Last Post

Hardnut · 11-09-2006, 05:13 AM

This year for the first time I haev been asked to play the Last Post for my college, which means playing on my own in front of over 1000 people, something which has been unparalleled in my music career.

Do any of you pros in this department have any tips on how to avoid nervousness, how best to play the piece, and how to produce a good sound on the day?

Many thanks,

Chris.

rowuk · 11-09-2006, 06:12 AM

On gigs where I would get nervous, I go to a good italian place BEFORE the concert, have a plate of spaghetti and ONE glass of wine. Works every time!
Seriously, take your time, prepare yourself properly, then you have nothing to worry about!
When on stage, start by exhaling until your air is expended, then breath deeply and just make music!

eisprl · 11-09-2006, 09:55 AM

Rowuk is right, as long as you are prepared, you should be alright. I believe (as well as many others I am sure) that one of the biggest factors to being nervous is being unprepared! KNOW the piece inside and out! (I assume you will be playing from memory?) If not, then practice it enough so you CAN play it from memory, it will help with the nervousness! Also, don't think about the "audience", just close your eyes and think of nothing else but the most beautiful version of last post you've ever heard. That way you remain concentrated and the congregation sees you in such a state of reverence that it adds to the whole effect.

Break a leg
Eric
(long time last poster)

Jimi Michiel · 11-09-2006, 11:58 AM

sorry, but what is Last Post?

Clarino · 11-09-2006, 12:37 PM

The Last Post is used in the same way Taps is used in the US.

Listen here:

http://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk/audio/lastpost.mp3

Tootsall · 11-09-2006, 12:39 PM

"Last Post" is the British & Commonwealth equivalent to "Taps". It is played on "Rememberance Day" which is the equivalent to the US "Veteran's Day".

Hardnut · 11-09-2006, 01:11 PM

Thanks very much guys - I have known the piece by memory for quite a while now, and closing my eyes really really helps me to forget about everything else - thats fantastic advice!!

Thanks so mcuh, I really appreciate you taking the time to reply!

Chris.

eisprl · 11-09-2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tootsall

"Last Post" is the British & Commonwealth equivalent to "Taps". It is played on "Rememberance Day" which is the equivalent to the US "Veteran's Day".

Not just Rememberance Day, but also at various memorial services and funerals for Veterans etc.

eisprl · 11-09-2006, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmichiel

sorry, but what is Last Post?

Jimi Michiel · 11-09-2006, 02:19 PM

Thanks Eric, I kid of figured it would be something along those lines. My first big "gig" was when I was in middle school and I got to play Taps for Veterans Day in front of the whole town. I was really scared, but I remember just focusing on a single piece of grass and blocking out everyone and everything around me. Good luck, Chris!

11-09-2006, 05:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
Hardnut Pianissimo User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South England Posts: 93	Last Post This year for the first time I haev been asked to play the Last Post for my college, which means playing on my own in front of over 1000 people, something which has been unparalleled in my music career. Do any of you pros in this department have any tips on how to avoid nervousness, how best to play the piece, and how to produce a good sound on the day? Many thanks, Chris. __________________ Haydn wrote a Trumpet Concerto?

11-09-2006, 06:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
rowuk Moderator Fortissimo User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 4,130	On gigs where I would get nervous, I go to a good italian place BEFORE the concert, have a plate of spaghetti and ONE glass of wine. Works every time! Seriously, take your time, prepare yourself properly, then you have nothing to worry about! When on stage, start by exhaling until your air is expended, then breath deeply and just make music! __________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

11-09-2006, 09:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
eisprl Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Halifax, NS CANADA Posts: 506	Rowuk is right, as long as you are prepared, you should be alright. I believe (as well as many others I am sure) that one of the biggest factors to being nervous is being unprepared! KNOW the piece inside and out! (I assume you will be playing from memory?) If not, then practice it enough so you CAN play it from memory, it will help with the nervousness! Also, don't think about the "audience", just close your eyes and think of nothing else but the most beautiful version of last post you've ever heard. That way you remain concentrated and the congregation sees you in such a state of reverence that it adds to the whole effect. Break a leg Eric (long time last poster) __________________ Eric Sproul Practice is like filling a leaky bucket Bb: Yamaha Xeno 8335 C: Bach Stadivarious 239L and 25A leadpipe (Owned by Eric Sholtz) Flugel: Yamaha Bobby Shew 6310Z Mouthpieces: GR tech www.stadband.ca

11-09-2006, 11:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jimi Michiel Forte User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1,683	sorry, but what is Last Post? __________________

11-09-2006, 12:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Clarino Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sheffield, England, UK Posts: 644	The Last Post is used in the same way Taps is used in the US. Listen here: http://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk/audio/lastpost.mp3 __________________ "...you have the perfect C Major chord, with blazing trumpets and inaudible strings." - Daniel Barenboim.

11-09-2006, 12:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tootsall Fortissimo User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Yee HAW! Posts: 4,641	"Last Post" is the British & Commonwealth equivalent to "Taps". It is played on "Rememberance Day" which is the equivalent to the US "Veteran's Day".

11-09-2006, 01:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
Hardnut Pianissimo User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South England Posts: 93	Thanks :) Thanks very much guys - I have known the piece by memory for quite a while now, and closing my eyes really really helps me to forget about everything else - thats fantastic advice!! Thanks so mcuh, I really appreciate you taking the time to reply! Chris. __________________ Haydn wrote a Trumpet Concerto?

11-09-2006, 02:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jimi Michiel Forte User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1,683	Thanks Eric, I kid of figured it would be something along those lines. My first big "gig" was when I was in middle school and I got to play Taps for Veterans Day in front of the whole town. I was really scared, but I remember just focusing on a single piece of grass and blocking out everyone and everything around me. Good luck, Chris! __________________

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