Category: Uncategorized

Playing With Heart and By Heart, with Sarah Jeffery

Would you love to go beyond sheet music and truly play from the heart? We were joined by Sarah Jeffery, host of “Team Recorder”, the top YouTube channel for recorder players.

Sarah creates wonderful tutorial videos and although her target viewer is the adult recorder player, so much of what she teaches is rich in musicality and relevant across any instrument. We talk about the big difference it makes to play music by heart rather than from sheet music, and Sarah gives some wonderful advice for helping you memorize and perform music. If you’d love to feel more free and empowered with your music making, don’t miss this episode!

Playing With Heart and By Heart, with Sarah Jeffery

How to Overcome Stage Fright

Your heart starts to race, and your head gets foggy. You feel sweat start to bead in your palms, and you feel like you might vomit. You feel vulnerable, open and exposed. All of these symptoms point to a fear than most people in the musical world have experienced at one point or another: Stage Fright.

Let’s talk more about how to overcome this fear.

How to Overcome Stage Fright

How to Transcribe Music like a Pro: Finding the Key

When you transcribe a song, finding the key of the tune is the vital step to quickly figuring out the notes.

How to Transcribe Music like a Pro: Finding the Key

Hearing Chord Progressions, Part 3: Minor Keys

Minor keys tend to have rich harmonic possibilities. Sometimes the chord qualities throw off our ear. But if we remember to listen for the bass we can better understand how to use these chords. Learn more in Part 3 of our Hearing Chord Progressions series.

Hearing Chord Progressions, Part 3: Minor Keys

Listening for Diminished Triads

You hear diminished chords throughout pop, rock, jazz, hip hop, heavy metal, and even American country music. Learn more about this often mysterious chord and how it adds depth and color to our music.

Listening for Diminished Triads

Applying Solfa to Real Music

Can you imagine listening to a piece of music and knowing exactly what notes you’re hearing? And what that would do for your ability to play what you hear on your instrument? Solfa is a magical key that unlocks the pitches and harmonies in all the music you hear.

Applying Solfa to Real Music

How To Truly Listen, with Evelyn Glennie

We learned a lot about listening from deaf musician. Evelyn Glennie is the world’s first full time solo percussionist, whose mission in life is to teach the world to listen.

Even though she lost almost all her hearing at the age of twelve, Evelyn has given deep and careful thought to the topic of listening. Enjoy this episode and learn how sound, and music, can transform our lives and the lives of those around us.

How To Truly Listen, with Evelyn Glennie

How to Stop Doubting and Start Performing, with Brent Vaartstra

Have you ever wanted to get out there and start performing? Maybe solo at an open mic night, maybe getting involved in the local blues jam, maybe starting or joining a band – or even going out and getting paying gigs as a live performer.

We were pleased to speak with our friend Brent Vaartstra from the Learn Jazz Standards podcast and Passive Income Musician. Brent shares some really valuable insights and actionable tips. Learn how to go from practicing by yourself at home to confidently sharing your music with the world.

How to Stop Doubting and Start Performing, with Brent Vaartstra

About the Hook

What is the “hook”? It’s the catchiest, most memorable part of a song, and the culprit for getting the tune stuck in your head. In this podcast episode, learn what makes a hook and how some famous artists have used it to elevate their songs from great to unforgettable.

About the Hook

Exploring Classical Music: The Romantic Era, Part 1

What comes to mind when you hear the word “romantic”? A sunset walk on the beach? Wine and candles? Classical music history has a whole style period known as the “Romantic era.”

Click the link to dive in and explore this beautiful music.

Exploring Classical Music: The Romantic Era, Part 1