Weekly Studio Update

Yesterday my Dad had a birthday party for his 66th birthday, and it was a 70's Disco-themed murder mystery party. My assigned character was John Revolting - an egotistical disco dance champion.
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It was a great chance to listen to some disco music on the drive there as well, and I noticed a trend that is still current in today's musical landscape - the dance-cover-version. Basically, you take a popular song from a number of years ago, re-record it (or sample the original) and add a dance beat. The formula works so well because you're already hearing something familiar but it's more exciting at the new tempo and new groove.

The question is always worth asking: is it okay to re-invent a piece of music that is held in high esteem? I'm a firm believer that no piece of music is sacred, that everything is there to be reinterpreted and performed in an original way. When it comes down to it, every person who performs a Mozart piece will perform it differently anyway, and they're likely playing an arrangement of the original score, so why is it taboo to put your own twist on things, especially in the world of classical music?
I've been having fun lately with a couple of advanced students in taking songs that they already know how to play well, and trying to perform those songs in the style of another artist - for example, playing an Elton John song in the style of Nirvana. It's a great way to add novelty to practise, while also building critical listening skills.

A very warm welcome to Laeticia (Teash) who has her first lesson here this week!

I've pencilled in the weekend of the 26th/27th of October for our next Performance Day - currently canvassing opinions on which day is preferred by you, the Saturday or the Sunday. Please let me know if one or the other suits you more - the more that can make it, the merrier!

Things I've been watching/listening to this week:

1. Why sports sound better in your living room - If you're interested in sound and microphones and mixing, this is a nice short little documentary on how sports broadcasting mixes all of the sounds from the field and crowd.
2. Sing It or Eat It Challenge | YAK-APELLA Ft. 5SOS - One of my YouTube regular shows Good Mythical Morning hosted Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer for a singing challenge - basically, who can sing the longest. Lose, and eat something disgusting!
3. Thunderstruck [AC/DC Meets Beethoven] - Peter Bence - another amazing performance and recording by the incredible pianist Peter Bence.
4. This week's housework has been soundtracked by Goldfrapp (Black Cherry), Eskimo Joe (Black Fingernails Red Wine), Muse (Black Holes and Revelations) and AlunaGeorge (Body Music).