After attending a "musical Show" on Christmas Eve, I went to the computer
and Googled the "history of musicals"... and I decided to put some of the
more interesting bits of history on my blog... The most interesting thing is that
the older musicals, for instance, Sound Of Music, gave us songs like "My Favorite Things" which was arranged for Jazz Trio and Singer and is brilliant - but the
newer type musicals such as Rent and Wicked, seem to have no vocal material that can cross over into... jazz? has it been done? Plus I always wondered why a Rock Musical
was called a Rock Opera..
First - Light Opera
In the early 20th century, the musical theater stage works evolved. Not everybody enjoyed serious opera. As a carry over from the earlier centuries, a new form of 'light opera' or 'operetta' developed. The most famous writers of light opera were the English duo, William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, or simply, G&S. Their works, produced in the 1870s and 1880s such as The Mikado, HMS Pinafore, and The Pirates of Penzance were very successful. They are still popular and in demand today.
The Musicals
The operetta led on to the musical in the 20th century. A musical is a form of theater show that combines music, songs for solo singers and chorus, some dance routines, if needed, and dialogue.
The story of the musicals contain the time immemorial emotional theme – that of love, anger, humor, relationships – all communicated through music and words – with an aspect of entertaining the audience.
The performers are made-up and in costumes, as the musicals themselves often require sets and props. Sometimes, the story-line is fictional, and other times, based on a true story. The first musicals appeared around the 1920s.
Stage Musicals
Some famous musicals include Rodgers and Hammerstein's Show Boat, Oklahoma!, Bernstein and Sondheim's West Side Story, the French musical Les Miserablés, and Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera & Rent among others.
Musicals are performed around the world. Most popular are West End and Broadway theaters of London, and Broadway in New York.
Schools often like to stage musicals as their annual productions. When the stage is small enough to handle it, stage productions come up with adaptations, with the theme remaining intact. One popular school play has been Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice.
Film Musicals
Many of these musicals have been produced into a highly successful film-musical blockbusters like Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music. Other musical films that these famous duo produced include Carousel, South Pacific, and The King and I.
The Sound of Music, written in 1959, tells the story of the Von Trapp family of singers living in Salzburg, Austria. Some of the great songs are the "Sound of Music" theme itself, "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "Do-re-mi," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" and "My Favourite Things."
The British musical Oliver! was written and composed by Lionel Bart in 1960 based on Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist. The film soundtrack was produced in 1968 starring Mark Lester. There are many memorable songs, including "Food, Glorious Food," "Oom-Pah-Pah," "Consider Yourself," "Where is Love," and "As Long as He Needs Me."
Rock Musicals
A number of musicals use a rock group, instead of the traditional theater orchestra or band. These changes the style of music played and sung. The first rock musical was Hair, in 1968. That time, this show was considered revolutionary, having touched issues including drugs, racism and sex.
Another example of a rock musical is Godspell, a religious production in the early 1970s.
Rock Opera
Although a rock opera is still considered a musical, it is referred to as an opera since everything is practically sung. (Traditional opera has less or little dialogue.) An example of a rock opera is Jesus Christ Superstar, by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Pod Casts for Education
here's an article that interested me: that Pod Casts are really being used in Education quite a bit
The Education Podcast Network is an effort to bring together into one place, the wide range of podcast programming that may be helpful to teachers looking for content to teach with and about, and to explore issues of teaching and learning in the 21st century.
Most of the producers of these programs are educators, who have found an avenue through which they can share their knowledge, insights, and passions for teaching and learning and for the stories that they relish and teach. The directory will grow as more people come forward with their stories and ideas, and we hope that you will start to share your ideas with the larger education community by producing your own
I did a 26 minute pod cast which features musicians talking about playing music and what many levels it takes to do this...
There are thousands under the heading of Music Education...
+ one comment before I close, is that some people had sound problems too!
Music Education 81
Musican's Cooler David Jackson
EdTech Musician Andrew Seymour
Cranbrook Composers Students from Cranbrook Kingswood Middle School
Samples in Motion Serge Audenaert
FaderSwap Podcast for Audio Engineering Students Shane Matsumoto
Kattywompus Folk Studio Jennifer Ranger
MarioCast - The Piano Podcast Mario Ajero
Towneley Hall Musuem Podcast Towneley Hall Museum
palying in the band alex smith
NACOcast NAC Orchestra of Canada
The Education Podcast Network is an effort to bring together into one place, the wide range of podcast programming that may be helpful to teachers looking for content to teach with and about, and to explore issues of teaching and learning in the 21st century.
Most of the producers of these programs are educators, who have found an avenue through which they can share their knowledge, insights, and passions for teaching and learning and for the stories that they relish and teach. The directory will grow as more people come forward with their stories and ideas, and we hope that you will start to share your ideas with the larger education community by producing your own
I did a 26 minute pod cast which features musicians talking about playing music and what many levels it takes to do this...
There are thousands under the heading of Music Education...
+ one comment before I close, is that some people had sound problems too!
Music Education 81
Musican's Cooler David Jackson
EdTech Musician Andrew Seymour
Cranbrook Composers Students from Cranbrook Kingswood Middle School
Samples in Motion Serge Audenaert
FaderSwap Podcast for Audio Engineering Students Shane Matsumoto
Kattywompus Folk Studio Jennifer Ranger
MarioCast - The Piano Podcast Mario Ajero
Towneley Hall Musuem Podcast Towneley Hall Museum
palying in the band alex smith
NACOcast NAC Orchestra of Canada
Interviews and Clip On Microphones
Back again.. and again reminded that sound technology is a huge learning curve.
Venturing out with a pocket camcorder and an artistic mind and temperament is what
seemed most natural.. I knew that Microsoft Movie Maker would be compatible with
Audacity,(so there could be adjustments made later) yet there are basics about sound, that I wish somehow had been solidly part of me - the basic understanding to have an on board micro phone - the one on the camera itself, and a clip on one for all the great people I interviewed.. So simple..
yet not in my "on board knowledge" - but ...Now it is!!!
Here's another about sound:
Ambient noise. Sound reflects off hard surfaces, such as walls and windows. Computers, air conditioning, and street traffic can create additional ambient noise.
-there were sounds made by the camera itself when zooming in and out..
+ I wanted to feature music that had been recorded by the musicians - and wanted to play it softly during the interview.. great idea, but here again I needed the clip on microphone and an assistant!!
So here is the tip I needed and will use in the future, remember
Microphone usage. If you use a microphone, the following tips may be helpful:
* Point the microphone facing out, away from the person’s clothing. Make sure clothing does not cover the front of the microphone and it isn't too close to the speaker’s mouth. High-velocity air from a person exhaling can cause loud pops in microphones that do not have pop filters built into them. Small lavaliere microphones are designed to be clipped to a tie and have little or no protection against pops and wind.
* Eliminate microphone noise. Microphone noise is an artificial sound that is introduced when an object touches the microphone. When placing a microphone, make sure that it will not be bumped. Remind speakers who will be holding a microphone not to tap pencils and rings against it or play with the cable. Leave the front of the microphone exposed. Holding the head of a microphone introduces noise and can cause feedback if the microphone is used in a public address system.
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Art of Talking and the Pod Cast
Hello again! I am now the interview lady! I call, make appointments with musician friends who are consumed with their own schedules and concerts and students and they
graciously make some time for me. I thought all the class members might be interested in reading some of the questions I have asked my "podcast" guests to choose from:
1.) In the Jazz World: What educational attitudes or “skills as an educator “ do you appreciate the most?
2)Could you describe your most enlightening teaching moment as well as the most thrilling performing moment – and link them together in some way?
3) Classical music and jazz styles are both found in the music conservatory now.
Why is it important for classically trained musicians and singers to have a working knowledge of Jazz – and for jazz players to have a working knowledge of Classical?
4) how do you as an educator want to expand ? Have you developed a workshop idea.. and if you have, how is teaching in the workshop environment for you?
5) let’s talk a little bit about what to teach – how do you balance technique and songs/pieces or repertoire ?
6) What recording do you yourself treasure and want to pass on to students ?
7) Have you started working with Logic or Finale? Do you use the computer for recording? If so, does personal computer recording help your playing? Teaching?
8) What is your goal when you play live at a venue? Do you think about education when you sing/ or play?
9) Do you feel that working on performance is relevant ?
==================================================================
Ask yourself a question from time to time...
From a non- techno standpoint, I find that I make people comfortable- and all the interviews so far have been intelligently done.
graciously make some time for me. I thought all the class members might be interested in reading some of the questions I have asked my "podcast" guests to choose from:
1.) In the Jazz World: What educational attitudes or “skills as an educator “ do you appreciate the most?
2)Could you describe your most enlightening teaching moment as well as the most thrilling performing moment – and link them together in some way?
3) Classical music and jazz styles are both found in the music conservatory now.
Why is it important for classically trained musicians and singers to have a working knowledge of Jazz – and for jazz players to have a working knowledge of Classical?
4) how do you as an educator want to expand ? Have you developed a workshop idea.. and if you have, how is teaching in the workshop environment for you?
5) let’s talk a little bit about what to teach – how do you balance technique and songs/pieces or repertoire ?
6) What recording do you yourself treasure and want to pass on to students ?
7) Have you started working with Logic or Finale? Do you use the computer for recording? If so, does personal computer recording help your playing? Teaching?
8) What is your goal when you play live at a venue? Do you think about education when you sing/ or play?
9) Do you feel that working on performance is relevant ?
==================================================================
Ask yourself a question from time to time...
From a non- techno standpoint, I find that I make people comfortable- and all the interviews so far have been intelligently done.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The First Attempt - Video Tech Jane
A Tuesday at NYU consists of two classes and I follow that up with a student who is active in the Jazz Choir. Since I am a professional singer in the jazz idiom, I love teaching some of my craft - especially the scat singing part.There is no "set" way to teach it, only the ears and the ability to be free rhythmically.These two factors are hinged on the person them self- where they come from, how much listening they have done, and how much jazz theory and instrumental knowledge they have. It's quite a challenge. Some of the best educators in the jazz world have written books and constructed performance dvds and now have "on-line" lessons available to address this .. once again, the new technology comes into play.
The reason I mentioned all the above is that the next phase in my course work is a final project which is a video and sound recording that will become a short podcast consisting opinions and personal stories related to music education. My student was my first subject in this endeavor. And I with a pocket video camera (which I played with some) - asked several questions and off we went- the first episode/or experiment began.. The one detail I missed was the zoom capability and I found that detail and corrected it. The next time will be even better.
The reason I mentioned all the above is that the next phase in my course work is a final project which is a video and sound recording that will become a short podcast consisting opinions and personal stories related to music education. My student was my first subject in this endeavor. And I with a pocket video camera (which I played with some) - asked several questions and off we went- the first episode/or experiment began.. The one detail I missed was the zoom capability and I found that detail and corrected it. The next time will be even better.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Reflections on radio history and podcasting
As a child, I loved the old radio in the kitchen- it became mine a year later: all the strange short wave sounds - listening to the BBC - great late night AM stations from hundreds of miles a way- Even comedy shows that were NOT prerecorded - they were spontaneous ...And the history of radio? where did it first start? with Reginald Fessenden and his successfully transmitted speech on December 23, 1900 over a distance of about 1.6 kilometers (one mile), which appears to have been the first audio radio transmission. A remarkable man and inventor - (people may think it was Marconi who invented the true radio model we use today but it was Reginald Fessenden)
A very interesting inventor and individual!!check him out !
The radio and now, Computer Radio.
Enter: The Podcast
Why is the Radio Guide Magazine writing about Podcasting? Because it's very clear to me the Internet coupled with personal technology like iPods and MP3 players have empowered everyone with a new voice while redefining what "Radio" is in the 2000s from both a technical and distribution sense. Although I love traditional Radio, I realize now that I must be willing to embrace new applications /a new paradigm.
I'm not going to blog that indeed, I learned in 15 minutes "how to do a podcast"
but it occurred to me that since it will be my final project for the Music Trend Course at NYU, I'll blog about my steps in learning this new "radio" vocabulary and
steps of learning and of doing that are involved.
OK - So first "what it is"- and this I have fully understood today -oh, that's the first accomplishment!!!
A Podcast is:
1. An audio file you create in .mp3 format...( OK I know this!!) HOORay!
2. Which contains your own radio show or any audio you wish others to have...(OK!)
( NOW COMES WHAT I AM NOT SO SURE OF)
3. That you upload along with an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) file to a server (your website for instance)...(
4. That your intended listeners download using one of several programs that have been created to retrieve your audio file automatically...
5. So they can listen to it at their convenience on their own iPod or .mp3 player.
WHAT IS COMMONLY MENTIONED:
That’s it. Now, don’t let things like “RSS file”, “server” or “.mp3 format” scare you. ( WELL, THANKS)
So, Apparently, I need to understand How to create an RSS file which holds the “directions” for sending your file when a user’s program like iPodder requests it
STAY TUNED
A very interesting inventor and individual!!check him out !
The radio and now, Computer Radio.
Enter: The Podcast
Why is the Radio Guide Magazine writing about Podcasting? Because it's very clear to me the Internet coupled with personal technology like iPods and MP3 players have empowered everyone with a new voice while redefining what "Radio" is in the 2000s from both a technical and distribution sense. Although I love traditional Radio, I realize now that I must be willing to embrace new applications /a new paradigm.
I'm not going to blog that indeed, I learned in 15 minutes "how to do a podcast"
but it occurred to me that since it will be my final project for the Music Trend Course at NYU, I'll blog about my steps in learning this new "radio" vocabulary and
steps of learning and of doing that are involved.
OK - So first "what it is"- and this I have fully understood today -oh, that's the first accomplishment!!!
A Podcast is:
1. An audio file you create in .mp3 format...( OK I know this!!) HOORay!
2. Which contains your own radio show or any audio you wish others to have...(OK!)
( NOW COMES WHAT I AM NOT SO SURE OF)
3. That you upload along with an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) file to a server (your website for instance)...(
4. That your intended listeners download using one of several programs that have been created to retrieve your audio file automatically...
5. So they can listen to it at their convenience on their own iPod or .mp3 player.
WHAT IS COMMONLY MENTIONED:
That’s it. Now, don’t let things like “RSS file”, “server” or “.mp3 format” scare you. ( WELL, THANKS)
So, Apparently, I need to understand How to create an RSS file which holds the “directions” for sending your file when a user’s program like iPodder requests it
STAY TUNED
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
How Does Sound Quality Change ?
I recently went to the web to research how singers felt using "home recording"/computer recording - and it opened up an interesting "query"
( I removed the word "crap" several times!) lol
COMMENT:
My singing voice sounds different on "Audacity" ?
I've been recording me singing on a program called Audacity and it sounds really different from what I hear. People say I have a really nice singing voice and stuff like that but the thing is I feel like I sound terrible on the recording
So is the recording how I really do sound, or... ?
REPLYs :
#1
well from what i heard audacity isn't really that great but when i first started recording my voice i was really shocked on how it sounds --its just a matter of getting used to it
#2audacity is what everyone is hearing. you sound different to yourself than to everyone else.
#3
maybe it's just the speakers...try playback on another device.
#4
same prob here my voice sounds nice when i sing but as soon as i record it on my phone it sounds HORRIBLE.
And there we are... stuck between the digital and the acoustic world - Are singers really aware of their voice? Is it the shock of being played back on tiny speakers?
What is sound quality? Is quality to human ears based on the common denominator of just what is being heard the most? If people in one town heard nothing but "ring tones" - would they be turned off by the live/ acoustic sound of an orchestra ?
Now that each person can record sound in some fashion (and it's 's getting more and sophisticated) how will this effect our ability to hear? Below is an example of a mother wanted to record her daughter -but being frozen by the complexity of certain
software :
"would like to make a recording of my daughter singing and playing her
guitar. It would be great if we could record on the same tract more than
once then she could sing harmony with herself. I have looked at several
recoding studio applicationson the internet and have downloaded one from
Sony. Problem is they are too complicated for our simple task. Can anyone
recommend an easy to use sound recorder and mixer? "
Not only is are human ears being pushed by the software applications, but our mental
world now is one of mental acrobatics to learn more and more of the digital world..
And the web is still relatively new. People from all walks of life are able to reach into it and start manipulating programs to suit their needs within- the term "everyone can sing" - which was in use 30 years ago to attract amateurs to the art
of pop songs etc, is now a reality. One just has to get used to the sound!!! And bingo, it's a recording to play for your family and friends.
" As the Web passes through its first decade of widespread use, we still know surprisingly little about these complex technical and social mechanisms. We have only scratched the surface of what could be realized with deeper scientific investigation into its design, operation and impact on society. Robust technical design, innovative business decisions, and sound public policy judgment all require that we are aware of the complex interactions between technology and society. We call this awareness Web Science: the science and engineering of this massive system for the common good.[10] In order to galvanize Web Science research and education efforts, MIT and the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom have created the Web Science Research Initiative. In concert with an international Scientific Advisory Council of distinguished computer scientists, social scientists, and legal scholars, WSRI will help create an intellectual foundations, educational atmosphere, and resource base to allow researchers to take the Web seriously as an object of scientific inquiry and engineering innovation."
( I removed the word "crap" several times!) lol
COMMENT:
My singing voice sounds different on "Audacity" ?
I've been recording me singing on a program called Audacity and it sounds really different from what I hear. People say I have a really nice singing voice and stuff like that but the thing is I feel like I sound terrible on the recording
So is the recording how I really do sound, or... ?
REPLYs :
#1
well from what i heard audacity isn't really that great but when i first started recording my voice i was really shocked on how it sounds --its just a matter of getting used to it
#2audacity is what everyone is hearing. you sound different to yourself than to everyone else.
#3
maybe it's just the speakers...try playback on another device.
#4
same prob here my voice sounds nice when i sing but as soon as i record it on my phone it sounds HORRIBLE.
And there we are... stuck between the digital and the acoustic world - Are singers really aware of their voice? Is it the shock of being played back on tiny speakers?
What is sound quality? Is quality to human ears based on the common denominator of just what is being heard the most? If people in one town heard nothing but "ring tones" - would they be turned off by the live/ acoustic sound of an orchestra ?
Now that each person can record sound in some fashion (and it's 's getting more and sophisticated) how will this effect our ability to hear? Below is an example of a mother wanted to record her daughter -but being frozen by the complexity of certain
software :
"would like to make a recording of my daughter singing and playing her
guitar. It would be great if we could record on the same tract more than
once then she could sing harmony with herself. I have looked at several
recoding studio applicationson the internet and have downloaded one from
Sony. Problem is they are too complicated for our simple task. Can anyone
recommend an easy to use sound recorder and mixer? "
Not only is are human ears being pushed by the software applications, but our mental
world now is one of mental acrobatics to learn more and more of the digital world..
And the web is still relatively new. People from all walks of life are able to reach into it and start manipulating programs to suit their needs within- the term "everyone can sing" - which was in use 30 years ago to attract amateurs to the art
of pop songs etc, is now a reality. One just has to get used to the sound!!! And bingo, it's a recording to play for your family and friends.
" As the Web passes through its first decade of widespread use, we still know surprisingly little about these complex technical and social mechanisms. We have only scratched the surface of what could be realized with deeper scientific investigation into its design, operation and impact on society. Robust technical design, innovative business decisions, and sound public policy judgment all require that we are aware of the complex interactions between technology and society. We call this awareness Web Science: the science and engineering of this massive system for the common good.[10] In order to galvanize Web Science research and education efforts, MIT and the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom have created the Web Science Research Initiative. In concert with an international Scientific Advisory Council of distinguished computer scientists, social scientists, and legal scholars, WSRI will help create an intellectual foundations, educational atmosphere, and resource base to allow researchers to take the Web seriously as an object of scientific inquiry and engineering innovation."
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