VIJF 2013: June 21 to July 1

Vancouver’s International Jazz Festival began yesterday, and for the next 10 days, there will be a ton of amazing talent, an assortment of musical genres, and plenty of free shows to check out! Visit http://www.coastaljazz.ca/ or download the free mobile app to see who is playing near you, artist info., and the festival calendar. There are always family friendly free … Continue reading →

I, V, VI minor, IV

These last few weeks I’ve been busy transcribing (listening to, then writing the music for) a bunch of pop songs for the summer recital. Have you ever listened to the radio for awhile, and suddenly all the songs start to sound the same? That’s what I noticed when I was writing your music; many pop … Continue reading →

Sirena Huang

Why you should listen to her: Only 11 years old when she performed at TED, Sirena Huang is still technically a child. But as anyone who sees her perform can attest, she has a musician’s soul that transcends her years. “Her musical imagination is boundless,” said Juilliard dean Stephen Clapp, who described her as “a … Continue reading →

ReMIXed & AutoTUNEd

Modern music vocab: Remix a song that has been edited to sound different from the original version. Auto-tune/auto-tuning uses a  device to alter pitch (notes) for voice or instrument. It was originally intended to disguise or correct off-key mistakes, allowing vocal recordings to be perfectly in tune. The following  are examples of both remixed and auto-tuned songs. In the first video, clips … Continue reading →

Meet “Brushy One String”

A regular guitar should have 6 strings, but Brushy’s guitar is missing 5! Brushy proves that you don’t need a lot of strings or notes to make a song. Warning: You might find this song soooo catchy, you’ll be humming and singing it for the next week 🙂 COMMENT: What was the last song that … Continue reading →

Peter & The Wolf

Hello everyone, After a long break, I am back on the blog with a ton of music videos I can’t wait to share with all of you!  But first, I’d like to let you know about a great deal for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. The TD All-Access Pass gives you up to two $15 tickets … Continue reading →

Beatboxing

What is Beatboxing? Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one’s mouth, lips, tongue, and voice, and is a part of hip-hop culture. Want to learn how to Beatbox? Watch this video, and give it a try! ***2 BONUS STICKERS*** Create your own beatboxing rhythm and perform it for me at your next lesson.

Ross Taggart

Ross Taggart was one of my piano instructors in the Capilano College Jazz Studies Program. He was in his mid-40’s when he passed away Wednesday, January 9th, 2013 after being admitted to the hospital last October for renal cancer. I remember the first time I met Ross: my Aunt Shannon and him were very good … Continue reading →

The Christmas Song

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! “The Christmas Song” arranged by Julian Le (LeJKeys), featuring Kana Shimanuki.

Landfill Harmonic

Christmas is a time of giving and receiving. It’s also a time to appreciate the things and people we have around us. Ever think about how lucky you are to have a piano? In some parts of the world,  a piano is worth more than a house–Many people can’t afford instruments, so they never have … Continue reading →