It’s been one month since we began our after school rehearsals, so it’s about time for some videos! Below you’ll find two videos: We Dance, and Mama Will Provide. Be sure you watch to see how the entire dance looks, and also how you fit into the big picture. These videos are password protected, so you’re the only people who can see the footage. The password to access these videos is: ooti2011. Enjoy!
Category Archives: Video
Scales and Keys
We’ve officially begun the IB Music program here at Greenville, and I’m going to celebrate the groundbreaking with my first IB post!
Today in class we experimented with the “major scale sound” and started to work our way around the piano keyboard. I’ve found a helpful video for those of you looking for some reinforcement, or a refresher on reading pitches on the staff. A few students are still struggling with bass clef, and I’ve included an activity to help you.
First, a video about scales and the keyboard. Feel free to click on the keyboard beneath the video for practice.
Spend some time with the following challenges to hone in your keyboard and note reading skills. Follow these links:
- See how many piano keys you can identify accurately in 60 seconds. If you get less than 10, keep practicing. I got 26 correct without half trying, so see if you can beat me.
- See how many pitches you can identify accurately in 60 seconds. If you get less than 15, keep practicing. Try to beat 28 (I used the computer keyboard to be speedy).
I reserve the right to spring a quiz on you any day now, without warning. Feel free to comment and leave your score, I’m curious who can get the best “60 second score!”
Have fun!
Anything Goes Videos
Here are the highly anticipated dance videos! You can watch these in HD on the Vimeo website if you follow the links above each video. To view a video full-screen, just click the arrows next to the VIMEO logo in the lower right of the video. The case-sensitive password to access these videos is American; feel free to leave comments, constructive suggestions for improvement, or compliments on my use of a semicolon.
Grad School 1
I’ve decided to update the ol’ blog now that the first full week of summer vacation is approaching completion. It’s only been in grad classes for 5 days, but I’ve already learned a lot about scholarly writing techniques, music indexing and references, and ear training exercises. The ear training has been fantastic and I’m constantly being challenged to improve my perception and expand my talents. It’s a lot lot lot of work – I’m busy from 8:00 AM until 10:00 PM – but it’s work I love. As many of you know I had 5 hours of tests to take on my first day here in Hartford. I’m proud to report that I tested out of all 7 history and theory review classes. Out of 26 first-year students, I am the only one who passed everything, so I’ve been working very hard to stay at the top of the class!
One of my current projects is writing a paper on absolute (or ‘perfect’) pitch. Basically, absolute pitch (AP) is the ability to sing and identify any note independent of a song or melody. For example, can you sing an F# on command? I certainly can’t, and about 9,999 out of 10,000 people are in the same boat. Here is a video of that one in 10,000 person who has this astounding ability
[kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/kim2ZVa4X3Y&hl=en” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]
Cool, huh? She’s only 8 years old and I can’t help but imagine her saying “Owch, Charlie, that really hurt!” in a little pipsqueak British accent. You might think her young age makes her talent more incredible, but AP becomes harder to develop as you get older.
My research paper (as of today) is hopefully going to identify all the genetic, environmental, cultural, physical, and musical elements that combine to help a person develop AP. I already have some promising leads and I’ll keep you updated as I progress. Happy 4th of July!
The Lost Sheep (1979)
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/MzPYgA8GgHM&hl=en" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
There is no way I can effectively describe this musical performance. You will just have to experience it for yourself. This man is either ahead of his time or completely insane.