The Rhythm Ruler and Kickstarter…errr, IndieGogo

Posted on December 13, 2011 by admin

I am currently seeking funding for the next stage of my creation, the Rhythm Ruler. The Rhythm Ruler is a tool to teach students about rhythms. It displays inches and sixteenth, eighth, quarter, half, and whole notes. The back has a breakdown of eighth, quarter, and half note triplets.

I created the the Rhythm Ruler in 2006 after teaching note values to several 4th graders by relating note values to measurements. Most students are familiar with rulers and inches so I told them to think of a quarter note as one inch. I wrote 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & on the chalkboard and told them ‘1 &’ was an inch. They immediately grasped the concept and were able to place combinations of half, quarter, and eighth notes in bars with ease. I continued this with more classes – as did my colleague. Our success rate was impressive. I then decided to make the Rhythm Ruler.

The Rhythm Ruler is perfect for band, orchestra, chorus and classroom music students. Teaching note values in general music and classroom music classes to students without previous music experience is much easier with the Rhythm Ruler. Educators, conductors, and directors are constantly searching for better ways to teach rhythm and note values. In my 15 years of teaching I have tried many ways including using money, fractions, algebra, blocks, and food!

In 2007 I had a a shipment of Rhythm Rulers made through a local company (Schlenker Enterprises) that deals with custom products such as rulers. I began promoting and giving away rulers. Now it’s time to continue that momentum! However, as a music teacher I simply cannot afford to personally fund another fabrication and round of promotion.

Thats where Kickstarter comes in. Kickstarter is a funding platform focused on a broad spectrum of creative projects.

01/30/12 It doesn’t look like the Rhythm Ruler is going to happen through Kickstarter. This means that you will not be charged your donation money. I’m going to try it on another funding platform at IndieGogo.com

So, if you want to contribute there, that would be awesome!!!

Please consider contributing to  The Rhythm Ruler, via IndieGogo.com.

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Pirastro Flat Chromesteels

Posted on January 25, 2012 by admin

These are some of my favorite strings and I decided to replace my year old D’Addario Zyex strings with these. Although not as warm or thick as Obligatos or Zyex they do have plenty of things I like – especially for solo playing which I’m doing much more of. They speak very easily and are easy to press down with the left hand. They project and have lots of resonance. They also have a great pizz sound – great for solos although probably not great for a big band or an orchestra.

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Musings on Beethoven 5, III

Posted on January 18, 2012 by admin

I’ve been working in Beethoven 5 for years – probably as most of us have. And for most of those years I did the same bowing – which was whatever I had marked in from previous teachers. But there was a problem. The excerpt remained outside of my sphere of comfort. I just couldn’t make it work.

I thought, why? What is preventing me from achieving the perfect flow and ‘the’ sound. I decided to try an approach that may sound radical and be heresy for most students – I CHANGED THINGS and did the opposite of what all my teachers had marked in. Up bow? Nope, now it’s down. Slurred? Not anymore. Short to long, long to short. I questioned and changed everything. And suddenly things started to click. The pickup note sounded like a nicely placed 3rd beat pickup note. String crossings and slurs became ironed out and smooth.

I analyzed the string crossings and the bowings. If you are crossing a string on a slur there is a chance that the second note may not speak well. And if your bow is crossing the string there is a slight disconnect regardless of how smooth your bowing is – it’s just two different strings! So I decided to change bows on some string crossings.

WHOAH! I was on to something. I thought about my violin students who are in jazz band and came to me with music that had 4 bars slurred. It’s not a slur, it’s a phrase marking. AHH!!! Much easier.

I added bow changes but added them at string crossings to mask them.I also wanted a bowing that helped not only play the rhythm but portray the rhythm. Make it obvious to  the listener, or -ahem- the audition committee. So I tried many options and wanted to share them

I consider these ‘audition’ bowings – meaning use whatever works for you to play it well. But you should be prepared to play in any way within a particular bass section.

In the end I found it’s about changing / freshening / trying something new / pushing limits / thinking outside the box. I’d been playing the same bowing for years – with the same stagnant results. By trying changing the bowing I felt a renewed interest in the excerpt and a new insight into the rhythm.

Click here to download the complete PDF file.

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iPhone’s marimba stops New York Philharmonic performance

Posted on January 13, 2012 by admin

iPhone’s marimba stops New York Philharmonic performance

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It’s Here!!!

Posted on January 6, 2012 by admin

The Sixth Edition of “An Introduction to Double Bass Playing” is now available. Almost every page has been updated. More pictures of fingerings and many, many typo fixes. I’m very proud of this work.

Support independent publishing: Buy this book on Lulu.

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Math & Music

Posted on December 28, 2011 by admin

Rhythm is the elementary level of mathematics in music.
The true examples lie in other areas such tuning and construction.

The latest edition of The Strad has a great article on the mathematics involved in just making the scroll. Click the picture to download a PDF of the article.

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Tendon Surgery Update

Posted on December 24, 2011 by admin

12/24/11 – On September 2, I had tendon surgery on my right arm to alleviate tendinitis.
The surgeon sliced the tendon, cut out scar tissue, and shaved a little bit of bone where the tendon attaches. Although the surgeon said I had ‘no restrictions’ immediately after surgery it was several weeks before I could play comfortably.

Physical therapy started immediate 5 days later. With any sort of tendon surgery it is recommended to start doing some sort of use right away so it remains flexible.

I was initially prescribed 6 weeks of physical therapy. The first 4 weeks felt more like real rehabilitation than just light physical therapy. After that it was just doing low weight / high repetition exercises which strengthens tendons. I started a second 6 week session but after a week I had my doubts on the efficacy of a second 6 week session. So I requested a routine that I could do on my own at my gym. And again, with tendon surgery it is high reps / low weights (around 6 sets of 30 repetitions) that strengthens tendons. So I empoyed unilateral training where I would use a heavier weight on the non-surgery side. Not only does this keep my lifting routine moving forward but also has a carryover effect to the other side keeping muscle atrophy to a minimu.

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D’Addario Zyex Update

Posted on December 23, 2011 by admin

After a year with my D’Addario Zyex strings I am still very happy with them. Both pizzicato and arco sound great. They speak well and the upper register sounds great.

My only negative, albeit small, is the extended E (C) string could respond a little better. In all fairness I was sent a pre-production prototype string. I will probably experiment with adding a Flat Chrome-Steel long E.

I have tried many strings in my 20+ years of playing. My favorite strings are Pirastro Obligato and now these new Zyex. These are two strings that offer both a great orchestra arco sound, a full pizziato sound, and easy to play. The Obligatos are a little easier to play on but if you are looking for a slighter higher tension string without the infamous Obligato “string roll” then I highly recommend the Zyex.

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Alternate Tuning

Posted on December 15, 2011 by admin

I play some music where I tune the G string up to an A. I have been tuning an orchestra G string up to an A. What do you think?

How would you tune the G string?

View Results

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Web Sites and Links

Posted on December 9, 2011 by admin

I’m currently working on the next edition of “An Introduction to Double Bass Playing”. I only include a few web links in the book. Are there any you think should be there?

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MostlyBass Updates

Posted on November 11, 2011 by admin

Hey readers! Welcome to November. I’ve got some really great, meaty posts I’m working on. But between my arm surgery, moving to a new apartment, and having a full time music teaching job, I haven’t had the time I would like to devote to the blog. But things will be in full swing shortly.

In the meantime how about a Q&A session about tendinitis surgery… Fun, I know! But since I had the surgery on my right elbow on September 2nd,gone through physical therapy / rehabilitation, and am now back to playing. So if you have any questions about it, please post them in the comments and I will reply.

Thanks!

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Thursday Radio Show in Chicago

Posted on November 3, 2011 by admin

If you live in the Chicago area, tune in to WIIT 88.9 FM this Thursday from 5:30 to 7pm to listen to an interview with and music by Jungle of Cities- a band I play with. Or listen to us on the web across the nation at http://live.str3am.com:3170/listen.pls

We’re also on ReverbNation and Band Camp. Check us out!

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What Gear or Bass Do You Drool or Lust Over???

Posted on October 26, 2011 by admin

For me, Guarneri House had a $150,00o (USD) that was sold to the Detroit S.O. that was just perfection…. Also, Rumano Solano’s new basses are gorgeous! (I own a 1998 Solano Rogeri copy.)

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Do Orchestras Need Pennants?

Posted on October 17, 2011 by admin

As I was lying on a table at physical therapy for my elbow (after surgery for tendonitis) yesterday, I noticed several sports teams pennants hanging on the wall. And I thought what any musician who wants greater community involvement in the arts – Why don’t orchestras do more to build a loyal fan base? Sports teams have jerseys, pennants, mugs, and countless other pieces of kitsch, tchotchke, and paraphernalia. Why not us? Wouldn’t it build a community and sense of pride?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A Classic….

Posted on October 14, 2011 by admin

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iDouble Bass App

Posted on October 6, 2011 by admin

I just read about the iDouble Bass App for the iPad / iPhone in the current issue of the Strad. Anyone out there have it and use it?

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Did You Know?

Posted on October 3, 2011 by admin

Many string players often play a composition named, Kol Nidre. But do you know what it means? I just learned and wanted to share!

Kol Nidre means “All Vows,” is one of the most solemn moments of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, considered the most sacred day of the Jewish year.

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My band, Jungle of Cities

Posted on October 2, 2011 by admin

Check out the band I play bass for on facebook.

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Blog Fodder

Posted on September 27, 2011 by admin

So I recently received a magazine / journal that I subscribe to and I had to share the label it was addressed to:

Now, who could this be from? My Men’s Health or Guitar World subscriptions? Oh no. That might be excusable…. But this… well, click for more on this suspenseful story!

Continue reading →

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Book Coupon!!

Posted on September 23, 2011 by admin

I just received a coupon from Lulu.com where I publish my book, “An Introduction to Double Bass Playing”.

They are offering 15% off everything in their store with coupon code “OKTOBERFEST305″. Hurry as it expires September 26, 2011.

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