August 3, 2011

I've been thinking a lot about this question and ideas implicit in its answer: What makes "Heart and Soul" such a favorite to play on the piano among people of all abilities?  I have my theories regarding music that people of various abilities can play together.  In fact, I think that is something sorely lacking in our culture: if a beginner (or a complete newbie) wants to join in with experienced musicians, there is often no path for that person to take.  There is not an "easy" part to Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata, Strayhorn's "Take the 'A' Train", or even "Just Dance".  There are easy arrangements, but nothing that invites a beginner to play right along with an advanced musician.

Aside from playing simple rhythm instruments that remind one of kindergarten music class (ahem), there is no way to say, "hey, join in!" to a novice in the midst of a jam session.  This is a problem, because more people deserve the smiles of spontaneous, uninhibited music making. Don't they?  Don't YOU?

This brings be back to Hoagy Carmichael/Frank Loesser 1930 hit song.  How did that song, not unlike many songs of that era, make it's way into the American avocational piano repertoire along with the black-notes-by-knuckles-song?  Here's the original recording from 1930: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8CSjDC18b0

And if you go to 2:00 of this clip, you'll get to see Tori Amos playing it with someone else's fingers.

Tell me what you think!

August 2, 2011

The film features the real horse whisperer, Monty Roberts and his work with Gulf War vets struggling with PTSD. Directed by Lisa Wolfinger and produced by Lone Wolf Documentary Group for Military Channel.

Lisa and her crew captured the personal journeys of four very different veterans, beginning with profiling their difficulty adjusting to home life after their service in the war.   These stories are contrasted with that of Monty Roberts, whose complete departure from violence of any kind at a young age led him to bring horses into the lives of those in need.  The arrival of the vets at Monty's farm begins the main drama of the program as they learn to treat horses with patience, calm, and gentleness.

The score I created for this needed to capture both the dusty, outdoor spaces of Monty Roberts "Flags Up Farm" as well as the inner healing journey of the four veterans as they learned Roberts' nonviolent methods for training wild, and often abused, horses.  We worked with acoustic guitars, solo violin, and other small forces to support Lisa's desire to create an close-up and personal viewing experience.  "This shouldn't feel like a big screen story," Lisa said in an edit session with Jed Rauscher.  "It needs to feel very intimate."

More from the Lone Wolf Documentary Group Site