Festival Workshops and Learning Activities
2022
Anyone Can Improvise with Polychords!
A workshop by Dr. Matthew Cooper
Workshop description: Learn how to link together three related polychords (triads over a different bass note) to create simple but fun and fresh-sounding free improv.
A workshop by Dr. Matthew Cooper
Workshop description: Learn how to link together three related polychords (triads over a different bass note) to create simple but fun and fresh-sounding free improv.
2021
Improvise Every Day!
A workshop by John Salmon
Workshop description: Improvise Every Day! will give pianists, from young beginners to adult learners, ideas for creating music spontaneously at the keyboard. Too often, piano students practice technical exercises and scales without any metrical context or emotive character, as if the hands were divorced from the brain and heart. Guess what? It doesn't have to be that way! Hanon exercises can be fun! Scales and chords will be your new best friends! You can compose on the spot!
Learning Activity:
What did you eat yesterday? Pick your favorite meal and improvise about it. Silly or serious, you choose!
Not sure where to start? Pianists of all ages can improvise! Pick a few note, pick a 5-finger patterns, explore the entire keyboard, pick a scale, pick a chord progression, and/or pick a style. Think of your favorite food and the rhythm you create when speaking it out loud. Think of the feelings your favorite food inspires in you. Try something random.
Improv a song about a food!
Spaghetti by Hayden Simko
A workshop by John Salmon
Workshop description: Improvise Every Day! will give pianists, from young beginners to adult learners, ideas for creating music spontaneously at the keyboard. Too often, piano students practice technical exercises and scales without any metrical context or emotive character, as if the hands were divorced from the brain and heart. Guess what? It doesn't have to be that way! Hanon exercises can be fun! Scales and chords will be your new best friends! You can compose on the spot!
Learning Activity:
What did you eat yesterday? Pick your favorite meal and improvise about it. Silly or serious, you choose!
Not sure where to start? Pianists of all ages can improvise! Pick a few note, pick a 5-finger patterns, explore the entire keyboard, pick a scale, pick a chord progression, and/or pick a style. Think of your favorite food and the rhythm you create when speaking it out loud. Think of the feelings your favorite food inspires in you. Try something random.
Improv a song about a food!
Spaghetti by Hayden Simko
spaghetti.mp3__3_.mp4 | |
File Size: | 496 kb |
File Type: | mp4 |
Together in Isolation: Tips and Tricks for Distance Collaboration and Ensembles
A workshop by Shana Kirk
Workshop description: In these times of distant and distanced learning, we find ourselves longing for opportunities to be part of ensembles or to collaborate in shared creative projects. This workshop will outline some of my favorite ways to include those activities in meaningful ways to advance skills and have fun.
Learning Activity:
Use your phone or other mobile device to record one part of a duet, then send it to a friend to play along!
Learning Challenge:
Become a Music Director for a Film!
Improvize your own music to a short film
A workshop by Shana Kirk
Workshop description: In these times of distant and distanced learning, we find ourselves longing for opportunities to be part of ensembles or to collaborate in shared creative projects. This workshop will outline some of my favorite ways to include those activities in meaningful ways to advance skills and have fun.
Learning Activity:
Use your phone or other mobile device to record one part of a duet, then send it to a friend to play along!
Learning Challenge:
Become a Music Director for a Film!
Improvize your own music to a short film
The Great Classical Composers of Media
A workshop by Jonathan Keith
Workshop description: In this workshop, Jonathan Keith will give an overview of the origins of film music and explore some concert composers who also scored for film. Jonathan will discuss some ways that film composers look to concert composers for inspiration and offers an activity for re-composing concert music as a way to inspire new work.
Learning Activity:
Recompose a Movie Theme
A workshop by Jonathan Keith
Workshop description: In this workshop, Jonathan Keith will give an overview of the origins of film music and explore some concert composers who also scored for film. Jonathan will discuss some ways that film composers look to concert composers for inspiration and offers an activity for re-composing concert music as a way to inspire new work.
Learning Activity:
Recompose a Movie Theme
Circle the World with Music and Dance
A workshop by Wynn-Anne Rossi
Workshop description: Celebrate rhythms and modes from are the world as Wynn-Anne delves into the connection between music and movement. Discover cultural stories which have led to traditional dance forms, and try a few simple steps which evolved from rhythmic motifs. Finally, share the process of creating an original dance inspired by a simple musical idea!
Learning Activity:
Create Your Own World Dance!
A workshop by Wynn-Anne Rossi
Workshop description: Celebrate rhythms and modes from are the world as Wynn-Anne delves into the connection between music and movement. Discover cultural stories which have led to traditional dance forms, and try a few simple steps which evolved from rhythmic motifs. Finally, share the process of creating an original dance inspired by a simple musical idea!
Learning Activity:
Create Your Own World Dance!
How to Groove Solo Piano Blues
A workshop by Joe Harkins
Workshop description: In this workshop, we will explore the essential elements of grooving the 12-Bar Blues. You will learn how to groove a Jazz Blues Tune (Melody), how to groove with LH accompaniments, and how to groove your RH solos. You will also learn how to imitate jazz piano greats, so that you can begin to launch your own individual blues style.
Learning Activity 1: Listen to the following recordings:
Bags Groove performed by Hank Jones Trio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HDciWO-fVs
Blue Monk - by Thelonious Monk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwgWxcVEJOw
C-Jam Blues - performed by The Oscar Peterson Trio. (The entire Night Train album is essential listening for any improvising pianist!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffnx4wfZUY8
The Oscar Peterson Trio again playing C-Jam, this time for a live audience. They let loose a bit more here than on the album! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTJhHn-TuDY
Freddie Freeloader from the famous Miles Davis album, Kind of Blue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPfFhfSuUZ4 https://youtu.be/RPfFhfSuUZ4?t=45 (this is where the Wynton Kelly piano solo begins)
Sandu performed live by the famous Keith Jarrett Trio. (Additional listening - anything from the “Standards” albums from this trio.) https://youtu.be/EEaRmAJ6R98?t=1728
Learning Activity 2: Share a favorite Blues Piano Recording!
Hayden's choice: It's All Right by Jon Batiste
A workshop by Joe Harkins
Workshop description: In this workshop, we will explore the essential elements of grooving the 12-Bar Blues. You will learn how to groove a Jazz Blues Tune (Melody), how to groove with LH accompaniments, and how to groove your RH solos. You will also learn how to imitate jazz piano greats, so that you can begin to launch your own individual blues style.
Learning Activity 1: Listen to the following recordings:
Bags Groove performed by Hank Jones Trio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HDciWO-fVs
Blue Monk - by Thelonious Monk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwgWxcVEJOw
C-Jam Blues - performed by The Oscar Peterson Trio. (The entire Night Train album is essential listening for any improvising pianist!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffnx4wfZUY8
The Oscar Peterson Trio again playing C-Jam, this time for a live audience. They let loose a bit more here than on the album! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTJhHn-TuDY
Freddie Freeloader from the famous Miles Davis album, Kind of Blue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPfFhfSuUZ4 https://youtu.be/RPfFhfSuUZ4?t=45 (this is where the Wynton Kelly piano solo begins)
Sandu performed live by the famous Keith Jarrett Trio. (Additional listening - anything from the “Standards” albums from this trio.) https://youtu.be/EEaRmAJ6R98?t=1728
Learning Activity 2: Share a favorite Blues Piano Recording!
Hayden's choice: It's All Right by Jon Batiste
Scarlatti's Wild Keyboard Music
A workshop by Matthew Cooper
Workshop description: Discover the remarkable keyboard music of Domenico Scarlatti, who lived in the Baroque era
but composed some of the wildest music imaginable! He wrote 555 short sonatas which are full of forbidden dissonances and “wrong” voice leading, Spanish guitar sounds, castanets, trumpets, bagpipes, drones, fireworks, cannons, and out-of-tune marching bands. They’re full of grace notes, big cluster chords, and (occasionally) crazy hand crossings. These sonatas are all fairly short, and many are not too difficult to play. They were composed for the harpsichord, but they fit the piano well--and they are some of the most fun and rewarding keyboard pieces you’ll ever lay your hands on!
Learning Activity 1:Scarlatti Scavenger Hunt
Find a video of a Scarlatti sonata performed on harpsichord by David Tacher
Find a video of a Scarlatti sonata performed on piano by Angela Hewitt
Find a video of a Scarlatti sonata performed on piano by Vladimir Horowitz
Find a video of a Scarlatti sonata performed on piano by John Browning
Find a video of a Scarlatti sonata performed on harpsichord by Ralph Kirkpatrick
Find a video of a Scarlatti sonata performed by a woman performer
Find a video of a Scarlatti sonata performed on a non-keyboard instrument
Learning Activity 2:
Test your knowledge of Scarlatti's work with this crossword puzzle!
A workshop by Matthew Cooper
Workshop description: Discover the remarkable keyboard music of Domenico Scarlatti, who lived in the Baroque era
but composed some of the wildest music imaginable! He wrote 555 short sonatas which are full of forbidden dissonances and “wrong” voice leading, Spanish guitar sounds, castanets, trumpets, bagpipes, drones, fireworks, cannons, and out-of-tune marching bands. They’re full of grace notes, big cluster chords, and (occasionally) crazy hand crossings. These sonatas are all fairly short, and many are not too difficult to play. They were composed for the harpsichord, but they fit the piano well--and they are some of the most fun and rewarding keyboard pieces you’ll ever lay your hands on!
Learning Activity 1:Scarlatti Scavenger Hunt
Find a video of a Scarlatti sonata performed on harpsichord by David Tacher
Find a video of a Scarlatti sonata performed on piano by Angela Hewitt
Find a video of a Scarlatti sonata performed on piano by Vladimir Horowitz
Find a video of a Scarlatti sonata performed on piano by John Browning
Find a video of a Scarlatti sonata performed on harpsichord by Ralph Kirkpatrick
Find a video of a Scarlatti sonata performed by a woman performer
Find a video of a Scarlatti sonata performed on a non-keyboard instrument
Learning Activity 2:
Test your knowledge of Scarlatti's work with this crossword puzzle!
Developing Your Creativity
A workshop by Martha Hill Duncan
Workshop description: Learn tips and tricks from Martha to boost your creativity. How to keep a long list of “fails”, composition ideas that don’t go anywhere, but are still tempting at a later time when my brain is ready. Find the best time of day to tap into your creative self. Keep track of progress through a diary. Keep everything! Don’t be afraid to change your mind. Listen, listen and re-listen! Don’t be afraid to take “trash” beginnings and manipulate it into something magical. Find a starting place and be courageous!
Learning Activity:
What is your current creative process?
Please share your experiences, desires and dreams regarding your current and future musical adventures, wherever you are in the process:
A workshop by Martha Hill Duncan
Workshop description: Learn tips and tricks from Martha to boost your creativity. How to keep a long list of “fails”, composition ideas that don’t go anywhere, but are still tempting at a later time when my brain is ready. Find the best time of day to tap into your creative self. Keep track of progress through a diary. Keep everything! Don’t be afraid to change your mind. Listen, listen and re-listen! Don’t be afraid to take “trash” beginnings and manipulate it into something magical. Find a starting place and be courageous!
Learning Activity:
What is your current creative process?
Please share your experiences, desires and dreams regarding your current and future musical adventures, wherever you are in the process:
Describe noteworthy moments of personal musical inspiration. These could be dreams, aha! moments, responses to specific pieces of music and or performances that have woken you up musically and creatively.
Answer: One day around Christmas I heard “Hark The Herald” angels sing from Charlie Brown and loved the song. I had never heard the song until then. The next week I heard another piano student play another song with a similar title called “Glory To God In The Highest”. I fell in love with the song. After Christmas was over I asked my teacher if I could learn similar songs. That is when I started playing more Christian music such as “Christ Is “Risen, and “He Is Alive” until I Joined their church group on Easter Sunday morning. It truly felt magical that Sunday at the church, like I was a new me. A better me. This is how music helped me find my faith!
5 – 10 descriptive words that would describe you musically (in the now)
Answer: Creative, musical, dedicated, determined, perfectionistic, expressive, passionate, motivated
5 – 10 descriptive words that will describe you musically (in the future)
Answer: Inspiring, piano teacher, innovative, master composer, concert pianist
List 3-5 people in your life that are open to hearing your musical dreams and aspirations?
Answer: Mom, Dad, Melissa (my piano teacher), my family, John salmon
Answer: One day around Christmas I heard “Hark The Herald” angels sing from Charlie Brown and loved the song. I had never heard the song until then. The next week I heard another piano student play another song with a similar title called “Glory To God In The Highest”. I fell in love with the song. After Christmas was over I asked my teacher if I could learn similar songs. That is when I started playing more Christian music such as “Christ Is “Risen, and “He Is Alive” until I Joined their church group on Easter Sunday morning. It truly felt magical that Sunday at the church, like I was a new me. A better me. This is how music helped me find my faith!
5 – 10 descriptive words that would describe you musically (in the now)
Answer: Creative, musical, dedicated, determined, perfectionistic, expressive, passionate, motivated
5 – 10 descriptive words that will describe you musically (in the future)
Answer: Inspiring, piano teacher, innovative, master composer, concert pianist
List 3-5 people in your life that are open to hearing your musical dreams and aspirations?
Answer: Mom, Dad, Melissa (my piano teacher), my family, John salmon
Using Jazz Theory to Spice Up Compositions and Arrangements
A workshop by Kevin Olson
Workshop description: In this workshop, Dr. Olson will share ways that jazz voicings, harmonies, and rhythms can add a contemporary, energetic flair to original compositions and arrangements. Discussion will include the use of lead sheets as a starting point, embellishing melodies, reharmonizations, using rhythms from various jazz styles, and non-traditional piano voicings.
A workshop by Kevin Olson
Workshop description: In this workshop, Dr. Olson will share ways that jazz voicings, harmonies, and rhythms can add a contemporary, energetic flair to original compositions and arrangements. Discussion will include the use of lead sheets as a starting point, embellishing melodies, reharmonizations, using rhythms from various jazz styles, and non-traditional piano voicings.
twinkle_twinkle_jazzy_star.pdf | |
File Size: | 29 kb |
File Type: |