Elite Syncopations

[MandyH]

I just recorded this, while practicing my pieces.

This is a grade 7 Trinity Guildhall exam piece.
The backing is on CD, created by John Elleson-Hartley, who will be my accompanist in my exam in December.

Recorded on GarageBand on iPad using a Snowball iCE microphone.

It's not perfect, by the end I was worn out. I think it's time to start preparing some reeds for the exams, this one is too soft now.

http://soundcloud.com/mandyh/elite-syncopations

 

[llamedos]

Very well done Mandy - I can see why you were cream-crackered by the end of it! I have always been very fond of Scott Joplin and when you think that he was writing primarily for piano, his pieces do not necessarily easily translate to other instruments. (Come to think of it, some of them ain't that easy on piano but I still find them enjoyable if a little taxing on septuagenarian finger joints.)

It is an interesting choice for a test-piece on saxophone and I congratulate you again on your approach and achievement.

Keep up the good work- regards

Dave

 

[Chris]

Sounding good Mandy...

Chris..

 

[trimmy]

Excellent to my untrained ears, well done :welldone

 

[Jeanette]

Sounding good Mandy. Good luck with the exam

Jx

 

[kevgermany]

Go for it Mandy. Hope the exam goes well.

 

[Di in France]

Well done Mandy, good luck with the exam!

 

[Wade Cornell]

Good job in playing those jumps (all over the horn!) in tune. Not easy. Watch your timing. The point at which you start to blow should be a microsecond before you want to hear the note on the beat. This is very strict rhythm, so requires a lot of attention. I'm reminded of the realty for people who play pipe organs. It takes time for the air to make the pipe sound so an organist playing with others has to actually be playing slightly ahead of where the beat lies. They rely on their ears picking the beat, not their hands. The lower the pitch of any wind or brass instrument the worse this gets. A bit picky of me to bring this up, but once aware of it one can push to bring those staccato notes right on top of the beat.

I'm sure you'll go great.

 

[MandyH]

Thanks all for your comments, they are most useful. I've still got about 6 weeks before the exam, so plenty of time to fine-tune the piece and to break in another reed or two.
I did Maple Leaf Rag for grade 6, but I actually find this one easier.

Interestingly, my teacher got me to learn the final (really bouncy) passage first. Her logic was that if I could crack that, the rest would be "easier" and I think it was a good approach.

I take on board the timing comment, I was aware listening back and indeed while playing it that the first few bars were just that bit behind.

And, I believe, with a newer reed I'll be able to get the breathing better too, so the syncopation should come out better.

thanks again.