Correcting, Refocusing, Adjusting?
Posted on: May 13, 2013
Staying the Course
Staying the Course; as it turns out, it does take Rocket Science. Well, it takes an understanding of some of the same issues the rocket scientists go through.
You may be glad to know that during any given moonshot the space vehicle was perfectly on target about 3% of the time. The rest of the time it was adjusting, correcting, refocusing to get to it’s ultimate target.
As a musician this is so encouraging. Are we the only people who have to keep making adjustments in our practice, our rehearsing,
Stay the Course!
Spring Practice Reminders
Posted on: April 8, 2013
The glory of Spring has arrived. With sunny warm days, the trees and flowers blooming, and more light every day, there is a new energy in the air. Make sure you capture that energy as you move toward the realization of your Spring goals.
Just a few quick practice reminders:
- Schedule your practice sessions in advance so they become a priority in your day
- Plan your practice sessions carefully
- Warm-up with a favorite piece or technical studies to focus your mind
- Remember to take breaks
- Don’t practice when you are tired
- Always reward yourself with a favorite piece to end your practice session
- Enjoy yourself!
Dr. Jeannine Jordan, teacher, coach, and concert organist
Three Ways to Release Endorphins
Posted on: March 20, 2013
More on music and how it relates to release of endorphins.
Another article lists ten ways to “release endorphins.” Three of these relate specifically to attending an event such as our Bach and Sons multi-media and organ experiences:
Use your senses – our experiences engage not only the aural sense of the audience member but also the visual sense as well. The glorious music played by the organist and intriguing stories told by the narrator are brought to life by the constantly changing visuals projected on cinematic-sized screen. Engaging the aural and visual senses serves to release endorphins in those captivated by the experience.
Include more music in your life – each of our organ and media shows presents the listener with a smorgasbord of music from the sublime and contemplative to the joyous 
Socialize. When you simply interact with other humans, your body will release endorphins. This is why healthy social interactions are essential for a person’s health and well-being. Attending our organ and media experiences 
So, why all the interest in endorphins and recognizing ways to enhance endorphin production through music? The effect of endorphins is as an analgesic in the body to numb or dull pains, to promote feelings of well-being, and to increase relaxation. Here’s to the power of music.
[3] How to Release Endorphins | Scott Douglas. How.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2063616_release-endorphins.html#ixzz2NG1TomTp
Last week, in the midst of our Bach and Sons concert tour, I wrote an article on the joy of music-making and music-sharing for my monthly organ studio newsletter. I was on a “high” doing what I love most—performing and sharing our 
“Music has always exerted powerful physical and psychological effects on humans, but scientists have only recently made the connection of different types of music with the production of endorphins. Although music affects each individual differently, research has shown that
Studies also conclude that it is the active performance of music that generates the endorphin high.”[2]
[2] Evolutionary Psychology 10(4): 688-702 R. I. M. Dunbar, University of Oxford
Music and the Endorphin Rush
Posted on: March 16, 2013
Last week, in the midst of our Bach and Sons concert tour, I wrote an article on the joy of music-making and music-sharing for my monthly organ studio newsletter. I was on a “high” doing what I love most—performing and sharing our
It’s not uncommon to hear someone talk about get
“Endorphins are your own private narcotic. Endorphins are neurotransmitters, chemicals that pass along signals from one neuron to the next and are produced as a response to certain stimuli, especially stress, fear or pain. They originate in various parts of your body — the pituitary gland, your spinal cord and throughout other parts of your brain and nervous system — and interact mainly with receptors in cells found in regions of the brain responsible for blocking pain and controlling emotion.
1 Physiology of beta-endorphins. A close-up view and a review of the literature. Dalayeun JF, Norès JM, Bergal S. Hôpital Suisse, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
Let’s talk about the left side of a piece of music – i.e. the very very beginning of the piece.
Before playing a note on your instrument, take in every detail on the left side of the page. Don’t miss a detail. The following are all important to not only an informed performance but a successful practice session!!
The qualitative terms – mm quarter note = 120
The quantitative terms – allegretto
The clefs – treble, bass, other?
The key signature – what major or minor key?
The time signature – the basic pulse
Starting to practice or perform a piece of music without first checking the details on the “left side” of the piece is akin to putting your car in gear and shooting out of your driveway blindfolded. So, take off that blindfold, check the seat, check the mirror, look and look again, put your car in gear, relax and move forward.
You are now ready to look at those black spots we call the notes.
Dr. Jeannine Jordan is a piano and organ instructor and concert organist.
Planning a Program?
Posted on: January 15, 2013
Planning concert programs can be one of the most agreeable aspects of one’s performance career. It is a time to peruse music, play through pieces, and put the puzzle pieces of a cohesive enjoyable program together. Challenging and time-consuming, yes, but necessary to create a performance that not only “feels right” to you as the performer, but offers a story in sound for the listener as well.
The Steps:
Determine a theme for your program
For example: Organ Settings of the chorales of Martin Luther
Do the research
- What were the tunes Martin Luther composed?
- What settings have been composed on these chorales?
- Renaissance to contemporary
Narrow the theme
- Settings of Luther Chorales by Baroque composers
- Settings of Luther Chorales by Contemporary composers
Peruse a variety of music by utilizing
- Your own music library
- Online sources with free downloads
- Online sources with sample pages
- Public library music collections
- Student and colleague music collections
Choose repertoire to create the program considering
- Theme
- Length of program
- Variety of pieces
- Preparation time
- Audience interest
The result of the two concerts I performed using the steps listed, is the CD shown above: The Chorales of Martin Luther. The CD includes repertoire from two concerts performed at the Stadtkirche and Schlosskirche in Wittenberg, Germany. Follow this link to get more information – https://promotionmusic.org/Luther_Chorales.html. Dr. Jeannine Jordan, concert organist
