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.

Duke Ellington is first African-American to solo on U.S. circulating coin
Ellington, the composer of classics including "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing" appears on the "tails" side of the new D.C. quarter. George Washington is on the "heads" side, as is usual with U.S. quarters.

The coin was issued to celebrate Ellington's birthplace, the District of Columbia....more
 

The Frank Ifield Story - in his own words
He's not only one of Australia's most talented, famous and successful exports, has world-wide #1 hits to his credit and is still receiving awards today but for many of the latter years he has been discovering, fostering, and mentoring some of Australia's finest young talent and tirelessly promoting Australian country music wherever he can.
This is the story of Frank Ifield in his own words...
 

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.

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.

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.
 
 

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
 

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
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.

An interview with Yogi Berra on Jazz

World Of Music (a map of the world in music)

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