Saturday, 23 January 2010

Dynamics

p mf ff sf > pp

So many people just ignore them.
Maybe you do as well?
Varying degrees of loudness.
All the extras that give our music intensity and shape.
What helps our music make sense.
The interesting features.
Without them our music is likely to be dull.
Like reading aloud with no expression in your voice.
So come on, be dramatic and add the dynamics!

I'll hold onto the roof when it gets really loud. Hz

Sunday, 17 January 2010

Why are scales so unloved?

I was just listening to that scale you tried.
It had many guessed and bruised notes in it.
It might have been a newly invented one!
So, can I check a few things out with you?
Do you know what the notes are meant to be?
Can you find them one by one on your instrument?
Do you know what major and minor scales should sound like?
How about those dominant 7th and blues patterns?
If not, ask your teacher to play them to you.
Try learning a few so you can play them beautifully.

It's worth it. They really do help improve your sound. Hz

Wednesday, 13 January 2010

Commitment is.....

Commitment is - practising your instrument every day.
Then, walking 2 miles through snow and ice to get to your lesson.
AND, playing wonderful work when you got there.
Music to my ears!!
Bravo if you did that this week.
All that work has paid off.
Your music is sounding great.
You feel so happy about it.
I love hearing it.
And even your teacher was smiling.

Then you had to walk 2 miles home after dark in the snow and ice.
That is real commitment. Love, Hz





Saturday, 9 January 2010

When does the fun start?

Snow has made the town grind to a halt this week.
Everyone has been having fun sliding down hills.
We work hard to climb up the hill so we can have fun whizzing down.
Now, imagine dragging all your family and friends on a sledge UP a mountain.
Tough work and you might not make it.
Why would we choose to make things SO hard?
When we put off our practising for another day
we make it so much harder to get going again.
When we work little and often at something each day
we really do see things progressing and that's when the fun can start.

Brrrrrrr.......time for a spin. Keep warm. Hz

Tuesday, 5 January 2010

Just do it now

Why do you avoid it?
You always put off your practising.
You say you'll do it later.
After watching tv.
After chores.
Then it gets too late.
You say you'll double up tomorrow.
You say you'll do lots of work at the weekend instead.
And then tomorrow or at the weekend you say the same.
How about you stop making excuses and JUST DO IT NOW?

Little and often works best. Just do that. Hz