This afternoon I stumbled upon a video of the Swedish folk group Väsen performing at the Cedar Cultural Center in 2008. The trio consisted of a viola, guitar, and "nyckelharpa"--a bowed AND keyed string instrument. According to Wikipedia, "it is a string instrument or chordophone. Its keys are attached to tangents which, when a key is depressed, serve as frets to change the pitch of the string." (you can see one at: http://en.wik… Continue

Welcome back to the Fall semester everyone. The Jazz Ensemble has been working skills by actively listening to music and identifying musical elements. You can use this forum to share what you are learning and what you are listening to. Looking forward to learning from you.

It occurs to me that this is a topic that is not often discussed. I offer some of the techniques taught in score study as possible suggestions and reccomendations. Most of us begin to learn a new piece by playing through it. I think learning a piece of music shoudl actually start with reading it as you would a book. Learn the form first.
Form: Are there repeats? Where are they located and what exactly do they repeat?
Is there a D.S.; D.C; Coda, etc. Is a D.S., where exactly is the sign. If an al… Continue