All Things New in 2022 – one step at a time
Hello, Everyone! So how does it feel settling into the New Year? I’m feel a little slow coming out of the starting gate, but I’m not the only one! Noa Kageyama, PhD, author of The Bulletproof Musician blog (to which I’ve been subscribed for a few years) puts it this way: “Yep…it’s once again that […]
September Monthly M-ship: Intro + Unison and P8ve
September is a GREAT month to start our Monthly Musicianship (“M-ship”) series, starting with INTERESTING INTERVALS! For the next 12 months, I’ll briefly define the interval, and include a 1-page freebie download with links so you can HEAR what that interval sounds like on its own, and in a song. First some quick background: This […]
October Monthly M-ship: Spooky m2 (or 1/2 step)
October’s interval is the MINOR 2nd. Very fitting, since composers use this interval a lot in scary movie scores to create tension – think Jaws. Be sure to click on the links in your freebie interval doc attached to hear samples of this spooky interval! Some reminders: This month we celebrate the MINOR 2nd. Have […]
November Monthly M-ship: Major 2nd (M2)
Giving thanks is great anytime, but especially in November. So, after a month of tense minor 2nds in October, November’s interval is the MAJOR 2nd. Think of the first 2 notes of Happy Birthday and you’ve got a major 2nd! November is MAJOR 2nd month! Some reminders: Have a look & a listen with the […]
December Monthly M-ship: Minor 3rd (m3)
December can be a cold/gray month – a good background for the MINOR 3rd. Think of the tune to “Greensleeves” or “What Child Is This.” That said, it happens to be one of my favorite months, filled with warmth, hope, and joy. Decmber is MINOR 3rd month! Some reminders: Have a look & a listen […]
Monthly Musicianship: February = Perfect 4th
February is the LOVE month, and the PERFECT month for the interval of a PERFECT 4TH! Sample songs for an ASCENDING PERFECT 4TH are The Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride) from Richard Wagner’s opera Lohengrin, and O Tannenbaum (or O Christmas Tree). Sample songs for a DESCENDING PERFECT 4th are I’ve Been Working on […]
Intervals – The Building Blocks of Music
Those of you who were with us last year might remember that we learned about the intervals involved in music. For those of you who are new, here’s a quick review: Here’s a fun video to review the different types of intervals, and songs to help you remember them! Next, we’ll watch some videos to […]
Major & Minor – A Scaley Situation!
No, I’m not talking about THAT kind of scale!!! Watch this fun video to learn a bit more about MAJOR and MINOR MUSICAL SCALES! BTW: Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings (the music in the background) is one of my favorites. Enjoy!
Essential Practice Tips – #1: Environment
Let’s face it. Even when we love making music, the discipline of practice can be hard! Here are a series of tips, inspired by Amy MacKenzie of ClassicFM radio, to help you keep going and keep growing! 1. Create the best environment. A) Get the right set-up for you and be consistent with your choice, […]
Practice Tip #2: Warm Up
2. Warm up – Stretch-Stand-Breathe-Sing. Singing is physical, and a warmup for body and voice is essential. It’s good to have 4-5 standard vocal warmups – the ones you like best – but make sure you engage your brain as you engage your body so you can be present in your practice! Amy MacKenzie suggests: […]
