Blog Posts

How do I know if I have musical talent?

2/11/2013

Is musical talent something that we are born with? Or is musical talent based solely on environment and training?

It has been interesting to hear so many different perspectives on the same subject as I have begun teaching music, and in particular, vocal music. Parents of children who are taking music lessons or adult music students seem to be the most firmly set in their view of this topic. Can we find a balanced perspective?

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Music arrangement #1 -- My Redeemer Medley

1/31/2013

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So here it is...my first attempt at posting an arrangement online. This is actually not the complete version, but it is posted before the month is out. The pdf version is available on this post for you to view, download, and critique. My music will begin to get out this year, beginning with this first (if feeble) attempt.

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How Your Voice Makes Music | Your Vocal Instrument

1/16/2013

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How your voice makes music, vocal instrument

As we sing, a predictable musical process is taking place. Just like any other instrument, our voices create music by utilizing three basic parts: an initiator, a vibrator, and a resonator. One thing that makes the voice a unique instrument is a fourth part, the articulators. The information I'm sharing today I initially learned from my voice teachers and from a book entitled, The Diagnosis and Correction of Vocal Faults, by James McKinney. I would highly recommend this book for additional information on the topic of vocal usage and voice teaching.

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Getting my music out

1/1/2013

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Many people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out.

~ Oliver Wendell Holmes ~

In this year, what will define our music careers or music ministries? Will we allow our music to die with us? Here are a few of my thoughts and reflections as I start 2013.

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A Response to Christmas Recitals

12/15/2012

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Christmas is a special time of year for a lot of reasons. One of the things that my wife and I have enjoyed this season is seeing our voice and piano students perform in their Christmas recitals. We are so proud of their accomplishments!

But I see more than just simple Christmas carols being played and sung by students of various levels of ability. What is being developed in these children is something far greater...

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A few of my favorite...Christmas songs

12/4/2012

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Who doesn't have favorite songs of the Christmas season? In this post, I want to share some of my favorites. I have included songs in several categories: sacred, secular, and classical. Enjoy the music via the links next to each song, or visit the Harmony Passion Christmas Songs playlist to listen to them all in order. 'Tis the season!

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The Organ: A Powerful Worship Tool (When Used Properly) | Jason Payne

11/27/2012

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I recently heard about a man working on funeral service preparations for when his time came. When asked about what sort of music would be wanted the man said, “NOT the organ! It reminds me too much of a funeral!”

Stories like this can be all too familiar in churches today, where the organ has received a bad reputation. I submit that this “bad rap” can be related to several things that we as organists can lack if we are not careful: a lack of excellence, a lack of variety, and a lack of passion.

So, one may ask, “How can I do better?” Here are several things to consider when playing the organ in worship so that the instrument can be utilized effectively:

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Today only -- free music notation software

11/20/2012

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Here's a deal that's hard to beat...free!
Giveawayoftheday.com has a daily software giveaway that allows developers to get a new product out into the marketplace and lets you get free software to try. Today's giveaway is music notation software, so I thought I'd share the news with the Harmony Passion blog readers. This offer is only good for today. Different software will be featured tomorrow. You can download this software by clicking the link above. Happy notation!

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Songs for holidays through the year

11/19/2012

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As we approach a busy season for holidays, I'd like to share a few fun song selections for various holidays. I have tried to pick the best version of each song that I could find on YouTube and a few from other sites. Many of these songs are familiar, but I hope you will get some enjoyment from these and maybe find something great for your repertoire...

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