If I had a dollar for every time someone said "I'm bringing real music back"... I'd have about 20 dollars. Meager accumulation of funds aside, I do hear a lot of complaints about radio music sucks, how Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and a slew of other today's artist don't sing, have crappy music and are just cookie cutter cronies. However, I'd like to point out that many of these artists are selling millions of singles, so someone must like it, which is their signal to keep doing this, because if it ain't broke don't fix it. Okay, that's the last cliche, I promise. I agree it makes it hard to find new music and find music that's innovative.
I'd like to hearken back to the 18th century, J.S. Bach has just completed the Minuet in C minor for harpsichord, and point out that the simple fact of calling it a "Minuet", a name used in hundreds of works, let's you know that there are rules and a structure. There was even a dance that went along to the minuet, in the same exact way that a DJ enjoys spinning songs that people can easily dance to and are easy to put into their mix.
My point is that music has almost always been about a specific structure. The greatest composers create unexpected turns out of an expected set of foundations. The most talented can make a song both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time to give the listener what they want and also had no idea it existed. It's the juxtaposition of those emotions delivered aurally that pleases an audience, which is why so much mainstream music sounds alike. Their audience is in millions, so their goal is to be able to be absorbed by the general public.
So, if you feel that today's radio music is crap and you're tired of listening to your stale iTunes library, but don't know how to find new music. Try these things out, and quit your bellyaching of how much today's music sucks... LOL!
iTunes 8 Genius - Right click a song in your iTunes library and pick Start Genius
The Filter - Go to http://www.thefilter.com which uses a music algorithm to find you new stuff
Shazam it - 3. Download Shazam for your phone, if you hear something you like, Shazam it and look at "Recommendations"
Awdio - 4. Go to Awdio.com which will let you stream music from clubs, and tag what you like.
SoundCloud - Open a SoundCloud account and let them bring you music from artists all over the world based upon other artists you like.
HypeMachine - This site crawl's the blogosphere finding all types of little music nuggets you've never heard of before.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Free lessons...
Yes, so I just used a headline to make you want to look at my blog post, however, it's not just a gimmick. I want you to join/like my fan page on Facebook. Here are three reasons why you'll love it:
1. You'll get free lessons.
Yup, just that simple. I put free lessons on the Facebook page, and you can check 'em out and see if you're ready for real private lessons. But you can check out the free lessons and learn as much as you want.
2. Stay up on your current music news
So, I sit at home scouring the net for all the latest stuff going on in the music world, the latest sound and newest music. You every wonder what makes the Imagine Dragons the hottest Alternative rock band of the decade? Me too.
3. Need tracks? Got that too...
Stay up on the new music that becomes available if you're in the market for tracks for your music project. Also, I'll cut deals periodically to give away some for free sometimes. Everybody likes free.
So, as you see, you can benefit from jumping on the Kognate bandwagon and hanging out virtually with your boy. I've been active on there for quite a time, so check it out: http://www.facebook.com/kognateLLC.com
1. You'll get free lessons.
Yup, just that simple. I put free lessons on the Facebook page, and you can check 'em out and see if you're ready for real private lessons. But you can check out the free lessons and learn as much as you want.
2. Stay up on your current music news
So, I sit at home scouring the net for all the latest stuff going on in the music world, the latest sound and newest music. You every wonder what makes the Imagine Dragons the hottest Alternative rock band of the decade? Me too.
3. Need tracks? Got that too...
Stay up on the new music that becomes available if you're in the market for tracks for your music project. Also, I'll cut deals periodically to give away some for free sometimes. Everybody likes free.
So, as you see, you can benefit from jumping on the Kognate bandwagon and hanging out virtually with your boy. I've been active on there for quite a time, so check it out: http://www.facebook.com/kognateLLC.com
Lohan, Cyrus, Prince, and Isley... what they all have in common
So, the VMAs were last night, and every one is up in arms about Hannah Montana sticking her tongue out and shaking a non-existent backside. That girl is twerking nothin but bones, but that's not the point. The point is the transformation and everyone's commentary on it, along with faces contorted at the display of twerk and tongue from the no-ass-atall youngin'. https://twitter.com/graciejenkinss/status/371989237773926400/photo/1
However, I'd like everyone to remember that we are all people who stoop down on the porcelain throne, put our pants on one at a time, and all have awkward moments of growing pangs. Miley is actually a talented young lady who is trying to come into her own. Don't know who remembers this great version of "Lilac Wine" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFZsunzjDXU
So, the VMAs... Cool song, crazy performance that leaves odd feelings of pedophilia and longing for some auto tune. However, good effort at making a show not mind numbingly boring. Every artists who is making new music, longer than 5 years must reinvent themselves in order to stay relevant to the mainstream. Take a look at Prince, Ron Isley, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lindsey Lohan. Any artist must let go of their childhood roles and make new works of art that reflect the time that is most relevant to keep selling new material. Otherwise, your stuck making appearances using old songs, saying old lines and wearing the old clothes.
All of us as human beings have to grow, and rarely any of us want to be remembered as our badly dressed, awkward cussing younger versions of ourselves. I'm sure that as a celebrity and person who makes a living from your brand desires for her image and job opportunities to grow along with her regardless of the path chosen. So, I say this to say, don't be so quick to judge, I'm sure someone has some awkward photos or videos of not so awesome moments... some may be posted on Facebook this very moment... *disapproving stares*
BJ Rice
http://www.facebook.com/kognateLLC
hhtp://www.kognateLLC.com
However, I'd like everyone to remember that we are all people who stoop down on the porcelain throne, put our pants on one at a time, and all have awkward moments of growing pangs. Miley is actually a talented young lady who is trying to come into her own. Don't know who remembers this great version of "Lilac Wine" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFZsunzjDXU
So, the VMAs... Cool song, crazy performance that leaves odd feelings of pedophilia and longing for some auto tune. However, good effort at making a show not mind numbingly boring. Every artists who is making new music, longer than 5 years must reinvent themselves in order to stay relevant to the mainstream. Take a look at Prince, Ron Isley, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lindsey Lohan. Any artist must let go of their childhood roles and make new works of art that reflect the time that is most relevant to keep selling new material. Otherwise, your stuck making appearances using old songs, saying old lines and wearing the old clothes.
All of us as human beings have to grow, and rarely any of us want to be remembered as our badly dressed, awkward cussing younger versions of ourselves. I'm sure that as a celebrity and person who makes a living from your brand desires for her image and job opportunities to grow along with her regardless of the path chosen. So, I say this to say, don't be so quick to judge, I'm sure someone has some awkward photos or videos of not so awesome moments... some may be posted on Facebook this very moment... *disapproving stares*
BJ Rice
http://www.facebook.com/kognateLLC
hhtp://www.kognateLLC.com
Practice, practice, practice...
One thing I hear as a full time musician and piano teacher is people always want to know how much to practice. When I was younger, my piano teacher, Joseph Price, told me to practice a full 30 minutes every day, and that he would practice so long as a child that his mother would literally pay him to stop playing.
At the time, I was 7 or 8 years old and as my mother can attest, I was not very good at practicing. I learned about three short classical pieces before moving on to gospel music and jazz, so I can identify 100% with children who don't want to play classical music. I try not to force it down their throats, while also introducing them to its finer points and showing them the things that they can learn from it.
To wrap things up, I get it that making a child practice is difficult, however, it also is an unfortunately reality that children will not consistently practice on their own. Learning an instrument is like growing into a good marriage. Sometimes the "in love" feeling will carry you through the tough times. Sometimes, it's going to take hard work and making yourself go through the things you don't really want to go through. Kids will sometimes want to practice, but don't count on that being what's going to push that child to become a great musician. Teaching a child to play an instrument, something that takes years of study, is an activity for the parent and the child, because I can only be there once a week to inspire them, the rest is up to you and him or her.
At the time, I was 7 or 8 years old and as my mother can attest, I was not very good at practicing. I learned about three short classical pieces before moving on to gospel music and jazz, so I can identify 100% with children who don't want to play classical music. I try not to force it down their throats, while also introducing them to its finer points and showing them the things that they can learn from it.
To wrap things up, I get it that making a child practice is difficult, however, it also is an unfortunately reality that children will not consistently practice on their own. Learning an instrument is like growing into a good marriage. Sometimes the "in love" feeling will carry you through the tough times. Sometimes, it's going to take hard work and making yourself go through the things you don't really want to go through. Kids will sometimes want to practice, but don't count on that being what's going to push that child to become a great musician. Teaching a child to play an instrument, something that takes years of study, is an activity for the parent and the child, because I can only be there once a week to inspire them, the rest is up to you and him or her.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
She just won't practice! How to make practice fun...
I've been dealing with some students who've been having some really hard times practicing. I have one student who decided she wanted to play guitar, after some questioning, mainly because piano was becoming too hard.
Once a student passes the "Twinkle, twinkle little star" stage, the piano becomes a little harder to do. There are separate rhythms and finger positions in the two hands. Admittedly, it's a lot to process especially when you feel like you should be able to. So, as a parent, it's best that you don't say negative things like, "you should be able to do that by now..." or "..you're not doing so well anymore.." or anything like this that may not seem damaging but it's pretty much death to the child's ego.
I'm not saying that you should give false praise, however, it is best to reward the effort. So, here are some things that you, the parent, can do to make practicing more fun.
1. THE PRACTICE JAR - Get a class container, paint measurement lines on the jar and paint some beans. Each time that the child practices, place bean in the jar. When the beans reach one of the measurement lines, he or she gets some type of prize or reward. It could be their favorite candy, a trip to their favorite place, or the prizes can change.
2. SING A LONG - Many of the songs have lyrics, so sing a long. While your child practices, come sing while they play, when they're ready. Mom or dad singing the song is "the prize" for playing the song correctly.
3. SWITCH IT UP - Most of the time, practicing can be boring because it's the same song, the same way. Sometimes, it's best just to get it out. To get the notes, and then play it like you want, however you want and as loud as you want. As the teacher, I can come and make sure they know and understand the "written way" but sometimes it's just fun to bang on the piano and get through the song.
Doing a couple of these or all of these will make practicing more fun. Typically, I stop stressing practice so much when the student is losing interest and we focus more on "fun" music that they know to get the interest back, and then we'll return to the scholarly work of music after the interest has returned while maintaining the interest level with songs and activities.
Remember, music doesn't have to be boring! There's music value in Pop, Hip Hop, Folk and all other styles.
Once a student passes the "Twinkle, twinkle little star" stage, the piano becomes a little harder to do. There are separate rhythms and finger positions in the two hands. Admittedly, it's a lot to process especially when you feel like you should be able to. So, as a parent, it's best that you don't say negative things like, "you should be able to do that by now..." or "..you're not doing so well anymore.." or anything like this that may not seem damaging but it's pretty much death to the child's ego.
I'm not saying that you should give false praise, however, it is best to reward the effort. So, here are some things that you, the parent, can do to make practicing more fun.
1. THE PRACTICE JAR - Get a class container, paint measurement lines on the jar and paint some beans. Each time that the child practices, place bean in the jar. When the beans reach one of the measurement lines, he or she gets some type of prize or reward. It could be their favorite candy, a trip to their favorite place, or the prizes can change.
2. SING A LONG - Many of the songs have lyrics, so sing a long. While your child practices, come sing while they play, when they're ready. Mom or dad singing the song is "the prize" for playing the song correctly.
3. SWITCH IT UP - Most of the time, practicing can be boring because it's the same song, the same way. Sometimes, it's best just to get it out. To get the notes, and then play it like you want, however you want and as loud as you want. As the teacher, I can come and make sure they know and understand the "written way" but sometimes it's just fun to bang on the piano and get through the song.
Doing a couple of these or all of these will make practicing more fun. Typically, I stop stressing practice so much when the student is losing interest and we focus more on "fun" music that they know to get the interest back, and then we'll return to the scholarly work of music after the interest has returned while maintaining the interest level with songs and activities.
Remember, music doesn't have to be boring! There's music value in Pop, Hip Hop, Folk and all other styles.
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