tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-98940982024-03-16T01:49:16.663-04:00Notes on Music Creation, Education and PerformanceJohn Churchville's reflections, resources and musings about music and music education.John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.comBlogger177125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-31002285876460722202019-11-01T11:40:00.001-04:002019-11-01T11:40:10.083-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Music Metaphor #1 - Driving over Potholes<br />
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When one is driving a car down the road, occasionally there will be potholes in the path. If you are lucky, you can see it coming and avoid driving over it. Should you drive over the pothole, do not hit the breaks or turn the wheel suddenly, just continue driving. Most of the time, you and your vehicle will be just fine and you may continue driving as if nothing happened. Occasionally, the pothole is large enough that it could cause some damage...a blown tire, or damage to the shocks. You may still be able to drive, but you will want to work on fixing those issues as a top priority. Under no circumstances is it necessary for you to stop the car, back up and try to avoid the pothole in a second attempt. It is best to continue driving and stay aware of any upcoming potholes.<br />
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Now, do the same when you perform music. The road is the music you are playing, the instrument is your car, and the potholes are the inevitable mistakes. When you make a mistake, keep playing. Stay straight, focused on staying in the music and moving forward. If the mistake is so bad it knocks you out of the flow of the music, you need to address it and keep playing, but remember that the music itself does not change course or stop flowing. Learn to stay in the flow of music no matter what potholes come your way. As you keep driving forward, you will get better at avoiding potholes, and not letting mistakes knock you off our path. </div>
John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-47216007786278560022019-11-01T11:24:00.004-04:002019-11-01T11:24:59.379-04:00The Students I Teach<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>The students I teach are:</b><br />
young.<br />
old.<br />
in highschool.<br />
going to the university.<br />
post-docs.<br />
scholars.<br />
doctors.<br />
engineers.<br />
professional musicians.<br />
beginning musicians.<br />
immigrants.<br />
in the US on a visa.<br />
growing up in the city they were born in.<br />
never went to school.<br />
homeschooled.<br />
adopted.<br />
transient.<br />
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<b>The students I teach have...</b><br />
survived cancer<br />
had suicidal thoughts<br />
transformed their identity<br />
never considered themselves musicians.<br />
always considered themselves musicians.<br />
struggled with severe anxiety.<br />
survived the loss of a loved one.<br />
trouble sleeping at night.<br />
considered being a rock star.<br />
tried and failed many times before.<br />
refused to give up.<br />
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<b>The Students I teach possess...</b><br />
desire<br />
passion<br />
fear<br />
confidence<br />
good ideas<br />
bad ideas<br />
doubts<br />
creativity<br />
potential<br />
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<b>If there is one thing I have learned from every student I teach is that I have something to learn from every student I teach.</b><br />
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John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-50285525476287689502017-01-10T17:05:00.000-05:002017-02-03T20:42:26.046-05:00Soundtrap - Game Changing Technology for Music Education, Collaboration and Creation <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Adopting new technology for a music program is an exciting and daunting process. I have always been fascinated with the fact that all of these amazing technologies exist all around us, yet the issues with implementing them have always been the same...What's the learning curve? How much does it cost? Will it work on our devices? Does it provide a safe environment for my students? Is it really worth all the trouble?!? <br />
For the last decade, I've logged more false starts, miss-steps and troubleshooting hours than I care to admit and I have worked hard to find solutions that allowed my students to learn, be creative, collaborate and share their work. I am happy to say that I have found a program that has delivered to me a simple solution that has opened the floodgates of creativity and collaboration in my music program, while at the same time freed up my time and allowed me to work on a much more substantive level with more students than ever before. (Yes, it is that good!). The solution is Soundtrap.com<br />
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<a href="https://www.soundtrap.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-19DK0PkVry4/WHUXrXHiYjI/AAAAAAAAPO4/28Y7IDQ7aw0DIDZvcE1cRw2P81TVpjA6ACK4B/s320/6a00d83451b36c69e201b8d12fb9b2970c-600wi.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.soundtrap.com/edu/" target="_blank">Soundtrap</a> has been one of the most useful, impactful, simple and productive tools I have ever adopted in my classroom. It is a fully online, multi-track recording application that has tools for (<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule" target="_blank">COPPA compliant</a>) collaboration, creating original music using both loops and live recording, and a whole bevy of effects and sound 'enhancers', and integration with other apps like <a href="https://classroom.google.com/" target="_blank">Google Classroom</a> and <a href="https://apps.musedlab.org/groovepizza/" target="_blank">Groove Pizza</a>. We have used <a href="https://www.soundtrap.com/edu/" target="_blank">Soundtrap</a> to record our live concerts, voice overs for video, original music by Lower Elementary students, rehearsals, and concert announcements. As a teacher, I have used the loops to teach lessons on structure, chord progressions, effects (reverb, compression, equalization, etc.).<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktY3lpQaqkY/WHVADEAetpI/AAAAAAAAPPI/q30mpOTrFdIKPaCgdhaVuvhZLI6fe8hEQCK4B/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktY3lpQaqkY/WHVADEAetpI/AAAAAAAAPPI/q30mpOTrFdIKPaCgdhaVuvhZLI6fe8hEQCK4B/s320/IMG_0719.JPG" width="320" /></a> I can not overstate how much this application has enhanced not only the music program, but the entire community at our school. In the past, I spent a lot of time making sure the computers were up to date, the programs were compatible, and the storage of files was organized and students had a finite time and place that was available for them to work on their music, however, <a href="https://www.soundtrap.com/" target="_blank">Soundtrap</a> has taken all of those barriers away. In addition, it is very user friendly. I have students tell me all the time how much easier <a href="https://www.soundtrap.com/" target="_blank">Soundtrap</a> is to use than a program like Garage Band. The collaboration feature is really what gets the students excited. They love to start a session, invite their friends, (and sometimes even their teacher), and get to work. They play their music for each other on their personal devices, share them through e-mail, and submit them to be part of our end of the year school-wide album.</div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0gy_0RcwSw/WHVBFzidJeI/AAAAAAAAPPU/xvMW4Vvzdyg0eegthRNxBmlKRqWXtqBkACK4B/s1600/IMG_0665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0gy_0RcwSw/WHVBFzidJeI/AAAAAAAAPPU/xvMW4Vvzdyg0eegthRNxBmlKRqWXtqBkACK4B/s200/IMG_0665.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.soundtrap.com/" target="_blank">Soundtrap</a> works on any device that has an internet connection and I have even been able to connect it to our fancy <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_audio_workstation" target="_blank">DAW</a>'s with little to no trouble. I won't say it has rendered a powerhouse professional grade program like ProTools useless, however, it is no longer necessary, which frees up a lot of my time spent on the updating and troubleshooting that is inherent in a big program. To give you an idea of the quality of the sound, here is an example of a piece of music created on <a href="https://www.soundtrap.com/edu/" target="_blank">Soundtrap</a>:<br />
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<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=848748892/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=997223434/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 50%;"><a href="http://golikethewindmusic.bandcamp.com/album/go-like-the-wind-holiday-music-2016">Go Like The Wind Holiday Music 2016 by Go Like The Wind K-3rd Grade</a></iframe>
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It has allowed more students to create more music than ever before. With more music being created throughout the year, the overall quality of the final products are getting better all the time. Not to mention that once the school year was over, I continue to get notifications of updates to the student's songs throughout the summer break!! <br />
For any music educator/director that is interested in curating a community of creativity through music, I recommend <a href="https://www.soundtrap.com/edu/" target="_blank">Soundtrap for Education</a> for your program. It has been made simple enough for early adoption, but also has enough features to be a one-stop-shop for students.<br />
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Lesson Ideas Using Soundtrap</h3>
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<b>1. Structure lesson - This is a simple lesson that provides a lot of opportunity for discussion and decision making.</b></div>
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<li>Map out the structure of a favorite song. You can be general or specific, (Chorus, Verse, Bridge, etc.), you may even want to count measures.</li>
<li>Once the map is complete, use the loops on Soundtrap to create a new piece using the underlying structure of the chosen song.</li>
<li>Some decisions to be made: Will you use the same tempo? Key? Measure count? How much can the song be changed once the creation process has begun?</li>
<li>Follow up: Compare and contrast the two songs, play the end results for friends and see if they can pick out the elements that were used from one song to the next.</li>
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<b>2. Collaborate with another school</b></div>
This can take many forms. The main idea is that you contact and work with another teacher to ensure the success of your students. For example, in one piece at our school, we had a band teacher from another middle school send us an iPhone recording of his band's warm up. Our students then edited the rehearsal down into usable parts and then created a piece of music using the cut-up audio. Here is the result of that one:<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1178448115/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=298318644/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://golikethewindmusic.bandcamp.com/album/good-time-music">Good Time Music by Go Like The Wind</a></iframe>
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<b>3. Harmonize the Bass Line Lesson.</b></div>
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<li>Give a lesson on harmonizing to a bass line.</li>
<li>Provide a bass-line on Noteflight.com for students to harmonize/write a melody to. Here is an example:</li>
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<iframe 100="" height="230" src="https://www.noteflight.com/embed/e3c3d33f27343e571de18674ed804abf8c4f9540?scale=1" width:="" width="550"></iframe><br /></div>
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<li>Once the student is done and everything sounds good, export the music as a MIDI file.</li>
<li>Drag and drop the MIDI file into Soundtrap, you will get multiple instruments depending on how many voices you use in the score. The tempo should match the setting you had in Noteflight.</li>
<li>Begin using loops and recording to enhance the song. You can also choose different instruments for the voices, (for example, you may want to duplicate and double the melody on two different instruments).</li>
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<b>4. Compose from a <a href="https://apps.musedlab.org/groovepizza/" target="_blank">Groove (Pizza!)</a></b></div>
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<li>Start with a lesson on creating grooves with <a href="https://apps.musedlab.org/groovepizza/" target="_blank">Groove Pizza</a>.</li>
<li>Export the Groove to Soundtrap, (they have made it very easy to do this with a button called "Send to Soundtrap").</li>
<li>Add loops, record instruments, create a song!</li>
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If you have any ideas, want to collaborate, or are interested in learning more, please contact me anytime. I would love to hear from you! Thanks for reading and HAPPY MUSICING!!</div>
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John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-61283403526706726372016-10-12T11:43:00.000-04:002016-10-12T11:47:47.049-04:00Thoughts on Music and 'Presence' in the Music Classroom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Recently I was asked to respond to some questions and ideas for a music education research project. I always love the opportunity to explore the what and why of what I do and so I want to share my responses with you. Hope you enjoy. I would love to hear your thoughts! </span></div>
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<b>How do you describe yourself as a person? </b></div>
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Outgoing, energetic, loquacious, family man, creative, and observational by nature. I seem to function either in the shadows watching and learning, or in a leadership roll. I have done a lot of working with other projects and helping people to achieve success, but lately (the last 2-3 years), I have been consumed with my own projects and work, which includes my family, my career as an educator and my music...(in that order).</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Describe why music is important to you. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> It is important to me because it deals with the fundamental vibrations that affect humankind. I believe the study of music is the study of the human experience as it relates to space and time. I believe an understanding of music leads to a larger understanding of relationships, emotions, feelings, flow, and nature (to name a few). I believe musicians do work with the human soul, on par with that of a surgeon or therapist. The experience of music brings people together (literally) using vibratory frequencies that resonate every part of our physical being. Music is used to sell everything there is to sell, (aside from itself, ironically). It is a vehicle for social change and understanding, which makes it vitally important to understand and administer with good intentions. As a performer and educator dealing in the medium of music, I feel a great responsibility to show people the good that comes from pouring positive physical energy into musical experience.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CeakdbMS3s8/V_5ZkWZ3uiI/AAAAAAAANvU/sHCy31vWf50XtKLBD166scfyz7XiGpCdgCK4B/s1600/IMG_0525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CeakdbMS3s8/V_5ZkWZ3uiI/AAAAAAAANvU/sHCy31vWf50XtKLBD166scfyz7XiGpCdgCK4B/s320/IMG_0525.JPG" width="320" /></a><i>“Presence” in the classroom has been defined as:<br />“a state of alert awareness, receptivity and connectedness to the mental, emotional and physical workings of both the individual and the group in the context of their learning environments and the ability to respond with a considered and compassionate best next step (Rodgers & Raider-Roth, 2006, p. 266) </i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Describe a moment when you felt you had “presence” in the classroom. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> The first month of the school year consists of a massive organizational effort on my part to set up the structure, create the space and empower students to create, observe, practice good habits and communicate. Once this effort has been made, my role in the classroom goes through a rather large shift from leading from the front of the room to sitting on the side, keenly observing, providing the tools, guidance, and praise that is required to keep the students focused, happy, and creative. When class starts and a 4th grade student walks to the front of class full of 4th-8th grade students, gets everyone's attention and starts a warm up, then proceeds to guide the warm-up for the next 15 minutes uninterrupted (by me), I feel the sense of presence as described above. I feel lucky to have this feeling on a daily basis with my students.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Describe a time when you felt a lack of presence in the classroom.</b> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Our school sits on 40 acres of woods and fields. Occasionally a flying bug or a bee will make it's way into the rehearsal space. When this happens students get distracted, pulled off task and they wind up pursuing the solution to the perceived "problem"...do we squish it, or capture it and set it free? Either way they are pulled away from the work at hand and a rift in the classroom dynamic is created. I then feel as though I have to bring the process to an end, reset, and pick back up again. The distractions are not always bug related, they can be from a student who forgot their instrument, or a rift between two students that started before they came to music....Whatever the reason, these distractions pull us out of our present state and require a different sort of attention. I take it as my challenge to keep the flow as much as possible by teaching focus and inspiring good work regardless of setbacks. This is perhaps the biggest daily challenge for any teacher (or, come to think of it, any leader of any kind... a band leader, a kitchen chef or boardroom boss). These are human issues, which I will say again, relate to the importance of studying music...you get to work on these issues in the pursuit of something beautiful. How great is that!?!</span></span></div>
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John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-87291919559051427142016-02-09T11:35:00.000-05:002016-02-09T12:06:47.879-05:00Introducing Sountrap.com to my Students - First Impressions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My school recently (last week) agreed to providing a yearly subscription to Soundtrap.com's new EDU website https://www.soundtrap.com/edu/, which gives all of my students in the Upper Elementary and Middle School grades their own Soundtrap account with unlimited space for projects and access to over 2700 loops. I could not be happier. The simplicity, ease of use and ability to share and collaborate on projects instantly created a huge buzz with the students....I can already see that this was a very good decision.<br />
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<a href="https://www.soundtrap.com/edu/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="58" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKZzace2uRU/VroT120rnaI/AAAAAAAAHKo/NAvbcvhcZfE/s320/url.png" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also see that although this is probably the most powerful creation tool I have been able to offer my students, it does not mean that they will have instant success composing and producing original music that they can share with the world as their own. There are some basic principles and many lessons to teach in order to get them using this technology as a tool to make original music. I will outline some of those here.<br />
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<b>1. Making the leap.</b><br />
My approach with new technology is usually to jump in the deep end and see what happens. So in that spirit, I sent all of my Middle School and Upper El students a link to join and let them go to town. No assignment, no direction. I just open the doors and let them play. I did ask them to share their projects with me. The whole experience has been great, I love getting the message "Evan wants to share his project with you" in my inbox. I can just click and play and hear what they have done within a few seconds. Occasionally I make adjustments, add a part here and there and message them back. All of this happening on the outskirts of actual class/teaching time and it feels like I am hanging out with the students in their domain. Not everyone is on board, but in this case, the students have been getting other students interested and signing on, the snowball effect is apparent.<br />
<b> In hindsight: </b> I may have made some sort of simple assignment that is required in order to get everyone up and running right away, although I can still do that, and now I have some mavericks that can assist in getting the new students up and running.<br />
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<b>2. At first, it is all about the loops.</b><br />
With the Soundtrap Edu account, students have access to a huge loop library. Loops are short snipets of sounds, (2,4,8,or 16 beats long) that have been professionally recorded and mastered and can be placed into a track and repeated as much or little as the user desires. So far, my students are showing a great affinity for the drum and bass loops, which is great. They have a good instinct for the foundational aspects of music creation. There are many many more loops to play with, so it will be interesting to see how they use them. Here is a screenshot of the loop categories:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNS10AbNIUWekCuPbOxohV-Mv3j5V6ni-afukpVm1I9RhfnIjpxPaFPOVCid7iFEWHyHwRkeg5zsxHn32_tp6e0FrYwqiQYpDYSeMoOdzE6KuUKjBXlXG1Hx_V1eAby4f-fx6Nkg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-02-09+at+10.38.07+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNS10AbNIUWekCuPbOxohV-Mv3j5V6ni-afukpVm1I9RhfnIjpxPaFPOVCid7iFEWHyHwRkeg5zsxHn32_tp6e0FrYwqiQYpDYSeMoOdzE6KuUKjBXlXG1Hx_V1eAby4f-fx6Nkg/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-02-09+at+10.38.07+AM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each of these categories contains many many loop choices. So far my students have focused on DRUMS, BEATS and BASS loops. </td></tr>
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<b> </b>Although they are creating wonderful sounding pieces, they are all no more than 8 or 16 measures and there is no harmonic movement. There is also very little in the way of structure, just a wall of loops stacked on each other. Here is another screenshot where you can see the student started right out of the gate stacking loops for 8 measures. I actually extended the piece and put in some sound FX and a heavy "4 on the floor" loop (in green), to elevate the original idea and begin to create some shape (just sharing the picture here, no audio):<br />
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<b>3. Moving forward - First lesson ideas, structure and harmony.</b></div>
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So being one week in, I am already getting an idea of how I can not only provide the students with this amazing tool, but also guide them through a process of creating a song that has complex structure and some harmonic movement. Here are some ideas:</div>
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<b>Mapping Music Lesson:</b></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"> Have the students pick a favorite song, map out the basic structure, then apply that structure to their piece. Here is an example that a student mapped out of one of her favorite songs (the numbers on the right are the length in measures). </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"> She then took this map to Soundtrap.com and began creating loops that matched the length of each part. She decided that 12 measures was too long for the verses, so she shortened them to 8, which is great, all part of the process of taking ownership. <b>The key:</b> She is not making a replica of her favorite song, she is just using the skeleton to create something totally new.</span></div>
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<b>Chord Progression Lesson:</b></div>
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Earlier in the year I gave some lessons on popular chord progressions, I-IV-V-I and the like. Some of my middle school students took these lessons to Noteflight.com (incredible free online music notation software) and wrote some melodies to lay over these simple chord progressions. We then exported the written music as a .MIDI file. I found that if you rename the file to a .MID (take away the I), you can simply drag and drop them into Soundtrap! The different voices in the score automatically became separate tracks, which we could then assign different instruments and sounds to. It also imported all the tempo and key data, which meant we could then add loops and really bring the music to another level. </div>
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As an added bonus, (which I did not see coming)...When the student played the enhanced piece for the string orchestra they immediately asked if they could play it at the next concert. So she printed off the parts and now we will be performing the piece. She will also release the studio version on the next School album!! </div>
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You can visit http://golikethewindmusic.bandcamp.com to hear the last 10 years of original student work from my students at Go Like The Wind School in Ann Arbor, MI. It is already apparent that Soundtrap.com will play a huge role in the next album set to release in June. I could not be more excited, and there is so much more to explore!!</div>
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John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-82406831251719042742015-08-07T09:26:00.001-04:002015-08-07T09:26:41.256-04:00Notes on Music Creation, Education and Performance: NYU IMPACT Conference 2015 - Summary and Reflection<a href="http://johnchurchville.blogspot.com/2015/08/nyu-impact-conference-2015-summary-and.html">Notes on Music Creation, Education and Performance: NYU IMPACT Conference 2015 - Summary and Reflection</a>John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-2866411777785226632015-08-06T16:37:00.004-04:002015-08-06T16:37:35.692-04:00NYU IMPACT Conference 2015 - Summary and Reflection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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What is IMPACT?</span></h2>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5N2glNHe07w/VcNg4hIz_WI/AAAAAAAADZ8/a9PHf4ydYEo/s1600/2015-07-29%2B18.54.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5N2glNHe07w/VcNg4hIz_WI/AAAAAAAADZ8/a9PHf4ydYEo/s200/2015-07-29%2B18.54.36.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The annual Interactive Multimedia Performing Arts Collaborative Technology (IMPACT) Conference held at New York University just wrapped up it's second year and I was very fortunate to have been both a participant and presenter. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-center;">This conference is the brainchild of <a href="http://www.alexruthmann.com/blog1/" target="_blank">Dr. Alex Ruthmann</a>, an alumni of the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), and the creator and current director of the MusicEDLab at NYU. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-center;">If I had to sum up this conference in one sentence I would say it is a gathering of very diverse (yet like-minded) individuals that want to learn about, share, discuss and understand the current state of music making as it relates to education, technology and creativity. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-center;">Overall Summary</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> The underlying current that seemed to permeate the entire experience was empowering students to create in a meaningful and profound way. This idea comes in many forms...composition, improvisation, production, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-center;">recording, notating, engineering, </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-center;">making, hacking and so on...and it is not just an idea to be applied to music alone. As the conference went on, it was clear to me that this was not just about providing students with the tools and opportunities to be creative in music. Strong arguments, coupled with actual real-life examples served to highlight a very important point...as students learn to embrace the many facets of their own creative process, they become self aware and empowered. Fear of the unknown is replaced with a desire to identify problems and solve them. This mindset goes well beyond music making and can transform the way individuals interact with the world, empowering them to find ways to make the world a better place. I am beyond inspired.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Highlights - Welcome Reception</span></span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> At the welcome event on Wednesday evening the first person I talked to was <a href="https://twitter.com/fredposse" target="_blank">Frederik Posse</a> from <a href="http://soundtrap.com/">Soundtrap.com</a>, he was there with one of <a href="http://www.soundtrap.com/" target="_blank">Soundtrap's</a> developers <a href="http://www.ashkan.io/#welcome" target="_blank">Ashkan Fardost</a>. They were both very passionate about the idea of simplifying the creative process of music making for beginning music makers. After trying it out and creating a tune in less than 2 minutes, I can tell you they have done a really fabulous job. Huge loop libraries, the ability to collaborate and share projects, and even in-app video chatting. I came away very impressed. What was just as impressive was the way they listened to feedback from participants and even made changes to the software in real time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The next highlight was touring "the house that Alex built". <a href="http://www.alexruthmann.com/blog1/" target="_blank">Dr. Alex Ruthmann</a> has created an incredible niche within the <a href="http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/music/" target="_blank">NYU Steinhardt Music School</a> called the <a href="http://www.musedlab.org/" target="_blank">MusicEDlab</a>, (ED= 'Experience Design'). The work of the students and faculty in this school is really what IMPACT is all about...innovating new experiences with music production, education, and understanding. What was even more apparent to me however was the collaborative aspect. Just meeting the conference attendees, it was apparent that what was happening at IMPACT affected many facets of the creative world, not just music. On just the first night I met a business man, visual artist, record producer, multiple college professors, software developers and students. Actually, because of the nature of the work, it became difficult to tell which projects belonged to the professors and which came from the students. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Highlights - Day 1</span></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The first day of sessions kicked of with a keynote address by Dr. Kate Stone from <a href="http://novalia.com/">Novalia.com</a>. Her work with paper MIDI was very interesting. They have found a way to print conductive ink to create paper that can generate sounds with just a touch. The highlight was the <a href="http://www.novalia.co.uk/portfolio/dj-qbert-interactive-dj-decks/" target="_blank">virtual DJ scratch turntable</a>!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUxOWjXK1127xYm_BXKY8KgFCgXwu6wHIDZj0LvH8zk4uMRgaLXWg_ACe9LV0pgrppgx0Ef2gpZrOFkWhXLt4WRlvRixgPHrByqTy21eo9MvukaDxu9_qI6G5K8cmxyCO0iDcMg/s1600/2015-07-30+10.12.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUxOWjXK1127xYm_BXKY8KgFCgXwu6wHIDZj0LvH8zk4uMRgaLXWg_ACe9LV0pgrppgx0Ef2gpZrOFkWhXLt4WRlvRixgPHrByqTy21eo9MvukaDxu9_qI6G5K8cmxyCO0iDcMg/s200/2015-07-30+10.12.19.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Of coarse a personal highlight of mine was having the privilege to present my work at <a href="http://golikethewind.com/" target="_blank">Go Like The Wind School</a>. My session was titled <a href="http://prezi.com/lffbcx1wvchv/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share" target="_blank">Curating a Creative Culture</a>. I focused on my philosophy regarding creating music as well as an overview of <a href="http://golikethewindmusic.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">10 years of projects created by GLTW students.</a> I always have a blast presenting on the creative projects by my students and to do it in front of such a like-minded and creative group was a real honor. Not to mention the facilities were state of the art! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> As soon as my session was over, (whew), I dove in to as many presentations as I could. The first was by <a href="http://www.montclair.edu/profilepages/view_profile.php?username=bellad" target="_blank">Adam Bell</a> and it was a hands-on demo of a game he called FX Roulette, which was a very creative way of teaching people how to use and explore Effects Plugins, which are basically programs that add sound and character to existing audio, such as delay, echo and reverb. What I thought was particularly cool about this presentation was the <a href="http://www.classtools.net/" target="_blank">Roulette Wheel</a> he created to choose the FX and how easily all the participants could get in on the game using our own computers with <a href="http://soundtrap.com/" target="_blank">Soundtrap</a>. We were all up and running in less than 10 minutes with all the effects built in to the program. The time flew by.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> After lunch was a group discussion with nearly every presenter and participant sitting in a big circle and discussing a wide array of topics including the use of popular music in the classroom, assessment of creative projects, and what place technology has in teaching music. The camaraderie and conversations surrounding these discussions was perhaps the most stimulating part of this conference. Before the discussion I struck up a conversation with <a href="https://twitter.com/yciw" target="_blank">Matt McLean</a>, the director of the <a href="http://www.yciw.net/1/" target="_blank">Young Composers and Improvisers Workshop</a>. He shared his incredible work with getting young students to compose using <a href="http://noteflight.com/">noteflight.com</a> and then having their compositions played by professional musicians. The best part is that he has figured out how to make his program function as an amazing free resource for New York Public Schools. His enthusiasm for creating music with students is infectious!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6gXuIKsmWiU/VcNab89IbfI/AAAAAAAADZU/5ci3lDqQ86A/s1600/2015-07-30%2B21.07.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6gXuIKsmWiU/VcNab89IbfI/AAAAAAAADZU/5ci3lDqQ86A/s200/2015-07-30%2B21.07.16.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> That evening we were all treated to discounted tickets to see a mind-blowing off-broadway performance called <a href="http://fuerzabruta.com.ar/nyc/" target="_blank">Fuerza Bruta</a>. Without giving it away....all I can say is that it is a wonderful assault on the senses. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was no sitting, everyone was standing much like a rock concert, except the stage was the entire building from wall to wall and floor to ceiling, they used the entire space to create beautiful and artistic performance art complete with intense club-style music and very intricate lighting. I highly recommend it!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Highlights - Day 2</span></span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> The keynote speaker for day 2 was <a href="http://www.hackidemia.com/team/" target="_blank">Stephania Druga, the founder of HaKIDemia</a>, a global foundation with a mission to enable creative making for a social impact. For me, her keynote made clear the significance and power of creative thinking as a globally understood concept. In all of her world travels, with all the language and cultural barriers, she and her team have been able to get students from everywhere thinking creatively and very effectively about real solutions to real problems that affect their communities. It was also great to see how much of her work involved music and sound. It really hit home that music really is a universal medium for communication.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> From there I was lucky to find myself in a session with </span><a href="http://www.ethanhein.com/wp/" style="line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">Ethan Hein</a><span style="line-height: 18px;">, a very passionate and enthusiastic music educator and musician who helped create the <a href="http://www.musedlab.org/" target="_blank">MusEDlab</a>. His session was a hands-on demonstration of a classroom activity that involved students creating music using any common medium, (in our case we used Garage Band). Once we got our pieces started, we had to switch computers and work on our neighbors music, developing it in any way we like. We kept rotating until we made it back to own computer to see the result. I must say, although I consider myself an expert on Garage Band, this lesson really helped me develop my computer skills and think fast. It was all about making quick decisions in a small amount of time and executing them efficiently. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> My favorite part of the session was how Ethan kept asking what we all thought could be done to make this better. It is that constant give and take of ideas that characterizes this conference. The result is that everyone in the room is treated like we are all on an equal pedestal. We come together for however long we have to put our heads together to make something better than it was before. Simple, effective and a great example for how we should be teaching.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> We gathered again in the afternoon for a group discussion and with everyone having been fully immersed in the IMPACT experience, the conversation became even more broad in scope. One participant posed the simple question "Why are we teaching music?". The responses led us down some very interesting paths. </span><a href="http://musicedtech.com/about/barbara/" style="line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">Barbra Friedman</a> gave some great resources on the topic including a reference to the <a href="http://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ977489" target="_blank">Evan Tobias article </a></span></span><span style="line-height: 18.7199993133545px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ977489" target="_blank">Hybrid Spaces and Hyphenated Musicians</a>, as well as the work being done on <a href="http://musiccreativity.org/">musiccreativity.org</a>. Other educators in the room put it out there that musicians just want their music to be heard, implying the importance of students having the ability to create music that is there own. From there we went into the many facets of creating, producing and crafting music. <a href="http://jesusflorido.com/" target="_blank">Jesus Florido</a> shed light on the current struggles that the <a href="https://www.grammy.org/" target="_blank">Grammy</a> folks are having in defining the category of electronic music. The multiple perspectives and point-of-view's in the room was impressive, informative and very encouraging to a teacher that loves to create music with their students!</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18.7199993133545px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The rest of the afternoon I spent sewing. Yes I really mean sewing with a needle and thread, only this thread was conductive and the sewing was akin to laying out a circuit board on fabric. The session was with <a href="https://ryanbledsoe.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Ryan Beldsoe</a> and it involved making fabrics that could do cool stuff like make lights light up and make music play. It was fascinating, fun and added yet another avenue in the world of music creation that I can use to engage students, collaborate with artists and explore new creative possibilities.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SDH4YS6Rqg8/VcNwkHcy0MI/AAAAAAAADaM/3RrMze3Fy8g/s1600/2015-07-31%2B20.16.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SDH4YS6Rqg8/VcNwkHcy0MI/AAAAAAAADaM/3RrMze3Fy8g/s200/2015-07-31%2B20.16.24.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrC_iDZF_oUg8SpViYRUMyrg5m6_FE1cyiJgmwt2zRdgCWDhRTjzInVMCAwoGIXDweKuEwimpf2flY4KSibrivXVselTz7g8Spb9E6swRZnVd-PxaFUu7zAATMwb7CwUa-EDgJQ/s1600/2015-07-31+19.34.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrC_iDZF_oUg8SpViYRUMyrg5m6_FE1cyiJgmwt2zRdgCWDhRTjzInVMCAwoGIXDweKuEwimpf2flY4KSibrivXVselTz7g8Spb9E6swRZnVd-PxaFUu7zAATMwb7CwUa-EDgJQ/s200/2015-07-31+19.34.56.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="line-height: 18.7199993133545px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> That evening it was time to get social! The IMPACT crew set up food, drinks, music and to top it off...a multimedia jam session in the Black Box theater at NYU lead by <a href="http://dance.arts.uci.edu/john-crawford" target="_blank">John Crawford, associate professor of Dance and Media Arts at UC-Irvine</a>. We ate, drank and then wandered into the theater to play music and dance. There was a camera set up that processed the images it took and projected them on a screen in many artistic and interesting ways. People really got into it. It was a fun creative break from all the talk.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> Day 3 opened up with a keynote address by <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/07/05/autistic-students-perform-ipad-band-concert-in-new-york-to-grateful-ears/" target="_blank">Adam Goldberg</a>. He presented on his use of the iPad as a performance instrument. He showcased his use of iPads with his special needs students and the results were very beautiful. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have had students use iPads for performance when they have injured themselves and it has worked great as a substitute for their regular instruement. Adam has taken it to a whole other level. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-center;">The video's he showed really say it best:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-center;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/27061399" target="_blank">http://vimeo.com/27061399</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 28.7999992370605px; text-align: start;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/45527058">http://vimeo.com/45527058</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Perhaps the sweetest experience of the conference came in the first session of the last day. It was with the husband and wife team of <a href="http://www.discogs.com/artist/280861-Francesco-Banchini" target="_blank">Francesco Banchini and Maria Elena Berardi</a>. He is a musician and she is an historian from Italy that teach in Kenya, Africa. What they found when they showed up for work on the first day was absolutely no modern technology to use and create with. All they had was a loop pedal that Francesco had brought with him. Their situation got them thinking about the use of technology for teaching music and how to create "musical thinkers" with whatever was materials were hand and available. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> During the session they walked us through a unit of study that examined pre-historic, medieval, and modern time periods and got us thinking about how music and movement were approached in these times. We then split up in to the three respective groups and created a piece of music in 10 minutes together. I was in the pre-historic group and all we got were wooden sticks. As the music making among the three groups started, the room we were in became much too loud to work in, so we stepped off into the room next door, which happened to be a multi-million dollar audio studio control room. There we were...considering the most primal forms of communication in one of the most modern rooms on the planet. We came up with a composition and performed it in front of the group 10 minutes later. I felt bonded to my group, and also more in touch with the creative spirit, regardless of the tools available. Spirit nourished!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The next session was all about Hip Hop music, turntable mixing, live sampling and the new age of mixing using software and digital audio files. <a href="https://malonemused.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Thomas Malone</a> took us through the history of Hip Hop and really did a great job of framing it as a very established art form worthy of a well rounded music education. He also demonstrated how this can be taught hands-on using modern technology to have students do beat mixing using a USB turntable. It was SO much fun and I always love to see someone so passionate about their work. I had my turntable on order before leaving the session!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Last but not least, the conference ended where it began, hanging out with the guys from <a href="http://soundtrap.com/">Soundtrap.com</a>. This time they were presenting the full features of their software by creating a song that started with some loops, then they contacted some musicians in Sweden to add some tracks live as we watched. It was pretty impressive how, in a matter of about 15 minutes, the song had two new tracks from each of these musicians on it. Effects were added and the song was near complete. They spent much of the time as they had the entire weekend, asking for suggestions and taking notes. It will be fun to watch this software develop and get better over time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Final Thoughts</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It has been just a few days since I got back and I am already working on implementing much of what I learned at this conference into my lesson planning for next year. The most significant take-a-way is the idea that learning to create is a process common to all human beings. At it's best, being creative is a process of identifying both the problem and the audience for the problem and then work with that audience to find a solution. Creativity can be applied to every aspect of every life. Working within the medium of music allows us a unique opportunity to hone our creative process to find the solutions that resonate within us as individuals and reflect ourselves. Creating new music provides profound insight into our values, our culture and our community. </span></div>
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John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-55354729400198492972014-07-23T15:02:00.002-04:002014-07-23T15:03:14.900-04:00Four World Music Lessons - Lesson 4 - Indian Classical Music: Raga, Tala and Drone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 4 - Indian Classical music: Raga, Tala and Drone</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="228px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/QyCKdu0BVhQ50eQM-1xB3U7LzFaE98E5znPMH8Op-iGtfoZD2WRLNqImzH0XJIEpSL62f_CAdzns92L94ZWxiFjK88nXhB84-hdFtD4SPQST1RVWcc_t8gIva0rJnj4ztg" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="196px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overview</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The classical music of India is a tradition spanning thousands of years. This lesson will involve a brief description of some basic elements of Indian classical music including raga, tala, and the use of the drone. Students will then create music using these elements.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-2236f856-6499-e051-44ec-5326de1e9df1" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Introduction</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Video: Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha at the Monterey Pop Festival - </span><a href="http://youtu.be/DO9uloP2nzA?t=5m22s" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://youtu.be/DO9uloP2nzA?t=5m22s</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Group Lesson</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I. Drone - The foundation from which the music is born.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Tanpura - Demonstrate with live tanpura</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. The I and V drone, (vadi and samvadi)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">II. Rag - Sing: Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Da Ni Sa</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Rag Bhairav - </span><a href="http://youtu.be/R0RO-qz06uk?t=37s" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://youtu.be/R0RO-qz06uk?t=37s</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. Rag Yemen - </span><a href="http://youtu.be/mnYVOAJbMRE" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://youtu.be/mnYVOAJbMRE</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">III. Tal - The rhythmic cycle</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Tintal - 16 beats, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dha</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dhin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dhin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dha</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dha</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dhin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dhin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dha</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dha</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ta</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ta</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dhin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dhin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dha</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. Rupak Tal - 7 beats</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Na</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dhin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Na</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dhin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Na</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Individual or Group Work,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (no more than 3 to a group)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I. Create a piece of music that includes the following elements:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. A drone that runs throughout the piece.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. Instrumental melody, (vocalizations of the syllables are fine, but no lyrics </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> please).</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C. Melody follows the notes of a rag, (yemen, baihrav or another one of your choice).</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">D. Percussion keeps the tal, (rhythmic cycle). Please choose from tintal or rupak</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">II. Present your music to the class with the following information:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Rag name</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. Tal</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C. The process of creation.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advanced Work</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I. Organize a lunch time concert where you present/perform your music for the Upper Elementary class.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">II. Transcribe your piece of music on noteflight.com</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">III. Go see a live Indian classical music performance and report on it.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resources</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://chandrakantha.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://chandrakantha.com/</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - David Courtney’s website, a great resource for Indian music knowledge. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-45159129820502692482014-07-23T15:01:00.002-04:002014-07-23T15:03:14.896-04:00Four World Music Lessons - Lesson 3 - Reggae<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 3 - Reggae</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="203px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7dnoc9_g6NME0Ap3bTRNs44MJzrJ944STjgV6JgQk4W45V3A07H54SENBTUCkp_MnlnfMhtmy4vHZHf_6HKgLab7C4L8fWSL4hCzWtqigSPe6ye45VooFn5V09-1n-VgAw" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="316px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overview</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reggae is a style of music that was developed in the 1960’s from Jamaica. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-2236f856-6499-70fa-b795-15190520a941" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Materials</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Internet access</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Individual work</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I. Use any resource available and respond, (in full sentences) to at least two of the </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> following items:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. What two styles of music did reggae come from?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. Name at least 3 pioneers of the reggae style.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C. In what decade was reggae developed?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">D. What are some important musical elements found in reggae?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">E. Name the common instruments found in a reggae band?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">II. Create a youtube playlist of some well known reggae artists.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Group Work</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I. Choose one song from the list to work with:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. ‘Stir it up’ - Bob Marley - </span><a href="http://youtu.be/eZ3eA5gxiLs" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://youtu.be/eZ3eA5gxiLs</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. ‘Jamaica Nice’ - Yellowman - </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i11zpqkmupg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i11zpqkmupg</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C. ‘Blackheart Man’ - Bunny Wailer - </span><a href="http://youtu.be/zjtYKPC58tg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://youtu.be/zjtYKPC58tg</span></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">II. Listen to the song as a group and gather information for a report on the song. Your </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> report must include the following information, you may add more information to your </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> report if you like, but this is what is required:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. The tempo</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. The drum-set rhythm, (be able to count it as a group).</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C. The rhythm of the guitar.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">D. The overall form of the music.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">E. The lyrics</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">F. Name of the artist, song, and all the instruments in the band.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">III. Report/Presentation</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Presentations will be done as a group, participation from all group members is </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> required.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. Presentation must not be longer than 10 minutes, or shorter than 3.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C. A group discussion will follow all presentations.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advanced Work</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I. Choose a reggae song and perform it live for the class. This can be done as an </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> individual or group.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">II. Transcribe a reggae song on noteflight.com and share it with the class.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">III. Go see a live reggae band/artist and report on the show.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-7314360065309435012014-07-23T15:00:00.002-04:002014-07-23T15:03:14.903-04:00Four World Music Lessons - Lesson 2 - African Polyrhythms<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 2 - African Polyrhythms</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="220px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iyTjfckZ6vM-pmBugDAX4ers6XmQ8aRxioYiCUsabWhOG0PXw2otAHqMPBQuAZotiqBNCQhpNvpKuWa_T95TST2eJCRrylXD0IfqvqyCw2c78Hg7nAh3LU5ru_PCoelneQ" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="320px;" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overview</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Polyrhythms are derived from combining rhythms that are derived from two or more modes of the rhythmic scale. Polyrhythms can be found in much of the traditional music of Africa. For this lesson we will look at how polyrhythms are used in African Ewe music and then compose a rhythmic groove using polyrhythms based on the popular 12/8 bell pattern found in lots of African musics.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-2236f856-6497-efc4-5719-0d835b8beca1" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Materials needed:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Internet access, percussion instruments.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Introduction</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I. Teacher led listening:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Music of Ghana: Astia Agbekor - </span><a href="http://youtu.be/8_lLD7aKFls?t=1m23s" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Click for youtube video</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. Notation of the basic drum patterns - </span><a href="http://www.noteflight.com/scores/view/863e72c63a971b476e880de4aab1d1a51bdb5b0b" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Click for Noteflight Score</span></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I. Group Lesson (20 min)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Teacher introduces the rhythmic scale, demonstrates using a metronome and leads the class in a simple polyrhythm, (2 over 3, 3 over 4 etc.) (See Resource</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. Next, the teacher will introduce the African 12/8 bell pattern and play a video of Ewe music of Ghana (See Resource</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> B</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">).</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C. Teacher will show students the 12/8 bell pattern notated out on Noteflight in three time signatures, 12/8, 3/4 and 6/8 (See Resource </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">II. Individual work (20 min)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Students will log onto noteflight and compose one rhythm that is one based in two measures of 3/4, and one based in two measures of 6/8 (Dotted half note pulse).</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. Once the students have composed both rhythms, they will then copy and paste them to the 12/8 pattern (final) copy on Noteflight.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C. Students will then share their composite rhythms with the class.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">III. Group Work (20 min)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Students will break into groups of 3 or 4 and practice their polyrhythms, (instruments will be supplied.) Performances should start with one cycle of the bell pattern, followed by a layering in of the other rhythms.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. Groups will then take turns performing for the class.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">IV. Advanced Work</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Compose a piece of music using your favorite composite polyrhythm.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. Learn to play all of your polyrhythms yourself, (using all of your limbs!)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C. Create a multi-track recording of your composite rhythm and create a loop from that.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resources</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(A) Rhythmic Scale Introduction.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="172px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6Eio1smVVtdppDGkS0Ofs-Ec4iYDdn6BJazj_pHrq6ncd8MSGGFO3bbg8Xx0mL9zGhBFO528Rl5Cym7Elkn6-C0IGg4gZ4ZGNls8QLnZe_54X0Ys5ZXGYyUW_j2du1R5cw" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="617px;" /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(B) Video of Ewe music of Ghana:</span></div>
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<a href="http://youtu.be/MauXAul751c?list=PLSnJqbvuq86uKCItXZ4EGjvp0U4VC2o5K" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> http://youtu.be/MauXAul751c?list=PLSnJqbvuq86uKCItXZ4EGjvp0U4VC2o5K</span></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(C) Noteflight Worksheets</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1.</span><a href="http://www.noteflight.com/scores/view/546eaa5ab75430ef835994fd004f11e765ad10e9" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> African bell pattern (6/8)</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2.</span><a href="http://www.noteflight.com/scores/view/7619398268948b93467a9a760977ecf3d3424f4b" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> African bell pattern (3/4)</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.noteflight.com/scores/view/7619398268948b93467a9a760977ecf3d3424f4b" style="text-decoration: none;">African 12/8 bell pattern (Final)</a></span></div>
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John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-8127637796000048752014-07-23T14:59:00.002-04:002014-07-23T15:03:14.906-04:00Four World Music Lessons - Lesson 1 - Latin Percussion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 1 - Latin Percussion</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="209px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Ya0v6gxr1U47aRmTpOy8E-fM-fssOBhV-60n1E3EMnXVNBD2BZ8oqUvxZlOlVTHyrUfWg0qGaVYc568jAVNFxYpRFmWbBNJGXmlCwobtXMmTqO5S5DBCvtpoQSohKlpWWQ" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="180px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overview</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rhythms in popular music such as salsa, rumba, son, mambo, and Latin jazz are made up of many interlocking parts played by multiple percussionists. In this hands-on lesson, students will learn about the instruments and rhythms that make up a Latin music percussion section. They will then perform together as a Latin music percussion ensemble.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-2236f856-6496-2e56-cb65-5b67ac6bbd45" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Introduction</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I. Teacher guided listening/watching “The masters of Salsa”:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Tito Puente - </span><a href="http://youtu.be/NyudGJv5lKU?t=20m58s" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://youtu.be/NyudGJv5lKU?t=20m58s</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Charlie and Eddie Palmieri - </span><a href="http://youtu.be/lt1UMT6maVs" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://youtu.be/lt1UMT6maVs</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Rubén Blades - </span><a href="http://youtu.be/e7KQUjIK-GY" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://youtu.be/e7KQUjIK-GY</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. Willie Colón (1978 Siembra w/Blades is called the best </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">selling salsa album of all time). - </span><a href="http://youtu.be/Gl5pX5MZPHQ" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://youtu.be/Gl5pX5MZPHQ</span></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Materials needed:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instruments: conga, bongos, claves, timbales, guiro, maracas, cowbell, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">internet access.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Lesson</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I. Group Lesson (10-15 min)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Teacher introduces the clave pattern. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. Students clap and count the rhythm. 3-2 and 2-3 clave patterns.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">II. Individual work (10-15 min)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Students will choose an instrument, look up the notation and watch a video lesson. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. They will then learn how to play and count their part. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C. Students will then play and count their part for the teacher. Once the teacher approves, students then move into group work.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">III. Group work (30-40min)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Students will get into groups of 5-7 and learn to play their parts together.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. Once the group is playing together, the teacher will then record the composite rhythm and the whole class will then listen back. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C. If time allows, students may trade instruments and try other parts.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">IV. Advanced work:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Find 5-10 examples of artists using these rhythms in their music, create a youtube playlist and share it on the google group.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. Multitrack record yourself playing all of the parts and patterns, (Tip: use a click track to start!) Share it on the google group.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C. Compose a piece of music using these rhythms. Record it and share it on the google group.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">D. Organize a presentation for Lower El. students, introducing them to these instruments and rhythms, (you may work with others on this one.)</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resources:</span></div>
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<table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; text-align: left; width: 624px;"><colgroup><col width="*"></col><col width="*"></col><col width="*"></col><col width="*"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1px; border-left: solid #000000 1px; border-right: solid #000000 1px; border-top: solid #000000 1px; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instrument Name</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rhythm Name</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Notation Link</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1px; border-left: solid #000000 1px; border-right: solid #000000 1px; border-top: solid #000000 1px; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Video Lesson Link</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1px; border-left: solid #000000 1px; border-right: solid #000000 1px; border-top: solid #000000 1px; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Conga</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tumbao</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.littledrum.co.uk/congas.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.littledrum.co.uk/congas.htm</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.lessonpaths.com/learn/i/salsa-conga-rhythms/how-to-play-conga-drums-tumbao-latin-music-rhythms" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.lessonpaths.com/learn/i/salsa-conga-rhythms/how-to-play-conga-drums-tumbao-latin-music-rhythms</span></a></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1px; border-left: solid #000000 1px; border-right: solid #000000 1px; border-top: solid #000000 1px; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bongo/cowbell</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Martillo/</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.online-music-lessons-for-drums.com/bongo-beat.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.online-music-lessons-for-drums.com/bongo-beat.html</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://youtu.be/m8OIZPvP_Fs?t=51s" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://youtu.be/m8OIZPvP_Fs?t=51s</span></a></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1px; border-left: solid #000000 1px; border-right: solid #000000 1px; border-top: solid #000000 1px; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maracas</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maraca</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.salsa-merengue.co.uk/VidTutor/salsatwo/down_beat/extr_pulse_rhythms.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.salsa-merengue.co.uk/VidTutor/salsatwo/down_beat/extr_pulse_rhythms.html</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://youtu.be/fUgj-aL6EXg?t=1m4s" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://youtu.be/fUgj-aL6EXg?t=1m4s</span></a></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1px; border-left: solid #000000 1px; border-right: solid #000000 1px; border-top: solid #000000 1px; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Claves</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3-2 Clave</span></div>
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<a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Son-Clave-3-2.png" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Son-Clave-3-2.png</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://youtu.be/UG9NacR29zM?t=1m31s" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://youtu.be/UG9NacR29zM?t=1m31s</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Timbales</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.freedrumlessons.com/drum-lessons/cascara-drum-beats.php" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.freedrumlessons.com/drum-lessons/cascara-drum-beats.php</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://youtu.be/C50z_AYNsHs?t=44s" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://youtu.be/C50z_AYNsHs?t=44s</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Guiro </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.drummingweb.com/lessons/lesson16.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.drummingweb.com/lessons/lesson16.htm</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://youtu.be/yrmyXyx-joc?t=54s" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://youtu.be/yrmyXyx-joc?t=54s</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cowbell</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cowbell</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.drummingweb.com/lessons/lesson16.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.drummingweb.com/lessons/lesson16.htm</span></a></div>
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John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-36727551280901146432013-01-09T12:38:00.000-05:002014-07-23T15:03:25.752-04:00Unit Lesson Plan - Music of World Religions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is a lesson plan I created for middle school students that corresponds with a unit study about world religions. I have not done this yet. Keep in touch and I would be happy to let you know how it goes...</span></div>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.19774044933728874" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 40px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Music of World Religions</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 40px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></div>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.19774044933728874" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><img height="156px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/YrYJGNWqIC5N6sXKNcBrs6ZQcbYvYlca2hZJltLR4Iy-J6M1JAw6uWOFGO_X2MnG6kmAkZER-y6kezk5jVZ7TDxisqU81hNTwJMLSiiPktH_1-TKgyc" width="158px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></div>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.19774044933728874" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unit Study in Music</span></b></div>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.19774044933728874" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wednesdays</span></b></div>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.19774044933728874" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:45-3:00 pm</span></b></div>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.19774044933728874" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Religious music</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (also </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sacred music</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is music performed or composed for religious use or through religious influence.</span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.19774044933728874" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unit goals:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> To recognize and reflect upon religious and sacred music as it is practiced throughout the world. To produce an original piece of music that reflects your study into sacred music, (as outlined below)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Project guidelines:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Step one: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Study and reflect upon religious music from at least 3 different world religions. This will be done in the form of a 3 part assignment.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Part one: </span><span style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Join the newly formed Music Discussion Group.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Part two:</span><span style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Select 3-5 styles of music from different religions, find examples on youtube and write a response to the music. Include in your response a link to the piece of music you are writing about.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Part three: </span><span style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Respond to 3-5 of someone elses links.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Step two: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Create a plan of action. Submit the plan by e-mail to Mr. John for approval.</span><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Choose your theme/topic/idea and articulate it in words. This must include:</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Your project idea</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. The steps involved in getting it done (this may change as you go, just do your best to describe the process you will take to create the project)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. A description of what the end product will be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. A plan for presenting your idea.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Examples of Projects:</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>1. Create an original piece of music using multitrack recording. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This can be done using the sound lab, (training is needed), or </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">another recording device. Completed recordings will have the option to be included on the GLTW C.D. at the end of the year and made available online. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>2. Compose an original piece of music using a music notation </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">program. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>You will use a notation program like Sebelius, Muse Score, or </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noteflight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finished products will then be dispersed among the necessary musicians and performed as part of the final presentation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Step three:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Create, make decisions and produce a high quality product.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>This is the bulk of your work. Mr. John will be available to help along the </span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">way.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Step four: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Present the project. Presentations will happen on Wednesday February 13th.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To get you started:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These are some musical styles used in various religions. This is a very abbreviated list, please feel free to venture beyond the music listed here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christian</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hymn</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Choral, Gospel </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Islam</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nasheed</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Sufi music</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jewish</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Piyyut</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Zemiros</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nigun</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pizmonim</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Baqashot</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bhuddist</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Honkyoku, Shomyo, Tibetian Chanting </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hindu</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bhajan, Kirtan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shinto</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Kagura</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You may contact Mr. John anytime about your project:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">E-Mail: </span><a href="mailto:jchurchville@golikethewind.com"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">jchurchville@golikethewind.com</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Phone: 810-610-6581</span></div>
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John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com03540 Dixboro Lane, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA42.318805 -83.65591599999999116.796770499999997 -124.96450999999999 67.8408395 -42.347321999999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-87090453956081317662011-12-07T12:57:00.001-05:002011-12-07T14:16:12.722-05:00Middle School Composition: Ideas and Inspirations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b> </b>For last few weeks I have been teaching a two hour music composition elective to 5 middle school students at <a href="http://golikethewind.com/" target="_blank">Go Like The Wind School</a> in Ann Arbor, MI. Here are some of the main lesson concepts from each week:</div>
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<b>Week 1: (introduction to composition)</b></div>
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I wanted to challenge the pre-conceived concepts of what composition was supposed to be, so I started the elective by showing them some contemporary scores like these:</div>
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<b> </b>From the first glance they said that the elective was nothing like<b> </b>they thought it would be, and they loved it! I then simply asked them to create a composition in any way they wanted. Here is an example of one they came up with, (two girls worked together on this one):</div>
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<b> </b>We then took all the compositions and performed them. I was amazed at how much ownership the students took in these highly interpretive ideas. They had to make definitive decisions about timing, dynamics, instrumentation, tempo, and mood of the pieces. During the performances they developed very strong ideas about how the piece should go. We had to do multiple passes to "get it right" in the eyes of the composers. I suggested they add a cover page to the composition defining some of these ideas. This would help guide future performances.</div>
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<b>Week 2: All about interpretation!</b></div>
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I asked them to compose another type of interpretive composition. This time there was to be no notation, only an outline of the rules for the performers to follow. The only restriction was that they needed at least five rules. Here is one example of what they came up with:</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b><u>Music Project by Talyor</u></b></span> </blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b><u>Instruments
needed:</u></b> piano, drum kit, guitar, ride cymbal, shaker and vocals<br />4 measures long, 4 beats per measure.<o:p><br /></o:p><b><u>Piano:</u></b> use
only the notes between middle C and 2 octaves below it.<o:p><br /></o:p><b><u>Drum kit:</u></b> only use the bass drum, floor tom, hi
hat, crash cymbal and snare drum.<o:p><br /></o:p><b><u>Vocals</u></b>:
the song must contain the word “play” and
“summer”.<o:p><br /></o:p>Make measure 1 sound like a nice
hot sunny day.<o:p><br /></o:p>Make measure 2 sound like a
waterfall with big fish trying to swim up it.<o:p><br /></o:p>Make measure 3 a piano solo (any
thing he/she wants to do)<o:p><br /></o:p>Make measure 4 sound like a book
being opened flipped though and then closed.</span></blockquote>
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I thought it was interesting how most of the students thought it was important to define the beat structure and measures. This piece again, requires lots of decisions to be made by the performers and is open to lots of interpretation. I love how, in the performance, the concept of a measure takes on a whole new dynamic in this piece.</div>
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<b>Week 3&4: Real World Scenario </b></div>
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By now the students all consider themselves composers in their own right, so it seemed like the perfect time to give them some real world scenarios to work with. I came up with these ideas and handed them out. They were allowed to work in teams or on their own:</div>
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<b>Scenario #1</b> You have been asked to compose a jingle for a national corporation that helps students get extra help for math. The company is called Mathletics. They are looking for a 30 second, (needs to be exact), spot that is lively, spirited, and encourages students to get extra help with their program. they also want the song to incorporate their telephone number: 1-800-math4me, and their website: Mathletics.com. The song must rhyme and be clear and easy to understand. They need it by 2:45p.m. All they need is a voice and one other instrument, (guitar, piano, drum, etc.). If they like it, they will make it national, which could mean thousands of dollars for you. <br /><b>Scenario #2</b> An art museum is premiering an installation of the pop art piece by <span class="s1">Roy Lichtenstein titled "In The Car</span><span class="s2">"</span>. They want to commission you to compose a piece to be performed live at the unveiling. There will be many famous people in attendence and they want to set the mood of the painting with your music. You must research the piece, write a piece of music that fits the mood of the work. There is no restriction on the time, but there should be specific instructions about when the actual unveiling should happen in conjunction with the music.<br /><b>Scenario #3</b> You have been asked by a local museum to write a piece of music that will play for visitors as they walk through an installation about the construction of the Mackinaw Bridge. They want the piece to reflect the popular musical styles at the time the bridge was being built. The installation has 3 parts, each of which should be reflected in the music: <br />1. Ambition, which reflects the great ambition of the people involved in getting the project started<br />2. Loss, which reflects the loss of life that surrounded the construction.<br />3. Triumph, which reflects the grand opening of this glorious gateway.</blockquote>
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They had a great time coming up with the music. I was surprised that in all the scenarios the students chose to use <a href="http://noteflight.com/" target="_blank">Noteflight</a> to create their compositions. After weeks of great interactive interpretive work, they came back to the more 'standardized' way of composing. I actually took it as a great sign that after they spent all their time thinking 'out of the box', and they felt the strongest about their composition skills, they saw the notation programs as the powerful and creative tool that it is. I am inspired!</div>
</div>John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-48122965874109184412011-03-19T17:51:00.001-04:002011-03-19T17:53:43.426-04:00Lesson guidelines for Elementary Composition Project<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Writing a song as part of an all-school collaboration. </span></b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Grades 1-3, (done over the coarse of 4-6 one hour classes.)</span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> 1. Brainstorm - Discover what the students want to write a song about, talk about 'creative destruction' and the fact that some good ideas will not be used in the pursuit of the one we all believe in. Teachers role - write ideas down as fast as possible, group them, clarify them, connect them. Whittle it down to one main idea, theme, or story. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> 2. Talk about style, mood, dynamics and whatever else you deem important about a composition. Help them to decide as much as possible about how these concepts will apply to their song. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> 3. Create a melody through singing. Teachers role - Bring them face to face with all the decisions made thus far and ask them to sing how they think it will go. Listen very intently and catch ideas, play them back on whatever instrument you can relay emotion best with. I like using the guitar. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> 4. Discuss the story or message that the students are trying to relate and help them to link the ideas, melodies, and overall structure of the piece. It is important to help them make decisions and commit them. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> 5. As you compose the song, record it and play it back. They are their own best critics. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> 6. Record the song on a multi track protools sytem with nice mics. Have older students play different instruments on the pieces and then bring in the young ones to overdub the voices. Each class does one song which is on an all school C.D. They perform their song at the spring concert.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will be posting 6 years worth of these C.D.'s online very soon. Please follow me on Twitter to get the links. Also, please leave comments below.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks,</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">John</span></span></div>John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-66774273652684967452011-03-19T10:20:00.001-04:002011-03-19T14:00:47.518-04:00Elementary Composition?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #366388; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was recently asked to complete a survey on my ideas about composition in the elementary classroom. The survey boiled down to one simple question: </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #366388; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Why do you think composition is important at the elementary level?</b> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #366388; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <b>Once a composition is created, the composer is left to decide if it depicts an accurate representation of their OWN idea of music. That thought process is a vital component in the development of a creative, confident, and well rounded musician. When students are left only to 'perform' the ideas (compositions) of others, they become highly skilled at 're-creation' of musical ideas and they are rarely inspired to develop their own personal idea of what music is all about. Do you learn painting only by reproducing the work of great artists? Do you learn to dance only by following the moves of a great dancer? When you speak, are you only saying phrases and sentences that you have learned from great orators? As my two year old son would say...."No, MINE do it!" Sure, it is not "proper", but it is his way of communicating, and it is very effective! (And for all we know, he is channeling Shakespeare)</b></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the coming weeks, I will be posting 6 years of student compositions on the web. Follow me on twitter to get the links.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks,</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">John</span></span></div>John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-40563555098852972792011-02-20T14:25:00.000-05:002011-02-20T14:25:25.611-05:00Every healthy music community needs a great show....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: left;"> Last night I played in a great show. It was 2 inspired hours of music with 5 friends who all felt the same way I did. We successfully shared our unique and joyful experience with an appreciative and welcoming audience. New ideas were expressed through the music and caused intense joy that was shared by everyone in the room. When the show was over, there was no talk of mistakes, missteps, or miscues, only the most creative and exciting moments were reflected upon by everyone in the group. We hugged each other, we smiled. And we even made a little money, which went right into paying off our shared creative endeavors.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> This experience is why I play music, and why I feel blessed to do so. I wish this kind of show on all of my musician friends.....keep playing, practicing, working, and loving what you do! I also wish this kind of show on all of my music loving friends....keep going to see live music and come ready to share something special with the musicians. Come ready to share your love and passion for good music!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Last night a healthy music community sat together and feasted on the fruits of creativity and hard work. It was a nourishment that came from the simple organization of space and time, and it goes straight to the soul. We owe it to ourselves to have this experience as often as possible.</div></div>John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-81626302482414276132010-09-16T13:31:00.000-04:002010-09-16T13:31:17.854-04:00Why Music? One of the most precious lessons I have learned about music came long before music school, or being a professional musician was even a thought in my brain. It came from my years growing up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and it is all about silence. I am not talking about quiet breezes through the trees, or the crisp stillness the morning after a 4ft. snowstorm, or sitting alone on the shores of lake superior with nothing but the waves and seaguls to keep you company. That is all well and good, (and yes, I miss it dearly), but I am talking about one moment in particular that, looking back, has shaped the way I view not only music, but the entire world around me. So here it goes.<br />
I was out on one of my late night bike adventures, (literally just riding a bike with my friends all over the town until the wee hours of the morning, it is how I spent most of my summers). I was on my way home, I think it was around 2 a.m. and I just stopped to listen. After about 10 minutes of calming my own breath and heartbeat, I heard....nothing. Or at least the closest thing to nothing that I have ever experienced out in the natural world. There were no cars, no A.C. units, no planes, trains, no wind to disturb the trees. It was like the whole world was silent. I got off my bike and sat down right in the middle of the street and just listened. The simple act of listening took me on an auditory adventure. I was listening as far away as I could. I tried listening behind me, way up above me. I was constantly distracted by my own breath and body rhythms. Just shifting my foot caused such a stir in the silence that I would have to wait a moment for the silence to set in again. The longer this went on the more excited I became. It felt like I was at the peak of a mountain that only a handful of people on the planet have ever been to. I was in the center of nothing with nothing on the horizon a full 360 degrees around. <br />
It felt an eternity but in actuality it took about 10 minutes before a glint of headlights in the distance alerted me that the end of my little adventure in silence was about to be thwarted by a late night driver. The car crept closer and passed quietly, I had moved into a shadow to avoid detection. It was late and I decided to ride the wave of sounds back home.<br />
When I got home and laid down, I could not re-create the experience I just had. The silence in my room felt claustrophobic, and when I really listened, I could hear the fridge running downstairs, and a slight hum from my alarm clock. I felt trapped by these slight simple sounds. I could not escape them. <br />
I can honestly say that now, almost 20 years later, I have not experienced another night quite like that one and yet, the feeling I got from it has never left me. It is a comfort to me to know that out there amongst all the noise and ephemera of daily life, there is a huge open expanse of silence that is there, ready to embrace us all, and all we need to do is stop for a moment and listen. <br />
I remember a moment not long after I moved to California to go to music school. One of my pastimes was riding my bike into the mountains. My friend Bryn, who was an art student came with me often. He was from Vermont and we related with each other on that small town boys in a big city kind of way. We were neighbors in a small village about 10 miles north of the school campus. It was tucked away in a gorge within the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and had lots of great little fire roads that would wind up into the hills. They were great for short rides to nowhere. <br />
So one day I took a ride up the hill behind our house. It was about a mile and a half up and when I reached the top I put my bike down and just listened. At the time I was reading a great thinker named Krishnamurti. He had this great concept about listening in 360 degrees. I thought that the top of a big hill would be the perfect place to practice that. When I cooled down and closed my eyes to listen, I was constantly distracted by the sounds of the freeway. The 405 ran north and south about 5 miles east of our village. You could not see it, even from the top of the mountain, but you could definitely hear it. What was even worse is that when I got back down to my house, I could still make it out. It was now a new sound in my life that I knew would never go away. <br />
So the interesting part about this story is that when I told Bryn about my new discovery he did not believe me. He thought that I was crazy for being sad about having a sound that I could not escape. He said there is no way you can hear the freeway from way back up in this gorge. We got into a bit of a heated debate and finally he made us go out to his driveway to listen. Neither of us could hear anything. I think now it was because we got so fired up talking about it that our own body rhythms were just enough of a distraction that we were unable to deeply listen. 2 days later I opened an e-mail from Bryn and it said something like...."Dude, I just rode up the mountain, you were right!" After giving him a big fat "I told ya' so" reply, I actually felt a little guilty for bringing the sound into Bryn's consciousness. Ever since then I have been keenly aware of the sounds around me, and though they do not make me sad, I do long for the days of truly quiet time.<br />
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The purity and beauty of silence is probably the highest form of music I can imagine. You hear all the time from performing musicians that the space between the notes is the most important part, it is what gives the notes meaning. What the experience that night on the streets of my hometown showed me was just how expansive and awe-inspiring that space can be. As I grow as a musician, I must constantly remind myself to leave room between musical ideas. I am starting to understand now how to let the music bring the listener into the space, and not keep them at bay with a wall of sound.<br />
Creating music, in my view, is one of the purest and most expressive forms of communication that humans are capable of. The simplest definition of music is "The organization of space and time". Isn't it funny that these are two things that we constantly tell ourselves that we have no control over?<br />
It is fascinating to me how little people are aware of all the sounds happening in the space around them. I believe that all the noise is the reason why the whole concept of "background" music is so ubiquitous. The organization of the space that the music provides gives us comfort and room to think. It allows us to breath and settle in to a pre-programed rhythm, while pushing all other sounds out. At it's best, it provides an island of salvation that allows us to focus on other things, (like shopping in a mall, or elevator).<br />
It is precisely for this reason that background music falls short of a certain level of sophistication. By design, it can not leave space, so it must fill in all the gaps that would otherwise pull the listener in. Really great music gives us a way to let go of the world around us, but at the same time shows us a side of reality that most of us do not see everyday. It quiets our mind and resonates our body, hopefully in a way that evokes the purest of joy. From this we move, dance, and become inspired to create in a way that is truly free. <br />
The moment a great musical experience comes to an end is the moment you will find people most inspired to do....well, just about anything. It is in the silence that creation is born, lives, and becomes silent again. We get ourselves in trouble when we fail to either create, enjoy, or otherwise experience music. The silence is always around us but we choose to fill it up with noise most of the time. This noise distracts our thoughts, muddles our emotions, and masks the realities of the world. Music, by it's very nature, suspends our notions of time and shows us just how big the space around us is. It is our window into that which connects us all, and it has been that way since we have been on this planet. It is the greatest gift we can give ourselves, all we need to do is listen.John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-58856245551237064642010-08-11T13:21:00.000-04:002010-08-11T13:21:04.642-04:00Secret Seven at TOP and Crossroads, Kirtan, Indian Music Night at CW, Mike Waite in Big BayHello again,<br />
<br />
Well this was one of the best July's that I have had in a long time. Lots of good gigs, lots of good practicing, and even a little time to relax. I started off the month with another HOT gig. It was hot in every sense of the word. I was playing tabla/percussion with the Dave Sharp Secret Seven at the Ann Arbor Top of The Park stage, which is set in the street at the end of Ingalls mall, (not the kind of mall where you get smoothies and lotion, but the grassy, flowery, in the center of campus kind). It is a free festival that has live music every day for like a month an a half. It is free and is always full of people. It is very competitive for the bands looking to play there and I can see why. It's great exposure, in a beautiful spot with a top notch sound and stage crew that make everyone sound great.<br />
We were slated to play from 5-6:30p.m. which is the first spot on a night that included 2 other bands and a movie that was shown on a big inflatable screen. When it was our time to play, the uncovered stage was directly under the sun and it was radiating heat. My face was sore at the end of the set from all the squinting. That aside, the music was really uplifting and sounded incredible. It is amazing what horns and an organ does to a bands sound when you put it on top of drums, percussion, bass, and guitar. The music is all original with a cover or two thrown in for a tip of the hat to the inspiration. Dave really works hard to put out a good product and the group of guys he has put together really gets behind the music. When the show was over, half the band had to leave to play at other gigs, which tells you something about the caliber of musician he works with. I was off with my family to spend a week on the beach up north near Traverse City for a long overdue break.<br />
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AAAAHHHHH, 2 naps a day, dips in the lake, gentle guitar on the beach, and nothing else.......<br />
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So the next gig was the monthly Kirtan at the Freinds meeting house in Ann Arbor. It was a perfect way to get back into the swing of things. I was well rested and ready to play for two hours with my eyes closed. The beautiful thing about the Kirtan is that once it starts it does not stop and it does not require the usual intercommunication amongst the band members that the average night of music making would entail. The only real need for eye contact is when the chant comes to an end. <br />
The routine is key for this group. It has been a few years now and at this point, the set up, sound check and execution of the chant has become a well rooted routine, so everyone knows what to do and expect. For other more performance based musical evenings this sort of routine could be seen as a barrier to creativity, but I think it is just the opposite for the kirtan. The routine allows the meditative dynamic of the evening to begin as soon as you walk through the door. In addition, the fact that we don't speak, except for the beginning and end of the evening, really makes the two hours of chanting feel like one complete piece of work, rather than 7 or 8 different chants. <br />
Another interesting observation I have noticed throughout the years is that it doesn't seem to make a difference if something really good or really bad happens during the coarse of chanting, it is all let go during the final moments of silent meditation. Everything that happened for the last two hours is whisked away into the past and you are left with just the rhythm of your breath to ponder. For me, a great night of chanting reminds me to breath and let go. Letting go of the music is the first and most obvious step, but the key is to keep letting go once you step back into the world. Breath and let go after a fight, after saying something witty, after breaking a glass, after beating your father-in-law in a game of...whatever. Don't hang on to anything and you become available for everything. This is what the kirtan reminds me to do, and I feel lucky to have it as part of my musical life.<br />
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So it has been happening for a few months now that the night after kirtan is the Indian Music night at Crazy Wisdom Tearoom downtown Ann Arbor. We have been building this night for almost two years now and it is really turning into an incredible night of music making. It seems to be the perfect balance of creativity and performance with an informality that allows everyone to be loose and fully enjoy what is happening.<br />
At this particular show, we tried a piece of music I could not stop listening to for the past two weeks. It was from a recording from the 70's out of India that was classified as 'Raga Jazz'. It was such a cool piece to play. When the night was over all the musicians were just buzzing about how cool it was. It really inspired me to pursue this sort of fusion. This is exactly the reason why we do these CW gigs, to play, be inspired and celebrate this music with people. Again, I feel lucky to be a part of this all.<br />
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Now if you keep up with this blog, you may recall the last time Mike came down to Ann Arbor. Our bass player had to cancel at the last minute, so we played the show as a guitar/percussion duet. It worked so well that we decided to do it again up in Big Bay. It was a show put on by the Peter White Public Library in Marquette and it was a full house. We played for 2 hours and people were so receptive. There were families with children, old friends, some new faces, and everyone seemed to have a great time. It is always so easy and free to play with Mike. When you have been making music with someone for so long, the feelings and passion that you put in the music when you were young never seem to go away. Mike and I played for two hours and we did not even rehearse. We have found that when we don't have a lot of time together, it is better to just hang out before a show, rather than cram a bunch of song structures and diagrams of how the night should go. Once you begin, the show, or more specifically, the music carries you through. The key is to let it take you wherever it goes. <br />
We did most of the songs on his album, some covers, and some plain old improvisation. We were joined for a couple of tunes by Mikes friend Sven, who is an incredible luthier and dobro player. His wife Erica also joined us on stage with some beautiful dancing and some really sweet tap dancing. I had a blast playing with he movement of her feet. I think that tap dancing gives a whole new perspective on the gravitas of the downbeat. Your whole body is pulled down by gravity and the point at which you meet the earth is the point of attack. It is such a pure percussive art form. As a drummer, it is a real treat to accompany a dancer, and when you are onstage with Mike and Erica Waite, the music just seems to create itself. It was a nourishing night of music making.<br />
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The final show of the month was with the Dave Sharp Secret Seven. This time we were playing at the Ypsilanti Crossroads Music Festival. It was a great night. The temperature was perfect, the crowd was welcoming, and we had the prime time spot from 8-10. We did pretty much the same show as the Top of the Park a few weeks earlier. It is such a blast playing with this group and I love my newly conceived role as a tabla/percussionist. I even built a nice stand for my tabla so I don't have to sit on the ground to play. It is a bit awkward to sit on a seat and play tabla, but just as awkward to sit on the floor when everyone else in the group is standing up. Anyway, I love the opportunity to bring tabla into a jazz group and it feels really great to have Dave playing with Sumkali. The exchange of ideas between the two groups makes for a very healthy and strong element in our local music scene. I look forward to what the future has in store.<br />
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So that is it for July. Thanks for reading, and I will write again soon.<br />
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John<br />
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p.s. If you haven't already, look me up on Facebook, which is where I have been posting pictures from all my gigs. Thanks!<br />
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John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-38023725081493045572010-07-11T13:27:00.001-04:002010-07-11T13:37:40.478-04:00Sugata Marjit, Student Recital, Walk for Values, Crazy Wisdom, Kirtan, 2 Nick Strange, Deep Blue, Gratitude, Mastering in Chicago June has been a transition month. Spring to summer, no more school, morning practice turns from a half hour early in the morning to an hour or two when I am more awake, and the best of all are the outdoor shows. I love playing music outside when the weather is nice. It was always so appealing to me to see concerts in outdoor venues and it is even more appealing to play in them. There are a few lined up this summer that I am very excited about, including the Top of the Park in Ann Arbor and the Crossroads music Festival in Ypsilanti, both with Dave Sharp.<br />
I started the month off with a gig that stretched all the way to the brink of my comfort zone. It was with a well known Indian vocalist named <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Sugata</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Marjit</span>. I was contacted by the Center for South Asian Studies to play the show and I couldn't pass it up. But as soon as I said yes I recalled the words of my <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">guruji</span>, who said, "The only type of music a western tabla player would have much difficulty accompanying would be vocal music, especially if you don't understand the words that are being sung." He told that to me in a casual conversation in the car a few years back, but it hit me like a hammer when I realized that it was exactly what I was about to do. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/TDoBSQO_xYI/AAAAAAAACAM/duqNqT4VgP0/s1600/n114007138637105_5709.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/TDoBSQO_xYI/AAAAAAAACAM/duqNqT4VgP0/s320/n114007138637105_5709.jpeg" /></a></div> I must say, it really put me into the mode of some serious practice, which was much needed considering I have not seen <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Guruji</span> since last September. Honestly though, I really did not know what to practice. I think I was more preparing myself to 'go with the flow' and follow anything he might do. I did a lot of <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">vilambit</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">ektal</span>, which is an extremely slow 12 beat cycle, (it takes like a minute to get though one cycle!). This was a hallmark of his style of singing which is known as <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Khayal</span>. <br />
When I got to the theater, (it was at the U of M music school), I met him and we had about 20 minutes to go over what we might do. He tried me out on the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">vilambit</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">ektal</span>, but I was not able to play it slow enough, so he, being very kind hearted and easy going, said, "No problem, let's just do something else that you are comfortable with." I was humbled and happy to hear that. I have always said that the best musicians are the ones that know when to push you and also when to back away and let the music be good. He was one of those musicians. <br />
We had a great time and there was a really nice crowd there. I was happy to be joined on stage by <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Atmaram</span> Chaitanya on <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">tanpura</span>. He is such a calming presence, while at the same time his excitement to be in a new situation is infectious and almost child-like in it's innocence, and I mean that in the best way. I get energized by this and it is much appreciated.<br />
I played as simply and nicely as I could. I had a great time watching him perform because he is so expressive when he sings. By the way, none of what we rehearsed before the show actually made it into the show itself. True to the improvised nature of Indian Classical music, <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Sujataji</span> called out something different every time we played, it did not matter if we were rehearsing with just us in the room, or if it was filled with people, once a musical experience was had, it was time to move on to the next one. <br />
He kept it pretty simple, just <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">tintal</span>, (16 beats), but he did do a slow <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">japtal</span>, (10 beats), which pushed my comfort zone just enough. I relished in the fact that I was the young guy on stage who had a lot to learn, even after hundreds of performances and 11 years of studying the tabla. I truly believe it is necessary and good to push yourself beyond what you are comfortable with just to see what might happen. Sometimes you fall, but more often than not, you simply get a renewed energy with a broader perspective on where it is you are headed. <br />
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Just two days later was a completely opposite, but equally rewarding event, it was my student recital held at Go Like the Wind. What was completely different compared to past recitals was that this recital was almost all tabla students. Just one student who played the conga, but no drum set students. I am not sure why this excites me so much, I mean, I love the drum set and I love teaching drum set, but to have a recital with all tabla players just seems so cool. I think it also has something to do with the set up time and involvement when you have a drum set recital compared to a tabla recital. Usually, with the drum set comes a guitar, bass, and/or keyboard, along with the amps and sometimes a microphone. With tabla I just need to bring my drums and a carpet. So nice. This gave me more time to hang with the students, help calm nerves and meet with the friends and family. It went great, and I am so happy to see everyone together doing so well and playing this beautiful instrument that I have loved for so long now.<br />
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<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Meeta</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Banerjee</span>, Dan Piccolo, <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Anoop</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Gopal</span> and myself. I remember looking over at Dan and just seeing him squinting almost in pain. Luckily we just had to play a half hour after the walk was over, so we didn't get fully cooked. It was actually nice to play for a good cause and I got to meet the Mayor of Ann Arbor John <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Heiftje</span>, who was there to make a speech and cut the ribbon that started the walk. He was a nice guy and I really liked that he rode his bike to the event.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/TDn3Z0ChL-I/AAAAAAAAB_c/pharBISG8ME/s1600/Walk+for+Values.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/TDn3Z0ChL-I/AAAAAAAAB_c/pharBISG8ME/s200/Walk+for+Values.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> So later that evening, in a cool, air conditioned tearoom we had the same crew, with <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Atmaram</span>, <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Mahesh</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Ganesan</span> and Dave Sharp added to the mix. It was a fun night. We tried a totally improvised piece with percussion and bass that was incredible. Dan played the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">cahon</span>, <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Mahesh</span> was on his <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">kanjira</span>, and I played the tabla. It was one of those things that made me wish I had been recording, but since I wasn't, it was incredible to take in and be a part of. It epitomized the whole reason for Indian Music night and inspired us to take more risks. As always, the crowd was great and the whole night went by way too fast.<br />
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The following Friday was the monthly <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">kirtan</span> at the Friends Center in Ann Arbor. It was a beautiful night of chanting and I was enjoying the music, but at the end things got crazy. The wind started howling, lightning started to crash and the power started cutting in and out. All of this happened at the last chant. Usually we do a 10 minute silent meditation at the end, but it had to be cut short because the power was out and people were getting a little uncomfortable knowing they were about to go out in the midst of all this natural chaos. I believe this is the third time the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">kirtan</span> has ended with some major weather event like this....coincidence?<br />
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The next day I was back on the drum set with the Nick Strange Group. This time we were in Ypsilanti at the Tap Room Annex. It was a nice room to play in with a little stage and lots of room. The crowd seemed to like the music and we had a special guest sit in with us. He is a well known saxophonist in the area named Martin Simmons. I loved it, he came in the door with his sax already around his neck. He had been walking around downtown playing with other groups at other venues, playing on the street, and now with us. It really felt like a great 'community' moment. I guess he just decided to make a open mic night out of the Ypsilanti music scene. Not many people can get away with that, unless you are well liked and well known in your community.<br />
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The whole next week I was back at <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">GLTW</span> for a morning hand drum camp for 3-9 year <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">olds</span>. I have been doing the camp for about 5 years now and it is one of the cutest things I do in music. Seeing a 4 year old close their eyes and 'go for it' on a drum is so darn cute. I spent the whole week smiling. It was a great way to start the day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53SxLXghqcALG-0xvYrDFut54jJJIEUDmUDIiWODbll2qx1D-7e0TL4-Qeh3bfbaGpv-2vhIgCyth4D5Tx3IJv_gqaOcpjF4zaNPvsI1SL0wJo0ZZE6Qv99gSt91uYHmfnEMt-g/s1600/Gratitude2010.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53SxLXghqcALG-0xvYrDFut54jJJIEUDmUDIiWODbll2qx1D-7e0TL4-Qeh3bfbaGpv-2vhIgCyth4D5Tx3IJv_gqaOcpjF4zaNPvsI1SL0wJo0ZZE6Qv99gSt91uYHmfnEMt-g/s320/Gratitude2010.jpeg" /></a></div> That weekend I was packed with gigs. First was with Gratitude Steel band at a private wedding party in someones beautiful backyard in West Bloomfield, MI. The band was really <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">rockin</span>. We had 5 pan players, plus a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">timbale</span> maestro and a great conga player. I have said it before and I will say it again, playing with that band is like playing musical sunshine. I love the music and the sound so much. It is like a warm hug of sound that I have never experienced before with any other group. <br />
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The next day I was in the sun again, (though not nearly as hot), with Deep Blue at the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Genesee</span> Valley Mall up in Flint, MI. It was nice to play with them again and I love to people watch. We had some regulars in the crowd who I found out were mall employees that loved to take their breaks out by the live music. It made me feel good to know that the people who spend the MOST time at the mall chose to spend there free time listening to live music. I think it creates a calming atmosphere of sound that drowns out all of the other noise in a mall. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/TDoAiGu5CVI/AAAAAAAAB_0/4k0poJIjn6k/s1600/Deep+Blue.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/TDoAiGu5CVI/AAAAAAAAB_0/4k0poJIjn6k/s320/Deep+Blue.jpeg" /></a></div> Playing with Deep Blue is always fun and relaxing. I think it is also amazing that we have figured out how to get a full sound without the use of a bass player. Granted, it really pops when we do use a bass player, but as far as a complete sound goes, I think we have managed to get it with just drums, guitar, and sax. I suppose it is sort of like Indian music in that way.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/TDoAlOfwSwI/AAAAAAAAB_8/tFhicsB2lFs/s1600/Fishbones.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/TDoAlOfwSwI/AAAAAAAAB_8/tFhicsB2lFs/s320/Fishbones.jpeg" /></a></div> The following day I was with the Nick Strange Group again, only this time we were at <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Fishbones</span> Rhythm Kitchen Cafe in St. Clair Shores. Being that it is summertime and it is light out much later, we showed up to the gig for the first time that I remember when it was still light out. I say this because I realized for the first time that we were just a block or two from the water. I don't know why, but this changed my whole perception of the venue that I had played at for years. To top it off, we got a response from the crowd that rivaled all other nights. Usually we play, no one claps or reacts, and then on the set break, people come up and let us know how great it is and how much they love hearing us. I have always suspected some sort of covert appreciation policy. But this night was different. People were clapping, dancing and just enjoying themselves more than usual. It probably has something do do with the magic that is summertime :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/TDoAoWYgv7I/AAAAAAAACAE/rU21EhQAGFQ/s1600/Staples.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/TDoAoWYgv7I/AAAAAAAACAE/rU21EhQAGFQ/s320/Staples.jpeg" /></a></div> The very next day I was up early and on my way to Chicago to master the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Sumkali</span> C.D. with my good friend Ryan Staples. He was a music technology major at <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">CalArts</span> and now he works at a big studio in Chicago. We went to his studio and spent most of Sunday night tweaking and finishing the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Sumkali</span> C.D. So now I am happy to say the audio is DONE! <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Yay</span>, now it is simply a matter of putting together graphics and sending it off to the presses. By the way, our C.D. release party is at the Ark on August 26th, so mark your calendar!<br />
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That is it for June. Thanks for reading and I will write again soon!<br />
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<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">John</span>John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-72052110356910171532010-06-08T12:05:00.001-04:002010-06-08T12:17:41.400-04:00Gratitude at UofM, Nick Strange NO SMOKING, Crazy Wisdom, GLTW music highlights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> My first gig in May started off with President Barack Obama flying in Marine One directly over my house. He was en route to Michigan Stadium to deliver the commencement address for 80,000 U of M grads, friends and family. I was outside loading my drums before heading to north campus for the U of M Art and Design graduation ceremony. It was a yearly ritual with the Gratitude Steel Band. On the way to north campus I passed by the field where he landed in hopes of catching a glimpse, but no luck. The overwhelming security presence and road blocks kept him well insulated from any interested onlookers. So on I went to the gig. It had been a while since playing with Gratitude and I was very much looking forward to playing what I like to call 'sunshine music'. Over the years we have worked out a few songs that include tabla, so I brought them along. When I went to set them up I realized I had left one of my rings at home. The rings are what the tabla sit on, and if you don't have them, the drums are impossible to play. Luckily, the bass pans, which are 50 gallon drums, require mini tires to keep them suspended off the ground. The tires just happen to be the same size as my ring, so <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Janiela</span> let me use one of them for my tabla.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/TA5XX_KEy2I/AAAAAAAAB90/g3QviUuKV3M/s1600/photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-center: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/TA5XX_KEy2I/AAAAAAAAB90/g3QviUuKV3M/s200/photo.jpeg" width="150" /></a><br />
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The ceremony went great, as it always does and we were asked back for next year. I am looking forward to it already!<br />
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Exactly one week later I was at <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Fishbones</span> Rhythm Kitchen Cafe with the Nick Strange Group. It was a landmark gig. No, not because it was during the Red Wings playoff game, which prompted the venue to be sure we kept our first two sets just 15 minutes, (a Zamboni set, as we liked to refer to it), but rather because it was my first gig since Michigan passed it's No Smoking ban in all bars and restaurants. I must say, it actually felt surreal from the moment we walked in. The first thing I noticed - I could smell the food from the kitchen. Not to mention all the perfume and cologne. The whole place looked crystal clear, and the colors and lights felt brand new. It was so nice. Don't get me wrong smokers, I totally respect your right to your vices, but as a non-smoking musician that has sat so many nights in smokey bars, keeping my coat in the car so it doesn't smell, having a set of 'smokey clothes', and nursing a sore throat and burning eyes at the end of the night, I am SO excited to have it all be gone, done and over with! I am proud of my state! <br />
Yea, and because of the whole Red Wings thing, (they lost by the way). We actually got to play all of our favorites back to back and the crowd, although a little sullen from the game, were actually dancing and cheerful by the end of the night. I will remember this one for a long time I am sure.<br />
Speaking of non-smoking venues....I didn't have it on my calendar, but I played with a great singer named Sean Ike at the Elks Lodge in Ann Arbor. It is a small, cozy little venue that has a lot of great music all the time. I met Sean through my shows with the Dave Sharp Secret Seven and he asked me to play percussion with his R&B, Soul, and Funk project. He has been using the Secret Seven musicians, but for this gig they were gone, so he called on the drummer, (Griffin Bastian) and bass player, (Brennen Andes) from local powerhouse funk group the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Macpodz</span>. It was a great night and lots of fun to play impromptu funk with musicians that are livin' it. It brought me right back to my 'Whipple' Days.<br />
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The third Saturday of the month was back at Crazy Wisdom with <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Sumkali</span>. The Tearoom really feels like my musical home. I stopped my full force advertising for the Crazy Wisdom gigs and now just rely on word of mouth. The crowd is always full of both fresh faces, and old friends, and you never know what the music might do. I like to think of it as sort of a musical laboratory where we can curate, develop, stay sharp and spread the word about the musical world. If you have never made it out for a night of music at the tearoom, I recommend it. <br />
We had <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Anoop</span> with us on this night and we tried some arrangements of some <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">kirtan</span> chants that transformed them into more musical performances. It was an interesting night. <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Anoop</span>, who has been a great sport about learning new things and fitting in with our group gave me the nicest surprise at the end of the night. I had said goodnight on behalf of the group and was just about ready to shut down the sound system when <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Anoop</span> asked to play one last tune. It was a nice surprise and a very cool tune. It put a smile on my face and sent me home humming. Thanks <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Anoop</span>.<br />
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The last thing I want to mention is more on the teaching side of my life. May was the month of the Go Like The Wind Spring Concert. It has been such an honor and privilege to be the music director at this incredible school. I love having the opportunity to give students their first introduction to music. This year was the first time I felt like I had the complete picture of the music program I set out to create 6 years ago. <br />
When I started at <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">GLTW</span> has inspired me to share what I do with other teachers, including presenting our recording program at the Michigan Music Conference. I feel blessed and grateful and I look forward to another year!<br />
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That is all for this month. Thanks for reading, and I will write again soon!<br />
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<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">John</span>John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-27704497360263239782010-05-12T12:22:00.000-04:002010-05-12T12:22:39.463-04:00Kirtan, Sumkali in Saginaw and Crazy WIsdom, Thanks to Randall Beek, Weekend with Michael Waite April turned out to be one of the most rewarding musical months I have had in a long time. It started with a break from music altogether. I spent Easter weekend with family in my Dad's hometown of Milwaukee, WI. It was great to relax and be away from the hustle and bob. The first gig back was with the Ann Arbor <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Kirtan</span> group for the monthly <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">kirtan</span> chanting experience at the Friends Meeting House. Going into that gig relaxed felt like something new. I think it might be what it feels like to be retired, or perhaps so wealthy that you don't have to work. Many times I am go into <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">kirtan</span> thinking that I will use it as a chance to relax myself and calm my mind, (which usually works). This time however, I felt nice and relaxed going in, so I didn't need it for it's regular purpose, so I thought of it as a way to re-focus my energy and get back on the performance saddle. <br />
I am grateful that the group is confident enough in the music that I can take this sort of approach to the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">kirtan</span>. I remember the days when we didn't know if we would make it through each chant, and when one little mistake could throw the whole train off track. I had to be much more focused on keeping the music together. The group has done a lot of great work on the music and now it is becoming a much more personal experience for me. <br />
Isn't it funny how sometimes we have to work very hard and long together in order to forget about each other? I suppose we do the same thing in our own practice, whatever it may be. I practice drumming everyday, working on my technique, dexterity, creativity, and state of mind. It is all very conscious and deliberate and, ideally, it is pointing to the goal of forgetting about myself and just serving the music. <br />
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Speaking of serving the music, the following day <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Sumkali</span> took a road trip up to Saginaw, MI. to play at an old church, which was now converted into the White Crow Conservatory of Music. It was a sweet venue. You walk in and the first thing you notice are lots of amazing acoustic guitars hanging all over. Look to your right and you see the old church pews facing a nice stage complete with the old church organ. It made for a pretty dramatic backdrop. We got there with plenty of time to set up and relax a bit. It was great to get away from Ann Arbor and hang with the musicians. We are a very busy bunch of people, and to have time to hang out is great, not only socially but for the sake of the music as well. I learned a while back that 'hang time' can be just as valuable as 'reherasal time' when it comes to performing music that is <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">improv</span>-based. It makes sense when you think about it, improvising with someone is like having a conversation with them. The more comfortable you are with someone, the better conversations you can have. In all, we played for 2 hours and didn't have enough time to play all of our stuff, (which is a good thing). The crowd was very appreciative and receptive and they asked us back before we could pack up. We will be there again in October, celebrating the release of our new C.D. <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Yay</span>!<br />
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The following week was like a warm hug of music. First my good friend Michael Waite came down to Ann Arbor with his family for the weekend and we played together twice. Friday was at Crazy Wisdom Tearoom. It was packed, and for the first time, I played drum set and tabla, Mike played acoustic guitar and sang and that was it. No bass player or additional guitar player, no guest artists, no set-list, and no rehearsal. It was a breath of musical fresh air. Mike and I have played so much together, (including on his 2008 C.D. "Let it Go") that we can sense what the music is doing without questioning a thing about it. It just flowed. It is one of those things that felt so easy and nice, but at the same time was so good that we could not figure out why we don't do it more often. I hope I am writing about more gigs with Mike in the near future.<br />
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The next night <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Sumkali</span> was back in the Tearoom again for our monthly Indian music night. It was a nice night of music that just felt good to play. It has gotten so comfortable to play in the tearoom, that it almost feels like I am playing in some body's house. Our audience has developed to the point that I don't really advertise the shows actively like I once did. We have a usual smattering of regulars some newbies, and then the ever-present straggling and curious shopper. It has become a great place to meet people and introduce them to the music. I am so grateful to have a place like this in Ann Arbor.<br />
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It has been my mission, since moving here in 2005, to become a part of, help develop, and cultivate a sense of community centered around music. The venue at Crazy Wisdom has been a wonderful home-base to do that. I have played there with over 50 different musicians in musical settings including all the various musicians in <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Sumkali</span>, experimental jazz fusion group <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Kozora</span>, Mike Waite, Mickey Richard, Norm <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Ballinger</span>, <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Muruga's</span> Global Village, <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Madcat</span> Ruth, Ann Arbor <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Kirtan</span>, <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Rocketstyle</span>, and probably a few I am forgetting. How does it all fit, and work, in one venue? I think most of the answer can be found in the man who does all the wonderful booking - Randall <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Beek</span>. He has always had an open mind, and a willingness to take risks. I owe many wonderful nights of music making to Randall, and I thank him for that.<br />
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The next night I was excited to meet up with my fellow <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Yooper</span> Mike Waite again for another night of music at Old Town Tavern. We were supposed to have a bass player with us, but he had to bow out at the last minute for a family emergency, so we ended up doing the show as a duet. I was not going to bring my tabla to the tavern, but once I got the news about the bass player I figured I should bring them so we have more options and a little variety, and anyway, it was a very successful pairing at Crazy Wisdom two nights earlier. The only problem though, was having to sit on the floor - not advisable in a tavern! So I called Dan Piccolo and asked him if I could borrow his tabla case and special dolly he constructed so he could play his tabla while sitting on a chair. He had just made it for a percussion concert he was a part of at <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">UofM</span>. I remembered him telling me that it worked out well, and it did.<br />
Mike brought his 'Request Wheel' to this gig and we used it the ENTIRE night. It is simple: members of the audience write a song of their choice on a post-it note and then stick it on the wheel. Mike spins the wheel and stops it randomly. He then takes the top note and plays the song that is written. A risky venture for most, but for Mike, he just takes it all in stride and things seem to work. It helped that many of the people in the place came to see him and knew his music, so a lot of the requests were for songs that he wrote or played already. The fun ones though were the ones that said things like 'anything by Bob Dylan', or 'a song about a dog'. It was very homey and warm feeling and we played for 2 and a half hours straight. When it is good, time is not an issue, and how often is time not an issue? Thanks Mike for the great weekend.<br />
<br />
So that is it for April, thanks for reading and I will write again soon!<br />
<br />
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">John</span>John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-76579468847583656182010-04-02T08:59:00.000-04:002010-04-02T08:59:32.556-04:00Hurley Glitz Ball with Deep Blue, Interfaith Center, Ann Arbor Kirtan, Sumkali at Crazy WisdomHello again,<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S7Xbtu75OYI/AAAAAAAAB9E/kDcHhV1YuCc/s1600/IMG_3517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S7Xbtu75OYI/AAAAAAAAB9E/kDcHhV1YuCc/s200/IMG_3517.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcChp2kKgh7DEE5g7ORrrYCXOggw2Fp4vDdlgv89SwvoIpPbxOlYyjGciozed9ODMlX65eUS-g5RNUOVMYIyYVWLVIq3LSAmQk4NfqFuOgHcKEbM5QXtngB7YogM1NKWDBrg0lkg/s1600/IMG_3519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcChp2kKgh7DEE5g7ORrrYCXOggw2Fp4vDdlgv89SwvoIpPbxOlYyjGciozed9ODMlX65eUS-g5RNUOVMYIyYVWLVIq3LSAmQk4NfqFuOgHcKEbM5QXtngB7YogM1NKWDBrg0lkg/s200/IMG_3519.JPG" width="200" /></a> March started off with a type of gig that I have not done in a while. It was for the Hurley Medical Center Glitz Ball and it was what we like to call 'fancy-shmancy'. So I had to bust out my tuxedo, (which I bought for a jazz gig about 10 years ago!). It was good to play with Deep Blue again. Scott Brady, (who plays the bansuri in Sumkali) is the sax man and band leader, and he did a great job of putting the show together. We were in the main lobby of a Holiday Inn executive hotel. Our mission was to provide casual entertainment for the patrons of the ball as they got ready to move into the dining area. Not too exciting as far as performing for others, but we were playing with a new singer and bassist, so it was just enough of an adventure to keep things exciting. <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S7Xb1x4wAHI/AAAAAAAAB9U/kTlhCB4pcVk/s1600/IMG_3515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S7Xb1x4wAHI/AAAAAAAAB9U/kTlhCB4pcVk/s200/IMG_3515.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S7Xbm7f_5NI/AAAAAAAAB88/D3ia3uN0p50/s1600/IMG_3510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S7Xbm7f_5NI/AAAAAAAAB88/D3ia3uN0p50/s200/IMG_3510.JPG" width="200" /></a> We played one big long set and then had to make the announcement for everyone to move into the dining area. The problem was that there were so many people and it was so loud, and they had really been 'tuning us out' the whole time so when the announcement was made, just a handful of people in front of the stage moved. The singer started to have fun with it, she changed the lyrics of the songs she was singing to be all about being hungry and getting food. Still, no one would pay attention. So after her attempts failed, I hopped off the drum set and grabbed the mic. In my best announcer voice I made the announcement and people finally started to move. It reminded me of my club-playing days with my old rock band Scrubby when we had to get everyone out of the club at closing time. ahh memories.<br />
<br />
The next morning I went to the Interfaith Center in Ann Arbor to play a couple of pieces with Craig Brann. It was the 'music offering' for their morning service. We played the same two pieces that we played the month earlier at the Unity church. One was a nice instrumental written by Craig. He was on acoustic guitar and I was on tabla. The sound was great, and it came off really nice. Was was even more special about it was that right before we played there was a 10 minute guided meditation, which I took full advantage of. It was like my meditation dreams come true....meditate into music. It is often way to difficult to attain that 'moment before the moment' when you are about to play music. When I teach the bands at GLTW we try to attain about 5 seconds of silence before the first note. Having 10 minutes was dreamy. That moment made my whole day. <br />
<br />
Speaking of meditation, the following Friday was the monthly kirtan at the Friends Meeting House in Ann Arbor. It was packed. I think it was our biggest turnout yet. When you do kirtan with so many people the response washes over you like a wave in the ocean. It is such a warm feeling. I can see why it has become so popular. If you have never checked it out, it would be worth it. It is the yoga of sound. Every note you sing sends vibrations throughout your whole body. Some notes resonate your head, while others resonate your chest. The chants sung in kirtan are 'sound formulas' that attain a full spectrum of resonation throughout your whole body. When it is all over you just sit there in silence and feel the affects of all the wonderful resonance. It is active meditation that allows you to express yourself for your own sake, (or, if you want, you can really get into the spiritual aspects of it as well, which also run deep). Whatever the motivation, the result is the same...calm, quiet, clear, still, and open.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S7XqFPvzzgI/AAAAAAAAB9o/amKXYjXr7DI/s1600/IMG_3631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S7XqFPvzzgI/AAAAAAAAB9o/amKXYjXr7DI/s200/IMG_3631.JPG" width="200" /></a> Performing the music in kirtan is really not much different than any other time I perform. It takes focus, quiet hands, and dedication to the music. When I perform with Sumkali, (like we did at Crazy Wisdom a week after kirtan), the difference comes in the presentation. It is still a shared experience, but the audience is not required to respond with sining, so it is our duty to keep the music interesting, entertaining, and fruitful. I am so happy to say that this show at Crazy Wisdom was by far one of the best we have ever played. It was definitely some release from all the excitement surrounding our recording session last month, but it was also the crowd, the playing, and the spirit everyone brought to the gig. It was also great to see Meeta Banerjee come out and support us. She had to step down from the group in January to focus on her Phd work. Thanks for coming out Meeta!<br />
Another great addition to the mix was Rushyal Shyamraj, who sang a couple of great pieces and played harmonium. It was a great addition to an already great night. Make sure you don't miss the next Sumkali gig in April!<br />
<br />
That is all for March. Thanks for reading and I will write again soon!<br />
<br />
JohnJohn Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-79796017054671156212010-03-03T14:32:00.001-05:002010-03-03T14:32:32.848-05:002 Kirtan, Sumali at Crazy Wisdom, Rocketstyle, Secret Seven, Sumkali Recording ProjectHello,<br />
<br />
February has turned out to be a very fruitful month, musically speaking. Otherwise it was full of cold and snowy days, which never seemed to end. The first Wednesday of the month was the 'informal' kirtan gathering in the back room of the Crazy Wisdom bookstore. It had been well attended in the past, but this month was sparse, probably due to the frigid cold outside. The musicians were Atmaram Chaitanya, Dennis Chernin, Simon Ha, and myself. There was a lady sitting right in front of me who was singing out fully and then a few people sitting in the back. If it wasn't for the lady in front of me, who I found out later was a choir director, the response singing would have seemed very off balance with the music. I have always thought that all you need to perform is just one audience member. This is a little different in kirtan since the audience members are actually singing with you and providing a response to the lead chanter, but in this case that one lady was able to carry the rest of the singers along and the whole evening turned out to be really nice. I love being able to play tabla without a microphone and still be heard in a room. That is the way it used to be done and it just feels much more free when you don't have to worry about sending a signal through a bunch of wires.<br />
The next show was not until a week and a half later, but it was right back at Crazy Wisdom, this time in the front of the tearoom and this time with Sumkali. We have been expanding our lineup of musicians so we have been having trouble fitting everyone in the small space, but the music has never sounded better. Dave Sharp has been playing electric bass guitar with the group, which have given us a bottom end groove that we have never experienced in the past. He also brought along a friend of his, Chris Kaercher, who is the sax player that plays in his jazz group, (they just released their debut CD, "Secret Seven", which I played tabla for a track". He did a great job of filling in and doing some killer soloing. The whole night went by fast, like it usually does when the music is good. I know I have said it before, but I love playing with this group and I am so excited for what the future holds.<br />
The following week I had 3 shows in 2 days, which meant I had to call on my student Vinnie Russo once again to help with the logistics. On Friday I had the monthly kirtan at Friends Meeting House in Ann Arbor from 7:30-9:30 and then a Rocketstyle show at a new place called the Keystone Underground Lounge in Ypsilanti. The kirtan went great, lots of participants and great energy, and as soon as it was over I had to bolt out of there to get to Ypsilani in 15 minutes to play improvised space funk on the drumset with Jesse Morgan on piano, Paul Bowers on keys, Akili Jackson on freestyle vocals, and new Rocketeer Dave Sharp on bass. Vinnie had come early to set up my kit for me, (thanks Vinnie), and all I had to do was sit down and play. It sounds easy, but it was actually pretty difficult to switch gears so fast. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S46rCW5qEuI/AAAAAAAAB3M/tjPy9gs8ihc/s1600-h/Rocketstyle2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S46rCW5qEuI/AAAAAAAAB3M/tjPy9gs8ihc/s320/Rocketstyle2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I find that when I do kirtan lately, I really get into the idea of quieting myself and relaxing into it. I have been closing my eyes and focusing on releasing tension. This causes me to be very mellow at the end of the 2 hour event. Coming into a club and pounding away on the drum set just seemed to take more effort than usual. Once the first set was over I was fine, back into the groove and ready to rock, but pulling myself out of my meditative state was not easy. I think that is a good thing. I have been so busy lately that any chance I have to relax and be mellow is good. Anyway, the Rocketstyle gig ended with a bang, people were up and dancing and everyone was in good spirits at the end. It really caused me to reflect on how much I love being a musician and doing this sort of thing for a living. I truly feel blessed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S46sF1Dm8UI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/9xz-vZGrQ50/s1600-h/IMG_3399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S46sF1Dm8UI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/9xz-vZGrQ50/s320/IMG_3399.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The next night I was very excited to play with Dave Sharp again, only this time it was for his second CD release party for his CD "Secret Seven". He had a lot of great players on the album and most of them were at this show. We played at P.J.'s Live in downtown Ann Arbor, which has a nice stage, but it was very tight once you add a drummer, two percussionists, bass, guitar, keyboard, sax, and two singers. Since this was our second time around we had a much better idea of how to make it all fit, and it actually looked pretty cool up on stage. I was sitting next to a legendary musician named Muruga Booker. He has played with Weather Report, Dave Brubeck, John Lee Hooker, Parliment Funkalelic, Jerry Garcia, and many more. He is such a happy and high spirited guy. It was a pleasure to play along side him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S46sn9Wq7oI/AAAAAAAAB3g/Iju3JoTqiBc/s1600-h/Muruga+Booker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S46sn9Wq7oI/AAAAAAAAB3g/Iju3JoTqiBc/s200/Muruga+Booker.JPG" width="150" /></a></div> The show was also being filmed for a local TV station, so the whole time we played there were cameras in our face. Muruga really knew how to ham it up for the cameras. My first reaction is to try to look as stoic as possible, but Muruga, through his actions, showed me that it was OK to exaggerate yourself for the sake of the camera. I can't wait to see how it turns out. I know how much work it is to put together a group of musicians and Dave really did a great job bringing everyone together for this one. It was loud, groovy as could be, and very high energy the whole way through. Again, I was feeling lucky to be a musician.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> The following week was very special for me. I had organized a 5 day recording session with Sumkali. My school was on winter break, so I got permission to use a couple of the rooms and a lot of the great sound equipment. Pulling it all together was no small task. Just to give you an idea of what you have to put together to do a multi-track recording like this involves I can tell you it took me about 6 hours of set up time and 4 hours just to tear it down. There were 8 microphones, 8 headphones, all the cables, adapters, extension chords, power adapters, power strips, stands, screens, a computer, a digital interface to convert the audio, a hard drive, playback speakers, baffles to isolate the sounds, all the instruments, and of coarse, all the musicians. It all had to be set up in a room that I had never used before, so I had to design the layout to give everyone a space they could play without the sound bleeding into someone else's mic. Fortunately, I had a lot of help from Dan Piccolo, who has had a lot of experience in studios. Once it was all set up and working, then we had all the time we wanted to create music, and that is all we did for 5 days straight. The musicians involved were Dan and I, along with Scott Brady, Mahesh Ganesan, Vishrut Srivastava, Atmaram Chaitanya, Meeta Banerjee, Prashanth Gururaja and Dave Sharp. Everyone did such a wonderful job. We had to take a few hours off here and there to teach lessons and do errands, but it was really a great opportunity to record everything exactly like we wanted to do it. We got though 8 pieces of music in the 5 days and it all sounds really really good. I can't wait to get into the mixing and mastering. I will keep you posted when it all turns into an actual CD. For now all I have is a couple of pictures: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S46yCIKCqUI/AAAAAAAAB30/fLxqsOaO7yA/s1600-h/SumkaliRecording2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S46yCIKCqUI/AAAAAAAAB30/fLxqsOaO7yA/s320/SumkaliRecording2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXLGy9OjUgrpHYuKsB8ExfjBeu1XzZod0HTrEO8lI5E_MWEJNxqDBfpxb2LH1XeffO7zJL-36AwjQ4NwgDqoZEPUUskayQiH-5uFk75VS2fK9ORg-9p5x6_kZYKUbRVCkDUD_Lg/s1600-h/SumkaliRecording1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXLGy9OjUgrpHYuKsB8ExfjBeu1XzZod0HTrEO8lI5E_MWEJNxqDBfpxb2LH1XeffO7zJL-36AwjQ4NwgDqoZEPUUskayQiH-5uFk75VS2fK9ORg-9p5x6_kZYKUbRVCkDUD_Lg/s400/SumkaliRecording1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S46yDI0NCZI/AAAAAAAAB38/bdGl59yN1w4/s1600-h/SumkaliRecording3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9UnOnnj6B0/S46yDI0NCZI/AAAAAAAAB38/bdGl59yN1w4/s640/SumkaliRecording3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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That is all for February. Thanks for reading, and I will write again soon!<br />
<br />
JohnJohn Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-83763267894944087832010-02-10T20:02:00.001-05:002010-02-10T20:02:00.764-05:00Local musician specializes in drum music of Northern India - Life - Heritage<a href=http://heritage.com/articles/2010/02/08/life/doc4b6dcd3e6f0c7686945205.txt>Local musician specializes in drum music of Northern India - Life - Heritage</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a>John Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9894098.post-39949441980821989902010-02-10T12:41:00.000-05:002010-02-10T12:41:27.133-05:00Muruga's huge band at Crazy Wisdom, Cairn to Cairn at Johnny's Speakeasy, Unity Church, MMC, Sumkali at Crazy Wisdom Hello again,<br />
<br />
The year has started off fast and furious and I can hardly believe January has come and gone. It was a month of travel filled with emotion, ill health, and healing, and it couldn't have started off with more of a bang. Well, actually, it was the first time I can remember falling asleep before midnight on New Year's day, but that is because I wanted to rest up for the day after when I would be playing an amazing night of music with over a dozen other musicians. Muruga Booker is not just a local ledgend, but he has been all over the map with his music experiences, from playing drums at the original Woodstock festival, to recording with Weather Report, Merl Saunders, and Jerry Garcia, Muruga has been around the block many times and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. So anyway, every year he puts on a show at Crazy Wisdom with all his friends and fellow musicians that he has been working with and this year I was one of them. Now I have played many times at Crazy Wisdom, but I have never seen it as packed or as energetic as I saw that night. Muruga started off playing some duets and trios with various people including myself, Dave Sharp, Alex Terzian, Perry Robinson, and Baba Titos. The night then quickly moved into an all out jam with Ken Kozora on synths, Richard Smith on bass, and (sorry for not getting everyones name), a guitar player, the shaker player straight from Parliment Funkadelic, and a great Sax man. It was high energy and just a blast. People were packed in all the way to the back of the store, which I have never seen. Anyway, I can't say enough about how uplifted and energized I felt when it was happening. I played tabla most of the night, except the end where I moved to conga for a couple of tunes. I hope to do that kind of music making much more often in the coming years.<br />
Less than a week later I was asked to play with Cairn to Cairn again for a nice little gig at Johnny's Speakeasy. I was playing tabla on just one tune and their encore, so I got to sit in back and take in the show, which I hardly ever get to do these days. It is such a great place to play, and the mystique surrounding it makes it that much more special. It is a house, Johnny's house, that just happens to have an old ice cellar built by Germans many years ago. It is like 30ft. deep under the house with an arched ceiling made out of brick. Johnny has it all decked out with old instruments and vintage odds and ends plastered all over the walls. Word of mouth is how people hear about shows, so it feels really special to be there. I had a great time, and it was wonderful to play with such a polished group. I hope to do it again sometime.<br />
Two days later I met up with Craig Brann for a 'musical offering' at the Unity Church of Ann Arbor. It was a nice crisp winter sunday morning. We played two songs at two services, one was an original by Craig with acoustic guitar and tabla and the other was guitar, voice, and djembe. It was a very nice way to spend a morning. Craig's music fits very nice with tabla and the idea of a musical offering lends itself to self-less playing, which I believe allows the music to flourish. It doesn't really matter what the religion happens to be, it is simply the idea that the music is itself the thing you are offering, not a show, or a product, but simply the music. Offering a sound to the air, a moment of sonic organization meant to instill reflection and thought. I like it, it is very sweet.<br />
The next week I was in Grand Rapids Michigan for the Michigan Music Conference at Devos Convention Center and Amway Grand. It is three days of Music teachers scuttling around the expansive grounds going from room to room learning about all the latest techniques, approaches, ideas, and technology associated with music. This year I hosted a 3 hour presentation on using Pro Tools recording software to create a professional sounding C.D. It was a great experience, although it was not without it's challenges. First of all, I was supposed to be in a beautiful Mac lab, but had to settle for the P.C. lab because of some hardware issues, no big deal. The bigger issue was that Pro Tools would not install on the computers, so I had to vamp for about 45 minutes while the very able tech staff got the computers up and running. Talking has never been an issue with me, so it all came off pretty well. It was fun to work with music teachers that were learning the software with the intention of using it with their students, which is what I have been doing for 5 years now. It felt sort of like I was recruiting more soldiers for the cause of creating music. Getting creative with students was the main idea behind the workshop and I think the teachers involved were into it. When it was over I was tired. Partly due to the fact that I was going full steam ahead for 3 hours, but also because of what I was involved with the evening before. <br />
I ran into my friend Joe McGraw, who was also presenting at the conference. He invited me to play with his electronic string quartet on Friday night a a nearby club called Z's. He said they had the percussion for me to use so I didn't have to bring anything. When I got there I saw what I had to use and got genuinely nervous to perform. It was a cool device called a Handsonic by Roland. It was basically a circular pad with about 10 different zones on it that all could be assigned to different sounds. All I had to to was touch the zones. I had a choice of drumsets, hand drums, and all sorts of special effect sounds. It had a bit of a learning curve, and I had about 10 minutes to learn before the music started. It took about a half hour before I started feeling comfortable and could blend with the group. The strangest part of it was how little I had to move to make such big sounds. Just a tap of the finger would give me a deep bass sound, or a loud crash of a cymbal. It felt odd not to have to put the energy in to get the sound out. I enjoyed the new experience and appreciate Joe and his group giving me an opportunity to perform music during a music conference.<br />
The rest of the time at the conference was filled with classes and workshops. I took a lot of classes about strings, a few about technology, one really cool one about arranging latin jazz, and a few more about class organization. I was filled to the brim with new ideas and inspiration. I also took a bit of time to talk with some music publishers about new music for my ensembles at Go Like the Wind and university music departments about all the great things about Indian music. Last year I presented on Indian Classical music and I just wanted to try to keep the discussion going. I don't think I had more than an hour to myself the whole weekend, which was great. It meant I was getting a lot done. I look forward to going again next year.<br />
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The last Saturday of the month was the first Indian Music night of the year at Crazy Wisdom Tearoom. I was so excited for this night because we had some new ideas about what we wanted to do with the music and we are bringing some more people on board, including Dave Sharp on bass. On this night we also had Dan Piccolo, Scott Brady, Mahesh Ganesan, Prashanth Gururaja, and Atmaram Chetainya. The place was full and we had a blast playing the music. Having the bass really added to the 'groove' factor. The only thing that wasn't great about this night was the fact that I was feeling terrible. I had missed a couple of days of work in the days prior and I came about 10 minutes away from calling in sick to the gig. The excitement about it could not keep me away though and I decided to tough it out. It was worth it. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to this group's future. We have some recording sessions planned for February and the Crazy Wisdom nights will keep the performing juices flowing.<br />
<br />
So that is it for January. Thanks for reading!<br />
<br />
JohnJohn Churchvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362058301920942927noreply@blogger.com0