httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5fuaYI-JUk
David Foster’s 10 tips for songwriters from his speech upon accepting the BMI Icon Award.
Haunted Mansion Organ Music
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAQZ8JKnDTk
Original organ improvisations by Gaylord Carter for the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland. If you’re into vintage theater organ improvisation I think you’ll really enjoy this video.
Learn how this man created the spooky organ music in the Ballroom of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. Find out how it was made, who wrote the music, who played it, what organ was used, and hear the first version that was never used.
Changes in Music Production from 2001 to 2011
I’m really amazed at the changes in music production software and gear over the past 20 years, especially the ten years from 2001 to 2011. Long story short: I can do almost as much with about $8,000 of gear in 2011 that it took me $50,000 of gear in 2001.
Let’s go back to 1988 when I started with a four track recorder and a single Yamaha keyboard (DX10?). My first jobs were people wanting piano backup tracks which was fine. But very quickly clients would want a little more like strings or a drum beat. So then you purchased a drum machine. Then you need better strings (back then Kurzweil was king of strings) so you bought a string tone module ($1,000 at the time on special – a great deal).
Continue reading “Changes in Music Production from 2001 to 2011”
Northwest Boychoir Auditions – May 21, 2011
- WHAT: Auditions for the Northwest Boychoir
- WHO: Boys Kindergarten – Third Grades. No previous music training needed
- WHEN: Saturday, May 21, 2011.
- WHERE: By appointment at 5031 University Way NE, NB2 at the University Heights Community Center
- WHAT ELSE: Call 206-524-3234 to make an appointment and learn more about the Northwest Boychoir – or email nwc@northwestchoirs.org. More info at: http://www.northwestchoirs.org
If you’re within driving distance of Seattle, WA and know any boys age kindergarten to third grade with strong music interest then I highly recommend checking out the Northwest Boychoir. I count my years with the Northwest Boychoir (5th-8th grade), and the shows I was cast in as a result of the organization, as the single most worthwhile musical education I ever received.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciLYA2a1KbI
The Electric Laser Harp
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLVXmsbVwUs
I have an endless list of silly things that I think I might do someday and I’m going to add this to the list: Building an Electric Laser Harp. A friend of mine is an expert electrician so that might be possible. Of course after I master astro photography, my grand musical/opera and a host of other seemingly important projects.
Audio Download Income: Releases vs Songs vs Streams
There’s been a lot of talk about how streams can affect an artist’s income for audio downloads. When an artist puts music up on the internet for paid downloads they usually release a full CD (the “Release”) which customers can download either in full or the individual songs (the “Songs”) at a lower rate.
Continue reading “Audio Download Income: Releases vs Songs vs Streams”
Dog Playing Piano
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiblYasnzWE
Better than videos of babies giggling – here’s a dog playing a piano and howling. If you want real news go to CNN. If you want silly stuff come here. 🙂
I especially like the last couple seconds where the dog seems to contemplate whether he’s truly finished expressing himself or not. It’s a serious moment.
Thoughts on Content Dictates Form
At 44 there seems to still be an endless stream of lessons that I need to learn. The latest is “Content Dictates Form”. I first came across that several times while reading interviews with Stephen Sondheim (part of my endless quest to glean everything I can from Sondheim’s wonderful brilliance).
Orchestrations of Sondheim’s Broadway Musicals
Orchestrations of Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway Musicals
Continue reading “Orchestrations of Sondheim’s Broadway Musicals”
Composer’s Interview From Hell
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4Lg4sc_Iuk
I found this on YouTube and thought it was just so great. And yes, I’ve heard some of these same questions and comments before. Here’s the description from the video:
A collection of some of my strangest conversations with the press, all boiled down to one interview. Yes, I was really asked all of these questions by various arts journalists and audience members. The names and situations have been changed to protect the innocent (me).