Musicalminds's Weblog

grand opening

musicalminds — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:31:43 +0000

what a party! i hope everyone had a great time and enjoyed the music, food, events and all things related. my favorite part was talking to my current students and their families, my friends and meeting a few prospective students that i hope we begin working with this semester.

i can’t believe lessons are starting this coming week! time flew by this summer – don’t you think? i’m ready to get back to the structure and expecations the academic year brings. lessons start the 19th so look forward to seeing you all soon,

To be a composer, or not to be one…that is the question

musicalminds — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:35:25 +0000

What is a composer, really? For me I used to associate the term “composer” with old, dead, white, funky clothes and I really shouldn’t listen to their music after I’ve eaten because there is no way I am going to stay awake! That being said, my perception has evolved (thankfully!) and now I think of a composer as anyone with an idea.

There are so many ways we as musicians can express ourselves, and composing is something we should all do more of. It’s scary though, when you think about it. We have 12 tones/notes in total, 88 keys on a piano, different instruments and so many words to think about…where do we begin?

We begin with an idea. Start with a few notes, or better yet, a beat. What transpires from there could possibly be the next “Reflections” winner in school, or something that the student is most proud of of any other creation. The most rewarding composing I do is when I’m in a jazz ensemble (big band/combo, etc…) and I create a solo on the spot that sounds hip, simple and like I have something to say. Of course it never gets written down, but it’s fun, rewarding and I keep wanting more. A great solo doesn’t always happen, but I keep on trying.

Ever wonder?

musicalminds — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:40:40 +0000

Have you ever wondered what music means to your family members? Parents, children, siblings, grandparents, etc…everyone loves music, but do they love ‘your’ music? My taste in music is quite different than my family’s – though to make them happy I play what I think they may like too.

As I prepare for my upcoming trip to visit my family, I am playing with my uncle at a local steakhouse and am playing some jazz and blues tunes that they have never heard me play before. They have heard me play for churches, Christmas music, classical pieces and orchestral/band works, but never jazz.

Ever wonder what your family thinks?

Use your Ear

musicalminds — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:12:48 +0000

I challenge all of my students to play Happy Birthday, with their first note being C…then change it to the first note being F.

Too often we as musicians do not use our ears. I’ve been at events where there have been musicians that were asked to play Happy Birthday and they asked for the music. (gasp!) Does this not seem like a sincere disservice to the student when one can go through 10 years of study (if not more) and still not know Happy Birthday, let alone not really even know how to figure it out? Yikes.

More later…

Emergence

musicalminds — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:50:07 +0000

In music we have our ups and downs; periods of progress and periods of stagnation; times when we want to play happy music and times when we want to play the blues. What is most important to remember is that we must trust our role models, teachers, instincts and most importantly, ourselves. We grow as musicians, sometimes technically, sometimes emotionally and sometimes spiritually. Emergence is the ‘gradual coming forth’ of something such as an idea, a person, a philosophy…what emerges in music is not always self-evident, black and white, or something that can be measured. It can however, be felt. Studying music can bring feelings to the surface that otherwise might be supressed and can provide an emotional and creative outlet that makes us proud of who we are.

We’re Open!

musicalminds — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:09:38 +0000

This studio idea has been an idea I have had for about a year, and it is finally coming to fruition. Excellent teachers, carefully screened students and high quality instruments (acoustic and digital). More to come…