Music and YouTube - Mozart’s Monthly Memo-Volume 30
May 4, 2023
New session of Crescendo Kids Online begins Tuesday, May 9
Music and YouTube
This Memo includes
Feature Article: Music and YouTube
Student Hall of Fame
Practice Tip
Sign up link for our 2023 Spring Recital
Parents Ask Pam - Will there be a dress rehearsal for the Spring Recital?
Feature Article - Music and YouTube
By Sean Kenney
The internet has done much to transform the experience of music, and not just in the sense of being easy to find - those wanting to make music have more options than ever before. While you could (and still can) always just play something and see what the others think about it, the lifestyle of a traveling musician in today's day and age is not easy, if it ever was. And while the record player did much to bring music to the masses, it brought with it a great horror - record companies. Well, that's probably an exaggeration, but it is no great secret that they can be a pain to work for. And while in today’s day and age, a contract with a record company is still usually needed if you want worldwide success, it is no longer the only option for those who want their music to be heard by thousands.
That option is YouTube. A website that has had a massive impact upon culture worldwide and in no way has it failed to have that impact upon music.
With YouTube people have access to music on a scale never before seen and it has provided a way for some musicians, whose only previous option to make a wage off the skills they have spent years refining was to play on the street with a bucket or hat if they couldn’t manage to get a record label to pick them up.
Today, many musicians, who may otherwise have left the practice behind as they aged, have found a career on YouTube. Often this is in the form of covers of other songs before beginning to produce their own original music. And while it will probably never lead to fantastic wealth, it’s great to supplement another source of income - and that’s if you don’t manage to get enough of an audience to manage a living wage, which is quite possible. Moreover, if you really do want that kind of fame, popularity on YouTube is an excellent way to gather the attention of a major label - most famously Justin Bieber amongst that number.
That’s not to say it’s a trivial task either. Managing and marketing a YouTube account is something of a trial, and YouTube itself does change its rules from time to time. However, it still offers a vital point between the extremes of ‘plays only for fun’ and ‘wildly successful’ for a musician.
Resources:
https://adamharkus.com/travelling-world-musician-guide/
https://www.vulture.com/2015/10/jojo-fighting-the-major-label-man-in-her-own-words.html
https://unlockyoursound.com/youtube-reach
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-bristol-60163456
https://medium.com/@Morjax/how-many-youtube-creators-could-be-full-time-6ecd1636bfc1
Student Hall Of Fame
Our students are making great progress! These students have accomplished new goals this last month.
Welcome to our new students - Ahaan K, Akhila P, Akshara R, Anona A, Archer L, Arya C, Ata D, Avyan J, Bennett P, Claire S, Conor L, Emily W, Emily Y, Ethan L, Eva B, Evan A, Grace M, Gwen D, Iris B, Ivaan A, Jason J, Jasper C, Kai X, Lina D, Lucas V, Madeline S, Marlo A, Miranda L, Naod D, Naomi D, Nivin M, Parvati R, Poppy N, Pranav J, Rebecca O, Sasha B, Sebastian O, Serene S, Utsav T, and Venezia L.
5X5 - play the piano for 5 minutes, 5 days in a week, for 5 weeks in a row - Janice L, Lillian R, Siya P, and Vivian C. ( * indicates first time meeting this challenge!)
Listening - Listened to classical music for 1 hour/week for 4 weeks in a row - Dominic M.
Moved Up To The Next Music Level - Arianna D, and Olivia D.
Practice Tip
Part of preparing for a performance is practicing the actual performance. Get a family member, friend, or even pets and stuffed animals to sit as the audience. Then stand up, announce your piece, sit and play it, and then bow afterwards. You can also practice this on your own without an audience. Something about making it more common and comfortable really helps to calm the nerves.
Upcoming MOM Events
Want to see all upcoming events? Check out our calendar. It includes when the next Crescendo Kids class begins, school closure dates, piano parties, and recital dates.
Spring Recital - May 19, 20 and 21, 2023
Our in-person Spring Recital is BACK! Students may participate in person or online, and the audience my join in person or online. All currently taking piano lessons are welcome to join us, including former students and siblings of current students. Space is limited so sign up early! 2023SpringRecital
FREE Online Piano Party! Students share their own music as well as participate in musical games, creating music and learning some music history. Each party is a little different with new lessons and a special guest instrument. Come, meet our piano teachers, play some music, and have fun! All ages and musical levels are welcome. Parties are available to non-students, former students as well as current students. Click the link to sign up. Piano Party Sign Up
Saturday, June 3, at 11:00 am for ages 3 - 6 years old
Saturday, June 3, at 12:00 pm for ages 7 - 12 years old
Parent Information Meetings - Have questions about our online piano class program? Want a tour of our practicing app? Click the link to schedule your free meeting with Miss Pam. Parent Info Meeting
Crescendo Kids CLASSES - Tuesdays or Thursdays at North Kirkland Community Center visit kirklandparks.net
Registration is now
Tuesdays/Thursdays:
Summer: June 27/29 - August 22/24 (no class July 4)
Crescendo Kids CLASSES - Mondays at Spartan Recreation Center in Shoreline visit shorelinewa.gov/registernow
Registration is now for Summer classes
Mondays:
Summer: June 26 - August 21
30 - Minute Private Online Piano Lessons - Did you know that many of our teachers also teach privately? Now you can continue your child’s musical education, or your own, with Move Over Mozart. Click here for more information. Private Lessons
New Crescendo Kids Online begins Tuesday, May 9. Our piano classes are fun and easy to do! Perfect for beginning students ages 3 1/2 to 12 years old. Students are put into one of 4 classes depending on their age and musical ability.
Crescendo Kids Online Sign Up
Pre-Reading - Ages 3 - 5 years, or students not yet reading,
We use a color-coded method for the students to match their five fingers to five keys on the piano. New songs using only those 5 notes are given each week.
Primary - Ages 5 -7 years or older and brand new to music,
This group is for the very basics of piano playing. Students learn to play simple rhythms, correct hand position, and the names of the white keys on the piano.
Beginning Elementary - Ages 7-12 years or younger and reading notes,
This is for students just starting to read notes on the staff. Students are taught how the staff relates to the piano and how to translate the notes to making music. Also, having the students memorize a few key notes on the staff will help greatly with their ability to read music.
Advanced Elementary - Ages 7 - 12 years with previous piano lessons
This group already reads notes on the staff and can immediately identify many of the notes by name. They will learn more advanced technique and music theory beyond the initial basics of learning to play.
Parents Ask Pam
Have a question for Miss Pam? You can email, text message, or message on Facebook your questions. She will respond immediately to you, and your question might be featured in future newsletters.
Q: Will there be a dress rehearsal for the Spring Recital?
A: The students will be preparing for the recital during their classes. In addition to playing their recital pieces, they will have a little mini-recital for their teacher, announcing their piece, playing it, then bowing afterwards while their teacher and anyone else in the room claps. On the day of the recital, it is very helpful if you arrive 30 minutes prior to your recital time. Then the student can get used to the recital setting and play on the concert grand before the actual recital. Even if you have a grand piano at home, it is recommended that all students play on the performance piano before the recital since every piano feels a little different. By the time the recital actually starts, your child will be ready and eager to share their music.
Your Comments And Questions
We want to hear from you! What questions do you have? What do you like best about this memo? How do you encourage practicing in your home? Please leave your questions and comments below or email Pam directly at misspam@moveovermozart.net