Laura Weed

February Fantasy 2012

2012-02-19T20:53:00.003-07:00

The 9th annual February Fantasy concert - a musical variety show and festival fundraiser - will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012 at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove, AB. Coordinated by the Parkland Music Teachers Association, the concert is a fundraiser for the annual Parkland Music Festival, held in April in Stony Plain.

From classical to pop, sacred, and jazz, there will be exciting vocal and instrumental performances by experienced local teachers and special guests, the award winning Memorial Composite High School Mixed Choral Ensemble, directed by Daryl Weisenburger and Tomas Lindbeck.

Tickets are only $15 for each adult and $5 for students (age 17 and under) and are available from PMTA members, Horizon Stage Box Office, and at the door.

Gearing up for Fall music lessons

2011-08-29T12:54:00.001-06:00

The summer flew by and September music lessons are right around the corner! For students who are new to music lessons, it is a good idea to come early to the first lesson. Generally, it is fine to parents to attend the first lesson, but most teachers prefer to have parents in a waiting area. The reason for this is so that the music teacher has the opportunity to create a good working relationship with the child.

Whether the student is taking piano, singing, violin or another instrument, I like to write down current information about the student such as age, school, choir/band options, and so forth. For returning students, we talk about expectations and goals for the year. Expectations for rehearsing (I dislike the word 'practice' so I use the word 'rehearse' instead) at home could be to 1) play or sing through a piece 5x a day or 2) rehearse at home for a period of time such as 30 minutes up to an hour a day (depending upon the difficulty of the music). Goals could include 1) registering for a June RC piano exam, 2) learning to compose or arrange music, 3) completing a music book by June, 4) improving sight reading and/or ear training skills.

The remainder of the first lesson usually revolves around assigning music for next week's lesson.

Like learning a language or any school subject, the study of music will have its ups and downs. But the journey can be very interesting and enjoyable!

Summer Recital Ideas

2011-04-05T11:37:00.004-06:00

If you're gearing up for a summer recital, why not try a "themed" approach? For example, some of my teacher friends have had "Around the World" music recitals where students dress in various costumes from other countries. When costumes are too detailed, many opt to use a prop -- such as a sombrero or an Oriental fan.

Other teachers have used the "all" approach to summer recitals, such as the works of one composer or one particular style of music. Examples include "all Beethoven" or "all Boogie Woogie" recitals.

Creative ideas I've used for my recitals include 1) A puppet show by one student while her sister sang "The Lonely Goatherd"; 2) A young girl set a cute stuffed "snake" prop on a table before playing Theme and Variations of "The Snake Dance" on the violin; 3) Numerous wonderful piano duets and other ensembles.

If you haven't already done so, please take photos of your recitals! Students love looking at photos of themselves and their friends! And why not store your music recitals in a binder? Since I began teaching privately in 1982, I have kept all of my recital programs in a large binder. I have a large number of students, so this is a great way for me to review the compositions students have performed for each recital. And, I can also keep track of their progress through the years!

Use your creativity and have a fun summer recital!

First time student festival experience

2011-03-02T10:14:00.005-07:00

For students who are entering a music festival for the first time, I thought I'd offer a few helpful thoughts.

Festival pieces are ready to perform when they flow smoothly from beginning to end without hesitations. In order to reach this point, students will play through sections many times at slower tempos. The Parkland Music Festival, for example, offers classes for pianists and singers. Pianists will spend a good deal of time working through problem areas such as fingering and smooth pedaling while vocalists will focus on breath control and diction. Both instrumentalists and vocalists have shared areas of interest such as performing with appropriate articulations, expressiveness and beautiful phrasing.

An important note for first time festival students is to bring their music books to the festival for the adjudicator. Even if students have their pieces memorized, the adjudicator will still want to refer to the original music. Please note that photocopied music is illegal. Music must be purchased from music dealers or online.

Please go to classes early to find parking, washrooms, etc Then check in with the helpful festival volunteers, who will be sitting near the performance areas. One of the volunteers will check your name off a list and collect your music for the adjudicator. Wait until a festival representative announces your class and then follow her (him). After everyone has performed, the adjudicator will make comments about each class. Sometimes the adjudicator asks students to perform again to try out different ideas – like changing dynamics or speeding up the piece. After performers receive their music back (along with a festival certificate and adjudicator comments), the festival representative will announce that the class is over.

Sometimes the adjudicator likes a performance so much that the student is asked to perform at a special festival Gala. Students who are selected for this honor will usually be contacted by phone.

I hope your first festival experience will be rewarding, fun and offer you some new insights!

February Fantasy 2011

2011-02-07T12:43:00.006-07:00

The 8th annual February Fantasy concert takes place tonight (Feb 18, 2011), 7:30 pm at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove, AB.

Stony Plain singer Kelsey Brown is this year's youth artist performer. A festival award winning singer, Kelsey will treat the audience to a variety of songs. And, the Parkland Music Teachers Association (www.pmtaonline.com) and friends will perform classical, musical theatre, pop, jazz and musical comedy selections. In addition, Broxton Park music teacher, Mark Loge will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the concert.

Following the concert is a reception with complimentary hors d'oeuvres. And, the Horizon Stagelighters will offer beverages for sale.

The February Fantasy concert is a PMTA fundraiser for the Parkland Music Festival -- now in its 20th year!

Tickets are $15 for each adult (age 18 & up) and $5 for each student. Tickets will be available at the door.

Parkland Music Festival 2011

2011-01-18T09:09:00.015-07:00

Now in its 20th year, the Parkland Music Festival takes place on March 18 and 19, 2011 in Stony Plain, Alberta. The festival includes non-competitive and competitive classes, which offer cash scholarships. Local businesses, community groups and the PMTA sponsor the scholarships. The Parkland Music Teachers Association (PMTA) coordinates the annual festival and will present the February Fantasy concert (festival fundraiser) at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove, Alberta at 7:30 pm on February 18, 2011. Scholarship recipients and other memorable festival performers will be featured in the annual Gala concert on March 20, 2011 at 7 pm at Horizon Stage.

The Parkland Music Festival entry deadline is FEBRUARY 1, 2011. If you live in the Edmonton area and play the piano or sing, the Parkland Music Festival offers solo and small ensembles (up to 12) in a variety of classical, sacred, popular, country, jazz, and musical theatre classes.

For students taking Royal Conservatory or Canada Conservatory exams, the festival is a great way for students to get valuable feedback from adjudicators before exams!

The Parkland Music Festival is open to pianists and singers from age 6 to adult. Please enter the age of the festival entrant as of January 1, 2011. If performing an ensemble, please enter the age of the oldest performer. The syllabus and entry forms can be downloaded and printed from the PMTA website at www.pmtaonline.com or email me at info@lauraweed.com for more information.

All Keyed Up piano solos

2010-11-02T12:22:00.001-06:00

Looking for a unique holiday gift? All Keyed Up! It's Christmas! is a delightful collection of twenty arrangements of well loved Christmas songs by Spruce Grove, Alberta composer-arranger, Laura Weed. Below are some brief descriptions of each of the twenty intermediate piano solos. All Keyed Up! It's Christmas! books and companion CD's are available at Weed Music www.weedmusicltd.com

Angels We Have Heard on High includes a joyful intro, codetta, gentle LH chromatic movement, finger substitutions, and smooth 3rds. Fingering is included. Intermediate piano solo, 2 pages, D major

Away in a Manger is a lyrical piano solo, which is scored for both hands in treble clef. Highlights include dotted quarter notes, tied notes, & tempo changes. Fingering is included. Intermediate piano solo, 1 page, F major

Deck the Hall includes a lilting intro, codetta, grace notes (which imitate bagpipes), triplets, & dotted rhythms. Fingering is included . Intermediate piano solo, 1 page, G major

Good King Wenceslas features an upbeat mood, recurrent motive (two F's followed by a C), striking dynamic changes, staccato/legato contrast, 4/4 & 2/4 time, 8va, & tempo changes. Fingering is included Intermediate piano solo, 1 page, F major

Go Tell it on the Mountain is a creative piano arrangement, which includes C maj scale passages, root & 1st inversion chords, intervals of a 6th, fermatas, & tempo changes. Fingering is included Intermediate piano solo, 2 pages, C major

I Saw Three Ships is a distinctive piano arrangement, which features Celtic & jazz styles, as well as syncopated rhythms, a full C maj 7th chord (CEGB) which the RH plays 4 times, grace notes (imitating bagpipes), & leaps of a 7th. Fingering is included Intermediate piano solo, 1 page, G major

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear is the only arrangement in this book to include a LH melody. The flowing melody in the A section ( played by the LH) moves to the RH in the B section (which is accompanied by a waltz-like bass). Fingering is included Intermediate piano solo, 1 page, Bb major

Jingle Bells contains accidentals, ledger line notes, smooth 3rds, & a wild chromatic ending! Fingering is included. J.V. of Canada says this version of Jingle Bells, "... is a classic winter song with a jazzy touch." Intermediate piano solo, 1 page, G major

Jolly Old St. Nick is a lively, syncopated piano arrangement. Highlights include rhythmic vitality, delicate grace notes & light, staccato repeated notes. Fingering is included Intermediate piano solo, 1 page, F major

Joy to the World is a triumphant piano arrangement, which features dotted rhythms, legato & staccato notes, smooth 3rds, a wide range of dynamics (from mp to ff) and many 1st inversion chords. Fingering is included Intermediate piano solo, 2 pages, C major

Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming is a beautiful arrangement, which contains rolled chords, 4/4 & 2/4 time, 6ths, varied dynamics, & tempo changes. Fingering is included Intermediate piano solo, 1 page, C major

O Christmas Tree is a unique contemporary solo, which features ledger line notes & meter changes (3/4 & 4/4) Fingering is included. Intermediate piano solo, 1 page, D natural minor & F major

Silent Night features dotted rhythms, triplets, tempo changes, & maj & min 7th chords. Fingering is included . I.M. from Canada says, "It's jazzy & interesting & has a nice, calm ending." Intermediate piano solo, 1 page, C major

Sing we now of Christmas is a rhythmically vibrant piano arrangement, which uses the Dorian mode. Lilting 6/8 time replaces the original 4/4 time. Fingering is included Intermediate piano solo, 2 pages, G minor

The Coventry Carol is a tranquil piano arrangement of the beautiful English carol. Fingering is included. M.C. of Canada says, "Great piece! I love the chord combinations, especially in the 1st, 13th & 14th measures. It's definitely a song that I would play over & over again." Intermediate piano solo, 1 page, G minor

The First Noël is a charming EP arrangement, which features a 4 bar intro (which reappears later in the piece as an interlude), major 2nds, & maj & min 7th chords. Fingering is included. Intermediate piano solo, 1 page, C major

The Huron Carol is a lovely piano arr. Features include dotted rhythms, changing meters & hand crossings. Fingering is included. R.B. of Canada says, "I like the hand crossings, and the piece flows nicely with the pedal added in." Intermediate piano solo, 2 pages, G minor

“Weed” wish you a merry Christmas includes slightly altered ("tongue in cheek") lyrics & traditional harmonies. Fingering included Intermediate piano solo, 1 page, F major

We Three Kings is an expressive piano arrangement, which uses only quarter, half & dotted half notes in creative ways. Other highlights -maj & min 6ths, varied dynamics, tied notes & plagal cadences . Fingering is included Intermediate piano solo, 1 page, A minor

What Child is This? is a beautiful piano arrangement of the classic GREENSLEEVES melody (see EP Arr for a different EP arr. of the same melody). WHAT CHILD IS THIS? Fingering is included. M.R. of Canada says "I like the LH rhythms & the pretty rolled E minor chord at the end of the piece." Intermediate piano solo, 1 page, E minor

Musical Terms

2010-10-25T12:32:00.000-06:00

Musical Terms Quiz #1 Test your knowledge of musical terms with this multiple choice quiz. Answers are provided at the bottom of the page.

1. ___ The term meaning return to normal register (after 8va) is a) poco b) poco a poco c) loco

2. ___Una corda means to depress the piano pedal on the a) left b) middle c) right

3. ___Quasi means a) almost b) always c) never

4. ___The Italian term which means "with movement" is a) senza moto b) con moto c) meno mosso

5. ___A note marked tenuto is played a) sharply detached b) sustained c) smoothly

6. ___Senza pedale means a) with pedal b) without pedal

7. ___The Italian term which means "lightly" is a) largo b) legato c) leggiero

8. ___ Which of the following is a slow tempo? a) presto b) adagio c) allegro d) allegretto

9. ___Molto is the opposite of a) poco b) poco a poco c) loco

10. ___ Con brio means a) with vigor b) without vigor

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Answers: 1c 2a 3a 4b 5b 6b 7c 8b 9a 10a

Music History Quiz - Composers

2010-09-01T11:56:00.001-06:00

Test your knowledge of music history! Whether you're a seasoned musician or not, see how many of these composer questions you can answer correctly. If you're having trouble, don't worry. The answers can be found at the bottom of the page.

1. Who was deaf when he composed his last symphony?
a) Franz Josef Haydn
b) Johannes Brahms
c) Ludwig van Beethoven

2. Who was called "the poet of the piano?"
a) Frederic Chopin
b) Franz Liszt
c) Sergei Rachmaninoff

3. Who composed over 600 lieder (art songs)?
a) Robert Schumann
b) Franz Schubert
c) Ludwig van Beethoven

4. Who composed only one opera, Fidelio?
a) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
b) Franz Schubert
c) Ludwig van Beethoven

5. Which composer worked for the Esterhazy family under the patronage system?
a) W.A. Mozart
b) Franz Josef Haydn
c) Franz Schubert

6. Which composer won a Prix de Rome for his Symphonie Fantastique?
a) Francis Poulenc
b) Hector Berlioz
c) Georges Bizet

7. Who composed music during the Baroque period?
a) Franz Josef Haydn
b) Hildegard of Bingen
c) G. F. Handel

8. Who uses predominantly whole tone scales in his compositions?
a) Claude Debussy
b) Olivier Messiaen
c) Edgar Varese

9. Who was a concert pianist, composer, and mentor to Brahms?
a) Franz Schubert
b) Clara Wieck Schumann
c) Franz Liszt

10. Who revolutionized music with his twelve tone method?
a) Arnold Schoenberg
b) Bela Bartok
c) Igor Stravinsky

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If you're quizzing music students, clip and save this bottom portion for your reference.
Answers: 1c 2a 3b 4c 5b 6b 7c 8a 9b 10a

Theory a la Mode

2010-09-01T11:14:00.001-06:00

Modal scales began with the Ancient Greeks and appeared later in Medieval and Renaissance music. Today, modal scales are used mostly in jazz music. To hear modal scale examples, visit lauraweed.com

You might ask, "What's the difference between the modes?" The answer can be found in their varying patterns of semitones or half steps. In the Mixolydian scale, for example, there are semitones between the fourth and fifth scale degrees. If you begin on a G, semitones appear between B and C. So, a Mixolydian scale beginning on G contains the notes G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G. Notice that the Mixolydian scale differs from the G major scale because it has a lowered seventh scale degree, which is F natural (instead of F sharp).

Whether you're planning to study jazz at Grant MacEwan College or just interested in modal scales, analysis will be easier and faster with the following handy guide!

MODES

Ionian - C, D, ef, G, A, bc - Semitones (lower case letters) are between scale degrees 3-4 and 7-8 Note that the Ionian mode is identical to the major scale

Dorian- D, ef, G, A, bc, D - Semitones or half steps are between 2-3 and 6-7

Phrygian - ef, G, A, bc, D, E - Semitones are between 1-2 and 5-6

Lydian - F, G, A, bc, D, ef - Semitones are between 4-5 and 7-8

Mixolydian - G, A, bc, D, ef, G - Semitones are between 3-4 and 6-7

Aeolian - A, bc, D, ef, G, A - Semitones are between 2-3 and 5-6
Did you know that the aeolian mode is identical to the natural minor scale?

Locrian - bc, D, ef, G, A, B - Semitones are between 1-2 and 4-5

Differences between Canadian and American music terms

2007-09-07T23:49:00.001-06:00

Leading note or leading tone? In Canada, you'll hear the term leading note to refer to the seventh scale degree. In the U.S., you'll hear the term leading tone. It's only a small difference, but a difference, nonetheless.

When I first moved to Canada (from two other countries), I was confused by the Canadian system for naming chords. For example, a C Major chord, symbolized as C+ in Canada, means a C augmented chord in the U.S. An augmented chord in Canada is symbolized as Cx. A C minor chord is symbolized as Cm or cm in the U.S. but becomes C- in Canada. Fortunately, the two countries have agreed about what to call a diminished chord, either C dim or C with a small "o" placed in the upper half of the chord name.

Having studied music in both countries, I have also noticed that Canadians from the U.K. refer to quarter notes as crochets. And eighth notes are referred to as quavers. Then it suddenly struck me that, back at college, we used to refer to the sixty fourth note as a hemisemidemiquaver! (Students think they're very clever when they can use this term. It's right up there with "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!") You can hear some of the above mentioned chords as well as hemisemidemiquavers at lauraweed.com

Augmented chords

2007-08-25T19:52:00.001-06:00

Augmented chords should be used sparingly, because they stand out like a sore thumb! You won't hear a lot of augmented chords at lauraweed.com, but you will hear beautiful major and minor chords.

In major keys, there are no naturally occuring augmented chords. But, it is interesting and effective to use a I chord (C, E and G in the key of C Major, for example) followed by an augmented I chord (C, E and G#) and then resolve to a IV chord (voiced C, F, A). Augmented chords only occur in the III chord in minor keys. As with diminished chords, you decide whether or not you want to use them.

Diminished chords

2007-08-25T19:35:00.001-06:00

Diminished chords are used sparingly - except in modern compositions - because of their harsh sound. You won't hear too many diminished chords at lauraweed.com. But, you will hear beautiful major and minor chords!

In major scales, diminished chords are only found in the VII chord and should resolve to the I chord. Some songwriters like to move from the VII chord to the V chord before resolving to the I chord.

In minor scales (using a raised leading note), diminished chords are found in both the II and VII chords. Be careful to resolve them to I as quickly as you can unless you have a good reason for doing so. (i.e. emphasizing powerful lyrics).

Diminished chords sound like train whistles to me, so I use them sparingly. If you want to include a few diminished chords in your songs, go ahead. If you're not thrilled with them, then leave them out. The choice is yours.

Minor chords

2007-08-25T19:24:00.001-06:00

Minor chords or secondary chords add their own distinct "color" to harmonies. To listen to some major and minor harmonies, visit lauraweed.com. When using a major scale, the II, III and VI scale degrees are all minor chords.

The III chord moves naturally to VI, but progressions are more interesting when they are combined with major chords. Some possible combinations are: I- III-VI-IV-V (or V7)-I or I-IV-II-V-III-VI-V (or V7)-I. As you experiment with chord progressions, you'll discover your favorite combinations!

Major chords

2007-08-24T22:22:00.003-06:00

Major chords sound great! And there are literally thousands of songs using only I, IV and V chords! A I chord in C Major contains the notes C, E and G. Count up four scale tones (C, D, E, F) so the IV chord contains the notes F, A and C. The V chord contains the notes G, B and D. To hear lovely major and minor chords, visit lauraweed.com

The I chord is the strongest chord as it establishes the major key. The V chord is the next strongest and wants to resolve to the I chord. The IV chord can either move to the I chord or to the V chord.

Possible combinations of I, IV and V chords are: I, IV, V, I or I, V, IV, I or
I, IV, V, IV, V, I. Of course, it is much more interesting to add the minor chords to the progressions...which I'll do in the next post.

Getting started writing music

2007-08-24T21:41:00.002-06:00

Whether you're strumming your guitar or using a a music software program, this article will offer some ideas to help you get started writing music.

First, create a melody. Use interesting rhythms and a variety of steps, skips and repeated notes in your melody. Then, add harmony. Use repetition and variety. If you repeat I - VI - IV - V forty times, you will drive your listeners crazy -- unless you're playing a duet of Heart and Soul! But, when creating your own music, why not mix things up a little? Your listeners will enjoy being surprised!

And, before rushing off to a recording studio, test your song in a friendly environment. After getting encouragement from friends and family, seek advice from a professional musician.

To improve your songwriting skills, learn as much as you can about songwriting. Then, write lots of songs and listen to a variety of music! To listen to MIDI music excerpts, visit lauraweed.com