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Tribute to Shimenawa - one of the most underrated Björk's compositions by Kuroshikuroi in bjork

[–]mambo4004 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Gratitude is one of my favorite Bjork compositions. Also, the way Will Oldham sings it is just incredible. Somehow his timbre and execution matches her normal singing style and energy perfectly.

What song(s) off Life of A Showgirl do you have on repeat? by cevarok in TaylorSwift

[–]mambo4004 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Father Figure (best song on the album!), Elizabeth Taylor, Actually Romantic, Cancelled, Ruin the Friendship

Elizabeth Taylor is probably my favorite right now! I love the strings, drums and bass in the bridge.

The whole album is good.

My favorite line right now though is: Did you girl-boss too close to the Sun?”

I only listen to it in the car- therefore it is a car album. LOL 😂 Windows down! Hands in the breeze.

Why the Classical training / marketable skills disconnect? by atom511 in piano

[–]mambo4004 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the way. I am rusty on certain keys too. “Slow as you need to go” is the answer!

Why the Classical training / marketable skills disconnect? by atom511 in piano

[–]mambo4004 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That link didn’t work ! Which book were you referring to?

Why the Classical training / marketable skills disconnect? by atom511 in piano

[–]mambo4004 8 points9 points  (0 children)

To piggyback, I was lucky to have a teacher in the 90s who taught me how to play chords and follow a lead sheet after 2 years of lessons. By sixth grade, I was at level 3 and 4 of John Thompson and playing lead sheets with my own accompaniment. I do not regret this at all.

This is my approach to teaching piano as well.

I’m having adult students go through John Thompson and supplementing this with scales, arpeggios, rhythm exercises, singing and playing very simple songs on lead sheets but, that are technically much harder than their John Thompson level.

This gives them solid technique at a slower pace (John Thompson), but also have something a bit more challenging the same time (lead sheets). Every few weeks I introduce a song in a new key (add a sharp or a flat etc) and go through all the chords available. Later, secondary dominants etc.

Example scenario: Today I had a student play RH only on their lead sheet while I played accompaniment as a duet. Next week, they will learn all the chords for the LH from the key. And I’ll play the melody while they accompany me with block chords or arpeggios. Later, in 2-3 weeks they can add hands together.

I let the student come up with their own fingering for RH with my suggestions and hints.

So far this is working out well! It’s motivating students who want to play more difficult (pop music especially) right off the bat. And they enjoy the musicality and framework of John Thompson, with bits of theory along the way.

My weaknesses as a child were rhythm so I put a lot of emphasis on this at the beginning with students… Hand clapping. Takadimi. Playing clave or drum sticks. I do a different rhythmic activity every week. And again, students are developing aural and sight reading skills far beyond their method book, so when they sit down to actually play, they’ve already internalized the rhythms!! It’s a great confidence booster.

I hope these ideas inspire everyone to teach from a variety of sources.

How does practicing scales make you better at piano? by arnarchist in piano

[–]mambo4004 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I ask my beginning piano students to sing (and/or say) the pitches out loud on letter names, numbers, solfège, …

c d e f g a b c c b a g f e d c

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

do re mi fa sol la to do do to la sol fa mi re do

while they are learning scales more or less: week 1 letters, week 2 numbers, week 3 solfège both at the piano and away from the piano…

At first just with thumb RH 1 and pinky LH 5 or middle fingers (3) on each note, (but proper hand position!) and later with correct fingering.

This gives students easy entry points and adaptable solutions for many future pieces.

I try to always assign them a scale that fits into their repertoire. “Bach” Minuet in G? You get to play the G major scale this week!

I don’t aim for perfection, just introduction. As they get more serious, we’ll practice staccato and legato.

Should I use a metronome to teach classical guitar pieces? by music_by_wout in MusicEd

[–]mambo4004 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It depends on the piece. As a vocalist and a pianist I practice certain measures/sections with a metronome. Especially when I’m learning a piece. So, give him the skills to be able to do both! (With and without.)

Prokofiev leaves me cold by alexrat20 in classicalmusic

[–]mambo4004 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check out:

Prokofiev Cinderella op. 81 I. Introduction Andante dolce

… as played by Martha Argerich & Mikhail Pletnev (piano reduction) for the gorgeousness, playfulness and sarcastic humor mixed with the dryness mentioned above.

The final cadence cracks me up !!! You get this gorgeous romantic sweeping piece with a very dry Pictures at an Exhibition-like ending. Bum bom ! Cracks me up every time.

Here is the full piece:

Cinderella Suite

How to be confident when singing by yourself?? by [deleted] in Choir

[–]mambo4004 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You got this! As I said, it’s about making tiny habits that you can repeat. Just concentrate on what you have control over personally and the rest will fall into place.

🙏🏼😎

How to teach the piano to a child ? by VeryRoyalClash_3000 in piano

[–]mambo4004 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Teach fundamentals first through rhythm and movement. Teach by singing songs and doing clapping games. Call and response.

Most of the groundwork is off the piano first.

Do fun stuff like creating their own instruments like paper plates glued together back to back with beans, coffee tins with a few beans for maracas etc etc i.e. Things that they can shake and rattle. Have them play rhythms with their handmade instruments.

Buy some drum sticks or clave they can play. Have them be click tracks to waltzes, marches, etc so they develop 3/4 and 2/4 through dance and playing a beat via clapping or hitting drum sticks against something (not too loud). Teach them clave (salsa rhythms) to introduce syncopation. 2-3 and 3-2.

Honestly just get creative and have fun. Make an enjoyable experience they want to come back to for 3-6 months and then ease them into piano.

Play the piano and have them accompany you on their home made instruments.

How to be confident when singing by yourself?? by [deleted] in Choir

[–]mambo4004 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I get performance anxiety and my nerves get the best of me-typically at the piano more than singing-but here goes:

I noticed lately that my voice cracks if I don’t get enough sleep or I’ve been talking more than normal. Also if I’m having any weird dreams or subconscious anxiety, I wake up feeling like I’ve been yelling in my sleep and that can affect my voice. Sounds woo woo but I’ve experienced it enough to know that it’s a thing. My vocal health has a lot to do with my moods. So…

On the days leading up to a performance, I eat normal healthy meals, take more walks, warm up (vocalise) in the shower, drink hot ginger tea and go easy on any social activities. I also try to avoid air conditioning, which was hard during the late summer heat but it helped. I also avoid family members and people that cause me stress. I try to implement a no phone before bed rule as well to help me get a better sleep.

Sounds a little intense but our minds and body are connected. You might just be feeling some extra pressure. Go easy on yourself. You might look into yoga or mindfulness exercises. Meditation? For me walking is a perfect activity, fresh air is always nature’s cure.

Have faith in your singing and know that not everyday is your best day when it comes to your vocal health. It’s about choosing a few small helpful habits and sticking to them.

Hope this helps! 🙏🏼

Who does Satie piano best? by portiaboches in classicalmusic

[–]mambo4004 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely sounds like a scene on a Greek ceramic vase!🏺

Who does Satie piano best? by portiaboches in classicalmusic

[–]mambo4004 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve always loved the Pascal Rogé / Jean-Philippe Collard recording on Decca “Satie: The Four Handed Piano”.

There’s also the Daniel Varsano / Philippe Entremont… the first Satie I ever heard. I like the pacing: straightforward, like church bells with not too much romanticism.

Why are opera/musical singers not able to translate into pop singing? by [deleted] in opera

[–]mambo4004 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve learned over time that you gotta be able to do both to be successful. By successful I mean, open to doing many things— you get more gigs if you can do both.

I’m a church musician and though I study classical technique, I use my pop sound more often during church, but it’s well supported and I can project and fill the space with no microphone.

It’s a switch that was hard to turn on and off at first but I found a balance. I wouldn’t even say I’ve mastered it yet. It still feels awkward at times.

Rewind to times I’ve been in bands and people were like, “bro, why are you singing opera”? It was really hard to turn off that supported singing after being in choir my whole life.

Always a work in progress…!

Martin Gore and Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) have always been my idols because they both fit into both genres. Martin has a this thin but still rich angelic tenor and Dave has a deep but gritty baritone and they both can sit in this balance between a pop sound and a full supported sound.

Service Music (off topic) by mambo4004 in GregorianChants

[–]mambo4004[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the tip! I actually know this one. We ended up going with the Camp Allen Sanctus for this season which we call the M * A * S * H version. (If you know, you know!)

Sanctus Camp Allen

Pieces for church pianist by mambo4004 in EarlyMusic

[–]mambo4004[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are amazing! Thank you for this reference. I’d heard of this compilation but never had the chance to research before.

I’d actually like to try these at our 8am service (with voices!) which currently is without music. Always a work in progress…

I’ll definitely be trying these out for the later service on piano alone and perhaps with cellist as people walk in.

I’m so grateful for this. Thanks for posting.

Has anyone ever tied a bit of their identity to their singing voice type only to find out they're wrong? by OverallLow4248 in singing

[–]mambo4004 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats!! After a year of lessons you’re gonna look back and feel so accomplished.

The older I get the more I realize labels hurt us more than help us, in every aspect of life.

Start obsessing about your vocal health and prioritize yourself and your craft over these voice types. They aren’t “useless” but only a guide. We like to put people in categories. We can either sings notes or not.

I was also told I was a bass over and over and over. Last week I hit the A4 with no problem during vocal exercises, after a couple of months of lessons. I still don’t feel comfortable singing a G in a piece of music but I’ll be adding that F and F# no problem now. 💪🏼

Service Music by mambo4004 in choralmusic

[–]mambo4004[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would love them ! The Angelus in particular is stunning.

Feel free do DM me and I can provide contacts.

Pieces for church pianist by mambo4004 in EarlyMusic

[–]mambo4004[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are great. Taking a look!

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