This week we celebrate my favorite instrument the trumpet by discussing its history and its transformation into the instrument we play today.
Does Music Affect Your Mood?
Have you ever had a time in your life where one song / artist seemed to be the soundtrack of that season? And now every time you go back there in your memory, your brain can’t help but to play that music in the background?
Think about what was going on in that memory; Where were you? Who were you with? What did you feel? If you indulged me and followed along, you probably can easily equate the sense of emotion of that season with the music of that season.
The Origins of that Spooky Melody You've Heard a Million Times
It’s finally October, and as the leaves change and the air turns colder, we’re getting in the mood for the beloved fall holiday Halloween. Although you may have already curated a list of spooky tunes for yourself, you might be interested to know that the tradition of spooky music goes back for centuries to a plainchant written in the 1200s. This haunting melody, known as the Dies Irae, has frightened and enthralled listeners for centuries, establishing itself as a harbinger of death and doom from Medieval times until today.
Celebrating Black Musicians: Louis Armstrong
Taking "Old" Out of Classical: How to Inspire Students’ Love for Classical Music
Classical Music? Isn’t that OLD-people music? The loud groans I used to hear in a classroom, or the rolled eyes at the piano bench often asked that question without even saying a word. Often, in my middle school classes, I would start to “rap” a Nas beat and then sing the beginning of “Fur Elise” within that beat. My students would then say, “Hey I know that song!” My response? “Then you know classical music!”
When the Music Ends: Reflections on a Musician Who Walked Away
Maybe it’s a piano you haven’t touched in years or a clarinet from high school that’s collecting dust in your closet. Many of us (myself included) share the story of giving up on a musical instrument. You may blame your failure to stick with it on a lack of talent or interest, but you might be surprised to learn that even highly successful professional musicians have packed up their instruments and walked away.
