Third to Sixth Class

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In Third Class Violin and Cello players may wish to continue their playing by taking part in our Third Class lessons. These lessons involve preparation for our Junior Orchestra pieces. Third Class wind players may also join Canice’s Cubs once they have grasped their instrument. If they haven’t already taken up an instrument or wish to try something else they can take up Viola, Double Bass, Recorder, Pocket Trumpet, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Baritone, Saxophone, Clarinet, Piccolo or Flute. If numbers permit those second class students with lots of rhythm can continue with Senior Percussion lessons! If they are a singer now may be the time to enrol them in singing lessons. Perhaps they are interested in the piano either? Most of our Third Class instrumentalists, who have already taken their Preparatory theory exam also benefit from enrolling in our Royal Irish Academy of Music Grade 1 Theory classes which augment and supplement their instrument learning and will go on to take a theory exam in May.

In Fourth Class our more experienced instrumentalists move up to the Senior Orchestra and those who have only newly taken up instruments may be involved in B Orchestra with wind and brass players joining Junior Jazz Band too. Those who haven’t already taken up one of our many instruments (as above, not forgetting singing and piano too) can do so this year, or those that have may wish to try something new! Guitar lessons are also available (guitars unfortunately are not available for hire from the music programme). Most of our Fourth Class instrumentalists, who have already taken their Grade 1 theory exam also benefit from enrolling in our Royal Irish Academy of Music Grade 2 Theory classes which augment and supplement their instrument learning and will go on to take a theory exam in May.

In Fifth Class our more experienced instrumentalists move up to the Senior Orchestra and those who have only newly taken up instruments may be involved in B Orchestra with wind and brass players joining Jazz Band too. Those who haven’t already taken up one of our many instruments (as above, not forgetting singing and piano too) can do so this year, or those that have may wish to try something new! Guitar lessons are also available (guitars unfortunately are not available for hire from the music programme). Most of our Fifth Class instrumentalists, who have already taken their Grade 2 theory exam also benefit from enrolling in our Royal Irish Academy of Music Grade 3 Theory classes which augment and supplement their instrument learning and will go on to take a theory exam in May.

Sixth Class musicians continue playing and enjoying their instruments in A Orchestra and Jazz Band and it’s never too late to try a new instrument, not forgetting the Guitar, Piano or Singing. They show their skills in the Sixth Class Farewell where they have an opportunity to perform on an instrument of their choice before their parents. A fabulous evening enjoyed by all!

Piano

The video shows Aoibheann Smyth 5th Class 2013-2014 interviewed and performing in Senior Orchestra in the programme “Meet The Orchestra” recorded in May 2013 and aired on RTE Junior in September 2013

The Piano can be a member of the orchestra or a solo instrument.

The first piano was built as early as 1694 and replaced the harpsichord as the most popular keyboard instrument of the Romantic era. The piano was first referred to as a pianoforte which means soft (piano) loud (forte) instrument. It was named the pianoforte because, unlike the harpsichord, it allowed the player to control the degree of loudness and softness of a note by the way he/she would strike a key.

Playing the piano often involves the use of all ten fingers and sometimes both of your feet. To make a sound, simply press a key down. The softer or harder and slower or faster the pianist presses a key will determine the sound quality of the note. The three pedals, controlled by the pianists feet, also change the tone of the piano. They include the damper pedal, the soft pedal, and the sostenuto pedal. The damper pedal is the most used pedal by far, serving to sustain the notes that have been played. The soft pedal, which may be locked in place during a performance, serves to lighten the intensity of the notes. The last pedal, the sostenuto pedal, makes it possible to sustain some notes while allowing the player to play detached sounds on another part of the keyboard.

St Canice’s pianists can perform alone or in a duo to perform duets or even play with other members of the orchestra.

By |2019-12-19T22:36:00+00:00October 11th, 2019|

Baritone

The video shows Lauren Walsh 6th Class 2013-2014 interviewed and performing in Senior Orchestra in the programme “Meet The Orchestra” recorded in May 2013 and aired on RTE Junior in September 2013

The baritone is a member of the brass family. As with all brass instruments, the sound is produced by buzzing the lips into a mouthpiece.

The baritone works in the same manner as a trumpet but it’s twice the length. It plays the exact same notes as a trombone and even uses the same mouthpiece. The biggest difference is that the baritone uses valves rather than a slide to change the length of the air flow.

The baritone is stored in the case in just two pieces. It is played with the right hand on the valves. The left arm usually supports the bottom of the instrument. There are a number of shapes and sizes of baritones. The difference in sizes for baritones is caused by how tightly the the tubing is coiled. Very small “baby” baritones look about half the size of a regular baritone but they are really the same length and the same pitch. The tubing is just coiled tighter.

The baritone is not nearly as popular as other brass and woodwind instruments Less students performing an instrument means that the competition will not be as fierce. Good baritone players are considered very valuable assets by orchestras and bands since there are so few of them.

The baritone has unique uses in various types of groups. We can hear baritones in bands, small ensembles or as a solo instrument. On the professional level, baritones are used heavily in military bands.

St Canice’s baritone players perform in the Junior orchestra and Senior orchestra and may also get together with fellow brass, woodwind or string players to form smaller performing groups.

All instruments have limited availability and will be distributed for hire on a first come first served basis. Baritones are available for hire for two years. Lesson costs depend on the size of the group being taught and can alter annually. Please ask for further details.

By |2019-12-19T22:35:23+00:00October 11th, 2019|

Trombone

The video shows Adam Gordon and Sam O’Connell 4th Class 2013-2014 interviewed and performing in Senior Orchestra in the programme “Meet The Orchestra” recorded in May 2013 and aired on RTE Junior in September 2013

The trombone is a member of the brass family. As with all brass instruments, the sound is produced by buzzing the lips into a mouthpiece. A unique feature of the trombone is the slide. While other brass instrument change pitches by pressing valves to change the length of the air flow, the trombone player simply moves the slide in and out to the change the length of the instrument.

The trombone is stored in the case in just two pieces. It is played with the bell on the left side of the slide. The slide is held in the right hand and the bell portion is held with the left. Some trombones include an “F” attachment with a trigger or a valve for the left hand. These instruments are not typically for beginners.

Almost all trombones come in just one size. Several have the optional “F” attachment but the instrument plays in the same way as a trombone without an “F” attachment. The “F” trigger just allows a player more alternate slide positions for difficult passages. Other sizes of trombones are strictly for advanced players. They include the bass trombone and the alto trombone.

The trombone is not nearly as popular as other brass or woodwind instruments. Less students performing an instrument means that the competition will not be as fierce. Good trombone players are considered very valuable assets by orchestra and bands since there are so few of them.

The trombone is considered one of the most widely used instruments. We can hear trombones in bands, symphony orchestras, jazz groups, brass quintets and as solo instruments.

St Canice’s trombone players perform in the Junior orchestra and Senior orchestra and may also get together with fellow brass, woodwind or string players to form smaller performing groups.

All instruments have limited availability and will be distributed for hire on a first come first served basis. Tombones are available for hire for two years. Lesson costs depend on the size of the group being taught and can alter annually. Please ask for further details.

By |2019-12-19T22:36:01+00:00October 11th, 2019|

French Horn

The video shows Michael Rafter 5th Class 2013-2014 interviewed and performing in Senior Orchestra in the programme “Meet The Orchestra” recorded in May 2013 and aired on RTE Junior in September 2013

The French horn is a member of the brass family. As with all brass instruments, the sound is produced by buzzing the lips into a mouthpiece.

The French Horn comes in just two pieces. It is played with the left hand on top of the instrument with the first three fingers resting on the valves. Some French horns also have fourth valve for the thumb. The right hand should rest against the top portion of the bell. As students advance they will learn how to place the right hand inside the bell for a beautiful sound.

French horns are made as “single” horns or “double” horns or sometimes as a rarely seen “triple” horn. The simplest beginning horn is a single horn which can come in two sizes, either a Bb (“B” flat) or an “F” horn. Virtually all advanced students and professional players perform on a double horn.

The French horn is not as popular as other brass or woodwind instruments. Less students performing an instrument means that the competition will not be as fierce. Good French horn players are desperately needed in all beginning and advanced orchestras and bands.

The French horn is popular in bands, symphony orchestras and small instrumental groups. The instrument is also popular among Hollywood composers since they write a lot of movie music for the French horn. It also works very well as a solo instrument.

St Canice’s horn players perform in the Junior orchestra and Senior orchestra and may also get together with fellow brass, woodwind or string players to form smaller performing groups.

All instruments have limited availability and will be distributed for hire on a first come first served basis. French Horns are available for hire for two years. Lesson costs depend on the size of the group being taught and can alter annually. Please ask for further details.

By |2019-12-19T22:35:46+00:00October 11th, 2019|

Trumpet

The video shows David Conway 5th Class 2013-2014 interviewed and performing in Senior Orchestra in the programme “Meet The Orchestra” recorded in May 2013 and aired on RTE Junior in September 2013

The trumpet or cornet is the smallest and highest member of the brass family. As with all brass instruments, the sound is produced by buzzing the lips into a mouthpiece. The difference between a trumpet and cornet is very minor. They both play the same notes and they sound virtually the same. In appearance, the trumpet looks a bit longer and more slender than a cornet. The real difference has to do with the way the tubing of the instrument flares. A cornet is more cone shaped or conical than a trumpet. For all practical purposes they are the same instrument for beginners. A trumpet comes in just two pieces. It is played with the right hand on top of the instrument with the first three fingers resting on the valves. The left hand holds the instrument with the fingers wrapped around the middle of the valves. Advanced players may have a trumpet and a cornet and several other sizes of trumpets. They may perform on a “C” trumpet, “D” trumpet or even a piccolo trumpet. The most common version is a Bb (“B” flat) trumpet or cornet. All beginning trumpet players should start on a Bb instrument. The trumpet is a very versatile and widely used instrument. Trumpets are always needed in bands, symphony orchestras, jazz groups and small instrumental groups. It is very common for the trumpet to perform a large number of solos and melodic lines in all of these groups. The trumpet also works well as a solo instrument. St Canice’s trumpeters perform in the Junior orchestra, Senior orchestra and Jazz band and may also get together with fellow brass, woodwind or string players to form smaller performing groups. All instruments have limited availability and will be distributed for hire on a first come first served basis. Tumpets are available for hire for two years. Lesson costs depend on the size of the group being taught and can alter annually. Please ask for further details.

By |2019-12-19T22:36:05+00:00October 11th, 2019|
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