Performing
adding it up
Now and again I go for a jog without music. After the crunchy/clear headed/isn’t this moment grand thing passes (and it does, without fail), I return to the usual fragmented contemplation that running is supposed to help alleviate. Cresting a hill today, an equation popped onto my mental chalkboard, the results of which were too [...]
bubbada bubbada
By hook, crook, bell, book and candle, I managed to infiltrate the ranks of the jazz department when I was at CSUN. Classically trained folks are usually a liability in such settings: stuck to the page, desperate for someone to just tell us what to play. I carved something of a niche for [...]
up and down
Getting good at something happens in cycles. My latest learning adventure has been Lindy hop. After my first 2 lessons, I was emboldened. I dove into the deep end and got crazy serious about it. I’ve had a few rough nights where I didn’t feel super coordinated or leads did things like try to give [...]
Teachers: If you'd like to have a workshop with me (where anyone, any instrument, can ask ANY question) email me! http://t.co/MdhHE1Iy
introducing practice guides!
Designed to be affordable mini manuals for pieces commonly studied, practice guides are packed with miniature exercises, technical reminders, and tips on approach. The first one, La Cinquantaine, is available now for $3.50 here. Stay tuned for more, and drop me a line if you have any requests.
Read Morebe careful what you fail for
Part of what makes my blog a little different from those of some other professional musicians is that I tend to expound about the sorts of things that highlight my frailties rather than serve as promotional material. It’s a niche I claim- and I don’t think there’s a line of folks waiting to take [...]
Read MoreIn love with Slonimsky, part 1
I’m going back through Slonimsky’s Lexicon of Musical Invective (a title that is as much fun to say as it is to actually delve into) and thought I’d share a few of the entries. In case you’re not familiar, it’s a collection of critics’ assassinations of what are now recognized as wildly successful works. I [...]
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cogito ergo sum, or not.
I’m noticing a trend among younger students. When I ask them a question that requires critical thinking, introspection or deduction they first respond… with silence. And then I press them a little. Perhaps goad them with, “Go on- just tell me what you think.” more silence. Then, “I don’t know.” [...]
Read Morequick update
I have neglected this blog lately, but for good reason. Between teaching private lessons, starting the new college gig, performing, and attending more dance events than is actually humanly possible, it’s been a crazy couple of weeks. Just the way I like it! I’m thinking about doing a workshop series here in [...]
Read Morerandom update
I’m all over the map (in more ways that one) but thought that I should still try to do roughly one post a day. Here’s what I’ve got for y’alltoday: 1. Shipping my car back to CA and buying a clunker in MD is cheaper than registering the thing here and getting new tags. [...]
Read Moregame changers.
I was at dinner with GGP and Nancy Jo tonight, and we were talking about the Masterpieces class she gives over at AU. I brought up Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians as what I consider a seminal work, so wonderfully representative of everything that minimalist movement was going for. On the drive back [...]
Read Morestrange flattery
If you keep up with me on Twittaw, you know I’ve become something of a swing dance addict. There’s something uniquely satisfying about learning a new discipline that, if you’re doing it right, requires lots of awareness and technique and then you let it all fly out the window and go with your guts. Or [...]
Read MoreLucy finds a computer
Bless her furry grey heart: Lucy’s been trying to email you guys. While I’m gigging like crazy and finishing up at Hopkins, she was hoping for some pen-pals to keep her company. Don’t tell her I know about her little scheme!
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