So, are you in a choir or singing group yet? If not, it’s time to get out there and find some people to sing with! It’s a great way to have fun and grow musically, and you have no excuse to be scared of sheet music after reading this great tutorial! With SightReadingMastery https://www.musical-u.com/learn/how-to-start-sight-reading-music-in-choir/
At some point in life, every one of us wants to work on o…
At some point in life, every one of us wants to work on our self-confidence. Without it, it’s too easy to fall into the trap of negativity and self-doubt. Here are 6 tricks that can help you instantly boost your musical confidence and allow you to do things you may not have been able to do before.
When writing songs naturally we come up with things that …
When writing songs naturally we come up with things that sound right to us and build from there. If you’ve felt limited by the “rules” or struggling for creative ideas, give the “natural” way a try. You will find it far more rewarding to write from the heart than from the head! https://www.musical-u.com/learn/natural-song-writing-my-evolution/
Transcribing a metal song can be a daunting task when pre…
Transcribing a metal song can be a daunting task when presented with face-melting riffs and blistering solos, but this fear is overcome when you take a deep breath and break it down piece by piece. Check out this method of transcribing to get started! https://www.musical-u.com/learn/deconstructing-technical-metal-riffs-by-ear/
Famous musicians didn’t get where they are overnight. Bef…
4 Musicians Reveal What They Wish They Knew When They Started
Famous musicians didn’t get where they are overnight. Before they had the fame, screaming fans, and never-ending stream of paparazzi, they also had their fair share of struggles. Take a look at what these four music artists have to say to their younger selves about fame and success. https://www.musical-u.com/learn/musicians-advice/
Effective Practice, Meet Adam, Dorian Mode, and Latin Pop
We musicians are all too familiar with the restless drive to grow and learn. No sooner have we conquered one song, one skill then we’re on to the next – always striving for that mastery.
But what if that mastery stubbornly eludes us?
Think you’ll escape by quitting music? Musical U’s Adam Liette is case-in-point that once you are a musician, you are always a musician. And that’s a good thing!
And what about that Locrian metal riff, crazy recorder cross-fingering, or high vocal note that always seem just beyond your reach? Gregg Goodhart, aka The Learning Coach, has combined neuroscience, psychology, and years of hands-on experience to help you achieve amazing results from your practicing that you never thought possible.
There’s nothing like a new scale to open your ears and hands up to new sonic possibilities. And sometimes, it’s best to just kick back and relax (relish it – it won’t last long!) with some sultry Latin pop.
Always a Musician
The Musical U team is packed with musical drive and experience. Our Communications Manager Adam Liette is no exception. A heavy metal guitarist and former Army trumpeter, Adam discovered his love for country music while playing guitar in a touring military band in Afghanistan.
Though his military and business careers have put performing music on the back burner, Adam brings the same love of learning and growing to his teamwork at Musical U where he runs our social media, promoting our new articles each week on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more.
“I like to think that we are not just helping people learn music, but helping them achieve a fuller, more complete life!” – Adam Liette
Adam also reaches out to other music educators and amazing musicians with similar missions, providing our audience with a steady stream of fascinating guest posts and interviews. We enjoyed getting to know Adam a little better in this interview, and know you will too when you Meet the Team: Adam Liette.
Dorian Demystified
Learning new scales can really open up your musical awareness and ability.
Wait. You’ve twisted your fingers around your 15 major and 15 minor scales (45 if you count natural, harmonic and melodic minors!). Isn’t that enough?!
The coolest thing about the Dorian mode – apart from an intense, driving sound that makes it one of the most popular minor scales in jazz, R&B, metal, many rock and pop songs, and traditional Celtic music – is that you already know it!
How can that be? Learn more about this Minor Scale With A Bright Spot: The Dorian Mode
Learning modes will open your ears to a whole new level of harmonic and melodic colors. Fretello breaks down this misunderstood (and often intimidating) topic of modes into something that will be easy to grasp. Get ready to jump on the modal bandwagon!
The Dorian mode is very popular for constructing guitar solos and creating some fantastic melodies. Getting started on the mode can be difficult, especially when trying to connect various scale shapes on the fretboard. Spy Tunes provides a super series of videos on beginning to use Dorian in your guitar playing.
Modes do not just impact the melody, but the entire harmonic structure of a piece of music. Incorporating the unique color of Dorian into the chord progression behind a melody will add so much to your music. Check out this exploration to see the chords and scales that fit within the B Dorian harmony.
While it is popular with guitar players, Dorian can be applied to any and all musical instruments. This lesson from Sean Wilson Piano shows how to practice the Dorian scale on the keyboard, and has some great information for all instruments on which chords to use when playing in Dorian.
The Learning Coach
When he became a classical guitar teacher in a public school, Gregg Goodhart was driven to help his students maximize their potential – and move beyond it! Through applying the lessons of modern neuroscience and psychology, he has developed systems that raise the bar on learning across every discipline.
Last time we spoke with Gregg, he explained this new paradigm of confidence and peak performance. This time Gregg shows how applying the lessons of learning science can actually cause us to acquire the “talent” we thought was out of reach.
Learn how you can do it for yourself with Effective Practice: Lessons from Neuroscience and Psychology, with Gregg Goodhart.
Practice sessions, and how the musicians approach their practice, can be the difference-maker in developing your capabilities as a musician. As times and technology have changed, it has become both more complex and easier to track your daily practice. Jason Heath of Contrabass Conversations talks about the evolution of his practice routine and how to use new tools for keeping yourself on the right path.
Many of us have been taught to practice the way that we would perform a piece of music. Shouldn’t our practice be organized in a similar manner? Better Practice App talks about how to organize your practice into set lists to make more efficient use of time and better prepare for a performance or lesson.
Yes, practice can be… boring. And who actually likes playing scales?
We understand! Some of the things that we need to do to become more proficient on our instruments aren’t always fun. But, what if you can find ways to make your practice more musical? Check out this video from Sean Daniel Music on how to implement little tips that will make practice more enjoyable.
We are all so busy trying to manage our lives and maintain our daily practice routines! So, we need to be as efficient as possible when we finally get the chance to work on music. Samurai Guitarist talks about some strategies that you can implement immediately to improve your daily practice:
Get Your Swoon On
Sometimes every musician can benefit from a vacation. But that’s not always in the budget, is it? Here’s the next best thing: kick back and listen to a new genre from a different part of the world.
A few weeks ago, we opened your ears to traditional Latin music and rhythms. Now see what happens when Latin rhythm meets pop stardom and captivates audiences worldwide: Open Your Ears to Latin Pop.
Latin pop music has distinct rhythmic qualities that set it apart from other genres of music. Naturally, this requires the percussionist to work at particular skills and competencies in order to drive the rest of the band. How is one to get started on the various types of rhythm incorporated in Latin music? Check out this page from Online Drummer with links to various types of Latin rhythms.
Latin music has inspired musicians from many different genres! This includes jazz musicians, who have infused the elements of Latin music into their charts for a celebration of musical styles that must be experienced by every musician. Jazz Education Network shows how to incorporate Latin percussion elements in jazz band.
With so much music out there to inspire your next creation, how can you take the style of Latin Pop Music and apply it to your instrument? Easy Piano Styles lays out the basics of how to play Latin rhythms on the piano. Have fun incorporating this into your repertoire!
As Latin Pop Music has continued to gain a greater following, the style has been blended with many other styles of music to create unique new blends of music. Creative Guitar Studios shows how to incorporate the sound of Latin pop music into jazz, to create a fusion that is truly fun to hear and play!
Well, I see that vacation didn’t last long! As soon as you heard those irresistible Latin rhythms, you were off figuring out how to add them to your musical toolbox. Learning, improving, creating more wonderful music – it’s what we do! So dive into Dorian, learn how to learn better, and remember the lesson from our own Adam Liette: once a musician, always a musician.
The post Effective Practice, Meet Adam, Dorian Mode, and Latin Pop appeared first on Musical U.
If you’ve been working on playing by ear, you know that t…
If you’ve been working on playing by ear, you know that the tonic gives you most of the information you need to play a melody without written music. But what happens when the tonic changes? Enter the world of key changes!
Transcribing a metal song can be a daunting task when pre…
Transcribing a metal song can be a daunting task when presented with face-melting riffs and blistering solos, but this fear is overcome when you take a deep breath and break it down piece by piece. Check out this method of transcribing to get started! https://www.musical-u.com/learn/deconstructing-technical-metal-riffs-by-ear/
Playing the piano is a fun and rewarding experience. The …
Playing the piano is a fun and rewarding experience. The benefits for your health and brain have been proven by many scientific studies. However, beginners occasionally struggle with the mental and physical pursuit of getting started. If you’re an aspiring pianist having a difficult time improving your piano skills, remember, you’re not alone.
Here are 5 tips to help you improve. https://www.musical-u.com/learn/playing-piano-success/
Meet the Team: Adam Liette
From heavy metal guitar tours to classical trumpet major, playing country music in Afghanistan to jumping out of planes (and bugling on the way down!) – Adam Liette’s passion for music has certainly taken him places.
Adam’s worldwide travels continue virtually as Communications Manager here at Musical U. He runs our social media, promoting our new articles each week on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more. Adam reaches out to other music educators and amazing musicians, bringing us fascinating guest posts and interviews.
Q: Tell us a little bit more about your musical background.
Music was always a part of our household. My father is an incredibly talented singer, saxophonist, guitarist and pianist, and made sure that I and my siblings had an appreciation for music at a very young age. Some of my earliest memories are dancing in the front room of our home as my dad played his guitar.
After first picking up the guitar, I joined the school band as a trumpet player. Throughout high school, I was very involved in music, playing in the jazz band, marching band, and concert ensemble for all four years.
When I finally graduated, I had this dream of moving to California to “make it big” with my heavy metal band.
Thankfully, we discovered some serious complications with our interpersonal relationships before making that big move! So, after a year of going to community college and working as a carpenter, I decided to make the big move and apply to Capital University Conservatory of Music in Columbus, Ohio.
Looking back, I had no business going to that school! (How did I make the audition!?) All of my classmates had been studying privately for many years, while I was, at best, an amateur. So… it was a very steep learning curve and I had to work very hard to compete, let alone graduate!
Finally, by my senior year, I had built myself up enough to make it into our elite Symphonic Band (albeit, as the last chair trumpet player). Some of my colleagues had spent all four years in that ensemble, but shared in celebrating the progress that I had made over my time in the trumpet studio. I am still immensely proud of that accomplishment as it represented thousands of hours of hard work.
After graduation, my next step was to serve my country through music… but more on that a little later.
Today, I find great joy in teaching my children to love and appreciate music. They are finally getting old enough to start playing the piano, and I look forward to when their hands are strong enough to be able to make a proper power chord so I can teach them about heavy metal music!
Q: I guess it’s time for me to work on my hand strength too! What initially drew you to music? What would you say helped you develop your passion?
Adam Recording his First Album
My first instrument was the guitar. Looking back, I can honestly say that I wanted to be exactly like my father. My parents caught on after I snuck into Dad’s guitar case and dropped all his picks into the sound hole as I played.
There was nothing but support for my music career in our house. To this day, I can’t believe they allowed it. My parents even accompanied me to my first ever gig at a bar – when I was only 14 years old! I couldn’t drive to the gig, but they stayed until our set was over at 2 AM just to make sure that I got into the music scene back at home.
As I got a little older, music became an outlet for me. I was never the “popular” kid in our small community, but when I put on a guitar and began to sing, I was in my own world. Writing music became an obsession, and I carried a small notebook to write lyric ideas to the many riffs I recorded on a small cassette recorder at home.
Writing and performing helped me develop a very independent identity that helped set me apart from my peers. Independence and self-reliance have been great traits as I have gotten older and moved on to other careers.
Q: And all that from a few lost guitar picks! What is your favorite thing about playing guitar?
I love the energy of the electric guitar. A power chord pumped through a high-gain amplifier is one of the world’s most amazing sounds!
While I have been classically trained, there is something about heavy metal music that has always appealed to me! Heavy metal covers all ranges of human emotion, and the lyrical content explores some of the darkest feelings in the human experience.
On top of it all, the fans of that genre are just incredible… waiting hours to hear a band play and voraciously consuming all the music that we would produce.
It was a sobering moment to hear hundreds of fans singing the lyrics to a song I wrote – and even louder than the PA system.
As I grew musically, I only appreciated heavy music even more. Once my ear had fully developed, it became apparent to me this music shared many of the same characteristics that I had studied through the likes of Mahler, Wagner, and Tchaikovsky.
I may have written a heavy metal tune based on the Tristan chord at one point… Ok… I stole that idea from Wagner. But, many musicians have said that all great artists steal ideas. So, I feel validated in that.
Of course, the fact that I met my wife while playing a metal gig certainly helps as well!
Q: A match made in metal? Now in the U. S. Army, I imagine “heavy metal” may have a slightly different meaning. You’ve had a fascinating career with the U.S. military. What can you tell us about that?
After graduating college with a music education degree, I decided that I would put off teaching for a couple of years and enlisted in the Army. There were many reasons for this, but I did feel a sense of duty to serve as so many people I knew from home had done service during the time period after 9/11. And I felt that the best way I could do that was to join the Army Band.
At the Korean War Memorial
My first job after Basic Training was as the Division Bugler for the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In case you were wondering, Airborne means we jump from airplanes. So, I am an Airborne Trumpet Player with over 50 jumps from military aircraft under my belt!
At this time, the surge in Iraq was in full effect and our Division had over 15,000 paratroopers serving in the war zone.
It was my job to perform “Taps” at military funerals all around the United States to honor our fallen warriors. Quite a sobering duty, but it gave me incredible perspective on life and I am proud to have been able to honor the fallen through music. One of the coolest moments of this time was getting to perform at a NASCAR race for Memorial Day 2007. 200,000 people in person and another 5 million watching on television. I still get tingles watching this video:
In 2009, I was finally called overseas and served in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division. Our job was to bring a little bit of home to our service members and help take their mind off the war, if only for a little bit. In Afghanistan, I discovered my love of country music. We formed a small country band and would fly in Blackhawk Helicopters to some of the most remote regions of the country to perform.
When we weren’t playing music, we had a training mission, teaching the Afghanistan National Army Band how to perform military music. While western melodies and harmony were difficult for the Afghan musicians, I was truly amazed to hear them play their native instruments. Even after a decade of Taliban brutality, their music survived in the people’s hearts and was passed down through rote teaching.
And, in case you were wondering, nearly all Afghan music is in Phrygian mode.
After five years of service, I left the Army Band, but continue to look fondly upon those days as I moved on into other adventures!
Country Music Bonfire at the Khyber Pass, Afghanistan
Q: The power of music! It is said that Alexander the Great – who made it into Afghanistan – set out to conquer the world after hearing a jam in the Phrygian mode at a dinner party. What advice would you give aspiring musicians to gain their own musical power?
Enjoy the art of music in your life. Most of us will never make a living at music, but having music as a part of your life enhances it in ways that few other things can. Love music for what it does for you, and expect to be challenged.
You may have dreams of becoming the next superstar. Go for it!! But know that you have never “failed” as long as you love your art and stay true to yourself.
The Army 10 Miler Band
I am at a point in my life where I don’t get much time to practice music, let alone perform. But, I am still a musician. While some people are able to say that they “used” to play football or baseball, you never cease being a musician. The art stays with you and will be there again whenever you want to pick it back up!
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your work at Musical U?
I am very happy to be the communications manager here at Musical U. As communications manager, I handle our social media pages and relationships between other music educators throughout the digital ecosphere.
The primary thing that I do is post all of the content that is published to our Facebook Page, Twitter profile, and YouTube Channel. So, anytime that you see our articles posted to social media, that is my work. I also reply to any comments and direct messages that we receive on these platforms. It is always great to talk directly with our amazing audience!
My other job is to do outreach to other great musicians that have online programs similar to ours. We believe in being collaborative and working with our fellow musicians, rather than treating everyone else as a competitor. I know that this sense of community has helped us develop strong relationships with others in the industry and hope that our members feel this same sense of community.
Q: What is your favorite part about working with the Musical U team?
I love the mission of Musical U. Music has been such a blessing in my life, and I wouldn’t be the person that I am had I not picked up that guitar so many years ago. Helping spread the passion of playing music to people all over the world is a very rewarding job that I am grateful to have. I like to think that we are not just helping people learn music, but helping them achieve a fuller, more complete life!
Music means that much to all of us on this team, and I hope that we are able to portray this passion to all of you who come to us to learn more about musicality.
I would be remiss if I did not mention my wonderful colleagues here at Musical U. This team is such a pleasure to work with and I couldn’t be happier here. It doesn’t feel like a job most days and I look forward to every time we get to meet!
Adam’s Former Team: The Army Band at Bagram Airfield
I look forward to that too, Adam. I’ve appreciated this opportunity to get to know you a little better. There are so many ways, obvious and hidden, that music molds and shapes our lives. Thank you for your wise words!
The power of music – the discipline, creativity, collaboration, and understandings of form, structure, and service that we build as musicians – extends throughout every aspect of our lives. And we appreciate Adam Liette for applying those qualities to his work on the Musical U team. Take inspiration from Adam, and take a moment to reflect and be grateful for all that music has brought to your life.
The post Meet the Team: Adam Liette appeared first on Musical U.