tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:54:29 +0000http://www.musespeak.com/blog.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)Blogger189125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-6935570070091231092Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:17:00 +00002008-07-04T15:54:29.724-07:00After a hectic school year, it's nice to stop and catch my breath. One of the ways I've been relaxing is to play some video game music transcriptions. Yes, I know I really should be practicing for Piano Camp (and I have) but even music teachers need to play some fun stuff and yesterday, "fun stuff" for me meant playing Tetris Theme (Korobeiniki) and the theme from Zelda until my fingers gave http://www.musespeak.com/2008/07/game-sheet-music.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-6634252154880762566Sat, 24 May 2008 02:31:00 +00002008-05-23T19:35:49.073-07:00Many thanks to the authors who have put together these informative articles on preparing for a piano exam. I especially like the second one, which gives you a timeline from three months prior your exam to afterwards: Piano Exams - A Guide to Preparation Tips for Preparing for your Piano Exam Piano Exams Happy reading! (c) 2008 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved. http://www.musespeak.com/2008/05/piano-exam-tips.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-4738524022718878811Wed, 14 May 2008 04:59:00 +00002008-05-25T19:33:13.332-07:00One issue musicians must contend with on occasion (some more than others) is cold fingers. My hands tend to go ice cold just before a performance. Not good when you have to perform something like Ginestera's Danza del gaucho matrero which clocks in at 152 dotted quarter notes per minute. That means that you're playing 456 eighth notes per minute for most of the piece! Thanks to my colleague http://www.musespeak.com/2008/05/relief-for-musicians-with-cold-fingers.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-5476502106911568313Wed, 14 May 2008 04:56:00 +00002008-05-13T21:59:39.458-07:00Once again, Chris Foley posts another musical gem titled 15 Reasons Why Practicing Technique Can Improve Your Time at the Piano. So folks, keep up with your scales, chords and arpeggios - they're important! (c) 2008 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.http://www.musespeak.com/2008/05/15-reasons-why-practicing-technique-can.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-597531449281976174Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:52:00 +00002008-05-02T19:49:35.614-07:00May is a extremely busy month in Calgary for the music community: April 26-May10 APTA Festival May 1 – 3 NATS Songfest, St. Andrew's United Church May 4 ARMTA Calgary Presents Christopher Norton master classes & concert, concert @ 7:30 pm, Renfrew Baptist Church May 4 RCM Alumni Scholarship http://www.musespeak.com/2008/04/music-related-events-in-calgary-for-may.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-4577331412004053055Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:44:00 +00002008-05-02T19:50:58.047-07:00May's Music Celebrity of the Month is Max Steiner. Steiner was an Austrian-American film composer who scored the soundtracks to Gone With the Wind and King Kong. He was an Academy Award winner who lived from May 10, 1888 - December 28, 1971. (c) 2008 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved. http://www.musespeak.com/2008/04/may-2008-music-celebrity-of-month.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-706280264525744071Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:39:00 +00002008-04-29T21:43:36.966-07:00It's been such a crazy month, filled with music festival preparations that the April Music Celebrity blog almost fell by the wayside. This month's music celebrity is American jazz composer, pianist and band leader Duke Ellington. He lived from April 29, 1899 - May 24, 1974. A few of my students are studying some of his works. It Don't Mean a Thing is the popular choice among the group. (c) 2008http://www.musespeak.com/2008/04/april-2008-music-celebrity-of-month.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-6216131726672371595Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:46:00 +00002008-04-10T22:50:07.261-07:00Thanks to my colleague Katrina for this link www.findpianoworks.com. This extensive database of piano music was developed by friends and colleagues of Katrina's. It was recently presented the MTNA conference in Denver and it was received very well. Happy exploring! (c) 2008 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved. http://www.musespeak.com/2008/04/piano-music-hunting-made-easy-at.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-8244809910419741371Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:44:00 +00002008-03-31T21:46:19.005-07:00Here is a listing of some of the exciting performances lined up for April: Apr. 5: The ProArts Society presents Juno-nominated horn player Jeff Nelsen with Nina Yoshida Nelson (mezzo-soprano), Brinna Brinkerhoff (violin) and Jeffrey Neufeld (piano) in a recital featuring the music of Johannes Brahms. 3:00 PM @ the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 - 1 St. SE). Tickets: $21.75 in advance, http://www.musespeak.com/2008/03/april-2008-concerts-in-calgary.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-2072723443023406390Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:52:00 +00002008-03-28T20:59:08.728-07:00For my 2008/09 Registration package, I created a FAQs sheet. It contains some general questions about music lessons. I thought it would also be useful to create a Music Lessons FAQ's page on my website. I did conduct some online research on FAQ's and am grateful to my colleagues who have inspired me with theirs. In the spirit of sharing, colleagues who visit my page are welcome to take and http://www.musespeak.com/2008/03/music-lesson-faqs.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-6858517269177848392Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:52:00 +00002008-03-28T18:57:22.519-07:00Thanks to my student Leah for these links:http://www.words3music.ph/ http://www.pianomoz.com/english-pop.htm http://www.pianomoz.com/Sheet-music.htm http://my-piano.blogspot.com/ (a good site)http://m-piano.blogspot.com/ (a good site)http://emodb.com/PIANO/s1h3e8e0t97m8u6s0i2c/C.htm http://www.brunhilde.nl/pianosheets.html http://nephelemusic.ru/eng/index.php?ind=downloads&op=section_view&idev=1http://www.musespeak.com/2008/03/free-sheet-music.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-2722016782151760184Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:38:00 +00002008-03-11T11:47:58.122-07:00With exams coming up, is it any wonder us teachers are asking to hear those pesky scales, chords and arpeggios more often? Here are some useful links/articles to help improve your piano technique: Ironing Out Overactive Thumbs in ScalesTechnique WeekPiano TechniqueFeel free to suggest other sites as well. (c) 2008 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved. http://www.musespeak.com/2008/03/piano-technique-links.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-6948108102597382404Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:16:00 +00002008-02-29T14:20:22.667-07:00The Music Celebrity for March is Franz Joseph Haydn, AKA "Papa Haydn". He is referred to as the father of the symphony. In addition to composing symphonies, Haydn composed Masses, oratorios, keyboard sonatas, string quartets and many more works. Haydn lived in Austria from March 31, 1732 – May 31, 1809. (c) 2008 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved. http://www.musespeak.com/2008/02/march-2008-music-celebrity-of-month.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-7193530638145671994Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:21:00 +00002008-02-20T22:31:10.878-07:00This month's celebrity is Brazilian composer Mozart Camargo Guarnieri was born on February 1, 1907. He composed symphonies, concertos, cantatas, two operas, chamber music, many piano pieces, and over fifty canções. Here's a video clip of someone performing Guarnieri's Ponteio 40, courtesy of Josefstef: (c) 2008 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved. http://www.musespeak.com/2008/02/february-2008-music-celebrity-of-month.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-904811957183372673Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:19:00 +00002008-02-12T23:43:52.538-07:00A few weeks ago, two of my female students (one pre-teen, one teen), were going through a rough week. When we talked about the songs they are currently working on, we came to the realization that there was a gaping hole in their repertoire: they didn't have any " angry" music. When I told them that "angry" piano music does exist, they asked for some to work on. The more advanced student is http://www.musespeak.com/2008/02/angry-piano-music.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-7845611351844448484Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:57:00 +00002008-01-29T15:18:28.659-07:00At yesterday's ARMTA Calgary Honours' Recital, my colleagues and I were commenting on how January really started with a bang. I think we're looking at the busy months ahead with equal parts excitement and trepidation. But for you, the audience, you have so many wonderful events coming up to enjoy: Mon., Jan. 14 - Sat., Jan. 26: Royal Conservatory of Music Practical Examinations , various http://www.musespeak.com/2008/01/calgary-area-musical-events-and.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-3754017196929931132Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:24:00 +00002008-01-24T12:27:05.244-07:00Thanks to my brother for this one. Last year, the Cal Band performed a video game music medley, complete with impressive choreography - and a Pokémon battle in the middle. Head here to enjoy the show. http://www.musespeak.com/2008/01/cal-band-video-game-show-half-time.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-4831644292651004910Sun, 20 Jan 2008 05:03:00 +00002008-01-19T22:29:05.564-07:00Today I had the pleasure of performing background music at a 90th birthday party. The "birthday boy" is looking very hearty and hale. Both he and his wife could easily be mistaken for being 20 years younger. When I first spoke to the couple, they requested that I play a wide range of music as the youngest family member is 3 months old, while the "birthday boy" represents the top end. I really http://www.musespeak.com/2008/01/musings-on-one-fun-gig.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-7070552738592498797Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:43:00 +00002008-01-10T14:55:18.227-07:00After Christmas break, not everyone is willing to get back into the swing of things as far as practicing piano goes. I've spoken to a handful of my "piano parents" whose children aren't practicing regularly. This week, I've assigned some of my students online music games at www.sfskids.org and www.nyphilkids.org and I have been cajoling all of them to try shorter, more frequent practices. http://www.musespeak.com/2008/01/music-practice-articles.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-814929279943645791Fri, 04 Jan 2008 23:54:00 +00002008-01-04T17:00:32.505-07:00This is something I started on my studio microsite but decided that this would be a better place for it. Each month, I'll highlight on music celebrity who was born in that particular month. This month's music celebrity is the Russian composer Alexander Scriabin, who was born on January 6, 1872. This late-Romantic composer wrote for piano and orchestra. (c) 2008 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, http://www.musespeak.com/2008/01/january-2008-music-celebrity-of-month.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-7067872251345494926Sat, 29 Dec 2007 07:40:00 +00002007-12-29T01:13:01.115-07:00Canadian jazz legend, pianist, composer, Grammy Award winner, humanitarian and Order of Canada recipient Oscar Peterson passed away on December 23. He was of 82. The following are links to some articles and tributes to the great Mr. Peterson: Oscar Peterson's website, containing news, biographical, band, journal, discography, photos, audios and more. Wikipedia article on Oscar Peterson CBC http://www.musespeak.com/2007/12/oscar-peterson-remembered.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-3608786486308822659Sat, 01 Dec 2007 09:17:00 +00002007-12-01T02:32:37.341-07:00I stumbled upon this site while trying to makes heads or tails out of the Lydian Dominant mode (jazz musicians are probably shaking their heads at this as they know very well what Lydian Dominant is). Scaleindex.com is a very thorough site, containing scale formulas, chord analyses, note names and audio clips of everything from our standard major and minor scales to the Bebop Dominant and Hindu http://www.musespeak.com/2007/12/scales-help-at-scaleindexcom.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-7237825379597274800Fri, 23 Nov 2007 06:58:00 +00002007-11-23T00:07:04.276-07:00Multiple Grammy Award winning jazz pianist/keyboardist/composer Chick Corea is performing in Calgary on November 25 at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. Chick Corea is known for his work in jazz fusion. Head to Ticketmaster's website to order tickets. I'm looking forward to watching and listening to a jazz great in action. (c) 2007 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved. http://www.musespeak.com/2007/11/chick-corea-concert-in-calgary.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-7544535782843092639Thu, 22 Nov 2007 06:38:00 +00002007-11-21T23:49:22.700-07:00As merchandisers will tell you, there are only 32 shopping days left before Christmas. Any musician will tell you that right after Halloween, we have mere weeks before we are up to our eyeballs with Christmas concerts and party gigs. I'm currently working my Christmas gig repertoire back under my fingers, along with some of the songs from Conservatory Canada's Contemporary Idioms syllabus. Wellhttp://www.musespeak.com/2007/11/its-beginning-to-look-lot-busy-season.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16040050.post-9195239806239827347Wed, 14 Nov 2007 05:17:00 +00002007-11-13T22:41:20.786-07:00Today, my student L came to her piano lesson a little on the grumpy side. Blame it on her homework and group projects. We tried something today that was rather fun - we added a bit of passion to her technical exercises. We focussed on two keys today - G major and its minor cousin E minor. We wound up staying in E minor since it sounds angrier. I asked her to play me some Angry Scales, Stressed http://www.musespeak.com/2007/11/adding-passion-to-your-technique.htmnoreply@blogger.com (Rhona-Mae Arca)