I was always warned by piano teachers to stick with the sheet music and don't veer off-course. I've been listening to improv jazz groups. Each time a song can be played differently, but it always sounds good. How does improv work? Who plays the melody and how does everyone in the group know? How does a member of the group (sax, drummer, bass, etc.) acquire the "spotlight" and do a solo? How does any one group member know if he should syncopate or trill or play the tune straight or whatever, since none of them play with sheet music? How do they keep the same rhythm?

Please explain to me how improv works.

I can see that you are looking at your question here, Wondergirl! Like our "Michelle" maybe I'll just go and get something to eat for a little bit.. Tee, hee... :D

Meany!!

Meany!!!!!!!!!!!

Just teasing! :) You know that I am going to answer your question, because it's right up my alley! :eek:


Now, let me go and see if what's in the microwave is done...

I wanted to call you to ask but didn't have your number. It seems like a conversation-type question in that, when you explain each aspect of improv, it will make me think of new questions.

Hey! It isn't suppertime yet.

I spent two hours on the phone last night talking with a NJ cyberfriend about "What is literature?" Lots of smart people out there...

I wanted to call you to ask but didn't have your number. It seems like a conversation-type question in that, when you explain each aspect of improv, it will make me think of new questions.

Hey!! It isn't suppertime yet.

With as late as I was up last night, this is called breakfast for me! Got to cut that out! But then, that is for a different subject...

Oh, I had to feed the cat also when checking the food in the microwave.

Without getting too bold here by me, please type in Clough Quad Cities in a search. You will understand, then...

Yes, it is the type of question and subject that could go on for quite some time.

I was hoping that maybe you might show up at the gig that was in Union. I do lots of improv with the group. But, it's mainly me that does the most improvisation. Bass player too, if so inclined. And, I don't know that I would call what our current drummer does as being improv.

As you can see, just my commenting about my doing improv with the group can potentially spark other questions, because you are asking about a whole group improvising together. It's not always the case with some groups. Some of what we do play in the Johnnie Kaye Orchestra is jazz, though.

I will be answering your question directly now in my next post.

I spent two hours on the phone last night talking with a NJ cyberfriend about "What is literature?" Lots of smart people out there..........

Oops, just one more before I really answer your question. Couldn't resist. Yes, I agree. There are a lot of really smart people out there! There's also some that would be awesome contributors to this site that aren't on here that might want to be involved with a site like this. I have encouraged some to be a part of this site. Part of the problem is, that they don't know how to type or their typing is incredibly slow! It's too bad... :(

I asked my court-ordered community service worker last night to explain improv to me. He plays acoustic guitar, especially classical music. Jeff said improv is like a conversation. The best conversations are with old friends. I also asked my literature converation partner last night, and he said improv is like dancing. The best experience in dancing is with a partner you know well and have danced with before.

OMG!! I could have called you when I got off the phone at to a.m. with my NJ friend!!

(My son attended Knox College. Does that give me points?)

(I guess he is busy cleaning out the litter box, carefully washing it, thoroughly drying it, and filling it with clean litter.)

I was always warned by piano teachers to stick with the sheet music and don't veer off-course. I've been listening to improv jazz groups. Each time a song can be played differently, but it always sounds good. How does improv work? Who plays the melody and how does everyone in the group know? How does a member of the group (sax, drummer, bass, etc.) acquire the "spotlight" and do a solo? How does any one group member know if he should syncopate or trill or play the tune straight or whatever, since none of them play with sheet music? How do they keep the same rhythm?

Please explain to me how improv works.

Now, we've gone on enough that I have to quote your question in order to reference it.

It is best to stick with what is on the written page of music when first beginning to learn how to play. If the teacher teaches improvisation, then referencing the music (visual), is very important. To get into jazz improvisation you need to know chords and scales of various keys. You also need to know how a certain piece of music goes according to it's melody, rhythm and chord structure. Unfortunately, most teachers don't teach jazz improvisation or maybe any type of improvisation at all. You can improvise on any type of music. I teach improvisation for both jazz and other types of music. I could make you an instant blues player for free, Carol! Guaranteed results, or your money back! I have done this with all ages of people who have had no training on a keyboard or other type of band or orchestra instrument at all.

Back to question, was rambling just a bit. I have what I call, "Cerebral Drift." It's just a part of me. Helps greatly with my creativity when I improvise, though!

Improv between a number of players playing at the same time works, because the players know the melody and chord structure of the piece that they are playing. They play parts of chords and scales within the piece or tune if you will, in the case of jazz or other modern day popular styles of music, that have the same notes as the other players might have. Only, one individual does not play his or her notes in the same horizontal or vertical arrangement as the other people do at the same time. Neither is the rhythm the same as the other players notes. But, what is played sounds good because it is arranged in such a way that it is enjoyable because of mutually accepted ways that it is enjoyable.

I hope that this is making sense, because it's really hard to answer. So much of what improvisers do is based upon what they feel and are inspired to do. There is also a lot of mathematical type thinking going on in terms of "if this, then therefore that." It's kind of like trying to define the word "love" or why you might "like" something.

There is also the aspect of melody and accompaniment to be discussed concerning improvisation. But, discussion on that can be done in other posts.

Jazz musicians know when someone is to have a solo because usually there is one of the members of the group who is calling the shots as to whom or what to do to the other members of the group by means of hand signals. These are not usually noticed by an audience. Also, when and where someone plays a solo may have already been pre-arranged in a rehearsal.

That is my short answer to your original post. I hope that it is helpful to you! Your question as to how improv works is a really tough one to answer in just words. To actually demonstrate it to you with musical instruments would be much easier! :)

(I guess he is busy cleaning out the litter box, carefully washing it, thoroughly drying it, and filling it with clean litter.)

Thanks for your advice! ;)

I asked my court-ordered community service worker last night to explain improv to me. He plays acoustic guitar, especially classical music. Jeff said improv is like a conversation. The best conversations are with old friends. I also asked my literature converation partner last night, and he said improv is like dancing. The best experience in dancing is with a partner you know well and have danced with before.

Yes, improvisation is like having a conversation and dancing. It's also like making love, writing a letter, drawing and/or painting a visual work of art, walking, caring about others, etc. It can even involve having an argument, musically! Improvisation is communication through and with the utilization of music!

Jeff, my library comm svc worker, had also mentioned that he has started to teach his young daughter how to improvise. He used "Jingle Bells" in the key of C, which she knows by heart, and then strummed the melody on his guitar while he advised her to stay on the white keys and try various things like trills and turns and other ornamentation. Jeff said his wife came in from another part of the house and was astounded at the music the two of them were making.

Yes, improvisation is like having a conversation and dancing. It's also like making love, writing a letter, drawing and/or painting a visual work of art, walking, caring about others, etc. It can even involve having an argument, musically! Improvisation is communication through and with the utilization of music!


That means improv is also like a good counseling session with a long-time client!

That means improv is also like a good counseling session with a long-time client!

Exactly! It helps to have played along with others who have been speaking the same language in music for some time in order to make the best music!

Can a trio of strangers who play keyboard, drum, and bass improvise right off the bat?

Yes, if they know how to improvise and are in agreement as to the beat, rhythm and chords that will be used. Melody and chords kind of become interchangeable in definition when you are improvising. The improvisation doesn't have to even be based upon a known and established piece of music.

Would you now like an example of how to improvise? Say, in a very simple form and being explained so in written word?

Would you now like an example of how to improvise? Say, in a very simple form and being explained so in written word?

YES!! What has taken you so long?? (You can use big "music" words.)

Hi, Wondergirl!

How much do you know how to play on the piano? Please list some pieces that you play, if you do play?

I'm at 46 Private Messages by-the-way. I like to save some in draft folders. It takes me time to do that. Just a hint... ;)

Also, when typing by-the-way as I do, should I or should I not be hyphenating? Or, does it not matter?

I am still waiting for an answer. :) If I can manage three threads at the same time, I am sure that you can, because you have super powers! That's why they call you "Wondergirl!"

Lolololol I just had to clean out my message folders to make room for new messages.

I don't own a piano (or a horse) so I don't play much anymore. I got into etudes and other nasty stuff when I used to play. I understand music theory. I used to be good enough to play the organ as an occasional sub for church services. I can play anything out of the Lutheran Hymnal!

Hyphens are not needed.

That's why they call you "Wondergirl!"

No, I'm Wondergirl because I wonder a lot.

lolololol I just had to clean out my message folders to make room for new messages.

I don't own a piano (or a horse) so I don't play much anymore. I got into etudes and other nasty stuff when I used to play. I understand music theory. I used to be good enough to play the organ as an occasional sub for church services. I can play anything out of the Lutheran Hymnal!!

Hyphens are not needed.

Finally, an answer! Gosh darn it! Can't take you anywhere! :p

What etudes, please? The composers? I'm trying to get a feel as to what you know.

Did you play the pedals on the organ? Which Lutheran Hymnal? There's at least three ones that have been published fairly recently in currect use. Did you play the pedal clavier on the hymns using the bass line as written for the hymns? Not really a repeat about the pedals. I had learned how to "chord" on the hymns when I first started playing for churches.

Etudes - Chopin. I hated him.

Yes, I played the pedals on the organ, but barely. No, I didn't "chord" with the pedals. I played out of the 1941 Lutheran Hymnal that used to be used by the Missouri-Synod gang.

I may go insane tonight. I'm too old for this hyper activity.

Am going to work on mailbox for about two minutes here...

Etudes - Chopin. I hated him.

Yes, I played the pedals on the organ, but barely. No, I didn't "chord" with the pedals. I played out of the 1941 Lutheran Hymnal that used to be used by the Missouri-Synod gang.

I may go insane tonight. I'm too old for this hyper activity.

Why did you hate Chopin? He's one of my favorites!

Oh noooooooooooooom another place I have to post!!

Probably hated him because I hated my piano teacher.

Probably hated him because I hated my piano teacher.

I am sorry to hear that! The teacher does make a great difference in how you feel and think! If you ever do call me, I will play you some Chopin. But, lets get on with the improvisation side of things first, since that is what this thread is about.

You seem to be doing just fine with the YM post and very intertwined with it. MC appears to be gone.

You seem to be doing just fine with the YM post and very intertwined with it. MC appears to be gone.

I'm getting 8 million PMs too from him. Good thing I have nimble fingers and am a fantastically fast typist...

I'm getting 8 million PMs too from him. Good thing I have nimble fingers and am a fantastically fast typist................

Good thing for you! Why don't you just give him your real email address as well! ;) :) :eek:

I'm thinking about it, but not yet. He seems like a really nice guy, but you never know. Those axe murderers lurk in the most unexpected places.

Things are calming down now. I did my wonderful Wondergirl thing. Ha ha.

So do you have a sense of me and music? Or are you totally lost?

I know what a descant is and a riff.

Do you know what jamming is compared to improv?

And no, I'm not totally lost. Just trying to find where you are. You are somewhere out there. I am here. So, who is lost?

OMG! You're still private messaging! What did they do? Give you a limit of 500 PM's to be stored here?

No, I don't know the difference between jamming and improv. Please tell me.

I just said good night to ayungman. We solved some of his problems and will continue to work on those and others as needed.

I would still like to discuss improvisation at least for a little bit. That is, if I can tear you away from your... obsession, maybe?

OMG! You're still private messaging! What did they do? Give you a limit of 500 PM's to be stored here?!

I was deleting like crazy. There are several I'm saving as reminders to watch a two-hour video suggested by excon and to send my caramel brownie recipe to J9. I was careful not to delete those, but fur was flying fast and furious.

Obsession? What obsession?

No, I don't know the difference between jamming and improv. Please tell me.

I just said good night to ayungman. We solved some of his problems and will continue to work on those and others as needed.

The word "jamming" can be used occasionally for more advanced styles of jazz, also most music in general. But, it's general application is usually reserved and understood to be most appropriate for mutual improvisation that happens in the dixieland style of early jazz.

Improv is almost exclusively used for advanced styles of jazz outside of dixieland and big band styles of music.

Now, I know that I am speaking in terms of someone who is from the MidWestern United States here. There may be differences as to the interpretations of the words depending on where someone else lives.

Just as an aside, the word "combo" is a word devoted almost entirely to the MidWestern United States. You rarely, if ever here it said on the coasts.

Obsession? What obsession?

I was just commiserating with you. I am no different here!

I was born in NC and lived there until age ten; I grew up from there in western NY near Lake Ontario. My father is from this very town wher I live now, by coincidence, and my mom is from Idaho. I don't think of myself as a Midwesterner, but I guess, since I've lived here for years, I have become one. I consider myself a NYer. One of my favorite h.s. music teachers was a graduate of Eastman.

Ok, thanks for the explanations of those two terms.

I got kicked off the Internet for a moment. Happens about the same time every night. Although tonight, it was a little earlier than usual.

Do you know how to do any improvisation musically, that is? I already know that you are great improvising with words!

You're wandering again. Maybe we should call you "Wandergirl" instead!

Only "Heart and Soul" with some improv. That's the only "song" I feel "loose" with. I'm a rigid German. Preacher's kid. First born. First daughter. Model child for the community. You know the type.

I was wandering because you called me a &*^%$*&@# Midwesterner.

You're wandering again. Maybe we should call you "Wandergirl" instead!

Ha ha. Very funneeeee.

How cold is it where you are now? It's 33 degrees here and supposed to get down to 28 degrees this morning.

It's about that here too. Hmmm, Son Daniel is checking the thermometer. Yes, around 30, he said. If I remember the 10 p.m. weather forecast, it will get colder.

How old is your son? Do you have other children? If so, how old are they?

I live in a big old house that is very nice! But, paying for the heating can be an enormous problem. I am determined not to turn on the furnace until after Thanksgiving. I have been placing an oil heater in the bedroom in which I have been sleeping.

Right now, the oil heater is out in the garage and turned on, because I thought that I would be working on some things out there. So much for that, tonight!

I have been thinking about starting a thread concerning using electric or oil heaters as opposed to gas in the kind of home situation that I have. Would really like to here from our electrical etc. people concerning that. I mean that I would still use the gas, but maybe electric or oil would be more efficient economically as compared to just using gas. Don't really know...

Are you done viewing the questions, Carol? By the way, Michelle's back on right now, in case you haven't noticed...

Daniel is 36 and works in a public library six blocks from our house. Jeremy is 32 and works for Lucent. Both are good looking and smart!

I have four cats -- Thomas Jefferson, Rasputin, Boswell, and Little Frida Kahlo (aka Little Debbie).

I suspect you will need the furnace before T'giving, although it IS supposed to warm up next week (the coming-up week).

Are you done viewing the question, Carol?

I WAS PENNING MY REPLY!

I WAS PENNING MY REPLY!!

I'm sorry, Miss. Writerblock! My humbllest apologies to you, teacher! :)

How do you know what I'm doing here? Which hand am I holding up?

I'm off to get the oil heater out of the garage and place it in the bedroom. Also, to get something to eat and bring it to the computer.

We really need to get on task here as to what this thread is about, you know?

I think that my "Cerebral Drift" is starting to rub off on you, Wondergirl! I would hate to see you plummet to the bottoms of the depths of mire that I am in. It would be such a pity! You're too good of a person to have to endure that!

How do you know what I'm doing here? Which hand am I holding up?

Your left one!

I guess I will head off to bed then.

Knock 'em dead in Ottawa.

Your left one!

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was correct, wasn't I? :)

I am ready when you are to continue posting to this thread and dialogue therefore which will ensue.

It will be a pleasure to answer about musical improvisation.

I'm home from Libraryland. Please continue.

Are you tallkin' to me, girl? :cool:

What's a guy got to do, die and smell up the place first in order to get noticed around here? :confused: :eek:

I had to take a phone call. Here I am again. You're gone now.

Only "Heart and Soul" with some improv. That's the only "song" I feel "loose" with. I'm a rigid German. Preacher's kid. First born. First daughter. Model child for the community. You know the type.

Yes, I do know the type. Have dated a number of them.

Only "Heart and Soul" with some improv. That's the only "song" I feel "loose" with. I'm a rigid German. Preacher's kid. First born. First daughter. Model child for the community. You know the type.

I need to find out additional things that you know about music to proceed with you here. Okay?

Okay. (Should I lie down on the couch, a la a Freud client?)

Is it me? :confused: Maybe I should have taken a bath! :D

Hey! You beat my question above with your post!

The order does look a little strange now.

Okay. (Should I lie down on the couch, a la a Freud client?)

Yes. Now please tell me about your mother? Is or was she musically inclined? (You don't mind if I look at you inquisitively over the top rim of my glasses while I am asking you questions, do you?)

You are supposed to be seated with your back to me, if we're doing the psychoanalysis thing.

You are supposed to be seated with your back to me, if we're doing the psychoanalysis thing.

Really? I like to read the facial expressions of my patients.

Now, watch this shiny pocket watch very closely that I am swinging in front of your eyes. Pretty soon you will begin to feel sleepy... very sleepy... When I count to three, you will be asleep.

One...

Two...

Three!

Are you alseep, Wondergirl?

Nearly asleep. It was a tough day at the library today.

Psychoanalysts don't care about facial expressions and body language. They are into dreams, word associations, and sexual allusions.

Carl Rogers was into facial expressions and body language.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Nearly asleep. It was a tough day at the library today.

Psychoanalysts don't care about facial expressions and body language. They are into dreams, word associations, and sexual allusions.

Carl Rogers was into facial expressions and body language.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz............ ..........

Well, whatever you say... I am part of the "new breed" of psychoanalysts.

Hey, how did you go to the Halloween story thread and get back to this one so quickly? Were you by any chance using astral projection, Wondergirl?

I know how to move around in Internet and on Web sites. I also washed a panful of dishes by hand.

I know how to move around in Internet and on Web sites. I also washed a panful of dishes by hand.

All at the same time? I'll bet you just meet yourself, coming and going! Sounds to me like somewhat of a split personality! Now, what about your mother and music, please?

My mother was an Idaho farm girl. Her father owned a player piano (wish I had asked for it when he was giving things away!). She may have tinkled a few tunes on it, but baking was her forte. Her father played quite well though. And I have ancestors written up in the Grove Encyclopedia of Music--violinists.

Did your father have any influence on you musically? Did he play any instruments or sing?

He was a Lutheran minister and sang lustily in church, on short trips to the grocery store, on long family trips to Idaho, in the bathroom, while gardening, etc.. He sang on key too.

So then, he was an influence on you musically. Correct?

He was. His gusto, his passion is what I remember most.

You have spoken a little about the song, "Heart and Soul" when you were awake. Were you talking about playing it as one person at the piano, or as a duet with someone else?

Either. Both. Doesn't matter. Whatever floats your boat.

Ah, "trips your trigger" to you, too!

What key did you play it in? What can you tell me about the chords in the left hand if you played it as a duet?

Key of C, if I remember correctly. Made it easy so the player can relax without sharps and flats tripping him up.

It was basic Heart and Soul, left hand octave spreads, some chords, I think. Right hand did the melody.

So, what about the chords? Did you play them melodically as arpeggios or harmonically in block chord style? Also, what were the letter names of the chords, and which ones were Major or minor?

Harmonically in block chord style
C chords, but I can't remember which letters
All major, no minor

I'm still exploring what you know. Hmmmm... Some of the chords would be minor. If in the key of "C" then these would normally be the chords in the order that they are played. C Major, a minor, d minor, G Major, and from then on, it would be a repeat of the same chord sequence. Does that "ring a bell?"

No. I need a piano.

Got to go to bed. I'll ask Santa for a Yamaha acoustic piano for Christmas.

Yamaha is the best one to get for the price and value! :)

I know.

Are you Santa?

I know.

Are you Santa?

I am one of his elves that grew up to take his place when he retired. There is a provision in the Contract that says I can use the name "Santa." Would really hate to disappoint the kids you know, by "Santa" all of a sudden sporting a new name, let alone a new look! "Wow, Santa!" "You really lost some weight!" Also, "What happened to your beard, Santa?"

At least I can use the name...

There is much yet to discuss on this thread. Chord and scale structures as related to the art of improvisation. The different instrument's roles in improvisation within a musical group of what ever kind. How to improvise in general. The different types of improvisation that can be done depending on what type of music is being improvised. The list can go on and on... Thanks for starting the thread, Wondergirl! I guess that you finally drew me into explaining something of my art, just as I have drawn you into something that involves your art with writing.

Heh, heh.. :cool:

I think I'm mostly interested the group dynamics in improv, although your explaining all those other things has merit (plus it will keep you off the street).

I think I'm mostly interested the group dynamics in improv, although your explaining all those other things has merit (plus it will keep you off the street).

Ahemmm! I am here! Although not zipping around this site very quickly, because the phone line connection in this very fine home is not the greatest!

You're right about keeping me off the streets! Participating here like this does help! Thank you for being thoughtful and so caring! :)


although your explaining all those other things has merit You are correct. It does have merit to explain the other things, because in order to understand the dynamics of improvising as a group together, one really needs to know what goes into the process of improvising as an individual. The way of improvising as an individual within a group can vary greatly because of the role that the individual might have within the group musically. The roles can be interchangeable.

Oh, I also forgot to say "Good evening, Wondergirl!" Or should I say, "Good morning?"

Ok, question. Define improvisation (briefly).

Ok, question. Define improvisation (briefly).

Defining improvisation can be like defining "What is love?"

Do you mean just in music? And, also as an individual or as a group, if it is in just music? There may need to be two, separate definitions if it is about a group of an individual. We might also have to pick just one instrument, if it is about an individual improvising by themselves. Also, there are the styles of music to be considered as far as a definition is concerned. I might be able to provide my own brief explanation if it is just about music, although it will still be hard to keep it brief.

I'm sure that you can see that this can get real complicated very quickly...

Would you please narrow down as to what the definition is concerning, please? Thank you!

I suppose that I wouldn't have such a problem with a definition if I only played one instrument and played in only one style of music.

After you went offline, I did some googling and found several sites about jazz improv. There were MP3 thingies to click and lots of big words were used. I was out of my depth. I'm afraid I'm going to have to opt out of this thread simply because I have no piano and don't remember enough terminology to make sense of improv. I think hearing and doing would work the best, and that won't be possible.

After you went offline, I did some googling and found several sites about jazz improv. There were MP3 thingies to click and lots of big words were used. I was out of my depth. I'm afraid I'm going to have to opt out of this thread simply because I have no piano and don't remember enough terminology to make sense of improv. I think hearing and doing would work the best, and that won't be possible.


I think hearing and doing would work the best, and that won't be possible. That just might be possible, and you know that.

After all this work so far on this thread, and you now want to quit? :(

I am a live person here and not just some MP3. I can answer your questions, and would love to do so! I don't think that I have used any "longhair" type words in my answers so far in figuring out what you know about music. I do hope that you get a piano or at least a keyboard of some kind. Playing music and learning about it is something that you can do the rest of your life, unlike so many other things.

From earlier on this thread:


Originally Posted by Clough
Would you now like an example of how to improvise? Say, in a very simple form and being explained so in written word?


Originally Posted by Wondergirl YES!! What has taken you so long?? (You can use big "music" words.)

I would hope that you might want to continue here! :) In addition to helping you, what is posted here could be helpful to someone else who might have the same types of questions. This place gets excellent coverage with people doing searches on the Internet for various things.

Please answer my questions: Simply put, what IS improv and why bother? Why not just stick to printed music?

My answers are coming. I just need time to get through this weekend. I haven't forgotten about you. This subject is something that I know that you know is very important to me. Your even being willing to continue discourse on it is something that I feel is a blessing. It's very rare that I find someone else on this site who might also be in "tune" to some of the same things that I am, musically. As a matter of fact, you are the first one to come close to that!

Did you ever get that keyboard that you were going to get, Wondergirl?

Thanks!

Did you ever get that keyboard that you were going to get, Wondergirl?

Thanks!
Nope. My health began deteriorating in early March, and I'm on a slow climb back uphill.

Okay, I remember... That you were in the hospital for awhile.

I do hope that you're much better now!!

Thanks!

Okay, I remember... That you were in the hospital for awhile.

I do hope that you're much better now!!!!

Thanks!
Yes, I'm doing very well. Maybe Santa will bring me a keyboard.

Are you still interested in learning about the inprov stuff?

Thanks!

Are you still interested in learning about the inprov stuff?

Thanks!
Not right now, Clough. I'll let you know when I'm ready.

Okay. Thanks! :)

Just stumbled on this thread while looking for something for my essay. It's a great one and I'd love to go through the thread. Right now, I just don't have the time and there are so much posts to read!

As a note, I don't know why, but I always seem to try finding a 'second' voice to a song. I know there are various 'voices' like sopran (sp?), alto, etc. Every song that I like, I try to do it ( I don't know what voice I'm trying to get though :o). Sometimes, I find it fitting great! :p Or at other times, I fit in some echo between the small pauses between lyrics.

Ok, I'm making it a must to read that thread now. Thanks, WG for starting that thread :)

Just stumbled on this thread while looking for something for my essay.
Glad I made someone happy today.

I'm an alto (which I hate 'cause I like to sing the melody), and alto is the bottom notes of the cord that contains the melody line as the top notes. In other words, musically it balances the melody line and fleshes it out.

One thing that always interested me was descant. Also contrapuntal technique. Google those two (for your essay) and see if chills don't go down your spine.

My essay's finished. I was looking for 'how could music be used for communication' and searched communication in the music board. And from the 5 results, yours and Clough's posts fell in the first two:)

I now have an essay on marriage, the causes of divorce and how to remedy to it.

My essay's finished. I was looking for 'how could music be used for communication' and searched communication in the music board. And from the 5 results, yours and Clough's posts fell in the first two:)

I now have an essay on marriage, the causes of divorce and how to remedy to it.
I would love to read that essay! In grad school, I took a course called "Counseling Through the Expressive Arts" which had a several lessons on music as a way to get in touch with a client's inner world and to help him communicate more clearly. Wow!

In fact, the actual title was 'what is the place of music in the modern world?' and I thought that it would be good to have a paragraph about music as a means of communication. I didn't find much about it. As a already have a paragraph about music therapy, the only new thing I came up with is that some animals can use 'music' to communicate. The cries of dolphins and whales are similar to a melody. Some people can convey their feelings better through the music they play.

Hey, Jerry!

Was that you who joined my barbershop chorus website?

Thanks!

Is it too late, or can you still use help with it?

Yup Clough :D

Well, it was yesterday that I needed them. I'm on my 4th essay for this week. I couldn't get all the 7 done ( I accumulated work because of projects, a MUN conference, examinations... ), I was really busy. I guess I'll do the rest and give them later on.

Originally posted by Clough
Hey, Jerry!

Was that you who joined my barbershop chorus website?

Thanks!


Yup Clough :D

Well, bless your heart! Thanks for doing that! :)

That thread was not as long as I've imagined...

And concerning my piano skills, I cannot play with two hands. I've never learned how to play, only try to reproduce some melodies. I have an electric 'organ' (no pedals) at home. I've played on some real pianos, with the pedals (although I only use the one which makes the notes lower in volume so as not to damage everyone's ears :o).

Do you have access to a real or really good electric piano, Unky?

I can say I have a good electric one. But the buttons are in chinese and I can't read them (I don't know those characters).

But I tries them and have a fair idea of the functions available.

What is the brand and model number of your electric piano, Unky? Since it has a whole bunch of Chinese characters, my guess is that it's probably more of a keyboard than an electric piano. But, it could be pretty good!

Well, I just checked the box, it says electronic keyboard, make, 'Yongmei'.

I'm satisfied with it. The keys are somewhat like you're pressing something on some sponge though. Not really like a real piano. Anyway, I can play it, except the fact that school is back tomorrow and I don't think I'll have time to play it for a while.

I'll look it up on the Internet and get back to you, Unky. Sometime in the near future.

Thanks!

Ah, this site give the picture of it. Except it's all in chinese :D

http://bbs.qdit.com/dispbbs.asp?boardID=35&ID=421166

I'll check it out and also might be able to find some other images. Perhaps there might be some with English on them?

I got to go, though...

Would you please be sure to wish talaniman a Happy Birthday? I started a thread about that.

Thanks!

Ok, thanks! I'll sort of very busy from now on and I don't think I'll able to catch up with the numerous threads and forums I'm subscribed to.

Unfortunately, no, there are none. In fact, it was my grandmother who bought it from China... got a fair price for it I guess.