Today in Music History, 1983

Posted on July 27, 2013 by Marie

Today in music history, 1983: American singer Madonna releases her self-titled debut album. She quickly became a staple on dance and pop radio and MTV.
Here is her first Billboard top-five hit, “Lucky Star.”

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Happy Birthday, Mick Jagger

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Marie

Happy birthday to English musician Mick Jagger, b. 1943, best known as the lead singer for the rock group The Rolling Stones. His career spans five decades, and his performances have influence on many of today’s frontmen. Jagger was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

Enjoy this song from the Rolling Stones’ fourth album, Aftermath, released in 1966.

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Today in Music History, 1788

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Marie

Today in Music History, 1788, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completes his Symphony No. 40 in G minor. Mozart’s income was sliding, and he found himself in debt. A friend of his had just opened a new casino Vienna, and they planned an autumn concert series. Mozart began composing a piano concerto for this series but decided to lure in the Viennese with symphonies instead.

Enjoy the first movement of this turbulent symphony:

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Happy Birthday, Kristin Chenoweth

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Marie

Happy birthday to Tony Award winning American singer Kristin Chenoweth, b. 1968, who has worked in musical theater, television, film, studio recordings, and concerts. Some of her well known roles are Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked and Sally Brown in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, both Broadway musicals. She is a classically trained coloratura soprano, meaning that she sings high notes very loudly.

Celebrate her birthday with a song from ABC’s production of The Music Man,
“My White Knight,” in which she portrays Marian Paroo.

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Help! I Get So Nervous Before Recitals!

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Marie

Whether it be a fancy recital at the county auditorium or playing the keyboard for my fourth grade class, I was always nervous before a public performance, butterflies in my tummy, shaking hands, thoughts of, What if I completely forget my piece?

(Once, I did forget my piece! I was about thirteen, playing a memorized four-minute piece at the Dade County Auditorium. I thought that I was well-prepared. A minute into my piece, I forgot where my hands were supposed to go!
Uh-oh. I took my hands off the keyboard, clenched my fists, took a deep breath, started the piece all over again, and finished it beautifully. It is one recital that I will never forget. Funny, I’ve forgotten the recitals in which I didn’t make major mistakes!)

Now that I’ve shared my “performance fail,” I’d like to share some tips to help you have a successful music recital:

  • Be prepared. This is a given. Know your piece very well. Show up to the recital venue early. Fix any hair or wardrobe malfunctions. Chit chat with other performers. This will calm your nerves.
  • Sit on your hands. Yes, sit on them to keep them warm. The air conditioning keeps the air cool and dry, causing your fingers to be cold when you approach the piano. For the time that the student performer is playing before you (3-5 minutes), do what you can to keep those fingers warm.
  • Remember that the audience can’t tell the difference. Most people are not trained in music and don’t know what your piece is supposed to sound like. If you flub or skip a part or repeat a part, just keep going. They love it anyway.

Before your recital, play for your friends and family on as many pianos as you can. Call retirement homes and ask if they have pianos in their recreation rooms that you can play. The only way to learn to perform is to perform!

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Happy Birthday, Slash

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Marie

Happy Birthday to British-born American Slash, b. 1965, best known as the lead guitarist for the hard rock band Guns N’ Roses. He is a founding member of the bands Slash’s Snakepit and Velvet Revolver, has composed some of rock’s greatest, well-known riffs, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

Celebrate his birthday with “Sweet Child o’ Mine” from Guns N’ Roses 1987 debut album Appetite for Destruction, which has the guitar riff that magazine Total Guitar placed No. 1 on their list of “The 100 Greatest Riffs.”

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Today in Music History, 1977

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Marie

Today in music history, 1977, Elvis Costello released his debut album, My Aim Is True. It is considered to be groundbreaking work in the punk genre even though Costello himself didn’t come from it. His attitude reflected punk, however.

Enjoy “Less Than Zero,” the first single from My Aim Is True.

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Happy Birthday, Chris Cornell

Posted on July 20, 2013 by Marie

Join us in wishing a Happy Birthday to American musician Chris Cornell, b. 1964, best known as lead singer for the rock band Soundgarden. He sang with the supergroup, Audioslave, enjoyed a successful solo career, and is blessed with a four-octave singing range. That’s a lot! 

Celebrate his birthday with a single from Soundgarden’s 2012 album, King Animal:

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Today in Music History, 1952

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Marie

Today in music history, 1952: Allen Collins is born in Jacksonville, Florida. He was a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd as the band’s guitarist. Although he suffered many tragedies in his short life, Collins left us with great music and recognizable riffs.

Enjoy this popular tune to celebrate the anniversary of his birth, and remember that
all you need is in your soul:

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Happy Birthday, Daron Malakian

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Marie

Happy Birthday to extremely talented American musician Daron Malakian, b. 1975, best known as lead guitarist and harmonizing vocalist for the rock group System of a Down. He has worked with other groups such as Metallica and Cypress Hill.

Celebrate his birthday with this song from S.O.A.D.’s 2005 album Hypnotize, in which he sings lead vocals and plays lead guitar:

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