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Sunday, August 28, 2016
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Eagles of Death Metal
Eighty-nine people were killed in Paris at the Bataclan concert venue watching the California rock group Eagles of Death Metal.
In solidarity.
Mr. Kozak
In solidarity.
Mr. Kozak
Monday, November 16, 2015
Bill Frisell
Hello again!
When you arrange a song, you write the music for each instrument. Sometimes, that means writing music fro instruments that weren't part of the song originally.
Bill Frisell is an amazing guitar player and has a distinctive style you ca learn to listen for after getting to know a few of his songs. He arranges an album called The Sweetest Punch by Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach.
"Almost as soon as they had finished writing, I received some piano scores and a demo tape with Elvis singing and Burt playing the piano. What a thrill and honor it was to hear these twelve beautiful tunes before anyone else on the planet. I was then left on my own to decide how to arrange them. This recording was done in NYC while Burt and Elvis were working in L.A. on Painted From Memory. None of us heard what the others were doing until we all finished. I can't imagine this ever happening again-truly once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Before you read about Bill Frisell on wikipedia, listen to a few of the songs of the album The Sweetest Punch and tell me how many musicians play in the jazz band.
Mr. Kozak
When you arrange a song, you write the music for each instrument. Sometimes, that means writing music fro instruments that weren't part of the song originally.
Bill Frisell is an amazing guitar player and has a distinctive style you ca learn to listen for after getting to know a few of his songs. He arranges an album called The Sweetest Punch by Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach.
"Almost as soon as they had finished writing, I received some piano scores and a demo tape with Elvis singing and Burt playing the piano. What a thrill and honor it was to hear these twelve beautiful tunes before anyone else on the planet. I was then left on my own to decide how to arrange them. This recording was done in NYC while Burt and Elvis were working in L.A. on Painted From Memory. None of us heard what the others were doing until we all finished. I can't imagine this ever happening again-truly once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Before you read about Bill Frisell on wikipedia, listen to a few of the songs of the album The Sweetest Punch and tell me how many musicians play in the jazz band.
Mr. Kozak
Friday, April 10, 2015
Major Generals Song Lyrics
Here are the lyrics for the Major General Song. I dare you to try to sing it in tempo.
I am the very model of a modern Major-General
I've information vegetable, animal, and mineral
I know the kings of England, and I quote the fights historical
From Marathon to Waterloo, in order categorical
I'm very well acquainted, too, with matters mathematical
I understand equations, both the simple and quadratical
About binomial theorem I'm teeming with a lot o' news
(pause)
With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse
(x3)
I'm very good at integral and differential calculus
I know the scientific names of beings animalcules
In short, in matters vegetable, animal, and mineral,
I am the very model of a modern Major-General
Mr. Kozak
I am the very model of a modern Major-General
I've information vegetable, animal, and mineral
I know the kings of England, and I quote the fights historical
From Marathon to Waterloo, in order categorical
I'm very well acquainted, too, with matters mathematical
I understand equations, both the simple and quadratical
About binomial theorem I'm teeming with a lot o' news
(pause)
With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse
(x3)
I'm very good at integral and differential calculus
I know the scientific names of beings animalcules
In short, in matters vegetable, animal, and mineral,
I am the very model of a modern Major-General
Mr. Kozak
Who's Gonna Stand Up?
Long time no talk.
Because my school celebrated Earth Day today, I decided to have Grade 2 listen to the three versions of Neil Young's Who's Gonna Stand Up (and Save the Earth)? They enjoyed the acoustic version, were humbled by the orchestral version, and rocked out to the live version with Crazy Horse - so much so that we made a rock video with them individually playing air guitar, air drums, or singing.
I wasn't sure if they fully understood the message, since even most adults don't understand the severity of the issue or are in denial to it's causes.
As I was quietly finishing a rubric in my room, I heard a student sing the refrain from across the hall:
"Who's gonna stand up and save the world?"
This quiet little boy's voice singing the world's biggest question suddenly struck me hard.
It continues to ring in my mind...
All the best,
Mr. Kozak
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
12 Bar Blues thanks to Chuck Berry
First of all, I'm still around! Keep posted for more music education.
Now then...
Students,
Now you know a little about the 12 bar blues progression thanks to Chuck Berry and his legendary 1958 song "Johnny B. Goode", made famous (again) by the 1985 movie Back to the Future.
The opening guitar riff is taken note for note from the horn section of the song Ain't That Just Like a Woman from Louis Jordan (1946).
The song is so important in music in rock and roll history that it was put on the Voyager 1 Golden Record (by direction of the amazing Carl Sagan) and launched into space. (Voyager 1 is still traveling at 17 kilometers per second and is 19,571,030,000 kilometers from the Earth (yes, that's 19.5 billion).
Just remember I - IV - V - I for next class.
Mr. Kozak
Now you know a little about the 12 bar blues progression thanks to Chuck Berry and his legendary 1958 song "Johnny B. Goode", made famous (again) by the 1985 movie Back to the Future.
The opening guitar riff is taken note for note from the horn section of the song Ain't That Just Like a Woman from Louis Jordan (1946).
The song is so important in music in rock and roll history that it was put on the Voyager 1 Golden Record (by direction of the amazing Carl Sagan) and launched into space. (Voyager 1 is still traveling at 17 kilometers per second and is 19,571,030,000 kilometers from the Earth (yes, that's 19.5 billion).
Just remember I - IV - V - I for next class.
Mr. Kozak
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
The 6 most insane pieces of classical music in existence
Hello students and parents,
I thought I'd share this article with you. The 6 most insane pieces of classical music in existence.
Happy listening - or not.
Mr Kozak
I thought I'd share this article with you. The 6 most insane pieces of classical music in existence.
Happy listening - or not.
Mr Kozak
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Hard Drive crash statistics - what do you own?
Hello musicians,
The good folks at Backblaze have put out another report with crash statistics on the different makers of hard drives that they use. See the chart below and take heed.
Remember, always, always back up your data. One external HD is not enough, and cheaper is not always better.
Mr. Kozak
The good folks at Backblaze have put out another report with crash statistics on the different makers of hard drives that they use. See the chart below and take heed.
Remember, always, always back up your data. One external HD is not enough, and cheaper is not always better.
Mr. Kozak
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Teaching meter the easy way
Fellow Teachers,
My very first trial lesson for a music teaching job, the administration wanted me to teach meter. Nothing could have been easier.
Meter is one of the elements of music, and students can grasp this concept at a very early age. It can be mastered by grade seven without problem. Here's how.
Play a sample of music with different meters and have students clap the beat. This prep exercise has nothing to do with meter, but warms up their ears by listening to the pulse of the music (which is the exact definition of beat, by the way).
My song list includes:
- 15 Step (Radiohead)
- Take Five (Dave Brubeck Quartet)
- The Blue Danube (Strauss)
- any pop song (let's say "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles) or my begrudgingly favourite non-song to trot out and whip once in a while (for so many reasons-remind me to do a whole plog post on it), which is unfair, but a lot of fun - "Friday" by Jessica Black
- a polka
- and the grandaddy, The Rite of Spring
I usually leave the last one out until a few classes later. The idea is to build confidence, not confusion.
After the listening activity, we move to the clapping.
Pat your lap with your left hand (weak beat) with a constant tempo. Stress the downbeat (strong beat) with your right hand. Demonstrate 4/4 meter first and tell them.
Now the fun begins.
Call each student out of the room and tell them to demonstrate a meter of your choice. That new "conductor" sits in a chair at the front and taps out the meter while students count and figure out the meter. All students get a chance to be the conductor.
As they grasp the concept of strong/weak beats, eventually you can have someone do mixed meter. For example, a bar of 4/4 and a bar of 3/4.
That's a simplified lesson plan for you. The next lesson, they write basic quarter note rhythms with mixed meter and melodies on manuscript paper.
Mr. Kozak
My very first trial lesson for a music teaching job, the administration wanted me to teach meter. Nothing could have been easier.
Meter is one of the elements of music, and students can grasp this concept at a very early age. It can be mastered by grade seven without problem. Here's how.
Play a sample of music with different meters and have students clap the beat. This prep exercise has nothing to do with meter, but warms up their ears by listening to the pulse of the music (which is the exact definition of beat, by the way).
My song list includes:
- 15 Step (Radiohead)
- Take Five (Dave Brubeck Quartet)
- The Blue Danube (Strauss)
- any pop song (let's say "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles) or my begrudgingly favourite non-song to trot out and whip once in a while (for so many reasons-remind me to do a whole plog post on it), which is unfair, but a lot of fun - "Friday" by Jessica Black
- a polka
- and the grandaddy, The Rite of Spring
I usually leave the last one out until a few classes later. The idea is to build confidence, not confusion.
After the listening activity, we move to the clapping.
Pat your lap with your left hand (weak beat) with a constant tempo. Stress the downbeat (strong beat) with your right hand. Demonstrate 4/4 meter first and tell them.
Now the fun begins.
Call each student out of the room and tell them to demonstrate a meter of your choice. That new "conductor" sits in a chair at the front and taps out the meter while students count and figure out the meter. All students get a chance to be the conductor.
As they grasp the concept of strong/weak beats, eventually you can have someone do mixed meter. For example, a bar of 4/4 and a bar of 3/4.
That's a simplified lesson plan for you. The next lesson, they write basic quarter note rhythms with mixed meter and melodies on manuscript paper.
Mr. Kozak
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Don't Be A Litter Bug - Mr. Eco
Students of Music,
This is a wonderful song promoting the environment. Don't litter!
It's from the site Mr. Eco. Check it out.
Mr. Kozak
This is a wonderful song promoting the environment. Don't litter!
It's from the site Mr. Eco. Check it out.
Mr. Kozak
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Music and fire
Students of fire (and music),
This is a 2D Ruben's tube with sound.
"Yes, I really want to light it up."
Mr. Kozak
This is a 2D Ruben's tube with sound.
"Yes, I really want to light it up."
Mr. Kozak
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Singing to a Greener Tune - UNEP Environment & Music Initiative Report
Students,
This report is four years old already, so the lists must be much longer by now of green companies, festivals, and bands that want to make a festival green and sustainable.
Mr. Kozak
This report is four years old already, so the lists must be much longer by now of green companies, festivals, and bands that want to make a festival green and sustainable.
Mr. Kozak
Monday, April 14, 2014
United Nations Environment Program & Music Initiative
Some simpletons have excluded this possibility.
Don't be one of them.
If you think music education and the environment are separate issues, then read the report and comment bellow.
Be the positive change instead of the danger.
Mr. Kozak
Don't be one of them.
If you think music education and the environment are separate issues, then read the report and comment bellow.
Be the positive change instead of the danger.
Mr. Kozak
Friday, April 11, 2014
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
11 Eco-Friendly U.S. Music Festivals
This is a great link to eco-friendly music festivals. They include:
Grassroots
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
Outside Lands
Sweetlife
Coachella
Lollapalooza
Austin City Limts
High Sierra
West Beach
Bonnaroo
Lightning in a Bottle
Mr. Kozak
Grassroots
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
Outside Lands
Sweetlife
Coachella
Lollapalooza
Austin City Limts
High Sierra
West Beach
Bonnaroo
Lightning in a Bottle
Mr. Kozak
Green screen movie-making Part 5
Students,
It's not really part 5, but there really is a lot to learn with video editing.
We have found out that putting a background into iMovie FIRST works best. Then adjust the length of time to match the time of your video. Drag and drop your video onto the backdrop. That should prevent any weird overlaps.
This guy has has great tips.
Mr. Kozak
It's not really part 5, but there really is a lot to learn with video editing.
We have found out that putting a background into iMovie FIRST works best. Then adjust the length of time to match the time of your video. Drag and drop your video onto the backdrop. That should prevent any weird overlaps.
This guy has has great tips.
Mr. Kozak
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Eco-friendly music festival script writing - Part 4
Students,
You are writing three conversations about an imaginary music festival that focusses on being green.
Make sure that each conversation has 3 points of learning about the environment. Put those points in dark green font.
Format each conversation in your Music Journal like this:
Conversation #1:
Jack: Hey, this band is really groovy!
Jill: Sure is. They are my favorite band in the world.
Jack: Say, I’m getting hungry.
Jill: etc. etc.
Mr. Kozak
You are writing three conversations about an imaginary music festival that focusses on being green.
Make sure that each conversation has 3 points of learning about the environment. Put those points in dark green font.
Format each conversation in your Music Journal like this:
Conversation #1:
Jack: Hey, this band is really groovy!
Jill: Sure is. They are my favorite band in the world.
Jack: Say, I’m getting hungry.
Jill: etc. etc.
Mr. Kozak
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Voyager's Golden Disk
Students,
Cosmos is back! Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan's legacy continues with the help of Niel deGrasse Tyson.
Listen to at least three songs from the Voyager 1 golden disk.
In your MJ, make notes (in bullet point form) about the elements of music relating to each song
AND
how the song makes you feel.
Also, see if you can tell me the main instrument and genre/type of music.
Cosmos is back! Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan's legacy continues with the help of Niel deGrasse Tyson.
Listen to at least three songs from the Voyager 1 golden disk.
In your MJ, make notes (in bullet point form) about the elements of music relating to each song
AND
how the song makes you feel.
Also, see if you can tell me the main instrument and genre/type of music.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Eco-Music Festival Site Requirements - Part 3
Grade 6,
In your Music Journal, write a detailed description of what your eco-friendly music festival requirements are. Think of allllllllllllllll the things you need to have a successful, safe, environmentally-friendly, fun music festival.
Think about the variables for your festival:
- What will be the food?
- How many bands will there be? How many stages?
- How many volunteers will you need?
- Where will it be?
- When will it be?
- How will you advertise?
- How many port-a-potties will you need?
In your Music Journal, write a detailed description of what your eco-friendly music festival requirements are. Think of allllllllllllllll the things you need to have a successful, safe, environmentally-friendly, fun music festival.
Think about the variables for your festival:
- What will be the food?
- How many bands will there be? How many stages?
- How many volunteers will you need?
- Where will it be?
- When will it be?
- How will you advertise?
- How many port-a-potties will you need?
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