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Tag: music

  • Connecting with Others through Music

    Connecting with Others through Music

    Everyone loves music—it is fun to listen to and dance to and, for some, even make. But not only is it a pleasurable thing in our day-to-day lives, it’s actually quite an important part of society. At school, there are so many ways to connect with your peers: sports, studies, clubs, books…but music is a way to not only learn more about each other but also grow our creative talents. For you, it may start with a recorder in class or a piano lesson after school. But no matter what you choose, an instrument has unlimited power when it comes to connecting with others.

    Music can mirror your thoughts

    Lyrics and melodies have always had a wonderful way of communicating messages and your emotional state. Music is around to speak the words that we cannot express. Maybe you feel too anxious and worried to talk about how you feel and what is bothering you—whether it be at home or in school. Putting these feelings into song will help you with that. If you feel that communication is not strong for you and you tend to veer more towards the creative side of things, pick up an instrument and start exploring what is going on in your head. What do you want to say but can’t? Mr. Guitar can do that for you!

    Teamwork

    Performing music means coordinating your efforts; when we try to synch up with others musically (think harmonizing or being on the same beat), we are working as a team to create something all parties can enjoy. In school, teamwork is essential for building friendships, trust and for growing your people skills. Working on writing a song with someone else or learning the chords to that new hit you both love means creating something that both of you will remember the other for. Creating something new is the ultimate bonding experience.

    Getting some culture

    Music is the universal language (cheesy, I know, but so true!) It is a way we can share our traditions, beliefs and political interests. In your school there are many kids from different cultural backgrounds and chances are they all have music they know that helps to share what their background is like. Music influences how we think about others, how we get along and how we accept others. Never underestimate the power of a song. As mentioned above, sometimes there’s more meaning in a song than in regular words.

  • Career Profile: AV Technician

    Career Profile: AV Technician

    Do you like being on the scene? Enjoy figuring out how things work, and finding new ways to make them work? Maybe a career as an audio visual technician is for you.

    Audio visual technicians are the ones that work behind the scenes at theatres, concerts, fashion shows, and anywhere else you need amplified sound, lighting or video. There are many college courses that you can take to begin your journey in this career. There are also many opportunities to begin work without any experience i.e. learn as you go. There is no set path in this career choice and most work comes in the form of “gigs”. As you develop relationships with production companies they may offer you a full time position, but most work in this trade is on a freelance basis.

    In Canada, the most lucrative sector of the event production industry is in corporate events (conferences, meetings, product releases, etc.). A corporate events AV tech can expect to make $25-45 per hour based on the event and the competence level that particular technician brings to the production team. One can be simply an AV tech for their entire career, working on smaller live productions but most will pick a special discipline; audio, video, or lighting, and work on larger productions with larger teams. Some productions can have hundreds of techs working the many aspects of the show!

    Being an AV tech has its’ challenges. The hours worked can be very long and at odd times of the day. When it is very busy, the hours can be very long; I once worked for 40 hours straight (not recommended!) When it is slow, usually from Christmas until spring, there is no income; when it is busy a good tech keeps this in mind. All people that work as freelancers understand this. Being an AV tech also carries many privileges. If you enjoy concerts, or any type of show, you will see a lot! If you enjoy travel this career can take you around the world.

    An audio visual technician must be able to work well under very high pressure situations with many people watching. They must work long hours at any time of the day. They have a certain pride that is hard to explain after running a show to completion, without any technical errors, that most people will never know. Working in this field is hard work, but it is unlike any other.

  • I Want to Be a Music Teacher

    I Want to Be a Music Teacher

    Listening to music can be fun, but learning to play an instrument can be even better. Have you been taking music lessons? Some people can learn to play an instrument on their own, just by practicing their skills. Most people, however, need to learn from an expert. Music teachers help students learn the theory and techniques of playing music.

    Becoming a music teacher begins with knowing music. If you choose to become a piano teacher, you should know how to play the piano, and if you decide to become a clarinet teacher, you should be able to play your instrument. However, playing well is not enough. You also need to know about music theory, music history, and possibly even about composing (writing) music. How much you need to know depends on the age of your students and the level of music they want to learn. Students who want to reach a professional level of musical ability will need a teacher with a high level of skill in the instrument.

    Besides professional skills, music teachers need to know how to work with students, some of whom might not be interested in what they are learning. Some music teachers work in schools, where they teach regular classes to groups of students, but others teach students one or two at a time, either in their own homes or in the students’ houses. Flexibility in choosing a location depends on the size of the instrument and the needs of the teacher and students. A flute, for example, is much easier to carry than a piano.

    Another important skill is the ability to make arrangements for events like music recitals. In school, students do assignments and take tests to show what they have learned. How can anyone test a student’s musical ability? One way is through recitals, when students play music in front of an audience. As a music teacher, you might have to help students choose and practice the pieces they want to play. You might also need to make other arrangements for events like these, such as renting a room and finding chairs where people can sit. Even if you get help for tasks like these, you will have to learn the organizational skills to make sure that everything gets done.

    If you love music and enjoy sharing your skills with others, the job of music teacher might be a good choice for you.

  • Why Music Education Matters

    Why Music Education Matters

    Little in this world can affect people more than music—whether it’s a catchy song on the radio or front-row tickets to the philharmonic, people invest themselves in the musical world, and for good reason. Music is more than just entertainment; it can teach us valuable lessons on how to think, how to act, and how to feel. It brings people together so that they can listen and learn in harmony. It is this music we should be teaching to incoming generations, for this will shape their choices (and their lives) for the better.

    Learning to play, practice or perform music is more difficult than it seems. Mastering an instrument, whatever it may be (the clarinet, the piano, the voice), takes much dedication. There is great value in such a skill: by playing music, whether for an audience of thousands or in the privacy of your own room, you are bringing a composer’s message to life. Music is one of the most beautiful means of self-expression, and you can contribute to that simply by playing the notes on the page. The theory behind music is also beneficial, whether you’re studying the lives of famous composers or learning to write music of your own. It is essential to get a comprehensive understanding of music, not only for what it is, but for what it was intended to do.

    But this education extends far beyond musical aptitude. Aside from the obvious practical benefit of learning to play an instrument, music helps fine-tune a variety of skills. When playing in an ensemble like an orchestra, musicians are taught the importance of listening to one another, of cooperating as a team to make a beautiful, unified sound. When sight-reading a new piece, a player learns how to focus, to push through even when the subject matter is difficult beyond belief. When playing scales for hours on end, a musician becomes disciplined, determined to do whatever it takes to succeed, no matter how tedious the task.

    Musicians develop an incredible sense of precision, making sure to catch every note and rhythm and cadence, and the melody that follows demonstrates the truly incredible merit behind their hard work. Oftentimes, this merit cannot be measured: it can only be felt. The thing about music is that it expresses what cannot be put into words, and brings about feelings you didn’t even know you were capable of. It is easy to be moved by music, for it is the product of the performer’s heart and soul (oftentimes, they are telling the composer’s story through their own lens). Continuously, people are inspired by music; they are motivated to keep the tradition alive.

    Music education matters because it helps people find their passions and share them with those who will listen. By keeping music alive, we are promoting teamwork, perseverance, and hard work. And by keeping music alive, we are helping people find themselves along the way.

  • I Want to Be Like Lady Gaga!

    I Want to Be Like Lady Gaga!

    Imagine what it would be like to be a famous musical star, walking up onto stages around the world to sing to your cheering fans. You could be like Lady Gaga, recording music and giving live concerts for a living. You might become famous all over the world for the songs that you compose and sing. If you love music and have the talent to develop your own musical style, a career as a singer and songwriter might be right for you.

    Many careers in entertainment require talent. This is especially true of singing. The person later called Lady Gaga discovered her talent early in life. She was born as Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta in New York City in 1986. She was already learning to play the piano by the time she was four years old. Over the next years, she practiced a lot and learned more about her craft. By the time Stefani was eleven years old, she was good enough to be accepted as a student at a famous music school called Julliard. However, she decided to study at a private Catholic school instead. Three years later, she was ready for her first performance.

    When Stefani was twenty years old, she went to study at the Tisch Scool of the Arts at New York University. She ended her studies before she graduated to develop her own style. In 2005, she began working with Def Jam Records. Two years later, she began recording songs with Interscope Records, where many other famous singers record their music. In 2008, she received awards for her album, The Fame. One of the songs from this album, “Poker Face,” made the singer even better known. By this time, she called herself Lady Gaga.

    Being a singer like Lady Gaga involves much more than just singing songs. After writing their songs, singers perform at concerts in parks, concert halls, and other places. Often, they go on tours of different cities to give concerts for their fans there and to promote their recordings. They record songs and make music videos. They visit music stores and attend award shows and parties. The talk to fans and sign autographs. While they are doing all of these things, they still need to keep on composing songs and practicing their skills.

    If this kind of job appeals to you, the first step is to decide what kind of music you like to sing. Some singers perform many different types of music, but most of them find a style that suits them and then stay with it. What kind of music do you like? Every type of music has a different way of using the notes that make up songs. Some use pianos and others use drums and guitars. Learning the rules of music theory is an important step in becoming a singer and songwriter.

    If you enjoy composing music and performing your songs in front of other people, a career as a singer and songwriter might be right for you.

  • I Want to Be a Music Teacher

    I Want to Be a Music Teacher

    Listening to music can be fun, but learning to play an instrument can be even better. Have you been taking music lessons? Some people can learn to play an instrument on their own, just by practicing their skills. Most people, however, need to learn from an expert. Music teachers help students learn the theory and techniques of playing music.

    Becoming a music teacher begins with knowing music. If you choose to become a piano teacher, you should know how to play the piano, and if you decide to become a clarinet teacher, you should be able to play your instrument. However, playing well is not enough. You also need to know about music theory, music history, and possibly even about composing (writing) music. How much you need to know depends on the age of your students and the level of music they want to learn. Students who want to reach a professional level of musical ability will need a teacher with a high level of skill in the instrument.

    Besides professional skills, music teachers need to know how to work with students, some of whom might not be interested in what they are learning. Some music teachers work in schools, where they teach regular classes to groups of students, but others teach students one or two at a time, either in their own homes or in the students’ houses. Flexibility in choosing a location depends on the size of the instrument and the needs of the teacher and students. A flute, for example, is much easier to carry than a piano.

    Another important skill is the ability to make arrangements for events like music recitals. In school, students do assignments and take tests to show what they have learned. How can anyone test a student’s musical ability? One way is through recitals, when students play music in front of an audience. As a music teacher, you might have to help students choose and practice the pieces they want to play. You might also need to make other arrangements for events like these, such as renting a room and finding chairs where people can sit. Even if you get help for tasks like these, you will have to learn the organizational skills to make sure that everything gets done.

    If you love music and enjoy sharing your skills with others, the job of music teacher might be a good choice for you.

  • I Want to Be Like Lady Gaga!

    I Want to Be Like Lady Gaga!

    Imagine what it would be like to be a famous musical star, walking up onto stages around the world to sing to your cheering fans. You could be like Lady Gaga, recording music and giving live concerts for a living. You might become famous all over the world for the songs that you compose and sing. If you love music and have the talent to develop your own musical style, a career as a singer and songwriter might be right for you.

    Many careers in entertainment require talent. This is especially true of singing. The person later called Lady Gaga discovered her talent early in life. She was born as Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta in New York City in 1986. She was already learning to play the piano by the time she was four years old. Over the next years, she practiced a lot and learned more about her craft. By the time Stefani was eleven years old, she was good enough to be accepted as a student at a famous music school called Julliard. However, she decided to study at a private Catholic school instead. Three years later, she was ready for her first performance.

    When Stefani was twenty years old, she went to study at the Tisch Scool of the Arts at New York University. She ended her studies before she graduated to develop her own style. In 2005, she began working with Def Jam Records. Two years later, she began recording songs with Interscope Records, where many other famous singers record their music. In 2008, she received awards for her album, The Fame. One of the songs from this album, “Poker Face,” made the singer even better known. By this time, she called herself Lady Gaga.

    Being a singer like Lady Gaga involves much more than just singing songs. After writing their songs, singers perform at concerts in parks, concert halls, and other places. Often, they go on tours of different cities to give concerts for their fans there and to promote their recordings. They record songs and make music videos. They visit music stores and attend award shows and parties. The talk to fans and sign autographs. While they are doing all of these things, they still need to keep on composing songs and practicing their skills.

    If this kind of job appeals to you, the first step is to decide what kind of music you like to sing. Some singers perform many different types of music, but most of them find a style that suits them and then stay with it. What kind of music do you like? Every type of music has a different way of using the notes that make up songs. Some use pianos and others use drums and guitars. Learning the rules of music theory is an important step in becoming a singer and songwriter.

    If you enjoy composing music and performing your songs in front of other people, a career as a singer and songwriter might be right for you.

  • Protect Your Ears

    Protect Your Ears

    People are loud. iPods are loud. Cafes are loud. Subways are loud. Our ears just aren’t designed for all that noise! Since no one wants to be middle-aged and shouting at the grocery store, it’s important to know the dangers your ears face and how to avoid them.

    According to the Hearing Foundation of Canada, hearing loss “is the fastest growing, and one of the most prevalent, chronic conditions facing Canadians today”. Hearing loss in younger people is also getting worse. This can make it hard to hear speech when there is background noise or give you trouble telling apart low and high sounds. It essentially kills your ability to hear music properly!

    Have you ever been in a really loud place, like a concert, and when you leave your ears are ringing? Well, if that happens a lot, you can develop a condition called tinnitus where the ringing won’t stop.

    This isn’t just something old people have to worry about. I got tinnitus when I was 20. I was a drummer and went to a lot of concerts. After a while, that ringing sound became permanent. I haven’t had a minute of silence since. Many tinnitus sufferers need to keep a noise-making machine in the room to drown out the ringing and help them sleep.

    The artist Vincent Van Gogh suffered from tinnitus. A lot of people have heard the story about how he cut off his ear. A common belief now is that he cut it off because of a bad tinnitus attack.

    There are a few things you can do so you don’t end up as that old dad who has his cell phone volume turned up way too high or a crazy artist cutting off his ears. First, just be aware of the noise around you. It’s not just the volume you should be paying attention to, but also how long you’re exposed to it. You can be in a noisy restaurant for about 8 hours a day before your ears have had enough. On the other hand, if you listen to your iPod at top volume (so loud that everyone around you can hear it, too) you can cause permanent damage in less than 30 seconds (according to the Canadian Academy of Audiology).

    If you listen to an iPod, get good headphones. The best type of headphones you can buy are the ones that cover your ears and cut out sound from outside. That way you don’t have to keep turning up the volume to compete with the world.

    If you’re at a concert or in a place with loud music playing, go outside for a minute to give your ears a rest.

    If you’re a musician or someone who likes live music, you have to be extra careful. There’s something you should know about called “Musician’s earplugs”. These earplugs are molded to your inner ear and can drop sound levels without warping the sound and lots of professional musicians use them.

    Hearing loss and tinnitus aren’t only brought on by loud noises. There are other causes, like genetics and aging. Still, in this world filled with loud music, cell phones and other noise, we have to do what we can to keep on hearing well into our old age.