Category: videos

New musicality video:

We tackle the seemingly intimidating topic of writing your own music, and give you tips on how you can share it with the world. http://musicalitypodcast.com/98

Links and Resources

Interview with Todd McCarty – http://musl.ink/pod98/

Heat on the Street – https://www.heatonthestreet.com/

Approaching Improvisation module preview – https://www.musical-u.com/modules/improvising/approaching-improvisation/

Podcast episode: Approaching Improvisation – http://musl.ink/pod51/

Podcast episode: Improvising Rhythm – http://musl.ink/pod53/

Podcast episode: Improvising with Scales and Chords – http://musl.ink/pod55/

Podcast episode: Improvising with Structure and Phrasing – http://musl.ink/pod57/

Podcast episode: Learning to Improvise – http://musl.ink/pod59/

Lisa McCormick’s website – http://www.lisamccormick.com/

Interview with Leila Viss – http://musl.ink/pod92/

Interview with Marshall McDonald – http://musl.ink/pod94/

Interview with Bree Noble – http://musl.ink/pod84/

The Female Entrepreneur Musician podcast – https://femusician.com/breenoble/

Ira Glass on “having taste” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2wLP0izeJE/

What is Musicality? https://www.musical-u.com/learn/what-is-musicality/

Get extra bonuses and behind-the-scenes exclusives with Podcast Insiders. http://musicalitypodcast.com/insiders

If you enjoy the show please rate and review it! http://musicalitypodcast.com/review

Join Musical U with the Special offer for podcast listeners http://musicalitypodcast.com/join

Let us know what you think! Email: hello@musicalitypodcast.com

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Learn more about Musical U!

Website:
https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast:
http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test:
http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist:
https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter:
Tweets by MusicalU

YouTube:
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Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

About Creating Music Worth Sharing

New musicality video:

Today we’re joined by Todd McCarty of the Heat On The Street blog where he shares insider insights on the music industry and how to find fans for your music. http://musicalitypodcast.com/98

You might be wondering why we’re discussing music industry stuff here on the Musicality Podcast, where we normally focus on the music side rather than the business side of being a musician. Well, we’re not suddenly making a shift to focus entirely on career topics, but we were really keen to feature Todd on the show because we know that a lot of musicians, particularly hobbyists, would love to get their music heard – but are either intimidated or overwhelmed by the modern landscape of music publishing. Streaming services can in theory provide immediate listeners – but may not. And record labels are still doing what they did in the 1950s – or are they?

We wanted to ask Todd about the real story behind the successes in the music industry and what the opportunities are – not for the rare “talented” virtuoso, but for the passionate amateur musician who just wants to get some fans.

Todd was a professional drummer who went on to act as tour manager and promoter, run a record label and be a Senior VP of Sales at Sony Music. He has several platinum and gold sales awards to his name and so he’s certainly a man who knows what it takes to make it in the music business.

In this conversation we talk about:

– Todd’s own background as a professional drummer and how a pivotal audition hammered home an important lesson about the music business

– We find a polite way to ask Todd: What’s the point of record labels these days?

– And he reveals the one thing that musicians get absolutely backwards when it comes to getting fans

Todd has a refreshingly clear and frank perspective on the music industry, something that can all too often seem confusing and overwhelming, and he provided some really big insights and mindset shifts that we know will help you, whatever stage you’re at in getting your music out there.

Listen to the episode: http://musicalitypodcast.com/98

Links and Resources

Heat on the Street: https://www.heatonthestreet.com/

About Teachers, Coaches, and Mentors: https://www.musical-u.com/learn/about-teachers-coaches-and-mentors/

35 Ways to Make Money with your Music: https://www.heatonthestreet.com/how-to-make-money-with-music-online

How to Get Followers on Spotify: https://www.heatonthestreet.com/how-to-get-followers-on-spotify/1

Sign up for the Heat on the Street mailing list: https://www.heatonthestreet.com/join-list/

What is Musicality? https://www.musical-u.com/learn/what-is-musicality/

Get extra bonuses and behind-the-scenes exclusives with Podcast Insiders. http://musicalitypodcast.com/insiders

If you enjoy the show please rate and review it! http://musicalitypodcast.com/review

Join Musical U with the Special offer for podcast listeners http://musicalitypodcast.com/join

Let us know what you think! Email: hello@musicalitypodcast.com

===============================================

Learn more about Musical U!

Website:
https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast:
http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test:
http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist:
https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter:
Tweets by MusicalU

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

Today’s Music Industry and Finding Your Fans, with Todd McCarty

New musicality video:

In this episode, we discuss the value of using your voice as a training tool to hone your instrumental skills – and how your voice is closely tied to rhythm, phrasing, and storytelling in music. http://musicalitypodcast.com/97

Links and Resources

About Singing as a Tool: https://www.musical-u.com/learn/about-singing-as-a-tool/

Learning to Sing in Tune, with George Bevan: https://www.musical-u.com/learn/learning-sing-tune-george-bevan/

Making Music with Ease, with Gerald Klickstein: https://www.musical-u.com/learn/making-music-with-ease-with-gerald-klickstein/

Inside the Jazz Mind, with Marshall McDonald of the Count Basie Orchestra: https://www.musical-u.com/learn/inside-jazz-mind-marshall-mcdonald-count-basie-orchestra/

Musical Storytelling and the Art of Cabaret, with Fiona-Jane Weston: http://musl.ink/pod96/

Let us know what you think! Email: hello@musicalitypodcast.com

===============================================

Learn more about Musical U!

Website:
https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast:
http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test:
http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist:
https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter:
Tweets by MusicalU

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

About Playing Like Singing

New musicality video:

Today on the show we’re excited to be joined by one of London’s leading cabaret performers, Fiona-Jane Weston. http://musicalitypodcast.com/96

Fiona-Jane has created and performed several highly-acclaimed cabaret shows in the UK and internationally, including “Wartime Women”, about the roles women have historically played in warfare and “Looking For Lansbury”, celebrating the life, heritage and career of actress Angela Lansbury.

Cabaret is a performing art that we’ve enjoyed but never really known a ton about and we were really curious to see what an expert like Fiona-Jane might be able to share, since it would likely channel musicality in a different form than that of a performing musician. It really lived up to that expectation, there were some really interesting ideas here that we haven’t talked about on the show before.

In this conversation we talk about:

– What defines cabaret, and what makes for “good” cabaret

– Story-telling through song, the importance of it both in cabaret and in music more generally, and

– Connecting with your audience and what we can learn from the uniquely intimate environment of cabaret

Something that came out of our discussion that we weren’t expecting was why cabaret might be more accessible to you, or any passionate amateur musician, than you might have imagined…

Listen to the episode: http://musicalitypodcast.com/96

Links and Resources

FionaJaneWeston.com: http://www.fionajaneweston.com/

Fiona-Jane Weston’s Wartime Women: http://www.fionajaneweston.com/wartime-women.html

Fiona-Jane Weston’s Looking for Lansbury: http://www.fionajaneweston.com/looking-for-lansbury.html

Sign up for Fiona-Jane’s email list: http://www.fionajaneweston.com/contact.html

Let us know what you think! Email: hello@musicalitypodcast.com

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Learn more about Musical U!

Website:
https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast:
http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test:
http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist:
https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter:
Tweets by MusicalU

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

Musical Storytelling and the Art of Cabaret, with Fiona-Jane Weston

New musicality video:

Have you ever felt confused by musical modes? In this episode, we discuss how you can understand these fascinating scales through active listening and a simple yet eye-opening exercise.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/about-the-moods-of-modes/

Links and Resources

The Many Moods of Musical Modes – https://www.musical-u.com/learn/the-many-moods-of-musical-modes/

Interview with Marshall McDonald – http://musl.ink/pod94

Crazy Easy Weird (Modal) Improv Trick – https://www.musical-u.com/learn/crazy-easy-weird-modal-improv-trick/

The Ultimate Guide to the Dorian Mode – https://www.musical-u.com/learn/get-familiar-with-the-dorian-mode/

The Lydian Scale: Seeking the Ultimate Mysteries of Music – https://www.musical-u.com/learn/lydian-scale-seeking-ultimate-mysteries-music/

Let us know what you think! Email: hello@musicalitypodcast.com

===============================================

Learn more about Musical U!

Website:
https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast:
http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test:
http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist:
https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter:
Tweets by MusicalU

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

About the Moods of Modes

New musicality video:

Today we have the distinct pleasure to talk with someone who we think it’s fair to say is one of the top jazz musicians in the world today and who has played with and learned from some of the true masters: Marshall McDonald. https://www.musical-u.com/learn/inside-jazz-mind-marshall-mcdonald-count-basie-orchestra/

Marshall has been playing for 20 years with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, and currently plays lead alto sax in that band. He’s also performed in the Duke Ellington Orchestra and with Lionel Hampton and Paquito D’Rivera.

We’ll admit that we were a bit nervous going into this interview. Marshall has had an amazingly impressive career, and although we’re jazz fans we’re not jazz musicians ourselves – and we know that jazz cats often have an encyclopedic knowledge of jazz records, jazz history and the jazz musicians behind it all. And Marshall’s certainly no exception! But fortunately he is also the most kind and humble guy and it was an absolute pleasure to chat with him – and he certainly didn’t hold back on the amazing stories and insights on teaching and learning jazz – and music in general.

One might assume that a world-leading alto sax player would talk mostly about the specifics of jazz and sax – but as you’ll hear, Marshall’s got a breadth of wisdom and insight that cuts right across music itself. There is a ton in here for any musician to learn from.

In this conversation we talk about:

– Talent, and how he and the amazing musicians he’s worked with and learned from think about talent

– We ask him about learning to improvise, and the balance of preparation versus spontaneity to improvise in a way that moves the listener

– And he helps Christopher shrug off a grudge he’s been harbouring for 20 years and realise some advice that he got back then was actually pretty solid!

Marshall’s a natural story-teller, so this is a really fantastic interview – and we take no credit for that! He’s also a skillful educator, offering private lessons online and giving masterclasses, so he really knows how to explain what he does. Between the stories and the insights, we know you’re going to love this one.

Listen to the episode: https://www.musical-u.com/learn/inside-jazz-mind-marshall-mcdonald-count-basie-orchestra/

Links and Resources

Marshall McDonald’s website : http://marshallmcdonald.com/

Study with Marshall McDonald – all levels of saxophones, clarinet, and flute: http://marshallmcdonald.com/study/

Contact Marshall McDonald : http://marshallmcdonald.com/contact/

Let us know what you think! Email: hello@musicalitypodcast.com

===============================================

Learn more about Musical U!

Website:
https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast:
http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test:
http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist:
https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter:
Tweets by MusicalU

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

Inside the Jazz Mind, with Marshall McDonald of the Count Basie Orchestra

New musicality video:

In the second installment of our series on frequencies in music, we discuss the two major reasons why frequencies matter, and how sound can be understood, defined, and manipulated in terms of its frequencies. http://musl.ink/pod93

Links and Resources

About Frequencies in Music, Part One – http://musl.ink/pod87

Interview with Jeremy Fisher – http://musl.ink/pod76

Frequency Fundamentals – https://www.musical-u.com/learn/series/frequency-fundamentals/

Contact us! – https://www.musical-u.com/podcast-contact/

Let us know what you think! Email: hello@musicalitypodcast.com

===============================================

Learn more about Musical U!

Website:
https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast:
http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test:
http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist:
https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter:
Tweets by MusicalU

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

About Frequencies in Music, Part Two

New musicality video:

On the show today we’re joined by Leila Viss, author of the 88PianoKeys.me blog and the book “The iPad Piano Studio”. https://www.musical-u.com/learn/getting-under-the-hood-with-leila-viss/

In her own piano studio Leila specialises in helping students be more creative on keyboard and together with Bradley Sowash at 88 Creative Keys she runs workshops and provides online training to help other teachers to empower their students creatively.

As you’ll hear in this episode, Leila knows from personal experience what it’s like to not feel creative as a musician, and to learn it step-by-step in a practical way and it was fascinating to hear how she did this and how she now helps others to do the same.

In this conversation Leila shares:

– Three pivotal experiences that opened up a route for her to become more creative

– Why it might be okay to steal from musicians you admire – and what it means to “steal like an artist”

– One simple exercise she uses with her students to help them start being creative on the keyboard

We find Leila really inspiring in how she approaches playing and teaching music, and we think you’re going to enjoy hearing the specific ways as well as the overall mindset that have enabled her and her students to transform from on-page sheet music readers into free and creative musicians.

Listen to the episode: https://www.musical-u.com/learn/getting-under-the-hood-with-leila-viss/

Links and Resources

Leila Viss’s website – https://www.leilaviss.com/

88 Piano Keys – https://88pianokeys.me/

How a classically trained pianist learned to improvise – https://88pianokeys.me/musings/how-a-classically-trained-pianist-learned-to-improvise/

Steal Like An Artist, by Austin Kleon – https://www.amazon.ca/Steal-Like-Artist-Things-Creative/dp/0761169253

The Practice Revolution, by Philip Johnston – https://www.amazon.ca/Practice-Revolution-Philip-Johnston/dp/095819050X

Tin Pan Rhythm app – http://www.tin-pan.com/

About the I, IV, V, and vi Chords – https://www.musical-u.com/learn/about-the-i-iv-v-and-vi-chords/

About Scales and Their Flavours – https://www.musical-u.com/learn/about-scales-and-their-flavors/

Let us know what you think! Email: hello@musicalitypodcast.com

===============================================

Learn more about Musical U!

Website:
https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast:
http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test:
http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist:
https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter:
Tweets by MusicalU

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

Getting Under the Hood, with Leila Viss

New musicality video:

Timbre (pronounced “tam’-ber”, like the first two syllables of the word “tambourine”) – what does it mean? http://musl.ink/respacktimbr

Timbre refers to what is often called “tone” or “tone color” – the quality of the sound of an instrument or voice. In essence, timbre is what makes one voice, one instrument sound different than another. But, beyond that, each instrument or voice is capable of producing a wide variety of timbres. Mastering and employing these timbres to you own expressive purposes adds a whole new dimension to your musicality.

Timbre can be shifted and shaped with a myriad of techniques – from which part of your finger strikes the string to the subtle touch of a key to how you dial in your electronics. Think of timbre as your musical paint set – whether you’re into rainbows or shades of grey, your tonal palette colors in the lines of your notes and chords.

How important is timbre?

Let’s put it this way: you can tear up your guitar fretboard at 1000 notes per second, play six-part polyphonic supra-vertical improv on your bass, or arrange and play a master mash-up of all Liszt’s Transcendental Études on your piano. But if your guitar sounds like the last strings you put on were dinosaur gut, your bass sounds like rubber bands on a wet shoebox, or your piano is a used mini keyboard purchased for 25 cents at your cat-loving neighbor’s garage sale from a bin marked “Special Discounts on Especially Smelly Items” …

Who wants to listen?

That’s why (in this month’s Instrument Packs) Musical U’s Resident Pros put together these special Resource Packs on the tasty topic of timbre.

http://musl.ink/respacktimbr

Learn more about Musical U Resident Pro Steve Lawson:

Welcome!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/solobasssteve

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solobasssteve/

→ Learn more about Instrument Packs with Resident Pros including Steve:
https://www.musical-u.com/learn/introducing-musical-u-instrument-packs/

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Learn more about Musical U!

Website: https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast: http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test: http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist: https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MusicalU

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

Bass: Timbre Resource Pack Preview

New musicality video:

Timbre (pronounced “tam’-ber”, like the first two syllables of the word “tambourine”) – what does it mean? http://musl.ink/respacktimbr

Timbre refers to what is often called “tone” or “tone color” – the quality of the sound of an instrument or voice. In essence, timbre is what makes one voice, one instrument sound different than another. But, beyond that, each instrument or voice is capable of producing a wide variety of timbres. Mastering and employing these timbres to you own expressive purposes adds a whole new dimension to your musicality.

Timbre can be shifted and shaped with a myriad of techniques – from which part of your finger strikes the string to the subtle touch of a key to how you dial in your electronics. Think of timbre as your musical paint set – whether you’re into rainbows or shades of grey, your tonal palette colors in the lines of your notes and chords.

How important is timbre?

Let’s put it this way: you can tear up your guitar fretboard at 1000 notes per second, play six-part polyphonic supra-vertical improv on your bass, or arrange and play a master mash-up of all Liszt’s Transcendental Études on your piano. But if your guitar sounds like the last strings you put on were dinosaur gut, your bass sounds like rubber bands on a wet shoebox, or your piano is a used mini keyboard purchased for 25 cents at your cat-loving neighbor’s garage sale from a bin marked “Special Discounts on Especially Smelly Items” …

Who wants to listen?

That’s why (in this month’s Instrument Packs) Musical U’s Resident Pros put together these special Resource Packs on the tasty topic of timbre.

http://musl.ink/respacktimbr

Learn more about Musical U Resident Pro Dylan Welsh:
https://www.dwelshmusic.com/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/dwelshmusic

→ Learn more about Instrument Packs with Resident Pros
https://www.musical-u.com/learn/introducing-musical-u-instrument-packs/

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Learn more about Musical U!

Website: https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast: http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test: http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist: https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MusicalU

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

Guitar: Timbre Resource Pack Preview