Third to Sixth Class – Page 4 – St Canice's Music Programme

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!

Guitar

The guitar is a stringed instrument that is an integral part of various musical styles. It is a common sight concerts promoting Blues, Country, Rock and Mariachi performances across the globe. This traditional solo classical instrument has ancient roots, dating as far back as 4000 years ago!

The three most common types of guitar are the classical, acoustic and electric.

Classical guitars are typically strung with nylon strings. They have a wide, flat neck for least string interference with scales and arpeggios. The acoustic guitar, typically strung with metal strings emits sound via a soundboard, typically a wooden mount on the front of the design. Electric guitars are fitted with electromagnetic pickups to convert string vibrations into electrical signals. These are then fed into an amplifier and modified via vacuum tubes.

The guitar is a versatile musical instrument. It can be played alone or with other instrumentalists and can cover a wide range of musical genres from rock and pop to classical.

St Canice’s guitarists can play alone or in groups with other guitars, instrumentalists and singers.

By |2019-10-11T14:35:44+01:00October 11th, 2019|

Double Bass

The video shows Shay McEvoy 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 double bass (pronounced like ‘base”) is the largest member of the string family. Other names for this instrument include the string bass, bass viol, the stand-up bass or frequently simply the bass. Like the other string instruments, sound is produced by drawing a bow across the strings or by plucking the strings. Since the bass is the largest of the string instruments, it is also the lowest.

Like other string instruments the double bass comes in just two pieces, the instrument and the bow. The bow uses horsehair or a synthetic material to vibrate the strings as it is drawn over the instrument. The double bass has four strings normally tuned to E, A, D and G. The strings on a double bass are tuned in fourths which makes it different from all other modern string instruments.The tuning in fourths makes the double bass different from all other modern string ins
The double bass is played in an upright position with the left hand resting on the back of the neck and the right either plucks the strings or holds the bow.

The bass is a very old instrument. It has been basically unchanged for hundreds of years. A popular new version of the string bass is the electric bass guitar. A bass guitar is tuned the same and has a similar sound to a plucked string bass. The electric guitar sound is amplified electronically rather than from the body of the instrument. Many players of the string bass also double on the electric bass for some occasions.

The double bass comes in various sizes. The correct size for each student depends on the overall size of the student. Students are measured by our double bass teachers to determine the correct size of instrument for them as individuals.

The double bass is not as popular as a violin for beginners. This means that a good double bass player will always be a very valuable member of the orchestra since the number of double bass players is so small. However, the double bass is still used in virtually all styles of music throughout the world. It is well known for its use in symphony orchestras as well as rock and roll, country and bluegrass bands and other popular groups. Most jazz groups include a string bass or at the very least an electric bass guitar.

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

By rainrain|2019-12-19T22:35:37+00:00October 11th, 2019|

Cello

The video shows Ella Brennan 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 cello (pronounced like ‘chello”) is the second largest member of the string family. Like the other string instruments, sound is produced by drawing a bow across the strings or by plucking the strings.

Like other string instruments the cello comes in just two pieces, the instrument and the bow. The bow uses horsehair or a synthetic material to vibrate the strings as it is drawn over the instrument. The cello has four stings which are normally tuned to a G, D, A and C. These are the same notes as a viola but are an octave lower.

The cello is played in an upright position with the left hand resting on the back of the neck and the right either plucks the strings or holds the bow. The player should be sitting with the body of the instrument resting between the legs.

The cello is a very old instrument. It has been basically unchanged for hundreds of years. Now, cellos come in various sizes. The correct size for each student depends on the overall size of the student. Students are measured by our cello teachers to determine the correct size of instrument for them as individuals.

The cello is not as popular as a violin for beginners. This means that a good cellist will always be a very valuable member of the orchestra since the number of cello players is so small. However, the cello is still used in many styles of music throughout the world. It is well known for its use in symphony orchestras and occasionally performs in popular music groups as well.

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

By rainrain|2019-12-19T22:35:29+00:00October 11th, 2019|

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