I agree with what you have to say. Range is a measly skill which is not worth as much as other things. Just here recently my private teacher preaches that a good range is a great foundation. Range as in low, middle, and high registers. Range is something I have been putting a little stress on myself, because many songs do carry some of these higher components which my school music teacher will kill if I could not play
. Most my energy has been going into sight reading... because I am now in all my school bands avaliable (marching, concert, jazz, and pep bands) and all I want to do is improve. See if I had the ability to play the all of the insane ( well insane in my current level of playing ) Carnival of Venice flawlessly I doubt I would be doing what I am doing, I would be playing 14 hours straight and would be attending a music school for high school and college. The most I have played straight was 6 hour practice... I love playing, and I want it to be a life long hobby. Well thanks for the advice.
Later,
Howard