Ottaway,+Jesse

My three goals to improve as a saxophonist this year are as follows: 1. I want to be better at sight reading, particularly rhythms. I need to focus less on the perfect notes at first and instead read the rhythms correctly. To do this, when I receive a piece of music, I will clap out the rhythm to predict how it will sound. I will be able to do this with all new pieces and by the end of the year I hope to be better at sight reading. 2. I want to improve my tone to make it sound more blended. To attain this, I will listen more to the people around me and try to blend with them. In addition, I will improve my embrasure (I think that's how that's spelled) to make my sound richer and deeper. 3. Last, I would like to be able to improve my tonging of fast rhythms Right now, when I get a non-slurred fast section, I tend to blur some notes together and not achieve a crisp rhythm. I can improve on this by practicing those kinds of rhythms more, as well as those "tsst" drills we sometimes do in warmups.

These are excellent goals!! Keep up the good work this year!!

Great essay!

ESSAY

(I'm going to be honest, I'm not very good at writing things like this but here goes:)

What music means to me:

I believe that music is a very influential and powerful force in society and is a great way for me to relax. I think that it can really embody anything, because it is so diverse. Music tells stories, which range from exciting and adventurous to joyful to mournful to even boastful. The fact that it can represent so many things means that it is relateable. You can choose what to listen to based on your mood. Playing it is sometimes even better than listening to it. (I say sometimes because I cannot sing or rap) Instead of just hearing it, you can create it, and make it however you want. This control over music is quite enjoyable.

Six words that describe me as a musician:

Creative: I like to think of my own melodies on my instrument when I am bored. I think that musicians can play their best music if they were the ones to write it Intuitive: When I hear a song that is catchy or one that I particularly enjoy, I find that I can often replicate that tune on my instrument fairly easily. Improving: It is impossible not to improve as a musician, simple as that. Confident: I don't often feel intimidated by hard music or notes. The way I see it, not much can be tougher than a basketball practice, so hard music is conquerable. Boreable: Sometimes when I am playing bland notes that are repetitive I get bored with it. (Even though I realize they are still important)( Excitable: Contrary to the last word, when I have a part I really like, you will know it. I'll play that part every time that I have my instrument out.