I don’t know if anyone of you have already heard of the Vienna Symphonic Library–it’s a voice library for composers. The musical voices are actual recorded voices from different instruments. Many composers use these voices these days for recording—because for one, the sound can be pretty ok and two, for them, it’s cheaper.
I want you to listen to their John Williams demo. Everything–including the choir–is from the Vienna Symphonic Library. I think you might agree—it’s pretty cool!
I have an assignment for you for the weekend. I want you to find and listen to as many variations of the song, “Fields of Gold” as is possible. You can find this song all over the internet. What I want you to observe–are the musical arrangements of each piece.
I have heard it said, that the true acid test to find if a melody is well written, is to see if that melody can be fully orchestrated. So, go out into the world, and find “Fields of Gold.” Test the song, and decide if you feel it is well written.
If you find any other songs along the way that you feel are excellent, tell me what they are. I want to hear.
Musical expression should come from deep soul reflection. That’s my cheesy statement of the day….and yes, I will refrain from the cheese for the next 24 hours…..that’s the rule.
Think about that statement, though. Each person has their own sense of taste, style and expression–and there are billions of people on the earth. So, taking into account that billions of people have different tastes—that means, Dr. Evil, that the variations of human preferences and passions could be endless.
That being said, why don’t we have more unique genre’s of music? We have classical, rock, pop, etc. It seems to me, musically, that we just have a whole lot of the same: Two million American Idol contestants, 500 Battle of the Bands competitions–and a partridge in a pear tree.
I just want to encourage each one of you to value your unique tastes. Never feel like you have to morph your “likes” to gain acceptance. You don’t need to blend in. You need to be you–remember life on earth is richer when we ourselves choose to be just who we are.
I saw this video last night on a great music forum www.muzicforums.com . This is the most creative performance that I’ve seen in a long time. Watch the whole thing—there are interesting details scattered throughout the whole piece.
Hmmmm……..I’ve been having some deep thoughts today. In particular, thoughts about some of my goals (dreams really) that have been rough-housed a bit (ok. “Flying High in April, Shot Down in May” so to speak.) I’m kinda in the clear right now—but believe me, I have had my share obstacles—and I want to share a little about what I have learned.
What I find is this—the music industry (no matter how you are involved–education, performance, recording, etc.) is an industry that makes many people feel wonderfully vulnerable to failure. I know that you already know this……I hear ya. But what I don’t believe many people know is this–if you have the slightest emotional insecurity in any area, believe me–it will be found, and someone will expose it when you are not ready. A surprise attack. It’s that kind of exposure that can be devastating, and generally people loose the passion for their music. The emotional strain is just too great.
Unfortunately, it’s easy for the mind to make associations, ie. music=painful failure or music=embarrassment. It’s really a shame when this happens to genuine musicians, in particular, because they tend to loose a large part of their joy. I’ve seen college students that get so beat up in music programs, that even after having successfully earned Performance degrees, they never pick up their instrument again.
Yesterday, I looked at the calender, and realized that it was the end of July. Fall is coming and school will be in session pretty soon. Interestingly, I had flash backs to my Freshman year at college—which for me was the roughest. Freshman college students, if you are signing up for a music program–think about what I am saying. Please understand going in, your weaknesses are going to be pointed out—maybe not so gracefully. You need to decide now-are you going to use criticism to help you make good and positive changes. If you do not capture criticism for good use—and you let negative thoughts “move in” upstairs–your insecurities will take over and you will probably loose your love for music. If not understood and dealt with, the “criticism” can turn into a monster–and then unfortunately, it seems, music can start to represent your fear.
I felt like this needed to be mentioned. I want you to know–I’m not trying to scare anyone out of a music career—I’m just trying to give you the truthful “heads up” that I needed at one point. Think about it though, prep your mind. I promise it will help.
I just got it worked out so that now—if you look at the top menu—I have a page “Order Music Supplies”. Just trying to offer some convenience. This company seems to have a ton of supplies. If you have any problems with the company–or link—let me know.
I have shared with everyone some of my embarrassing musical moments. Now, I would like to hear some of yours:) Please, have a seat, write me and share your funniest, most horrible music experience.
When you’re growing up “classical” (meaning every person who spends time playing classical music), you have to take time to hang out with other people who are doing the same. “Iron sharpens Iron,” so I hear. Hanging out with a good group of friends that are into the same music/instrument as you–tend to not only make for great memories, but you make each other better players as well.
For example, I will never forget the time in high school, I was playing with a particular youth symphony. We were poorly playing a Schubert Symphony–I think the strings were playing in the key of “W” minor. That key in particular is the key that will get any conductor to start screaming “WHY ME—I SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN BERLIN, BUT I NOOOO, I INSISTED IN MOVING TO TEXAS.” See, after a bufu practice like that, you need the comraderie—-good friends that understand.
So, I encourage each one of you to reach out, make some friends, learn a little–and have a lot of fun!
Class, some of you may know this already, but what is the definition of the term “cadenza”? Here it is:
Virtuosic solo passage in the manner of an improvisation, performed near the end of an aria or a movement of a concerto.
Such as, in Beethoven’s Violin Concerto there are writers that have written different versions of “cadenzas” for the Concerto—look it up and give it a listen—it’s pretty neat!
