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humorist-workshop
I can't play my instrument right
I play a Baritone bass clef in my school band, and I'm horrible at it. I do try to practice it, but I can't practice unless I have somebody else playing the same rhythm as me. I know I just need to practice, but I'm kind of in a pickle here. I have to play a solo in less than a month, and I can't play it, and I can't back out of it now. I'm freaking out and I don't know what to do! Asking my band teacher for help is out of the question cause if he knew that I still can't play it, then he'll be fearious! I don't really have any friends that can practice with me either, please help!
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Maybe give some free advice about: Music?
Hey there, what I would do is ask your music teacher for help if he or she has any band or maybe even orchestra background. Definitely practice every day for at least 20 minutes. Try reading over the notes before you practice. Though if none of this is working and you don't have any friends playing the same instrument or friends that know how to read the music I would go to your band teacher. I know it's going to be scary but if you explain to him how you have been feeling about it and you ask for help he will give you the help you need. You have probably heard this before but if you have to go to him just remember it's his job to help you.
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I would go to the teacher asap he is the only one that can help you, that's his job.billy
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You cannot bank on what you THINK someone will do. They may in fact have the opposite reaction entirely. Now is the time to say something and get help. Imagine if you went out there and couldn't perform and you had the chance earlier to rectify that? I would think he would be furious then for you not trying.
I would tell him "I appreciate you giving me a solo but I do not feel ready or worthy of one." Point out you have been faking it rather than admitting what you don't understand over fear or getting yelled at. Tell him the very important detail is that you can't distinguish proper pitch or sound when you play and can only mimic someone else's playing to sound half decent when they are next to you.
Tell the truth. It's the only way to become a better player or make this situation better for yourself and the band. Your choice affects not only you but their performance as a group over all. Telling the truth and taking any consequences if there are any will get you farther than trying to fake it and hope nobody notices. Trust me--they would indeed.
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I;M for asking the band teacher for help. yOU may just be assuming he'd be furious and maybe its due to past experience with other adults. However you are in school and its for learning no matter the subject. If any teacher did become furious with you, then they are out of line and its something you might want to share with the parents, just the facts, no embelishing to make it sound worse and then they could complain to the principle on your behalf. If what you play is only one of two of the same instruments, then i am sure He'd notice that the baritone bass instruments sound weak if you aren't really playing when you need to. My daughter was asked in her senior yr if she'd be willing to switch from playing flute to playing Oboe as one of the two people who played had graduated. WHen no one eles volunteered, the teacher asked my daughter and she had to learn it in a hurry to play so she would need extra lessons. Her teacher put out notices, asking around to find an Oboe playing tutor for her after school and she did the same and actually found someone who did it for free, a relative of one of her friends. So ask if theres anyone who plays who could give you low cost or free lessons for a short while and that way you'd have someone playing along with you at times as your practice and learn.
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I think that you just need to be bold and courageous and ask the band teacher for some pointers. Instruments do take a lot of time to learn and there is no better way to learn than to learn from someone who is really capable. Maybe your band teacher would be able to offer you suggestions of videos on youtube that may help you or give you tips on how to practice more easily. Be bold and courageous... you teacher will respect that you came to him when you were struggling and to also shows a lot of maturity.
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