Having trouble remembering your interval inversions? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered with the help of David Newman who has several ear training music videos online. Hope you enjoy!
Archive for Friday Find
Friday Find: I’m a Good Ole Rebel
Music is a powerful teaching tool in social studies and history that is often not used to the fullest extent possible. This song is a ballad that was written by one of General Lee’s aides as he sat in a Northern Army prison camp during the Civil War. His sentiments can show the strength of emotion felt by both sides of the conflict and bring subject matter more to life for students.
For music teachers who do a unit on the Civil War or for any history teachers who cover the subject matter Bobby Horton has several wonderful CDs with songs of both the Union and Confederate armies that are available for purchase here. A great lesson involves looking over the textual changes the two sides would make to the same exact song to reflect their political viewpoint. This can help drive home the notion of how folk songs change and shift over time, sometimes unintentionally, but sometimes with a very clear purpose or intent.
Friday Find: Amazing Overtones
Overtone singing is an amazing thing where by changing the shape of your mouth can create separate pitches in the overtones, even when the fundamental pitch remains the same.
This first video does a somewhat better job of explaining exactly what overtone singing is and how you can practice it.
This next video shows how you can use the overtones produced to create an actual melody. Listen carefully to hear “Amazing Grace” in the overtones. It might take you a few tries.
Finally this is an example of a piece of composed music that uses overtones for a neat effect.
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Friday Find: Happy Holidays from NAfME
Everyone may not have noticed that MENC (The Music Educator National Conference) has officially made the switch to NAfME (National Association for Music Educators).
So they thought they would spread the news with a holiday greeting card.
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Friday Find: Stella Olla (Belated)
Dear KESNE enthusiasts! I sincerely apologize for missing last week’s Friday Find. I had accidentally scheduled it to be published on 11/21/2011 instead of 10/21/2011! Thank you to everyone who emailed me when you noticed it was missing, I’m glad that you enjoy it so much!
That means you will be getting a Friday Find today AND a second one tomorrow!
Now for the find:
I often try to explain my job to non-music teachers and their reaction is often “So you sing songs and play games with children?” And as much as I know I’m also teaching children how to read and write music, how to play and work together cooperatively, and to understand how music relates to the world around them I also know that at the end of the day the games and dances we do is one of the most memorable parts of the lesson. Read more
Friday Find: Bolero Flash Mob
Most people know what a Flash Mob is by now. It has become a bit of a culture in and of itself. You can find many musical flashmob videos online, most of them resemble something out of the hit series glee. Some have coordinated dance numbers, and some play like a form of advanced avante garde theater.
The Copenhagen Philharmonic decided they would try their own flash mob using Ravel’s Bolero. You have to admit it is the perfect choice as more and more instruments just seem to “show up” to the party.
I think my favorite part might be the very ending when the orchestra just melts back into the crowd without offering any explanation for what just happened. I can’t think of a better way to expose a random audience to a masterpiece in a way that they will never forget.
Think you know a video that would make a great Friday Find? Email us at media@kesne.org!
Friday Find: The Glass Armonica
Do you know what a glass armonica is? This instrument, credited to Benjamin Franklin, is an interesting little find that never really caught on. But, like the theramin, people still play it to this day. So here is the a video of the glass armonica being played.
One of the reasons I chose this video is because of the lack of a finely produced sound quality. It gives you a much rawer feel of what the instrument would sound like live. If you want to hear more there are plenty of videos of this strange instrument being played on YouTube.
Think you know a video that would make a great Friday Find? Email us at media@kesne.org!
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Friday Find: Canon in D Acapella (mostly)
One great part about living in the YouTube generation is so many people now have a world stage. They can perform for us and show us all the great things they are capable off without needing an agent or a hit act. This video highlights what one man with a little talent and technical know how can put together on his own. It also is a great way to expose students to a modern interpretation and performance of a classic piece everyone knows and loves.
Think you know a video that would make a great Friday Find? Email us at media@kesne.org!
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Friday Find: Little Sally Walker x2
This week we bring you two videos. I’d like to say it is because they were so perfectly entwined that it would be a disservice to show one without the other. But the truth is that I just couldn’t decide which one I liked better. So here is another common folk song and game you might know, with a twist.
The first video is from the Smithsonian Institute and features an interview with Bessie Jones. (The clip runs to 3:28 before changing to another game, though the whole video is worth watching.)
Read more
Friday Find: Virtual Choir 1.0
Okay, I know most of you have probably already seen this. But just in case you hadn’t caught the original here is Eric Whitacre’s first “virtual choir” video. For those who aren’t familiar with the project, composer Eric Whitacre made a score he had written available to the public. He then asked people to watch a track of him conducting while they sing along, listening to an accompaniment track. He then took all the videos submitted and spliced them into one single choir.
It is pretty impressive.