HeY ppl! Well, i bet you all have some experince in band..and i want you guys to share it with me...so I can be a better member of the band in my highschool. So..like, when you're in band, what do you try to do?..your goals?..any TIPS?...advice that can help me play better? Do's and DON"Ts in band. I really want the "do's" part.
Any tips that will help?...
ANYBODY can answer their experince.

OH!..and, what can you do to help make the band sound better?..all those stuff...help your section?..being a leader?..i dunno.
i just need some advices..
I know you guys have thoughts going through your head when you're in band and the things u try to accomplish..HHHmmmm...?

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I think performing in a band and performing by yourself is SOOOO different. It's hard for me to play with a band..well, especially mine that plays SO LOUD all the time;)...that makes me play really bad..with a bad sound..*SIGH*

never let outside issues affect your playing, and always play your best. it bothers me when people dont try hard!

sometimes i play with a bad tone..when I KNOW that i could play better because ppl play SO LOUD.

Some advices that i learned
-playing expressively helps you get in tune...it blends more with band
-umm..getting inside of ppl's sound
..listening for color..
HHhhmm..i know there's LOTS more

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(can't hear myself)..maybe that's why i play with a bad sound..i try hard though...need to learn to adjust i guess

Yea...i know. And i dON"T like being section leader...REALLY DON"T. too much pressure. i mean i would LOVE to sit 2nd chair and i'll play really good. BUT being section leader i can't hear the other flutist that good.and i need to play it perfect..
*sigh*...i do'ntlike pressure..

i've met lots of musicians who are a lot better that me.
know what i've learned?

no matter how good(musician) you are, stay as humble as possible.
keep your feet on the ground.
be nice to young musicians(specially to those who are still starting)
and don't be too Bossy(i agree Toni)
the musician won't gain respect from he's peers if he is too arrogant.

The one band that I play in is a AFM Union Band. Although it is a "professional band" and the members are chosen, not necessarily just allowed to play, it is basically a step above a community band. I am the only flute in this 21 piece band. So some of these musings may apply to school bands as well.

Since this band basically sight reads the music, it is important that I read challenging music to improve my note recognition and my rhythm skills. I read a lot of different music but especially the upper level etudes and studies.

While playing or rehearsing, the band director is boss. I follow his stick as best I can. If the other players aren't following his beat, I follow his stick.

Since I'm the solo flute/piccolo, I tune generally to the other prominant instruments playing in my voice. If they are out of tune, I tune to one of the lower voices.

Solos should be brought out but if the band is playing too loud, I generally don't try to compete. It is futile and it makes me sound bad. I can only hope that the director catches on and tones the others down. Unless it's the S&S solo on the Picc and then I can blow away 6 trumpets who would each have a hernia trying to play that high.

Rehearsals: Mouth shut unless it is to ask an incredibly relavant question about the music or a job. Or unless the B.D. asks me a question. I've had other chatty musicians try to converse with me during rehearsals. Since this generally involves me turning around to talk to them, I would get blamed for their interruption. Pay attention to the B.D., eyes on him. Know what he wants. It is his band and I am just a contributor.

In this band the musicians get to the gigs anywhere from 45 minutes to 1/2 hour ahead of time. Walking in at ten minutes to the gig is getting to the point where it is considered late. Dress code is adhered to.

~Bilbo
N.E> Ohio

Hi! I was the chairman of my middle school band and vice-chairman of my high school band, so I thought I can contribute something.

If you want to contribute as a player, practise, practise and more practising! I cannot stress more on this. Expose yourself to the different aspects of flute-playing. Listen to your band director when he says how he wants to the band to sound, but take his advice on flute-playing with a pinch of salt. Some directors (I'm not saying yours is, but just an example) may be teaching the wrong things regarding the playing of your instrument. Be attentive during band practices, and try to keep in tune! School band flautists are notoriously out of tune.

If you want to contribute as a leader, influence others to practise! Drag your band friends to practise with you. Be patient, but firm, with the junior members. Teach them all you know, and share with them your love of music. Make them practise! Remember, a band is only as good as its weakest member. Learn how a band is organised, and pay attention to how you think the band can be better run. Make relevant observations and comments during band meetings(if your band holds them), and try to help out in band events.

Glad to see that you are so enthusiatic about band. Keep on the music-making!

I agree with the previous posts, there are good and often frustrating aspects to playing in a band. There are many venues in which to express yourself such as youth and community orchestras, flute ensemble, chamber music programs, etc. If these don't exist where you are, start them up yourself, you will have fun and make lots of new friends.

I have always been a section leader and I am a majorette this year and some things I have learned are:

If your classmates are going to mess around, let THEM get in trouble if they are not going to listen. The best you can do is practice and wait for the director if your section won't listen to your advice.

Don't come off as bossy, like Toni said. Make suggestions instead of giving orders. Always be as polite as you can be whether you are talking to a group or just one other band member, because, if you say something mean or stupid, its going to get around to the rest of the band and/or the director. Getting in trouble is a poor way to be a leader.

Give help! If someone doesn't know how to do something, be as understanding as possible. Never be rude. The main reason I went to classes and clinics on instrument repair is to learn to help my classmates fix their instrument. People might think you are a good leader if you know how to help them.

Always be who you want to be... Don't change yourself to look appealing to the rest of the band. If you don't like who you are as a leader, others might not like who you are as a leader, too. Do your best, but remember that you have to be yourself and that you shouldn't change for everyone.

You can't please everyone. Don't try. You'll only get a headache!

Partner up with your director. Don't get extra-close-and-personal, but learn to communicate in the best way possible. If you don't understand your director and what he needs of you, chances are he won't understand you, either. His word is law (generally) in a band, but don't be afraid to question what he or she says, either. Asking questions is the best way to learn.

Don't pretend to know something you don't... You'll only end up looking like a fool if someone catches you!

I hope this helps; I shouldn't have written so much, and I know these things are contraversial, but don't feel afraid to question me on them. I have had so many different teachers and these are things that almost every one of them told me...

well my advice is turn up as in my school on tuesday(practice day) only 5 people turned up - three trumpets me and a clairinet lol

WOW!!Thanks you guys!:D..this really helps. Yea, bilbo,..i try to follow the stick when other ppl don't. Yup, that's important. Every director has a different stick "technique" and my band director is kinda..well, strange to me^_^. I have a hard time finding the pulse if i'm playing all myself..or only the flutes are playing.
I try to "partner up"..get along with my B.D. Of course, i don't want to get TO CLOSE to him. Some ppl in my band went to far,..and some ppl have crushes on him. I get all weird in front of him..or maybe he thinks i'm weird..
he's always around me when i act really different..heehee..
I always try to put a smile on, and pay attention to him during rehersal when no one else does...and i try my best in marching ..so i guess that's good. the only problem is that he thinks music is my only LIFE becuase i put SO MUCH effort into it..ohboy..

YUP, i want to become a good leader. and hopefully when i'm a senior they could reconize me as a great leader. there's this awards for band seniors..
so, i can't be bossy..umm..and i'll do everything you guys said about being a good leader.

Yea..i keep my mouth SHUT in band. I know how it feels like if ppl talk and you're trying to teach. I was a volunteer teacher in church so yea. i know how it feels like..PAIN.
THANKS MUCHO AMIGOS..!!

Yea..kishi. i met ALOT of really AMAZING players. And i always thought they'll be mean to me or say somehting bad about my playing..since they are SO GOOD. but most of the really good musicians i met were nice, ...OMG, REALLY NICE. i never knew how many nice ppl are out there in band. it's incredible...
I try to be like them and be extra nice to others...and becareful of what i say..

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(hey look at that! 300posts..wow!..thatseems a lot!..did i reALLy do 300?..)

OH! and another thing i learned is to BLOW into tune..and don't shy away. that's what my B.D once said.
idunno,..that's pretty much it..i'm trying to figure more stuff out..that i should know

hehe..that's cool schoolgirl..
but i still like your idea of flute w/ pink and blue polka dots LOLz