Oct 17

Everyone listens to rock music as a kid, but when you are grown up your relationship to it can change. When I was first listening to it, I wasn’t aware of the history of rock music. To me, rock ‘n roll was just something fun to put on when I was partying with friends, relaxing after school, or even cleaning my room up. I liked to go to rock concerts and trade CDs with friends. I knew people in bands, and started trying to play some rock music myself. That is when things got more serious.

At the time, I didn’t realize how interesting and intricate rock and roll can get. The history of rock music is much more complex than most of the simplistic music of today would have you thinking. It has roots in traditional African American music, Caribbean music, country, and many other different styles. It has always been a music of rebellion, but the nature of that rebellion has changed over the years. Sometimes it has been remarkably simplistic while other times it has been incredibly complex. In short, it is hard to reduce it to one simple explanation.

I realized early on that I wanted to be a rock musician. I had only read a few books about bands playing rock ‘n roll, but I was absolutely captivated by the lifestyle. A lot of my friends practiced all the time while listening to the same basic bands, but I realize that exposing myself to diverse influences was every bit as important as practicing. There are many different kinds of rock musicians out there, and the more I studied the more I would learn to do.

I started listening to music online. My favorites thing to do is to put on Pandora. If you’ve never seen this site, you should check it out. Basically, you can select any band or song you want and it creates a radio station based on that. It plays songs in a similar vein, often exposing you to groups you’ve never heard of before. It plays both famous songs and ones that are less well known, guaranteeing a variety of different musical influences. It is the greatest way I know to expand your understanding of rock music. It certainly has worked for me. I’ve gone from a three chord wonder to a progressive rocker, incorporating elements of jazz, blues, and Caribbean music into a diverse mix. I even throw in a little bit of country from time to time to spice things up.

Oct 17

Lion King Musical

Every so often, a stage musical captures the imagination and enjoys long runs around the world. The Lion King musical is unusual in that it is based on a film. Adapted from the Disney movie, its stage transition brought instant success and appeals to the whole family. Children love the animals and spectacle and it’s a terrific introduction to theatre for them.

The story of a pride of lions on the Serengeti Plains in Africa was a challenge to produce in live theatre and an inventive use of actors in animal costumes and huge puppets was the answer. The show premiered in Minnesota in 1997 before moving to Broadway, meeting with praise from the public and critics. Other productions have included London’s West End, where it still runs, Tokyo, Toronto, Paris, Johannesburg, and Sydney. A new Taiwan production began in August 2008 and two American productions are on tour. The Lion King musical added new scenes and seven extra songs, not included in the film.

China too presented the show with a production in Shanghai in 2006 in which characters borrowed tricks from traditional Chinese Shadow Plays. One of the songs was adapted into a popular Chinese song and characters sometimes spoke in Chinese.

The vibrant characters, touching story and catchy songs with African rhythms have engrossed audiences everywhere. Elton John wrote the music and Time Rice was responsible for the lyrics with the exception of They Live in You. This song was written by Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin and the South African composer, Lebo M. The original Broadway cast featured Jason Raize as Simba and Samuel E.Wright as Mufasa. A Tony award for Best Musical was given to the Lion King musical in 1998.

The Circle of Life is probably the most well known song from the score. All the songs can be found on the CD of the Original Broadway Cast Recording, which won a Grammy award for Best Musical Show album. There is also a CD from the Lion King musical from the London Theatre Orchestra and Cast, and the casts of the Japanese, German, Dutch and French productions. The Circle of Life version in the movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song. Elton John also recorded his own version of the song. The Lion King musical is an exciting event that audiences respond to and the songs remain in the memory for a long time.

Oct 17

Anything associated with The Beatles is bound to be in demand. For musicians, the chance to own Beatles sheet music is inspiring. Unfortunately, the originals are beyond most people’s budgets! However, there are plenty of books containing reproductions, helping to recreate all the hits for the budding guitarist at a party or the more serious aspirations of a tribute band.

The books on the market cater for every skill level and for different instruments. Beginners that want an easy level will enjoy The Beatles: Complete Easy Guitar Edition, a large collection of 176 songs with simplified arrangements. Melody lines, chords and chord boxes, and lyrics are accompanied by color photographs and illustrations. More easy level Beatles sheet music is contained in Really Easy Guitar! The Beatles. The book has guitar tab, chord boxes and lyrics and a soundtrack CD. There are tips on how to play different aspects of the tunes and a helpful guide on using tab and chords for beginners.

For more intermediate players, there is Play Guitar with the Best of the Beatles. 23 hits are reproduced and there are two CDs, one with all the instruments and the other without the guitar parts so that the player can accompany the tracks. The most comprehensive Beatles sheet music for guitar is The Beatles Complete Scores Box Edition for intermediate and advanced skills. Full score transcriptions cover every one of the 203 songs that the band wrote and recorded with an additional nine songs that were covers. The score appears in tab and standard notation and each instrument and vocal has its own separate stave.

Pianists too can have fun with the Beatles back catalog by using The Beatles Complete Piano Edition. Containing almost every song, the book is aimed at easy level and there are guitar chord symbols and notations for piano and voice. Even saxophonists can join in with Beatles sheet music with Guest Spot: The Beatles Playalong for Saxophone. 10 hits are arranged for alto saxophone with melody lines and there is a CD with backing tracks. Parties can go with a bang with 101 Beatles Songs for Buskers. Beginners can join in and follow the melody, chords and lyrics in the piano/organ edition. Beatles sheet music ensures that the legacy of the most successful band of all time endures and the songs will be performed live. Original fans can take a trip down memory lane and new generations will discover some great material.
 

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