Obviously you don’t have to use just your birthday, you could also use the day you graduated from high school, or earned your driver’s license, or rode a two wheel bike by yourself for the first time.  You decide what milestone you want to track and you can create your own life’s sound track.

Here’s mine:
“The One That You Love” by Air Supply – I am born
“Take My Breath Away” by Berlin – I start school
“Roll With It” by Steve Winwood – I restart piano lessons
“Close to You” by Maxi Priest – I start band
“Emotions” by Mariah Carey  – I audition for local girls’ choir and am offered a spot (No, I didn’t sing this song, it was something by Bette Midler.  That’s right.)
“Maria Maria” by Santana – I graduate from high school
“Lose Yourself” by Eminem – I graduate college
“Whatever You Like” by T.I. – I start working at Along Came Music

I was reading an article online the other day (February of the current year does qualify for “the other day” in my opinion, for those of you that were wondering.) written by BBC science reporter Victoria Gill on the use of melodic intonation therapy.   I was interested in this article because it was about music and science, two of my favorite topics!  Here’s what the article said, in basic, non-medical/non-scientific language:

-We use different parts of our brains to speak and sing
-We use the left side of our brain to speak
-There is a corresponding area of our right brain that we use to sing
-If one has a stroke and cannot speak due to damage from the stroke, often one can still sing
-Doctors are using what they call “melodic intonation therapy” (okay, so a little science-type language, it couldn’t be avoided) to teach people to communicate after damage to the speaking centers of their brains
-Melodic intonation therapy is learning to put words to simple melodies and rhythms

I strongly suggest anyone who is interested in this read the original article (see link above), or visit one of the following articles on melodic intonation therapy.  The article by Helen Fields is one of the most interesting and well written (better than the BBC article by far) I read on the subject, although if you’re looking for a scientific paper to read on the subject you might enjoy reading this paper by Andrea Norton, Lauryn Zipse, Sarah Marchina, and Gottfried Schlaug.

I think this is a very interesting topic and just the tip of the iceberg as far as what science is learning about the impact music can have outside of the “usual” benefits of music. 

Okay, I agree, this is something most of us can do through basic time management, but think if we could all have magic time scissors!!  It would help many people (or at least it would help me!).  I know this would make a huge difference in the quality of meals I eat, how much I sleep and in general, my “getting-things-done” list would shrink by a mile!   

I started thinking about stealing time after I found the tempo rubato page on Wikipedia.  I understand that getting excited about tempo rubato is nerdy, but I can’t help myself.  I think it’s cool.  

Rubato (this is the modern definition) is essentially when the musician changes the timing of musical phrases in a piece to accentuate its musicality or “feeling”.  They’ll speed up one part because it “feels” like it should be faster, or want to indicate frenzy, anger, etc.  Or they’ll slow a section down to accent its calming or sad qualities.  This could make a song end later or sooner than the original composition. 

Tempo rubato is when the musician “steals” time from one part of the piece and uses it in another place in the same piece, so the song uses the same amount of time as the original composition, just in a different way. Slightly different from the concept of rubato, but totally, totally awesome!  Next time you listen to a song, see if you can identify where the musicians use rubato, tempo rubato, or both!

Watch the video and enjoy some classical music played on crystal drinking glasses.  It’s pretty amazing.  Do you think you could do this?

Click here to view the embedded video.

I introduce to you:  On the Rocks, an all male acapella group from the University of Oregon in Eugene!
They have a fun, humorous take on music and often remake hit songs by current popular artists, major artists from the past or “one hit wonders”.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Above you can see one of their renditions of “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga (who seems to be all over the place these days, doesn’t she?).
On the Rocks has a whole battery of material available on YouTube.  Here are a few more gems:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

 While looking at all these videos by On the Rocks I found that they have female counterparts: Divisi.  Why don’t you try to find some vocal groups singing modern songs in new arrangements and let me know what you find?  Finding new groups (and a new way to look at music) is such fun!!

In the video below (linked directly from Mr. Agnelli’s Vimeo site) is the music he composed with the help of birds.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This is a great reminder that music is all around us, and we can find music or an inspiration for a new song anywhere if we just look.  Have you been inspired you lately?  I would love to about what inspired you, and what you created!  You can use the form below to share with us.  Lucky composers may have their work featured on our blog! 

I can’t wait to hear from you…

Here are all the students and teachers participating in the Spring 2010 Recital.

It's kind of like "Where's Waldo" isn't it? Can you find yourself or your teacher?

Do you have photos you want to share from this recital?  Feel free to send in your own photos for us to share!  Email cs@alongcamemusic.com

A school in Madison, Wisconsin asked that question of their 7^th and 8^th grade band students; the answers are amazing and wonderful as shown below.  Music exercises the soul – I never thought about music in that way but it is really true.

Why don’t you take a few minutes out of your busy day and ask your children, grandchildren or even co-workers why music is important to them (I’ll do the same and ask my grandchildren).
Report your findings back on the Along Came Music company’s blog site… as a company that provides in-home private music lessons we believe very strongly in the importance of music in every person’s life.

Here are some of the statements given by the students in response to the questions, “Why is music important in your life?” and “Why is music important to the world as a whole?”:
(We’ve highlighted some of our favorites!)

♪        “Music is important to life because it brings happiness, tells stories, and adds detail to plays, movies, and many other things in life.  I don’t think I could live without music!”

♪        “Because sometimes, words aren’t enough.”

♪        “Music is a universal language that everyone can appreciate.”

♪        “Music can tell stories.  It is also a very good way to pass the time.”

♪        “Because music is basically in everything you do.”

♪        “Music exercises the soul.”

♪        “Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without ‘O Christmas Tree’!”

♪        “By playing music, I get to learn something unique and new.”

♪        “Music expresses who you are and your personality.”

♪        “Music is a way of learning about different cultures.”

♪        “Life would be really boring without music!”

♪        “Music is important in my life because it helps me understand things, and makes life more interesting.”

♪        “It is entertaining.  It expresses our feelings without talking.”

♪        “Music is what keeps me going when I do homework.”

♪        “What would a scary movie be without scary music?!”

♪        “It can add mood to something that wasn’t visible otherwise.”

♪        “Music adds color and without it, the world would be very plain.”

♪        “Music is an outlet for everyone.  It is a way of expressing yourself.  It is a way to be creative.”

While initially created during a project for the Russian government, the theremin is now popular for use in soundtracks as well as modern rock or independent music groups.   The theremin can be used to play classical pieces as Leon Theremin’s student Lydia Kavina shows in this rendition of “Clare de Lune”.  Ms. Kavina has become one of the most sought-after instructors of this unique instrument. 

Finally, an example of other ways to use a theremin!  Check out some of this guy’s other links on YouTube, he also plays video game themes and other popular music covers.
Enjoy!

For more information about the theremin, please check out this Wikipedia Article about the subject.  You’ll be amazed at the different uses, sounds and skills produced and utilized by theremin players.

Rear Row: Ashley, Ryan, Isaac, Rehan, Rauf and Lucas. Front Row: Ms. Kate (teacher) and Nicole.

The recital was fun; filled with smiles, some jokes and excellent performances!!  While the group of students participating in this recital was not as large as others, we all really enjoyed the close, comfortable feeling that came with such a cozy group.  We are so glad that we were able to see everyone’s performances, and it was great to meet family members of students.  We look forward to the next recital.  We just know there will be many students eager to show what they’ve learned by the time our next recital rolls around.