The truth about metronomes

Metronomes aren't lying, but you might be.

A musician's summer reading list

It's summer. Let's read. And maybe learn some stuff in the process.

No, I'm not a teacher, so I don't get time off in the summer. But a lot of you are, and by my count it's halfway through 2016 so I'd better get started on those New Year's resolutions.

I'm not just a musician, I'm a creative

Recently, I was lamenting to a friend that I felt overwhelmed by work and the fact that I have so much to do, all the time, full stop. What she said to me changed my world view, or at least, my world view of myself.

City or Sea: where should a musician live?

Like this post? Please share it!

It's a debate that rages within every musician. I've lived in 4 countries in the past 3 years, and here's what I think.

Yes, Composers ARE Researchers, and Here's Why

Yes, this is a picture of my desk. But what do you see?

How to Compose: A Guide

Many of us went to university to learn music - but amongst the recitals, exams, studying, and all-nighters, some escaped school without having answered a simple question: How do you compose music?

Home Recording 101, Kind Of

Trying to learn the basics of home recording is like learning to speak Greek from a Latin translation when you only speak English. (caution: animated images!)

Help. 
Image credit: HellYeahBriane.Tumblr.com

The Berlin Philharmonic's Misogyny Problem

Well, well, well. Another day, another case of the Berlin Philharmonic perpetuating sexist ideology.

Overcoming Writer's Block - A Story of Angst

This modest collection of tweets is only a snapshot into the consuming hellfire that is writer's block. I had never experienced this phenomenon which leads to an inescapable existential crisis, so I had zero skills on how to combat it. (caution: animated images!)

Top 10 Most Annoying Instruments

Who will it be? Who will win the prize? (There's no prize.)

I base this on a random, completely unscientific survey of musicians that I know and happen to talk to on a semi-regular basis. All hate can be directed to the comments.

Music Elitism - Why I am 5000% Done With It

I made this in MS Paint.

I was recently subjected to a conversation with another musician who drank the elitism kool-aid that so many universities and music conservatories shill in absence of a quality, well-rounded education. By the end of our chat, I had gone temporarily blind from rolling my eyes so hard.

What's That Weird Sound? Brass Edition

I decided to write about brass instruments and effects a few weeks earlier than I anticipated, mostly because I needed something loud in my headphones to drown out the car alarm that's been going off in the parking lot for the past 4 (yes, FOUR) hours. Unlike the string family, the brass instrument family wildly varies in size, tone, timbre, articulation, and technique.

What's That Weird Sound? String Edition

We hide many secrets.

Orchestral string instruments are responsible for a great deal of sound effects and musical qualities. They certainly aren't confined to simple dynamic and rhythmic effects - the amount of variety in sound is immense.

Weekly Music News Roundup: Week ending April 12th

We are one week closer to clearance Easter candy, and one week closer to summer holidays. Sure, we complain about how it's still cold now, but just wait until July when we all clamour for November to arrive. Here's this weeks music news: 

-Fiddle virtuoso Mark O'Connor drops and seriously damages instrument seconds before a concert, and requests to use the concert master's violin - if I were that concert master, I would be terrified to let my instrument into the hands of someone who just did likely irreparable damage to their own. (Source)

-Even the world's top violinists can't tell a Stradivarius from a high end new violin- but I bet an insurance claims adjuster can. (Source)

-How do you know when a composition is done? When do you stop editing? (Answer: when it is forcibly ripped from your hands.) (Source)

-All musicians have "day jobs." This article is inspirational and makes you feel like slightly less of a failure. (Link)

-To no one's surprise, Ian Campbell was booed last Sunday when he came out to announce what may be the final San Diego Opera production. (Source)

-In a world first, Kristine Opolais had her debut in two Met opera productions within one day. I cannot imagine the nap she took after she was finished. (Source)

-Johnny Cash's son, John Carter Cash, says he will never let his father's music to be used to advertise drinking or smoking, and I think that's awesome. (Source)

-Everyone thinks that music was better in their day. Surprise! (Source)


That's the news for this week, check back every Friday for more current events in music! If you know of a story that needs some publicity, you can contact me on Twitter @AngelinaPanozzo or through my website, AngelinaPanozzo.com. Thanks for reading and have a fantastic weekend!

Weekly Music News Roundup - Week Ending April 5th, 2014

It's finally April - the monsoon season of the northern hemisphere. With spring tidings comes music festival news, announcements, and gigs galore. Take a look:

-M.I.A and Janelle Monae are set to do a bi-coastal hologram concert and usher us into the 21st century. I feel like I'm living in Back to the Future! (Source)

-David Byrne asks an important question: Can musicians make a living off of streaming services?

-United Music Publishers has entered liquidation: a sad day for music. (Source)

-Song of the Lark's Emily Hogstad gives crucial and thorough coverage of the continued Minnesota Symphony troubles here.

-Sally Whitwell has a Pinterest account dedicated to women composers, and it is amazing. (Link)

-Violin legend Itzhak Perlman received terrible treatment by Air Canada at the Toronto airport - they left him to carry his own luggage and violin, even though he made his disability clear. (Source)

-The Sphinx competition for young Latino and Black musicians seeks to break the glass ceiling or traditional orchestras, and it is the most beautiful thing I've seen all week. (Source)

-The Guardian published a brief but accurate article about the state of whiteness in orchestras.

-There is a new app to create ambient music by waving your hands at your Mac, and I think it's safe to say that we all desperately need it. (Source)




That's the news for this week, check back every Friday for more current events in music! If you know of a story that needs some publicity, you can contact me on Twitter @AngelinaPanozzo or through my website, AngelinaPanozzo.com. Thanks for reading and have a fantastic weekend!