Showing posts with label Music Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music Education. Show all posts

Tuesday, 9 June 2009

Write Music That Appeals To Peoples Emotions

By: Richie Gilbert

Whether you choose to write music first or start with the lyrics, please remember one thing: The melody is always king!

I want to explain why I believe that statement to be true.

I know when it comes to songwriting all of the elements must fit together just so. There has to be a perfect marriage of lyric, melody, structure and feel. That is the hallmark of a great song.

But I have heard too many songs that seem to focus primarily on the lyrics. The writer has poured out his or her soul to create a truly touching and beautiful story. Then those wonderful lyrics are paired with a mediocre, or even (gasp!) boring melody.

The result? A mediocre, boring song!

Those lyrics might work wonderfully on their own. But a monotonous unimaginative melody drags them down.

  • Appeal To The Emotions
As a songwriter, writing melody that appeals to the emotions of your listeners should be your top priority.

Why?

Because it's the melody that our brains latch onto first. A melody on it's own can make you cry, laugh and everything in between. It truly can be a direct communication to the soul. An interesting mood-evoking melody commands our attention. It makes us sit up and take notice.

Only then do we start to pay attention to the storyline. To the lyrics. And if those lyrics are top-notch: Bingo! You've hit the jackpot.
  • Write Lyrics As Good As Your Melody
Now, this scenario can also be looked at from the opposite side:

You write music that is truly inspiring. You then settle for the first lyrics that pop into your head. You don't bother rewriting those lyrics. You figure that since they fit the melody and tell the story they are good enough.

I did this for years! And I was always secretly embarrassed by my lyrics.

As songwriters, we must strive for that perfect balance. And it takes time and effort to master. (I'm still working on completing my apprenticeship!)
  • Work On Your Weakest Skill
If you only want to write music or you only want to write lyrics, that's okay. Collaborating with writers who excel at what you do not is a great way to write songs. If you love to write melody, find yourself a great lyricist. Or vice-versa.

Most of us are better at one aspect of songwriting than we are at others.

For me, it's always been writing melody that seems to come naturally. As a lead guitarist I usually opted for the slow, melodic, soulful lead over the fast shred. Through the years I've written quite a few instrumentals that I am proud of.

Lyrics have always been a struggle for me. That's why I tend to spend a lot more time working on the words to my new songs than I do the melody.

But I spend quite a bit of time on writing melody too! Because I understand how important a great melody is.
  • Listen To Your Melodies
Listen to the melodies you are writing. Are they as strong as your lyrics? Perhaps more importantly, can they stand on their own?

A melody should be able to stand on it's own. It should be moving, interesting, somewhat predictable and a little surprising at the same time.

I say somewhat predictable because we need familiarity. If every line goes off in a completely different direction you will lose most listeners.

People must have something that they can grasp onto immediately. Especially in the chorus.

So go and write music that moves you. If you do this, you can be sure that it will move others too.

Happy melody writing!

Richie Gilbert has been passionate about writing songs for many years. He spends too much time in his home recording studio, and is active in pitching his songs to music publishers. To learn more about the craft and business of songwriting, please visit his website at http://www.inspired-songwriting-tips.com

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Saturday, 30 May 2009

Practical Sheet Music: Music Teachers Resources

By: Earl Marsden

Are you a music teacher who has been dedicated and committed into passionate yet effective teaching to future music specialists? Do you have such passion and heart for teaching music to all learners as well as the beginners? If yes, you certainly have to be informed and updated with the latest music teachers’ resources, trends and techniques. In this page, you will learn the importance of virtual sheet music as one of the innovative and efficient music teachers’ resources.

Sheet Music Defined
Primarily, sheet music is defined as either manually or digitally printed form of musical notation. In the advent of internet and technology, access to musical notation may also include downloading from online sites and presentation on computer screens – modifying the traditional medium of sheet music. Sheet music generally refers to the print publication of commercial music in concurrence of newly released films, show, record albums and other music-related events.

Uses of Sheet Music
As sheet music can be handed out as individual pieces or collections, it is being utilized as a record, a guide, a means to perform or any musical pieces. Understanding sheet music demands a special form of skill and literacy – the ability to read and get familiarize with musical notation. That is why it is important to your music students to get into both modern and conventional sheet music as well as acquire the necessary skills to adopt and apply such beyond the learning process.

Effective Sheet Music 101
As people always settle and go for convenience, it will also be applicable to integrate the use of Internet and other means of technological innovation into a variety of teaching and learning strategies. Sheet music may now be accessed virtually either through downloads, video streaming and many others. This will surely make your students in music be more inspired to learn their musical pieces as well as stay more motivated in participating in their activities in the music classroom or studio. As each sheet music now comes in different formats, types and styles, each learner will certainly appreciate your resources and strategies.

These kinds of sheet music – modern or classical can also be good for beginners as they come in categorized and organized packages: per instrument or by complexity. Music teachers may now search on the net the latest sheet music available as well as the corresponding effective and efficient trends and methods to teach each. Sheet music is considered as effective music teachers’ resources and tools that students will surely look forward to and enjoy.

Both inspirational and instructional, music teachers’ resources must be comprised of fun, entertaining and motivating techniques and tools that are all aimed towards the betterment of each music student. Nowadays, there have been a wide variety of available software and reliable websites that can help most music teachers around the globe reach academic superiority.

So, what are you waiting for? Click your way to digital sheet music and music teachers resources to give your students what exactly they deserve – working all the possibilities towards the excellence to music education. Enjoy each musical teaching and learning experience today!

More articles about sheet music and teaching tips may be found on this music teacher’s resources. – Earl Marsden

Music Teacher Articles

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Thursday, 28 May 2009

Blogs in Music Education – Great Teacher Resources

Educators, school administrators and curriculum developers around the globe work hand-in-hand to improve the kind of teaching styles and techniques they have for their learners. One great way that they think would benefit majority of the students is the integration of technology – innovative and effective ways to make both teaching and learning fun and enjoyable. 

Likewise, in the music education setting, music teachers and facilitators have integrated various means of innovation and technology such as the use of online learning and communication through the power of Internet as well as the inclusion of writing and reading blogs related to learning and teaching music. With these kinds of music teacher resources, both the teachers and the learners experience the convenience, the fun and the excitement of music in a general perspective.

Initially, the word blog comes from the key terms web log, which is referred to as a web-based application where the authors write and post articles or anything that interests him. This is also considered to be an online diary or journal of many students, writers and professionals all over the world. In the advent of this innovative way of expressing oneself, blog has grown and turned into an effective and practical music teacher resource where millions of individuals from different interests use to communicate and learn. 

Over the years, blogging in teaching and learning music has been proven beneficial to create an environment or an online community where good discussions reign at all times. It is also true that music teachers are introducing and incorporating new kinds of technologies into the classroom. 

With this objective, a wide variety of music teacher resources has been utilized and developed all for the betterment of music education. This may even include not only such improvement in the means of learning, but also a change in people's attitude to teaching or learning. 

Blogs as means of teaching and learning can be a useful tool for both students and teachers. Through this, they can keep in touch anywhere at anytime via online – providing a way to communicate openly without overspending and necessarily having to meet face to face. Educational blogs create a new kind of classroom where students and teachers can meet beyond the four walls of the classroom and go further the boundaries of the school yard, improving their skills through continuous communication.

When music students are being exposed to writing and reading musical and educational blogs, they tend to have the possibility to effectively interact with the other students and be able to explore knowledge, ideas and skills in music. Therefore, using blogs helps the student bloggers in their daily activities; thus, it also increases their levels of interests and motivation. Participating and communicating more in online activities, students can surely enjoy each social interaction experience.

In a world that is constantly changing, it is riskier to plan, control, and do little than to continuously try things out. So make your music students involve with various innovative and effective music teacher resources. Make your active learners write, read and participate in music-related blogs today! Enjoy each blogging experience and see a more positive result on the academic excellence of these bunches of students.

This music teacher resources blog provides helpful tips for teaching, practicing, performing, managing your music studio, music teacher software reviews, and more. – Earl Marsden

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