How many of you were in band in school?

[hareek]

You know I voted "No hell no" but then remembered I played guitar in middle school Jazz Band! I would consider that awesome versus lame concert band

[Jessie's ghost]

I think J.P.S. was the Anti-Christ.

[jeremy]

started playing trumpet in elementary school, played in concert band in jr high, played in concert band, orchestra, marching band, and jazz band in high school. i played football too so i never had to march for the games which was sweet. i had a lot of fun in all those programs and got lots of action. chicks that play woodwinds or brass typically have strong oral skills

[King IzzO)))]

My high school music teacher was always trying to correct my technique and would show me these completely un-ergonomic ways to hold the instrument/how to pick/etc...and even went so far as saying that "all guitars with glossy finishes sound and feel better!"

Cue the facepalm.

LOL, mine was the guy that really can't play guitar, but makes all the faces like he's really wailing while butchering Purple Haze.

He also wouldn't let me play drums in jazz band anymore after I refused to play with traditional grip, thus I ended up on bass. If I could have used a pick on that upright just to piss him off I would have.

I played sax for a few years too, but not in high school.

[tone4days]

i played guitar in the HS jazz band my sr yr of HS

[longcat]

not in HS, but i voted yes anyway. flute, in 5th and 6th grade. i hated it. i couldn't read music...i had to cheat and put the letters under the notes. i still can't read music.

i did choir in HS.

EDIT: i should clarify. i can't read music on the fly. i have to count lines and stuff to figure out what note i'm looking at.

[ratherdashing]

For all of the "Music / music education is important" crap I hear - I don't buy it, and I'm a musician!!!!

No you're not.

[ratherdashing]

The best experiences I had in junior high and high school were in band. I played trombone and was in the concert and jazz bands every year. I was one of the few grade 10's to make Senior Jazz Band in my high school.

It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun too, and it taught me a lot about what I do and do not like about music. Almost all of my discipline and work ethic with my current band grew from seeds planted back in those days. I learned what it takes to be a good musician, what it means to be part of a band, and how my part fits in with the whole. These skills were applicable in many non-musical settings too, of course.

[Aceman]

Hey - let's don't get me wrong...

I play Classical guitar
I aspire to Jazz on occasional

I love classical and Jazz in general. I like music from all sorts of genre's. Been to a fair number of orchestra performances.

Still, every time I hear a school music performance - it just makes me want to hurl. Maybe it is the level of skill of the performers, maybe it's the selections, maybe it's the not entirely together factor. Maybe I'm just too picky.

And if that band playing at the Basket Ball game is your definition of Bad@$$, you need to go check the urban dictionary. I'm pretty sure they are not it.

I have to say that I was surprised to see more than half though were.

[Aceman]

No you're not.

And what makes me 'not' one?

The best experiences I had in junior high and high school were in band. I played trombone and was in the concert and jazz bands every year. I was one of the few grade 10's to make Senior Jazz Band in my high school.

It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun too, and it taught me a lot about what I do and do not like about music. Almost all of my discipline and work ethic with my current band grew from seeds planted back in those days. I learned what it takes to be a good musician, what it means to be part of a band, and how my part fits in with the whole. These skills were applicable in many non-musical settings too, of course.

I will not disagree that there are not legions of guitar players that do not know those things....

But for every "you" I bet there are 99 others who would never say that. I wonder how many never even pick up an instrument after high school?

Yopu don't see a ton of guitars in peoples houses - let alone an Oboe or a French Horn...gotta be a reason for that.

[dd12939]

Still, every time I hear a school music performance - it just makes me want to hurl. Maybe it is the level of skill of the performers, maybe it's the selections, maybe it's the not entirely together factor. Maybe I'm just too picky.

First, I want you to know that I hate going to middle school band concerts as much as anyone out there, but...

Are you comparing school band (high school? middle school? local university? top-ranked conservatory?) to (professional?) orchestra? To professional classical guitarists? To professional (even adult amateur) jazz musicians? There are so many variables, and most of them come out being unfair comparisons.

Being in band in middle school is not about sounding good. Being in band in high school is only sometimes about sounding good. Once you get to college (or Texas), there are some real expectations, but before that it is about building basic skills on the instruments. And furthermore, the music they play is terrible. But how much can even the most talented composer do with a group of 30 middle school students who only know 5 notes (on a good day!!)?

You don't go to a u-12 soccer game to see any brilliant shows of athleticism. You go because you've got a kid who is out there flailing about trying not to kick the ball in their own goal.

In the band world it's not uncommon for every piece you play to be a real challenge. Every time you get a new piece there are new notes, new key signatures, new time signatures, new note values - dozens of new things to keep track of. Even for me in my own personal practice, I'm still being challenged after 18 years on the instrument because there is always something harder.

[LesStrat]

Ace needs to attend an honor band performance. Yes, even middle school honor band.

[Aceman]

Ace needs to attend an honor band performance. Yes, even middle school honor band.

A few of you have raised this issue....

There are definitely some cool "jazz" band groups, etc...and slightly (or extremely) more select groups out there....

I guess that a part of my beef. Too much exposure to the 'herd' of mediocrity that is the bane of musical high school performances.

My kid was actually playing sax in 4th grade. Wish he would have kept it up. He was pretty good. Just not his bag....I liked jammin' with him.

I also thought "Wow" - all these guys and a lot didn't play in band....

[Aceman]

First, I want you to know that I hate going to middle school band concerts as much as anyone out there, but...

Are you comparing school band (high school? middle school? local university? top-ranked conservatory?) to (professional?) orchestra? To professional classical guitarists? To professional (even adult amateur) jazz musicians? There are so many variables, and most of them come out being unfair comparisons.

Being in band in middle school is not about sounding good. Being in band in high school is only sometimes about sounding good. Once you get to college (or Texas), there are some real expectations, but before that it is about building basic skills on the instruments. And furthermore, the music they play is terrible. But how much can even the most talented composer do with a group of 30 middle school students who only know 5 notes (on a good day!!)?


In the band world it's not uncommon for every piece you play to be a real challenge. Every time you get a new piece there are new notes, new key signatures, new time signatures, new note values - dozens of new things to keep track of. Even for me in my own personal practice, I'm still being challenged after 18 years on the instrument because there is always something harder.

I was really thinking middle/high school.

And good point - you'd never see a middle/high school rock band - but you do see these kids.

I shall relax my expectations in the future.

[Hellion]

I played tenor sax in high school and college bands. I still pull it out every so often.

[longcat]

i think perhaps you may have missed the key point of arts education. in high school, i don't think the point has a whole lot to do with encouraging people to play the french horn in their adult lives or join community theater productions, etc. it's more to engender creative thinking, or at least a different way of thinking (because music isn't conventional, no matter how you slice it). stretch your brain a bit, and maybe it'll be able to jump more hurdles. (poor analogy, but i'm tired. )

[Aceman]

I played tenor sax in high school and college bands. I still pull it out every so often.

Keyboard (not piano)
guitar
bass
trap set
Sax

These should be the only legal instruments for kids under 18. Heck, if my kid kept the sax around I'd probably learn how to run it!

Classical, Jazz, Blues, Rock, New Age, Holidays, solo....high frickin' utility instrument.

[That90'sGuy]

I'm actually one of the few that "was in band, but quit for guitar".

I actually started playing guitar because my instructor was too busy working with a few guys in a jazz class I was playing tenor saxophone in. I got bored and picked up a Takamine Jasmine that had been horrible abused and started noodling around with it. A good friend of mine played a Strat in that jazz class and would show me a few things.

I played alto/tenor saxophone in band in middle school. So, I actually had intended on playing in band in high school, but once I got addicted to guitar I gave up the saxophone and band altogether.

[Aceman]

I'm actually one of the few that "was in band, but quit for guitar".

I actually started playing guitar because my instructor was too busy working with a few guys in a jazz class I was playing tenor saxophone in. I got bored and picked up a Takamine Jasmine that had been horrible abused and started noodling around with it. A good friend of mine played a Strat in that jazz class and would show me a few things.

I played alto/tenor saxophone in band in middle school. So, I actually had intended on playing in band in high school, but once I got addicted to guitar I gave up the saxophone and band altogether.

What happened to all of your band buddies? Know any of them? Do they play anymore?

[LesStrat]

1. This is one of those (frequent) times I miss 'foamy.
2. The best time to teach a complex skill is when they're young. College bands are good BECAUSE most of the members have been playing 7+ years PRIOR to joining. They worked out the kinks for years before applying.
3. How are bar bands any different than school bands? Some are horrible; some are quite good.