New in SEPTEMBER 2017…
I’m thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of the Springer Music Studio for PIANO, GUITAR, SINGING, and UKULELE. I specialize in teaching music and performance skills to students ages 5 through adult. I’m dedicated to coaching my students in healthy ways that will give them JOY and ENHANCE their lives for the PRESENT and FUTURE!
Additionally, SCIENCE has PROVEN that studying a musical instrument and playing it with others develops CONFIDENCE and COGNITIVE PROCESSING abilities in the BRAIN. Unfortunately, music is being cut more and more from schools, and this is a short-sighted movement that reduces children’s ability to EMPATHIZE with those who are different from themselves…a trend that should not continue in a GLOBAL economy and society.
Please “LIKE” the Springer Music Studio on Facebook for many performance videos and more details about signing up for private lessons.
Posted 5 years, 9 months ago. Add a comment
Singing with Bobby McFerrin
This past summer, I had the amazing opportunity to sing in a choir setting with the incomparable Bobby McFerrin for nearly a week. The format was vocal improvisation, mostly a genre called “Circle Singing.” We sang with McFerrin and his co-teachers about six hours per day in the beautiful, holistic resort, the Omega Institute, in Rhinebeck, NY.
In this genre, the leader (standing in the center) divides a ring of singers into sections (usually by voice part) and assigns a 1-2 bar phrase to be repeated indefinitely. Each vocal section is given a contrasting, yet harmonically pleasing, part which layers simultaneously with the other voice parts. Vocal percussion, sometimes known as beat-boxing, is added, and the leader improvises on top of all (with a microphone). The effect is joyous, spontaneous, and spiritual.
As a classically-trained singer and pianist, who often rehearses many hours for each performance, the practice of vocal improvisation is liberating. The goal isn’t musical perfection, or telling a story, or even entertaining a crowd. Its about transcending expectations and flowing with the music in the moment. The magic is music that is invented, manifested, performed, and witnessed by all participants at the exact same time.
There are many musicians across the world who have learned this style of “Circle Singing,” including a couple groups in NYC. Mostly, leaders create in 4:4 time in Major or Minor tonal patterns. But, McFerrin epitomizes vocal improvisation leadership, by creating in 5:4, 7:8, 9:8, and 13:8 time. He also creates in various modes. One of his co-teachers, Chistiane Karam from Lebanon, improvises vocal music on quarter tones (see video).
Posted 11 years, 9 months ago. 2 comments
It’s Valentine’s Weekend, the time to focus on love and adoration.
In my preschool classes, the students are dancing to the Beatles’ recording of ‘Til There Was You from The Music Man (with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson). We are singing The More We Get Together and playing a matching (find your partner) game with the letters of the musical alphabet (A-G).
With President’s Day around the corner, and inspired by George M. Cohan, I’ve prepared a tribute to Vaudeville. We start with the book The Song and Dance Man by Karen Ackerman with illustrations by Stephen Gammell. Following the book, there will come a hat dance (read paper plates) with music, Hello My Baby, made legend by Warner Brother’s Michigan J. Frog. Sesame Street has released a brilliantly accessible take-off on Vaudeville, A Very Easy Dance to Do.
To all children, students of music, and teachers,
Happy February and Keep on Singing!
Posted 12 years, 3 months ago. Add a comment
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