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From
time to time extra articles and thoughts by musicians, singers and
others will be
published or linked here. You are
invited to comment on these in our Music Forum.
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Grey Matters -
"Music and the Mind"
This video
is part of a series
of lectures on subjects in the realm of neuroscience from the
University of
California and San
Diego. This one presented by Aniruddh
Patel PhD, of the
Neurosciences
Institute, discusses
what music can teach
us about the brain,
and what brain
science, in turn,
can reveal about
music. |

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Cellomar - The Cello Page
This is a most informative website containing lots of
interesting facts about the cello. It includes the history,
composers and performers, musical excerpts, anecdotes, and info
on how the cello is constructed.
The illustration (right) is Norman Rockwell's painting of an old
man playing cello while a young girl dances. |

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Is music the very essence of the
nature of things?
Well known and widely respected music therapist, pianist,
and founder of Nordoff-Robbins music therapy in Australia,
Enid Rowe, shares her thoughts on the proposition that
music is an essential element of everything in the universe.
She discusses this notion from a historical perspective with
reference to the beliefs of great medieval thinkers.
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Enid Rowe |
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Music Education for
the 21st Century |
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A lecture delivered
by Richard Vella on October 23 2007
Does music education need to significantly broaden its
approach in order to meet the requirements of the 21st Century
music industry?
Eminent Australian
composer, Chair and
Professor of Music, Newcastle Conservatorium of Music,
Richard
Vella,
discusses this question
in an excerpt from
his inaugural lecture which he delivered at the Newcastle
Conservatorium of Music on October 23 2007.
Published with the kind permission of Richard Vella
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Richard
Vella |
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The musical brain |
from abc.net.au |
Oliver Sacks on the musical brain
Dr. Oliver Sacks plays Chopin mazurkas on his piano in New
York. Sometimes he hears them in his head, note perfect, without
the piano. How can we 'imagine' music so powerfully and why does
it make such an impact emotionally?
ABC Radio's Robyn Williams interviews Oliver Sacks
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Oliver Sacks |
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THE SHAPE OF MUSIC |
from seedmagazine.com |
Physics & Math - THE
SHAPE OF MUSIC - by Dmitri Tymoczko
Roughly 2,500 years ago, Pythagoras observed that objects, such
as the anvils he purportedly studied, produced harmonious sounds
while vibrating at frequencies in simple whole-number ratios.
More complex ratios gave rise to more dissonant sounds, which
indicated that human beings were unconsciously sensitive to
mathematical relationships inherent in nature.
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What your musical taste
shows! |
from www.theage.com.au |
Musical key to unlocking teenage wasteland - by Kate Benson
"DOCTORS should ask their teenage patients what
type of music they prefer to determine if they are at risk of
developing a mental illness or committing suicide, researchers
say..."
A study found that teens who listened to pop music were more
likely to be struggling with their sexuality, those tuning in to
rap or heavy metal could be having unprotected sex and
drink-driving, and those who favoured jazz were usually misfits
and loners.
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Wynton Marsalis |
from wyntonmarsalis.org |
Wynton Marsalis website - frequently asked questions.
Wynton's answers to the questions on this page
contain some really interesting, even valuable, information not
only about himself but also his insights into jazz as an art
form, the musician's role as part of the jazz continuum, advice
to young players, etc. |


Wynton Marsalis |
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MUSICIANS ARE EXCELLENT
MIND READERS
When requesting a song from the band, just say “play my
song”, or “it goes something like this”, then hum a few bars. We
have a chip implanted in our heads with an unlimited database
with the favourite tunes of every patron who ever walked into a
bar, and all songs ever recorded, so feel free to be vague, we
love the challenge.
If we do not remember exactly what tune you want, we’re only
kidding. Bands know every song ever recorded, so keep humming.
Hum harder if need be… it helps jog the memory.
If a band tells you they don’t know a song you want to hear,
they either forgot that they know the tune or are just putting
you on. Try singing a few words for the band. Any words.
If one member halfway knows part of a chorus, the rest of the
band will instantly learn the entire song by osmosis. Knowing
this, if the band still claims to not know your song, it helps
to just keep requesting the same song every time there is a
break per set, followed by the phrases, “AW COME ON!” and “YOU
SUCK!” Exaggerated hand gestures expressing disapproval from the
dance floor are a big help as well, such as thumbs down, or your
middle finger. Put-downs are the best way to jog a band’s
memory. This instantly promotes you to the status of “Personal
Friend Of The Band.”
Entertainers are notorious fakers and jokesters and never really
prepare for their shows. They simply walk on stage with no prior
thought to what they will do once they arrive. An entertainer’s
job is SO easy, even a monkey could do it, so don’t let them off
the hook easily. Your request is all that matters.
If a metal band had played at the club a few weeks ago, the next
band that follows will automatically know every metal tune the
previous band ever played, even if the current band is a country
or blues band. It’s the law. Feel free to yell “AC DC or
SLAYER!!” to a band that plays strictly originals or jazz for
example. Conversely, Deadheads may yell for Grateful Dead tunes
at a dance or metal band.
IMPORTANT
When an entertainer leans over to hear you better, grab his or
her head in both hands and yell directly in their ear, whilst
holding their head securely so they cannot pull away. This will
be taken as a n invitation to a friendly and playful game of tug
of war between their head and your hands.
Don’t give up! Hang on until the singer or guitar player
submits. Drummers are often safe from this fun game since they
usually sit in the back, protected by the guitar players.
Keyboard players are protected by their instrument, and only
play the game when tricked into coming out from behind their
keyboards. Thought difficult to get them to play, it’s not
impossible, so keep trying. They are especially vulnerable
during the break between songs.
TALKING WITH THE BAND
The best time to discuss anything with the band in any
meaningful way is at the middle of the song when all members are
singing at the same time (such as a multi harmony part). Our
hearing is so advanced that we can pick out your tiny voice from
the megawatt wall of sound blasting all around us.
Musicians are expert lip readers too. If a musician does not
reply to your question or comment during a tune, it’s because
they didn’t get a good look at your mouth in order to read your
lips.
Simply continue to scream your request and be sure to over
emphasize the words with your lips. This helps immensely. Don’t
be fooled.
Singers have the innate ability to answer questions and sing at
the same time. If the singer doesn’t answer your questions
immediately, regardless of how stupid the question may seem,
it’s because they are purposely ignoring you. If this happens,
immediately cop an attitude. We love this.
HELPING THE BAND
If you inform the band that you are a singer, the band will
appreciate your help with the next few tunes, or however long
you can remain standing on stage. Just pretend you’re in a
Karaoke bar. Simply feel free to walk up on stage and join in.
By the way, the drunker you are the better you sound, and the
louder you should sing.
If by chance you fall off stage, be sure to crawl back up and
attempt to sing harmony. Keep in mind that nothing assists the
band more than outrageous dancing, third and fourth part
harmonies, or a tambourine played out of tempo. Try the cowbell.
They love the challenge. The band always needs the help and will
take this as a compliment.
VERY IMPORTANT
Remember to allow enough time to make it from the stage to
the bathroom in case of an emergency. On stage accidents are bad
form. The band will carry on.
BONUS TIP
As a last resort, wait until the band takes a break and then
get on stage and start playing their instruments. They love
this. Even if you are ejected from the club, you can rest
assured in the fact that you have successfully completed your
audition. The band will call you immediately the following day
to offer you a position.
See you at the next gig – The Band
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