ACTIVE LISTENING - WEEKLY ASSIGNMENT
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!
May 26 - June 1, 2024
With the summer break coming up, this will be my last post here for a while.
This one is with Arthur Migliazza, all about boogie-woogie piano playing with these topics:
Importance of the left hand
Strength
Hand Independence
Relaxation
Dynamics
I found it to be a very useful video to watch and I hope that you will, too. Enjoy!
This one is with Arthur Migliazza, all about boogie-woogie piano playing with these topics:
Importance of the left hand
Strength
Hand Independence
Relaxation
Dynamics
I found it to be a very useful video to watch and I hope that you will, too. Enjoy!
May 19-25, 2024
I just got back from Montreal attending Podium, the national choral conference and festival of Canada that happens every two years. I had a wonderful time going to concerts and presentations, and also exploring the city. One session that I went to was all about the Growlers Choir from Montreal and how a composer might approach composing for the group. Check out this video as well as their YouTube channel! Are you into it? Why or why not?
May 12-18, 2024
Yo-Yo Ma performs Bach in Alaska
Bach's Prélude from Suite No. 2, amidst the melting permafrost on Lower Tanana Dene lands in Fairbanks, Alaska, where I was brought by Princess Daazhraii Johnson. She writes this: "Our relationship to our birch relatives, our salmon relatives, and all the beings of Alaska are sacred. Our traditional stories tell us that at one point we all spoke the same language ... we still do. If we find the time to truly listen, we might recognize ourselves in the melting permafrost or the fallen birch, but we might also recognize ourselves in the songs of the birds or the freshness of the Arctic breeze. There is still hope when we experience life. We should all fall in love with the places we live and let this love drive our determination to protect the waters, the salmon, the caribou, and all our plant relatives so that future generations may also experience such joy and sustenance.”
I encourage you to watch, listen, and reflect on the words above.
Bach's Prélude from Suite No. 2, amidst the melting permafrost on Lower Tanana Dene lands in Fairbanks, Alaska, where I was brought by Princess Daazhraii Johnson. She writes this: "Our relationship to our birch relatives, our salmon relatives, and all the beings of Alaska are sacred. Our traditional stories tell us that at one point we all spoke the same language ... we still do. If we find the time to truly listen, we might recognize ourselves in the melting permafrost or the fallen birch, but we might also recognize ourselves in the songs of the birds or the freshness of the Arctic breeze. There is still hope when we experience life. We should all fall in love with the places we live and let this love drive our determination to protect the waters, the salmon, the caribou, and all our plant relatives so that future generations may also experience such joy and sustenance.”
I encourage you to watch, listen, and reflect on the words above.
May 5-11, 2024
I have a student preparing "The Skye Boat Song" for our upcoming recital on May 26. Listen to this version by Ella Roberts and make a list of all of the instruments that you hear! I would love to see your list. Are there any sounds that you have trouble identifying?
April 28 - May 4, 2024
For my trombone-playing students -- this one is for you! Can you think of other instruments that could do something similar?
April 21-27, 2024
Let's learn about the pipe organ! Here is an informative video from Nahre Sol. Check it out -- I think you'll learn something!
If you want a chance to play a pipe organ, I am hosting a casual afternoon to try the organ and grand piano at UofA - Augustana on May 11! I hope to see you there.
If you want a chance to play a pipe organ, I am hosting a casual afternoon to try the organ and grand piano at UofA - Augustana on May 11! I hope to see you there.
April 14-20, 2024
I think that it is important to have specific musical goals and ideas for what you might want to achieve as a performer. For myself, I have recently learned of the piano Etudes composed by Philip Glass, and #6 caught my attention. Here is a performance of that piece by Vikingur Olafsson. I'll be practicing!
What are you working on? Do you have any particular 'goal' pieces of music to learn?
What are you working on? Do you have any particular 'goal' pieces of music to learn?
April 7-13, 2024
I encourage you to put on some good headphones for this one! Thanks to my student, Sevrin, for the recommendation to check out Cody Fry's version of "Fix You" by Coldplay. This is a score video, which means that as you listen, you get to follow along with the conductor's score notation for the recording session. There are really interesting bits of information that are 'sprinkled' throughout and I think you'll enjoy watching and listening.
If you could choose any song to see a similar score video, what would it be?
If you could choose any song to see a similar score video, what would it be?
March 31 - April 6, 2024
Here are some world-class Canadian musicians playing "Blues of the Prairies" from Oscar Peterson's Canadiana Suite. Wow, what a cool and intimate look at their recording session.
Something that sticks out to me in this is the use of some techniques that are out of the ordinary. Can you notice some ways of playing their instruments that are a bit unusual?
Do you notice the form? How would you describe it in terms of main 'head' section, trading solos, etc.?
James Ehnes, Violin
Jens Lindemann, Trumpet
Robi Botos, Piano
Kristian Alexandrov, Drums
Mike Downes, Bass
(there are more videos from this session on Jens Lindemann's YouTube channel, if you are interested)
Something that sticks out to me in this is the use of some techniques that are out of the ordinary. Can you notice some ways of playing their instruments that are a bit unusual?
Do you notice the form? How would you describe it in terms of main 'head' section, trading solos, etc.?
James Ehnes, Violin
Jens Lindemann, Trumpet
Robi Botos, Piano
Kristian Alexandrov, Drums
Mike Downes, Bass
(there are more videos from this session on Jens Lindemann's YouTube channel, if you are interested)
March 24-30, 2024
Do you think about how you practice and the methods that will be most effective for you? There are many videos online that discuss this subject and here is one of them. Give it a watch and let me know what you think. Do you agree with the suggestions? Disagree? Do you have other tips to add?
March 17-23, 2024
Bach Goes Jazz! "Solfeggio in C minor" by Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach - Luca Sestak
Check out this entertaining and energetic jazz arrangement of a well-known C.P.E. Bach piece. Do you know the original version? This style of combining jazz and classical makes me think of Jacques Loussier.
Check out this entertaining and energetic jazz arrangement of a well-known C.P.E. Bach piece. Do you know the original version? This style of combining jazz and classical makes me think of Jacques Loussier.
March 10-16, 2024
Dance and music have a very close relationship. "Somebody That I Used To Know" by Gotye is a song that I have always appreciated musically, and I recently saw this dance video by CDK Company that added a really cool new element to an already striking and effective song. I encourage you to watch the video and let me know which moments were your favourites? Also, can you figure out the chord progression and the intro riff 'by ear'?
March 3-9, 2024
My students set a goal every September of learning 10, 20, or 30 new pieces by the end of May. When the challenge is complete, they receive a gift card for a local business, a certificate, and a video all about them (optional). Lauren is the first student to complete the challenge this year. Congratulations, Lauren!
To see more videos from this series, check out this page on my website. Students, how is it going for you as you work toward your goal for the year?
To see more videos from this series, check out this page on my website. Students, how is it going for you as you work toward your goal for the year?
February 25 - March 2, 2024
The listening assignment this week was recommended by Jackie, one of my students. I encourage you to watch the video, follow along with the descriptions that pop up in the video, and ideally even play or sing along with one or more of the parts. Are you able to isolate the sound of each voice and follow along? For 'bonus points', do a full harmonic analysis and see how many of the chords you can name! Let me know how it goes at our next lesson. Which group's arranging style do you like best?
Also, part 2 of the video series is here if you're interested.
Also, part 2 of the video series is here if you're interested.
February 18-24, 2024
This weekend is the Nordlys Film & Arts Festival in Camrose at the Bailey Theatre. The festival began as the Pretty Hill Film Festival in my parents' basement 24 years ago! We would have live music in between films in the garage, and my aunt was known for her performances of "Mustang Sally". Check out this video with footage from the film The Commitments.
Here is your musical challenge -- figure out what key it is in, the tempo, the time signature, and the chord progression! Then, try playing along. Let me know how it goes.
Here is your musical challenge -- figure out what key it is in, the tempo, the time signature, and the chord progression! Then, try playing along. Let me know how it goes.
February 11-17, 2024
"An organ playing a 639-year-long piece of music has changed chord for the first time in two years. Crowds gathered at a church in Germany to witness the rare moment, which is part of an artistic feat by avant-garde composer, John Cage."
Do you know about John Cage and some of his other compositions? Read about 4'33 here!
Do you know about John Cage and some of his other compositions? Read about 4'33 here!
February 4-10, 2024
Jeremy Siskind is a jazz pianist, composer, and educator. There is lots of great content on his YouTube channel and he has also written a number of books about jazz piano. In our lessons we sometimes talk about the difference between a straight 8th feel and a swing feel with 8th notes. Check out this video where Jeremy talks about this topic. At our next lesson, show me the difference by playing a C major scale with a straight feel and with a swing feel.
January 28 - February 3, 2024
Every time I hear Jacob Collier talk and play music, I am inspired and I learn something! Check out this video where he answers some interesting questions about music.
"Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier answers the internet's buzzing questions about instruments and musical theory. What is the difference between black and white piano keys? What makes up the rhythm section? What makes a bass line sound funky?"
Did you learn something watching this video? Tell me about it!
"Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier answers the internet's buzzing questions about instruments and musical theory. What is the difference between black and white piano keys? What makes up the rhythm section? What makes a bass line sound funky?"
Did you learn something watching this video? Tell me about it!
January 21-27, 2024
"Somebody That I Use To Know" - by Gotye, performed by Walk off the Earth
Have you seen this video before? It has 194 million views on YouTube, so there is a chance that you have, but if you haven't, check it out now! Walk off the Earth has really creative and inventive ways of making music, and I love this approach to having five people play one guitar (while singing, too).
My challenge to you this week is to make music with other people. It can be very casual, but see if you can work together with at least one other person to make something musical! Tell me all about it at our next lesson.
Have you seen this video before? It has 194 million views on YouTube, so there is a chance that you have, but if you haven't, check it out now! Walk off the Earth has really creative and inventive ways of making music, and I love this approach to having five people play one guitar (while singing, too).
My challenge to you this week is to make music with other people. It can be very casual, but see if you can work together with at least one other person to make something musical! Tell me all about it at our next lesson.
January 14-20, 2024
It is -40 degrees in Camrose this weekend and I am thinking of 'cold' music.
Check out this video! Here is the description from YouTube:
"The Ice Music Festival on the Holmevatnet Islands in Norway is exactly what the name suggests: Ice music. As in, the cellos and harps and horns are made from lake ice. Yes, they work. Just listen."
Do any particular songs or artists come to mind when you think of winter/ice/cold music?
Check out this video! Here is the description from YouTube:
"The Ice Music Festival on the Holmevatnet Islands in Norway is exactly what the name suggests: Ice music. As in, the cellos and harps and horns are made from lake ice. Yes, they work. Just listen."
Do any particular songs or artists come to mind when you think of winter/ice/cold music?
January 7-13, 2024
I am often amazed at the information that we have available to us and the technology that makes it all possible. Chick Corea, an important person in the jazz piano world, died in 2021. Before his passing, he recorded many videos that were posted for free on YouTube of him explaining his process and approach to playing and thinking about music. I am currently learning his composition "Spain", and this video is very helpful for me -- to hear the composer talk about his work directly.
Do you know any other Chick Corea compositions?
If you could choose a musician to give a similar video presentation, who would it be?
Do you know any other Chick Corea compositions?
If you could choose a musician to give a similar video presentation, who would it be?
December 31 - January 6, 2024
Happy New Year! Let's learn about "Auld Lang Syne". Do you know the words? The meaning? The history? Here is a bit of information to give some context.