Playing my guitar, piano, violin, didgeridoo, bongo, Kazoo.....

[cornutt]

I was at BF's house today, and he suggested that we attempt to play Haydn's Suprise Symphony as a duet. Even just sightreading it with him, I love it!

I have a confession to make: I'm bad at reading music.  It's a slow and painful process for me; I can't do it nearly fast enough to read as I play.  I guess I've never made a serious effort to learn because I've never been in a situation where I have to.  I pick up things by ear very quickly, and that's easier for me.

In the band situations I've been in, either everything was done from memory, or we had jazz charts or the like.  Besides, some of the music I'm interested in doesn't translate to sheet very well.  How do you put the middle section of Pink Floyd's "Echoes" on a staff?   

[elisedance]

or whip out their violin

[Skynnyrd]

Well since everyone is sharing. Guitar is my main instrument and being a composer(www.sitbythefire.ca) I am usually working on original stuff. I have a recording studio and have made 2 CDs of which I played and programmed all of the music. I teach guitar as well as taught Piano Theory(how to read and write) and at the moment working on a couple of projects one being a Sarah Brightman kind of thing. 
Now that I am off to take lessons in dance and get the legs to move to music and not my fingers I will be bringing this experience into my music
 

[elisedance]

fantastic - we often have debates as to the role of music in dance.  It may seem obvious that it is important but oddly, sometimes it really is not so having a(nother) musicians perspective will be excellent.  Also it will be interesting to see how your experience in music affects your dance learning process - I hope you will share along the way
ee

[Skynnyrd]

That I will. Everytime I learn a new step I try to somehow incorporate that into the music. Once I learn the names of the sylabus' I will share how I have put them to a musical beat. I look forward to bantering back and forth ideas.     

[elisedance]

INteresting - now it would be way different if you were a woman ballroom dancer.  We really don't listen to the music, we listen to the man - even if he is off the music we follow him.  Might be an interesting excercise for you one day.

[Skynnyrd]

I will keep that in mind thanks for the info, so a woman listening to a man interesting lol  . I posted this also in the newcomer area but I would like to know what Foxtrot music people like as I have jotted down a couple of ideas so the more info I have musically would help. Thanks.   

[elisedance]

the first thing is to get the beats-per-bar correct (there is a legel range) then watch the dance as danced by some experts and try to capture that continuous, wave like sebsatoin.  The key thing abot FT - that makes it just the most expressive partnerdance (IM humble O ) is that it is three steps to a four beats-per bar music

[Skynnyrd]

Got that and the tempo thing as well just looking to hear some music that is I can use as a guideline.   

[elisedance]

now there you need to hang out at a studio - in particular when a serious couple is practising or a good coach is teaching - that will instantly give you examples of the dance music that works the best - but it will not give you the limits of the form.  Perhaps best to try composing a few lines and ask a dancer if it works

[elisedance]

Played a chopin nocturne last night - amazing how beautiful these piano pieces are trascribed for the violin.  I suppose that tells you a lot about the composer - that he was really up for a great tune

[cornutt]

I have a recording studio and have made 2 CDs of which I played and programmed all of the music.
 

Cool!  I've got a little basement studio.  What do you record with?  My audio setup consists of a Mackie mixer (I keep telling myself I'm going to get a nice Soundcraft or Allen & Heath someday), an MOTU 828 audio interface, and a Mac G4 running Metro.

[ZPomeroy]

Played a chopin nocturne last night - amazing how beautiful these piano pieces are trascribed for the violin.  I suppose that tells you a lot about the composer - that he was really up for a great tune

Which one? i heard a great rendition of a gershwin prelude transcribed for piano and violin which i was quite suprised at how easily it fits

Zac

[emeralddancer]

I play the piano and guitar. Not well ... for my own enjoyment ... now however my kids are the musical talents. LOL

Let's see ... I play the piano and guitar as I mentioned
Hubby ... plays drums
Jas ... plays guitar and clarinet
Jeffrey  .... plays drums, guitar (rhythm and bass), clarinet, piano and harmonica
Natalia ... plays trumpet

LOL

Actually my son and his friend formed a metal band. they aren't to bad. 

[elisedance]

Played a chopin nocturne last night - amazing how beautiful these piano pieces are trascribed for the violin.  I suppose that tells you a lot about the composer - that he was really up for a great tune

Which one? i heard a great rendition of a gershwin prelude transcribed for piano and violin which i was quite suprised at how easily it fits

Have to dig the name out at home - but there are some superb gershwin transpositions but I have not tried any yet ...

Zac