How Italian became the universal language of music Parli italiano? Did you know that Italian is the universal language of music? Just as English became the standard language for aviation and the Greek symbols the universal language for mathematics, so, too, did Italian become the standard way for composers worldwide to indicate how they’d like their music to be performed. To read more, go to Parli italiano?
Why choosing to make music because you love it is the best reason of all Ah, I become so frustrated with the misguided belief that we can’t just enjoy making music without having to justify why or how we do it. We don’t put the same pressure on ourselves or others when it comes to other activities: ‘I hear you like doing yoga. Tell me, how long can you hold the Downward Facing Dog?’ Yet Read more…
We tend to think—and be told—that the only way to truly be creative is to think outside of the box. But narrow down the options and you’re forced to focus just that bit more: think of it as like looking down a telescope instead of at the whole sky. For more and for some musical ways to practice creating within the box, go to Five little notes
Summer musical makeover: Blackbird Here’s the latest (summer) edition of the Discovering Music blog/newsletter, with my versions of songs I love. This week it’s Blackbird (Lennon and McCartney) For more, go to Singing in the dead of night
Summer musical makeover: a little bit of Leonard Cohen It can be hard to let go of the idea that we always have to be breaking new ground. That we always have to be creating something shiny and new, and coming up with big, bold ideas, otherwise how can we say we’re being creative? Well, I’m here to say that it’s in the ground work, the little steps that you repeat over and over again, Read more…
Summer musical makeover: when the party’s over Do you find yourself always doing things the same way? Reading the same kinds of books, or only listening to what you know you like? The funny thing about creativity is that it thrives on both limits and freedom. Boundaries provide a framework that can help with getting started and take away some of the fear, while spontaneity and new environments and influences can inject some energy into Read more…
A summer musical makeover “Smile, though your heart is aching,Smile, even though it’s breaking” Do you know who wrote the melody for the song Smile? Hint: he was an iconic star of silent movies (and much, much more). And he was also heavily influenced by some of his favourite classical music. For more on this beautiful song and to hear a recording of my version, visit Smile
How a moment of play can help with creative blocks Play! Chaos! If these two little words have you running then you need to rethink. Because they could really help the next time your creative engine needs a restart. For more, go to Restart your creative engine