Recordings: A timeless tradition and innovation of western music. We record great performers, actors, and we store them… permanently. But it isn’t music. “But sir, why would you say that? I listen to recorded music all day long!” I realize this; we need recordings, and we can enjoy them, but we should avoid them. When… Continue reading Musical Pictures

The dichotomy that musicians face when approaching music is one like this: Do I strive to make no mistakes, or do I strive to make less mistakes, and be embarrassed about them? One man’s dichotomy is another man’s plunder. We often feel, as musicians called to excellence, that the only way we can communicate effectively… Continue reading Excellent Mistakes

This word is a curious word. It has been a topic at every major university and arts program around the globe. Many people use it when talking about buildings, parks, structures, people, places, and other things, and many cannot even tell you what it means. Aesthetics. It’s an illusive word; we know what it means… Continue reading The “A” Word Part 1

Ah… I can hear it now. The sweet songs of a gentle lyricist, wispering in my ear wonderful poetry. Combine that with the gracious harmonies and soaring melodies by, let’s say, Rachmaninoff, and you have sweet love to my ears. So beautiful! Then, the neighbor kicks up the hardcore rock music; it’s death metal. It’s… Continue reading That “Universal” Language

Some of you might be thinking, “Okay Josh, I know you have a right to ride this high-horse, but you are just talking about music! Surely not everyone is this way! And besides, if a child/parent wants their experience to be limited and just for the thrill of music, then certainly they can do that!… Continue reading The Acciaccatura Part 2

I bet you don’t know what that means. Most people aren’t familiar with a term like this, and most feel stupified and sort of nauseated by someone who decides to bug with a term like this. But simply it is: “A grace note which takes its time from the rest or note preceding the principal… Continue reading The Acciaccatura Part 1