Any other brass banders on MN?

[bendmeoverbackwards]

I’m quite new to the brass band world, I play 3rd cornet in a third section band. Taking part in my first area contest in Stevenage in March (London and Southern Counties).

Anyone else?

Yes! I play 2nd baritone, have been playing for over 10 years. Self taught at that point so I'll never be very good but it's fun!
We don't compete, just do local events.

It's my Friday night therapy, my world is balanced after 2h of music.

How are you finding 3rd cornet?

Hi @InflagranteDelicto

Im getting on ok, luckily I’ve got a fantastic teacher who’s put me through the grades. Currently learning pieces for Grade 6.

I find pitching so difficult. I played clarinet many years ago so one fingering = one note!

How big is a baritone compared to euph and tuba?

Hi yes played in Yorkshire for over 30 years everything from sop to bass and championship to 4th section and literally everything in between. Done the Albert hall a couple of times and bloody love it!! Currently taking a break at the moment though

Is the Albert Hall only for championship level bands @Fooshufflewickjbannanapants ?

Yes! 1st horn, second section band Yorkshire area. I learned (taught myself) as an adult after DH and kids all joined a band. Been at rehearsal tonight, it’s our areas on Sunday next week so we have extra rehearsals.
how are you getting on with your test piece OP? DD plays for a third section band, she tells me there’s not much in the test piece for back row.
i agree that pitching is so difficult when you first start, especially when you’ve learned a different instrument (I learned the flute as a kid)

Baritone is the same pitch as euph but a narrower bell, I think, rather as trumpet is to cornet (brass band parent here rather than actual player).

I’m really enjoying it. We have sections of just quavers which is a challenge to get them completely even. And we have some fanfare bits where we can show off a bit (as long as I come in at exactly the right place!).

Do all the regions play the same test piece? Ours is 3 Impressions of Hawarth.

DD(14) is a brass band percussionist. She plays with our local brass band (also Yorkshire) and absolutely loves it! She has recently been promoted from training band (tier 3) to community band (tier 2). I am very proud of her. She plays piano too, so tuned percussion is second nature, but drum kit is her favourite.

It's a little smaller but larger than a Eb horn. The bore (inside shape of the tubing) is different to the euphonium so it's a brighter sound.

I started with cornet but never got on with it, I like the larger mouthpiece! Like others, I was a clarinet player in my youth and picked this up for fun.

Many of my fellow band members play multiple instruments. I’ve never tried anything else! Maybe I should one day.

Anyone else taking part in Bandemonium in Devon in the summer?

No - but sounds interesting.

i play e flat horn but I’m with a confusingly named military band these days - woodwind and brass but we are not military despite the name!

not so fond of competing, more enjoy the playing,

https://www.bandamonium.co.uk

We taking part in this and then I’m off to North Dorset for Wessex Band summer school

Yes, every third section band is playing the same piece as you. If you qualify for the national finals you’ll get to play against the the other third section winners and you’ll get a new test piece to prepare (for September)

I learned baritone at school and we had a small local brass band. It folded and I'd love to play again but there aren't any bands near where I live plus I never owned my own instrument. I had to be handed back to school when I left,

That’s a shame @RaraRachael I assume you’ve checked Brass Band England to see where your nearest one is?

I'm actually in Scotland but there aren't any very close.

It is these days, it didn’t used to be though . So many Yorkshire lasses! Ey up!!

Mine is a band instrument. Although we now have a cornet, clarinet & trombone in the house from when my kids were younger. None of them stuck with it past 17 but at least the basic knowledge is there for when they're older.

We're off to Ghent in August for a jolly which will be fun.

Hi I play solo cornet in in a training band. Picked up a cornet in 2024, love playing it and love my band!

I've just taken up the euphonium in the learning band bit. I am loving it - trying to work towards Grade 3... Never played an orchestral/band instrument before (have grade 5 piano) and it is just amazing fun

How are you finding pitching and high notes @LittleNoosh ? I need to get a top A for one of my exam pieces which I am struggling with.

3 weeks to go till our area contest and I’m getting nervous! Our conductor is 6’4” tall, ex military and scary! He tells it like it is and it’s not very positive at the moment.

Eh up @Fooshufflewickjbannanapants and other Yorkshire lasses! Is everyone ready for the weekend? We have a rehearsal room booked for 8am Sunday…
@bendmeoverbackwards I had to step up to solo horn for a contest last year and had a feature in one of the pieces, shitting myself about the B flat. What I did was practise loads playing higher than the B flat (eg playing pieces an octave up not just scales) and also played on a cornet and after the cornet it was easy to get the high notes on a horn, although for you it’s probably not an option as you’d have to borrow a sop. On third corner it tends to be off beats and low Ds so do don’t get much chance to play the lofty notes