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I’m in eighth grade but since there is no middle school jazz band I was invited to play in high school jazz! However I’ve barely touched my sax since quarantine... I just lost the will to see play it, idk why. So now I’m freaking out because I don’t want to be the one who doesn’t know what’s going on and holds everybody back. Advice? Please!
01/08/2021 - 6:04pm
I’m in a kinda similar situation with basketball, I have never played before but everyone else on the team has and knows what’s going on, and I don’t want to hold anyone back either. The way I deal with this is to basically just smile and laugh and watch other people a lot, and eventually you will be on a roll and it will get better. But also, ask questions! Generally everyone is fine with it and it actually benefits everybody:) I hope this helps
01/08/2021 - 6:20pm
    Do it @Whitney! Same thing happened to me in 8th grade and after one class I quite because I didn't think I could keep up. I wish I did because playing with individuals who are more skilled than you are makes you better, not to mention the repertoire is probably really fun to play. Just like NinaE said ask questions!!
    If the only reason for your hesitation is holding the group back I wouldn't worry about that too much, plus other kids probably took a hiatus from their instruments (I did hehe). Worst case you just have to playing catch up for a little bit - but I bet the group will be happy to have a new member anyway! Besides you were asked to play so someone sees some great potential in you. In any case congrats on the invitation! :D
    01/08/2021 - 8:18pm
      I'm right there with you, asked to join the band half way through the quarter and hadn't played in like 6 months. I would just recommend reviewing your notes and scales before you go, maybe some rhythms just to get back into the *Magical Musical Mindset*. It might make it an easier transition if once you get your music you learn it on your own so that you know it when you go to play with the group. Everyone gets lost in band class at least once xD You've got this (:
      01/08/2021 - 8:52pm
        I feel you! I joined the high school orchestra, and though i practiced my piano daily, and consider myself to be pretty good, playing with high schoolers with years of more experience was tErRiFyiNG to say the least. especially since we sight-read and improvised more- something you can’t learn from playing your scales. i’d suggest, like laurenm said, to review your notes and scales in the different keys. just so you know you’ve got the basics down. remember, music, especially in band, is more on the arts and collaboration, not so much on the technique. so just as long as you’ve got the basics down, you should be fine.
        also, practice on your own! don’t worry about dragging the class down (as i’m sure you won’t if you were invited to play at the high school band), but if you’re really anxious, take the sheet music home and practice. i’ve found this really helpful.
        so. i don’t play sax, so i can’t say anything abt that, but i hope this was at least a little helpful. i’m sure you’ll do amazing! :)
        01/08/2021 - 11:07pm
          I'm with you! when I was in 7th grade, I ended up getting invited to play in a jazz combo with my brother (who is 4 yrs older than me, haha) then I had only been playing tenor sax for about 3 yrs, while the rest of the players were in high school. it was hard, but through a lot of practice, I was able to fit right in. Sometimes I wanted to quit after I messed up on solo or something but I stuck with it and now I'm very happy that I did:) I ended up learning a lot and I still do it now!
          So my point is, DO IT! If you got invited, that means they want you in their band and believe that you'll be an asset. Congrats on that:D same as what laurenm said, I would practice scales and maybe find a few songs to print that are jazzy to prepare for what it might be like. whenever I haven't played for a long time-I never practice at all during the summerXD- I just practice scales and any songs that are familiar, it comes right back. Ask questions, don't be afraid to make mistakes, everyone does, yes, even the high-schoolersXD Take it as a challenge, playing with more skilled players is a great opportunity to learn more. Also, don't forget to have fun! as Treblemaker said, the repertoire is probably very fun to play.
          I hope this was helpful-Good luck, and I'm sure you'll do awesome!! :)
          01/09/2021 - 9:19am
            Thank you guys so much!!! This is just what I needed! It feels so amazing to have such supportive and encouraging friends on YWP!
            01/09/2021 - 5:17pm