What's New Wednesday: Honey, I'm Good -Andy Grammer

Fun song! Andy Grammer is on Season 21 of DWTS so I thought I should check out one of his latest hits. My husband and I recently celebrated 25 years of marriage making this video extra special.

Traditional Tuesday: Debussy- Piano Arabesque #1 (smalin)

Perfection. I admire pianists and piano composers. The way a piano can provide both melody and accompaniment is remarkable. Smalin has beautifully animated this piece I particularly enjoyed the blue melody line.

My Monday: Anything You Can Do -Annie Get Your Gun

I'm preparing myself for the upcoming school musical. This is probably the most popular one.

Freedom Friday: I Gotta Feeling -Black Eyed Peas

This song is the best thing to turn to when you need to get pumped up. This video (the song starts at 1:30) is from the kick off of Oprah's 24th season, the lyrics are changed to fit the party.Watching the crowd dance together restores my faith in humanity and tearfully fills my heart with hope and joy. I am celebrating 47 years and kicking off my 48th year. Mazel tov!

Throwback Thursday: Back in Time -Huey Lewis and the News

This song was used in 1985 hit movie Back to the Future, Huey Lewis sang a lot of songs for movies during that time. I always love the use of wind instruments in popular music. The catchy lyrics are especially meaningful if you know the plot of the movie.

Tell me, doctor
Where are we going this time?
Is this the fifties?
Or nineteen ninety-nine?

All I wanted to do
Was play my guitar and sing

Take me away
I don't mind
You better promise me
I'll be back in time
Gotta get back in time

Don't bet your future
On one roll of the dice
Better remember
Lightning never strikes twice

Please don't drive at eighty-eight
Don't wanna be late again

Take me away
I don't mind
You better better promise me
I'll be back in time
Gotta get back in time
Gotta get back in time
Get me back in time

Gotta get back in time
Gotta get back in time
Get back, get back.
(Get back, Marty.)

Gotta get back in time
Gotta get back in time
Get back, get back.

What's New Wednesday: Roar -Katy Perry

I fell in love with Katy Perry when she sang this 2013 hit as part of her amazing Super Bowl half-time show this year.

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
So I sat quietly, agree politely
I guess that I forgot I had a choice
I let you push me past the breaking point
I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything

You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Get ready 'cause I've had enough
I see it all, I see it now

[Chorus:]
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar

Now I'm floating like a butterfly
Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes
I went from zero, to my own hero

You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Get ready 'cause I've had enough
I see it all, I see it now

[Chorus:]
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
(You're gonna hear me roar)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
(You'll hear me roar)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar...

Ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
(You're gonna hear me roar)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
(You'll hear me roar)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar...

Traditional Tuesday: Swan Lake (excerpt) -Tchaikovsky (first 4:30 minutes)

The first 4 and a half minutes of this video features a theme introduced by a solo oboe and then developed in the orchestra. I am so impressed with the soloist's ability to produce and maintain such wonderful sound.  I once thought that playing the oboe was all about the embouchure, I have learned from my teacher that the sound is produced by a constant steady supportive stream of air.

My Monday: What the World Needs Now -Bacharach/Workwick

My horn teacher loved that I brought my easy piano Burt Bacharach book to my lesson. In fact she assigned me this song along with the G major scale to prepare for my next lesson. She said the range was perfect and she challenged me to slur throughout the melodic passages. As I listened to this video this morning it was an unexpected surprise to realize there is horn used throughout this recording.

Freedom Friday: There's No Business Like Show Business

The high school where I'm working is starting to rehearse for Annie Get Your Gun. The play is very different from the movie but the overall tune still remains.

Throwback Thursday: Teach Your Children -Crosby, Stills & Nash

I first learned this song in high school when I heard my sister's friend sing and strum it on her guitar. My Dad, who taught himself to play guitar in his 60's, often sang this song as part of our family sing-a-longs. A couple years ago I found it in the book I use to teach middle school guitar and so I've been able to expose some of the next generation to this catchy tune and meaningful lyrics.

You, who are on the road must have a code that you can live by.
And so become yourself because the past is just a good bye.
Teach your children well, their father's hell did slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams, the one they fix, the one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.

And you, of the tender years can't know the fears that your elders grew by,
And so please help them with your youth, they seek the truth before they can die.
Teach your parents well, their children's hell will slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams, the one they fix,the one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.

What's New Wednesday: Drag Me Down -One Direction

This pop boy band that is often the punchline on late night sings a song with a good message saying I can face anything with 'you behind me'.

Traditional Tuesday: Beethoven Symphony 5 movement III and IV (smalin)

After the low string into with high string response
I like to sing "this is the 3rd, this is the 3rd, this is the 3rd movement" to the tune started in the horns
This faster paced lively movement is enjoyable, I should listen to it more often
The strings hit the ascending line with such vigor and excitement
then trailing off with higher winds and solos into pizzicato
restatement of beginning Low string intro/high string response with different instrumentation and more pizzicato
restatement of the "this is the 3rd" in various solos

sustained strings------represented in blue, building of intensity
 Movement 4
Brass enter with a promenade like entrance with full sound into a dance like theme, don't miss the squeaky piccolo

this next theme goes into what I call the ET (John Williams theme) just before the 6 minute mark

things seems to be wrapping up and accelerating around 6:36

but then they head back into the dance like figures with flute and then new darker tonality, low brass
stings call, brass response
all orchestra builds into sustained chord
then pizzicato into "this is the 3rd" theme to oboe sustained counter melody
adding bassoon
accelerating into restatement of the brass promenade/dance section with piccolo squeaks
into the ET theme
just before 12 minutes nice stricking and then woodwind solo, into coda section with piccolo trill and ascending shrills, bouncing into serious work with strings filling out melody then staccato section to end with one long tone

My Monday: Close to You -Carpenters/Burt Bacharach

I'm taking (French) horn lessons and my teacher said her grandpa taught her to play from the hymnal because those were tunes she knew. The horn has MANY pitches using the same fingering so the shape of your mouth (embouchure) is very important, much more so than with any other instrument. I pulled out my Burt Bacharach Easy Piano book yesterday and had a lot of fun playing from it. This tune was especially well matched for the beginning horn range. Karen Carpenter sings it best in my opinion, I miss her.

Freedom Friday: Coming Home -The Fu

I love this sweet song and video. It is written, performed and filmed by two brothers who are now well known YouTubers. They created this song as part of a show that is sort of like American Idol/Project Runway for YouTubers called Internet Icon. Each week the contestants were given a challenge and needed to create a video. The week of this video they were given 5 hours to shoot and edit a video using all of the following props; a hula hoop, a banana peel, a twinkie, a wig, and a rubber duckie. They didn't have to sing. If you like this you should look up some of their other videos.

Throwback Thursday: Keep On Loving You -REO Speedwagon

With my new job I gained a nice commute which translates to a great chance to listen to music.
This week I've been listening to REO Speedwagon. I'm headed out the door so I'll let you find the lyrics on your own.

What's New Wednesday: Bad Blood -Taylor Swift

I decided it was time to post this when I recently heard a male HS student whistling it as he walked down the hallway. I love it's strong message of declaring that it's over in a friendship even when at one time you had "mad love". The over the top video provides a nice visual to dream about when you've been betrayed by someone you once deeply trusted.

'Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you've done
'Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey
Now we got problems
And I don't think we can solve them
You made a really deep cut
And, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey

Did you have to do this? I was thinking that you could be trusted
Did you have to ruin what was shiny? Now it's all rusted
Did you have to hit me, where I'm weak? Baby, I couldn't breathe
And rub it in so deep, salt in the wound like you're laughing right at me

Oh, it's so sad to think about the good times, you and I

'Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you've done
'Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey
Now we got problems
And I don't think we can solve them
You made a really deep cut
And, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey

Did you think we'd be fine? Still got scars on my back from your knife
So don't think it's in the past, these kinda wounds they last and they last.
Now did you think it all through? All these things will catch up to you
And time can heal but this won't, so if you're coming my way, just don't

Oh, it's so sad to think about the good times, you and I

'Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you've done
'Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey
Now we got problems
And I don't think we can solve them
You made a really deep cut
And, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey

Band-aids don't fix bullet holes
You say sorry just for show
If you live like that, you live with ghosts (ghosts)
Band-aids don't fix bullet holes (hey)
You say sorry just for show (hey)
If you live like that, you live with ghosts (hey)
Mhmmm
If you love like that blood runs cold

'Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love (mad love)
So take a look what you've done
'Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey
Now we got problems
And I don't think we can solve them (think we can solve them)
You made a really deep cut
And, baby, now we got bad blood
(Hey)

'Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you've done (look what you've done)
'Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey
Now we got problems
And I don't think we can solve them
You made a really deep cut
And, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey

Traditional Tuesday: 5th Symphony Beethoven movement II (smalin)

This is a continuation of last Tuesday's post:

Movement 2 slower and in 3 (I can't state enough how helpful I find smalin's animation).

The melody is simply and thinly stated in the low strings and then builds until about 1:30 where more instrumentation is added and then the texture things out again

at about 2:40 the mood changes as the theme is varied with more ornamentation

at about 3:40 things build again into the majestic sounds heard earlier with added brass

followed by long tones and intensity

at 5:00 theme is varied with violins adding quicker ornamentation

at about 5:40 repeated notes get my attention and anticipation as the tonality changes until it moves into a scale

two note repeats

various solos and duets break up the melody, repeated notes, horn 'call'

7:20 majestic promenade as stated earlier

8:00 strings thinly state a light and bouncy section

8:15 woodwinds enter with a new variation with a new tonality

9:10 and it is easy to (see) hear as the instrumentation is building as they enter in the theme is a little move free and with a bit of swing

tension builds with scales and then quiets down with a woodwind feature

10:15 solo in double reed

11:20 melody lengths and quiets but does not come to a rest, yet

11:50 long strings build with bouncy ascending meldody

the last moments heard are the melody with separated into small phrases

My Monday: Saturday in the Park -Chicago

It's been a busy weekend but also a great one. Lots of fun catching up with my daughter and driving and talking and driving. Here is a fun song that I enjoy for its melody, instrumentation and lyrics.

Saturday in the park
I think it was the Fourth of July
Saturday in the park
I think it was the Fourth of July
People dancing, people laughing
A man selling ice cream
Singing Italian songs
?
Can you dig it (yes, I can)
And I've been waiting such a long time
For Saturday
Saturday in the park
You'd think it was the Fourth of July
Saturday in the park
You'd think it was the Fourth of July
People talking, really smiling
A man playing guitar
Singing for us all
Will you help him change the world
Can you dig it (yes, I can)
And I've been waiting such a long time
For today
Slow motion riders fly the colours of the day
A bronze man still can tell stories his own way
listen children all is not lost
all is not lost
Funny days in the park
Every day's the Fourth of July
Funny days in the park
Every day's the Fourth of July
People reaching, people touching
A real celebration
Waiting for us all
If we want it, really want it
Can you dig it (yes, I can)
And I've been waiting such a long time
For the day

Freedom Friday: Fireflies -Owl City

This song never fails to leave me feeling inspired. I love how the music creates the perfect mood for these thought provoking lyrics. Today was extremely busy and extremely wonderful. I was offered and accepted a job that I didn't even know existed 3 days ago. No matter what's going on in our lives planet earth keeps turning, this brings me comfort. The following video was the first one Google listed and I saw no reason to look further.

You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep
'Cause they'd fill the open air
And leave tear drops everywhere
You'd think me rude
But I would just stand and stare

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems

'Cause I'd get a thousand hugs

From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to dance
A foxtrot above my head
A sock hop beneath my bed
The disco ball is just hanging by a thread
(Thread, thread...)

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
(When I fall asleep)

Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
'Cause I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep?
(Please take me away from here)
When I'm far too tired to fall asleep
(Ha-ha)

To ten million fireflies
I'm weird 'cause I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell
(Said farewell)

But I'll know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
'Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar
(Jar, jar, jar...)

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
(When I fall asleep)

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams

Throwback Thursday: Your Song -Elton John/Bernie Taupin

Elton John expresses himself in an anonymously generic sort of way, making this song easily sung by and to anyone. Singer song writers have my highest respect for how they make themselves vulnerable, a risk they thankfully take, over and over. Here are the lyrics and an early performance:

It's a little bit funny this feeling inside 
I'm not one of those who can easily hide I
Don't have much money but boy if I did 
I'd buy a big house where we both could live 
If I was a sculptor but then again no 
Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show 
Oh I know it's not much but it's the best I can do 
My gift is my song 
And this one's for you 

And you can tell everybody this is your song 
It may be quite simple but now that it's done 
I hope you don't mind 
I hope you don't mind 
That I put down in words 
How wonderful life is while you're in the world 

I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss 
Well a few of the verses well they've got me quite cross 
But the sun's been quite kind 
While I wrote this song 
It's for people like you that 
Keep it turned on 

So excuse me forgetting 
But these things I do 
You see I've forgotten 
If they're green or they're blue 
Anyway the thing is what I really mean 
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen 

And you can tell everybody this is your song 
It may be quite simple but 
Now that it's done 
I hope you don't mind 
I hope you don't mind 
That I put down in words 
How wonderful life is while you're in the world 
I hope you don't mind 
I hope you don't mind 
That I put down in words 
How wonderful life is while you're in the world

What's New Wednesday: All About That Bass -Meghan Trainor and Kevin Kadish (with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots)

This song came out in 2014 and became popular instantly in big part due to its playful yet fearless lyrics. I am listing the lyrics below with some mature language along with the video from The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon where Jimmy, Meghan Trainor, and The Roots perform on classroom instruments as they are known for doing with various artists. 

Because you know I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass... bass... bass... bass

Yeah, it's pretty clear, I ain't no size two
But I can shake it, shake it, like I'm supposed to do
'Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase
And all the right junk in all the right places

I see the magazine workin' that Photoshop
We know that bitch ain't real, come on now, make it stop
If you got beauty, beauty, just raise 'em up
'Cause every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top

Yeah, my mama she told me "don't worry about your size"
(Shoo wop wop, sha-ooh wop wop)
She says, "Boys like a little more booty to hold at night"
(That booty, uh, that booty booty)
You know I won't be no stick figure silicone Barbie doll
So if that what you're into, then go 'head and move along

Because you know I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass... Hey!

I'm bringing booty back
Go 'head and tell them skinny bitches that
No, I'm just playing, I know you think you're fat
But I'm here to tell you...
Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top

Yeah my mama she told me, "don't worry about your size"
(Shoo wop wop, sha-ooh wop wop)
She says, "Boys like a little more booty to hold at night"
(That booty booty, uh, that booty booty)
You know I won't be no stick figure, silicone Barbie doll
So if that's what you're into, then go 'head and move along

Because you know I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass...

You know I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I said I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass...

Traditional Tuesday: Beethoven's 5th Movement I (with smalin video)

I have long been drawn to icon notation and when my son introduced me to smalin on YouTube I was instantly captivated. The process used to make this video and others like it are listed in the comments below it.  Here are some prompts I have created to help engage your listening:

1) Tally how many times you hear the short short short long motif. The opening section of this movement is known as the Exposition.
2) Write down the solo instruments you hear throughout the movement
3) How many themes (short melodies) are there after the horn solo (starting around the 1st minute mark)? 1? 2? or 3?
4) Everything starts over at about 1:30. Why do you think Beethoven did this?
5) At the 3 minute mark we enter the Development, the themes are restated, shortened, lengthened and given different dynamics etc. Do you have a favorite type of change?
6) Beethoven takes the motif all the way down to one pitch buidling intensity that is finally resolved with what is called the Recapitulation at 4:18. Why do you think this phase of the movement is called the Recapitulation?
7) Exposition, Development, and Recaptitulation are what make up this movement that is in Sonata Allegro Form a common tool used by composers in the Classical Era. Why is it important for listeners to know the form of the music?
8) Beethoven ends the movement with long drawn out restatements of the 4 note motif (Coda). This symphony is made up of 4 movements. What do you think the second movement will be like? Faster? Quieter? In 3? Dance like? Other ideas?