The Brass Junkies Episode 183: Listener's Choice

Lance and I took questions from our listeners in another installment of Listener’s Choice.

My favorite part of the questions was when we talked about ways to stay focused in the practice room.

And I included a bonus rant about the Super Bowl halftime show. (Actually, about a music educator calling the performers “non-musicians” which absolutely set me the hell off!)

You can watch the episode on YouTube below or head over to Pedal Note Media for all of the links to where to find it.

Enjoy!

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On This Episode of The Brass Junkies:

• Melissa in Saginaw

  • What is a funny story your family tells about you that you’d like to share?

• Jimmy in Albuquerque

  • What is some advice you have about being more focused in the practice room?

• Bill in Carlsbad

  • What occupation (other than your own) would you try if you had to start tomorrow and it couldn’t be related to music at all?

• NFTs

• Super Bowl Halftime

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Super Bowl Halftime Rant

I was floored by today’s Super Bowl halftime show. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg are musical heroes of mine.

I learned so much about groove, flow and musical storytelling from them both.

Legends.

And imagine a world where the average classical musician performed with even a fraction of the conviction and urgency that Mary J. Blige does.

Anyways, I posted the following to Facebook on Super Bowl Sunday and I’m posting it here because I think it’s important.

I beg all music educators to remain open to all forms of music and expression. Not just in theory, but actually remain open to it.

Can’t believe that’s something that needs to be said but here we are…

I beg you to not marginalize music that almost certainly wasn’t made for you in the first place. Your students are watching.

Just saw a post from a retired band director calling the musicians from today's halftime show "a bunch of no talent non musicians."

This person also said there were "no melodies" and "repetitive rhythmic boredom" just because it didn't fit into his narrow definition of what a melody is or that for some reason rhythmically complex music is somehow better.

AND HE HAD THE GALL TO CALL THEM NON-MUSICIANS!

Not that he didn't care for it. Not that it could have been better. That they aren't even musicians.

Get TF out of here with that nonsense.

Might make his brain explode to learn that I've repeatedly referenced some of those "non-musicians" in master classes all over the world at the likes of Juilliard and the Royal Academy of Music, places which I'm sure he would agree are "serious" schools of music, to "actual musicians" playing "real music" that features "actual melodies."

AND IT INSTANTLY MADE THAT "REAL MUSIC" BETTER!

Funny how explaining the difference between groove and time to a student by describing being way on the front of the beat like Eminen or way on the back of the beat like Snoop Dogg is a great way for them to get it *instantly*. EVEN IF THEY ARE PLAYING BACH!

Sorry for the all caps. That non-musician comment really set me off.

I'm going to go blast The Chronic 2001 (that Sam Pilafian used to make all of his students listen to) and work on my groove.

#endrant #fornowatleast