Creative Strings with Violinist Christian Howes

Orchestra teachers- get the exact tactics used by renowned orchestra teacher Angela Harman to Overfill her classroom program, retain students, assess, and more as she delves into her effective strategies on how to attract and retain music students. To watch this episode on video click here: youtu.be/204l1uu5n2c?si=GKME4dvjLJxlC1i3 Gain insights into a day in her life as a middle school orchestra teacher, uncovering the tools and techniques that foster creativity and engagement in the music classroom. Angela’s passion for teaching is rooted in inspiring and nurturing budding musicians. This is a must-watch for every educator aspiring to elevate their teaching skills and student engagement

You can contact Angela at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orchestra.t...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orchestracla...
Webpage: orchestraclassroom.com/
Blog: orchestrateacher.blogspot.com/

In this episode I sit down with Emily Edelstein, Molly Tucker, Camille Vogley-Howes, and Karl Henry from Quartet Davis, an exciting string quartet pushing the boundaries of classical, folk, jazz, and pop music. We discuss their debut album, “Three Lefts Make a Right” and go into their creative process and how they came together while studying at Oberlin College.

Throughout the interview, we play extended excerpts of the songs from “Three Lefts Make a Right” and delve into various topics, such as the challenges and triumphs of being young musicians, the democratic nature of the band, their exploration of free improvisation, and the importance of gendering in music. We also gain insights into their experiences at Oberlin College and modern conservatories, shedding light on the evolving landscape of musical education.

This podcast episode is made possible by our sponsor, Electric Violin Shop. Need guidance on electric strings, gear, or amplification? Visit electricviolinshop.com or call their knowledgeable team to get expert advice and answers to all your questions. Creative Strings is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with a mission to positively transform music education through this podcast, providing, presenting, and curating stories about musicians at interesting intersections. We also offer free play-along videos on YouTube, yearly in-person retreats in the USA and Europe, and more. Visit creativestrings.org or email me at chris@christianhowes.com with questions.

Timecodes:
(0:00) Intro
(1:56) Welcome Quartet Davis
(2:49) La Sansonette
(5:13) Learning and performing differently
(6:58) Jealous Guy
(10:05) Bonding as a string quartet
(12:19) Being democratic as a band
(15:54) Working on Free Improvisation
(22:39) Hembrannarmarsch
(26:34) Without Spring
(29:48) Gendering in music
(36:26) RajRajRaj
(40:04) Playing written music vs by ear vs fully improvised
(56:57) Fear of asking for help
(60:22) Time After Time
(71:10) Oberlin College and Modern Conservatories
(78:41) Tremilly

To watch this episode as a video go to: youtu.be/Vo3BB7Z2Z_U
Three simple but powerful methods that will help you overcome the limitation of only playing melodies. Gain the ability to accompany others on songs. Learn Why it's important to memorize the chords of a song, and How to learn the chords of a song.

Therapist, pianist and cellist Joyu Lee shares her expertise in Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) therapy, plus mindfulness and how it can benefit musicians. You can follow her work on Instagram at @musicandyourmind. Learn more at www.musicandyourmind.com/.

Developing excellence and improved self-care for music teachers. Our guest Adrian Gordon has taught classroom music for 18 years. His new book "Note to Self" explores how to make successful transitions for music teachers.
Learn more about Adrian and his work at www.adriangordonmusic.com
Thanks to our sponsors, Yamaha and www.ElectricViolinShop.com

Learn secrets of how to play bluegrass fiddle and more with Justin Branum - in this video we use the Magic Bluegrass scale as it relates to tunes like June Apple. June Apples are small and oblong, with a brisk taste that's unusual for early apples. I only know this because Justin Branum told me. He's a Nashville-based master fiddler and regular at the Grand Ole Opry, (which is to Bluegrass what Carnegie Hall is to Classical, and the Village Vanguard is to Jazz). We used the Bluegrass tune "June Apple" in a video to teach you play-along exercises related to the "Magic Bluegrass Scale". (It's good for other styles besides Bluegrass). ​Justin came out of Bluegrass and Texas-style fiddle, then got a master's in Jazz. His breadth combined with the fact that he was self-taught from the age of 12 may explain why he's such an effective teacher. I respect Justin Branum so much as a fiddle teacher and master fiddle player that I invited him to teach in Asheville this summer at our Creative Strings summer retreat (session B). We weren't not sure if he could make it because everybody in Nashville wants him to play country bluegrass fiddle on their tours and records, but he just confirmed he's IN! Want to learn how to play Bluegrass fiddle with Justin Branum, and Austin Scelzo, and me in person? Join the Creative Strings summer retreats (space is limited) here: christianhowes.com/creative-strings-asheville-extension/ Still, if he can, it will naturally include more opportunities to focus on Bluegrass fiddle, Country fiddle, Swing fiddle, and other folk fiddle styles with Austin Scelzo, who is also a tremendous teacher who can show you how to play fiddle coming during the second week. ​ Our two scheduled fiddle camp sessions are the weeks of June 25th and July 2nd. The first week will be really diverse, including jazz and any styles you want to do.​ If you would rather come for a folk-music-centered experience the week of July 8-15, possibly to include special guests Justin and Austin Scelzo, sign up at link below. As a heads up, I limit the number of people at these fiddle camps The price is currently at a discount and it will go up So if you want to come, I suggest you decide soon. Learn more and Sign up here: christianhowes.com/creative-strings-asheville-extension/ #fiddle #playalong #bluegrass

John "Adidam" Littlejohn shares how he resources his high-level tuition-free string camp www.stringbootcamp.com and how he balances/approaches life as a minister, educator, and violinist.

00:00 Intro
00:52 Thrive City String Bootcamp
05:39 Advanced seminar
11:04 Origins of camp
14:09 Teaching in inner-city schools
15:50 Where to apply
19:41 Instructors and space
25:12 Inspiration
26:53 Being a pastor and musician
31:20 Music is ministry
33:00 Day-to-day life
34:41 Putting in the time and effort
38:27 Entrepreneurship and God
42:55 What can a non-believer learn from faith?
47:17 Get outside yourself
50:54 Looking for ways to help others
52:44 Closing

5 ways to help improve your relationship with music and the thing at the core of it all. Get my free masterclass at www.christianhowes.com/education

Fiddlers Casey Driessen and Christian Howes discuss extensive clips from Casey’s album Otherlands. We talk about chopping/rhythm, and other aspects of musical collaboration for fiddlers and string players who want to expand their creative voice, musical community, and career or lifestyle. We play a tune together as well in this hour-long interview. Find more at www.christianhowes.com

Join us with Guest Speaker Drew Alexander Forde (ThatViolaKid) as we talk about his work as a violist, composer, entrepreneur, and social media wizard.

Violist Drew Alexander Forde has a reputation not only as an accomplished performer but also as one of classical music’s most recognizable online brands. He is the co-host of Faking Notes Podcast and an acclaimed expert in classical music’s social media and brand building with an Instagram following to over 118,000 people. Check out his website, thatviolakid.com .

Music therapy techniques in teaching strings.with Raquel Ravaglioli, a board-certified music therapist, music instructor, and professional violinist.
Raquel talks about being balanced while helping others find their personal and musical niche, through building strong professional relationships.

To learn more and connect with Raquel Ravaglioli see her website here: http://raquelchristinemusic.com/​

See her faculty page at Marietta College here: www.marietta.edu/person/raquel-ravaglioli

American Music Therapy Association definition of music therapy: “The clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.”

04:15​ - Why should we care about music therapy?
06:52​ - Self awareness in teaching and the benefits it leads in all areas
08:08​ - What is music therapy?
09:13​ - Therapeutic Considerations
11:23​ - Positive Psychology - Choosing your words and addressing what your student’s capabilities are in a positive way
13:40​ - The importance of consistency in teaching
14:18​ - Ways to deal with behavioral challenges of students in the classroom
20:41​ - What’s the importance of self-awareness?
22:09​ - Video recording as a tool for self-awareness when practicing.
23:46​ - How students use and view their practice time
25:57​ - How does a teaching philosophy relate to using music therapy?
28:35 - Careers for music therapists

More Creative Strings Podcast Interviews:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6By1KZHRO2IsWNiV4uMkViHTj1zCqVOG​

Thanks to Yamaha and Electric Violin Shop for sponsoring the Creative Strings Podcast

In my full interview with Jean Luc Ponty for the Creative Strings Podcast, we explore key points in his development, musical conception, elements of his violin playing, the state of the music industry in general, and more.

For example, how he started playing jazz on violin, the influence of Stuff Smith, the role of the bow arm in improvisation, changes in the world of classical violin, attitudes about touring and music as a career, ways in which the music business has changed, and much more.

View the full show notes at www.christianhowes.com/

When I was growing up people used to say that you should go into music only if you feel you don't have a choice.

For those of us that made that choice to go into music, we were inspired by this feeling that we must do it. We had a passion, that kept us awake at night, kept us in the practice room, kept us developing new skills... That's why we went into music.

The thing is, when people get out of college and they get into the real life of being a musician the drudgery often sets in.

So how do we keep that passion alive?

How do we re-articulate why we play music as it looks different through different phases of our life or career?

The reason could change. Music could become less or more important to us, for different reasons.

I think it's really important for us to ask those questions because ultimately we want to feel fulfilled by whatever we do.

Any music in our life can be integrated with our own personal development and with whatever contribution we're trying to make to our communities

Getting to the heart of these types of questions and telling stories about how different musicians grapple with this is what motivates me to want to bring this podcast out. This episode's guest is an amazing example of someone who has done this.

Dr. Joan Griffing is a classical violinist and has taught at the private collegiate level for many years, with her current position as the Tim and Gail Buchanan Endowed Chair of the Fine Arts Division at Friends University. She's been a freelance orchestral chamber player and soloist for many years. Part of what I think is so interesting about her story is that she chose at this point in her career to take a sabbatical and make a journey to uncover deeper meanings for what it is to be a musician. You'll hear in this interview how she went to New Zealand and how she learned there about ways in which music is being used for peace and reconciliation. Prison reforms and to create healing between individuals in conflict and between cultures in conflict. It's a really fascinating story.

Check out the full blog post here: christianhowes.com/2019/01/07/dr-joan-griffing-on-music-in-peace-conflict-creative-strings-podcast-ep-34/

Introducing Season 4 of the Creative Strings Podcast! In this episode I share my newly released arrangement of Bach’s Violin Partita #2 (Giga) and preview the upcoming interviews in this season of the Creative Strings Podcast including Regina Carter, Andrea Whitt, Stash Wyslouch, and Joan Griffing.

Subscribe to the Creative Strings Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts to catch all of these interviews and more!

Check out the full split screen video: bit.ly/HowesBachVideo
Check out my accompanying blog post: bit.ly/2vxHHrS
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more content: bit.ly/HowesYouTube

Thanks so much to our sponsors Yamaha and Electric Violin Shop for supporting the Creative Strings Podcast. Their support makes it possible to invest in the production of each episode and bring you great stories and discussions.

Please take a moment to visit Electric Violin Shop, your one-stop shop for electric instruments, amps, gear, accessories, and most of all, expertise. Use code CHOWES at checkout and take 5% off of your order. Call 866-900-8400 to get your questions answered on “all things electric strings.” While you are talking to EVS, be sure to ask them about the new Yamaha Electric Violin. I’ve been a Yamaha performing artist for almost 20 years now and am very proud to be a part of the Yamaha family.

Guitarist Rez Abbasi is well known for his distinctive fusing of modern jazz with influences from Hindu North Indian music and Pakistani traditional music.

In this episode of the Creative Strings Podcast, hear him reflect upon how he developed his own voice as a player and composer, as well as what it means for musicians jumping cultural boundaries to explore a wider variety of music.

Check out the blog here: christianhowes.com/2018/05/25/rez-abbasi-improvising-composer/
Watch my extended interview with Rez: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYWsrgqmabA

This episode also includes:

- Tips and tricks for composers- Where's the balance between mapping out a form and letting the composition form itself?
- The business of music
- Tons of amazing clips from Rez's albums

Born in Karachi, Pakistan, removed at the age of four to the vastness of Southern California, schooled at the University of Southern California and the Manhattan School of Music in jazz and classical music, along with a pilgrimage in India under the tutelage of master percussionist, Ustad Alla Rakha, Rez Abbasi is a vivid synthesis of all these influences and genres. Making New York home for the past 25 years, Abbasi has developed a unique sound both as a composer and an instrumentalist and is considered by many to be one of the foremost modern jazz guitar players.

Now it's time to plan for summer! Join Rez and I, with tons of amazing faculty and participants, at the 16th Annual Creative Strings Workshop in Columbus, OH July 1-7. I am thrilled to host Rez for this year's Creative Strings Workshop as our featured instructor. Learn more here: christianhowes.com/education/creative-strings-workshop/

Thanks so much to our sponsors Yamaha and Electric Violin Shop for supporting the Creative Strings Podcast. Their support makes it possible to invest in the production of each episode and bring you great stories like Rez’s.

Please take a moment to visit Electric Violin Shop, your one-stop shop for electric instruments, amps, gear, accessories, and most of all, expertise. Use code CHOWES at checkout and take 5% off of your order. Call 866-900-8400 to get your questions answered on “all things electric strings.” While you are talking to EVS, be sure to ask them about the new Yamaha Electric Violin. I’ve been a Yamaha performing artist for almost 20 years now and am very proud to be a part of the Yamaha family.

Imagine, as a musician, if you lost the ability to use your hands.

How would you recover? How would you find fulfillment, and what would replace the void in your self image?

If you're like most musicians, your craft is a big part of your identity, and even self worth.

A debilitating injury would clearly be devastating for most of us. But what might you learn about yourself in the aftermath, and is it possible to somehow come out better for it?

Many of us have suffered some kind of injury. We've worried, even maybe had nightmares about, or certainly had close calls with serious injuries.

Julliard-trained concert violinist Janet Orenstein was suddenly faced with an injury in 1996 that would forever limit her ability to use her hands to play the violin. Her story is simultaneously fascinating, heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and uplifting.

On this episode of the Creative Strings Podcast she shares what she learned from the 20-year process of coming back from focal dystonia including:

- How she found comfort in motherhood, yoga, and teaching
- How and why the onset occurred during a concert tour abroad
- Why she hid her injury from almost everyone for 20 years
- How it changed her view of teaching, practicing, music, her own values and identity

Read the full blog post here: christianhowes.com/2018/04/16/identity-injury-rewriting-musicians-story-janet-orenstein-creative-strings-podcast-ep-29/

I met Janet when I gave improvisation workshops at University of North Carolina School of the Arts. String players are invited to attend a wonderful summer program there this July 8-15 to study with Janet's mentor, the incredible classical player and pedagogue Ida Bieler, and/or during the following week to study creative string playing with me. Learn more here: bit.ly/2qEpVAD

As you know, it's time to plan for summer! Learn more about the upcoming Creative Strings Workshops in Dallas, Toronto, Columbus, and Asheville - bit.ly/2mpSiUq

Thanks so much to our sponsors Yamaha and Electric Violin Shop for supporting the Creative Strings Podcast. Their support makes it possible to invest in the production of each episode and bring you great stories like Janet's.

Read the blog post here: bit.ly/CSpodcast28

Janie Barnett's new CD, "You See This River" is original, personal, and beautiful; the fact that she put it out 30 years into her career intrigued me.

I wanted to know how she's managed to piece her career together so many years, before, during, and after raising children, all the time staying in NYC.

I wanted to find out how an artist keeps their fire for creating new material into their 30s, 40s. and beyond.

Let's face it- half of the battle for most artists is LASTING.

Persevering through various life phases, relationships, parenting -whatever inevitable strains that force us this way or that way to compromise on the pure pursuance most of us felt when we were first starting out.

Many artists freelance for a few years, even ten or more, and then take day jobs, quit music altogether, find the most stable performing or teaching gig they can- anything they can settle into. Many artists who move to NYC leave after a few years, if they even make it that long.

Janie maintains streams of hustle and creative work, from teaching to producing, writing, and performing. She's still going for it in every sense.

You've got to respect that.

In the Creative Strings Podcast Episode 28, we discuss topics such as:

- Learning language to communicate between musicians
- Janie's new CD "You See This River"
- Having kids and starting a family while sticking with your art
- The importance of letting go as an artist for self discovery

Please take a moment to visit our sponsor Electric Violin Shop, your one-stop shop for electric instruments, amps, gear, accessories, and most of all, expertise. Use code CHOWES at checkout and take 5% off of your order. Call 866-900-8400 to get your questions answered on “all things electric strings.”

While you are talking to EVS, be sure to ask them about the new Yamaha Electric Violin. I’ve been a Yamaha performing artist for almost 20 years now and am very proud to be a part of the Yamaha family.

Remember when classical violinist Joshua Bell played in the subway for 45 minutes and made $32? The author of the story raised questions about artistic context and the loss of appreciation for beauty in modern life. A similar experiment was conducted and written about almost 100 years ago, with a similar focus, and here’s my completely different take on the whole thing:

Live music makes a huge difference for people on the street, in hospitals, in communities, in prisons, in war zones, refugee camps, and in all kinds of non traditional venues.

Sharing music directly, without filters, is important for musicians to experience, regardless of the so-called malaise of a Netflix-addicted society.

Our classical training may make us lose sight as musicians of the transforming effect we can have on people playing music live, even without the accoutrements of air conditioned venues, publicists, sheet music, prepared music, and finely pressed tuxedos.

I get excited thinking about the organic, communal aspects of sharing music outside of traditional performance spaces- That’s why at our annual summer conference we perform in a wide array of venues (including street corners).

The seed of this idea was planted for me 20 years ago playing on prison yards and hearing singing in the rows of cells within the solitary confinement wing. I saw music dissolve violence, replacing it with laughter, tears, and humanity.

When I started to speak with today’s guest on the Creative Strings Podcast, I knew he would be the right person to convey this message- articulating what musical performance is really about, and how we as musicians can be present to it’s meaning.

I met up in Madrid with Valentin Spurchisi, a self-taught violinist who travels and lives from performing in the streets of Europe. Valentin had a successful career as an engineer and web designer in his early twenties before leaving that career to perform from subways to street corners all across Europe.

He chose to live this way. Some might call Valentin an “adult learner” on the violin. I call him a sage. I encourage you to listen and think about what we can all learn from his amazing and inspiring example.

In Creative Strings Podcast Episode 27 we discuss topics such as:

-Life as a street performer
-Packing a large performance into a small amount of time
-Transforming negative audience energy into something positive
-What goes into street performance and what sets performers apart
-What Joshua Bell’s famous experiment left out
-The trap of wanting fame
-The importance of doing what you want to do in life to be happy
-Persistence in doing what you want to do, regardless of the skepticism of others

Watch the full conversation here: youtu.be/EdKB13hyi1M

Please take a moment to visit our sponsor Electric Violin Shop, your one-stop shop for electric instruments, amps, gear, accessories, and most of all, expertise. Use code CHOWES at checkout and take 5% off of your order. Call 866-900-8400 to get your questions answered on “All things electric strings.”

Download my video starter worksheet for musicians here(free): bit.ly/2kM5bE4
Get my favorite tools-
TubeBuddy: bit.ly/2q7nkAg
YouTube StarterKit: bit.ly/2izzkq7

In this video I cover: Why video is essential for any self-employed musician in 2018, why your career is likely to suffer if you don’t have videos, how making videos will benefit your musical and business growth, and what has worked for me on my road to 1,000,000 views on my YouTube channel.

Watch the video version here: youtu.be/5sRQTsM9jVo

Making videos in 2018 is important for your growth and improvement as an artist.

The best and easiest way to improve your work as a musician or teacher is to record yourself and listen back.

The reason for this is that we can’t generally observe our performance while we are performing. Listening or watching back allows us to understand the mistakes we are making, helping us to notice and fix them.

Your business suffers if you don’t have video.

Many people will not hire you if they can’t learn more about the thing you do, or who you are, via video.

Whether someone is looking to “get a vibe” about how you come across personally, or they’re looking for a specific skill or service you offer, most people want to see you on video, even after they’ve been referred to you by someone they trust.

If people cannot find videos of you on YouTube or elsewhere, they will often pass you over — even if they’ve been referred.

And you’ll miss out on being discovered in a Google search.

What you need to showcase on video and why:

1) Show who you are so they can know, like, and trust you.

Most people will hire a less talented teacher, performer, composer, or producer whom they know, like and trust.

Speaking from the heart, showing your human side-- gives your prospective clients the opportunity to get to know you.

Many clients don’t know the difference between the talent and skill of you vs your competitors any more than you can distinguish the difference in skill of web designers, landscapers, or rocket scientists.

2) Demonstrate specific skills and/or services.

Demonstrate your skills in as many sub-categories as apply.
Describe the benefits to your customers of services you provide.

Pro Tip: Make a list of all the styles or skills you have as a performer and make a video showcasing each one.

Pro Tip: Make a list of all the things you say more than once to your students and then teach all of these things one by one.

You can also compile playlists of related content for easier access to your viewers, and to increase the chances that your viewers will watch more content that is relevant and useful to them.

There are a number of other things you can feature in your video content, including:

3) “Behind the Scenes” documentation of any tour or project.

4) Interviews (of yourself and/or of other people you collaborate with)

5) Testimonials from students, colleagues or clients

Get Started- use my free Checklist linked at top of this description.

Make a list, based on the examples I gave above, of 5-10 videos you could make right now.

To make it easier for you, I’ve created a worksheet and checklist for you. Download it here (lead magnet) and simply fill in the blanks.

After you shoot your first video or two, it will get easier and you’ll improve quickly. You’ll learn a ton about yourself and your work in the process. You can share your first video with a couple people you trust and ask their opinion before sharing publicly.

Production values are not as important as the substance of your content; You can work up to better production values over time.

A video is a chance for someone to get to know you. They will forgive the production values if you show a good performance, a human moment, or anything that is authentic.

Neil Fong Gilfillan and Rachel Samson are creative, inspiring young string teachers. Together they run the teaching studio in Frisco, TX called Chili Dog Strings . This husband and wife duo combine a love of tradition in the Suzuki method with a curiosity for adventure, showcasing the complimentary styles they bring together in their teaching studio. They serve their local community with private and group lessons, plus workshops in area schools. They are making a lot of noise online with their cool video and blog content, leading and serving the worldwide string playing community. Listen to Creative Strings Podcast Episode 24 where we discuss these teaching methods and more including:

- What does it take to be a good teacher?
- How can the Suzuki method be reconsiled with teaching contemporary styles?
- How can we retain young kids’ interest in making music education fun without sacrificing discipline?
- What is the importance of the “Suzuki triangle?”
- Dispelling misconceptions about the Suzuki method

Please take a moment to visit our sponsor Electric Violin Shop, your one-stop shop for electric instruments, amps, gear, accessories, and most of all, expertise. Use code CHOWES at checkout and take 5% off of your order. Call 866-900-8400 to get your questions answered on “all things electric strings.”
While you are talking to EVS, be sure to ask them about the new Yamaha Electric Violin. I’ve been a Yamaha performing artist for almost 20 years now and am very proud to be a part of the Yamaha family.

Learn more about Chili Dog Strings below:

chilidogstrings.com/blog
facebook.com/chilidogstrings
instagram.com/chilidogstrings
youtube.com/chilidogstrings

Clips Used in this episode:

Drop it Like Gavotte – Neil Fong Gilfillan
Twinkle Arcade - Neil Fong Gilfillan
Boom Bap Cello - Neil Fong Gilfillan
June 1st Freestyle - Neil Fong Gilfillan
On Green Dolphin Street – Christian Howes
Waltz for Bill – Christian Howes

- commit to run your career like a business and set aside time each week to working on your business

articulate very specific goals (no more than 3)
Create a specific action plan (a sales and marketing campaign)
Create or refine your marketing assets
execute
If you're tired of the status quo and want to jumpstart new projects, jump on a call with me while availability lasts to discuss your business meetingwithchristianhowes.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?appointmentType=1941490

Many thanks to our sponsors at Yamaha and Electric Violin Shop for their continued support of Creative Strings Podcast!

In this Short Episode of the Creative Strings Podcast, host Christian Howes shares his tribute to Prince.

Prince embodied creativity. His fearlessness, versatility, soulfulness, and ability to continually evolve have always been an inspiration to me.
When I heard that he passed away I immediately felt compelled to drop everything and work on one of his songs, leading me to arrange and record a cover of the classic "Sometimes It Snows In April".

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