9d10c90cfa61

Finish keep calm.
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author Steve Losh <steve@stevelosh.com>
date Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:32:26 -0400
parents b18e6f5600f6
children 5f05b296676b c4db07acaccb 9c925e190ed9
branches/tags (none)
files content/blog/2010/11/keep-calm-and-carry-on.html

Changes

--- a/content/blog/2010/11/keep-calm-and-carry-on.html	Thu Nov 04 17:07:24 2010 -0400
+++ b/content/blog/2010/11/keep-calm-and-carry-on.html	Fri Nov 05 16:32:26 2010 -0400
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 {% hyde
     title: "Keep Calm and Carry On"
     snip: "You don't always need to be sexy."
-    created: 2010-11-04 12:00:00
+    created: 2010-11-05 16:30:00
     flattr: true
 %}
 
@@ -197,9 +197,9 @@
 we no longer even have those hours.
 
 Dancers may be dancing provocatively to Saint James Infirmary because *they
-don't even realize it's is a sad song*!  Even though they've heard it many
-times it never really registers, because they're always focusing on something
-else when they hear it.
+don't even realize it's a sad song*!  Even though they've heard it many times
+it never really registers, because they're always focusing on something else
+when they hear it.
 
 The Real Solution
 -----------------
@@ -218,13 +218,17 @@
 Now that you're finally listening, what should you be trying to hear? Here are
 a few suggestions:
 
-* Try just listening to a couple of songs.  Take in the lyrics (if it has them)
-  and the overall "mood" of the instruments.
-* Listen to the energy of the song.  Jazz and blues musicians will usually make
+* Try just listening to a couple of songs.  Take in the lyrics (if they have
+  them) and the overall "mood" of the instruments.
+* Listen to the energy of the songs.  Jazz and blues musicians will usually make
   the energy rise and fall throughout the song.
-* Pick a single instrument and listen to it for the entire song.  Try not to let
+* Pick a single instrument and listen to it for an entire song.  Try not to let
   your mind wander -- really focus on just one instrument.  This is where a decent
   pair of headphones will really help.
+* Pick a different instrument and listen to it for an entire song.  Try to notice
+  differences in how the two instruments play.  For example, a bassist will often
+  be playing for the entire song, while a horn player will frequently stop playing
+  while others are soloing.
 
 Once you've listened to the entire album, without stopping, get a notebook and
 write down some of the things you noticed.  You don't have to have any amazing
@@ -238,6 +242,8 @@
 and themes in the music and can adjust your dancing to match them.
 
 Music is the foundation of dancing, so the more we listen the better our
-dancing will be.  Please, give it a try.
+dancing will be.
+
+We'll all become better dancers if we just stop and *listen*.
 
 {% endblock %}