisdom; wisdom is not truth; truth is not beauty; beauty is not love; love is not music; music is the best.
Victor Hugo
Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.
Frank Zappa
Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid.
Plato
Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Music takes us out of the actual and whispers to us dim secrets that startle our wonder as to who we are, and for what, whence, and whereto.
Music is what feelings sound like.
Posted by Doemel at 07:18 PM
September 20, 2006
What an awesome job I have. And what an incredibly supportive community we have at Mabry.
By the end of the day today there were 11 offers from parents to help with the fundraiser distribution. Our Six Flags field trip has almost as many parents chaperoning as kids going! (maybe they're just coaster fans)!
In the media you often hear about parents who stop parenting and turn their children over to the public schools to raise their children. That's obviously not happening at Mabry. Parent involvement is as high as I've ever seen it, and I've had some great parents involved in the Mabry Orchestra program (and now involved in the Lassiter program)!
So, this post is just to say thank you. Thank you to the former Mabry parents who made so much possible. Thank you to the current 7th and 8th grade parents who have been so supportive and involved. And thank you to the 6th grade parents who are already stepping up to the plate and helping to continue the tradition of excellence we have established at Mabry.....with your help.
Thank you.
Posted by Doemel at 09:08 PM
September 17, 2006
The 8th grade orchestra has been busy learning new skills and reading new music. Vibrato and shifting are the new skills. Ask your musician to demonstrate each for you.
The first playing test for 8th graders will be Thursday, 9/21. From the Essential Techniques book, lines 106 and 107 will be the material tested. A demonstration of a beginning vibrato will also be assessed.
Posted by Doemel at 11:10 PM
The Mabry Orchestra fundraiser will begin Tuesday, 9/19. This has been a great fundraiser in the past and we hope to repeat that success. Look for information on the products and procedures to come home on Tuesday.
All money raised will be used to enhance the students' orchestra experience.
Cobb County Schools policy prohibits door-to-door fundraising sales by students.
Posted by Doemel at 10:48 PM
September 14, 2006
Click here and check this out! And don't just look at the pictures. Read what it says about each finger pattern. I don't like the way the 1st finger looks, but otherwise it's good.
Posted by Doemel at 12:17 PM
September 11, 2006
Look for information coming home soon about our Fun Field Trip to Fright Fest on Friday, October, 13th. We'll need lots of chaperones!
Posted by Doemel at 11:59 PM
is this Friday, 9/15. Please return the registration form to Mr. Doemel and deposit the $15 fee in a receipt envelope in a black deposit box.
Posted by Doemel at 11:38 PM
The first practice record for 7th and 8th graders was due today, Monday, 9/11. Progress Reports will be distributed Friday, 9/15. I will accept practice records through the end of the day on Wednesday. Anything received after that time will not show up on the progress report.
Please check the orchestra calendar posted here and sent home in the Orchestra Handbook for other important dates.
Posted by Doemel at 11:18 PM
8th grade parents were recently sent home a survey to judge interest in a Spring trip to Orlando. The response has been overwhelmingly in favor of the trip, so we are making those plans. If you have not returned the survey please do so ASAP. On that survey there was an initial payment date of September 15.
Please DO NOT send any money for the time being. We are just now making a request to our administrators for approval of the the trip and researching several different tour companies to find the best deal. We will send a separate letter at a later date with a payment schedule. Thanks for your continued support of the Mabry Orchestra Program.
FYI, we have what seems like a a great new 6th grade group this year, thanks in large part to word-of-mouth from the Mabry/Lassiter Orchestra community. Thanks and keep it up!
Posted by Doemel at 10:56 PM
