As you might have noticed, I’m getting excited about the upcoming In Harmony concert in Cleveland (May 26th!). In preparation for the concert, I made a little video. For those of you who have been curious about this music playing I keep mentioning, here it is.
This piece of music is an etude, which is basically a technical exercise which helps a clarinetist (or any musician, really) improve their technical skills, like finger speed, evenness and tonguing, while also working on musicality through phrasing, dynamics and so on. This particular etude is from a book edited by David Hite called Melodious and Progressive Studies for Clarinet. Isn’t that a fabulous title? Anyways, I enjoy playing through this book. I worked on these etudes primarily in late junior high and high school, so going back and playing them gives me a pleasant wave of nostalgia.
Rather than simply playing the etude as would be done in a clarinet lesson, I opted to add a backtrack using the oh-so-fun GarageBand. This gives the otherwise straightforward exercise a completely different feel. Let me know what you think!
Others things you might like:
- What Makes Jewish Music “Jewish?”
- 101 Faces
- The Power of Music: an Experiment in Film
- Does your Daddy know you’re here?
Rivki Silver ~ thoughts & music 
Great video! …Say what? :)
Thanks! I don’t get the “say what” reference though. What’s it mean? :)
I love it! The music is fabulous. The out takes are awesome. Your kids are so adorable. Perfect video!!
Thank you! I love it when I get to capture their cuteness on camera. :)
Oh my goodness! I’m so excited for you! And I love the backtrack! Girl, you are talented! I love the kids! Hilarious! You have major powers of focus! And you need to be a music teacher! “She looked at you and said: “Whaaaat?” That’s my kind of kid. I’m going to share this with my friends in Cleveland NOW!
Thank you thank you! I think that years of practicing music have really honed my focus abilities. It kind of comes with the territory. :) I used to teach private lessons, actually, and I taught a music course at the high school level one year. I don’t know if I could do it full time – I should talk to you about teaching one of these days, actually. Thank you so much for sharing this!
I had to share it! I have friends in the area. How cool if they could GO. If total strangers come up to you after the fact and smooch your face, um..they’re with me. ;)
I’ll look forward to it! Haha.
Wow, I really enjoyed listening to you play! I especially loved the backtrack, because throughout the beginning I was wondering how you found the time to play and record without your kids home… guess I was wrong! The amazing world of editing…
Thank you so much Shaindy! Most of the time I practice and play when my kids are not around, or are being watched by my husband, but I love it when they get to see me play. I would love for them to want to play music, too. Editing is a must when making videos with little kids around! Oh my, yes!
Love it! With the backtrack, it makes it a happy tune that is a great start to my day. I’m a teacher, and I feel like this would be a great soundtrack piece to use in the classroom. Who wouldn’t want to do work to that? =)
This *would* be a great soundtrack to get stuff done (I’m thinking dishes). You’ve just given me more incentive to really make that CD that’s on my bucket list. Glad you enjoyed it!
A CD would be awesome! =)
How do you keep reading the music when you’re swaying so much? Or do you know it by heart?
I pretty much know it by heart, but I like to have the music there if my brain gets distracted, you know? I feel like I look at the notes even when I’m swaying, but now I’m not sure. I’ll have to pay attention next time!
I can’t stop watching this, it’s getting me through my workday!! haha. Thank you for posting — I would definitely love a CD also (agree that it would be perfect for dishes hehe!).
aw, thanks! If I ever get around to making that CD, I will let you know!
Ha! I love it!
thanks!