Vintage Keyboards

Mental_Floss is a fascinating magazine and website that is chock-full of trivia and odd information. Recently I came across a blog posting on the site that highlights some vintage electric keyboards that we have mentioned at various times in Music Theory and Jazz Band. Since we're beginning to work on "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" in JB, we've been listening to a lot of Fender Rhodes piano parts. So, check out this and other cool 'boards here.

One keyboard they didn't mention is the Hohner Clavinet. When you play any electric keyboard or synthesizer today, you can find it immortalized with the patch setting "Funky Clavi." Its sound is unlike any other--you'll probably recognize it as the intro to Stevie Wonder's "Superstition," which you can watch him play on Sesame Street below:

I have very fond memories of the Fender Rhodes--I was in a 6-piece jazz rock band in high school called "Motel Six." Whenever we gigged, we borrowed the Rhodes from Glenbrook South HS (thanks, Mr. Pappas) and carted it off in Jim Grimson's mini-station wagon. Alexis Mitchell played everything from old standards to Blues Brothers using that keyboard (she had perfect pitch and photographic memory, and later taught Rahm Silverglade piano lessons--small world!).

Wednesday Morning Playlist

In the winter and early spring, my early morning runs are often indoors, around a .10 mile track at my health club. I'm always accompanied by my iPod, because the piped-in adult contemporary music is less than inspiring. Currently, I've got about 500 some-odd tracks to rotate through, mostly classic rock with a couple of worldbeat and jazz surprises to keep me interested. Lately, I've been playing a game in which I put the player on "shuffle," and every time I complete a lap, I bump it ahead to the next track. That way, I only hear 48 seconds of each tune, but I get to hear dozens of them over my run.

Today's playlist was particularly well varied. It made me think about all the sources I have to thank for my different tastes and discoveries in music. So, I've numbered the tracks and cross-referenced them below with a shout out to my influences.

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Long time, no blog...

Yes, I've been very behind in posting the goings-on of the DHS band program. Suffice to say, it's been quite busy around here. Highlights since my last post:

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