By: VictoriaD,
on 10/11/2016
Have you ever wanted to control sound waves? Or spook your friends with an eerie melody? If you answered yes, check out OUP's instrument of the month, the theremin.
The post Ten fun facts about the theremin appeared first on OUPblog.
By: VictoriaD,
on 10/7/2016
Biography chooses us when there is alchemy between biographer and subject—a perfect fit of interlocking puzzle pieces. In my case, a lifelong fascination with objects and the craftsmen who make them led me to the story of a pioneering violinmaker—American Luthier: Carleen Hutchins—the Art and Science of the Violin.
The post Fiddle parts and sound: how objects tell stories appeared first on OUPblog.
By: Aviva LeShaw,
on 8/9/2016
Tuba, trumpet, trombone...which one should you pick up this fall? Read below to learn what makes the trombone the right choice, and to find out a little more about this bass instrument's long history.
The post 10 facts about the trombone appeared first on OUPblog.
By: Helena Palmer,
on 1/7/2016
This month we're spotlighting the unique and beautiful oboe. We asked Heather Calow, lifelong oboe player and now an oboe teacher based in Leicester, UK, what first drew her to the instrument.
The post An interview with oboist Heather Calow appeared first on OUPblog.
By: Alice,
on 1/5/2016
Walking the music parenting tightrope isn’t easy for music moms and dads. Figuring out how to be helpful without turning into an overbearing nag can be tricky, especially during a youngster’s early adolescent years. Those often-turbulent years can upend many aspects of a child’s life, including music.
The post The music parenting tightrope appeared first on OUPblog.
By: Charley,
on 12/30/2015
Why is the head of a drum usually shaped like a circle? How would it sound if it were shaped like a square instead? Or a triangle? If you closed your eyes and listened, could you tell the difference? The mathematics used to prove that “one can hear the corners of a drum” are founded on […]
The post Can one hear the corners of a drum? appeared first on OUPblog.
The Power of Music
Music is powerful and can have a dramatic effect on us.
For instance – Music can even influence our sensory perception – our perception of flavour.
The Australian Chamber Orchestra performed recently at a ‘Wine & Music Matching’ Masterclass in the Orchestra’s rehearsal room at Sydney’s Circular Quay, to explore how music can change our sense of taste.
As the Masterclass Testers were tasting the identical wine sipped from each glass, they were listening to different pieces of music played. Some Mozart, Brahms, Beethoven and a modern except from early 20th century Webern. The same wine in each glass with the only changes being the music.
But, as each different music piece played along with each same wine sample, the testers profoundly changed their assessment of the wine.
It happens! It’s sometimes called synaesthesia.
And how can we not be excited by the prospect of Music Benefits with long-term Positive Effects?
Like I need an excuse to revisit the fascinating work of Anita Collins. Anita Collins shares how learning music influences our brain development, and what this means for musical education.
Anyway, the question being asked….. ‘IS PLAYING MUSIC AN OPTION?’
My friend Ginny wants To Play a Musical Instrument. But, It Won’t Be for a Career. And, it’s not going to Make Big Money. So, can this be a Process to Change her World?
Playing a musical instrument is a lifestyle choice that, if practiced correctly, is something that we all can find success in.
But, the pace of daily life in our scrolling, web-surfing culture that fragments concentration and swallows spare time, if we actually have any of that, is ill-suited to the mental absorption of learning music.
Learning a musical instrument is not fast. This is not in that part of life that shouts ‘overnight success!’
It’s not about instant results in an instant world where everything is at our finger tips to consume quickly. Our learning swiping motion is ineffective while learning instrument fingerings – especially if the instrument is an oboe! And there are no apps to take over the sheer persistence of practice.
Not to worry though. If you want to play music beautifully, you have to know how to play a musical instrument beautifully. It’s like nothing you’ve experienced before.
‘In the beginning – at first they say we sound awful. In fact you’re probably going to sound terrible.
And then one day after much practising, rearranging your life to fit in extra fun gigs, upgrading from that first instrument to a real one, and loving every moment of the process. You think, you know that your playing doesn’t sound too bad. By the end of the term it’s well wow! You rock the socks off.’
In a new series on Channel 4 world-renowned classical pianist James Rhodes says music education in the UK has been “decimated”, bemoaning the fact that learning a musical instrument is now seen as a luxury. And, a 2013 Ofsted report showed quality music education was reaching just a minority of pupils. And James asks families in Britain to donate old musical instruments left languishing in cupboards to those who need them.
Richard Gill has some very interesting insights into children’s music education and why it’s a must have for all children.
Because, as long as instrumental music instruction is offered as part of the school day, it remains one of the best ways for kids to learn to be great thinkers, citizens, innovators and human beings. That is the power in instrumental music education. The intellectual growth and happiness of our children depend on us keeping music alive and well in our communities.
The San Diego Youth Symphony’s Community Opus Project, is really interesting.
One of many music education programs sponsored by The NAMM Foundation, helps to introduce at-risk youth to the benefits of music making. Seventh grader Bruno Bello shares how this El Sistema-inspired program has changed his life, and the way he sees his future. Bruno has been a student since 2010.
So? What Really Is Music?
Chatting with retired musos around the dinner table, conversation inevitably turns to music loved or music unloved. Picking a favourite music genre is as impossible as deciding which musical instrument is best! Are we classical music lovers or loathers? Can we agree on something? Anything!
Here is the beautiful thing…It’s actually very hard to explain.
Something that can take your breath away. It just grabs your heart and away you go. A Language of exquisite melodies and astounding rhythms connected to the universe! Music captures something within our hearts, our souls, something that is huge. A Something we all can always connect with.
There are so many interesting conversations to have about Music and it is pointless to argue which Music is best.
And in all fairness we all play favourites! Music Favourites. Best genres. Best sounding instruments! So many choices!
My local newspaper last week covered stories about Musical Theatre; a Classical Gala Evening with an impressive array of sopranos and tenors and string quartets; a High Vibes Hip Hop Festival, and a gig for junior musos at the Brisbane Music Conference.….pitched to young people looking at a career in the music industry.
And you can find news about a concert with the Italian Chamber Orchestra; or the electronic duo Hermitude and music that people can dance to, and sing along to.
Or Bach, maybe Vivaldi. It’s all out there happening in the community.
But what about Fiona who loves Punk Music. It’s what started her love for music! Well, everyone’s favourite DJ Duo Peking Duk are heading for global superstardom and they’re bringing their friends along for the ride.
I’m into Music. It’s a life changing process. I really love it.
It always holds that special place in my heart. But then I love being a musician.
Cheers Chrissy
Chrissy Tetley
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By: VictoriaD,
on 7/7/2015
Although often overlooked, the piccolo is an important part of the woodwind instrument family. This high-pitched petite woodwind packs a huge punch. Historically, the piccolo had no keys and was an instrument of its own kind.
The post A tiny instrument with a tremendous history: the piccolo appeared first on OUPblog.
By: jilleisenberg14,
on 3/2/2015
March is Music in Our Schools Month. In support of music programs, music educators, and wiggling students trying to sneak a beat, we are celebrating (global) Music in Our Schools Month with DRUMS!
Book recommendations:
Questions during reading:
Activities:
For further reading on music and books:
Book and Activity Suggestions to Match Your Summer Adventure: Outdoor Summer Concerts
Jill Eisenberg, our Senior Literacy Expert, began her career teaching English as a Foreign Language to second through sixth graders in Yilan, Taiwan as a Fulbright Fellow. She went on to become a literacy teacher for third grade in San Jose, CA as a Teach for America corps member. She is certified in Project Glad instruction to promote English language acquisition and academic achievement. In her column she offers teaching and literacy tips for educators.
By: keilinh,
on 9/17/2014
Summer is coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean the fun stops! With cooler weather comes fun indoor activities, like catching a great jazz show. We asked Frank Morrison, illustrator of our new picture book biography, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, to share some of his favorite jazz numbers with us. Many of the artists below played or arranged with Melba Doretta Liston; others inspired Frank while he created his illustrations. So sit back with your cup of apple cider and let the rhythm carry you away!
Still can’t get enough jazz music? Here’s Duke Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood.”
Have your own favorite jazz tunes? Leave ‘em in the comments!
By: rgarcia406,
on 5/30/2014
Released in March, Summoning the Phoenix gives readers an inside look into centuries-old Chinese musical instruments and the more recently formed modern Chinese Orchestra. Children of all backgrounds show that traditional Chinese music can be enjoyed by everyone. We asked illustrator April Chu to take us behind the scenes for creating the digital illustrations used in Summoning the Phoenix:
Illustration Process
1. Before I do any sketching at all, I will read a manuscript over and over many times. Sometimes I even close my eyes and just brainstorm ideas. This step is important to me because this is when all the initial images and emotions I get from a story start forming in my head. I also start doing research and compiling photos at this point as I did for Summoning the Phoenix: Poems and Prose about Chinese Musical Instruments. Researching is very important to me before I begin a project especially for a nonfictional picture book. In this case, researching on the Internet was not adequate since I needed to have a good detailed look at each instrument. Fortunately, the California Youth Chinese Symphony was kind enough to allow me to take photos during one of their practice sessions. I was able to get a firsthand look at how the musical instruments were played, what they sounded like, and what they looked like in real life. All those elements eventually shaped the final artwork.
2. After researching, I then start on rough thumbnail sketches. Since I have a hard time drawing at a very small scale, my thumbnails are usually at half size.
3. Next I refine my thumbnail sketches. I know that for this particular spread, I wanted the background to have a grandiose feeling of wind, waterfalls, and mountains that was reminiscent of a traditional Chinese painting. This was the imagery that popped into my head when I did my initial brainstorming.
4. Sometimes I have a couple of options with different compositions.
5. Once the final thumbnail sketch is chosen, I will work on the final, full size sketch.
6. I scan the image into my computer and color in Photoshop. Here is a final illustration of a girl playing the guzheng from Summoning the Phoenix: Poems and Prose about Chinese Musical Instruments.
Kid Lit Reviews welcomes Angela Shelton, author of The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton Book 1: Crash-landing on Ooleeoo. Kid Lit Reviews generally does not delve into articles for authors unless there is something of interest to the young reader. Today will be an exception. Ms. Shelton is writing on the importance of the teacher-writer [...]
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By: Shutta Crum,
on 8/10/2009
I have a wonderful little thunder stick I take with me when I visit schools. Many teachers and families have asked about where to get one. Below are some links and photos. I like getting a nice array of instruments together to make storm sounds and then read THUNDER-BOOMER! I point to each child to indicate when he/she is to play his/her instrument. I’m sure an upturned bucket would also suffice for thunder. But the thunder tube is so much more unexpected and exciting. They come in various sizes and are fairly inexpensive. And the frogs are fun, too. Enjoy!
For the rain: rainsticks. Available at:
For the thunder: thunder tubes/sticks.
Available at:
For the hail: clappers, jingles, tambourines, shakers, gourd rattles. Make your own, or many inexpensive ones are available at:
For the frog/toad sounds after the rain: percussive frogs. Available at:
Enjoy your classroom thunder storms!!
Shutta
