Most people don't like change. A lot of people who have been Finale users, some for twenty-some years, don't like having to change from Finale to something else. To be honest, when I first heard that Finale was being phased out, I was upset, and even felt betrayed. What of all those over one thousand … Continue reading Top Features of Dorico Pro 5 for Former Finale Users
Instrumental Music
The Importance of Musicianship in Learning to Play an Instrument
Robert Adams Learning to play a musical instrument, or to sing, with a high level of musicianship takes lots of training, practice , and listening. A student will take lessons in school and attend music classes beginning in early elementary school, and continuing through middle school, if not further. Through it all, music teachers will … Continue reading The Importance of Musicianship in Learning to Play an Instrument
Why Do Grand Pianos Sound So Grand
by Aidan Whelan, guest author Grand pianos are prized for their magnificent sound. What makes these instruments sound so extraordinary? Why do grand pianos sound so full and rich? What makes their tone so penetrating and robust? Pianos come in all shapes and sizes, so why don’t all pianos, big ones and small ones alike, … Continue reading Why Do Grand Pianos Sound So Grand
Conducting Is A Visual Art
When I think of the many conductors I have played for, three kinds come to mind. One is the talker. This conductor explains everything before allowing anyone to play or sing. They like to "talk through" the piece, drawing our attention to all of the details they want us to play or sing in a … Continue reading Conducting Is A Visual Art
What Is An Effective Approach To Memorization?
Playing music from memory is an interesting subject. At times, it is disparaged under the guise of playing by rote, Asia learning to play a piece of music by hearing many times produces a inferior quality of musicianship. Aside from the obvious slight to the method that bears the name Suzuki, those to hold that … Continue reading What Is An Effective Approach To Memorization?
What Do Dynamics in Music Mean?
I recently came across an illustration of a relationship between dynamic markings in music and the emotions they may elicit. These relationships were presented in a table which I’ve included below. I immediately realized that all of the “suggested emotions” were positive. There was no anger, or fright, or grief. Are the only emotions we … Continue reading What Do Dynamics in Music Mean?
What’s A Concert Audience to Do?
How should concert audiences be expected to behave? Recent events at concerts have quickly brought this question to prominence. For quite a long time, there has been a distinction between what is and what isn’t allowed at a concert, depending on the genre of music being performed. Audiences at a symphony orchestra, opera, or ballet … Continue reading What’s A Concert Audience to Do?
Why following the beat isn’t always a good idea
If you're a music director of a performing ensemble, I'm sure you've said it to your musicians many times. Follow me. Stay with the beat. After all, that's one of the reasons they have you, the conductor, standing up there in the first place, right? You're up there to keep everybody together, and the way … Continue reading Why following the beat isn’t always a good idea
Are You Fluent in Music?
I inhabit a world of my own. I always have. Sitting on the school bus on the way to school, I remember retreating into that world, which consisted of me constantly humming softly. I was humming nothing in particular, just mindlessly humming whatever came to mind. There was an older boy who made a point … Continue reading Are You Fluent in Music?
A Different Kind of Music Advocacy
Music advocates, and who isn’t one that reads this blog, are sometimes like that child in a class that always strenuously raises their hand—“ooh, ooh, ooh, call on me, call on me,” but is rarely called on because either that child is always answering questions, not giving anyone else a chance to answer and learn, … Continue reading A Different Kind of Music Advocacy
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