Comments for roamingfree

Comment on What sound do you look for in a violin ? by Colin MacLeod

Colin MacLeod — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:29:18 +0000

Hi Frank

Thank you for your comment.

When playing for singers, whilst the singer is singing, I try and sensitively play some accompanying notes or chords to the song.

The accompaniment may be influenced by the key of the song e.g. D Major, the chords which are being played by other instruments or I may just play a rhythm based on chords.

One can also vary the level of sound i.e. sometimes play softly and sometimes play loudly.

There are also the options of not playing at all for a spell in the song or playing a melody solo between verses.

Alternatively, if the melody for the song has a hook phrase (a phrase which repeats itself a few times during the song) then this could form the basis of an instrument solo at selective places in the piece.

Comment on What sound do you look for in a violin ? by Frederick C Maynard

Frederick C Maynard — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:30:40 +0000

I am interested in your blog about playing for singers,do you play the melody while the singer is singing or do you play chords or accompanying notes that relate to the tune.
I like to play the melody because I play by ear and can’t think fast enuff to play an acceptable sound to match the given melody. I have never heard anybody play only the melody whilst the song is being sung.

Comment on Playing Music by Ear by Colin MacLeod

Colin MacLeod — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 23:08:22 +0000

I think it is indeed a very helpful tool. Once the tune is slowed down, it is possible to hear the nuances of the tune. This is particularly useful in hearing how a player decorates a tune. The ideas of then how to decorate a tune start to flow, sometimes in large waves!

Comment on Playing Music by Ear by Olivia Forsberg

Olivia Forsberg — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 04:45:22 +0000

The best way I have found is to use a program such as ‘The Amazing Slow Downer”. You can get a recording of the piece you are learning and slow it down to any speed without the pitch being affected. A very helpful tool!