MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

QUOTE:
"No artist is pleased...there is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a strange, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others."

AUTHOR: Martha Graham

MEANING OF THE QUOTE:
“An artist is never satisfied with his/her art. The pleasure the artists gets is in the act 

  of striving for the perfection that will never be realized.”

COMPOSER
TCHAIKOVSKY

ROMEO and JULIET

Romeo and Juliet Fantasie-Overture

 Painting of "Romeo and Juliet" by Ford Madox Brown

Romeo and Juliet

Fantasie-Overture

Leopold Stokowski, Conductor

Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GteUS553vI

Romeo and Juliet (1879) by Hugues Merle

Romeo and Juliet

 Fantasie-Overture

Arturo Toscanini, Conductor

NBC Symphony Orchestra, 1938

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gVeRbMQYMs

"The Reconciliation of the Montagues and Capulets
 over the Dead Bodies of Romeo and Juliet"
Painting by Frederic Lord Leighton, 1855

GRANADA ADV. STRINGS
PREPARATION FOR THE WINTER CONCERT

INTRO. TO INSTRUMENT
1.  KEYBOARDS 
(2 hands at the same time by finger numbers)
a.  ODE TO JOY
b.  JINGLE BELLS

GRANADA BEG. STRINGS
PREPARATION FOR THE WINTER CONCERT

HILLVIEW ORCHESTRA
PREPARATION FOR THE WINTER CONCERT

WHY DOES MY RECORDER SQUEAK?

HOW TO MAKE A GOOD SOUND ON A RECORDER

Fingering Problems
As successive holes are covered, the sounding length of the tube increases and the pitch gets lower. It's not just about how their fingers are placed to play different note sequences, but what pressure should the fingers have when covering them. Some make the mistake of using their fingertips to cover the holes instead of the pads and when doing that, some grip them tightly. Proper fingering requires pads of the fingers that cover holes at an even, steady pressure - not too tight, not too loose.

Improper Tonguing
On all wind instruments the tongue is used to articulate the beginning of every individual note and every group of slurred notes. Some people use little to no tonguing control - just tooting on their recorders. This produces a sloppy sound and is prone to excessive overblowing. Playing a note starts with the attack. Silently say the word "Du" or "Tu" for each note. To terminate the note, the tongue moves forward toward the teeth and silently say a stopped "D" or "T".

Improper Articulation
The fingers should come down like little hammers, completely sealing the hole (unless a half hole fingering is needed, which will be explained in the lessons) and held tight for the duration of the note. When the note has stopped, the fingers must release quickly in order to repostition themselves for the next note.The combination of blowing and fingering is called articulation.

Poor Breath Control
Blowing is done through exhaling into the mouthpiece with the lips gently sealed around it and the end of the mouthpiece positioned in front of slightly separated teeth. Blow gently, sustaining the same pressure at all times. The greater the pressure, the higher (or sharper) the pitch and conversely, lesser pressure will lower (or flatten) the pitch. Proper blowing is essential to maintain the correct pitch (or intonation) of the note.

Proper blowing and breathing is the key to pleasing sounds. Breathing is sometimes a problem. On long passages, one has a tendency to run out of wind. Breaths should be taken from the diaphragm (like in singing) and expelled with support from the diaphragm. The upper chest should not move. This will allow for better breath control. When it becomes necessary to take a breath, it should be taken quickly and quietly.

The breathing that produces a focused, unforced, non-vibrato vocal sound for children is the breathing that produces a focused, unforced, non-vibrato recorder sound. A student who can sing in tune and control the breath sufficiently to shape phrases can transfer those skills directly to the recorder.

Over Blowing
What is overblowing? That's when one blows too hard on his or her instrument often blowing so hard the instrument squeals. Recorders need even, minimal air.

Mouthpiece Placement
The mouthpiece can also be placed too far in their mouth or too little in the mouth. It should be placed on the bottom lip in front of the lower jaw and played at a diagonal angle, approximately 45 degrees. Upper jaw needs to be relaxed with teeth away from the tops. Lips should not tense very much but be closed enough to discourage squeaks. Recorders do require embouchures.

Posture and Position
Exactly the same posture needed for good singing, either standing or sitting, is needed for good recorder playing. The back should be straight but relaxed, and the shoulders, arms, hands and fingers should all be relaxed. Tension anywhere in the body can result in poor breath support, poor tone quality, problems with intonation, or fingers that are stiff and unresponsive.

http://mrskatiefrase.wikispaces.com/file/view/How_to_Play_the_Recorder.JPG

LINKS
http://www.musick8.com/rkdojo/rkchart.php
http://www.recorderhomepage.net/links.html

http://specials-music.bcs.msad75.schoolfusion.us/modules/locker/files/get_group_file.phtml?gid=2264486&fid=22288399&sessionid=

http://talfonso.hubpages.com/hub/recorderwoodwindinstrumentpleasureorpain

http://www.wikihow.com/Play-the-Recorder

http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4672285_recorder-work.html

http://www.dolmetsch.com/completerecordercareguide.pdf

http://www.music.vt.edu/faculty/howell/kodaly/contents.html

http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/playing-recorders/playing-recorder.html
http://gc-music.com/Recor.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_6713474_play-recorder-wind-instrument.html
http://mrskatiefrase.wikispaces.com/Recorders

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

QUOTE:
"The painter turns a poem into a painting; the musician sets a picture to music."

AUTHOR: Robert Schumann

MEANING OF THE QUOTE:
“All the arts interweave each other: words can be made into art and 

  music; art can be imitated by music.”

COMPOSER
TCHAIKOVSKY

Piano Concerto #1, Op. 23

Young Woman at the Piano by Renoir

Piano Concerto #1, Op. 23

(Movement 1)

Performed by Van Cliburn in Moscow, 1962

Kiril Kondrashin, Conductor 

Moscow State Philharmonic Academy Orchestra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qROema2MDI#t=16

Taken from the YouTube Article:

Harvey Lavan "Van" Cliburn, Jr., (July 12, 1934-February 27, 2013)

has been called an American hero, hailed as one of the most persuasive

ambassadors of American culture as well as one of the greatest pianists

in the history of music. With his historic 1958 victory in the first

Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow at the height

of the Cold War, Van Cliburn tore down cultural barriers years ahead

of glasnost and perestroika, reaching out across political frontiers with

a universal message all could greet with joy: the message of beautiful

music.

Cliburn was the first musician ever honored with a ticker-tape parade in

New York City, a true hero's welcome and a show of gratitude for an

American victory on the heels of the Soviet Union's launching of Sputnik.

Again reaching across cultural borders, Cliburn invited the Russian

conductor Kirill Kondrashin to come to New York and reprise the

performances that had earned the young American the gold medal in

Moscow. Cliburn's recording of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.

1 with Kondrashin became the first classical album to reach platinum

status and has gone on to sell more than three million copies.

At the Piano by Childe Hassam 

Piano Concerto #1, Op. 23

Complete

Evgenij Kissin, Piano

Seiji Ozawa, Conducter

Boston Symphony, 1995

Marguerite Gachet at the Piano
by Van Gogh

GRANADA ADV. STRINGS
PREPARATION FOR WINTER CONCERT

INTRO. TO INSTRUMENT

VIOLIN

1.  OPEN STRING BOWING

2.  OPEN STRING BOWING SONGS

a.  PUMPED UP KICKS 
b.  BLAST OFF 
1) tremelo technique
2)  note reading
c.  OPEN STRING WALTZ
1)  note reading

GRANADA ADV. STRINGS
PREPARATION FOR WINTER CONCERT

HILLVIEW ORCHESTRA
PREPARATION FOR WINTER CONCERT

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

QUOTE:
"Alas, for those that never sing, but die with all their music in them!"

AUTHOR: Oliver Wendell Holmes

MEANING OF THE QUOTE:
“It is sad when a person has no musical outlet for their emotions.”

COMPOSER
TCHAIKOVSKY

"Sleeping Beauty"

Sleeping Beauty by John Collier

Valse
(Made famous by Walt Disney)

Another version which shows pictures of Russia 

where Tchaikovsky lived:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sU4mgkGtrs&feature=related

"Sleeping Beauty"

Ballet Op. 66

Sleeping Beauty by Maxfield Parrish

Soundtrack Movie 1959

"Sleeping Beauty"

"Sleeping Beauty"

Kirov Ballet 1989

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-a4HjwuuEs

Sleeping Beauty by Walter Crane

The story (http://www.balletmet.org/Notes/Sleeping.html) is the famous fairytale set to music and dance.

The original version of the tale on which the ballet is based was written and published by 
Charles Perrault:

 under the name, "La Belle au bois dormant" (The Sleeping Beauty) in  Paris, 1697.

THE STORY:
http://www.storynory.com/2005/12/16/the-sleeping-beauty/


GRANADA ADV. STRINGS
PREPARATION FOR WINTER CONCERT

INTRO. TO INSTRUMENT
VIOLIN
1.  OPEN STRING BOWING
2.  OPEN STRING BOWING SONGS

GRANADA BEG. STRINGS
PREPARATION FOR WINTER CONCERT

HILLVIEW ORCHESTRA
PREPARATION FOR WINTER CONCERT

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2013

QUOTE:
"Play the music, not the instrument."
AUTHOR: Author Unknown
MEANING OF THE QUOTE:
“An instrument is just the mechanism for the music inside you.”

COMPOSER
TCHAIKOVSKY

Swan Lake

http://cdn-0.irishviews.com/swans.html

Swan Lake

Swan Lake by Carlotta Edwards
http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.com/2012/07/carlotta-edwards.html

SWAN LAKE
Op. 20 Full Suite

Soundtrack to the movie "Black Swan" (2010)

Swan Lake Ballet

Performed by Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev (1967)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykS1waEUrBw

Lesson Plan:
http://www.rpo.org/UserFiles/File/PDF/intermediate_02_03/Tchaikovsky_Bio_and_Lesson_Plan.pdf

http://www.thefashionablehousewife.com/03/2010/much-ado-about-a-mute-swan-part-13/

http://www.free-scores.com/download-sheet-music.php?pdf=16897##

Swan Lake

Waltz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CShopT9QUzw

GRANADA ADV. STRINGS
1.  TUMBALALAIKA
2.  BELIEVE

INTRO. TO INSTRUMENT
GRANADA
1.  VIOLIN
a.  Review bow hold
b.  Bowing on shoulder

HILLVIEW
1.  VIOLIN
a.  Bow level silent rocking on instrument
b.  Bowing UH of bow 4x and 8x on each string
c.  Started open string bow song:  Pumped Up Kicks

GRANADA BEG. STRINGS
1.  GREENSLEEVES
2.  JINGLE BELLS

HILLVIEW ORCHESTRA
1.  FELIZ NAVIDAD
2.  JINGLE BELL ROCK

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013

QUOTE:
"Music is the universal language of mankind."

AUTHOR: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

MEANING OF THE QUOTE:
“Music is a form of communication that everyone can understand.”

COMPOSER
TCHAIKOVSKY

"Nutcracker Suite"

Overture Miniature

Conducted by Micha Haran

"Nutcracker"
Complete

"Nutcracker Ballet"

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/28/arts/dance/george-balanchines-the-nutcracker-at-lincoln-center.html?_r=0

At the Mariinsky (Kirov) Theater

Design for the Imperial-era curtain of the Mariinsky Theatre that existed prior to 1914.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariinsky_Theatre

"Nutcracker" Russian Dance: Rock Guitar Metal Version

Brian Setzer Orchestra performing "Nutcracker Suite" live

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_7AvrTnMpY&feature=related

HERE IS A VERSION OF THE NUTCRACKER SUITE 

WITH WORDS FOR CHILDREN BY CAPTAIN KANGAROO

http://gentlebirth.org/nutcracker/#Download

Term: What is a SUITE?

As in "The Nutcracker," composers, in the late 19th century, who had written operas or ballets which incorporated many long popular dance movements

often made arrangements of these in shortened versions for orchestra 
so they could be played at concerts.

NEW INSTRUMENT: CELESTA

A Celesta is an instrument which has a bell like sound used in the "Nutcracker"

http://www.vsl.co.at/en/70/3196/3204/3207/5748.vsl

The celesta (pronounced /sɨˈlɛstə/) or celeste (pronounced /sɨˈlɛst/) is a struck idiophone 

operated by a keyboard. Its appearance is similar to that of an upright piano (four- or five-octave) 

or of a large wooden music box (three-octave). The keys are connected to hammers which 

strike a graduated set of metal (usually steel) plates suspended over wooden resonators. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celesta 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BgVGeK--2U

NUTCRACKER
The story:

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (German: Nussknacker und Mausekönig) 
is a story written in 1816 by ETA Hoffmann


in which young Marie Stahlbaum's favorite Christmas toy, the Nutcracker, 

comes alive and, after defeating the evil Mouse King in battle, 

whisks her away to a magical kingdom populated by dolls.

http://www.lpomusic.com/files/December%2017th_Nutcrackersmall.pdf

http://www.violinonline.com/unit4_17_nutcracker.html

NUTCRACKER:
TREPAK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmQjhwsPRDE

Trepak:

Sometimes referred to as The Russian Dance, it is the official National Folk Dance of Russia.

This dance comes from the Ukraine and was originally performed by the Cossacks, soldiers who were expert cavalrymen.

http://damascenegallery.com/shop/fine-art-prints/dancing-cossacks/

The Trepak, performed by men only, is a brisk dance that is done in 2/4 time with the danced steps starting at a slow tempo that is increased throughout the performance. Dancers begin the dance in a line, standing side by side with their arms crossed over their chests. The dancers crouch into a love squatting position. Next, they begin a series of kicks, extending first one leg and then the other straight out in front their body while remaining in the squat position. The kicks are performed to the beat of the music and speed up as the music's tempo increases. As the dancers perform these kicks they may move into a circle that rotates counterclockwise of they may stay in a line, but move to the sides to put more distance between each dancer. To perform the next move, the dancers lunge into a squat position and spring as high into the air as possible. While in the air the dancers perform a split and extend their legs as far on each side as possible, before bringing their legs back together and landing in the squatting position.

Nutcracker: Trépak 

Tennis Ball Activity and Video

Submitted by Beth Jahn, Granite Falls, Minnesota
Idea posted January 6, 2012
http://www.musick8.com/html/ideadisplay.php?ibid=1959&ideasubject=&idtextsearch=&submittedby=&group1=

I've developed a tennis ball routine for Trépak that my 4th and 5th graders are really enjoying.

DIRECTIONS:

Circle Formation

"A" SECTION

Bounce ball on accented notes 

 Toss the ball gently between hands for the other part

"A" SECTION (Repeat)
"B" SECTION
Pass the ball behind you 

Grab the ball with your other hand 

Bring the ball in front 

Grab the ball with your other hand

INTERLUDE
Bounce the ball on the accented parts (five bounces).

"A" SECTION (Repeat)

CODA

Each student turns on the strong notes all the way around the circle and 

tosses the ball gently in the air on the last note.

 If you have more than 24 kids in your class, this may be difficult, 

and you may need two kids turning at the same time.

We just did this activity in 4th grade. 

It's not polished and practiced, but we had fun making this video.

NUTCRACKER:

DANCE OF THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRIES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow4t3C_gCCY

Played on a glass harp:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdoTdG_VNV4&feature=youtu.be

http://makingmusicfun.net/htm/f_printit_free_printable_sheet_music/sugar-plum-fairy-piano.htm

NUTCRACKER:
CHINESE DANCE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hez9DLgZA7o

GRANADA ADV. STRINGS
1.  BELIEVE
2.  MISTER SANTA

INTRO. TO INSTRUMENT
GRANADA
1.  THEORY: NOTE READING BY STEP
a.  Worked on pages 4-6

HILLVIEW
1.  VIOLIN BOW
a.  Tighten/loosen
b.  Applying Rosin

GRANADA BEG. STRINGS
1.  BOW LEADERS
a.  Chose bow leaders for the concert
2.  ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
3.  GREENSLEEVES

HILLVIEW ORCHESTRA
1.  SECTIONALS
a.  Strings: Tumbalalaika
b.  Flutes:  Greensleeves
c.  Rest:  Keyboards
2.  MISTER SANTA