Digital Media Taken Over

So last night, this blog was due before midnight but instead of making sure my post was on time. I decided to capture something that was a great example of how digital media has taken over the music world. Last night at the House of Blues, here in Chicago I had another opportunity to see an amazing Israeli trance band, Infected Mushroom. The first time I saw these guys live, was at the same venue three years ago but this time there was no band. This time it was only the two founders, Erez Eisen and Amit Duvdevani. Below is a performance of what they are capable of doing.

 

Okay well when I saw them in 2010 they didn't have the garbage cans or the ladies beating on them either. When I saw them they had the keyboardist, the guitarist, bassist, lead singer and the drummer. However the drummer did use an electronic drum set instead of the traditional style.

This time on their Fungusamongus Tour, they use an Emulator Dual View System (DVS) by SmithsonMartin Inc. (http://www.smithsonmartin.com/dvs/) The Emulator DVS is a multi touch-screen midi control software that allows the audience to view what the artist or musician is doing. 

Now, I do think this highly expensive item is really cool and all but at the same time, I went to this show in hopes that it was going to be somewhat like the last show. 

On the other hand the Infected Mushroom did not have any visuals two years ago but the visual effects this time were pretty trippy. So cudos to them from the help of Projection Freak (http://www.projectionfreak.com/tag/software-based-control)

Some of this style of LED effects can be seen here in Chicago at Castle formerly known as Excalibur.

Here's the show from last night.

Their new album Army of Mushrooms is more dubstep and drum and bass heavy I stayed for about an hour because I got bored. I wanted to see a performance. If I wanted to watch some guys mess around on a piece of digital software I could have gone to a club or more cheaply, I could have worked on a project of my own. I can only be disappointed but that doesn't mean I will never pay to see them again. I am a fan.

Marketing major, Drummer

So lately, I have been talking with people in different aspects of the music industry. My first Q & A was with a guitarist, then the founder of Chicago Music Guide, Dennis M. Kelly and one of his writers, Tanya Vega a.k.a. Southside. I have been following Southside's blog for quite some time and I know she is on the road at the moment but when she returns to Chicago, I will try and make some time to hang out with her at a show as she interviews musicians. This will be an advantage and a good way to network.
My next interview is with a drummer, his name is Austin, originally from Ohio and now lives here in Chicago. I hung out with him the other night for a few hours and we talked about things from how he got started to singers to bands that perform as cover bands. He made a mention about Berklee and we also spoke about connections and how some times it just works out.

ME: So how did you get started playing the drums?
AUSTIN: It has always been a life long dream for me. I can remember when I was in the first or second grade, I told my parents I wanted to play the drums. My dad said I had to learn piano first, so I took a couple years of piano. The year before I got into band class in school my parents bought me my first drum set.

ME: That's cool that your parents supported you.
AUSTIN: Yeah, that was nice.

ME: So you obviously were in the percussion section.
AUSTIN: Yeah, (as he is smiling and snickers) I was into the whole Drumline thing in band too.
ME: That's cool. Those guys can get down on some drums. I always dug our percussion section in marching band.

ME: So you went to school for marketing? Where'd you go to school?
AUSTIN: Yeah, while I was still in high school a lot of my friends who also play drums went to music schools and I went to the University of Ohio for marketing.

ME: Have you done any marketing work in the music industry?
AUSTIN: I had an internship at a local record label. I did some marketing for them and while I was there, I got to meet some well known bands and learned more about the whole recording side of the business too.

ME: You know, that's what I hear a lot from people that I go to school with now. Some of the guys that I have class with said they've learned alot inside a studio while interning.
AUSTIN: I feel that it is somewhat true. I mean look at me, I'm a drummer who went to school for marketing. Now I just play at venues around the city or like tonight my friend is having a jam party and I need to get there sometime before 10pm to help set up the PA. I don't do anything involved with the marketing side now.

ME: Wow! A jam party, is this at someone's house? Well playing around the city at different venues is a way of marketing.
AUSTIN: Yeah, most of my friends are vocalist and musicians.

ME: That's a good crowd to be around. So how come you didn't go to school for music.
AUSTIN: Well like I said I did have some friends that went to school for music. Two of my friends went to Berklee and dropped out after a year or two. So I decided to go to school for something else, since I already knew how to play and I also got to experience the music business through marketing at a record label company.

ME: I love the piano. So can you still play keys?
AUSTIN: A little, I wish I would have kept up on it. I agree, I think the piano is an amazing instrument when used in music.

ME: One of my favorite singer/songwriters plays piano, do you know who Fiona Apple is?
AUSTIN: Yeah, just the timbre of her voice is unique.

ME: So what kind of music to you enjoy playing?
AUSTIN: I like jazz and funk, that's just my style but my band is a little harder than that. We have more of a My Bloody Valentine, Jimi Hendrix sound. It's very hook heavy.

ME: Cool, I'd like to come check you guys out some time. You have to let me know when your next show is.
AUSTIN: I wish would've remember to tell you before, you could've came and checked us out a week ago. We played at Quencher's.

ME: So what else do you listen to?
AUSTIN: I like a lot of classic rock and you know jam bands.

ME: That funny I was just talking to someone about a Queen cover band. I don't know how I feel about that. I mean I know there are Pink Floyd cover bands and many others but…
AUSTIN: Yeah but to have the kind of presence of Freddie Mercury. I don't know how I feel about that either.

ME: I'm not saying that there isn't a band out there that can perform and sound like a classic rock band. I mean there's an all women Led Zeppelin cover band.
AUSTIN: Lez Zeppelin

ME: Yeah, I saw them last summer and the only thing I can say is, They rocked, they were amazing. Extremely talented ladies. So do you mind if I share this in my blog?
AUSTIN: Sure go ahead
ME: Thanks man. I like to get different aspects of the music industry in my blog because not everyone does the same thing. Ya, know?

AUSTIN: Like I said earlier, my friends that went to Berklee, well we took a road trip to Colorado and we ended up meeting some other guys that went to Berklee and they were looking for a drummer and now one of my buddies tours with them. They all live in New York now. At the moment they're on a break from touring but that was a good connection we just happen to run into.

So a University of Ohio, marketing major decided to come to Chicago to have a better opportunity to get involved. Even though he is educated, enjoys playing and jamming out on the drums with his fellow mates whom also play and sing, says that he is glad that his parents were always supportive about playing music.

And if you're in the mood for some good craft beer and live music check out Quenchers Saloon.

Get Involved

So earlier this week, you may have read about a Q & A that I did with the founder of Chicago Music Guide. What about the people that work for them and their thoughts on music media or just music some type of musical knowledge? Well I had the opportunity to discuss this with someone that contributes her time to CMG. She goes my "Southside" on CMG's website. So I asked her a few questions of my own and how she got started in the business.

ME: I have been following your blog since the beginning of this year. I drew interests because my instructor wanted us to start a blog as a class project and we also had to look at other blogs within the music industry. I came across yours because I enjoy and support the local music scene. I see that you write for Chicago Music Guide, how did you get involved with CMG? If you don't mind me asking. 

I, myself have started a blog on music education and how it is important in a person's life. If I could pick your brain for a moment, I'd like to ask you a few questions about the music industry. 

SSide: Wow, never been interviewed before. My first with well-thought out

questions. Of course I will reply back with my answers.

ME? How did you get involved with CMG?

SSide: Started with CMG back in 2007 or 2008 when I first met a photographer named Beth Shandles who spotted me reviewing bands during MOB Fest at Elbo Room. She was the one who recommended my name to Dennis Kelly who in turned asked me to join as contributor to the site. From time to time I write and/or cover shows for CMG when I'm not busy with my schedule.

 

ME: Are you a musician yourself? 

If so, what do you play?

SSide: Yes - I know how to do my scales on piano but truly flunked out on the clarinet lessons when I was younger. Never really caught on with that instrument. However, I do sing but not professionally. I was part of my high school girls' chorus and church choir (both youth and adult).

 

ME:  How long have you been involved in the music industry?

SSide: Seems like forever! LOL I've been involved way back in the days when underground house music was the rage here in Chicago. I used to date a DJ named James "Jack Rabbit" Martin before his death in 1990. That's when I sort of dropped out of it until 2005 when I discovered a music site called dMusic. At first it started out as a hobby - reviewing and interviewing artists and bands on that site for an internet radio station called Fearless Radio where I was an avid listener to The New Music Binge. Then host - Rocco gave me the moniker SouthSide since I was calling from the Southside of Chicago. My first review as SouthSide happened on Sept 12 2006 at SubT. Can't remember the bands that played yet I never knew what would transpire after posting it.

 

ME: When you were growing up did you have a music program in your school?

SSide: Yes - we had music classes at both elementary and high school level (which was an elective)

 

ME: Do you feel that it is important for children these days to be involved in some type of music program?

SSide: Yes, I do. How are kids today suppose to know that Mozart was the original "rock hard and die young" rock star of his time? Or that Brahms' and Bach's compositions can be heard in modern music today. Music no matter the genre whether it's rock to hip hop to classical and even neo/modern jazz exposes them to a world were sound, lyrics, tempo, harmonies and melodies are formed to create something new and refreshing each and every day. Without it, I see a dull uncultured world for this generation and others.

 

ME: Do you have any advice for those parents who would like to have their children involved in music, as to, where they could go?

SSide: My advice - start when they're in the womb or even while they're babies. I exposed both o my daughters (now 20 and 11) to classical (Mozart, Bach, Handel, et al) to classic rock (Led Zeppelin, The Who, Beatles, Pink Floyd - my youngest loved track 4 "Great Gig In The Sky" to Dark Side of the Moon) to modern jazz (Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Johnny Mathis, Ella, Duke Ellington) and more as well as theatric musicals when they were young. Kids, believe or not, are exposed to music every single day whether it's commercials to the shows on PBS and even cartoons. Take them to see a Broadway show like the Lion King or Beauty and the Beast ...also check out The Old Town School of Music. They have classes for kids as young as babies and toddlers as well as classes if you want your chlid to learn an instrument.

ME: How do you feel about learning music off the internet?

SSide: Learning off the net I think is a wonderful idea and good way of connecting with others around the world when it's impossible to meet face to face for lessons. I have a friend in LA (Dan Sindel) who does guitar lessons on the net via Skype to connect with his students.

So everyone has different experiences in the music world. How do you so your self years from now?

In the Industry

So I've been giving you guys information on music schools and what they have to offer. Last week, I featured a small interview with a guitarist who started out practicing on his buddies acoustic guitar and moved onto metal music. I recently asked him if he had any other projects coming up and he's about to collaborate with a fellow co-worker who happens to be a singer/songwriter.
A few weeks ago I led a class discussion on digital media, my presentation was about the local scene and presented to the class a webzine called, Chicago Music Guide.

Before I led this discussion, I managed to get ahold (via email) of the founder of CMG, Dennis M. Kelly and asked him a few questions about his involvement in the industry.

Mr. Kelly,

Hello, my name is Monique Leyba and I am an Audio Production major at the Illinois Institute of Art here in Chicago. I came across your webzine as I am a supporter of the local music scene. I feel these are the people who should have a helping hand of getting noticed. I am doing some research for a led class discussion on media delivery. I was wondering if you could answer some questions that I have about Chicago Music Guide. 

Good day Monique,

Thank you very much for your email and your interest with Chicago Music Guide!

I am happy to answer your questions for you and supplying the answers.

ME: How did the concept of Chicago Music Guide come to you?

DMK: I came up with Chicago Music Guide just out of the basic desire to help promote my friends band as well as other local artists I've come to admire back in 2000. But it wasn't until 2004 where it became clear to me that in order for this to be more effective, I needed to bring on some people to provide better coverage. Things pretty much grew from there.

ME: Did you grow up here in Chicago?

DMK: I've lived in various Chicago suburbs all my life but have always had a love for Chicago's creative spirit. I love the cultural diversity, the creativity that flows from the city and the inspiration I personally feel from the city. There is no other city that captures my attention like Chicago in the world.

ME: How can a local artist get featured on Chicago Music Guide?

DMK: We offer free local artist pages on our site all the time and interviews can either be requested by email or in some cases, we have requested the interviews; it depends. 

ME: Is there a process or is it your staff members that go seek the featured artists shown?

DMK: We are currently putting a more formalized process in place for our music tips and features that should have been incorporated sooner, but wasn't.

ME: Does CMG try to focus on artists from the Chicagoland area?

DMK: Yes, it is our belief that it is the Chicago artists who are our "treasure" and who need to exposure more than national artists and therefore will always receive more assistance from us.

ME: I see that CMG has a European tour, can you explain a little more of what that section is about?

DMK: Thank you for asking!

Yes, this is a very new section we added just a couple weeks ago in fact in the hopes that this tool provided by Rail Europe could help assist artists who are in the planning stages of booking a European tour. While it cannot help them to book the venue dates in each city, it can help out a great deal in making the process more streamlined and provide a more relaxed experience by traveling by train.

ME: How does one become a musician of the month on CMG?

DMK: This is also a new section to the site; with more new sections being added monthly through the course of this year, in fact.

So far, the artists have been hand-picked and they have been picked primarily for their above and beyond services to the community either by playing in many bands and teaching or doing showcases, etc. 

It is primarily a way to focus on an individual musician, apart from the band as a whole. 

ME: How does CMG get its funding? Are you non-profit?

DMK: Mainly through the advertisers at this point, but there are many other revenue streams as yet untapped that we are working on at the moment.

ME: Has CMG always used video media on the site? Do you feel that the presence of the material increases the site's popularity? Or the artists?

DMK: We have used video media previously on the site (on and off) and yes, I personally feel it is a valuable asset on our site. I am a very visual person myself, and feel we all (as a society) tend to connect more with multimedia far more than a static image or text ever will. Words are powerful, words are thought-provoking, but nothing grabs attention better than video (in my book).

ME: I'm also writing a blog for this class it's called, educatewithmusicmedia.blogspot.com. Here I am discussing how music education is important and a difference of what is makes in someone's life.

Do you have kids and what are your thoughts about having music education in their lives or in any child's life?

DMK: Yes, I have two children, a son (7) and daughter (4). Neither has expressed any extreme interest in music yet, but my wife and I will be introducing them more to music soon as we develop yet another new aspect to our site, so, we'll see if the desire to learn an instrument will get sparked with them at that time.

If so, we firmly believe they should have a solid training under their belt and feel that both our children could do it (should that be the direction they want to go in) but we'll leave it up to them.

ME: Since there are schools here in Chicago that do not provide a music class for kids, do you know of or have any recommendations for digital media education that can help a child get involved with music? 

DMK: Offhand, I am not familiar with any digital media education in the Chicago area, however, schools like People's Music School is one place we are featuring this month and there will be a benefit concert for them on Sunday, February 17th at Lincoln Hall. You can learn more about them here: http://peoplesmusicschool.org/

There are many more locations in the city in suburbs that we'll be highlighting throughout the year, so, check back often!

ME: Mr. Kelly I would like to thank you for your time and consideration. I hope to hear back from you real soon.

DMK: You're most welcome Monique! This was most enjoyable too as I usually am the one writing the questions. I sincerely appreciate your interest again with us and hope that my answers were helpful.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to let me know and I'll be happy to answer more for you.

Thanks again Monique!

Sincerely,

Monique Leyba

Audio Production major

A.I. 

Finding out that the people that work for CMG are past and present people from the music industry and they are volunteer workers, I asked Mr. Kelly if it was possible if I could come aboard and write for his webzine. In response, he mentioned when I have some more free time on my hands, I am more than welcomed to come aboard and just let him know when I'm ready.

So here is a another way to get involved in some type of digital music media.

As an audio major, it feels good to have someone welcoming you into the industry.

I know I mentioned local Chicago music schools but other universities offer music media programs. Ball State University offers a Music Media Production and Industry program for undergraduates. (Previously called Music Technology)
The degree offers much of the same just like the Chicago schools like audio production, music theory, history or music, music business, arranging and performance and internships with professionals in the music industry.
The way I found out about this university offering this program, I have an old friend whose son is a junior in high school and in his vocational class he adds sound to movies. So pretty much he is doing what most of us at A.I. did in Audio Technology I.
Below is a picture of what their studio looks like:

Going into the music world

There are many different options that schools offer to give you the knowledge of digital media that is used in the within the music industry. Here is a list of some of the local schools here in Chicago that offer audio programs.
Chicago Recording Connection Audio School, this school places their students inside a Chicago recording studio. The student works as an apprentice in the studio where they learn audio engineering, music producing, mixing or live audio. "The RECORDING CONNECTION advantage is our mentor-apprentice approach." (Recording Connection Audio Institute. Sallie Mae. 2013. Web.)

Tribeca Flashpoint Academy is located downtown Chicago, just like the Recording Connection, this is a part college, part industry apprenticeship that offers hands-on programs. Below is a tour of what goes on at Tribeca. At the 6:00 minute mark the President & CEO, Howard A. Tullman will take you to the sixth floor where the sound labs are located.

 As a majority of my blog followers, we attend The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago. Here you will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Audio Production. The program here teaches students concepts and technical skills that are used in the field of audio engineering. The instructors show students the equipment used to record, edit and master audio projects. The students will get hands-on training with industry related equipment and technology. Some of the course topics include music theory, electronics, recording techniques and live sound. Other courses will focus on the business side of the music industry such as Survey of the Music Industry, Marketing and Management and Media Delivery. For anyone interested in attending this school somewhere other than Chicago, The Art Institute has campuses across the country.

And for those who would choose (as some call it our rival school) Columbia College, located in the south loop on Michigan Ave. across from Lollapalooza's playground, Grant Park. Do me a favor and don't let anyone confuse this college with one of the most Ivy League schools in the U.S. Columbia University, Columbia College doesn't even compare. They offer their expertise for undergraduate students in live and recorded sound design, engineering, production, design and management of audio installations and vibration/noise measurement and control. "The Audio Arts + Acoustics Department provides students with the knowledge skills, and artistic sensibility necessary to systematically and expertly control sound and sound structures." (Columbia College Chicago. National Highway Institute. 2013. Web.) Other programs include Classical Guitar and an advanced degree in Music Composition for the Screen.

Now just because all these institutes are out there to advanced you into a higher education, not all musicians and people within the music industry attend some type of college or university. Some people were self taught. I had spoken with an individual whom taught himself how to play guitar at the young age of 9. I spoke to this gentleman just yesterday on how he got started into music. Let's call him, Duane.
Duane: "I remember asking my music teacher if I could play guitar in jazz band and she told me, "There are no guitar players in jazz."
Me: "What grade was this?"
Duane: "I don't remember what grade but I was only like 8 or 9, so I borrowed my buddy's acoustic guitar and was obsessed with it. I remembering practicing everyday and playing the same chords over and over until my fingers hurt."
Me: "Oh wow, that's some intensive practices."
Duane: "Well come to find out years later, there are tons of guitar jazz musicians."
Me: "Yeah I was thinking that a moment ago when your teacher said there were none."
Duane: "Once I knew how to play the guitar my mom bought me my first electric guitar, then it was metal music after that."
Me: "Metal, huh?"
Duane: "Yeah, I played with a couple of metal bands in Tampa and realized, unless that's all you want to do is play metal music and your an amazing metal guitarist then going anywhere might be a big challenge for you, you know?"
Me: "I understand, so what are you doing these days?"
Duane: "Well I've been hanging out with some buddies and we've had jam sessions, one recently in a storage-like building in Ravenswood. It was pretty awesome. We hung out, drank some beers and jammed for about 6 hours. It was a great night. I also have been teaching myself how to play more jazz style music and other styles as well." 
Me: "Nice, so broadening your musical talents on the guitar then, huh?"
Duane: "Yeah, there are just more opportunities if you know how to play other styles of music. There are so many guitar players out there and one person might get a gig over you because you don't know how to play a certain style."
Me: "I feel you, man. I play the sax and it's been years since I've picked it up. I remember playing solos in jazz band in high school. I liked standing out and showing what I could do. The solos weren't pieces of music that was prewritten I had to write original stuff and use it for competitions."
Duane: "I think it's really cool that you ask me about music. I love talking about it."
Me: "Haha, thanks man. 

I did not have the chance to ask him if he went to any music school but I'll have the opportunity at a later date.

I have more interviews to come. I want to share stories with you and inform you of how others got their start in the industry. Next week I will feature the founder of Chicago Music Guide and a contributor who donates her time to CMG and supports the local music scene.
                                    

As the Years Go On

The are many jobs out there for a person to get hired onto but some people don't want that after they graduate. As a young adult enters the work force (or they may have already started while still in high school) they either want money to go out with their friends or maybe because their parents make them. What if their interests just so happen to be within the music industry? I did say previously, there are schools without music programs but even if you had one or not. They realize that a 9 to 5 job just isn't their vision of work and misses learning.

There are many universities, colleges, institutes and other ways of getting started, learning and ways to become a music industry professional.
I mentioned Berklee College of Music a couple of blogs ago and according to them they have, "5 Online Music Courses That Could Fortify Your Career". (Thill,Scott. Wired. Conde Nast. 2013. Web.)
These courses include, The Future of Music and the Music Business, Music Marketing 101, Music Marketing: Press, Promotion, Distribution and Retail, Concert Touring and Artist Management. The classes combined, you will have a firm understanding and a base knowledge of music and the industry. Along with attracting fans, the financial aspects to live sound and creating ways to help an artist.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BerkleeMusic Click on this link. Do it! I couldn't decide which video to use so check it out. I know the video, "Details on Online Music Degrees from Berklee" is 27:32 long but if you have time watch it. Then check out the, Featured Playlist videos. Berklee President, Roger Brown mentions that Berklee offers, Turntablism. How sweet is that! I'm just sayin'.
There are digital online courses that their main focus is a specific genre type. For instance, Dubspot Online is an online music academy that teaches students the practices of electronic music production to help them create awesome music.

Their online ceritifications include programs using platforms such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Native Instruments Komplete for sound design and synthesis techniques and Mixing and Mastering. These are just several of the programs unique courses that Dubspot features.

If one of these two schools are not of any interest to someone but would like more information on other online music schools or programs, stay tuned. I'll be back with more later this week. Thanks for viewing in, until next time my readers.

More course material

The other day I talked about Smart Music and how they charge for their service. Well, I received a comment asking how a company like this survives when there are other platforms such as YouTube that can reach out and teach someone how to play just about anything. Smart Music focuses more on a classroom setting then a computer/self taught process. Smart Music allows the student to play along with the music they are practices and in an effort to guide them what they have done wrong and what they are doing right. This also gives the teachers a sense of how their students are doing outside of the classroom.
Now I never said that I personally think that this program is great nor have I actually seen it used in a classroom setting but I just wonder myself how efficient this really is. I remember when I was in Junior High and High School, if we needed help our music teacher was there an hour after school to lend his/her help to us. Yet, I do feel that Smart Music is a much more useful program to a band student then YouTube.
As for some more ways of learning, Hudson Music is a video and audio product support company. They supply videos for music instructions and entertainment. The program and membership is free through http://www.hudsonmusic.com/hudson/ you can purchase and download some video lessons, audio and play-along tracks. Hudson focuses mainly on playing the drums. Some of their instant downloads include: Getting Started on Djembe, Getting Started on Cajon and Intense Metal Drumming II. Hudson Music has a feature about their artists, from jazz drummer legend Buddy Rich to individual snare drum champion Jeff Queen.
If you know someone or who may be a drum teacher, they can register in the program to share and learn about how to incorporate the material from Hudson Music into their teachings.
The video below presents the Hudson Music Teacher Integration Program.

Digital Teachings

Last time I gave you some courses that are available online to help further your music education. These courses are good for people who are somewhat advanced or have money to spend on the online courses that actually charge for their services. I have been primarily focusing on the younger age group but I wanted to give the more mature readers something they could use.
From the comments, I see that the information I have been posting is quite useful.
I wanted to get back to the kids for just a moment. I have mentioned the inner city kids of Chicago and some of the after school programs available to them. So what about other places in this country? I mean this is, the internet.
There is a media that is becoming popular for some children across the nation who have the accessibility to a band/music class. It is called Smart Music. Smart Music is a digital teacher that parents can purchase for $36.00, a year. Smart Music does not require an instructor or a music stand. This software teaches these young musicians and vocalist tempo adjustment to play by ear. Smart Music has a feature that tells the player when they make a mistake, as in pitch or rhythm. This gives them the opportunity to correct their mistakes before proceeding forward to the next exercise.
In Sudbury, Massachusetts, music teachers are using this software in the classroom and if anyone reading this knows or remembers what we all did at the beginning of music class before we played a piece of music. We tuned our instrument. Smart Music comes equipped with a tuner and a metronome. The tuner allows the student to tune visually (and like some of us who didn't have this kind of opportunity in band class) they also learn aurally. The students can tune their instruments just before class begins and gives the teacher more time to focus on a piece of music. Schools that still have a music program and can afford this in their budget can purchase it for $100 a year.
According to the Boston Globe, Sudbury is not the only school with this access. Other schools include, Belmont, Norfolk to Uxbridge - 91 Massachusetts schools in all. Ninety-one schools! This is just in Massachusetts alone. Like the famous Chicago Cubs announcer once use to say. "Holy cow!"
What's wrong with this state (Illinois)?! I did look on Smart Music's website to check out some of the success stories and there is a school near my neighborhood that uses this software, Gordon Tech High School. "I like the overall improvement motivation and musicality", Peter Roothaan, Gordon Tech Band Director.
If the student has this program at home, they can view their class assignments at home. When they have completed the assignment they can then send it via internet back to their teacher to grade. There is even an app for smartphones that the teachers can use to review, grade and comment on students assignments.
"Music educators caution that the software is a complement - not a replacement - for hands-on instruction." (O'Brien, Keith. Harried schools trumpet digital music teacher Technology eases pupils' boredom, directors burden. Boston.com. 11Oct.2007. Web. 13Feb.2013)

Above is a video that introduces the founder of MakeMusic Inc. who created Smart Music. This video shows and describes how Smart Music works.
Thank you all for viewing my blog and I shall return with more digital learning media for you or a kid you might know.

Online Music Courses

So I have been doing some research on ways to get some type of online music education. I came across a few and apparently there are a few universities and colleges that provide online resources for self learners. So I am going to introduce several to you. First off, I  know many of you or just about anyone who uses a computer knows about Wikipedia. So what about Wikiversity? Wikiversity is an online course that provides instruction in musical concepts. Pretty much it provides an introduction to music. It gives you definitions to words that focus on music such as rhythm, melody, dynamics, structure and texture. These are your basic definitions to an intro on music. Because it is a part of wikipedia, anyone is allowed to edit this information. So if you would like to take a look, here's where to go:en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Portal:Music/Introduction_to_Music

Moving on from your basics to another step in music, The Open University has a 20 hour duration course at the introductory level on creating musical sounds. In this course you learn the meaning of frequency and the calculations that are involved in fundamental frequency. Understand how different instruments produce the sounds we classify as music and learn how the vibration of sound waves create music.
Berklee College of Music offers a free online course for voice lessons. You can go to www.berkleemusic.com/welcome/free-voice-lesson?pid=2455 and register for voice lessons. You can also find what else Berklee is doing on YouTube.

Ever thought about playing the organ? Brigham Young University offers a free music course on organ performance. It is a 16 lesson assignment to enhance and aid your learning experience on the organ.
Now I don't want to give all my research on online music courses so I'll return later this week with more.
See ya!
By the way I changed my Twitter username back to its original name, so it fits into this blog in a more professional way. So here it is: https://twitter.com/LeybaMonique

AN ODE TO CONDUCTION

How's it going to all you blogspot readers. First off I would like to say, let's remember the man who gave us conduction in the musical sense. I know I have been talking about some of the types of composing methods or ways to help out with sight reading but I would like to dedicate this blog the man know as "the inventor of musical conduction" Lawrence D. "Butch" Morris. Morris was born on February 10th, 1947 in Long Beach, California and spent the last four decades of his life in New York. This 65 year old man passed away on January 29th from his long struggle with cancer in New York.
Conduct according to AudioEnglish.net means to 1. direct the course of; manage or control 2. lead, as in a performance or a composition or lead musicians in the performance of.

All these definitions are what Morris did and what he became known for. He redefined the roles of composer, conductor, arranger and performer. The word conduction(a registered trademark) is a term borrowed from Physics. A type of structure free improvisation where Morris directs and conducts an improvising ensemble with a series of hand and baton gestures. (A Conduction® with New England Conservatory. icaboston.org. Web.) This man brought together musicians like a shepard does his herd but Morris brought them together as one joyous sound with great harmony of unified music.
Morris was introduced to improvisation when he moved to New York and got involved in the jazz loft scene. This is where his concept for conduction came to him. 
Morris considered improvisation to be headed for a dead end when he developed conduction - he just wanted to reconcile his composer's mind-set with the ability to lead a group form the podium with improvisational freedom. (Margasak, Peter. Chicago Reader). 
Below is Morris at the Calder Foundation with Poet Interpreters where a conduction composition is constructed. Calder was an American sculptor, the Foundation is devoted to collecting the works of Alexander Calder and below ten vocalist are interpreting one of Calder's writings.

This man has a four page resume that includes his honors, grants and his other major works which gives this man bragging rights as an amazing conductor.  

Digital Media Online

I wanted to show you guys some music media online that can help yourself or anyone who has the inspiration to create their own music. Since I have been discussing the younger age group, I'd figure I would tell you about some online sites that an individual could use or it can be used in a classroom. So if you know someone who can read and write music and may want to begin to write their own, check out noteflight.com. Noteflight is a simple application for just about anyone to use. If you're in your early stages of sight reading or already have the know how. Here you can create, view, listen and even print your work. Noteflight is not only available on computers but you can access Noteflight on a smartphone or tablet so you can use it inside or outside of a classroom.  Noteflight can be purchased for studio or classroom access. This can give students and teachers a '"learning by doing" experience in a classroom setting. Noteflight builds a private, secure, online K-12 community for instruction and learning, separate from the Noteflight.com site. (noteflight.com/info/learn_more_k12). You can use Noteflight as a sight reading piece, if you know how to play an instrument. If you don't want to sign up for an account on Noteflight, a demo is available for you. Just click on "Try a Live Demo" and it will take you to a template of scores to choose from. A MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) adapter is available on Noteflight for Mac and Windows users.

If you prefer to hand write your sheet music, you can go to blanksheetmusic.net to print out your own blank sheets. There is an option to add clefs, time and key signature. These can be a good source for a music theory class. To anyone who is being introduced to music writing, these can be a good practice start.
If Noteflight seems to complicated for you, incredibox.com is another type of application that is easy to use. Since we all have heard music in our lives on way or another, here is a way to put sounds together and create something that has already done the hard part for you. Here all you have to do is, Drag, Drop and Listen. You have the options of beats, melody, the chorus or a couple others like effects and voices. Place the illustrated human beatbox guys in any order you would like to make a composition. You can share your composition with your friends. The compositions are available by downloading but there is a fee. There is the option to share the composition via email. Once you send someone an email of your composition they the can open it by clicking "see the composition" and check out what you have done. This is easy and fun for anyone. So if you have kids that want to check it out, just be advised not to let them download it, unless you are willing to pay a small fee. By the way it's 69 euros.

What I have explained so far is more a the composition part of music in applications. So what about an instrument lesson? I myself know how to play the saxophone. I began learning when I was in the 5th grade, with the help of having the physicality of a human being right next to me. Now days there are  videos on YouTube.com to try and teach someone how to play any type of instrument from the guitar to the oboe. The list goes on. If you know how to play an instrument but have a hard time keeping tempo while practicing, there are many different metronome sites to help out.
So these are just a few things online that can be a helping hand in music education. There are plenty more but I don't want to bore you too much.
A lot of music marketed to children these days are promoted by acts such as Hannah Montana the Jonas Brothers. Some others may include One Republic, Selena Gomez and even Justin Bieber. These groups have grown among the U.S. younger generation. "The increasing availability of portable media devices, along with the widespread installation of Internet terminals in schools and educators' turn toward corporate produced "edutainment" for lessons, has reconfigured schools as central sites of children's media consumption." (Bickford, Tyler. Childrens's Music MP3 Players, and Expressive Practices at a Vermont Elementary School: Media Consumption as Social Organization among Schoolchildren. Diss. Columbia University. 2011)
Kids that have the access to use digital media learn to structure music innovations.
Now I'm going to shift things in another direction but with the use of digital media. Below is an interview that was recorded with an M-Audio Microtrack. Here I sat with three fellow, up and coming engineers. Mike a singer/songwriter, Jade an instrumentalist, talks about playing the drums, Alex a beginner on the guitar and myself. Listen as we talk about our experiences and interests.




Until next time my readers.

Here's to you, Local Educators!

So last time I told you about Silly Bus, which is more based on the toddlers years to pre-kindergarten. So what about the children entering elementary? Ever since the economy took a plunge, so have the programs in elementary schools. One of the curriculum programs that took the hit was the music program. This left teachers who love music out of a job and kids who will never get the chance to experience school plays/musicals like some us did growing up. On the not so serious side about it, they'll never be embarrassed by they're parents as they come right up to you and snap pictures like my mom did. But back to the seriousness of music education, "apparently because students tend to enjoy music and feel a sense of accomplishment when they become proficient on a musical instruments and with ensemble performances; and perhaps with gaining the people skills necessary to collaborate in a group performance." (Catterall, James S. PBSTavis Smiley. 2011. Web.) You can find out more about this at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/tsr/dudamel-conducting-a-life/the-consequences-of-curtailing-music-education/.

Youth Orchestra LA at Heart of Los Angeles

 Are parents finding other alternatives for their children to learn music or are they just letting them go by the waste side because maybe they think, it's really not a big deal. Well for anyone who thinks some type of musical education is not a big deal, tell them to come read my blog. Let's hope I can change their mind.

For one elementary school here in Chicago, Audubon Elementary they still have a music program. The only reason why I know this is because that's where I had to go vote for our Presidential Election. The way I found out about their music class is because it wasn't even in the school building, it was around the back side of the building in a small little trailer made shack. I felt bad and a bit ashamed for the teacher and kids who have to come out in the bad weather to get to their music class. But hey, at least they still have it, right? So good for them.

Dozens of schools here in Chicago lack music programs, not only here in Chicago but nationwide. I came across an archive from Oregon and in one year in Portland, Oregon's public schools had to eliminate 12 music teaching position and another school district got rid of their small orchestra program. In a previous year another district had a school that had a strings program that they had to take away from 5th graders.

Here in Chicago, there are several programs and that tend to the children who do not have a music program during school. So they go after school to The People's Music School. This is a free music school and the only one in the United States. This is an after-school music education program available to children throughout CPS (Chicago Public Schools). The school teaches music theory and and instrument classes taught by music educators and professional musicians on instruments like the piano to guitar and voice lessons to the tuba. Below is Rita Simo, the founder of The People's Music School. Take a listen and see how she got started.

Another after-school program designed to give students direct access to music education is P.A.U.S.E. brought to the children by George S. May Foundation for the Arts. Just like People's Music School, the kids here learn to read music and play instruments. "The goal is to expand to inner-city schools nationwide."(abc7. ABC Inc. 2013. Web.) The principal at Manuel Perez Jr. Elementary states, "Our students are very eager to learn about music in all forms."

Other programs include School of Rock, Girls Rock and Old Town School of Folk Music. With the help of all these music programs that tend to kids outside the classroom, they can then go online and find ways to write or make their own music. I'll tell you more about some of the music media out there later on this week.
You can also find me at: https://twitter.com/Poetry_Dancer
                                                           or
                                       http://www.linkedin.com/in/mleyba/
Until then, if you happen to know a music teacher go thank them and let them know you support their teaching programs. They help build growing minds, in the sense that kids need music understanding in their lives to grow in this world.

On the Local Side

I would like to thank those, your comments so far. If you have read So Here We Go, I talked about the brain as it begins to grow. I mentioned a program, Silly Bus, a program that focuses on the young ones by using music to stimulate the brain. This can be a help to those parents in need of an educational babysitter. Silly Bus prepares a child in making a growing difference for those under the age of five where comprehension becomes evident.  Just as well as putting headphones on a pregnant belly, the reaction to music is stimulating. SB uses different levels of music with major and minor tonality along with education.

I mentioned previously, if you let a video play with the ABC song over and over again a child will start to recognize repetition. “Repetition of patterns in songs reinforces content and retention of words and melodies. Since all children do not learn in the same way or at the same rate, much repetition using a variety of learning strategies is important.” (“Repetition and Musical Learning.” Silly Bus. Education Media Creations Company, LLC, n.d.)
Repetition not only works for children, some adults use the same strategy.

Ok, so I was really excited to start this entry Thursday night after coming home from work but sometimes work wears you out. So I wanted to spin things up for a brief minute. As you may have read my blog profile, I mentioned supporting the local music scene. On Thursday nights I spend them walking around Francesca's Forno, in Chicago's Wicker Park listening to local acoustic sets with the accompany of the patrons in the restaurant as they sit and wait for me to bring them their food. I would like to introduce you to two people whom I have only heard once before this past Thursday. 
Toward the end of their night at Forno, I approached them and introduced myself and asked if it was okay that I take some pictures to post in my blog. They were more than willing and said, "Sure takes as many pictures as you'd like." 

So I that note, here are some pictures I took and a small snippet of Emily "Honey-Brushes" Roth and Sean "Milk" Grabiner of Milk & Honey. The first time I heard Emily's voice, it reminded me of a female Ray Lamontange. Emily's voice is filled with some deep soul and emotion. I did not want to bother them too much but I did want to ask who are their influences. 

I know this snippet doesn't do wonders, so I found a video from one of my neighborhood venue where Emily and Sean perform with their entire band, Em & Them. If you would like to check out the full band, Em & Them they will be performing at the Double Door March 29th.

So Here We Go

I would like to say, "hey to everyone" out loud.
Let's start by getting into the head of the human brain and how soon after someone is born does their brain begin to grow. Human brains do most of their growing in the first five years of life, quadrupling from birth to 95 percent of adult size. (source: American Museum of Natural History)
So early teaching is most important to the parent(s) of the child, as they begin to grow into their adolescent years.
What happens to some children once they are born? Some parents (not all) position them in front of a screen and turn on the television and go about their business around the house. As the child sits there, they don't really understand what is going on or words being said. What if you put on a video that had the ABC song played over and over in front of them, then what? According the Kim Gorenflo, Founder of Ready, Set, Read tells parents all the time they need to expose kids to words. So for the youngsters not old enough to enter kindergarten there are musical programs for them too. Partnered with Ready, Set, Read. Silly Bus has music videos that feature the ABC's. The child begins the grasp something about the video, only because it is the ABC song over and over. What happens when children listen to educational music? Judith Hennenberger, Elementary Educator and the author of Stepping Stones said, "They develop their rhythmic and motor coordination, their attention spans and socialization skills. If you have ever seen a little one dance around, I do have to say it so cute. So there is their so-called coordination skills beginning to develop. The capacity for learning is greatest when we are just mere toddlers. So you may be asking what is Silly Bus, then? Well, Silly Bus is a member of the NARAS, a grammy award winner for children's education through music media.

Respected Music Educator and Admired Opera Conductor

I last spoke briefly about what I will begin to discuss and I mentioned to you the Northwestern University researchers. If you made have had trouble viewing the site here it is again. www.soc.northwestern.edu/brainvolts/. There, they show you that the brain is engaged in many different ways through music. A person learns to read music, which is stimulated by a different part of the brain as then of memory. Through music training, depending on what your focus may be, your brain focuses on one specific area than another. 

Northwestern researchers recognized that musicians can encode speech better than non musicians. They show a graph where musicians are better at hearing speech in noise over a number of years. So the longer you are musically inclined the better off you are hearing a conversation in a crowd? Slideshow 13 shows the difference of a musician and a non musician when it comes to processing speech in noise. The way it looks like, I could have a conversation with another musician at a rock concert more than I could with someone who has no musical knowledge at all. 

With musical training your brain begins to grow and strengthen with different characteristics than that of someone who is not a musician or musically incline. This is the difference between a passive music listener and a active or critical listener (as a music engineers should be). The brain continues to grow even after one stops playing music due to the fact that they have the knowledge of music within them. Even though the body may not be involved with music, as in playing an instrument throughout their lifetime, the brain can still determine a sense of direction from where an instrument may be placed in a song.

Near the end of the Northwestern University auditory neuroscience lab slideshow, it displays the breakdown of ages that musical training and brain development have been tested and the outcomes learned through music. 

Below is Richard Gill, is an Australian Music Director specializing in Opera music and vocal and choral training. He is also a music educator. This video is a seminar he does around the world explaining his point to adults of why their young children need to be taught music in their growing minds and why music can help them focus.

The Universal Language

As you have read the intro to my blog, you may have caught on to my point and interest and hopefully yours as well about music and education. Instead of telling you at first what I am going to do, I thought I would give you an up front explanation of what has become of the children of today and how they are growing up without music and why it is important that the value of music education can help open the minds of the youth and grow into something extraordinary.
I have began to tell you of things I have heard, read and personally seen about music and the reaction it has on the fetus. As this blog grows so will the growth of the human mind. I will provide you with some research to help you as you take a look for yourself on how experts have shown us what music does to us.
Meanwhile, as the brain becomes more educated and starting its elementary years, why they should have the access to a music program.
So let me start out by telling you that local researchers from Northwestern University, the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory have done some investigating themselves to see how the brain perceives sound and music. You can check it out for yourself at http.www.soc.northwestern.edu/brainvolts/index.php, I think you may come across some really interested stuff. I know I did. When you get to it, go to "lab projects" click on the slideshow and it will take you on an interesting journey of how, musical training changes sound processing in the brain (soc.northwestern.edu/brainvolts/slideshows/music/index.php)
Later this week, I will introduce you to Richard Gill, an Opera Director and show you one of his seminars and why he believes that children need to have an education in music.
I once read an article that English is the universal language but I have to say I disagree.
Music is the universal language, it can translate to many around the world. People of all sorts come together as one, to listen to their favorite song.

Sound Before Birth

From the time a person is still inside the womb, they hear sound. Mothers are known to place headphones on their bellies to calm their unborn. Doctors do not have the correct answer on why or how exactly the sound of music may have on an unborn child. This is due to, the ability of observation and medical professionals do not have the ability to observe the fetus as they would an actual child. Even though some believe that if you play classical music for the fetus, that the child will come out smarter or musically incline. There is no medical research found that supports this belief.
Even after birth a child continues to hear music. There are research-based programs out there that help elementary children grow and develop a special skill that is only learned through music. The benefits of music education increases the creative mind and enhances a new skill with hand and eye coordination. There have been studies on children who have music education compared to those whom do not and those with music in their lives have an enhancement in brain responses when it comes to complex sound. Without a child knowing exactly what it means but it gives them the ability to recognize the fundamental frequency of a sound. Music stimulates growth in the brain and helps with motor skills. This is done by learning how to play a musical instrument.
With a little bit of music in a young child's life can go a long way.