What Music Means to Me

Sunday, Jan 04, 2009

Episode 27: The Baroque: All About Contrasts

(30 downloads)

Download this episode (13 min)
The term Baroque may be defined in many ways, but one term that can help you to remember what Baroque music is all about is "contrasts." In this episode, we examine how contrasts in tempo, playing ability, timbre, formal organization, voice register, dynamics, modes, and texture help define the sound of Baroque music.

Posted by Dr. Scott Watson at 8:12 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Friday, Dec 19, 2008

Episode 26: Special 2008 Holiday CD Edition

(43 downloads)

Download this episode (11 min)
Each year my high school music production class puts together a CD of holiday classics and originals which is sold for a charity they select. This year the charity is "Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund" (www.cfsrf.org) - providing scholarships and other aid to the kids of soldiers killed or injured in the Iraq or Afghanistan wars. In this episode we get into the holiday spirit by sharing some of the great tracks on this year's CD. Perhaps you'll want to purchase your own copy to help our cause. To order the CD, please visit our blog at:

http://seasonforgiving.blogspot.com

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Posted by Dr. Scott Watson at 11:34 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Sunday, Nov 23, 2008

Episode 25: A BAND DIRECTOR’S DIAGNOSIS BOOK. A Guide to Instrumental Diseases and Conditions.

(54 downloads)

Download this episode (9 min)
In this episode, we take a break from loftier topics to have some fun with the idiosyncrasies of the various instrumentalists in band. In our BAND DIRECTOR'S DIAGNOSIS BOOK, tongue planted firmly in cheek, we'll examine the symptoms of conditions such as Male Flute Syndrome, Saxodema Legitimitis, Trumpet-tude, Losteo Hornosis, Hyper-glissemia, and more. If you're in a school band, or have ever been in one, you'll no doubt appreciate these conditions which I'm sure you've seen in fellow band members. Enjoy!

Posted by Dr. Scott Watson at 12:44 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Sunday, Oct 05, 2008

Episode 24: The Things That Truly Satisfy Are Greater Than Ourselves

Download this episode (6 min)
Would you spend your entire adult life working on a service project for your community that wouldn't be complete in your lifetime? Would you spend your artistic efforts and energy creating music that you knew was good, but that many wouldn't appreciate? If you play in a school band, chorus, or orchestra, is it fair that you have to spend years in training just so you can be lost in the sound of the ensemble? In this episode we use examples from the lives of the Renaissance artist and architect, Filippo Brunelleschi, as well as the composers W.A. Mozart and J.S. Bach to examine how involving yourself in a cause that is bigger than yourself can bring great and lasting satisfaction.

Posted by Dr. Scott Watson at 5:37 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Monday, Aug 11, 2008

Episode 23: Modal vs. Tonal Music

Download this episode (14 min)
There are about a dozen "modes," which are like major and minor scales only more subtly diverse, and with exotic names like "Dorian," "Phrygian," and "Mixolydian." These ancient scales date back at least to 500 B.C. and were the bread and butter of composers during the Middle Ages and Renaissance until the Major-Minor tonal system took over as the Baroque era approached. While the major-minor tonal system has served Western art music well for centuries, it is a shame to overlook the many shades of tonal color that the church modes allowed.