Hofnote Newsletter
February 2010
Hello and welcome back into the New Year. The first newsletter of this year begins by looking at endings!
In this newsletter we want to thank Jenny who asked the question, "What is a coda"
As ever we wish everyone well who is sitting an exam. Why do they call it sitting when you stand to play many instruments?
Sleigh Rides
Complete with jingle bells!
Several composers have included music representing sleigh rides in their suites.
We profile Leroy Anderson whose 'Sleigh Ride' is always popular and will sound very familiar. He was a 20 century light music composer from the USA born to Sweedish parents.
The other piece we review is by Sergei Prokofiev, a Russian composer also from the 20th Century. The piece he wrote is called 'Troika' which refers to the three horses which pulled the sleigh.
Other composers who wrote music referring to a sleigh ride include Wolgang Mozart in a set of his German Dances. There is even a piece called Brazilian Sleigh Bells, a very lively piece by American Pop Musician, Percy Faith.
A good introduction to sleigh ride music can be heard here. And there is a fun quiz too.... enjoy!
http://www.classicsforkids.com/shows/showdesc.asp?id=42
Leroy Anderson
“Anderson's music remains as young and fresh as the very day on which it was composed." John Williams Photograph of Leroy Anderson copyright of Leroy Anderson Family
Leroy Anderson came from humble beginnings to be a well-known American composer of the 20th Century. This unassuming composer was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1908, to Swedish immigrant parents. He received his first music lessons on the piano from his mother, who was a church organist. His Father gave him a trombone so that he could play in the school orchestra. He went on also to play the double bass and tuba as well as the organ.
He soon started working as an arranger and orchestrator. While a student at Harvard he was the director of the Harvard University Band in 1929 and later began writing arrangements for them. Anderson's Harvard Band arrangements are held in high regard and are still played today.
As a composer, his aim was to write light music for orchestral performance. He said of himself that his ‘musical school’ was Broadway and many people recognise the influence of George Gershwin in his music. An exception was a lilting instrumental piece with a sweeping melody, "Blue Tango”. It became, in 1952, the first instrumental recording ever to sell one million copies
As well as the strong influence of Gershwin, Leroy Anderson used folk music of various lands; for example in his Irish suite which is still a favourite with many. He also used creative instrumental effects and occasionally made use of items such as typewriters and sandpaper.In Sleigh Ride the music uses jingle bells, a whip and at the end the horse's whinney is simulated with a trumpet and mute.
Many of his pieces are regularly played in concerts and at this time of year one of the most popular is ‘Sleigh Ride’. It is probable that in every moment of every day somewhere in the World someone is either performing or listening to Leroy Anderson's music.
One of his works "Forgotten Dreams", written in 1954, became the background for a British TV advertisement for mobile phone company '3'.
You can hear much of his music here
http://www.leroyanderson.com/hearthemusic.htm
Where do you start when writing music?
Starting with the rhythm
Different people start in different places, but it is interesting to hear how Leroy Anderson himself explains how he started with an idea and a rhythm for two of his pieces.
Sleigh Ride is based on the jingling of sleigh bells and he reflected the rhythm not only in the regular fast chiming of the notes but also in the repetition of notes.
Interestingly enough although his parents came from Sweden, the idea did not come to him on some wonderful winter holiday, but in the middle of summer heat wave in the United States! Perhaps it was wishful dreaming! But whatever, it was well over a year or later when he finished the piece. He wrote it as an orchestral piece which he describes as ‘pictorial’. Later words were added.
The Syncopated Clock is another piece which started with an idea and rhythm. Leroy Anderson was thinking about how every clock he had heard had kept ticking regularly and began to wonder what would happen if every now and again it syncopated. He describes this as going from “tick – tock, tick – tock, tick – tock” to suddenly include a “to-ock - ticktock.” Listening to the piece is real fun. It is as if a joyous clock just cannot help having a skip and jump when it should be marching steadily. It is a very happy piece.
Here you can hear him talk about composing these pieces
http://www.pbs.org/sleighride/Leroy_Performs/Leroy_Performs.htm
Here Leroy Anderson answers questions about how he goes about composing.
http://www.pbs.org/sleighride/From_Leroy/Students_Ask.htm
Syncopation
"A jazz musician is a juggler who uses harmonies instead of oranges." Benny Green
Syncopation is the rhythmic effect that happens when the accent is moved from the strong beat to one which would normally be a weak or off beat.
Often syncopation is associated with African music and American Jazz music, and it is indeed an essential element of Jazz. It is also fundamental to funk, ska, reggae, ragtime, rap, jump blues, progressive electronic dance music, and progressive rock. But it has been an element of music since the Middle Ages and also appears in classical music.
As a characteristic element in Jazz in the early 20th century in USA, syncopation was developed by many performers, especially in Jazz, Blues and ragtime genres. It has been argued that the development of syncopation is the biggest contribution the United States has made to the art of music.
Here is a demonstration of Jazz rhythms:
http://www.soundjunction.org/jazzunderstandingsyncopation.aspa
There are different syncopation patterns which can be used. Here are two common ones in Jazz and blues..
· anticipation of beats 1 and 3 in 4/4 time. Here the accent falls ½ a beat earlier and gives a strong forward motion in the rhythm. (2+ and 4+)
· anticipation of beats 2 and 4 in 4/4 time. Here the accent falls ½ a beat after 1 and 3 and gives a strong backward motion in the rhythm. (1+ and 3+) They produce a holding back of the rhythm.
Here is a link showing how the well known tune for happy birthday can be changed by syncopation.
Music Learning Live 2010
Very special offer for Music teachers
Music Learning Live is the national festival of music educators held at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. It is for all music educators wherever they teach and has a range of pertinent presentations by inspiring communicators with topics from 'Will the musician please step forward' to 'Thinking skills in music'.
I have never been to anything like it for the sheer inspiration, passion and buzz. With never a dull moment, you are sure to come away with new ideas and inspiration. And, of course, you will be encourage by meeting others.
Last year BBC 3 broadcast from the conference and this year there is an impressive line up of speakers and activities.
Hofnote are delighted to be able to offer teachers a special discount on the fees.
To find out more and get the discount please use this link
http://www.musiclearninglive2010.net/hof
Fun with Bells
Hofnote have stumbled across these two little games to enjoy as we approach Christmas time.
Have a go at composing your own tune with these bells
http://akidsheart.com/holidays/christms/bellschrstms.html
Just for information the bells play the 7 notes of the diatonic scale of C major.
Or if you are less serious just set the bunnies on the bells!!
http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/g3/bells.htm
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Hofnote in the Media
Hofnote are proud to have appeared in several publications including the Suzuki Magazine, Music Teacher and BBC Music Magazine. Below are some links to online references to Hofnote.
