Grind

Grind /rind/ verb: to rub or cause to rub together gratingly noun: a crushing or grating sound or motion slang: when an individual pushes him/herself to attain a goal, or having a good work ethic and being good at what you do Music for younger bands tends to shy away from dissonance. The conventional wisdom seems to be that less experienced students either won't like dissonance or won't be able to perform it. I've always found that silly, given that a lot of popular music for movies and games relies heavily on dissonance, particularly in low winds and brass. Avoiding dissonance sells students short. Likewise, younger band music tends not to include significant passages of sixteenth notes again, particularly in low winds and brass. How else will students learn how to do this, maintaining a steady tempo and clear articulation, if their music avoids it? "Grind" refers to the crunch of dissonance throughout the work. It is supposed to grate that's half the fun of having dissonances to lean into! These are spelled and voiced to support younger players. "Grind" also refers to the driving pattern of sixteenth notes that is established in the first measure and then passed around the band, relentlessly, all the way to the end. The flexible tempo supports both younger and more confident players. Most of all, "Grind" refers to the challenge of asking a younger band to tackle these concepts to grind through them to success.