on-music

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TV Jingle Quiz

We know how much you like the soundbite quizzes, so we're back with a new one for you. How well do you think you know the classic TV jingles? As always, we'd love to know how well you... READ ON

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TV theme song quiz, part 2!

Thousands of you took our first TV theme song quiz last week and we've heard only good things about it. So guess what? You've gone and inspired a second quiz featuring 15 more shows! So go get to it, and let us know how you made... READ ON

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On Music: TV themes

Who doesn't love a good TV theme song? Many of the hit shows from the 50s on up had not only memorable, but well-crafted tunes. One or two were even lifted from classical composers like Rossini, though I dare not say which yet, as it will spoil our first TV theme show... READ ON

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On Music: thievery part ii

I thought I'd continue the theme of last week's On Music post, today focusing on a rather direct lift, which results in more of an homage than anything like Bernstein's nod to Beethoven from the last... READ ON
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On Music: thievery

Call it inspiration, call it thievery, call it the ultimate form of flattery, or homage "“ but composers have been lifting or borrowing tunes from each other since before they were even putting their names on their compositions. Mozart lifted tunes from Haydn, Tchaikovsky from Mozart, Stravinsky from Tchaikovsky and Bernstein from Stravinsky. Sometimes consciously, as Tchaikovsky did from Mozart, sometimes subconsciously, as in the example we're about to... READ ON

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Weekend Word Wrap: Your Default Song

I'm nearly certain I've invented something original here and wanted to share it for two reasons: a) how many times do you really get to be self-congratulatory in life, eh? And b) if I'm wrong, and someone else has already coined this phrase, I'm hoping one of you loyal readers will now embarrass the bravado out of me, and quickly. I've written about the concept in a novel I've recently finished, but thought it would be fun to drop it first here in the Word Wrap,... READ ON

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On Music: Rock Ballad Quiz

Sorry for all the technical difficulties with the quiz yesterday, folks. Our gurus are still working out some of the bugs in this cool, new quiz tool. It seems to be on surer footing today, so I'm reposting now... for all the mice in the house. Lest you think this feature is only about classical music, test your knowledge of cheesy rock ballads by taking our first name that tune quiz! (Be sure to have your speakers on, and some tissues... READ ON

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On Music: The World's Longest Melody?

Everyone loves a hum-able tune, a memorable melody. For a melody to worm its way into our memories, it usually needs to be short. It's like advertising in a way: If you wanted to promote a new film, you'd put up a billboard with an image and something like "This time it's personal." You wouldn't write in small print, "David is back in town looking to right the injustices of the world, like how the bad guys keep getting a leg-up on the good guys, who finish... READ ON

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Weekend Word Wrap: On Music

I thought I'd end the week's ON MUSIC posts by combining one last one with my usual Friday feature. For those who enjoyed the new feature, don't worry, they'll be making periodic appearances in the ensuing weeks. In the meantime, here are a bunch of words and phrases I like that have crossed over from the lexicon of musical terminology into everyday speak. People are said to act harmoniously, or even in concert with one another. Someone's last major job or work of... READ ON

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On Music: the flute solo in Debussy's L'après-midi d'un faune

Earlier this week, I introduced you to the woodwinds via a wonderful Mozart piece, yet one which didn't include one very important instrument: the flute. So I thought I'd spend the entire post today making amends. Of course, the flute (and its predecessor) is one of the oldest instruments in the world, appearing first around 4,000 B.C. made out of bones, hooves, and horns. The Greek God, Pan, the faun (half-man half-goat), is said to have invented the panpipe—a sensual kind of... READ ON

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