New to the site here.
I agree with the posts about Festive Overture and The Melody Shop. Played both many times. When I was playing with the US Army Europe Band years ago, we played both on tour. I decided I was going to take the time to get them both down. Festive Overture, in my opinion, comes down to putting in the hours (lots of hours) to get your fingers strong enough and flexible to play the demanding sections. I love and hate that piece for the same reasons. Every time I go back to it, I have to go to the same drill again.
The Melody Shop is darn near impossible to play 100% perfect because you have to breath somewhere. I have performed it many times as part of a group. In this situation, you can actually plan to lay out a few notes here and there so you can take a quick breath. If you practice taking that breath while playing the part, it will help greatly. And as long as no more than one is breathing at a time, it will never be noticed. If playing it by yourself, prayer may help. Seriously, if you are by yourself and you have to play it in a feature setting, there are a few places where you can drop a note where it will not hurt the flow. Take solace in the fact that The Melody Shop is difficult for almost everybody out there. Fun in a group and downright scary when by yourself.
I agree with the posts about Festive Overture and The Melody Shop. Played both many times. When I was playing with the US Army Europe Band years ago, we played both on tour. I decided I was going to take the time to get them both down. Festive Overture, in my opinion, comes down to putting in the hours (lots of hours) to get your fingers strong enough and flexible to play the demanding sections. I love and hate that piece for the same reasons. Every time I go back to it, I have to go to the same drill again.
The Melody Shop is darn near impossible to play 100% perfect because you have to breath somewhere. I have performed it many times as part of a group. In this situation, you can actually plan to lay out a few notes here and there so you can take a quick breath. If you practice taking that breath while playing the part, it will help greatly. And as long as no more than one is breathing at a time, it will never be noticed. If playing it by yourself, prayer may help. Seriously, if you are by yourself and you have to play it in a feature setting, there are a few places where you can drop a note where it will not hurt the flow. Take solace in the fact that The Melody Shop is difficult for almost everybody out there. Fun in a group and downright scary when by yourself.
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