Cracking the Code

Why do some find a song super easy and others find it super hard?

I think it's because as we practice we are basically trying to 'crack the code' of a piece.

As with a magic eye picture, some can see the image immediately, some it takes a moment, and some never seem to get it. The ones who see it right away say it's a snap and can't believe the others don't get it, whereas the ones that don't get it, don't even believe there is a picture to be seen :D Yet, everyone has eyes and unless there is some vision problem, should be equal, but they are not, and it's all to do with perception.



Music is the same.

Sure some music is technically difficult, but it's surprising how rarely that's actually the case once you reach a certain level. It's more figuring out the code. That doesn't mean you practice less, it's that you really dissect the piece, practice little sections at a time and do whatever it takes for you to crack it.

Back to the magic eye; The ones in the middle (most of us) squint, turn our heads, move closer, move back, cover one eye, ask for hints :D, all kinds of things to crack it...it's the same with music...and the best part of all, is once you have cracked one type, the next song in that style or genre is that much easier as you have the code partially cracked already.

That's why I post up and do lots of different genres; more codes.



One of the best examples of this is the Pink Panther. It's a very easy song, once you get past all the accidentals and unusual chromatic movement. Some say it's really easy, some say it's really hard...but I think it's just a 'code' we don't see often...like magic eye, some see it, some don't.

Where is it from?

I often get asked where this music is from? Well, it's a kind of Mashup I guess. I find midi files on the web and take parts I like from one or another and join them together, and also write my own parts and add them as I see fit. A good example is "Bridge over troubled water" - I used 2 different midi files and also used "power chords" to write the cello and several other parts. I also used the drums from "The Grinch medley"...so, it's 3 songs + my own writing and sound effects (thunder and rain).
Then I orchestrate it for my instrument choices and taste and make a video sheet music out of it.

Musical interpretation...but Penny, you played it wrong!

I think of sheet music as a guide, rather than a law, particularly with the video sheet music. Playing 'what's written' is difficult because:

1. If I were to actually put all the notes and strange rhythms in the videos, it would be too complicated to read.
2. I play differently from day to day. If I'm feeling hyper, there are a lot of weird trilly things. If I'm nostalgic, many notes are held through the rests.
3. I change my mind. Making the videos takes some time and by the time I do it and post it up, I have changed my mind on playing and can't be bothered to change the video.

Also, the computer can play accurately and that is nice for the background music as I can rely on it being constant...but as a human, I like to take musical risks and 'interpret' the music, not just reproduce it, perfectly (often very imperfectly).

In the Baroque period, most music didn't include trills and stuff, that was the performers job, to add the right ones. Partially due to the fact that reproducing music was difficult and often by hand, so it had to be written in short form. With the videos streaming by, it's kind of the same situation. If I were to write it out long, it would go by too fast and be difficult to read...so I simplify and leave it up to the performer to make of it what they will. Also, by keeping it simpler, different levels of players can be accommodated. Beginners can read it very strictly and very advanced players can use it for a reference, then make stuff up.

Music Requests

I am often emailed with music requests. I have literally hundreds of songs I am working on and currently, I'm working on Christmas music. So, I just don't have the time to do requests at the moment, as a song takes a week or so to get ready: orchestrate, practice, revise, record, do up the sheet music, and finally do the video.

If you have a song you are interested in, I suggest you do a google search for that midi and use a program such as SONAR to play it and see the melody line. Many midi files (most) are kind of a mess when you download them, so you have to tease out the melody line and certainly re-orchestrate for your particular midi set up.

If you are unfamiliar with midi, you can google "how midi works" or something like that and there are many good resources on the web to explain it.

As time permits, I am going to develop step-by-step instructions of creating your own VideoSheetMusic, which I will post here. I am also working out a instructions on how to set up your own "Electric Parlour" to use VideoSheet Music to it's fullest potential.

If you are trying to do your own music and have specific questions, feel free to email me, or post your question on this blog.

penny

I have a dream

• I see sheet music delivered electronically.
• I see a music stand with a video display and like a personal media player, connected to a sound system.
• I see conductors indicating music on a touch screen and performers not being lost.
• I see students learning faster and having way more fun.
  
• I see bands playing in poor lighting conditions actually seeing the music.
• I see performers playing in windy conditions.
• I see people around the world sharing music.
  
• I see composers having a new venue for compositions.
• I see friends getting together to play for friends and family.
  
• I see musicians quickly and easily flipping through repertoire and creating seamless performances.