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Author Topic: British Brass Bands  (Read 5591 times)

ssltech

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British Brass Bands
« on: November 07, 2010, 07:30:36 PM »

I've always loved the sound of a British-style brass band; rich and symphonic. I've been working (recording and occasionally playing) with a local British-style brass band for almost a decade now, and we've been competing in the obligatory championships for a while.

http://www.brassbandofcentralflorida.org/images/2010-1sm.JPG

For a few years we were quite the popular band in the USA, but 3 or 4 years ago, another band from Kansas City raised the standard to a level which we -to be quite honest- struggled to match.

This weekend the band once again contested the US open championship:

http://www.brassbandofcentralflorida.org/NEWS.htm
http://4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=12489
http://www.usopenbrass.org/

Our conductor left at the start of the year, since his calendar has become just TOO crowded. -Several of us worried that this might be the beginning of the end, but we found someone simply stunning not only in terms of conducting ability, but also in both playing and the ability to inspire the band...

I can't WAIT to record the next album with them!

In the meantime, we've been invited to go to the UK and compete in their annual "Brass in Concert" championship. -I'm looking forward to it immensely!

-Forgive me sharing what might not be of much interest to many others, but I'm absolutely delighted right now, and wanted to share, in case anyone else out there enjoys British brass band music.

Keith
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MDM (maxdimario) wrote on Fri, 16 November 2007 21:36

I have the feeling that I have more experience in my little finger than you do in your whole body about audio electronics..

Barry Hufker

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2010, 11:17:06 PM »

If bullshit were music you'd be a brass band.  Isn't that the saying?  In any event, I enjoy a fine brass ensemble.  I'm sure this one is quite good if you're associate with it.  I'll have to check out the links.

Barry
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KB_S1

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2010, 11:19:14 PM »

A couple of friends play in brass bands.
Always sounds like a great social thing with the travelling to competitions and shows.
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compasspnt

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2010, 11:48:00 PM »

Congratulations Keith!

I have one of their CDs and can attest to the group's prowess.

See you in a few days mate, will pick you up @ airport!
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Hallams

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2010, 11:49:17 PM »

....used to play cornet in the cadet band. Love the sound of a full brass band firing on all 12 cylinders.
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Tidewater

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #5 on: November 08, 2010, 01:35:11 AM »

Hey! Love them! I was just talking about the very subject 25 minutes ago after a jazz session.

My family owns a carnival business. My father has a collection of band organs. I think the Wurlitzers won me over to the feel, certainly to many of the classic tunes one would expect to hear.

Very cool!
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ssltech

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #6 on: November 08, 2010, 07:50:06 AM »

KB_S1 wrote

A couple of friends play in brass bands.
Always sounds like a great social thing with the travelling to competitions and shows.


Well, BIC is quite a way up North towards Scotland... Perhaps I'll even make a trip over the border?

With the recent chilly weather here, and the several-times-weekly rehearsal schedule, it's been feeling quite like old times. -November 5th was just last week, and I actually found myself hankering for a slice of oatmeal-&-treacle Parkin... With a pot of tea, naturally!

Compasspnt wrote

See you in a few days mate, will pick you up @ airport!



I can't wait; I'm looking forward to it immensely! -"The whole famn damily" is going to have a blast, I've no doubt!

The noted conductor and great wit Sir Thomas Beecham was NOT a fan of brass bands, although he did once concede:

Sir Thomas Beecham said

"Brass Bands are alright in their place...

...and 'their place' is outdoors, and several miles away!



I'll see if I can dig up a sound file if anyone's truly interested.

Keith
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MDM (maxdimario) wrote on Fri, 16 November 2007 21:36

I have the feeling that I have more experience in my little finger than you do in your whole body about audio electronics..

Berolzheimer

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #7 on: November 08, 2010, 02:08:56 PM »

ssltech wrote on Mon, 08 November 2010 04:50


I'll see if I can dig up a sound file if anyone's truly interested.

Keith


Yes please!
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el duderino

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #8 on: November 08, 2010, 02:11:12 PM »

Keith,

What makes it "British style"?

I love brass bands but my experience is with new orleans style brass bands ala ReBirth.

If you have a sound clip available id definitely like to hear it.
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MagnetoSound

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #9 on: November 08, 2010, 02:20:11 PM »

Keef,


I hope you will be doing this one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNpkQhaXnC0



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ssltech

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #10 on: November 08, 2010, 03:11:32 PM »

el duderino wrote

What makes it "British style"?


A darker, more symphonic tone, and frequently lots of quiver vibrato on the lead lines...

Excellent examples are the Grimethorpe Collliery band, (who tend to play with an incredible 'richness' and warmth) and Black Dyke Mills band, who frequently excel at tecnically difficult pieces, and who also briefly recorded on the Beatles' Apple records, produced by Paul McCartney.

British style bands are required to be amateur players, not professional musicians. They generally were coal-miners or factory workers by day, and gathered in the evenings to make music, usually encouraged by the factory/mine owners, to try and discourage the consumption of alcohol...

...that last bit sort of didn't work out at ALL well!

Keith
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MDM (maxdimario) wrote on Fri, 16 November 2007 21:36

I have the feeling that I have more experience in my little finger than you do in your whole body about audio electronics..

compasspnt

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #11 on: November 08, 2010, 06:35:26 PM »

The Month of The Keiths.

KB_S1 arrives for a visit tomorrow, and ssltech in another week!

I must sharpen my accents...



Hey Cliff, is Nancy cooking??
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KB_S1

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #12 on: November 08, 2010, 06:46:32 PM »

[quote title=ssltech wrote on Mon, 08 November 2010 12:50]
KB_S1 wrote


Well, BIC is quite a way up North towards Scotland... Perhaps I'll even make a trip over the border?


Keith



If you can make it be sure to let me know and I am sure I can sort something interesting for you!
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el duderino

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #13 on: November 09, 2010, 10:55:59 AM »

ssltech wrote on Mon, 08 November 2010 15:11

el duderino wrote

What makes it "British style"?


A darker, more symphonic tone, and frequently lots of quiver vibrato on the lead lines...

Excellent examples are the Grimethorpe Collliery band, (who tend to play with an incredible 'richness' and warmth) and Black Dyke Mills band, who frequently excel at tecnically difficult pieces, and who also briefly recorded on the Beatles' Apple records, produced by Paul McCartney.

British style bands are required to be amateur players, not professional musicians. They generally were coal-miners or factory workers by day, and gathered in the evenings to make music, usually encouraged by the factory/mine owners, to try and discourage the consumption of alcohol...

...that last bit sort of didn't work out at ALL well!

Keith


Ha, great links and great  info thanks.
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burp182

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #14 on: November 10, 2010, 05:27:42 PM »

I've also noticed a lot of truly wonderful euphonium players with midnight dark tones. Also symphonic sounding tuba players as opposed to Sousaphone-like low end.
Makes an enormous difference in the texture of the midrange in comparison with American marching band style ensembles.
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ssltech

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #15 on: November 10, 2010, 08:13:41 PM »

A solid, round low-end adds a measure of class, no doubt!

Keith
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MDM (maxdimario) wrote on Fri, 16 November 2007 21:36

I have the feeling that I have more experience in my little finger than you do in your whole body about audio electronics..

Bubba#$%Kron

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #16 on: November 11, 2010, 01:27:01 AM »

wow , thanks for sharing- these look like they are a lot of fun. I have a friend who used to do something just like this, go and compete in europe.  He told me all these crazy stories about how they all go out and party afterwards together, seems like a good time.  The sound of standing in the middle of all those real instruments must be amazing.
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"When we make music we don't do it in order to reach a certain point, such as the end of the composition. If that were the purpose of music then obviously the fastest players would be the best. Also, when we are dancing we are not aiming to arrive at a particular place on the floor as in a journey. When we dance, the journey itself is the point, as when we play music the playing itself is the point."  -Alan Watts

ssltech

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #17 on: November 11, 2010, 08:32:54 AM »

Yeah... hence my reference to a 'failure' of abstinence from alcohol.

-Despite many brass bands being founded by temperance societies and other organizations (the Salvation Army being one example) who historically forswear booze, many brass bands in my experience are second only -perhaps- to rugby teams in their ability to down bathtub-sized containers of beer post-performance!

Very Happy
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MDM (maxdimario) wrote on Fri, 16 November 2007 21:36

I have the feeling that I have more experience in my little finger than you do in your whole body about audio electronics..

KB_S1

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #18 on: November 11, 2010, 09:36:13 AM »

Keith, looking at the 'BIC' information the dates don't seem to add up.
Are you talking about being there for the 2011 event?
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ssltech

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #19 on: November 11, 2010, 10:01:33 AM »

2011.

-Somewhat in line with Sir Thomas Beecham's reccomendations, I plan to be in Nassau for this year's event.

Wink
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MDM (maxdimario) wrote on Fri, 16 November 2007 21:36

I have the feeling that I have more experience in my little finger than you do in your whole body about audio electronics..

Barkley McKay

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #20 on: November 13, 2010, 06:14:18 AM »

The antics of rock stars are nothing compared to what the trombone section can get up to...in my experience.  Shocked

One of our staff here was the MD for the film Brassed Off.
A very strong culture of it here in Yorkshire and a lot of the musos coming onto the jazz course found their way through brass bands.

A lovely sound.

barks
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ssltech

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #21 on: November 13, 2010, 09:32:15 AM »

Barkley McKay wrote

One of our staff here was the MD for the film Brassed Off.


Mazel tov!

That film is required viewing in our band, to teach people who are unfamiliar with the British sound something about the bands, the spaces and conditions in which they rehearse, the economic background and the glorious sound that they make through it all.

Back before Ewan became Obi-Wan, he was a young Jedi in the tenor horn section.

Keef
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MDM (maxdimario) wrote on Fri, 16 November 2007 21:36

I have the feeling that I have more experience in my little finger than you do in your whole body about audio electronics..

Barkley McKay

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Re: British Brass Bands
« Reply #22 on: November 13, 2010, 09:53:56 AM »

ssltech wrote on Sat, 13 November 2010 14:32

Barkley McKay wrote

One of our staff here was the MD for the film Brassed Off.


Mazel tov!

That film is required viewing in our band, to teach people who are unfamiliar with the British sound something about the bands, the spaces and conditions in which they rehearse, the economic background and the glorious sound that they make through it all.

Back before Ewan became Obi-Wan, he was a young Jedi in the tenor horn section.

Keef


Keef, next time you come I'll introduce you to John.

http://www.lcm.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/john-anderson.htm

barks
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