A message about Loud

[Stu]

This quote is long, but also great!

“Young people need to know, first hand, how much energy it takes to create exciting music. So many band directors hold their students back by making them play mezzo-forte on everything. This is exactly why the listening public is not very interested in band music anymore. Band is quiet. It has lost its passion … its emotion … its ability to move another human being. Frankly, the general public does not attend jazz or big band concerts like they used to. Kids are smart and just as talented as musicians from previous generations. They just do not want to play in a wimpy band program. They would rather play guitar in a hard rock band because they can actually feel something.

Band Directors – This is your wake up call! Play great CDs in your bandroom. Your students need to know who Maynard Ferguson was, Bill Chase, Doc Severinsen, Frank Rosolino, Carl Fontana, Bill Watrous, Stan Getz, Don Menza, etc… These few examples motivated thousands of musicians during their amazing careers. And teach your students to move air!! If you have forgotten what it is like to play loud, just listen to a Stan Kenton CD. That will remind you! Aaaahhhh, but some of you band directors are saying, I like that dark orchestral symphonic sound. Hmmm … really? Have you listened to any Chicago Symphony Orchestra recordings in the past twenty years? CSO plays loud!

Loud is good! Yes, it has to be controlled and in tune, but loud is good; it lets you know you are still alive. If the listening public did not like loud, rock music would have failed long ago.” – Joe Murphy, Nashville Brass Recording Artist

[I play the baritone good]

I play the baritone good and I support this message.

[ohHAIitsNovak]

Brilliance. Pure brilliance.

[Jim Alberty]

I agree - before I left teaching for teaching I tried to use words explain this to some young people and came to my senses, sitting them down in front of the band room stereo and playing "Send In the Clowns" from Kenton 76,

Not the man's best band, but my God, those kids were almost shocked to tears.

That's what I took away from my time with the Blue Devils. You put a monster on the field and defy the judge to hit. Hold nothing back. B's to the W

It's why I love the Cirque du Soleil - "There are three things that will make this show effective ... emotion, emotion and emotion".

Yeah. Go for it.

regards - Jim

[Peel Paint]

Yeah, he's absolutely right. Even some corps hornlines <gasp!> have been guilty of this. Blend and intonation are worthy goals, but so is passion. If it doesn't move anybody, what have you accomplished?

[BozzlyB]

Yeah, he's absolutely right. Even some corps hornlines <gasp!> have been guilty of this. Blend and intonation are worthy goals, but so is passion. If it doesn't move anybody, what have you accomplished?

Pure genius.

[bawker]

I love loud.

[nukeme70]

Some groups still believe in this theory

[DrinkinOuttaCups]

Bump because this needs to be at the top of this forum all the time. I think this is the most important (and true) thing I've ever read since I've been a member of DCP.

[dcialumni1989]

Yeah, he's absolutely right. Even some corps hornlines <gasp!> have been guilty of this. Blend and intonation are worthy goals, but so is passion. If it doesn't move anybody, what have you accomplished?

I agree completely about passion, but (obviously) there needs to be plenty of attention on bland, intonation, transparency, and clarity in order to maximize your ability to communicate clearly. There are plenty of bands that passionately blow their horns apart that nobody wants to listen to just like there are plenty of groups that are so "perfect" that they lack any ounce of musical intent.