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February 22, 2006
Dear Marie,
I was wondering if you could
recommend something to help me with rhythm. That is one area I could use help in.
Thank you so much.
Rhythm-Challenged
Dear Rhythm-Challenged,
Rhythm is an on-going issue for many musicians--myself
included; don't feel that you're the only person who has to work on it. Rhythm is often more difficult for people who didn't
MOVE to music while they were children. So . . . we work with what we have now. We just have more territory to cover than
the people who grew up dancing or "got" the rhythm instinctively.
To improve your sense of rhythm, take every possible
chance to tap, clap, walk, march, dance, or conduct, to pre-recorded music. Then get up and march and conduct to the music
you're learning as you practice singing it. Make a conscious effort to FEEL the on-going background beat as well
as the rhythm of the music. Pay attention to how the beat is subdivided and try to figure out the time signature without having
the score in front of you. Even though rhythms are more prominent in contemporary music, sometimes the actual meter
is more difficult to find due to off-beat accents. Classical music often has more straight-forward rhythms.
There is now a new page in this website dedicated to
helping rhythm-challenged would-be musicians. (Go to Help With Rhythm
page.)
If you have more questions, please feel free to ask.
I'll pray for you.
Marie
February 25, 2006
Dear Marie,
My Church
choir is doing its first "CANTATA" this Easter! I would like to explain to them good information on the Cantata, other that
it tells a story! Can you help me?
Thanks for the great idea
of helping us!
Looking for Background
Information
February 26, 2006
Dear Looking,
You have asked a broad question. In order to answer at all, I need to know a bit more information.
First, what kind of information do you want your choir and your church to know? Do you want them to know the history of cantatas
in general? Do you want a story of THIS cantata? Have you researched the origins of this cantata, these lyrics, this composer,
this lyricist, the connection of this cantata to the Bible story? Can you describe/explain/demonstrate the musical styles
and composition techniques that have been used? You get the picture.
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(Continued from previous column.)
All of these questions require different types of research.
Some will be available from the cantata's publisher and/or composer, other information will have to come from your own research.
i.e., If the publisher didn't provide it, you will need to sit down with a Bible, a Concordance, and your cantata score to
find the Bible chapters and verses that connect the lyrics with the Bible story.
This is a worthy goal for you, and knowing about the music
can help your singers and audience connect with the music—and through the music, connect with God. I hope you find exactly
the right combination of information to reach your goal.
I'll pray for you.
Marie
February 28, 2006
Dear Marie
The choir members are so excited about
doing this cantata, I just want to give them some background of what the word means. I've been told it tells a story. Is there
anything more you could add to augment their/my understanding.
Thanks for your time,
Looking for the History
Dear Looking,
The word "cantata" comes from
the root cant—to sing. A "cantor" is a person who sings. Traditionally, cantatas are compositions for voice—often
with instruments. Usually they are settings of religious text and intended to be sung in church. They are similar to operas
and oratorios, but are not usually intended to be staged. The term covered several types of musical collections until the
time of J. S. Bach. He developed the cantata form into a group of pieces on the same theme or story and often wrote his cantatas as
expansions on a single chorale tune. Bach wrote more than 200 cantatas, but term has been describing similar works of
music ever since. You have an interest in music history; I suggest that you take a college class or two and find out more.
Hope your performance is inspiring!
I'll pray for you.
Marie
Go to:
& Evelyn Pursley-Kopitzke
Ask Marie, Page Six, through Dec. 18, '05.
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