In my last post, I discussed some ways in which poetry and music are alike. In the course of my discussion, I referenced Leonard Bernstein's Norton Lectures. Today I merely wish to follow up on that reference, by providing you with a video of one of those lectures. It is in all nearly 3 hours … Continue reading More on Poetry and Music
Author: mramusicplace
How Is Music Like Poetry?
We all know that music is comprised of sound; however, many have argued that all sound is not music. Stravinsky advanced this view convincingly when he explained that when we simply hear the rustle of leaves or the sound of a brook, we are not hearing music nor are we utilizing musical ability to hear … Continue reading How Is Music Like Poetry?
Arranging and Expressive Intent
When musicians prepare for a performance, there are countless decisions that are made and problems that are solved. Most often, a composer and an arranger have made many artistic decisions, and indicated them in the score. Dynamics, articulation, tempo and who sings or plays what are all mapped out. Though printed music certainly doesn't play … Continue reading Arranging and Expressive Intent
When Planning Music Lessons, Watch Your Language
Experienced teachers know that words matter, and that when writing out a lesson plan, the more specific our language is, the better for us and our students. For example, a teacher might write that students will be able to discuss the use of dynamics in Mozart's overture from The Marriage of Figaro. This objective specifies exactly … Continue reading When Planning Music Lessons, Watch Your Language
More on Learning Objectives
No matter what we do, having a target in mind is essential. If we don't know what we are trying to accomplish, nothing but sheer luck can bring our endeavor to a successful conclusion. In fact, without a target, we can't even know what success is or how to recognize we have succeeded. This goes … Continue reading More on Learning Objectives
Why Do Instrumental Music Students Have So Much Trouble With Rhythm?
When I was a band director, I often wondered why it was that drum students so often had so much trouble with rhythm. For the most part, they didn't have to learn how to read pitches, they had no fingerings to learn, no embouchure to form. All they had to do was hold a stick … Continue reading Why Do Instrumental Music Students Have So Much Trouble With Rhythm?
Conquering Stage Fright
Anyone who is a performing musician, and in fact anyone who has given a speech or presented anything in front of an audience, has probably experienced what is commonly referred to as "stage fright." At its core, stage fright is the fear of making mistakes or failing publicly. I for one have accepted a certain … Continue reading Conquering Stage Fright
Music Is To Be Seen and Heard
Amid a generation of music listeners who have rarely or never experienced live music, the sonically perfect recorded version, the product of many takes and extensive engineering, is the only kind of music they know. Recordings are so perfect that even if one hears performing artists live, they are either incapable of matching their studio … Continue reading Music Is To Be Seen and Heard
Two Kinds of Learning for Going Deeper With Music
This morning, I played William Walton's "Crown Imperial March" for my seventh graders. I asked them to listen to the music and then tell me what they thought was being expressed through the music. As often happens, several students gave answers that were responses to the music, but were not answers to the question I … Continue reading Two Kinds of Learning for Going Deeper With Music
There’s Always So Much Going On Inside Music
Until I got to college and began working on my music degree, I thought music was a pretty simple thing. There were people like me who sat in a band with a clarinet, and people like the conductor who told me and all of the other players what to play, and how to play it. … Continue reading There’s Always So Much Going On Inside Music
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