Musicianship Mastery with David Lane

Composing for the Harp (with Danielle Kuntz) | Ep28

If you're not a harpist and wanting to compose, the harp can be a mysterious instrument.  It can play all of the notes of a chromatic scale, but only 7 in a time across all octaves.  It has a similar range to the piano with a similar 2-staff system, but the harpist uses fewer fingers and approaches the notes from a different angles.  There are pedal diagrams, pedal change instructions, special effects in tones, and so many other things to consider.  If you've ever thought about composing or arranging for the harp, it's very helpful to have someone like Danielle Kuntz to help!  Danielle is a harpist with a passion for new music, and her business is to help composers balance creativity with practicality to write great harp music with clarity.
You can get in touch with Danielle at https://www.daniellekuntz.com/
The resource for notation programs and harp notation is here: https://mola-inc.org/resources/20141
Let me know your thoughts on this episode at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.

The Power of Quarterly Goals | Ep27

Problem 1: Not having long-term goals puts us in the trap of focusing only on day-by-day or week-by-week tasks.  We get things done, but we're not moving towards anything bigger.
Problem 2: Long-term goals can be overwhelming, exhausting our patience and our discipline.  Something that's going to take 2 or 3 years or longer can be very tough for staying the course.
Solution: Quarterly planning and review!
In this episode, David Lane shares why he loves quarterly goals and how they hit that sweet spot of short term productivity and long term ambition.  He also explains the critical addition of the review process at the end of each quarter so that you're constantly learning from both your successes and your failures to always be creating better goals.  There are also suggestions of how you can implement this system as a musician.  Check out this episode right way, just before Q3 begins, and plan out a great 3 months!
What has been your experience with quarterly goals?  Are you inspired to get started? Let me know your thoughts on this episode at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.

Basics of Studio Recording (with Liz May) | Ep26

One of the tools every great musician should have in their toolkit is knowledge and experience of studio production.  If you use a professional engineer in your projects, you'll be able to understand the process and communicate better.  Often, you may be doing a DIY recording project, and want to get the best final product that you can.  This is a huge topic, and this episode is limited to just a few basics: choosing the right microphone, microphone placement, minimal gear requirements, planning a production session (even when it's just you involved), and a few finishing touches.
Our guest, Liz May, is a professional audio engineer with a pianist background, is very active as a live sound engineer and also owns a recording studio called Soundlizzard Productions.
Let me know your thoughts on this episode at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.

Heavy Metal 101, Part 2 (with Eric Schwartz) | Ep25

This is the 2nd of an epic 2-episode look at the genre of heavy metal, both in terms of music history and theory.  This 2nd episode takes more of a look at the history of heavy metal since 1980 through the lens of subgenres.  Leading us on this journey is Eric Schwartz, a classical musician and lifelong metal fan who is a co-host of the podcast Heavy Metal 101.  For the final segment of this episode, Eric and I each offer up 5 of our all-time favorite heavy metal albums.  Be sure to play this episode loud!
If you missed part 1, we talked more about the origins of heavy metal and got more into the music theory side.  You can find that episode hereL https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit/episode/7e14ef9d/heavy-metal-101-part-1-with-eric-schwartz
Eric's podcast, Heavy Metal 101, can be best enjoyed here: https://open.spotify.com/show/1tjsy3NgM063tlvMOv9PQR?si=4cba8bafc3f84dd4
The top 10 albums that we discussed, and 10 more we considered, can be heard in their entirety here: 
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0zrwEkboZKE5eLcikCdxdg?si=84415f3fa70a4d77&pt=e95433e2fc7ed6227c31035d7374dd5a
These are the musical examples played in this episode:
04:39 Iron Maiden: The Prisoner
05:51 Van Halen: Runnin' with the Devil
06:34 Motorhead: Overkill
06:57 Metallica: Master of Puppets
08:31 Death: Scream Bloody Gore
09:51 Emperor: Toward the Pantheon
10:24 Helloween: I'm Alive
11:02 Pantera: Walk
12:02 At the Gates: Cold
12:44 Dream Theater: Pull Me Under
13:51 Black Sabbath: Supertsar
16:41 Mastadon: Crack the Skye
18:12 Zeal & Ardor: Children's Summons
20:13 The Prodigy: Firestarter
22:16 Nine Inch Nails: Heresy
24:47 Def Leppard: Rocket
27:01 Queensrÿche: Speak
27:18 Queensrÿche: Spreading the Disease
27:51 Queensrÿche: Suite Sister Mary
29:18 Black Sabbath: Symptom of the Universe
29:58 Black Sabbath: Megalomania
30:43 Black Sabbath: The Writ
32:07 Megadeth: Sweating Bullets
32:32 Megadeth: Foreclosure of a Dream
33:39 Beetlejuice the Musical: The Whole Being Dead Thing
36:23 Slayer: Angel of Death
36:42 Slayer: Raining Blood
38:23 Anthrax: NFB
39:01 Anthrax: Got the Time
39:20 Anthrax: In My World
41:47 King Diamond: A Mansion in Darkness
42:15 King Diamond: 7th Day of July 1977
44:42 Avenged Sevenfold: Unbound (Wild Ride)
45:21 Avenged Sevenfold: Dear God
48:07 Judas Priest: Painkiller
48:40 Judas Priest: Hell Patrol
49:02 Judas Priest: A Touch of Evil
50:22 Nightwish: The Poet and the Pendulum
51:03 Nightwish: The Islander
51:22 Nightwish: 7 Days to the Wolves
54:40 Death: Spirit Crusher
55:08 Death: Voice of the Soul
56:09 Death Painkiller
 
What's your favorite heavy metal band or album, and why that choice?  Let me know your thoughts on this episode at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.

Heavy Metal 101, Part 1 (with Eric Schwartz) | Ep24

This is the first of an epic 2-episode look at the genre of heavy metal, both in terms of music history and theory.  This first episode compares how heavy metal came to be and developed throughout the '70s and into the early '80s, and then compares its attributes with Baroque through Romantic era concerti, as well as what metal offers that distinguishes itself as a genre.  Leading us on this journey is Eric Schwartz, a classical musician and lifelong metal fan who is a co-host of the podcast Heavy Metal 101.
Be sure to check out part 2 next week when we dive into heavy metal since 1980, the variety of subgenres, and our own personal favorite albums.
Eric's podcast, Heavy Metal 101, can be best enjoyed here: https://open.spotify.com/show/1tjsy3NgM063tlvMOv9PQR?si=4cba8bafc3f84dd4
These are the musical examples played in this episode:
9:40 Black Sabbath: The Wizard
11:24 Judas Priest: The Ripper
12:10 Judas Priest: Deceiver
18:37 Soundgarden: Loud Love
19:41 Alice in Chains: Man in the Box
20:05 Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit
22:31 Black Sabbath: Iron Man
28:12 Van Halen: Eruption
29:02 Vivaldi: Summer (III: Presto) perf. by I Musici
29:40 Vivaldi: Winter (I: Allegro Non Molto) perf. by I Musici
30:15 Van Halen: Eruption
32:30 Black Sabbath: Black Sabbath
33:06 Gustav Holst: The Planets (I. Mars) Montreal Symphony; cond. Charles Dutoit
33:47 Black Sabbath: Black Sabbath
36:42 Spinal Tap: Hell Hole
38:30 Deep Purple: Lazy
41:02 Judas Priest: Tyrant
47:12 Metallica: Battery
50:08 Tool: Schism
51:56 Meshuggah: Bleed
 
Let me know your thoughts on this episode at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.

30 Things I Would Tell Myself 30 Years Ago | Ep23

It's graduation season!  30 years ago, host David Lane graduated from high school.  Like so many adults, he's learned quite a bit since then, with some lessons harder than others.  From advice about practicing his instrument, finances, health, marketing, networking, and more...here are 30 things he would tell himself 30 years ago if he could go back in time.  If you're a high school graduate or still in college, or have a musician family member or friend in a similar situation, this episode may help give them a head start!
Adult listeners, what important lesson would you tell the high school graduate version of yourself?
Let me know by telling me directly at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.
 

Composing the Music for Prehistoric Planet (with Anže Rozman and Kara Talve) | Ep22

On this episode, we take a look at composing the score for a big-budget documentary series such as Prehistoric Planet, currently streaming on Apple TV+ with a 2nd season due to come out soon.  Series composers Anže Rozman and Kara Talve talk about working at Bleeding Fingers Music with Hans Zimmer, collaborating with each other in creating the score, and everything about the process from spotting the episodes, to deadlines, to preparing the score to be recorded by a live orchestra, in addition to commissioning and learning to play some of the custom-built instruments for this score such as the Raptor Violin, Hadro Cello, Petrified Wood Xylophone, and many more.
All music clips in this score are from the Apple TV+ Original Series Soundtrack for Prehistoric Planet, Season 1 - available for streaming or download on all major outlets.
Check out these two videos about the unique instruments for this score:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrkE-r2uV9N/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrcFJ9HsIVt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Do you have any comments on today's topic?  Let me know by telling me directly at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.

The Reality of Tradeoffs | Ep21

Episode 21 is a brief challenge to be mindful in your decisions, understanding that choosing to do something means that you're choosing NOT to do something else.  Sometimes that something else you're NOT doing is practicing challenging music or technique, or composing, or doing something that feels like work, but you can apply this to any decision you make in life.
Today's episode is sponsored by The Unstoppable Singer Summit, a free virtual event for singers who want to overcome the starving artist mentality.  There are 45 speakers over 3 days (May 15-17).  Registration is required and you can do so here: https://thesingersummit.com/toolkit/ref/51/
Do you have any comments on today's topic?  Let me know by telling me directly at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.

The Empire Strikes Back: Greatest Score? (with Frank Lehman) | Ep20

Dr. Frank Lehman, film music scholar and professor at Tufts University, returns to chat with David Lane about a score that is often lauded as the greatest of all time, The Empire Strikes Back composed by John Williams.  This episode is a discussion along with musical examples of the themes, harmonies, and orchestration choices that make this a masterpiece, along with a comparison to the 1st Star Wars series, and a little on the legendary performance from the London Symphony Orchestra.  May the force be with you as you join us as we tackle this ultimate Jedi of scores!
If you missed it, be sure to catch the 1st episode with Dr. Lehman, where we discussed John Williams more generally as well as some other scores here: https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit/episode/7d49eeaa/episode-8-the-craft-of-john-williams-with-frank-lehman
Frank's marvelous catalog of Star Wars themes and analysis is located here: https://franklehman.com/starwars/
Do you have something to add to our discussion?  Let me know by telling me directly at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
Musical Excerpts.  All tracks by John Williams and from The Empire Strikes Back except where noted.
18:39 King's Row Main Title (Erich W Korngold)
19:30 Theme from Ivanhoe (Miklos Rozsa)
27:14 Darth Vader Motif from Star Wars
29:02 The Imperial March (2 clips)
34:16 Yoda's Theme
34:47 Yoda's Death (Return of the Jedi)
37:10 Yoda and the Force
39:58 Han Solo and the Princess
40:51 Princess Leia's Theme (Star Wars)
42:20 Rescue from Cloud City
43:55 The Rebel Fleet/Finale
45:12 End Credits
46:36 Droids Theme
47:25 The Wampa's Lair
48:28 Main Title (Luke's Theme)
48:53 Force Theme
49:50 Rebel Fanfare
51:25 Lando's Theme
52:41 Boba Fett's Theme/Attack Position
53:18 Darth Vader's Trap
54:17 Dark Side Motif/Magic Cave
54:46 Yoda and the Force
56:04 The Asteroid Field (2 clips)
59:54 City in the Clouds
1:01:11 Mynock Cave
1:02:16 End Credits (Raiders of the Lost Ark)
1:02:30 End Credits (Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade)
1:04:48 Mynock Cave
1:08:22 The Battle of Hoth (5 clips)
1:15:08 Carbon Freeze (2 clips)
1:18:48 Hyperspace
1:22:37 End Credits
 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.

The Residual Effects of Practice | Ep19

When it comes to practicing music well, there may not be any better incentive than the power of residual effects.  For example, when you learn how to play a 2-octave scale really well, you've not just learned it for that one time.  You've learned it for the next time you need it and will at the very least be a lot further along when you come across anything similar.  Much like saving or investing money early and often, the effects of residual practice compound the more you learn and get a lot accomplished in your sessions.  Listen to this episode to hear what those benefits are, and how to maximize your practice so that you're gaining those residual effects.
Does this tip resonate, or do you have anything related to these suggestions? 
Let me know by telling me directly at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.