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!
October 24-30, 2021
I have an ongoing project where I am compiling a list of fun piano intros to teach to my students. If we find one that a student really likes, then we'll go on to learn the entire piece. This video has a random selection of 20 intros. How many can you name?
So far I have 212 on my list... please offer any suggestions you might have and I'll add them to my list and include them in a future video!
So far I have 212 on my list... please offer any suggestions you might have and I'll add them to my list and include them in a future video!
October 17-23, 2021
Who else is excited for the new "Get Back" film coming out in November? Did you know that I used to play in a Beatles cover band, complete with wigs?? What is your favourite song by The Beatles? I am always up for working on their music -- let me know if you'd like to learn one of their songs!
Made entirely from never-before-seen, restored footage, the film provides the most intimate and honest glimpse into the creative process and relationship between John, Paul, George, and Ringo ever filmed. Don’t forget to watch “The Beatles: Get Back” when it rolls out over three days, November 25, 26, and 27, 2021 (on Disney+).
Made entirely from never-before-seen, restored footage, the film provides the most intimate and honest glimpse into the creative process and relationship between John, Paul, George, and Ringo ever filmed. Don’t forget to watch “The Beatles: Get Back” when it rolls out over three days, November 25, 26, and 27, 2021 (on Disney+).
October 10-16, 2021
Børge Rosenbaum (3 January 1909 – 23 December 2000), known professionally as Victor Borge, was a Danish-American comedian, conductor, and pianist who achieved great popularity in radio and television in the United States and Europe. His blend of music and comedy earned him the nicknames "The Clown Prince of Denmark", "The Unmelancholy Dane", and "The Great Dane".
What is your favourite part of this video? Is there a musical joke that you could 'borrow' and make your own?
What is your favourite part of this video? Is there a musical joke that you could 'borrow' and make your own?
October 3-9, 2021
Check out this performance by Maya Rathnavalu! I had the pleasure of recording Maya in the Augustana Chapel for Alumni Week(end) this year. The composition is by Kristin Flores. I went to Augustana, as did Maya and Kristin.
The composition is titled "Birds: Soaring, Fluttering and Gliding". Can you hear moments in the piece that make you think of birds in flight? Which is your favourite section?
The composition is titled "Birds: Soaring, Fluttering and Gliding". Can you hear moments in the piece that make you think of birds in flight? Which is your favourite section?
September 26 - October 2, 2021
There are some pieces of music and performances that leave me awestruck and totally inspired. This is one of them -- Wynton Marsalis performing "Carnival of Venice" arranged by Jean-Baptiste Arban. John Williams is conducting (the composer of Star Wars music and much more). Watch the entire video and notice how each section gets progressively more complex and difficult. Wow!
What is one song or piece of music that inspires you? Let me know at your next lesson (and write it down in your lesson planner)!
What is one song or piece of music that inspires you? Let me know at your next lesson (and write it down in your lesson planner)!
September 19-25, 2021
My family has been really into the movie Vivo lately, both the film and the soundtrack. My two daughters love to sing along! Here is one of my favourite tracks from the soundtrack, called "Keep the Beat".
My challenge for you this week -- make a list of all of the instruments that you hear in the recording. See if you can identify when each part enters. Also, try clapping or tapping along with each of these parts:
-guitar
-kick drum
-bass
-shaker
-piano
-melody (vocals)
-strings
-percussion
-brass
My challenge for you this week -- make a list of all of the instruments that you hear in the recording. See if you can identify when each part enters. Also, try clapping or tapping along with each of these parts:
-guitar
-kick drum
-bass
-shaker
-piano
-melody (vocals)
-strings
-percussion
-brass