Musicians! Need Musical Help!

[3113]

I especially need someone who plays piano. I've created a character who is a music teacher, so your ability to play piano need not be the best, but it might well require that you take a moment tickling the ivories to answer my question. If you've got a little time and can help me, please pm! Help would be very much appreciated!

Also, I'd like, in this thread, to get into the head of those who love to play music. For example, is there always music in your head? When you listen to music, do you just enjoy it, or you feel yourself joining in as on an instrument? Do you hands tap out cords, or do you really notice what notes were chosen...and sometime critically think, "I would have gone for this instead"? How do you think music makes you feel that might be different (or not) to people who are not musicians? Do you eat, drink and sleep it...or do you sectionize it in a part of your life and visit it as you might a job--one you love, but still "work" kept separate from vacation/play?

Any insights very, very much appreciated

 

[Guest]

Music is like a drug for me. I used to play, now I mostly listen. I usually try to listen to different parts of the composition in separate...and I always have to know the words so I can sing (as long as no one is around )

I live it. I can't have it playing while I work, however. It needs undivided attention.

Maharat

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I only ever learned drums, and not very well, but music is always in my head. If I am really into what I am listening to, I do play along, even if I don't always know the instrument that I am mimicking. I will sing along, drum along, air-guitar, anything, even if I don't know the words, the beat, or the chords.

And yes, I am critical of music from time to time, thinking that I would have done things differently. I hear the beginning of a song and think, "This guitar line would have gone much better with that bass intro, and wouldn't have been nearly as samey."

 

[Vermilion]

PM sent

 

[Vermilion]

I especially need someone who plays piano. I've created a character who is a music teacher, so your ability to play piano need not be the best, but it might well require that you take a moment tickling the ivories to answer my question. If you've got a little time and can help me, please pm! Help would be very much appreciated!

Also, I'd like, in this thread, to get into the head of those who love to play music. For example, is there always music in your head? When you listen to music, do you just enjoy it, or you feel yourself joining in as on an instrument? Do you hands tap out cords, or do you really notice what notes were chosen...and sometime critically think, "I would have gone for this instead"? How do you think music makes you feel that might be different (or not) to people who are not musicians? Do you eat, drink and sleep it...or do you sectionize it in a part of your life and visit it as you might a job--one you love, but still "work" kept separate from vacation/play?

Any insights very, very much appreciated

Fiance is very musical and I'm very not - the difference in how we listen to and appreciate music is immense. I hear the whole thing and he picks apart the instruments, melody and harmony like a thread unravelling. It's like when I look at a dress... I analyse fabric, shades of colour, cut, style, length and how well it suits the wearer - he does the same thing with a song...

x
V

 

[starrkers]

My hubby does the same thing as V's fiance. He plays guitar and is a damn good singer.
I used to play violin and recorder. I can pick a song apart, but don't often, unless hubby is asking me to for some reason. I tend to tap out the bass line when listening to music.
Hubby doesn't. He'll sit still and analyse - kind of like those blokes at the back of the bar when a band's playing. They don't dance, they don't even tap their foot, but if the band's any good, they'll let you know!

 

[sr71plt]

I can't listen to choral or piano music without trying to pick out mentally where the tenor line is (or would be if there was one). And I have a devil of a time trying to sing unison if that's called for--I'm picking out a tenor line harmony.

 

[3113]

Thanks so much for the answers so far, folk! Keep 'em coming. I've created a music teacher and I'm trying to make her real, but it's kinda hard given that I'm musically illiterate. I like music and I listen to it, but I know full well that what I hear and what a musician hears is not the same thing. I'm hoping your answers can help me give the character verisimilitude.

 

[Vermilion]

well one thing I;ve noticed is that a wrong note causes almost physical pain to the Fiance... well, not a wrong one so much, as a discordant, flat or sharp note.

He winces and shudders.

He does have perfect pitch though... apparently that makes it worse for him I've noticed other musical friends who aren't quite so aware.

Fiance seems to find a good amateur is worse than a terrible amateur, especially with singing, because the wrong notes are just that much more jarring...

Apparently, when I sing, I shift the tune up or down a semi-tone to accommodate my range. I don;t notice I'm doing it, but the Fiance does... luckily it doesn;t seem to jar as much as me trying to hit the high notes for real

 

[Liar]

I can't play any instruments well enough to preform. Except drums, if you give me a three cord punk band and a drunk audience. But I write, arrange and produce music on a more or less regular basis. And yes, it's always there, in the back of my head. New melodies swimming around in the subcionscious poking at my attention.

I find myself listening to songs on the radio and adding elements to them. Rhythms if they are too plain, a bass riff that isn't there, a string section on top of it all. So it's not unusual that I hear a song on the radio and think to myself "meh, that other mix I heard yesterday was better" until I realize that that "other" mix never existed. it was the same song as this, plus my meandring imagination.

 

[Guest]

I especially need someone who plays piano. I've created a character who is a music teacher, so your ability to play piano need not be the best, but it might well require that you take a moment tickling the ivories to answer my question. If you've got a little time and can help me, please pm! Help would be very much appreciated!

Also, I'd like, in this thread, to get into the head of those who love to play music. For example, is there always music in your head? When you listen to music, do you just enjoy it, or you feel yourself joining in as on an instrument? Do you hands tap out cords, or do you really notice what notes were chosen...and sometime critically think, "I would have gone for this instead"? How do you think music makes you feel that might be different (or not) to people who are not musicians? Do you eat, drink and sleep it...or do you sectionize it in a part of your life and visit it as you might a job--one you love, but still "work" kept separate from vacation/play?

Any insights very, very much appreciated

I play most instruments. I sing.

I always have music in my head. It's rare that I won't have music playing somewhere. The only problem with that, however, is that if it's something I've personally performed it becomes very distracting. (I keep mentally running through the concerts.)

I used to have difficulty listening to music without attempting to analyze it but I've outgrown that now, thank goodness. I am particular about certain symphonies, certain composers, certain performing groups and good music performed poorly truly pisses me off.

From what I'm reading in your post, you are combining composers/performers. Do you want your person to be a composer? If so, then note choices and so on would be more of an option.

If your person is a performer, then you would be more interested in things like fast/slow sections, loud/soft passages, touch and sensitivity to details and how each performer would have approached playing that particular piece.

Does that make sense?

PM with questions, if you wish?

 

[3113]

So it's not unusual that I hear a song on the radio and think to myself "meh, that other mix I heard yesterday was better" until I realize that that "other" mix never existed. it was the same song as this, plus my meandring imagination.

That's a great story!

 

[3113]

From what I'm reading in your post, you are combining composers/performers. Do you want your person to be a composer? If so, then note choices and so on would be more of an option.

If your person is a performer, then you would be more interested in things like fast/slow sections, loud/soft passages, touch and sensitivity to details and how each performer would have approached playing that particular piece.

Does that make sense?

Makes very perfect sense. And those are good questions!

No, actually, I don't want my music teacher to be a composer. I see her as someone who loves music and wants to share it (teach it), but not someone who has that creative drive which leads people to make up tunes. Which I guess makes her more performer with her creativity manifesting itself in HOW she plays a known tune rather than creating a tune from scratch.

I see her as someone who has an easy time learning to play instruments (harp, guitar, piano), but not the sort who was competitive and driven enough--or perhaps even gifted enough to get a place in a symphony orchestra.

Yes, she is a performer, but not on the level that she'd be the featured pianist in a concert hall. She's more the sort to play at private parties or cafés. I imagine that in her college days she went to fairs and such, put out the hat and played her harp for extra money.

Speaking of which, I need to decide what her boyfriend does. I don't want him to be a musician, but he could be in the music business in some other way (records, selling instruments, something like that). Any thoughts?

 

[3113]

Still in need of musical help folks. I'll just keep asking questions here I think:

1) What a good, easy, fun Christmas song for a 10 year old who isn't that talented a musician to play on the piano? The one I originally picked for my story is apparently too hard. And why would this be a good tune?

2) What do you call the part of the music that is the key melody? I mean, is it just "the melody" or is there another term that I'm forgetting? I'm talking about the part that you could strum quick and dirty on a guitar or play one-handed on a piano. No flourishes or extras, the baseline tune.

Help needed and appreciated!

 

[tickledkitty]

1. Jingle Bells

2. Yes, it's the melody.

 

[Liar]

1) What a good, easy, fun Christmas song for a 10 year old who isn't that talented a musician to play on the piano? The one I originally picked for my story is apparently too hard. And why would this be a good tune?

Just ploinking the melody?

Then Jingle Bells is pretty damn easy.

ETA: heh, didn't see kitty's reply.

 

[Guest]

I'd go with Jingle Bells as a good Christmas tune for a beginner, too.

The melody? The theme? The main idea?

The opposite would be the harmony, the counterpoint, the secondary idea.

Looking forward to reading your story!



edited to add - why would Jingle Bells be a good tune? It only uses 5 notes.

 

[WRJames]

I'm a pianist and composer. I try NOT to have music always running around in my head -- it's annoying. However, I can sit down at the piano and just start to play -- stuff -- it's like opening a tap and music flows out. Sort of strange. It's not really a conscious talent -- I just start playing and the music develops, more or less on its own.

As for playing from scores, which I also do -- my own stuff which I've worked into real compositions, and classical composers (mostly Beethoven, but some others) -- it's a very different experience, more involved with mechanics.

Silent Night is another very simple piece --

If you just trace out what a voice would sing -- that's the melody. If you fill in a few notes (chords) -- that would be harmony.

More complicated music has little snippets that keep turning up over and over -- these are called themes.

 

[3113]

Okay. Got "Melody" right. Score one for the musical illiterate! I don't know why but I keep feeling there was some other term for it that a musician might use and I was a bit worried that I was being too simple.

Thanks for the song suggestions, and most especially the reasons for them. It always helps to know the reasoning behind the answer. That said, I'd like to avoid both "Jingle Bells" and "Silent Night." "Jingle Bells" because it's too simple; I'm guessing that a 10-year-old, even if she's not the best at piano, is going to want to feel that she's playing a real tune, not something usually sung in kindergarden. As for "Silent Night," that's a good one, but too solemn for the setting. The song is going to be played at a kid's Christmas party, and I figure that the teacher would assign something more in keeping with that, more upbeat.

How hard is "Silver Bells" for example? Or "O Christmas Tree"? "Frosty the Snowman?"

(And will someone please hit me over the head with something large and heavy for picking a profession for my main character that I not only know nothing about, but haven't the knowledge to properly research?)

 

[tickledkitty]

I'd like to avoid both "Jingle Bells" and "Silent Night." "Jingle Bells" because it's too simple; I'm guessing that a 10-year-old, even if she's not the best at piano, is going to want to feel that she's playing a real tune, not something usually sung in kindergarden. As for "Silent Night," that's a good one, but too solemn for the setting. The song is going to be played at a kid's Christmas party, and I figure that the teacher would assign something more in keeping with that, more upbeat.

How about "Deck the Halls?" or "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"? I think many of the old carols will be easy enough since they have pretty simple melodies. "Joy to the World" might work, as well.

 

[Emerald_Dragon]

I think too there is a big difference between a performer and a teacher. As a former performer, both instrumental and vocal I loved the complex harmonies. In college we sang quite a bit in latin with no instrument back up and it was incredible. The same thing with band (played flute).

As a teacher though, especially of small kids there has to be a tolerance for mistakes and a lot of enjoyment over watching the kids get better over time. There also has to be the tolerance over the one or two kids in the class that are completely tone deaf, can't carry a tune, but manage to be heard over everybody else and are grinning to beat the band because they love to sing.

 

[3113]

As a teacher though, especially of small kids there has to be a tolerance for mistakes and a lot of enjoyment over watching the kids get better over time. There also has to be the tolerance over the one or two kids in the class that are completely tone deaf, can't carry a tune, but manage to be heard over everybody else and are grinning to beat the band because they love to sing.

Excellent point! It's the hallmark of a good teacher that they can offer a love of their subject to students rather than making their students feel intimidated and scared of it.

 

[3113]

How about "Deck the Halls?" or "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"? I think many of the old carols will be easy enough since they have pretty simple melodies. "Joy to the World" might work, as well.

I *like* "Deck the Halls." Simple but not childish, upbeat, traditional and all that.

So now the question is, what part of "Deck the Halls" might give a 10-year old problems and why? Is that part about "Now we don our gay apparel" (dear me, that line doesn't work in the 21st century, does it?) problematic for little hands stretching across the keys? Or is that the easy part and the "fa-la-la-la-la's" are the hard part?

 

[Guest]

I was thinking "Good Kind Wenchelas" (spelling?)

Three basic chords that can be jazzed up with minors of the same chords or augmentations (on piano). Also, there is a lot of Mozart that can be played by 10-year olds, and is Christmassy, light and playful. Mozart's genius was in making the siplest of things sound so increibly complicated through variations.

Tchychopski (Please, someone stop me before I mangle another!) is another classical artist that is played during the holidays - something from the Nutcracker suite. The beauty with classical is that it's been studied for so long that there are very recognisable simplified versions that are taught to youngesterd that can barely manage an octave reach.

I still remember my Royal Conservatory lessons up to Gr. 8 in piano. I don't play anymore, but due to almost perfect pitch myself, can still "plonk out" a melody if I can remember it in my head, and then add the basic chords. I've played violin, flute, and guitar, to my dismay, I seem to have no time for any of them anymore. I do, however, sing Karaoke.

(Waits for the stampede of screaming people to leave)

I don't have a great voice, but it's in tune. Music for me has always been very emotional, whether listening, playing or singing. I think that's one of two types of musicians - those who feel it intutively, maybe they have a good ear and pick things up that they feel. The music doesn't have to be perfect, but it has to "get them" in some way, through the words, the melody, the "feel" of the somg.
The other , the technician, has a brilliant and often very mathematical mind and often finds joy (or pain) in the complexities of the music, and their joy is found there.

 

[Trombonus]

Is there always music in your head?
For the most part.

When you listen to music, do you just enjoy it, or you feel yourself joining in as on an instrument?
I usually analyze it to a degree. Lately I've been wondering how I would arrange things for different instrumental groups, usually Trombone choir.

Do you hands tap out cords, or do you really notice what notes were chosen
I don't usually get that deep into it. Sometimes I do, but it's rare. I'll notice if a piece is in a major minor key though.

...and sometime critically think, "I would have gone for this instead"?
Sometimes.

How do you think music makes you feel that might be different (or not) to people who are not musicians?
I think that I appreciate the complexities in music more because I understand it and can perform it. I know how much work goes into creating music and so when I hear something I like I get really excited.

Do you eat, drink and sleep it...or do you sectionize it in a part of your life and visit it as you might a job--one you love, but still "work" kept separate from vacation/play?
Well, considering that my job is teaching young people about music, I'd say it's very much my entire life. Rather I stray from that life when I'm doing something else, like playing video games or writing, but it always comes back to music.

Did you have any other questions?