ACTIVE LISTENING - WEEKLY ASSIGNMENT [September-December 2022]
I encourage all of my students (and their families!) to spend some time doing active listening each week and to reflect on various aspects of what they hear. Every Saturday I will update my website with a link to a new song/piece of the week along with a question relating to the music. I ask that students write down their answer(s) to the question(s) and any other observations in the space provided in the lesson planner. Have fun with this and also feel free to share your own musical discoveries with me throughout the year!
December 25-31, 2022
How is your Norwegian? My heritage is Norwegian (and Swedish) and every Christmas when I was young, I would get to hear my grandparents sing "Jeg er så glad hver julekveld" (I am so glad each Christmas eve). Your task this week is to watch this video and try singing along! The lyrics will be on the screen. Good luck!
December 18-24, 2022
It's almost Christmas! Is there a particular song/album/artist that you feel like you need to hear this time of year? Let me know what is on your list!
For me, right at the top of the list is Handel's Messiah. I encourage you to take in at least a section of this performance. Perhaps you could turn it on in the background while you do something else if you don't have time to sit and watch it all.
Internationally acclaimed vocal group VOCES8 headline the Academy of Ancient Music's performance of Handel's beloved oratorio Messiah, recorded live at the Chapel of Trinity College, Cambridge.
Academy of Ancient Music
VOCES8 and Apollo5
VOCES8 Foundation Choir
Conductor: Barnaby Smith
Leader: Bojan Čičić
For me, right at the top of the list is Handel's Messiah. I encourage you to take in at least a section of this performance. Perhaps you could turn it on in the background while you do something else if you don't have time to sit and watch it all.
Internationally acclaimed vocal group VOCES8 headline the Academy of Ancient Music's performance of Handel's beloved oratorio Messiah, recorded live at the Chapel of Trinity College, Cambridge.
Academy of Ancient Music
VOCES8 and Apollo5
VOCES8 Foundation Choir
Conductor: Barnaby Smith
Leader: Bojan Čičić
December 11-17, 2022
Merry Christmas Charlie Brown! On Dec. 9th, 1965, nearly half of the US population tuned in to A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schultz, an animated broadcast that featured the music of the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Prior to its debut, producers were worried it was too religious, and the soundtrack was too jazz cutting edge for children's programming. Were they ever wrong! 15 million homes had eyes glued to that broadcast, and it has since become an iconic Christmas classic. Until his death in July of 2021, drummer and Halifax native Jerry Granelli was the last surviving member of that original trio. Here they are doing the true classic, Linus and Lucy.
Try playing the melody on your instrument. Can you figure it out?
Try playing the melody on your instrument. Can you figure it out?
December 4-10, 2022
Here is a cool introduction to New Orleans-style polyphonic music. Check it out and let me know which of the parts you like the best. Have you ever visited Preservation Hall in New Orleans? I got to go there a number of years ago and loved being in that space so much. I encourage you to watch more videos on this channel. They are all fantastic!
November 27 - December 3, 2022
There are some great musicians in and around Camrose and I think it is good to get to know your local community. Here is a group with a connection to our studio -- The Rose City Rollers. They are a rock cover band who love performing live. Through the pandemic, while it was unsafe (and illegal) to get together and play in person, they started making music and videos remotely. Check out their YouTube channel!
Your task this week is to listen their version of "Livin' on a Prayer" and write down the song form. Use terms like intro, verse, chorus, bridge, etc. to describe the sections of the song in the correct order.
Your task this week is to listen their version of "Livin' on a Prayer" and write down the song form. Use terms like intro, verse, chorus, bridge, etc. to describe the sections of the song in the correct order.
November 20-26, 2022
In recent weeks with some of my students, we have been practicing identifying intervals using song references. It is important to use songs that you are very familiar with for this to be useful. Each person will have a unique list, based on their own preferences and experience. What songs do you have on your list? I encourage you to make a chart for every interval within an octave and a song reference for each interval, both ascending and descending. We can work through it together, too!
November 13-19, 2022
This week I would like to you check out this video from our time in the Augustana Chapel on November 5.
I invited my students to explore the magnificent instruments in the chapel at our local university (U of A Augustana). There is a beautiful Steinway & Sons grand piano and also a Gabriel Kney pipe organ in that space. It was fun for me to get to share one of my favourite places in the world with my students. It is also where I got married!
We’ll do it all again on May 13, 2023 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
I invited my students to explore the magnificent instruments in the chapel at our local university (U of A Augustana). There is a beautiful Steinway & Sons grand piano and also a Gabriel Kney pipe organ in that space. It was fun for me to get to share one of my favourite places in the world with my students. It is also where I got married!
We’ll do it all again on May 13, 2023 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
November 6-12, 2022
Andrew Dawes was a Canadian violinist known especially for his performances with the Orford String Quartet. I got to know Andy when I was living in Vancouver and working as the music director at West Point Grey United Church. He would occasionally attend services with his family, and I even had the opportunity to have him join in the music-making for Easter, Christmas, and other special services. His violin students would sometimes provide special music at the church as well. He was humble, kind, soft-spoken, and so lovely to be around. His violin playing was truly world-class.
Andrew Dawes died on October 30, 2022. In remembering him, I invite you to watch this short film about Andrew. What insights into music and practicing resonate with you after watching the film?
Film description: This short film pays tribute to the distinguished violinist Andrew Dawes. One of the finest violinists Canada has ever produced, Dawes is known for his technical excellence, musical integrity, and excitement of performance. In a career spanning half a century, he has inspired listeners, students, and fellow musicians around the globe. Here, poetic images bring to life Dawes’ early years, as he muses on the ineffability of music and the discipline required to become an accomplished player. Produced by the NFB in co-operation with the National Arts Centre and the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Foundation on the occasion of the 2013 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. Directed by Lisa Jackson - 2013 | 4 min
Andrew Dawes died on October 30, 2022. In remembering him, I invite you to watch this short film about Andrew. What insights into music and practicing resonate with you after watching the film?
Film description: This short film pays tribute to the distinguished violinist Andrew Dawes. One of the finest violinists Canada has ever produced, Dawes is known for his technical excellence, musical integrity, and excitement of performance. In a career spanning half a century, he has inspired listeners, students, and fellow musicians around the globe. Here, poetic images bring to life Dawes’ early years, as he muses on the ineffability of music and the discipline required to become an accomplished player. Produced by the NFB in co-operation with the National Arts Centre and the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Foundation on the occasion of the 2013 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. Directed by Lisa Jackson - 2013 | 4 min
October 30 - November 5, 2022
With Halloween this week, it's time to talk about some ways that music can make us feel uneasy, and with some theory knowledge, you can try some of these techniques at home! Your task this week -- compose some scary/spooky music to share with me, even if it is only a few notes or chords. Try some minor seconds, some minor or diminished chords, or the other ideas introduced in this video. Have fun!
October 23-29, 2022
Bass and drums! The backbone of most bands playing current/popular music styles. What does it sound like to have slap bass and 200 drummers in a stadium?? Check it out.
Your assignment: clap along with different note values (whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, 8th notes, 16th notes, as well as dotted rhythms and triplets if you are feeling up for the challenge). Let me know in your lesson if you tried it!
Your assignment: clap along with different note values (whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, 8th notes, 16th notes, as well as dotted rhythms and triplets if you are feeling up for the challenge). Let me know in your lesson if you tried it!
October 16-22, 2022
On Saturday, November 5 from 1:00-3:00 p.m., we have the opportunity to spend some time in the Augustana Chapel to try out the fantastic instruments there. We can play the Steinway grand piano and also the Gabriel Kney pipe organ! To give you a bit of information about pipe organs, check out this video featuring Anna Lapwood. Also, I encourage you to watch her other videos. She has some great content online.
What piece of music do you think of when you think of a pipe organ? For me it is 'Toccata and Fugue in D minor' by J.S. Bach.
What piece of music do you think of when you think of a pipe organ? For me it is 'Toccata and Fugue in D minor' by J.S. Bach.
October 9-15, 2022
Andrés Segovia plays "Leyenda" also known as "Asturias" composed by Isaac Albeniz. I love this haunting melody and the way the composition makes it seem like there would need to be multiple guitars to produce this sound. If you don't have time for the whole video, watch from 4:30 to the end. Your 'homework' this week is to do some research about Segovia and tell me three interesting things about him!
October 2-8, 2022
Music and dance are related in many ways. Your assignment this week is to watch this music video and choose your favourite dance move. Either tell me about it or show me at your next lesson!
There is even sheet music available here if you'd like to learn how to play "Think About Things".
There is even sheet music available here if you'd like to learn how to play "Think About Things".
September 25 - October 1, 2022
This week I would like to you watch this video with Carolina Eyck. In your lesson planner, please write down the name of the instrument that she is playing, and also, at your next lesson, show me with your hands the general movements that she teaches for playing a major scale!
September 18-24, 2022
Do you know about "Rush E"? Check out this video first...
You might be wondering how somebody could actually play this on the piano (I wonder, too!). There are 88 keys on the keyboard and most people have 10 fingers, so there is a problem. Now check out this next video that gets some real pianists involved (8 hands).
My question for you is this: what technique do you notice being used to play fast notes repeating on the same key? How quickly can you play repeating notes on the piano?
You might be wondering how somebody could actually play this on the piano (I wonder, too!). There are 88 keys on the keyboard and most people have 10 fingers, so there is a problem. Now check out this next video that gets some real pianists involved (8 hands).
My question for you is this: what technique do you notice being used to play fast notes repeating on the same key? How quickly can you play repeating notes on the piano?
September 11-17, 2022
Happy September! We are starting a new term and new weekly tasks and challenges, including our listening assignments. For this week, I'd like you to watch the following video and try to figure out how to play the melody on your instrument. For bonus points, figure out the chord progression and write it down in your lesson planner. There is space at the bottom of the weekly notes pages, beginning on page 11. Have fun!
May 29 - June 4, 2022
This will be the last post here for the term and we'll resume listening assignments in September!
This week I present to you a video compilation from our last recital. I finally just finished editing and if you have 14 minutes to spare, I encourage you to watch through the whole thing in an act of support and encouragement to all of the performers. If you haven't performed in one of my recitals before, perhaps it will give you a sense of what the event is like and you could consider being involved next time! I host recitals in early/mid-December and late May every year.