Middle School Player Help

[ASTuba]

Ok, I guess I should have clarified things a bit better at the beginning of this conversation.

I'm from Syracuse, but have been gone from the area for 7 years. Most of the teachers that I knew from my childhood are retired, or have left the area. So when I moved back to town, I became the "new" guy in town.

The teacher and I get along just fine, but a) they're not too thrilled in my quest to get my student's sound better than their range concept and b) I'm the new guy, and he's still getting used to my style.

NY school systems are different, in that most places, kids get a private lesson during the day. Band class either happens afterschool, or in some cases during the day. It's not like Georgia was, where 150 kids had band at the same time, so there is some differences with teaching privately here.

I will talk to the teacher again, and see if I can get the materials I am looking for.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[Bill Troiano]

Andy,
Chris says Hi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Jenna too!) Here's a link to purchase a NYSSMA Manual:http://www.nyssma.org/manual.cfm
I don't know if you have to be a member of NYSSMA to buy a copy. You can email the chairperson and find out.
Regarding your last post, I don't know of any schools on LI where the student gets a private lesson during the day. True, most elem. and middle school ensembles rehearse before school here - 0 period. Then, most schools have rotating (different period each week) small group lessons during the day. Most HS ensembles rehearse during the regular school day.
From a performing tubist, private instructor, and middle school band director perspective (only for a few more months on that last one), I would try to improve the students' tone through proper breathing and posture and trying to make the sure the embouchure is doing its thing. I don't dwell too much on it, though, at this middle school level, because as a band director myself, I want to get these foundation players (tuba, euph. tbn. bari sax, bs. cl.) to be able to read better, play challenging pieces, etc. For the most part, these kids aren't on par, as musicians, with the higher instruments because of the role they serve in the band playing background parts. Get these kids to progress musically and they might get more motivated to practice and improve. Then, the tone will, hopefully, improve too. You have to keep the young ones interested and motivated. Working on tone too much won't do much for their overall ability. That's just my experience and I've had plenty.

[MileMarkerZero]

I've had pretty good luck with the First Book of Practical Studies (Getchall/Hovey) available from R King for 7 bux.

Progressive, starts out VERY easy and progresses to some challenging materials for Middle Schoolers. Stays in flats. Has some scale studies in the back.

Book 2 gets into sharps and is more difficult to begin but is fine for a more advanced middle-schooler.

[minnesotamike]

I agree that the Rubank books are an excellent choice. They do a great job with the technical stuff. I've also found the Walter Beeler Book II (I don't know book I) method for Tuba to be excellent technically.

I think students need to have fun, too. So, I especially like the Style Studies by Patrick Sheridan. He has some other good things like his Fun Play Along Duets. For a seventh grader we should make it both fun and challenging.