You don't even scrape the surface of how many instruments are used in the Western world with this list. I make 2 bets: 1) there is an instrument in this list that you never paid attention to, but your going to love the sound of it. 2) There is a song you're going to like and listen to again. I chose on purpose music written before your generation, because I want you to be surprised by something new to you. Have you ever wondered how come we understand music so well, all of us? How come we know it is sad or joyous?
A as in ACCORDION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agXHZ7T0npc
This has become an almost outdated instrument, along with the harmonica. Jazz
and rock killed it, I guess. Observe how the two hands are far apart, push
different buttons, and it is not like a piano: you cannot see what you are
doing. Yes, there are still jazz musicians who play the accordion, and
sometimes they play in a big orchestra like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBsnIinyCUo
but in number they dwindle. I used to see them in train stations and in bars, sometimes
at the street corner, I have not seen one in decades. Do you like it or does it
sound old to you?
B as in BACH
What fascinates people when they
listen to Bach classic music? The
architecture, the construction of it.
This can be visualized here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95gLT7NzHAM
If we simplify the world of
music lovers, they can be divided in two main categories of listeners: some are
fascinated by the architecture, the harmony. They love Bach, Mozart, but they
often also like modern architecture as written by Stravinsky, Carl Orff or
Britten http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02tkp6eeh40
By contrast, some listeners prefer
the expression of feelings: they like the opera, Verdi, the romantic music of
Beethoven, Wagner and more modern musicians like Mahler and Shostakovich. You
want to hear something very romantic? Here comes Perhaps love from John
Denver http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qNbKPRUD1Q
What is it to you? Are you more
tuned to romantic music or very constructed music? The difference is there even
in pop music. I never met anybody who liked equally the Beatles and the Rolling
Stones. Do you prefer mostly rhythm or does the melody make you feel good?
B as in BAGPIPE
B as in BALALAIKA
A balalaika is a Russian musical
instrument with three strings. It plays a major role in the movie Dr Zhivago (rated PG-13), a
romantic story during the Russian Revolution. You can read the main story line
on Wikipedia. The film music was composed by Maurice Jarre. Listen to a balalaika, the sound is very different
from a guitar.
B as in BANJO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrlqQ1_vZVE
Steve Martin, the comic actor is
very good at it. You can check that it does not seem to be any easier to learn
than guitar. The banjo, like the accordion, has lost some ground. But you can
almost smell the wood fire and the barbecue when you listen to it.
B as in BASSOON
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9WAwyBqWgg
Do you recognize music instruments? I am not too old to enjoy Peter and the Wolf, see if you can hear
the bassoon in the orchestra. I think it is a fun instrument. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILI3s7Wonvg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrOa5dvp4RY
A nice group of girls playing the bassoon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gXh83hNnWw
more modern spirit.
C as in CELLO
Classic cellist Yo-Yo Ma in a great group
interpretation of Hush little Baby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GczSTQ2nv94
What beautiful smiles! Don't you wish you had a voice like this?
In a classic piece: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM9DPfp7-Ck
C as in CLARINET
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWbj7FYEi3M
This is the most amazing thing. The transformation of a carrot into a musical
instrument. You could also make an ocarina. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9QcFDZldjg&list=PL321B9915F588F49D
If you subscribe to his site you
can see more extraordinary feast, such as this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_CDLBTJD4M&list=PL321B9915F588F49D
or a man playing music with a small bonsai, music with autoparts, wonders and
more wonders.
Now do you know if there is
sound in Space? Check it out. What is sound anyways?
D as in DRUMMER
You would think it is easy,
until you see Neil Pearl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHkucr1jJpQ
F as in FLUTE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PohoBSPX7Eg
: the moods of Rhonda
G as in Marvin GAYE
G as in GERSHWIN
George Gershwin (1898-1937) died young from a brain tumor. He could
write music in any style or for any mood, and it still had the Gershwin's print.
Try Summertime http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7-Qa92Rzbk
Or Rhapsody in Blue http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLTManObB40
observe that orchestras all over the world enjoy playing this.
observe that orchestras all over the world enjoy playing this.
And do you know Our love is here to stay? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-ElH0ziuNc
If you ever buy the DVD of an
old movie, it should be An American in
Paris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGvV7FEv-pQ
G as in GUITAR
Are you too young to know Hotel California? http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=iW1WHi60aq0
Would you try the Memories of the Alhambra? http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=AIzKsNIRrV4
The Alhambra is the most celebrated cathedral of Spain, in the town of Grenada.
Musician Django Reinhardt (1910-1953) influenced the way guitar is played
today. http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=2ZmA8gsBxIg
H as in HALLELUJAH
If you are not impressed, I
don't know what to do.
H as in HARMONICA
Look at Toots Thielemans and
Quincy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA36Anlf1bw&list=PL60D7DEDA4935F3DE
H as in HARP
H as in HEARTBREAK HOTEL
The song that made of Elvis Presley (1935 -1977) a singer
that changed America. You can find the 1956 recording on YouTube: I get so lonely I could die.
I as in IMAGINE
A peace song by British composer John Lennon (1940-1980) created in
1971, at the heart of the Cold war and the Vietnam war. “You may say that I'm a
dreamer, but I'm not the only one. ” The song has marked a generation, Like all
well known pacifists, Jaures, Gandhi,
Martin Luther King, Lennon was assassinated. http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=myW96tojeLU
M as in MACARENA
Maybe everybody got suddenly
tired of the inherent sadness of rap music; in 1996 this song totally
unpretentious but full of good rhythm and good mood went around the world. You
can listen to it by the original creators, Los
Del Rio. http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=XiBYM6g8Tck
Latin America is a constant
strong influence in the USA and in Europe, but this type of success is unique.
Seize the day and check if you
can find Caetano
Veloso, the best Brazilian composer. It is
an opportunity to learn some Portuguese (you just go on YouTube and type
“Veloso translation” or “Veloso English subtitles”.)
M as in MOZART
In the movie The Shawshank Redemption, a prisoner
plays Mozart for the whole camp to the great rage of the director. This scene
is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjqmg_7J53s
Listen to this beautiful aria:
this is the complaint of a young man discovering love (usually sung by a
woman): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-e0fHUoKD8&list=PLACD3C051820CC6AE
All the charm of Mozart's operas
disguises some pointed political statements. For instance, the marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni are satires of the aristocracy.
O as in OBOE
O as in OFFENBACH
I am partial to Offenbach. He lived in France and wrote
light music and witty comic pieces. He mocked everything: the aristocrats,
eternal love, the military, the Greek Gods in operettas such as Orpheus in the Underworld, The Beautiful
Helen, Parisian Life, The Grand
Duchess of Gerolstein, La Périchole.
Here comes an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48zhdW_2nUQ
When he got older, Offenbach
started working on a beautiful tragedy called The Tales of Hoffmann This is song saying "beautiful night,
night of love", it has an irresistible sadness about it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_kVCU5plgU
O as in ORFF
Carl Orff (1895-1982) is the grandfather of rock music. He was a
German musician, not the most compassionate or responsible guy you could meet,
but his musical ideas were fine. I once met a woman in France who worked for
classic records. I mentioned that I had noticed a campaign promoting Orff as a
modern rock group. She smiled: she had done that, and it worked well: sales had
soared. You might enjoy looking at this video, the contrast between the stiff
setting and the rhythm is amusing
P as in Charlie PARKER
In his short life, American
saxophonist Charlie Parker
(1920-1955) succeeded in changing the history of jazz. You should read the
excellent article of Wikipedia on him and listen to him on YouTube, http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=Clp9AeBdgL0
If you like the sound of
saxophone, check also John Coltrane
(1926-1967) and Stan Getz
(1927-1991). Find out why Getz was called the
sound. Listen to his interpretation of a well known song by Kosma: Autumn leaves. It is out of this world. http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=pnxeKl-Kbqw
L as in Leon PARKER
Inspiring. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM8z9_R4vks
P as in PAS-DE-DEUX
In classic ballet, it is a duet.
http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=699cbEBHN3s
P as in PIANO
A very romantic piece played by Krystian Zimerman
P as in PROMS
In Great Britain, proms stand for promenade concerts, a
series of classic concerts at low price or free organized every summer. Here is
a typical one to enjoy. http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=zCx5bx-qtJQ
Q as in QUEEN
An old British band, very
influential. You probably know this tune. http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=04854XqcfCY
R as in RHYTM
It makes sense, doesn't it, that
music started with the rhythm of a beating heart?
Here is Gershwin, one of the greatest American composers, playing I got
rhythm. http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=vIpNepgmCQA
and watch this extraordinary
performance of Halle Berry http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=6AYvrgBET9w
M as in MANDOLIN
M as in MALONE
Gareth Malone is a British choirmaster who goes in unknown towns
and derelict suburbs to create fantastic choirs. He makes great choirs with
military wives or with prisoners.
He can recruit people in the
street and get astonishing results as here
Watch this passage where you can
see the emotion of singers listening to themselves for the first time; for
some, it is the first feeling of pride they ever had. Look at the people who
cry and imagine their lives. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYQvC_Wki7s
S as in SANDPAPER
Novelist Joyce Carol Oates said about Bob
Dylan's voice that it was “as if sandpaper could sing.”
One of his most famous songs is Like a rolling stone. The lyrics are
unpleasant, mocking a middle class lady for falling into misery. But it is not
what the listeners remember of the song, they saw themselves rolling into
life's uncertainty: With no direction
home/ Like a complete unknown/ Like a rolling stone. http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=4F0ytNzHDj8
S as in SAX
Try some real jazz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYnVc2oIn-U
Chris Potter, this thing
called love.
And Bruce Abbott http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaWFJb1PVSw
S as in SIMON and GARFUNKEL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE1dz6_u2JI
Mrs Robinson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTCNwgzM2rQ
Sounds of Silence
S as in SINGLE
Single ladies: A dance song from American mezzo-soprano Beyonce from 2008. You can listen to it
on Youtube. It has the same atmosphere, but not the same rhythm as Macarena.
S as in SOLDIER'S tale
A soldier comes back home with a
small violin. He meets the devil. The devil wants the small violin but he needs
lessons. The soldier accepts; he believes that he will stay with the devil 3
days, but it lasts 3 years. When he goes home, his girlfriend is married and
his neighbors don't recognize him. The devil has made him rich.... but there is
more trouble ahead.
This is a folk story that
inspired Igor Stravinsly to write
this delightful orchestral suite with actors, dancers and a small orchestra on
the scene.
Look at it on YouTube. There is
a short introduction, then a pretty good representation. http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=34iCIedApk8
S as in SONG
What does your favorite song
talk about? Who is talking in the song (a person of faith? A person in love? A
patriot?) What is the subject of the song?
Here is a very easy song, and I
bet you will have a hard time finding the subject. It is called Swinging on a star and was composed by J. Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. So,
what does it talk about?
It is a standard sung by many
artists, but my favorite interpretation is from Bruce Willis and Danny
Aiello who sing it in the film Hudson
Hawk. They use the song to time themselves while committing a robbery. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8KvM3vZo0w
It is a great scene.
So tell me what is the subject
of the song?
Check your answer on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swinging_on_a_Star#Origins
What a song really says is a
good game to play with friends.
S as in prince of SOUL
Who was the prince of soul? Marvin Gaye. http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=VHaKEAAj6oA
S as in SOUNDTRACKS
There are plenty of wonderful
soundtracks, but three composers who did beat the odds.
1) The forgotten HONEGGER (1892-1955). Listen to Pacific 231, it is fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfysyex_DAk
2) The French composer Maurice JARRE (1924-2009) who created
brilliant music for the theater before composing for movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago and A Passage
to India.
3) John WILLIAMS (b. 1932) who composed for many many films from Jaws to Star Wars and Lincoln. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CTDsXF2aRg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFNN_ADpYJ0
S as in STORMY weather
Ever heard of the Cotton Club? It was a center for jazz
music in Harlem, N.Y. between 1920 and 1940. You can close your eyes, and
listen to Stormy Weather, a success
of the 1940s, sung by Lena Horne
(1917-2010), a good singer, an activist and a beautiful woman. http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=QCG3kJtQBKo
S as in SWING
T as in TUBA
T as in TRUMPET
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdJTjT1ulYc
: greatest players.
"Up there with the
Gods", as Eric Clapton once said, Wynton Marsalis, here in a very
brilliant talk about jazz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFNIvo-tx2s
To pass the exams in France, the
players used to be hidden behind a screen, to avoid the temptation for the
judges to favor their own students. It was said the sound of Maurice André was so special that
everybody knew it was him. Here he is in Summertime
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grk5c-8nkOQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grk5c-8nkOQ
V as in VIOLIN
Each artist has a favorite
instrument. Look at this discussion about "the best" instrument. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1by4dB4azY&list=RD022e7Kh9viHGA
Do you hear the difference? If you don't, check on YouTube Stradivari, Guarneri: there are other examples.
Do you hear the difference? If you don't, check on YouTube Stradivari, Guarneri: there are other examples.
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