SEATTLE MUSIC PARTNERS

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  • Our Program
    • Virtual Lessons
    • After School Program
    • Volunteer Program
    • Additional Programming
    • Community Partnerships
  • Our Story
    • History
    • Why Music?
    • Program Impact
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Employment
    • Volunteer FAQ
  • About Us
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Partners
    • Guest Artists
    • Contact
  • Supporters
  • Calendar
  • News / Media
    • Annual Report
    • SMP News
    • Videos

Music Basics

How to Read Music in 15 Minutes:
Counting Rhythms: Level 2: Quarter and Eighth Notes

Instrument Care:

For brass mouthpieces: (Sterisol is about $4 at your local music store and a mouthpiece brush is even less): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7haTc8lHSMc  

For clarinets and saxophone mouthpieces (Sterisol is about $4 at your local music store and a mouthpiece brush is even less): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J9P2rwlj2U  

For flutes (the cleaning rod and a small, dollar-bill-sized cloth will suffice for the inside of the headjoint and an alcohol swab from any First Aid kit will work for the area the lips touch the headjoint):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2OD_0jPEcQ  

For string instruments:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6cqYlYyYkM  

Lesson Plan Tips:

Learn The Clarinet Notes: “New Orleans Strut. Clarinets – you get to use you’re A key a lot in this piece. When you do, make sure you “roll” up to the A key. Here’s a video that, at 5’20” shows this. Use this same technique when playing your newest note, Bb (measure 17, for instance).” - Beginning Band Lesson Plan 04/03

Drumming Expert Counting Quarter, 8th, and 16th Notes: “Procession for a New Day. Percussion – the snare part is rather difficult because of all the 16th notes. Here’s a video that will help. Start at the 2-minute mark.” - Advanced Band Lesson Plan 04/03

Eighth Rests: “Montego Bay. Percussion – you’ll need to know how to read 8th RESTS. This video may help.” - Advanced Band Lesson Plan 04/03

Violin Lesson - String Crossing (w/slurs): “#116. Remember, we added a repeat to this so it’s now 16 measures long! The main challenge of this piece is the SLUR. The curved line between two different notes indicates that your bow will continue in the same direction while your fingering changes the notes…in perfect rhythm. This video will help.” - Beginning Orchestra Lesson Plan 04/03
“#192. Violins - The A part (for all violins) has 32 slurs and the B part (viola and cello) has 14 so make sure your bow stays in the same direction during each slur. Here’s a handy video to review that.” - Advanced Orchestra Lesson Plan 04/03

Breathing for Band Instruments: We all need to inhale MUCH more deeply (and quickly) to play our instruments. Yes, we all know how to breathe but band musicians do it a bit differently when playing. Use this video as a guide to get you started (even though it’s a
trumpet video, it applies to all brass and woodwind instruments).- Lesson Plan 4/27

Tuning:

Violin Tuning 
Viola Tuning
Cello Tuning
Program Locations:
  • Leschi Elementary
  • Lowell Elementary
  • Madrona Elementary
  • Bailey Gatzert Elementary
  • Yesler Community Center
Resources​
  • Volunteer Tutor Application
  • Volunteer Tutor FAQ​​
  • Student/Family FAQ
  • SMP Family Handbook
  • SMP Tutor/SA Handbook
  • Print Your Own Music Paper
  • MSMP Registration Form
  • Instrument Loan Agreement
Contact Us

​Mailing Address:
1425 Broadway #508
​Seattle, WA 98122

Phone number:
(206) 408-8588

Email:
info@seattlemusicpartners.org
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SMP would like to thank our many sponsors and supporters.