Student Resources

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Band Calendar

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Remind

Intro to Band (5th Grade)

@sd81i

Concert Band (6th Grade)

@sd81c

Symphonic Band (7th and 8th Grade)

@sd81s

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Zoom Links

5th Grade (Beginning Band)

6th Grade (Concert Band)

7th Grade (Symphonic Band)

8th Grade (Symphonic Band)

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Practopus

Practopus is a fun app for students to document their practice time. Students can earn "clams" from each minute spent practice in order to purchase rewards in the app. Rewards will be distributed on supply pickup days TBD.

 

Students have the opportunity to earn items such as band merchandise, pencils, etc. 

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Download Practopus from the App Portal or sign-up on a web browser and add yourself to your account when you sign-up. Please have a parent with you when they sign up. Parents will enter a PIN to verify your practice time.  

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Basic Instrument Assembly and Care Tips – These videos will show you proper instrument assembly and includes some basic care tips.

Sound 101 – These videos will help you with correct embouchure and sound production. A MUST for all students to watch!

Wynton’s 12 Ways to Practice
These practice tips from well-known trumpeter Wynton Marsalis are applicable to ANYTHING you do–from band, to sports, to school…please read!

Good Tuning Notes
If you have your tuner handy, here’s a good guide to tuning. Remember:
“Cold instruments play flat, and the air coming out of your body is warmer than the air temperature of your band room.  Yes, when we “warm up,” we are literally “warming up” the instrument to a temperature higher than the surrounding air.  Therefore, you have to play for a few minutes in order for this to occur.”  --by Mr. Fred J. Allen Director of Bands SFA School of Music

Games!​

• Music Racer (To practice reading Note Names!)

• Note ID

Free Metronome Apps and links!

• Metronome for iPhone, iPad, ad iPod touch

• Metronome Online (right here on your computer screen!)

• Tempo Perfect Metronome Software (computer or iPhone)

Instrument Care, Scales, and Fingering Charts

• The Yamaha Advantage – this site has a TON of information for all instruments!

• Concert Pitch Cheat Sheet – the must-have “cheat sheet” for figuring out what your concert pitches are for scales!

• Dr. Cate’s Flute Website –  tips and techniques for flautists; she hosts an amazing camp in the summer, so watch out for more info on that too!    

Music Dictionaries​

• Symbols and Terms (and other cool stuff)  by The Method Behind the music

Music Basics

• 1. The Basics of Reading Music by Kevin Meixner

• 2. Note Trainer by Ricci Adams

• 3. MusicTheory.Net

Band/Sheet Music Resources

• J.W. Pepper – this site has all kinds of different solo and ensemble music!

• Print out your own Blank Sheet Music paper to write your own music!

• SmartMusic - subscription based service which has different literature for students to practice concert pieces

Software

• Sight Reading Factory - subscription based service which improves music literacy for students

• KJOS - Tradition of Excellence Red Book on iPad - in the back of the Tradition of Excellence book there is a code in order to view the book on the iPad. There are some interactive tracks as well.

• Noteflight – free music composition software!