Trashy Pearls | My Music Blog

Archive for June, 2009

If you are interested in learning to play new music and you are somewhat familiar with reading sheet music then there are techniques that will help you pick up new songs more quickly. The definition of sight reading is as simple as it sounds. You are able to play new music by reading the sheet music that corresponds to that piece. While you do need a bit of prior knowledge to understand the notation and structure you will find that it can be much easier than you might think.

Playing music can be somewhat physical, but the majority of the work is actually mental. Also, just because you might be a very good musician on your chosen instrument there is no guarantee that you can sight read. There have been many very famous musicians who could not read the first note. On some of the more difficult pieces an artist may take months of work to get the hardest parts right. One very important part of sight reading can be the ability to either sight harmonize or improvise.

When you reach a very difficult part and are unsure how to proceed it is at times acceptable to adapt the score to your current ability level. This is known as improvisation. It may also be that you feel that you would have a greater impact on your audience with a few changes here and there in the score. Both of these are decent arguments as to why improvisation can be a very important tool for the budding musician. Another very powerful tool is the ability to play by ear.

Playing by ear involves hearing a piece and then being able to emulate the performance with your chosen instrument. Some performers will read along with the sheet music while they listen so that they can get a better feel for what the sheet music is saying about how the performance should sound. Others will never have to look at the first piece of music. They are able to pick up an instrument and immediately be able to play back the piece.

It will help you to sight read if you are familiar with intervals, chords, scales and keys. You should also understand the importance of harmony and counterpoint as well as musical grammar. All sheet music is written in its own language. This language is organized by its own patterns of symmetry and principles as well. Take a chord for example, without understanding how to read one how would people have ever learned to play them other than the very limited method of passing them on to others by manual teaching techniques?

The very first thing you will need besides basic understanding of musical theory is thorough familiarity with your instrument. This will ensure that you know where the chords you are seeking can be quickly found. The next things you should be familiar with are the large scales and how to recognize them in a piece. If you can read the rhythms and hear them in your head you can more easily repeat the pattern once you begin to play. Always look forward as well.

If you stop to look back at notes you have already played, or possibly missed, you will find yourself missing more of the upcoming pieces as well. Finally, if you are a novice you should not try to sight read a piece that is much more advanced than your personal level. It can be extremely difficult and may lead to much aggravation. If you will follow these bits of advice you will soon find yourself sitting down to a new piece of sheet music and feeling much more confident about your ability to play it.

 

As one of the world’s authorities on music and exercise many people ask me about music in relation to exercise on numerous occasions so I thought I would outline some points to help you understand the benefits of music in exercise.

 

Music is a motivator. If you use music with your workout it has been shown to help you reach that goal more effectively. Let’s face it are you one of these people that has your MP3 player strapped to your ears when you go jogging or even just training in the Gym. This has become an all too familiar sight nowadays and will continue to be.

 

I can remember walking down the street with a, what is classed as big, Sony Walkman strapped to my hip and jogging with that, now we jog with music players that are as small as a key fob if not smaller. These are players but what about the content on the player?

 

The world’s top Fitness instructors use music that motivates them and their clients and once again it has been proven that this adds to the success of goal orientated fitness. In classes of energy enthused individuals music is key, I use my favorite tracks that make me want to dance and train harder and even using music that people can recognise has its benefits. Seeing people singing along in a fitness class adds to the whole picture of increased motivation and something very special  . . Yep! Fun & enjoyment!

 

Whatever your music taste history has found that you will be more “in the zone” if you have your favorite genre of music in the air around you, for example the era of disco house music was mine.

I loved the way those tunes brought life to my world and I would teach fitness all day and dance all night at clubs to the same music. Boy was I mad then, but I was fuelled on the music, it was great. I would be hard pushed to try to create that feeling with text but I am sure a lot of you would fully understand what I am talking about.

 

Maybe you were an 80’s chic and loved all that Duran Duran style or a rock chic with Queen, it really does not matter because the goal was the same we were excited and we would go anywhere to hear our heroes and it would give us a feeling of fun and energy.

 

So take my advice and use music that motivated you in more ways that you can imagine because this is where you can get added power in exercise. If you are a teacher for group exercise then think about your class and make a choice that would let that hidden power come alive. Music can actually make you become healthier, have you ever thought about that? People use music naturally for aerobic, strength, stretch, relaxation and even yoga and Pilates – oh and don’t forget jogging.

Music is the new natural exercise pick you up so use it and let’s make the world a better place.

 

HAPPY EXCERCISING TO MUSIC OF YOUR CHOICE

 

 

Are you interested in joining the YouTube community?  If you are, you will need to register for a free YouTube membership account. To register, you need to fill out a short form, which will ask you a few personal questions. In a matter of minutes, you can be on your way to rating or reviewing the YouTube videos you watch or even uploading your own videos!  How fun does that sound?

Although YouTube is a lot of fun, whether you are only interested in watching videos or if you want to upload your own, YouTube, like all other online websites, has a number of rules and restrictions.  It is not only important that you know those rules, but that you follow them, as there are a number of consequences for not.  Just a few of the rules enforced on YouTube are outlined below.

If you are only interested in watching YouTube videos, not necessarily uploading your own, you will find that there are less rules and restrictions for you.  One of the most common rules surrounds registering for a free YouTube account.  Only a minimal amount of personal information is asked of you, like your name, country, zip code, birth date, and gender, but you are advised to be truthful.  Also, there is no need for you to create multiple YouTube accounts.  Should you forget your YouTube login information, you should be able to follow YouTube’s instructions to retrieve your YouTube sign in name, as well as your password.

Another rule that many YouTube video watchers have to follow concerns leaving comments on YouTube video pages or participating in the YouTube forums.  Whenever you leave comments for a YouTube video submitter, you are advised to use your best judgment.  Of course, you are able to leave negative feedback, if you want, but you are advised to do so in a tasteful matter.  You will want to avoid foul language and definitely do not threaten any other YouTube members.  Doing so, will likely not only get your message revoked, but you may also have your YouTube account suspended.

As it was previously mentioned, if you are planning on uploading videos to YouTube and sharing them with other internet users, you are more likely to find a larger number of rules to follow.  One of those rules involves the content of your video.  You are advised against posting content that is illegal in nature.  YouTube encourages you to use caution when making your videos, as you never really know who will be watching them. For instance, now many police departments are starting to use the internet to help them solve crimes. So, not only do you have to worry about online predators viewing your YouTube videos, but you also have to worry about law enforcement doing the same thing.

In connection with your YouTube video content, you also need to make sure that your video content is actually yours.  In recent times, there have been many instances where YouTube made it on the news for having a large number of copyright materials on their website.  This is illegal.  You will want to make sure that videos you post online were actually made by you.  Before using music clips, television clips, or movie clips, you need to get permission to do so. If you fail to get permission, you are, essentially, stealing someone’s work. 

The above mentioned rules are just a few of the many that you may be expected to follow when using YouTube.  As it was stated above, one consequence to violating the YouTube rules is having your account suspended.  If you submitted a video that went against YouTube’s guidelines, your video may be removed.  Should you be caught committing a crime, whether it be using drugs, drinking underage, or taping a robbery, you may also be prosecuted for your actions.  That is why, for your own safety and wellbeing, you not only need to know all of YouTube’s rules, but you also follow them at all times.