Ummm Advice?

Dominic · Ummm Advice?

Hi,
Iv just got back from the Careers office with all the info i need to join the Band, Im a drummer bugler and have been playing for around 8 years in a youth marching band, Im now 21 and feel its the right time to go on to bigger and better things, BUT, i find it very hard to read music (well iv never been showed how to) im starting a fitnes routine that wll help me get through, but what if i dont get to the standerd i.e 1.5 mile run in 15min will i still get an audition for my enthusiasam or the potential?

Will the lack of reading music skills go against me in the interview process and how many auditions are there are year and when abouts??. This is the only thing i want to do in my life!

Also what did peoples gf/bf say when you told them you wanted to join the band, mines going crazy and dosent want me to do it because i will be away, What do i say to her?

Any comments would be great.

PS, Does anyone know Heather Ford, Bugler at Scotland i think?

Sharpy

Yes I know Heather. Cant say for definate but Im sure that if you show enough talent and potential then you will get taught how to read music.

As for the missus, she'll get used to it when she see's the uniform!!!

Dominic

Thanks Sharpy i just hope i can get fit enough to have a good enough chance of getting in.

If you see Heather can you ask her to look me up and PM me, We were in the same band before she joined.

admin

You need to hit the sub 15 min for the 1.5 mile test... if you don't you will not be offered an audition, it is the PJFT you are talking about I assume. That is a must pass to go on with the rest of recruiting process.
As to reading music you could start now, go see a music teacher or college and ask them to help. Reading music is essential but you can be taught it. Use the time you are taking to get fit to try and learn, you can't run 24 hours a day so you have time to try and learn to read music. You could also try local youth bands, cadet forces or even a Volunteer band etc.
As for your girlfriend... that is one you have to tackle on your own!

Dominic

ok, i will try my best with the running fingers crossed, I have kinda got the jist of what the music is when trying to read it its just the tec side of things,
Iv told the mrs im going to try and see what happens, its up to her if she want to support me.

Thanks

ZedHorn

Sorry if this sounds a bit harsh (given that I'm just a civvy and a volly) but.... if this is what you really really want to do then get your butt outside and get fit, then buy a teach yourself book and learn how to read music dots.. Enthusiasm and potential won't count for nothing if you can't do the job... this is the best military band in the world and you need to be fit and be capable!!

You may even be sent to Cyprus....

As for the girlfriend thing - I agree with Deli, she'll cope or she won't, as a woman who went through her other half applying, being selected, going through training hundreds of miles away and came out the other end... the uniform does make things a bit more pleasant but hey.. if it's meant to be it'll work out! if not and you get in, you'll be in Portsmouth with tons of birds down Gunwharf every weekend... you won't starve!

And there endeth the gospel according to Zed

Hornblower

ZedHorn

no you muppet... I was the girlfriend!!! of my ex-boyfriend, turned ex-husband!!

d'oh!

Hornblower

MJ

You WILL get to the standard - that's the attitude you need for your fitness.
Eye of the tiger mate, eye of the tigrrrrrr!!!

I'm not in the Band Service yet, though I do start in september; I don't feel comfortable commenting on the music related side of your question seeing as I'm a complete newbie!

Good luck

Dominic

Wow, thanks for the words of advice, i quit smoking in January to help my fitness and i do believe its working ( I went cold turky) if you wanted to no.
I did 1.5mile today and only stopped twice to walk did it in 20min (Thats a big acheivement for me) still lots of work to do.

As for the Mrs, i basicly told her to support me or not, its up to her she knows i want this! As for the reading music side should i get bugle or drum (learn to read music book) or just one for the whole lot?
And no it didnt sound hash its just the kind of words im looking for atm.

admin

Any sort of music will do. Drumming has the most intricate rhythms but with the bugle you need the pitch. If you can't read any msic, start at the begining and learn properly, nice and slowly.

Aaron Aardvark

Top Tip.........if you can spell, dont become a bulger coz you will only feel left out.

RAB

Dominic

5 notes??? please explaine.
Me spell hahahaha dont be silly thats like saying i can play a glock, hahaha which i cant! As for the pit stops they will eventuly be cut out once i start getting used to the running. A PTI arfter selection (if i get there) dose not sound good, was that from experance RIB???

Lets just hope she will sense and see its a better life for me.

If i did get to an audition what kind of peices did ppl play for the bugle? Is it best to do a well reconised one or not? I will give it my best short on the reading music front!

Dominic

Unfit - NOT FOR LONG, Is haamering it down out there now but im about to go out and run in it! but i do admit im not the fittest yet! You could get 6 notes out of it?

I will learn to read music, i no how important it is! any tips??

ZedHorn

and buy a dictionary too.... or use spellcheck!

A

The girlfried issue:

Speaking as someone who has a long distance relationship with a military musician, it isn't impossible to achieve.

Ed and I have been together over 2 years (and actually we've never lived in the same place, so it's always been long distance.)

As long as you're willing to spend a large chunk of your cash on phone bills and train tickets/petrol, and make the effort to set aside time to talk to each other, you'll be fine.

I won't lie, it can be bloody difficult when you've had a long day and your other half can't give you a hug because they're miles away, and sometimes it can be a few weeks before you can arrange time in your schedules to see each other, but when you do see each other, the time apart makes your time together much more special and gives you a real high.

Would she be willing to move to be with you?

I've seen relationships and marriages fail because someone has got posted and their significant other didn't want to move with them.

She has to understand that if she stays with you, you will travel, work long or odd hours on occasion, and can be moved around the country with little notice.

If your relationship is strong enough, you'll survive. If it isn't, move on to someone who knows what is required.

Dominic

Im a Bugler - we cant spell!!

Thanks for advice (A) I think she understands now, shes been alot more understanding the last few days.

Quasijock

TRUST!!!!

Dominic

Trust indeed!!

ZedHorn

love.....

Dominic

Im guessing this subject with the other half is a big issue with most people??

General Melchett

No, If that's what you want to do - Get on with it and do it well!

ZedHorn

For those of you who don't speak horn, that translates as get on with it man and quit the wingeing!

Dominic

Alright calm down, Iv already told her like it or lump it!

Anyway..........................

Does anyone no how many auditions there are a year??

RAB

Dominic

I work in Security,

ZedHorn

Big deal, I work in Plastic Surgery but it doesn't give me the right to tell people on here that they need bigger tits, smaller tits, a nose job or personality transplant....

get used to the banter!!

ZedHorn

adn RIB me old mate... I take it you're RIBBED for pleasure purposes only!!!!

RAB

Dominic

Do we want to know more??

UMMM - Negative!!!!

Jimbo

My advice to you, as a serving Sgt Bugler ...

learn to play dots, learn to listen to advice when it is offered, learn to make coffee (WELL!!), sounds like you need to be running at least 2 miles per day (always train for more than you need), aim to run the 1.5 miles in around 11 minutes (thats what you'll be expected to do once in, if you pass audition), do NOT take a pit stop on the audition run, learn to listen to advice when it is offered, learn that banter is exactly that ... banter, learn to listen to advice when it is offered and remember that first impressions count for a hell of a lot (whether that be on a forum such as this or in person)

Here endeth the gospel according to me!

Sharpy

So thats definatly "learn to listen to advice" then Jim?!!!

Jimbo

oooh I should say so Sharpy,

RAB

..And good advice it is too mate, straight from the guys with their hand on the button in the modern day RMB..

Dominic

Thanks for all the advice! I have listened to all of it!

MrJpig

...and always be 5 minutes early!

Wolfy

RAB