Need some inspiration to write a song? Here are 47 different approaches to writing your next song:
20 Ways to Deal with Writer’s Block
Experiencing Writer’s Block? Here are 20 ways to get you back to writing:
Hamburg, Germany photos
Hamburg, Germany photos from our last city of the 2022-2023 Cirque du Soleil European tour of the show Crystal. What a wonderful city! The city felt like being in a virtual steampunk world. I visited the Indra music club there the Beatles first performed in Hamburg, the underground tunnel, Miniature World, Reeperbahn and walked the streets for hours enjoying the architecture and graffiti of the city.
Photos with a Sony A7 iv camera and Sony GM 35mm lens
What is the job of a music director?
The job of a music director, also known as a conductor or maestro, involves overseeing and leading a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, choir, or band, to achieve a cohesive and artistic performance. A music director’s role is multifaceted, encompassing various responsibilities related to music interpretation, rehearsal direction, artistic vision, and performance leadership.
Oslo, Norway photos
Photos from my week in Oslo, Norway in March 2023. I was there performing with the Cirque du Soleil show “Crystal” at the Spektrum Arena and also was able to visit many of my relatives living in and around Oslo. Highlights for me were the National Theater, Metro trains and the Oslo Opera House. I also saw a demonstration about the current war in Ukraine that was very moving.
Photos using a Sony A7 iv camera, and Sony GM 35mm and 24-70mm lenses
AI Just Said “Everything Will Be Okay” – What Happened Next?
This is the first of a series of videos I have created as part of my latest project called “Discuss AI”
Over the last several weeks I’ve been learning about and working with artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGTP, BrainTrust AI, Google Bard and Typecast AI. I created several simple videos while learning about it; videos on my YouTube channel that are overviews of the music of Bach, Beethoven and Mozart. I knew that I wanted to do something with AI and that those videos were just a vehicle to learn more about it.
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Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was a German composer and pianist who is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western classical music. Beethoven’s music is known for its emotional depth, dramatic intensity, and innovative approach to composition. He is often considered a bridge between the Classical and Romantic periods of music, as his works mark a significant transition from the classical style of Mozart and Haydn to the more emotional and expressive style of the Romantic era.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was a renowned Austrian composer and musician who is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in the history of classical music. Mozart’s music is known for its exceptional beauty, complexity, and emotional depth. He composed over 600 works in various genres, including symphonies, concertos, chamber music, choral music, and operas.
The Importance of Music Education for Children
Music education is crucial for the holistic development of children, as it offers a wide range of benefits that impact their cognitive, emotional, social, and creative development. Here are some key reasons why music education is important for children:
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Palma de Mallorca, Spain photos
Photos from my tour break vacation to the island of Mallorca, Spain. Most of these photographs are from the city of Palma de Mallorca, Spain. As usual, I like street photography, architecture, graffiti and interesting perspectives with lines and shapes.
This was the last of my photography workshop learning sessions as I was able to meet with two professional photographers at the local amusement park fair Fira del Ram (Fair of the Ram) for some unique perspectives with the rides. I learned that street photography is technically illegal in Spain due to privacy laws so very few of these photographs have people in them.
Besides hanging out with the local professional photographers, I also met some excellent street musicians including one of the best accordion players I’ve heard who goes by “Tony Mallorca”. You can see several videos of him playing on my YouTube channel in the “Short Video” section at: https://www.youtube.com/@ConradAskland
Also got to experience a sunrise hot air balloon ride and that was a little scary to take photos from so high up but you’ll see a few below. Another highlight was visiting the Frederic Chopin and George Sand Museum in Valdemossa on the island of Mallorca, Spain. (Chopin wrote some of his piano pieces on the island of Mallorca)
These photos were taken with my Sony A7 iv camera and two lenses: a Sony GM 35mm (my favorite) and a Sony GM 35-70mm. See below for some of the photos