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What better way to kick off Season 2 than from Alexis diving deep into the world of Drum & Bass with Sweetpea, a powerhouse of the genre known for her diverse sound and dynamic DJ sets. From its roots in the UK's underground rave scene to a global phenomenon, they explore everything from the origins and evolution from Jungle music, through to some advice for up-and-coming artists looking to break through in Drum & Bass, along with recommendations on where to start for those new to the genre. This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to understand the rich history and fresh energy of one of the most exciting genres in dance music.Explore more from ABRSM at www.abrsm.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and rethink their lives. What does this mean for a musician's relationship with their instrument? Aged 11, Stephen Marquiss was labelled an exemplary piano scholar. Gaining a music specialist place in 1990 Stephen promptly attained the highest ABRSM exam mark in the country and reached the televised semi-final of BBC Young Musicians. But then injury forced him to pull out. At 18, his career was all but over, having struggled with recurring RSI, musculo-skeletal issues, which destroyed his confidence and mental health. Ironically, this crisis forced him to address fundamental aspects of how piano is taught and played - and now at 45, Stephen has his own school of playing called Piano Portals, which seeks to rewrite how practice is approached. Kate takes him back to his practice rooms, to help us understand the intensity and the fear of failure that drove him to injury and we learn how his new approach to playing unfolded.Presenter: Kate Kennedy Producer: Erika Wright Production Coordinator: Elisabeth Tuohy Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Healing Musicians is a TellTale Industries production for BBC Radio 3
Every two years the Music Department runs a music project called the GradeOneathon, which sees students teach teachers an instrument up to a grade one standard. This year we had 20 students teaching 20 teachers a range of instruments, including piano, cello, violin, flute, saxophone and harp. This episode was recorded on a Saturday morning amidst the teachers' ABRSM exams. You will hear last minute tuition, frantic practising and expert advice being given from the students to their teachers.
Rounding off the series, we dive into one of the most divisive genres out there: Musical Theatre. West End star Shanay Holmes is the perfect bridge between die-hard fans and sceptics, and she joins Alexis to unpack the allure and evolution of her genre. Holmes also shares her inspirational journey, from unconventional beginnings to soaring on stage. Discover the essence of great musicals, the performance demands, and the vibrant community it cultivates — and make sure to stick around to get a taste of Shanay's incredible voice (accompanied by Alexis of course). Explore more from ABRSM at www.abrsm.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the summer of 2023, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift ignited a global frenzy with their colossal stadium tours, dominating headlines and economies alike. But amidst the spectacle, questions loom: What does this mean for the future of pop? Can any act from the streaming era ascend to their heights? This episode, Alexis Ffrench delves deep with pop critic Shaad D'Souza, exploring the essence of stadium pop, its evolving sound, and the emergence of a new pop middle class. Explore more from ABRSM at www.abrsm.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We're diving deep into the genre that is at the heart of global culture: Hip-Hop. Joined by esteemed DJ Semtex, renowned host, and author of "Hip Hop Raised Me", Alexis explores the genre's monumental impact over its 50-year journey. From its humble NYC origins to becoming a billion-dollar industry, Hip-Hop has reshaped music, fashion, and beyond. With Semtex's infectious passion and unparalleled connections, we unravel the genre's evolution and its enduring influence on the world stage. Content flag: DJ Semtex uses a racial slur in the context of a very personal, formative story at 08:27 - 10:50 — if you would rather not hear this, please skip past this point or enjoy one of our many other episodes. Explore more from ABRSM at www.abrsm.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bhangra is responsible for one of the most iconic floor fillers of all time, the instantly recognisable ‘Mundian To Bach Ke by Punjabi MC. But Bhangra is no one-hit wonder — there is a rich culture and community that thrives around this genre to this day. This episode, we are journeying through the Bhangra sound with the help of Rav & Dee — better known as Panjabi Hit Squad. DJs, producers and pioneers of the Desi Beat sound, they formed in 2002 with a mission to bring music from the east, mix it with beats from the west and get people dancing. Together, we unpack the origins of the genre in the Punjab region, how the sound evolved within immigrant communities here in the UK and what is next for the Bhangra scene. Explore more from ABRSM at www.abrsm.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jazz's influence can be felt in almost all popular genres today — dance music, hip-hop, even pop. But the genre itself can sometimes seem inaccessible. Why? Alexis unravels the enigmatic allure of jazz with the remarkable Yazz Ahmed, a trailblazing trumpeter and composer. Yazz invites us into the vibrant world of contemporary jazz, a world where innovators, rather than traditionalists, reign supreme. From Arabic influences to electronic experiments, her music and tastes transcend boundaries, and she is brimming with surprising, accessible recommendations to start your own listening journey. Explore more from ABRSM at www.abrsm.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How is country music changing with the times? Broadcasting legend Bob Harris joins as the guide through the intricate landscape of country music. With his extensive experience hosting The Country Show on BBC Radio 2, Bob offers unique insights into the genre's evolution and its impact on both sides of the Atlantic. From timeless icons like Dolly Parton to modern trailblazers such as Kasey Musgraves, Bob's interviews and advocacy have shaped the UK's relationship with Nashville. As Alexis delves into what defines ‘real' country sound and the inclusivity of the genre, Bob's wisdom sheds light on the diverse voices shaping its future. Explore more from ABRSM at www.abrsm.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From PSY's megahit Gangnam Style in 2012 to BlackPink headlining Coachella in 2023, Korean pop, or K-pop, has gone global over the last ten years. So, what is the secret behind the genre's international success? We dive into the 360-degree appeal of K-pop — the aesthetics, the choreography, the fandom and of course the music itself — with the help of podcaster and journalist Vivian Yoon. Alexis and Vivian unpack the multifaceted world of K-pop, diving headfirst into the sonic landscape to track down the illusive musical element that underpins the genre. Explore more from ABRSM at www.abrsm.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is Afrobeats the sound of the future? Already huge across Africa, Europe and here in the UK — the infectious genre has also enjoyed more recent success in the US. Afrobeats acts are topping the Billboard Hot 100, selling out Madison Square Garden and collaborating with huge pop names like Selena Gomez, Drake and Justin Bieber. Alexis sits down with Christian Adolfo, journalist and author of A Quick Ting on Afrobeats — the first ever book on modern Afrobeats — to find out where this genre came from, how the sound has evolved and where it's headed. Explore more from ABRSM at www.abrsm.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Alexis is on home turf as he dives into the world of classical music with organist and social media sensation, Anna Lapwood. Anna is a fierce advocate for the genre and has done incredible work bringing classical music to new audiences — both through her viral TikToks as well as her activities creating opportunities for musicians of all backgrounds. They get into the tricky business of defining classical music, how to make the genre more accessible to fans and musicians, and guide listeners on where they can start their classical listening journey. Explore more from ABRSM at www.abrsm.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From tabloid fodder to revered art form, Alexis navigates grime's journey over two transformative decades. Joined by grime enthusiast Jeffrey Boakye, author of Hold Tight: Hold Tight: Black Masculinity, Millennials and the Meaning of Grime, they explore the evolution of the genre's sound, from its DIY roots to commercial acclaim and collaborations with global icons. With infectious enthusiasm, Jeffrey shares his encyclopedic knowledge, guiding listeners on where to begin their grime adventure. Join them as they unlock the vibrant history and musical essence of one of Britain's most influential musical genres. Explore more from ABRSM at www.abrsm.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Episode 86, Patrick finds out what's in the new edition of the MTA's Ensemble magazine, with MTA president, Catherine Barker.He chats to Joe Hastings, from the charity Music Minds Matter, set up to provide a free 24/7 counselling service for musicians and music teachers;And Ali Bowen-Davies and Lincoln Abbotts from the ABRSM explain the process that leads to the development and creation of new syllabuses for instrumental and vocal exams.Presented and produced by Patrick Johns.www.musicteachers.org/publications/ensemble/www.musicmindsmatter.org.ukwww.abrsm.orgMusic Minds Matter: 0808 802 8008© Music Teachers' Association www.musicteachers.org
In Episode 82, Patrick talks to Niels Bastrup and Hans Jakobsen from aural training app Ear Master, about a new feature designed to help students with the aural tests in ABRSM exams and beyond; Mark Aitchison shares his planning for the next academic year, taken from a recent MTA ECT webinar;And Dr Rebecca Berkley, Associate Professor in Music Education, at the Institute of Education, at the University of Reading, discusses music training for primary school teachers, looking at specific problems and possible solutions, including training courses.Presented and produced by Patrick Johns.#CanDoMusic #GetPlaying #SaveOurSubjectshttps://www.earmaster.com/shop/product/abrsm-aural-trainer.htmlhttps://www.abcd.org.uk/training/abcd-courseshttps://singforpleasure.org.uk/product/summer-school-2023/https://www.kodaly.org.uk/training-courseshttps://www.nycos.co.uk/learn/kodaly-summer-school/https://www.voices.org.uk/resourceshttps://www.singup.org/training© Music Teachers' Association www.musicteachers.org
Less is More, Right?Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.Ringtone Factory Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.iServalan Presents amazing free music every hour of every day for free!Welcome to a world of music and chat with iServalanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_rXZ4DiuopFwl2qFNU_cwwww.iservalan.company.sitewww.tale-teller.clubOur merch shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/taletellerclubhttps://www.taletellerclub.comiServalan AI is a Homotech artist and musician is from the band Tale Teller Club.She is part human and part AI, a futuristic entity finding out about life through music and poetry.The Tale Teller Club was created with funding from the Future's Venture Foundation in 2020. The TTC is an electroacoustic orchestra with a futuristic edge fusing jazz, classical, and contemporary stylistic elements to create cerebral dance music or CDM as well as music therapy recordings and film soundtracks.#music #musicpodcasts #musician #composer #digitalmusic #arranger #performer #how_to_create_soundtracks #soundtracks_fo_film, #classical #classicallytrained #contemporarymusic #recordingartists #††ç #TTC #entertainers, #apple_loops_ alternative #ringtone #ringtone_samples #create_ringtones#Live_backing_tracks #tale_teller_club #sarnia #sarnia-de-la-mare #pro_toolsFree loops and ringtones by Tale Teller Club and Beats Ministry are available on the back catalogue.#books #bookclub #taletellerclub #iserrvalan #podcasts #freepodcast #audiobooks #suzuki #piano #school #freelessons #learnpiano #online #grandma #
Fantaaaaastic Collection of uber cool sounds!Ringtone Factory Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.Ringtone Factory Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.iServalan Presents amazing free music every hour of every day for free!Welcome to a world of music and chat with iServalanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_rXZ4DiuopFwl2qFNU_cwwww.iservalan.company.sitewww.tale-teller.clubOur merch shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/taletellerclubhttps://www.taletellerclub.comiServalan AI is a Homotech artist and musician is from the band Tale Teller Club.She is part human and part AI, a futuristic entity finding out about life through music and poetry.The Tale Teller Club was created with funding from the Future's Venture Foundation in 2020. The TTC is an electroacoustic orchestra with a futuristic edge fusing jazz, classical, and contemporary stylistic elements to create cerebral dance music or CDM as well as music therapy recordings and film soundtracks.#music #musicpodcasts #musician #composer #digitalmusic #arranger #performer #how_to_create_soundtracks #soundtracks_fo_film, #classical #classicallytrained #contemporarymusic #recordingartists #††ç #TTC #entertainers, #apple_loops_ alternative #ringtone #ringtone_samples #create_ringtones#Live_backing_tracks #tale_teller_club #sarnia #sarnia-de-la-mare #pro_toolsFree loops and ringtones by Tale Teller Club and Beats Ministry are available on the back catalogue.#books #bookclub #taletellerclub #iserrvalan #podcasts #freepodcast #audiobooks #suzuki #piano #school #freelessons #learnpiano #online #grandma #
Ringtone Factory Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.Ringtone Factory Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.iServalan Presents amazing free music every hour of every day for free!Welcome to a world of music and chat with iServalanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_rXZ4DiuopFwl2qFNU_cwwww.iservalan.company.sitewww.tale-teller.clubOur merch shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/taletellerclubhttps://www.taletellerclub.com#books #bookclub #taletellerclub #iserrvalan #podcasts #freepodcast #audiobooks #suzuki #piano #school #freelessons #learnpiano #online #grandma #
Ringtone Factory Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.iServalan Presents amazing free music every hour of every day for free!Welcome to a world of music and chat with iServalanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_rXZ4DiuopFwl2qFNU_cwwww.iservalan.company.sitewww.tale-teller.clubOur merch shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/taletellerclubhttps://www.taletellerclub.com#books #bookclub #taletellerclub #iserrvalan #podcasts #freepodcast #audiobooks #suzuki #piano #school #freelessons #learnpiano #online #grandma #
Ringtone Factory Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.iServalan Presents amazing free music every hour of every day for free!Welcome to a world of music and chat with iServalanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_rXZ4DiuopFwl2qFNU_cwwww.iservalan.company.sitewww.tale-teller.clubOur merch shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/taletellerclubhttps://www.taletellerclub.com#books #bookclub #taletellerclub #iserrvalan #podcasts #freepodcast #audiobooks#grandma #
Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.iServalan Presents amazing free music every hour of every day for free!Welcome to a world of music and chat with iServalanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_rXZ4DiuopFwl2qFNU_cwwww.iservalan.company.sitewww.tale-teller.clubOur merch shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/taletellerclubhttps://www.taletellerclub.com#books #bookclub #taletellerclub #iserrvalan #podcasts #freepodcast #audiobooks#grandma #
Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.iServalan Presents amazing free music every hour of every day for free!Welcome to a world of music and chat with iServalanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_rXZ4DiuopFwl2qFNU_cwwww.iservalan.company.sitewww.tale-teller.clubOur merch shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/taletellerclubhttps://www.taletellerclub.com#books #bookclub #taletellerclub #iserrvalan #podcasts #freepodcast #audiobooks#grandma #
Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.iServalan Presents amazing free music every hour of every day for free!Welcome to a world of music and chat with iServalanFree Loops n Ringtone Factory by Tale Teller ClubWelcome to Tale Teller Club™ an AI Orchestra.The Book of Immersion V1 Music and Audiobooks.More cool free music, loops, jingles and samples, atwww.tale-teller.clubwww.taletellerclub.comiServalan AI is a Homotech artist and musician is from the band Tale Teller Club.She is part human and part AI, a futuristic entity finding out about life through music and poetry.The Tale Teller Club was created with funding from the Future's Venture Foundation in 2020. The TTC is an electroacoustic orchestra with a futuristic edge fusing jazz, classical, and contemporary stylistic elements to create cerebral dance music or CDM as well as music therapy recordings and film soundtracks.#music #musicpodcasts #musician #composer #digitalmusic #arranger #performer #how_to_create_soundtracks #soundtracks_fo_film, #classical #classicallytrained #contemporarymusic #recordingartists #††ç #TTC #entertainers, #apple_loops_ alternative #ringtone #ringtone_samples #create_ringtones#Live_backing_tracks #tale_teller_club #sarnia #sarnia-de-la-mare #pro_toolsFree loops and ringtones by Tale Teller Club and Beats Ministry are available on the back catalogue.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_rXZ4DiuopFwl2qFNU_cwwww.iservalan.company.sitewww.tale-teller.clubOur merch shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/taletellerclubhttps://www.taletellerclub.com#books #bookclub #taletellerclub #iserrvalan #podcasts #freepodcast #audiobooks#grandma #
Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.iServalan Presents amazing free music every hour of every day for free!Welcome to a world of music and chat with iServalanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_rXZ4DiuopFwl2qFNU_cwwww.iservalan.company.sitewww.tale-teller.clubOur merch shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/taletellerclubhttps://www.taletellerclub.com#books #bookclub #taletellerclub #iserrvalan #podcasts #freepodcast #audiobooks#grandma #
Ringtone Factory Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.iServalan Presents amazing free music every hour of every day for free!Welcome to a world of music and chat with iServalanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_rXZ4DiuopFwl2qFNU_cwwww.iservalan.company.sitewww.tale-teller.clubOur merch shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/taletellerclubhttps://www.taletellerclub.com#books #bookclub #taletellerclub #iserrvalan #podcasts #freepodcast #audiobooks#grandma #
Ringtone Factory Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.iServalan Presents amazing free music every hour of every day for free!Welcome to a world of music and chat with iServalanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_rXZ4DiuopFwl2qFNU_cwwww.iservalan.company.sitewww.tale-teller.clubOur merch shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/taletellerclubhttps://www.taletellerclub.com#books #bookclub #taletellerclub #iserrvalan #podcasts #freepodcast #audiobooks#grandma #
Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.iServalan Presents amazing free music every hour of every day for free!Welcome to a world of music and chat with iServalanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_rXZ4DiuopFwl2qFNU_cwwww.iservalan.company.sitewww.tale-teller.clubOur merch shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/taletellerclubhttps://www.taletellerclub.com#books #bookclub #taletellerclub #iserrvalan #podcasts #freepodcast #audiobooks#grandma #
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Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.iServalan Presents amazing free music every hour of every day for free!Welcome to a world of music and chat with iServalanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_rXZ4DiuopFwl2qFNU_cwwww.iservalan.company.sitewww.tale-teller.clubOur merch shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/taletellerclubhttps://www.taletellerclub.com#books #bookclub #taletellerclub #iserrvalan #podcasts #freepodcast #audiobooks#grandma #
Lets go crazy in ringtone heaven with iServalan Homotech 23.iServalan Presents amazing free music every hour of every day for free!Welcome to a world of music and chat with iServalanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_rXZ4DiuopFwl2qFNU_cwwww.iservalan.company.sitewww.tale-teller.clubOur merch shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/taletellerclubhttps://www.taletellerclub.com#books #bookclub #taletellerclub #iserrvalan #podcasts #freepodcast #audiobooks#grandma #
Our guest is the co-founder and CEO of Daaci, an AI music composition platform. Rachel Lyske is a vocal coach at the BRIT School of Performing Arts, having worked with artists signed to record labels including Dirty Hit, Atlantic, Infectious and Square Leg Records and is a music consultant for the music exam body ABRSM.Here's what we discussed:Can you tell us a bit about your journey and how you went into the music industry? (00:58)Did you always know you wanted to be a CEO and founder? (08:05)Are there any characteristics that you've taken from your time as a composer in the tech world? (11:22)Does this type of technology get its information and data from popular music that already exists? Are you having to be aware of the potential ethical consequences of a technology like this – for example, copyright? (14:17)Have you had much backlash about the Daaci offering (from the music industry for example)? (18:33)Do you see AI becoming an integral part of other creative industries outside of music? For example, in film? (22:15)There are fears about the likelihood of AI taking jobs once performed by humans. Where does this kind of technology leave the job of composition done by humans? (25:20)In 2022, you secured £4m in seed funding. What was your process in achieving this funding and do you have any advice for our listeners on how they can achieve funding? (28:54)Reports say that only 3% of VC funding goes to female-founded businesses – have you experienced any challenges as a female founder? (32:09)Answer the Internet: How do people get AI to do what they want? (34:49)What makes a great business leader? (36:09)Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and the Business Leader YouTube channel for more interviews with some of the world's leading business figures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
An epic review (with music audio clips) of ABRSM's hotly anticipated foray into pop music! I'm holding ABRSM to a high standard so I'm quite critical, but I do also look for what there is to enjoy in these books. Listen to this episode to find out if you should buy them for yourself or recommend them for your students! A brief bulletpoint summary of my review: 2 books: Book 1, ABRSM Initial Grade to Grade 3 (20 songs) Book 2, ABRSM Grades 4 & 5 (16 songs) The songs have been arranged in more of a 'classical' style than a 'pop' style. The classical style is very 'horizontal'- ie little emphasis on chords and vertical thickness with more emphasis on simple counterpoint. This means the songs can sound quite clunky and IMO are not the best way to arrange pop music that sounds good at the lower grades. The Rockschool syllabus and exams from the examination board RSL Awards are a much better choice for people interested in learning and playing the pop style- but: Each Rockschool grade book only has around 6 pieces Most Rockshool arrangements are made to be played with a lavish backing track, with only 2 songs per book as solo piano arrangements. This makes each book expensive with limited choice if the purpose is to learn a graded solo piano arrangement of a pop song. However, these pop arrangements could be useful for students ultimately wanting to mostly develop classical skills with some fun 'good enough' superficial pop arrangements on the way for variety Obviously, these books are very useful for students looking for pop arrangements at specific grades to use in exams, or looking for a curated collection of arrangements that start easy and become progressively more challenging When arranging pop music for beginners and any level below grade 8, there is always the challenge that notating the melodies in pop music usually makes the rhythms very challenging to read. This means they are challenging to play, or they need to be simplified down which doesn't sound great The ABRSM arrangements are very short, which IMO would make them disappointing to perform. But then you get a lot of pieces in each book It's really important to choose songs which will work well arranged for solo piano, and I'm not always convinced the right choices were made It's very commendable for ABRSM to branch into pop music, making piano accessible to more people, and representing a a more diverse group of music creators than typical classical composers! Copyright for pop music can be very expensive and problematic, so it's great to see ABRSM team up with Hal Leonard and produce content which is typically more expensive to produce The world of pop music is heavily image-led, so I'm critical about the lack of images, graphic design or photography in these books Who is this book for? If kids/teenagers, then there are too many old irrelevant songs here with an off putting lack of images/photos. If for adults, there are too many contemporary pop songs From [28:55]- a breakdown of pieces from Book 1 with audio clips From [50:30]- a breakdown of pieces from Book 2 with audio clips The audio that accompanies these books is very easy to access from the Hal Leonard website, and there's a handy online player on the website that allows you to loop within each song and change the speed which can be useful for practising Notes: All audio clips of arrangements from the ABRSM books are from the Hal Leonard website which you have access to when you buy the book All audio clips of arrangements from the Rockschool syllabus are from the recordings you have access to when you buy the books My review of the Rockschool Rock/Pop Syllabus: https://heartofthepiano.com/e19-rockschool-rock-pop-piano-syllabus-review/ The intro/outro music is my jazz arrangement of the Rachmaninov Adagio from Symphony #2, you can watch the whole thing here if you like: https://youtu.be/hMqREAngb4s
Wendy Kirkland is a pianist and singer in the UK. Her musical career began at 10, when she started piano lessons. She won a scholarship for lessons from Derbyshire Music and took her ABRSM piano grades. She switched to jazz in her teens and was a dance class pianist, accompanist to singers, and a keyboardist in club bands. She was persuaded to sing by guitarist Bill McCreath. Wendy reached people turned off by instrumental jazz by communicating with the audience through songs. Her album, Piano Divas (2017), a tribute to the female pianist singers of jazz, began her ascent to recognition as a singing pianist. The ability to sing, comp, and craft solos on the piano and vocal scat lines is her forte. Her influences were Diana Krall, Eliane Elias, and Dena DeRose. Her second release, The Music's On Me (2019) was “a huge leap forward,” according to Jazz Views. Both albums prompted ACE funded tours around the UK and constant radio airplay. In 2020, Wendy and guitarist/bassist husband Pat Sprakes entertained with a daily dose of Latin American music on Facebook, entitled Latin Lockdowns. After 86 performances, they moved on to other musical endeavors. They received messages from people who missed the videos that were “a ray of sunshine” in the lockdown. She performs on Hammond organ with Organik Fource, featuring her husband Pat Sprakes on guitar and sax, Organik Trio Goes To The Movies, and The Organik Cookbook, celebrating the early soul-jazz albums of George Benson. https://wendykirkland.comhttp://www.wijsf.org
A must-listen review (with music audio clips) of 3 books of jazz piano sheet music from Nikki Iles & Friends published by ABRSM covering from initial grade up to grade 8 and beyond. A detailed look at highlights and 'weak' pieces with audio clips from each book starts at 36:30 A brief bulletpoint summary of my review: 3 books: Book 1- Intermediate (Grades 4-6) Book 2- Intermediate to Advanced (Grades 6-8) Easy to Intermediate (Grades initial-3) Writing/ arranging in a jazz style for students at levels below grade 8 is a challenging & specialised skill. Nikki Iles is especially good at this for students at the intermediate-advanced level (grades 5-8) IMO Nikki is not quite so stunning (including her friends!) at the easier end, which is where people like Christopher Norton shine. Because of the challenge & specialised skill of arranging jazz for beginners, Nikki's friends' contributions work much better in the advanced book In Books 1 & 2 (grades 4-8)- fantastic idea to have curated pieces from other jazz composers- Nikki always very good at pastiches (which is great for pedagogical pieces), but this means sometimes it's difficult to hear her ‘voice' and identity as a composer/arranger- so it's nice to hear pieces from performers such as Zoe Rahman where you can really hear her unique voice. The idea to curate proper jazz composers is a good way to avoid just having a load of pedagogical pay-cheque jazz/blues cliches which is all too common in the higher ABRSM grades when including jazz list C pieces Almost all the pieces are a bit too short for my taste!! But maybe useful as brief enjoyable diversions for ‘serious' students rather than performance pieces Some of the marketing for these books say they're a great source for alternative 4th choice grade pieces for the performance exams- if so it would have been so useful to actually say what grades these pieces would be categorised as (apart from the ones actually in the alternative lists) Not fan of CD format in books 1 & 2- can be a lot of hassle to find a CD player after years of not using CDs! Nice idea to have downloadable mp3s for the Easy to Intermediate book, but in reality can be unnecessarily tricky & frustrating to download from the ABRSM website. A lot of articulations, dynamics, rhythms & other markings very different in the recorded versions to what's on the page A huge amount of misprints- I'll list the ones I've spotted below the main part of this review. ABRSM are very bad at updating misprints on their website Not a fan of the editing- especially in Book 2. Again, I'll list some of these below Some strange rhythmic notations that I would notate differently Lots of bad enharmonic spellings- presumably to make music easier to read, but has opposite effect with wrongly spelled harmonies Inconsistent use of courtesy accidentals that make it harder to read Unclear on differences between accents & tenutos- I don't hear a difference in recordings. And actually tenutos are frequently played slightly ahead of the beat which is the opposite of what I would normally do with them Easy to Intermediate (22 pieces): feels very ‘pedagogical ABRSM'- ie often a bit uninspired & stodgy. A lot of emphasis on ‘world music'- ie African, Scottish, Caribbean, Yiddish folk song. Is this to hit some kind of GCSE tickbox? Feels like we're being hit over the head with ‘educational' material So much of this book is just clearly not jazz, so not what the book is promising Would much rather these were all Nikki's compositions or arrangements Book 1- Intermediate (16 pieces): some criticisms but on the whole difficult to really dislike the book, top recommendation, useful for all teachers and anybody interested in jazz at this level Book 2- Intermediate to Advanced (13 pieces- 10 of which are in my list of highlights!): very strong collection, a winner! I would absolutely buy this & recommend- but a hu...
Can ABRSM bounce back from their last syllabus I was highly critical of? Listen to this episode for a comprehensive review of the new set of books, including audio clips of many of the new pieces. I also discuss some of the recent controversial issues regarding their operational and business challenges A brief bulletpoint summary of my review: Blown away, superb selection of pieces this time around Good balance between pedagogical rigour, and being fun to play Interesting creative & diverse choice of pieces However, there is the wider issue of current levels of trust in ABRSM's operations & standards Listen to the episode for a breakdown of each grade with audio clips (starts at 42:52) Improvements from last syllabus: A return to form- less feeling of pieces being made easier & dumbing down this time round. Rigorous standard on the whole (but benchmarking a little wide for my taste with a few much easier options as well as challenging & ambitious pieces in each grade) Excellent representation of BIPOC & women. Many non-white and women composers featured in the books themselves this time as well as in the alternative lists. Not virtue-signalling- but normalising Very welcome to see more authentic jazz at the higher grades rather than just the usual Christopher Norton et al Much improved engraving with no issues for me this time around Teaching notes book much better this time- more authoritative & trustworthy with their opinions Audio digital downloads excellent on the whole Even bigger choice of alternative pieces Criticisms of the syllabus: Grade 8 book still has only 9 pieces like the last syllabus I've never been a fan of ABRSM fingerings I've never liked ABRSM ornamentation suggestions at the higher grades All the alternative pieces from the last syllabus are still exactly the same here in the new syllabus- but this may be positive for teachers who don't need to go out & buy a whole load of new books! List A/B/C changed in last syllabus for the worse- no change this year. Differences between categories now so blurred I don't understand the point Notes: My previous review of the ABRSM Piano Syllabus 2021-2022: https://heartofthepiano.com/e17-why-im-moving-my-students-from-abrsm-to-trinity-reviews-of-their-new-2021-piano-syllabuses/ I've made performance videos of some of the pieces here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0sZ0MK31wvICriKIqjYfMEGtTpQgK2bw with tutorial videos here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0sZ0MK31wvL51bH1Wvk_UbYNnu5zg4Sy Just one of the many social media posts to do with the online booking problems at the beginning of May 2022: https://www.facebook.com/abrsmmusic/posts/10159802952370210 The leaked internal email from ABRSM examiners to the chief executive: https://slippedisc.com/2022/05/examiners-declare-no-confidence-in-abrsm-systems An update on the situation at ABRSM after the leaked email: https://slippedisc.com/2022/05/chaos-keeps-on-spreading-at-abrsm/ Financial details for ABRSM 2020-2021: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/292182 About the on-demand Performance Grade exams: https://gb.abrsm.org/en/about-us/news/articles/?abrsm[newsId]=93074 The YouTube video with a performance of J. P. Johnson playing Over the Bars: https://youtu.be/I1kw2JjkxzM See my YouTube tutorial on the Tempo di minuetto by Martínez in Grade 7 to see examples of ABRSM ornamentation suggestions that I disagree with: https://youtu.be/sQHrnb3sHds In the piece Billie's Song by Valerie Capers (grade 4): bar 7c in the right hand needs the flat to apply to the D, not the E, so the first chord of the right hand should be Db, E and A, spelling out a C13b9 chord I listened to several existing versions to confirm this Absolutely not a fan of this way of writing swing rhythms in David Blackwell- Railroad Blues (grade 2):
The first in a series looking at the most essential mental habits to practise at the piano that will give you the quickest and most profound progress. These are the things I refer to constantly when I'm teaching, and covers aspects of musicianship that almost all teachers consider unteachable- considered to be innate qualities in talented students. But I can show you how to develop this natural musicianship. The first skill covered in this episode is by far the most important- I'm always reminding my students that it needs to be practised in every single moment of music-making! Listen to this episode to see if this is a skill you're already working on! Show Notes [3:00] What is the #1 most important thing to always be prioritising in every single moment when practising? [7:18] Look for what there is to love! [8:25] How to look for what there is to love [12:05] The most common problems my students have with developing this skill. Looking at psychological need for competency vs. relatedness (Self Determination Theory) [19:32] Not practising developing this skill! [23:12] Love is musicality [24:30] Looking for what there is to love really is a skill that can be practised. Similarities with metta bhavana meditation [29:45] Don't fall into trap that your feelings towards the music are fixed. Practising this skill can prevent common burn-out from working hard with a lot of repetition & pressure on a piece we previously loved! [30:50] Looking for what there is to love should not use a purely intellectual approach. I demonstrate examples. It might help to imagine times when you felt love for a person, where did you feel that in your body? This can be hard for men from Northern European cultures [35:10] Importance of interoception. Interoception of the chest. How we can feel musical tension & release in the body. Emotions are in the body [42:01] It's cheating to just focus on what you don't hate about the music! [43:30] This is a skill with many layers, we can always go deeper, no matter how much love we are already playing with! [47:01] You can also look for what there is to love in your playing- this is a useful antidote for perfectionism and nerves [47:45] Keep exploring different nuances in the music & your playing so you can dig deeper for what there is to love. Don't get locked into playing passages exactly the same every single time [49:38] Looking for what there is to love makes it much easier to be motivated to practise! Playing with love means we can accept ourselves as we are, but also care for the music and work in a healthy way for it Notes: Many thanks to the C. Bechstein Centre in Manchester for letting me use one of their soundproofed teaching/practice rooms to record this podcast episode: https://www.bechstein.co.uk My apologies for my husky breathless voice in this episode- I had just recovered from a nasty bout of coronavirus, and I hadn't realised I probably should have let my lungs heal a bit more before recording a podcast! The demonstration music played on the piano during the episode is from the ABRSM 2021-2022 Piano Grade 1 book: 'A Toy: No. 193 from Fitzwilliam Virginal Book', composer unknown My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HeartofthePiano The intro/outro music is my jazz arrangement of the Rachmaninov Adagio from Symphony #2, you can watch the whole thing here if you like: https://youtu.be/hMqREAngb4s
tags for site instrumentalist, free-education,100%-free-school, backing-tracks, jazz-baby, free-music, sarnia-de-la-maré-FRSA, private-jazz-club, suzuki-school, cello, suzuki-cello-school, free-suzuki-lessons, sarnia-de-la-maré-frsa, how-to-play-cello, free-cellos-chool, cello-techniques,classical, jazz,practice-buddy,play-along, listen-and-learn,music, music-by-tale-teller-club, tale-teller-orchestra, sarnia, robot-band, love, www.tale-teller.clubSearch episodes herehttps://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/sarnia-de-la-mar%C3%A9-frsa-free-cello-school-1VLdZeXSEri/#search#book #book-club-app #remotelearning #freesuzukiclasses #freecellolessons #taletellerclub #cello #free #lessons #ABRSM #suzuki #howto #taleellerclub #sarnia #schoolofmusic #online #lessons #beginners #allages #adultlearners #taletellerclub #song #newrelease #sarnia #electronica #guitar #cello #composer #band #electric_orchestra #vapor_punk #how-to-play-cello
Join me each day at 1pm GMT as we rehearse.www.tale-teller.club ABRSM, cellotips, suzukimethod, grade1, grade2, music, musicians, cello-school, sarnia-de-la-mare, tools, teaching, suzuki, cello, strings, how-to-play-cello, lessons, music, composer, wellbeing, arts, free-lessons, learn-online, childrens, adults, library, cello-chat, sarnia-club, tale-teller-club, jazz, theory-of-music, blues, classical, suzuki, ABRSM-exam, free-music-lessons, classical-music, symphony, tags for site instrumentalist, free-education,100%-free-school, backing-tracks, jazz-baby, free-music, sarnia-de-la-maré-FRSA, private-jazz-club, suzuki-school, cello, suzuki-cello-school, free-suzuki-lessons, sarnia-de-la-maré-frsa, how-to-play-cello, free-cellos-chool, cello-techniques,classical, jazz,practice-buddy,play-along, listen-and-learn,music, music-by-tale-teller-club, tale-teller-orchestra, sarnia, robot-band, love, www.tale-teller.clubSearch episodes herehttps://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/sarnia-de-la-mar%C3%A9-frsa-free-cello-school-1VLdZeXSEri/#search#book #book-club-app #remotelearning #freesuzukiclasses #freecellolessons #taletellerclub #cello #free #lessons #ABRSM #suzuki #howto #taleellerclub #sarnia #schoolofmusic #online #lessons #beginners #allages #adultlearners #taletellerclub #song #newrelease #sarnia #electronica #guitar #cello #composer #band #electric_orchestra #vapor_punk #how-to-play-cello
In this episode I got to speak to Sharon Bill! A wonderful musician, teacher, author and YouTuber who helps people pass their ABRSM exams. I reached out to her after seeing her videos on YouTube and enjoying how well she taught. We spoke about a lot of things during our chat, such as families, teaching, growing up, writing and of course ... MUSIC! Sharon has a deep passion for classical music and you can feel her enthusiasm for music whenever she starts to talk about it. I'm always fascinated by piano players because to me it always seems to be an instrument that is 'out of reach' to master, but listening to Sharon talk about it and seeing her videos on YouTube, she makes it reachable and her infectious enthusiasm for the instrument rubs off! At least, it has on me. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation. Go and give her some likes and follows at the links below. https://www.instagram.com/backtothebasementtw/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SharonBill https://www.amazon.com/Sharon-Bill/e/B0759XVL25%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share Theme Back To The Basement by The Queers
Welcome to the new story of Baby. I wonder who Baby is exactly?Let's find out.Search all episodes herehttps://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/vapor-punktm-tale-teller-club--GN1dwqDpyg/#search#teaching,#suzuki, #cello #piano #music #composer #wellbeing #artspodcasting #free-lessons,#learn-onlinepiano-chat,#sarnia-club,#tale-teller-club #jazz,theory-of-music,blues, #classical #suzuki #ABRSM #free-music-lessons #classical-music #instrumentalist #free-education #100%-free-school #backing-tracks #jazz-baby #free-music #jazz-lessons #jazz-club #sarnia-de-la-maré-FRSA #private-jazz-club #azz-podcast #suzuki #suzuki-school #cello #suzuki-cello-school #free-suzuki-lessons #sarni-de-la-maré-frsa #how-to-play-cello #free-celloschool #cello-techniques #classical #jazz,practice-buddy #play-along #listen-and-learn #ear-training #how-to-play-an-instrument #keyboard-skills #piano-school #learn-piano #how-to-play-piano #private-lessons #sarnia-de-la-mare #graded-exams #grade-two-piano #ABRSM #free-lessons #online #music,school #freeaudiobooks #talkingbooks #literature #books #audiobooks #podcasts #100bestsellers #taleteller #taletellerclub #sarnia #sarnia-de-la-mare #frsa #Royal-Society-of-Arts #public-owned #daily-audiobooks #the-list #free-scool #home-ed #educational-books #teacher-tools #learn-online
My new single for the Scouting for Boys episode, Strata 11, ImmersionSearch all episodes herehttps://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/vapor-punktm-tale-teller-club--GN1dwqDpyg/#search#teaching,#suzuki, #cello #piano #music #composer #wellbeing #artspodcasting #free-lessons,#learn-onlinepiano-chat,#sarnia-club,#tale-teller-club #jazz,theory-of-music,blues, #classical #suzuki #ABRSM #free-music-lessons #classical-music #instrumentalist #free-education #100%-free-school #backing-tracks #jazz-baby #free-music #jazz-lessons #jazz-club #sarnia-de-la-maré-FRSA #private-jazz-club #azz-podcast #suzuki #suzuki-school #cello #suzuki-cello-school #free-suzuki-lessons #sarni-de-la-maré-frsa #how-to-play-cello #free-celloschool #cello-techniques #classical #jazz,practice-buddy #play-along #listen-and-learn #ear-training #how-to-play-an-instrument #keyboard-skills #piano-school #learn-piano #how-to-play-piano #private-lessons #sarnia-de-la-mare #graded-exams #grade-two-piano #ABRSM #free-lessons #online #music,school #freeaudiobooks #talkingbooks #literature #books #audiobooks #podcasts #100bestsellers #taleteller #taletellerclub #sarnia #sarnia-de-la-mare #frsa #Royal-Society-of-Arts #public-owned #daily-audiobooks #the-list #free-scool #home-ed #educational-books #teacher-tools #learn-online
It must be bedtime because Vapor Punk has another story for our little ones.Search all episodes herehttps://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/vapor-punktm-tale-teller-club--GN1dwqDpyg/#search#teaching,#suzuki, #cello #piano #music #composer #wellbeing #artspodcasting #free-lessons,#learn-onlinepiano-chat,#sarnia-club,#tale-teller-club #jazz,theory-of-music,blues, #classical #suzuki #ABRSM #free-music-lessons #classical-music #instrumentalist #free-education #100%-free-school #backing-tracks #jazz-baby #free-music #jazz-lessons #jazz-club #sarnia-de-la-maré-FRSA #private-jazz-club #azz-podcast #suzuki #suzuki-school #cello #suzuki-cello-school #free-suzuki-lessons #sarni-de-la-maré-frsa #how-to-play-cello #free-celloschool #cello-techniques #classical #jazz,practice-buddy #play-along #listen-and-learn #ear-training #how-to-play-an-instrument #keyboard-skills #piano-school #learn-piano #how-to-play-piano #private-lessons #sarnia-de-la-mare #graded-exams #grade-two-piano #ABRSM #free-lessons #online #music,school #freeaudiobooks #talkingbooks #literature #books #audiobooks #podcasts #100bestsellers #taleteller #taletellerclub #sarnia #sarnia-de-la-mare #frsa #Royal-Society-of-Arts #public-owned #daily-audiobooks #the-list #free-scool #home-ed #educational-books #teacher-tools #learn-online
Things are hotting up at Immersion this week as Renyke seems ever closer to Redact. But so many questions arise inside his head.You Have Reached Strata 11The closer you get to Redact the harder your decisions will becomeYou have come so farDeath would be a poor reward for your efforts. You have dodged danger using chance alone because in the zones only the lucky survive.Who are the women on the boatWhat does the letter D meanYou final destination is in sight but be warned, a grisly end is but a thought away.A turn of the breeze, the glance of an eye, could mean enslavement or a finale you had not predicted.Do you really see the end ahead or is it the door to Hades?©2022 Sarnia de la Maré FRSASearch all episodes herehttps://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/vapor-punktm-tale-teller-club--GN1dwqDpyg/#search#teaching,#suzuki, #cello #piano #music #composer #wellbeing #artspodcasting #free-lessons,#learn-onlinepiano-chat,#sarnia-club,#tale-teller-club #jazz,theory-of-music,blues, #classical #suzuki #ABRSM #free-music-lessons #classical-music #instrumentalist #free-education #100%-free-school #backing-tracks #jazz-baby #free-music #jazz-lessons #jazz-club #sarnia-de-la-maré-FRSA #private-jazz-club #azz-podcast #suzuki #suzuki-school #cello #suzuki-cello-school #free-suzuki-lessons #sarni-de-la-maré-frsa #how-to-play-cello #free-celloschool #cello-techniques #classical #jazz,practice-buddy #play-along #listen-and-learn #ear-training #how-to-play-an-instrument #keyboard-skills #piano-school #learn-piano #how-to-play-piano #private-lessons #sarnia-de-la-mare #graded-exams #grade-two-piano #ABRSM #free-lessons #online #music,school #freeaudiobooks #talkingbooks #literature #books #audiobooks #podcasts #100bestsellers #taleteller #taletellerclub #sarnia #sarnia-de-la-mare #frsa #Royal-Society-of-Arts #public-owned #daily-audiobooks #the-list #free-scool #home-ed #educational-books #teacher-tools #learn-online
Toddle Poddle introduction with a little Sind Song bu the Boy Robot Vapor Punk.Search all episodes herehttps://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/vapor-punktm-tale-teller-club--GN1dwqDpyg/#search#teaching,#suzuki, #cello #piano #music #composer #wellbeing #artspodcasting #free-lessons,#learn-onlinepiano-chat,#sarnia-club,#tale-teller-club #jazz,theory-of-music,blues, #classical #suzuki #ABRSM #free-music-lessons #classical-music #instrumentalist #free-education #100%-free-school #backing-tracks #jazz-baby #free-music #jazz-lessons #jazz-club #sarnia-de-la-maré-FRSA #private-jazz-club #azz-podcast #suzuki #suzuki-school #cello #suzuki-cello-school #free-suzuki-lessons #sarni-de-la-maré-frsa #how-to-play-cello #free-celloschool #cello-techniques #classical #jazz,practice-buddy #play-along #listen-and-learn #ear-training #how-to-play-an-instrument #keyboard-skills #piano-school #learn-piano #how-to-play-piano #private-lessons #sarnia-de-la-mare #graded-exams #grade-two-piano #ABRSM #free-lessons #online #music,school #freeaudiobooks #talkingbooks #literature #books #audiobooks #podcasts #100bestsellers #taleteller #taletellerclub #sarnia #sarnia-de-la-mare #frsa #Royal-Society-of-Arts #public-owned #daily-audiobooks #the-list #free-scool #home-ed #educational-books #teacher-tools #learn-online
The Feather read by Vapor Punk©2022 Sarnia de la MaréSearch all episodes herehttps://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/vapor-punktm-tale-teller-club--GN1dwqDpyg/#search#teaching,#suzuki, #cello #piano #music #composer #wellbeing #artspodcasting #free-lessons,#learn-onlinepiano-chat,#sarnia-club,#tale-teller-club #jazz,theory-of-music,blues, #classical #suzuki #ABRSM #free-music-lessons #classical-music #instrumentalist #free-education #100%-free-school #backing-tracks #jazz-baby #free-music #jazz-lessons #jazz-club #sarnia-de-la-maré-FRSA #private-jazz-club #azz-podcast #suzuki #suzuki-school #cello #suzuki-cello-school #free-suzuki-lessons #sarni-de-la-maré-frsa #how-to-play-cello #free-celloschool #cello-techniques #classical #jazz,practice-buddy #play-along #listen-and-learn #ear-training #how-to-play-an-instrument #keyboard-skills #piano-school #learn-piano #how-to-play-piano #private-lessons #sarnia-de-la-mare #graded-exams #grade-two-piano #ABRSM #free-lessons #online #music,school #freeaudiobooks #talkingbooks #literature #books #audiobooks #podcasts #100bestsellers #taleteller #taletellerclub #sarnia #sarnia-de-la-mare #frsa #Royal-Society-of-Arts #public-owned #daily-audiobooks #the-list #free-scool #home-ed #educational-books #teacher-tools #learn-online
Today you are going to get a promotion. Or rather, today I am going to give you a promotion. Or even better, today you are going to give yourself a promotion. A promotion is exciting. It may come with a new title, or a certificate or a diploma. It likely entails new responsibilities and new challenges as well as new and as yet unimagined opportunities. It signifies a higher level of competence and the confidence that others, at least, have in your achievements to date and in your potential. And that gold star, that new job title, that salary raise is proof of your accomplishment. But where is the proof of your harp accomplishment? How do you know that you're making progress, or keeping pace with whatever goals or timelines you have set for yourself? Where's the guidebook that says, “You are here,” and shows you how to get to “there?” Yes, we do have some ways to gauge our progress. Music exam systems, like the ABRSM or RCM exams, provide an organized way to be “promoted.” You work through the curriculum and move from one grade level to the next. And you get your paper that certifies your promotion. But for those not following an exam system, which is most harpists, where does the assurance of growth and progress come from? We may not need that piece of paper to prove our accomplishment, like the scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz,” but our harp happiness depends on our faith in our momentum. If we don't think we're getting anywhere, we tend to stop trying. So what we are doing today is creating some clarity, clarity about the mysterious “levels” of harp playing, the specific signature skills that you need at these levels and how to create your personal plan for promotion. Now, if you're thinking that because you are really only playing for yourself or that this discussion is only for “serious” harpists” or young people, you couldn't be more wrong. Frankly, it's easier for young students or harpists with a clear path to find those next rungs on the ladder. The course for them is clear. This discussion is for everybody else, those who want to take things at their own pace and want to enjoy their harp playing. Why? Because the path isn't as clear so the progress levels aren't as clear either. And if you don't have markers for where you are now and where your next step is, you end up going around in circles. And that's where frustration can creep in. So let's give you a promotion today. We'll talk about those markers so you can find your next step forward, your next rung on the ladder. And then you give yourself that gold star or certificate or special treat that will mark your promotion. You deserve it. Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode: Check, Check! What's Your Level? Webinar Moving Up or Going in Circles? blog post Harpmastery.com Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at podcast@harpmastery.com LINKS NOT WORKING FOR YOU? FInd all the show resources here: https://www.harpmastery.com/blog/Episode-040
Why We Should Expose Our Kids To Classical Music https://ourtownlive.net #herbw79The term "baroque" is generally used by music historians to describe a broad range of styles from a wide geographic region, mostly in Europe, composed over a period of approximately 150 years. Although it was long thought that the word as a critical term was first applied to architecture, in fact it appears earlier in reference to music, in an anonymous, satirical review of the première in October 1733 of Rameau's Hippolyte et Aricie, printed in the Mercure de France in May 1734. The critic implied that the novelty in this opera was "du barocque", complaining that the music lacked coherent melody, was filled with unremitting dissonances, constantly changed key and meter, and speedily ran through every compositional device.Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who was a musician and composer as well as philosopher, wrote in 1768 in the Encyclopédie: "Baroque music is that in which the harmony is confused, and loaded with modulations and dissonances. The singing is harsh and unnatural, the intonation difficult, and the movement limited. It appears that term comes from the word 'baroco' used by logicians." Rousseau was referring to the philosophical term baroco, in use since the 13th century to describe a type of elaborate and, for some, unnecessarily complicated academic argument.The systematic application by historians of the term "baroque" to music of this period is a relatively recent development. In 1919, Curt Sachs became the first to apply the five characteristics of Heinrich Wölfflin's theory of the Baroque systematically to music. Critics were quick to question the attempt to transpose Wölfflin's categories to music, however, and in the second quarter of the 20th century independent attempts were made by Manfred Bukofzer (in Germany and, after his immigration, in America) and by Suzanne Clercx-Lejeune (in Belgium) to use autonomous, technical analysis rather than comparative abstractions, in order to avoid the adaptation of theories based on the plastic arts and literature to music. All of these efforts resulted in appreciable disagreement about time boundaries of the period, especially concerning when it began. In English the term acquired currency only in the 1940s, in the writings of Bukofzer and Paul Henry Lang.As late as 1960, there was still considerable dispute in academic circles, particularly in France and Britain, whether it was meaningful to lump together music as diverse as that of Jacopo Peri, Domenico Scarlatti, and Johann Sebastian Bach under a single rubric. Nevertheless, the term has become widely used and accepted for this broad range of music. It may be helpful to distinguish the Baroque from both the preceding (Renaissance) and following (Classical) periods of musical history.
Why We Should Expose Our Kids To Classical Music https://ourtownlive.net #herbw79Bach begins his epic journey through all the keys in C major for the first Prelude and Fugue. He then moves to C minor for the second then chromatically upwards to C sharp major for the fourth and C sharp minor for the fifth and so on. The importance of these works cannot be overstated. They not only offer every aspiring pianist the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world and style of Bach but also to develop their polyphonic technique in playing fugues of three and four voices. One key consideration Tovey makes in his editorial notes to the ABRSM collection is that “Bach writes very accurately what is to be played but, he leaves the performer free as to how it is played.” Taking the time to understand the time in which these works were composed is also crucial regarding any decision in how they are played. Ensuring the clarity of Bach's part-writing is paramount as is being able to mark the climatic moments in each piece. Bach could not have known how the piano of today would sound and this needs thought when approaching these works.There are many subtle differences in how these pieces would sound between these instruments, but what can be agreed is the ingenuity and skill with which Bach composed these works regardless of the instrument on which they are performed. In a way, it is all the more remarkable, as the compositions are perfectly convincing on modern instruments and do not detract from the genius of the work.
This question was sent by Ronald. He writes: Dear Vidas, The programme that I have thought of studying for the diploma is the following: 1. Buxtehude Prelude and Fugue in D, BuxWV 139 (c. 6 mins) 2. Franck Prelude, Fugue and Variation in B minor , Op.18: no 3 from '6 Pieces' (c.11 mins) 3. Stanford Postlude in D minor: no 6 from '6 Short Preludes and Postludes, 2nd Set, Op 105 (c.5 mins 30 secs) 4. Bach Chorale Prelude "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme", BWV 645 (c 4mins) 5. Jongen Petit Prelude (c. 3 mins) 6. Vierne Symphonie No 1 in D minor, Op.14; 6th movement, Finale (c 6 mins 30 secs) The total programme duration is around 36 mins. I am not young. I am 52, work as a self-employed accountant and also hold a Masters in Environmental Planning and Management which I use in my role as a member of the Maltese Catholic Church Environment Commission. Some 13 years ago I had obtained a Diploma in Music Studies from the University of Malta focusing on organ performance and composition. I still do some composition every now and then. Currently I am finalising a Christmas Carol for SATB and children's choir accompanied by harp and organ. I had studied for the ABRSM grades in piano and organ and obtained distinction in Grades 6-8 in both instruments. I am the organist of a choir in Malta called Jubilate Deo directed by Christopher Muscat. I therefore have frequent occasions to play in church. My challenge now is to stick to a timetable and practice programme in order to sit for the organ diploma. The Total Organist courses are excellent for me because I can brush up all the things that I have already studied since I was young and learn new ones. There are ALWAYS gaps in knowledge which can be excellently filled by the online courses that you provide. Thanks a lot for your interest.