MUSIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL ~ OCTOBER 2008

MUSIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL!! STEP RIGHT UP!! SPECIAL ATTRACTION: NEW MUSIC MEME!!

This week, Teacher in a Strange Land is hosting the Music Education Carnival. New on the blogging Carnival scene, MEC is celebrating its fourth outing. Look for it on the first day of each month. And if you have something to submit (Yes! Please!)—next month’s Music Education Carnival is set to rumble at Travis J. Weller's place, November 1. The submission form is here.

Let’s begin the carny action with a meme. I picked up the tag from Dina over at The Line.

A meme is a little cultural nugget—a provocative question, a video that nobody can resist, a comment or idea that strikes a chord—which spreads virally. After you respond to the meme, you tag other bloggers and—voila!—everyone is talking, watching and reading about the same thing.  This meme is a question uniquely appropriate for musicians:

What five songs on your iPod do you consider guilty pleasures?

If you're reading this, consider yourself tagged. And when you send out tags to your friends, you can mention that you saw it first on the Music Education Carnival, then send them back here to read the Carnival. My five iPod guilty pleasures appear at the end of the Carnival, and will undoubtedly make you feel better about any shameful selections on your MP3 player.

MUSINGS ON MUSIC EDUCATION--LET THE CARNIVAL BEGIN

Music Education Carnival co-founder Joel is up first some great advice on Pacing: What Every Great Band Director Knows. Highly recommended, especially for new teachers or those needing a lifeline. Check out Joel's other good stuff at So You Want to Teach?

Thomas J. West gives us the lowdown on First Act Musical Instruments: Are They Worth the Price? Thomas plays investigator and shares consumer reviews and his own experiences in an even-handed synopsis.

High marks to Michael Antmann who tackles assessment in Making the Grade, Assessment in Band, Part I. Some cogent thinking--and next time, Michael promises to tackle the dreaded practice record dilemma.

Citius, Altius, Fortius says Music Education Carnival co-founder Dr. Joe Pisano. Dusting off my four years' of HS Latin, I mistranslated the title...it's not "Higher, Faster, Louder" (a.k.a. "what to look for in a marching band chart"), but  Faster, Higher, Stronger. Dr. Pisano's post is about excellence, persistence and believing in the cause of high-quality music education. Inspiring, indeed.

Listen and Learn is music therapist Rachel Rambach's site, where she offers reflections on her work and songs, like Fall into Fall. Rachel, is there a "Spring into Spring" forthcoming?

Nancy Flanagan, your host here at Teacher in a Strange Land, shares what happens when percussionists are extreme visual learners in Mr. Holland Teaches Me a Lesson.

Finally, as a flutist, I heartily approve of Thomas West's second submission, Flute Teaching for the Non-flutist. And I'm picky. Read it, and learn.

TECHIES AT THE CARNIVAL

Larry Ferlazzo offers us One of the Coolest Online Music Tools Ever. It's Contrapunctus Variations, an online tool that lets you compose using your computer mouse. Larry confesses that it's a little hard to explain--but then he does a good job of whetting our interest. Visit Larry and see.

You can find anything online, including free music. Go and see Fiona King who will lead you to 100 Places to Find Free Christian Music Online.

Interested in finding local bands' websites? Try here.

WordPress Hacker offers Navigation Tabs for those who blog on WP.

IN A CATEGORY BY HIMSELF

Barry Wright III, in his blog, Style Life, muses on learning to play the bass guitar. He has observations on how and where he practices (Duke University Chapel steps). Interesting take from a self-taught musician--we can learn a few things from Barry.

AND BROWSE THE CARNIVAL MIDWAY...

Woman Tribune offers a social networking site for independent musicians: PureSound Records.

Paul Heingarten, lifelong musician, is starting a new ezine about music and you're invited. Find out more!

Or teach yourself guitar--see here.

AND A LATE--BUT TERRIFIC--SUGGESTION FROM EUGENE CANTERA:

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher takes piano lessons? No fake. See the big bruiser's reflections on what winning a Super Bowl has in common with practicing when your pinky is sore: no excuses. Thanks, Eugene--a great way to end the Carnival.

SO THAT'S IT...The Music Education Carnival is over for October. See you next month. Bring your friends.

And be sure to pass along the fun meme (below). What's on YOUR iPod that you'd rather not share with your classically trained musician friends?

Five Guilty Pleasures on my iPod:

#1) “Boulder to Birmingham” (Starland Vocal Band). Yup. The same vocally folks who gave us “Afternoon Delight” --which is NOT in my iTunes.

#2) “The Land Before Time” film score selections (James Horner). Can’t help it. Fell in love with this when my kids were tykes, about 18 years ago.

#3) “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” (Dolly Parton). Reminds me of my grandma, who used to sing this while she was ironing. May she rest in peace. My grandma, that is, not Dolly.

#4) “Whiskey, if You Were a Woman” (Highway 101). The lead singer's voice could cut glass, but I have this secret affinity for country music that sounds like country music used to. 

#5) "Imagine" (David Archuleta). I loathe American Idol. But for some reason, I didn't see this rendition as sacrilege. I liked it enough to pop for 99 cents, anyway, and listen to it when I'm feeling all moody.

Images: Clarinet by Puddleduck/Graffiti by XanderT/Maracas by Chelle/morguefile.com

Comments

[Rachel Rambach]

Actually, my spring tune is called "Spring is in the Air" but you were close!! Though let's not get too ahead of ourselves here...be on the lookout for "Winter All Around Us" in December :)

[Daryl]

Guilty pleasures on my iPod:

1) "Porpoise Song" by The Monkees; "Head" was a train wreck of a film, but an interesting train wreck all the same. Carole King wrote this, unbelievably. Even though it's embarrassing, I love it - I always sing the "Goodbye, Good byeeeeeee" part along with Davy.

2) "Was It a Moment Like This" Sandi Patti; I downloaded it because my wife Bethany was asked by elder-type folks in our church to sing it.

3) "Liberty" Steve Vai; all the wretched excess of late 80's trick guitar wankery in one orchestra-laden load.

4) "Who Let the Dogs Out" Baha Men; I have two young kids - by the way, this is the RAUNCHIEST song that adults allow to be played for kids, with the possible exception of "You Shook Me All Night Long". Listen to the words!!!

5) "May It Be" Enya; downloaded so that Bethany and I could perform it in a family wedding. Far from the worst song in the Enya repetoire, it still demonstrates the Enya production philosophy that all you need to make songs sound good is 13 metric tons of digital delay and reverb.

[Cossondra George]

I love my iPod and it is indeed filled with guilty pleasures.

My shareable top 5 are:
1. Hillbilly Deluxe by Brooks and Dunn - it so perfectly describes life in my town.
2.Lyin' Eyes by The Eagles - that was my first music purchase as a teenager, back when you bought 45's for 95 cents, plus a nickel tax for an even buck. Every buck I got was spent on music from that point on.
3. Troubadour by George Strait - If you haven't heard it, it is a must listen if you are over 40.
4. Roll On by Kid Rock - I am a closet Kid Rock junkie, and if not for the proliferation of profanity in so much of his music, would be even more so. I love his sound. This song is about reflecting on life. My favorite line says we all are living on borrowed time.
5. I Kissed a Girl by Katy Perry - wow, how's that for a shocker! The kids were talking about it so I had to buy it to hear what the hype was about. I actually love the beat. It's catchy, though the words are a bit questionable.

Love the meme Nancy! How fun...

[Cindi Rigsbee]

1. ABC - The Jackson Five - takes me back to junior high and makes me want to dance.

2. Melissa - Allman Brothers Band - takes me back to high school and makes me wish I'd studied more and chased boys less.

3. Chances Are - Johnny Mathis - the oldest song on my Ipod - I heard it on the radio one day and thought it was pretty.

4. Shattered (O.A.R.) The most recent addition - my effort to support MySpace music and my favorite genre - Alternative.

5. I Like to Move it - from Madagascar - I play this in class or at workshops when there's a transition, groups are changing, etc.

Fun! I wish I could pick more than five!

[Susie Highley]

1. “Perfect” by Jon McLaughlin. His new CD comes out next Tuesday. He’s a fabulous singer and keyboard player, and his playing on this one is awesome. I saw him in person four times this summer, and he grew up about 20 miles from where I live.

2. “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green. Many of my college roommates became converts because of me.

3. “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane. I hear Keane music periodically in a variety of places. If only they could all stay out of rehab long enough to release more great music.

4. “The Riddle” by Five for Fighting. I can listen to John Ondraski’s CD’s over and over again. He’s another one whose songs pop up all over.

5. “Oysters and Pearls” by Jimmy Buffett. My whole family likes this one: great words, beautiful harmonies, and my biology-teacher husband likes any song with proper usage of “DNA”. I gave this CD and a strand of pearls to a wonderful friend as a gift, and told her she would be able to figure out the significance.

[Nancy Flanagan]

Thanks for posting, everyone. Interesting reading. Made me go to iTunes and purchase some Al Green because I want to stay together with his music, if not Al himself.

Chances are that some people might not put their aural secrets out there--but they can't hide their lyin' eyes.

And Daryl, my friend, sometimes I think that 13 tons of reverb may be the only thing that saves some artists. But there I go acting like a person with elegant tastes. Which I clearly am...not.

[JohnNorton]

I'd say there are about 500 guilty pleasures on my iPod, but then high-fat music is not where I concentrate my guilt, as a non-musician! Here are five pretty representative cuts:

(1) Pancho and Lefty - the version by Willie and Merle is my favorite but I also have Emmylou's and the Van Zandt original.

(2) Hey Nineteen by Steely Dan - when we crank up what passes for a party here on Norton Mountain, this is the first tune we play. Then Walter's Book of Liars.

(3) Bartender's Blues - the George Jones version with James T. backing him up. What classic country can do to Baby Boomer folk-blues. Genius.

(4) Dixie Chicken - Little Feat is always Goin' South.

(5) Tupelo Honey - my daughter and I danced to this Van Morrison classic when she was a six-month old angel of the first degree. She'll turn 30 next month!

[Cathy Gassenheimer]

What a fun exercise! Guilty pleasures....well...
1. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. I still remember the first time I heard it. It reminded me of a campy version of a Gilbert and Sullivan song (don't cringe, Nancy!). It's dangerous when it comes on in the car, because I like to sing it loud and with expression!

2. My Sharona by the Knack. I was in DC when I heard this and just loved it. It's on my ipod and some days I can listen to it, but other days, I skip it. But, it does get your head moving (think Mike Myers). Can you believe that some critics thought the Knack might be the Beatles? What WERE they thinking?

3. Volcano by Jimmy Buffet. What a great song when I'm depressed or stressed!"I don't know where I'ma gonna go when the Volcano blows!"

4. Up on Cripple Creek by The Band (live -- Last Waltz) -- particularly when they try to yodel and then someone-- I think it is Levon -- sings "Wish I could yodel" -- great for making someone smile and try to yodel along!

5. Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat by Bob Dylan. Don't you think someone challenged him to write a song that had the words "Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat" featured prominently? What a great and funny song (particularly if you try to visualize the words!)

Thanks for giving me this opportunity to think about one of my favorite things -- music!
Cathy

[Travis A. Wittwer]

Carnivals. I love them. Thanks for putting this together. As a non-musician, I found Barry Wright III's post thoughtful. I may take another try at playing an instrument, at least for good measure.

On another note, I enjoyed the carnival. Great music blogs, Nancy. I found them especially enjoyable as I consider myself to be a nonmusical person, but a lover of music.

Yeah, a MEME:
1) Fugazi's "Repeater"--high school memories of driving up to Seattle to see concerts in small halls. Fewer than 60 people at a show.
2) Slayer's "Born of Fire"--fast beast music and what I need in the morning rather than a cup of coffee.
3) Einstürzende Neubauten's "Mikroben"--German industrial band whose instruments include bridges, abandoned cars, springs, and anything lying around, especially metal.
4) Black Flag's "Loose Nut"--good old classic American punk rock.
5) Descendents' "I Don't Want to Grow Up"--puts a smile on my face.

[JohnNorton]

Posting this for Eugene Cantera:

I'm so sorry my article about Bill Cowher didn't make it in to this month's carnival!! I must have failed to click the submit button! Drat - I will be sure to double check next time. This edition looks terrific - keep up the great work!

Link to Cowher post:
http://discoverlearnplay.blogspot.com/2008/09/bill-cowhers-piano-lessons.html

[Mary Tedrow]

Yay! Now I have some titles to search on itunes. Some of my ipod songs are getting stale. But not these:
1. Love her Madly by Jim Morrison. SEXY song. (Guess an over 50 grandma shouldn't say that.)
2. I'm Your Man by Leonard Cohen. I could listen to this 4,000 times. Or maybe I already have.
3. Brian Wilson by Barenaked Ladies, the live version. If I need to get the heart rate up this is the one.
4. Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin. What can I say...its the coolest of the narrow tie age.
5.Everybody Knows by Leonard Cohen sung by Rufus Wainwright. I love Rufus' voice. Clear like a bell. The lyrics speak to my liberal heart.

[Ellen Berg]

My husband is a huge music geek, so when I married him, I was exposed to a lot more than the Top 40 radio I mostly listened to before. Here are my 5:

Public Enemy, "Don't Believe the Hype" ~ Flava Flave in all his glory!

The Polyphonic Spree, "Together We're Heavy"~Former Tripping Daisy frontman Tim DeLaughter's new project: a 24-piece symphonic choral rock group that, seriously, is still the best concert I've ever been to. It's a spectacle!

The Smiths, "There's a Light That Never Goes Out"~How can you beat lyrics sweetly sung by Morrissey like, "And if a double decker bus, hits the both of us, to die by your side would be a heavenly way to die"?

REO Speedwagon, "Take It on the Run"~Okay, this is a time and place song for me, child of the 80's. I remember singing this loudly after breakups in high school. Cheesy? Yes. But I still sing along....

James, "Laid"~Another great song to sing at the top of your lungs. This was a shocking song in the comparatively demure 1990's, and it always makes me feel a little freer, a little rebellious.

Ellen

[Nancy Flanagan]

Eugene--hope you're reading this, because I can't find an e-mail for you, either.

I posted all submissions to the Music Ed Carnival--and included the "5 things" meme because we didn't have many blogs submitted. Loved the piece on Bill Crowder and added it to the main body of the Carnival. Please keep trying to submit--and do use the submission form. It makes things much easier for the person hosting the Carnival.

Nancy

[Dina]

This was so much fun to read. Since when is Public Enemy a *guilty* pleasure? Fight the Power!