Moog: The man, the synthesizer, the legend

Sara Bir has written an interesting piece serving as a brief obituary of Robert Moog, and an overview of the instruments he created.

Read the full article: Bob Moog–the man, the synthesizer, the legend

Children’s maths and algebra improves with early piano practice, study suggests

A new study suggests that piano lessons taken in the pre-school years can help children excel long-term in maths such as calculus and algebra.

According to the study conducted by Barbara M. Burns and her research team at the University of Louisville’s Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, preschoolers learning to play the piano showed significant gains in visuo-spatial intellect — the ability to form mental images, visualize graphic representations, and recognize relationships of various objects to one another — each the essential building blocks for subjects like calculus and physics.

I started playing the piano ‘by ear’ very early on, and started lessons at the age of 5 or 6. I neither excel nor flop at maths. It’s an interesting study.

Read the full article: Learning Piano in Preschool Boosts Long Term Math Skills at eMediaWire.

New Video Tutorial Released for Reason 3

Press Release

“Enter Reason!” is the latest release from Groovebox Corp, taking you from opening your first Reason song, to recording MIDI, programming and arranging patterns and loops, sequencer editing, quantizing, exporting, saving and more.

The CD-ROM is designed for the beginner to intermediate level user, and contains over 30 tutorials running over 3 hours. The CD-ROM works on both Mac and PC and is shot using Reason 3.x.

The tutorials are shown in a Windows XP environment, but any Mac specific info and keyboard commands are shown as well. The CD-ROM also contains 125 Megs of free Loops and ReFills to use with Reason.

The price of the CD-ROM is $39.99, and includes free U.S shipping. International shipping is also available.

For more information, visit their web site at www.grooveboxmusic.com.

Two new sample libraries from Big Fish Audio

Big Fish Audio has introduced two new sample libraries, Afro Latin Producer and Electro Breaks. Both libraries retail for $69.95, and features samples in Reason, Audio, EXS24, HALion, Kontakt, REX, and WAV formats.

Afro Latin Producer

From the beaches, bars and clubs of Brazil, Argentina and Cuba, Loopmasters bring you an exclusive selection of inspirational afro latin samples and loops to blend into your productions.

Electro Breaks

Electro Breaks is the freshest collection of samples for Breakbeat, Electro and Breaks producers worldwide. A serious production tool for people looking for a truly inspirational collection of samples to mix into their tracks. Including hundreds of new Breakbeat and electro drumloops and breaks, heavy basslines, twisted textures, resonant synths,, atmospheric pads, keys, Sfx ,hits, kits and multisamples.

More information: Big Fish Intros Two New Sample Libraries (Synthtopia) | Big Fish Audio website

New Modular Synth Releases from EAR

Electro-Acoustic Research (EAR) has announced a limited quantity release (10 units each) of five synth modules, in Doepfer Eurorack format.

Source: Electro-Acoustic Research Announces Modular Synth Releases (Synthtopia)

Interview with Jamie Cullum

The Scotsman newspaper has published an excellent interview with Jamie Cullum, in which he talks about his latest album, his daily routine, his personal life, and his work ethic.

The interview also covers his major achievements to date, including performing to 110,000 people at Glastonbury and playing for the Queen.

Read the review: Don’t call him a cover boy

Jamie Cullum UK tour dates

OCTOBER
Wednesday 26th – Plymouth Pavillions
Thursday 27th – Portsmouth Guildhall
Friday 28th – Liverpool Philarmonic
Sunday 30th – Oxford New Theatre
Monday 31st – Nottingham Royal Hall

NOVEMBER
Wednesday 2nd – Manchester Apollo
Thursday 3rd – Manchester Apollo
Friday 4th – Glasgow Clyde Auditorium
Saturday 5th – Sheffield City Hall
Monday 7th – Dublin National Stadium
Tuesday 8th – Belfast Waterfront Hall
Thursday 10th – Birmingham NIA
Friday 11th – De Montfort Hall, Leicester
Saturday 12th – Brighton Centre
Monday 14th – Royal Albert Hall, London
Tuesday 15th – Royal Albert Hall, London

Win a piano lesson with Jamie Cullum

GMTV in the UK are offering you a chance to win a piano lesson with Jamie Cullum

The winner of our competition will not only get treated to a hour-long piano lesson with the UK’s biggest selling jazz artist ever, but he/she will also win a signed copy of Jamie’s Catching Tales album, plus a pair of tickets to one of Jamie’s shows.

Steinway to celebrate September as National Piano Month

A three-day celebration of the piano will be marked by legendary piano-makers Steinway & Sons, together with the University of Iowa School of Music and West Music Co., from September 23rd-25th.

The celebration will include several performances and events open to the public free-of-charge.

• 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, UI School of Music piano faculty members Uriel Tsachor, Rene Lecuona, Ksenia Nosikova and Alan Huckleberry, among others, in performances of pieces for one, two, three, four and eight pianos;
• 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, a recital by guest artist Richard Glazier celebrating the lives and music of George and Ira Gershwin;
• 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, a piano master class featuring the UI piano faculty and area high school students; and
• 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, a recital by area piano students.

A selection of Steinway, Boston and Essex pianos will be available for viewing and purchasing throughout the event in the Clapp Recital Hall lobby, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Read the full press release: UI Hosts National Piano Month ‘Extravaganza’ Sept. 23-25

Piano owners FAQ

There’s an excellent “Frequently Asked Questions” page at PianoFinders—Piano Owners’ FAQ—which covers topics including cleaning and care of a piano, moving tips, and safety.

It is suitable for both upright and grand piano designs.

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