I was inspired to write this post after watching the TV coverage of the Election last night, particularly the iconic Swingometer (although somewhat disappointedly replaced by something that wouldn't look out of place in a chemistry laboratory, and given the name 'Flo'). I mentioned in my post yesterday about 'Porgy & Bess' and the need to swing (and this isn't a criticism of anyone, I need to loosen up myself). This got me thinking about brass bands playing this type of music.
I'm sure it's not just our band that maybe feels a little awkward adding swing to music that requires this particular style of playing. Is it because, as individuals, we don't listen to this type of music in our own time, so we can't 'feel' the swing rhythm at band? (I'm not saying we should all add swing style music to our playlists at home or in the car, I'll be sticking with my 80's hairspray rock!)
Could it be the brass band image? 'Brass bands play marches, overtures and hymns, and nothing else'. We know that's far from the truth, with film soundtracks and pop music arrangements liberally included in our concert reportoires. But the mentality that we're a brass band and not, say, a big band could be influencing us.
Or it may simply be down to us not playing enough swingy, funky, jazzy, call it what you like, music. After all, practise makes perfect.
Never mind swing - I want to hear you playing some 80's hairspray rock!
ReplyDelete@Anonymous - you should know that the band has The Final Countdown, surely an 80s hairspray rock classic!
ReplyDeleteWell let's be hearing it then!
ReplyDeleteSwing!! well what is it? if you go back to the 30's and 40's then you enter the swing era, music with energy and rhythms that get your foot tapping, pre rock n roll so this came from roots of jazz and blues. We can really get into this type of music, it is fun and you can really let go, if you can listen to Mr Miller and other bands of that ilk then you can get the idea, big band, big sound. Brass bands can be quite rigid so this is a chance to let loose and show another side to the band. We can be versatile, lets go
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