Getting Inspiration from Other Composers

One of the highlights of Monday's Calgary ARMTA Annual General Meeting was the lecture-recital by Canadian composer David McIntyre. I enjoyed hearing about what inspired him to write some of his works. For instance, he said that his work Better Days for solo piano was initially "Bitter Days" - written on a bad day. Another was nicknamed "Chuga" because of the rhythm. I need to get my hands on his Pro-Motion and E-Motion suites because I know my students and I will enjoy them immensely. I can picture a few of my young male students enjoying "Drive" (with its er, driving rhythms).

Several of his works are written for family and friends, such as his Anniversary Suite.

Something clicked in my brain after hearing that. Here I've been, stumped for the past two months on how to write a collection of reflections about my old babysitter who passed away earlier this year (she was like a grandmother to me). I was stumped on things like what colour her kitchen was and just what old toys and games I pulled out from the boxes in her attic. I couldn't get past those details so I kept pushing back the project.

When one can't find the words, why not use music?

I composed the first draft of the first of a set of three songs. It's about baking with Nanny, one of my favourite memories. I tried to create melodic lines to represent myself as a child talking with Nanny over what to bake. It's very sing-songy, like all children's songs. I just need to work out a few kinks.

I already have ideas for the other two songs (about adventures at the park and up in the attic) but I'll keep on improvising until the tune and rhythm bursts forth from within. That strategy seems to work.

(c) 2007 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.

Saluting Canadian Composers

Canada Music WeekTM takes place later this month (Nov. 20 - 24). Incidentally, November 22 is St. Cecilia's Day (patron saint of music with a very colourful history). Canada Music WeekTM aims to:

• bring to the attention of the public, through various means, the importance of Canadian music;

• emphasize not only Canadian work, but also the significance of music generally;

• introduce contemporary music to Canadian students and stimulate a keener appreciation and understanding of this music;

• encourage music teachers to widen their knowledge and experience of Canadian works;

• support composers and performers of Canadian music.

I've met several wonderful established Canadian composers, including Dean Blair, Roberta Stephen and Joyce Pinkney. Elinor Lawson, my university professor, studied with Violet Archer.

You can find out more about our talented composers by visiting the following links:

• Canadian Music Centre

• The Canadian Encyclopedia

• Wikipedia

(c) 2006 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.

Encyclopedia of Music in Canada

Things have been rather hectic these past few days - reorganizing everything from the studio to the house and from my budget to ARMTA portfolios.

This week's useful link is the Encyclopedia of Music in Canada. You can find out about Canadian classical, pop, jazz, rock music and more.

(c) 2006 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.

Fun Music Ideas

Around this time, it's a big push to keep students focussed and motivated to practice. Several of my students are exploring other genres to keep their interest or to simply give them a break from their main pieces. Here are just a few, which may serve as ideas for other musicians:

look inside

Very Best Of John Williams By John Williams. By John Williams. Edited by Carol Cuellar. Arranged by Dan Coates. Artist/Personality; Piano - Easy Piano Collection; Piano Supplemental. Piano arrangement mixed folio (Easy piano). Easy Piano. Movies. Songbook (softcover). With chord names. 104 pages. Alfred Music #0656B. Published by Alfred Music (HL.321939).

look inside

Lord of the Rings for Easy Piano Music from the Motion Pictures Arranged for Easy Piano. Composed by Howard Shore. Edited by Jeannette DeLisa and Zoby Perez. Arranged by Dan Coates. Piano - Easy Piano Collection; Piano Supplemental. Piano arrangement mixed folio (Easy piano). Movies. Songbook. With black & white photos and chord names. 56 pages. Alfred Music #00-AFM0408. Published by Alfred Music (AP.AFM0408).

look inside

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Music from the Motion Pictures Arranged for Solo Piano. Composed by Howard Shore. This edition: Piano/Vocal. Piano Collection; Piano Supplemental. Movie. Book. 104 pages. Alfred Music #00-32034. Published by Alfred Music (AP.32034).

look inside

Microlatin 20 Pieces Based on Latin Rhythms for the Beginner Pianist. Composed by Christopher Norton. BH Piano. Educational, Latin. Softcover with CD. 36 pages. Boosey & Hawkes #M060119651. Published by Boosey & Hawkes (HL.48019809).

look inside

Harry Potter -- Sheet Music from the Complete Film Series Easy Piano. Composed by John Williams, Patrick Doyle, Alexandre Desplat (1961-), and Nicholas Hooper. Arranged by Dan Coates. This edition: Easy Piano. Piano - Easy Piano Collection; Piano Supplemental. Movie. Book. 140 pages. Alfred Music #00-39075. Published by Alfred Music (AP.39075).

look inside

Corpse Bride - Main Titles By La Sposa Cadavere (Corpse Bride). Arranged by GC. Individual Part. 5 pages. Published by Giuseppe Cataldi (H0.622575-SC001203006).

look inside

The Best in Movie Sheet Music Composed by Dan Coates. Piano - Easy Piano Collection; Piano Supplemental. Movie. Book. 88 pages. Alfred Music #00-AF9760A. Published by Alfred Music (AP.AF9760A).

look inside

The Disney Collection Composed by Various. Easy Piano Songbook. Children, Disney, Movies. Softcover. 304 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.119716).

Visit your local music store or explore my affiliate links for some gems:

Sheet Music on Amazon

Happy exploring!

(c) 2006 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.

Friday Fun Link #13

Ooh, how auspicious. Friday Fun Link #13 on Friday the 13th.

I found out about this funky website from one of my students (Thanks Leah!). Called Take a Piano Sheet Music Break, this site offers FREE popular sheet music, transcribed or arranged for piano. There is a good selection of songs, ranging from classic rock to the 80s and from easy listening to what’s hot on the Top 40 charts today.

Happy exploring! © 2006, Musespeak™, Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.