Hey guys! How was your weekend? So, here's part 4! If you can answer a question that I ask, you can submit an idea for what happens next in the story! So, this part is kinda stupid and pointless, but you can skip this chapter if you want. Anyway, the question is at the bottom! Enjoy!
4
I burst into the music room and hurry over to Mr. Fujishige. "Sorry I can't explain, but this is mad important! I need a list of classical and jazz music that you've already played this year!" He looks slightly dazed, but he was my tutor for over a year, and he know everything I do is for a reason. He directs me to the top file cabinet in his office.
I hurry to his cluttered office and open the cabinet. Classic and jazz. that's what we will play. I flip through all the music, pulling pieces out once and a while. I come up with seven classical pieces, and no jazz. When I go back outside, everyone has already left, except Mr. Fujishige. "Where's all the jazz music?" I ask him. He shrugs. "This band has never played it."
Never?
"I'll make it work." I say. I take all the music and put it on his director's stand. "Can I direct tomorrow morning?" I ask. "May I ask why?" he replies. He is sitting in the back of the room, tuning a cello that is two steps flat. "I have to organize music for some swanky party by the end of this week." I say, sitting on his tall chair in the from of the room.
"You'll have to teach the band how to play swing." He says, playing a quick arpeggio and adjusting the pitch. "Thanks, Mr. Fujishige." I say getting out of his chair and grabbing a copy of each music for my trumpet.
I walk home and set up a music stand. I practice for and hour, then eat dinner while I watch the news. I go to bed and sleep.
The next day, I sit in front of the band, preparing to tell them what's gonna happen. My trumpet is sitting on the stand in front of me. I look around. "So, here's what's going down. I need some band members to perform on Friday. The club in the third music room is throwing a party for some reason, and they want live music."
I glance around, seeing I have everyone's attention. "So, if you have the time, it would help if you could perform." They all nod. Good. I have a full band.
I hand out the music. They all already know all the music, except for the jazz piece I bought last night. A saxophone player raises his hand and asks, "How do we play," he looks down at his paper. "Allegro swing?"
This is gonna be harder than I thought.
"Um…that's kinda hard to explain." I think for a second.
"Play the first bar that you play at." he plays, but it sounds flat and boring. I shake my head and look at the directors copy. I pick up my trumpet. "See, your playing it like this." I demonstrate how he just played. "But in jazz, you gotta express yourself. Loosen up, you catch my drift?"
He looks kinda confused. I play it again, swinging the notes and tapping my foot to the rhythm. "Now you try." he plays it again, swing the notes and adding emphasis. I smile. "See, it's not to hard. Now let's have the entire section play it." I count them off and they play it together. It will need some work.
I turn my focus to the drum section in the back left corner of the room.
"Who's first chair?" A tall guy with dark hair raises his hand. I stand up and walk over to the white drum set and sit in the chair. I gesture for him to come closer. He kneels beside me. "Your going to be the most important player in the room. You are gonna have a few solos, so you better be a good drummer." He nods.
I pick up the drumsticks and say, "This is a really hard piece for percussion." I play the first few bars on the snare, then hand him sticks. He replays it perfectly. This guy is good. I stand and return to my chair. "So, I think you get the picture. You have to be energetic. Your homework is to listen to some music. Benny Goodman, that would be best. Your all dismissed."
They all begin putting they're instruments away. As they leave, they actually thank me for the lesson. If all goes well, they will be ready by Friday. I'm positive.
Done! So, about that question...if you get the answer correct first, I'll let you pitch an idea for the story! Sound good? Ok, here is your question:
What is the jazz piece the band will play for the concert on Friday?
I'll give you some hints, in case you didn't get them in the chapter.
1. It is performed by Benny Goodman and his orchestra.
2. It starts as a drum solo.
3. It was performed at carnegie hall in 1938, and was made famous there.
So, in a review, say, "i think the piece is, _ and my idea is_." Sound super? There will be a bit of romance in the next chapter...review and I will post! Bye-bye!