Music Resources
This page contains links to a variety of resources. Here you will find a link to past WSHSB concerts, plus websites, documents or videos meant to help you better understand and improve the playing of, your specific instrument. To download a chart, please right click on the file, and then click “Save Target As” and save to your hard disk.
ESPECIALLY FOR CADETS- ABOUT ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
Cadets should always practice with the available recordings which help the student HEAR if they are playing the notes correctly.
Link – ABOUT ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
Take above link to a document that explains how to access Essential Elements “My EE Library” and Essential Elements Interactive (abbreviated as EEi).
Learn to play better
- On Music Multimedia Music Dictionary is a good general reference tool for all band members.
- Transposition Chart for all instruments
- Fingering chart for Eb tuba available on page 16
- Tuba Unisonal Scales
- Trombone cleaning supplies
The above link will take you to a document containing various links to videos and sites for a variety of instruments, meant to help you better understand, and improve the playing of your specific instrument.
SPECIFICALLY FOR TRUMPETS
The following group of 10 valuable trumpet lessons is from the US Army Field Band on YouTube.
Trumpet Lesson #1 - Air and Embouchure
Trumpet Lesson #2 - Articulation
Trumpet Lesson #3 - Starting a Beginner Student
Trumpet Lesson #4 - Range and Endurance
Trumpet Lesson #5 - Warm Up
Trumpet Lesson #6 - Warm Down
Trumpet Lesson #7 - Equipment
Trumpet Lesson #8 - Daily Routine
Trumpet Lesson #9 - How To Practice
Trumpet Lesson #10 - Your Sound and Audition Techniques
Trumpet – why you should use the 3rd valve slide – YouTube
Any trumpet player who has been playing at least a year should get in the habit of using their third slide to fine tune notes. Certain notes like low D and C# are really out of tune. You have to adjust them with the 3rd slide as you play. Unless a student is taking lessons, they’re probably not going to know about this and beginning books don’t seem to mention it. This video can help.
Raphael Mendez
very nice brief explanation of scales, excellent practice tips and developing breathing skills. Four installments…..all stunning.
SPECIFICALLY FOR PERCUSSIONISTS
Vic Firth Percussion 101 A Video Guide to Essential Percussion Techniques
Vic Firth 40 Essential Drum Rudiments scroll down to Dr. Wooton’s four red tiers/columns and click on the rudiment you need. You can hear it, and if you scroll near the bottom, you can see it played and a watch a lesson/demonstration on how to perform the rudiment in your exercise.
NOTE: If the Single Stroke Roll link does not work, try this one: Single Stroke Role
Vic Firth WebRhythms by Norm Weinberg a series of short articles designed to teach rhythmic reading of music. Click to learn more about this resource.
US ARMY FIELD BAND PERCUSSION LESSONS
The following group of 10 valuable percussion lessons is from the US Army Field Band. These YouTube videos feature very professional soldiers playing their percussion instruments. Notice how seriously they take their job.
Snare Drum Lesson #1
Triangle Lesson #1
Bass Drum Lesson
Video addresses how and when to muffle. Watch how he just flings a thick, double folded towel over the drum.