Friday Fave: Sibelius

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Those of you who are non-musicians might not find this particular “Friday Fave” very interesting, but I’ve been spending so much time using this program (and loving *almost* every minute of it) lately that I just had to share.  Sibelius – named after Finnish composer Jean Sibelius – is a scorewriter program that can do just about anything you could think of when it comes to producing or editing sheet music.

I actually have my mom to thank for my version of Sibelius.  My contribution was my student discount, which she was able to apply when she purchased the program a few years back, during my undergrad days.  I’ll say that the price is definitely a bit steep, but it has been worth every penny.  I used Sibelius to create all of the sheet music for my songbook, after all!

The learning curve for this program is also steep, especially if you are used to more basic software like Finale Notepad (which is what I used prior to Sibelius).  But the key is sitting down and experimenting; the more you  use it and explore its features, the easier it gets.  Here are some of the cool things you can do with Sibelius:

  • Scan in printed sheet music and edit it
  • Input music using a microphone, keyboard, or other MIDI instrument
  • Record playback and turn it into an audio file
  • Create worksheets (comes in very handy for studio teachers like me!)

And the list goes on and on.  I haven’t even touched half of the plug-ins that come with Sibelius, but I’m hoping to get around to that someday.  In the meantime, I’ll stick with my current project: creating sheet music for each and every Listen & Learn song written thus far.  I compose my songs in lead sheet form, but now that I have more and more orders coming in for sheet music (you can place yours here), I decided to convert my entire library.  I’ve been using Sibelius so often that I’m even having dreams about it, but hey, I could think of worse things :)

Sunday Singalong: That Yellow Bus

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“That Yellow Bus” was a February staple in my music therapy classes, and quickly became a student and staff favorite.  (I think the main reason is because it shares a title with a certain Justin Roberts song I did last year – that one still gets requested all the time!) Like I mention in the video, it was written specifically for a little guy with bus transitioning issues, but since many of my students do ride the bus, they were able to benefit from it, too.

That is the beauty of what I do: there is so much crossover from one part of my job to another, and so many different situations in which to apply the same therapeutic interventions, activities and songs. For example, many of the tunes I’ve written and shared on this very blog are also included in this semester’s Church Mice class, which is actually where I’d headed in just a little bit. 

Which leads me to wonder…is it already Sunday afternoon?  This weekend has certainly flown right by, as they usually do.  After Church Mice, my husband and I are heading to my parents’ for a cookout with my brother (who is in town for spring break) and his fiancee, and then I’m looking forward to vegging out on the couch and watching the Academy Awards.  What are you up to tonight?

Friday Fave: Audible

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When I was in elementary school, I only got in trouble for one reason: reading Babysitter’s Club books during class.  Not much changed throughout the years; I always had books in my desk, locker, and bookbag, because I loved to read and couldn’t get enough.  It frustrated my parents to no end, because they would buy be a new book and I would finish it that very same day.

I still love to read, but these days, I just don’t have the time.  How sad is it that I’ve had the same two books laying on the nightstand for two months now?  But late last fall, my friend Kimberly S. Moore (a.k.a. Music Therapy Maven) introduced me to a whole new way of “reading” books.   Audible is a website that sells audiobook downloads (either a la carte or through a membership) and I am hooked!

As an AudibleListener Gold member, I receive a monthly credit which allows me to download almost any audiobook I want.  Not only is the price completely reasonable ($7.49/month for the first 3 months, and then $14.95/month thereafter) but the selection is amazing.  I have a huge wish list of audiobooks I plan to download in the coming months.

The #1 reason I love audiobooks is the convenience factor.  I listen to them on my iPhone, which I have with me all the time.  A few of my favorite times/places to listen: the gym, getting ready in the morning, in the car, while I’m cleaning or cooking, and the list goes on.  I recently finished the book Getting Things Done by David Allen (which I’d recommend to anyone), and right now I’m in the middle of Excuses Begone! by Wayne Dyer.

I’d be curious to hear if anyone else has discovered the beauty of audiobooks, or if you stay true to traditional printed books.  Any Kindle readers here?  I’d love to try that out, although I’m not sure how much I’d love having one more thing to carry around with me.

Well that does it for this week’s edition of Friday Faves!  Thinking ahead: let me know if there’s a song you’d like to see/hear featured in my Sunday Singalong video…it could be one of my own or a cover (think Jack Johnson, Justin Roberts, Laurie Berkner, Jim Gill, etc.).  It’s a happy, sunny day here, and I hope the same is true for you!  See you again soon.

Wave Goodbye to Winter

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized


Warning: I might be contagious, so don’t come near me unless you want to catch…spring fever! Here are a few of my symptoms:

  • jumping for joy at the appearance of sunlight
  • impatiently counting down the days left of winter
  • the urge to hug the weatherman for predicting warmer temps
  • spontaneously breaking into songs about spring

I’ve come down with a very serious case, and it’s only getting worse with each passing day.  But I take comfort in knowing I’m not alone in my suffering; it seems that spring fever is running rampant.  Have you fallen victim?

The good news is that my spring fever inspired me to write a new song, and every time I sing it, I can’t help but feel giddy at the prospect of birds singing in the trees, warm sunshine on my face, green grass, and blooming flowers. 

Wave goodbye to winter,
Say hello to spring.
Clap your hands,
Oh, clap your hands,
Oh, clap your hands and sing!

Sing because spring is almost here.
Sing because the sky will be blue and clear.
Sing with the birds, up in the tree,
Sing and (clap your hands) with me!

Wave goodbye to snow,
Say hello to spring.
Sway side to side,
Oh, side to side,
Sway side to side and sing!

CHORUS

Wave goodbye to cold air,
Say hello to spring.
Wave your arms,
Oh, wave your arms,
Oh, wave your arms and sing!

CHORUS

Wave goodbye to gray days,
Say hello to spring.
Tap your toes,
Oh, tap your toes,
Oh, tap your toes and sing!

In 17 days, we can officially wave goodbye to winter and celebrate the official start of spring.  But for now, I’ll settle for a week of sunshine, 40-degree (and climbing) temperatures, and best of all, little to no precipitation.  It’s the small victories, you know?  After this brutal winter, I’ll take whatever I can get!

Marching Right Along

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized

 


Is it just me, or did February seem to drag on and on?  Thankfully, that dreary winter month is finally behind us and March is here!  On the horizon: SPRING, a weekend in Chicago, my puppy’s first birthday, and a week-long break (during which I’ll be recording a CD in St. Louis).

I was so excited about the advent of month #3 that I even recorded a new version of my “March” song.  I wanted to pep it up just a bit, so I added some drums, bass and harmonies and this was the final result:

March is here, yes March is here,
The third month of the year.
Thirty one days march into spring,
And that is a wonderful thing.
Yes that is a wonderful thing.

St. Patrick’s Day will come around,
Find four-leaf clovers on the ground.
Leprechauns and rainbows too,
Clothes of green for me and you.

CHORUS

Get ready for the start of spring,
And all the fun that it will bring.
Soon enough we’ll have spring break,
Let’s celebrate, for goodness sake!

CHORUS (2x)

Even though today is a holiday, March is off to a busy start for me!  This whole week is going to fly by, in fact.  The clock is ticking, so it’s time for me to get a move on.  Happy first day of March (and Casimir Pulaski Day), everyone :)