A few weeks back I was commenting on a post on DrumChattr that related to grad school application and auditions. It’s early November, and if memory serves me right, most applications start coming due around the first of December. So… ‘Tis the season for thinking about grad school auditions. However, in posting on the DrumChattr message boards, I got myself thinking about auditions in general, and I have some thoughts that I want to share, namely some tips for improving your audition skills. (more…)
There is so much to know about being a musician that sometimes the little things are not addressed. Some of those “little things” are etiquette issues. As teachers, we can only do so much in lessons and ensemble rehearsals. So I’ve have decided to start a list. I would like to start an open dialogue about etiquette issues and create a comprehensive list that can be turned into a PDF that we can all share with our students. I welcome any feedback and contributions. (more…)
Fresh off a residency at the University of Texas at Austin, I sat down and had an off-the-cuff conversation with Dr. John Parks who is Associate Professor of Percussion at Florida State University. We discuss guest artists, weight loss, play word association, and wonder if Haydn is a hack. Part II will air Sunday, and I promise you, you won’t want to miss that one!
Who are your favorite guest artists? Feel free to play some “percussion” word association, but play nice! Leave your comments and word associations below.
This video features line upon line percussion performing Missa Materialis by Ian Dicke. This performance features line upon line (Adam Bedell, Cullen Faulk, Matthew Teodori), percussion at the Outpost Concert Series at the Culver Center of the Arts on November 6, 2013.
I. Industry
II. End User
III. Prophets and Profits
IV. Plastic Deity
V. Landfill
Has anyone else played this piece? What other percussion trio pieces are out there that we should check out? Let us know.
With the ever expanding web, it has become very important for musicians to stay with or ahead of the ‘technological curve.’ One semi-controversial element of this curve is the use of YouTube, or any other video hosting service, to promote your playing. The reason that I think this can become controversial is because there is a large debate about what you should post online, and when in your career you should post it. Many advocate posting things early in your career, to receive feedback, and make yourself more widely known. Others avoid posting their content online for fear of ridicule or over-exposing their weaknesses. (more…)
A 23 year old Gary Burton perform A Singing Song as a member of the Stan Getz Quartet (1967). This video is from a BBC production called “Jazz Goes to College.” It is great to see Gary’s four mallet playing from the 60s. If you are interested in the lead sheet for this piece, check out Gary’s book called “Solo – 6 Unaccompanied Solos for Vibes” available at Steve Weiss Music.
