| With only few weeks until the holidays many start their | | | | something original for your audience to enjoy. |
| preparations and rehearsals for upcoming concerts | | | | Secondly, if there will be other musicians, choirs, or |
| and celebrations. For many the annually returning | | | | bands on the program, either before, after, or |
| question is what to play? Will it be something new or | | | | alternating with your performance, try and agree to |
| the same evergreens from last year? Will it be | | | | perform (at least) one common piece together. This |
| something traditional and classical or perhaps an original | | | | makes for a great transition in the overall program, |
| contemporary theme? If you are having difficulties | | | | from one act to another, or as grand finale. It almost |
| deciding what to play, particularly taking into account | | | | always creates the awareness or impression with |
| your limited (or perhaps non existing) budget for new | | | | your audience something special is happening. |
| sheet music, here are few ideas that may be of help. | | | | Look beyond your instrumentation |
| Know your audience | | | | There are many resources for free and affordable |
| Probably the most important factor in making your | | | | sheet music online. Often, however, it is hard to find |
| performance a success is to know who will be in the | | | | suitable, let alone original, scores for your particular |
| audience and what they will likely appreciate listening | | | | instrumentation, especially when you are trying to play |
| to. For example, would they appreciate, or even | | | | together with others as suggested above. In searching |
| expect, sing-a-long evergreens? What kind of music | | | | for sheet music don't limit yourself to literally the |
| are they familiar with, and hence, will they recognise | | | | instruments you have available within your group or |
| what you play? Also take into account the setting and | | | | band. Music written for violin or strings, for example, |
| context of your concert: is your music to support a | | | | could be used for trumpet or brass as well. Music |
| fundraiser held in the mall or a concert in your local | | | | written for clarinet could be played by saxophone. And |
| church? On this note, keep in mind that for many | | | | bass tuba could easily be replaced by baritone |
| people the Holidays are not necessarily equal to | | | | saxophone or bass trombone and vice versa. |
| Christmas. If you know that, for example, many people | | | | To some degree, in a few scenarios, this may require |
| with a different religion are attending it may be a nice | | | | some skills from the musician; for example transposing |
| gesture to include music in their traditions in your | | | | a part written for an instrument in C to play on an |
| program. In short, don't automatically go for what you | | | | instrument in B-flat. Often, however, there should be |
| would like to play. Take this liberty only for as far as | | | | little difficulty. A saxophone player who can improvise |
| your audience will likely appreciate it. | | | | or a pianist, for example, may have sufficient |
| Know your fellow musicians | | | | information in reading a guitar part containing chords. |
| Unless you are performing solo, the abilities of your | | | | Two things are important in determining what |
| fellow musician(s) will largely determine what you can | | | | alternatives you can use: 1) the range of the music |
| play. This is not necessarily a matter of limitation. In | | | | (highest and lowest notes); 2) the tuning of the music |
| fact, although some musicians with whom you play | | | | (C, F, B flat, E flat, etc.) versus the tuning of the |
| may have, for example, limited reach or dexterity, they | | | | instrument that is to play it. Make yourself a shortlist of |
| may have excellent improvisation skills, are experts | | | | alternative instruments which you could use, whether |
| with other genres, may be able to play several | | | | or not with small adjustments like transposing keys or |
| instruments or sing, or may even be great (physical) | | | | adjusting the range one octave up or down. You will |
| comedians. Whatever the case, try and leverage from | | | | find many musical works you never considered before. |
| these strengths. It almost certainly will result in | | | | |