The Number One Song the Day I was Born
Oh boy! I found the name of the song that was number one on the charts the day I was born (“The One That You Love” by Air Supply) through this tool on This Day In Music’s website. You can find the tool at the following address: http://www.thisdayinmusic.com/birthdayno1
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
This thing is crazy
I wish I could put a little version in the post instead of having to send you to a separate page (http://www.unitunitunit.com/qwertybeats/). I’ll just put pictures in instead. Here’s what the thing looks like.
You can use your computer keyboard to play drum beats and loops. You can also use your mouse to click on the different buttons on the screen instead of using your keyboard.
Click on the question mark to the right of the keyboard for instructions on how the player.
I had fun, I hope you do too!
A Crystal Glass Virtuoso
I should make a list of all the interesting things I’ve seen people play. I think this is really interesting and a good example of how we can make everyday items into instruments.
Watch the video and enjoy some classical music played on crystal drinking glasses. It’s pretty amazing. Do you think you could do this?
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=25698554
Music Re-Arranged
When I was growing up, being in a vocal ensemble often meant singing classical songs that I didn’t recognize or melodies that just weren’t fun to me. The group I’m going to share with you has helped re-invent my idea vocal groups.
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”.
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:
On the Rocks performing “For the Longest Time” by Billy Joel.
On the Rocks performing “Superstitious” by Stevie Wonder.
This one has a slightly lower quality video, I had to turn the volume up a little to really enjoy this one! I am a pretty big Stevie Wonder fan, so this especially appeals to me.
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!!
You Can Find Music Anywhere
I was wandering around the internet this weekend and found this neat video on Wired.co.uk. Per the article written by Michael Conroy in the September 2009 issue of Wired, Brazilian composer Jarbas Agnelli saw a photo of birds on powerlines that appeared like music on a staff. Agnelli used the positions of the birds as notes and came up with a simple melody.
In the video below (linked directly from Mr. Agnelli’s Vimeo site) is the music he composed with the help of birds.
http://www.vimeo.com/6428069This 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…