A Strange Arrangement

S2 Ep13 - Adapting for Vibraphone with Nathan Dufresne

Finally a vibraphone episode! Nathan Dufresne is a solo percussionist and a member of the Columbia Orchestra.  Today he talks about arranging a jazz standard ("Ain't Misbehavin'") for solo vibraphone, and how he overcomes the challenge of condensing multiple parts to be played wth just 4 mallets.  
 
find Nathan on TikTok at @dufresne_percussion
find Nathan on Youtube: Nathan Dufresne Percussion
 
Other Audio: "Ain't Misbehavin'" by Fats Waller
 
visit our website asamusicpodcast.com

S2 Ep12 - An Epic Journey with Ryan Muns

Ryan Muns is the composer and operator of Eyes on the Moon Studios, specializing in custom music for TTRPGs and Fantasy settings.  Ryan took the time this week to arrange a celtic tune, "The Parting Glass" into a full blown rocking orchestral arrangement.  He takes the time to talk about orchestration, embellishments, modes, and most importantly, naming musical instruments. 
 
find his music here: https://www.youtube.com/user/DarthRaith
Eyes on the Moon Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EyesOnTheMoonStudios
 
visit our website: http://www.asamusicpodcast.com/

S2 Ep11 - Celia Tewey Makes It Funky

Celia Tewey is a multi-instrumentalist who practices "genre-flipping" classic songs, putting them in a new musical style.  On this episode, she takes the Debussy's "Clair de Lune" and puts it in a funky, jazzier setting.  We talk about rhythmic and harmonic changes, as well as the journey of going from classical to jazz piano playing.
 
find her music here: https://celiatewey.com/music
visit our website asamusicpodcast.com

S2 Ep10 - Lasya Soothes with the Bansuri

Lasya is a Bansuri player and producer from New Delhi. She fuses eclectic music styles and draws influences from genres spanning classical, Indian folk, experimental, hip-hop and avant-garde.  In this episode she arranges Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World" for her instrument, talking about her vision for the arrangement and the steps taken to make that vision happen.
 
find her music here: https://lasya.bandcamp.com/album/monsoon
 
visit our website asamusicpodcast.com
 
 
 

S2 Ep9 - Phrygian Mode + UPDATES

Let's use the Phrygian mode to make the new year song sound sinister (mmm. that alliteration though).
 
Use the code ARRANGEMENT to get a free download of James Fernando's Hot Cross Buns pdf!
http://www.jamesfernando.com/sheet-music/hot-cross-buns
 
Hey ya'll, Rob here again.  This episode will be it for a few months because of a few life events (all good!) going on that require more attention, and I only want to put these episodes out if I feel it will be a good job.  More coming soon! And thank you for listening thus far!
 
For more good stuff:
https://linktr.ee/Strangearrangement
 
 

S2 Ep8 - James Fernando Returns with Rhythmic Illusions

Our guest from Season 1, James Fernando, sent me his arrangement of Hot Cross Buns, one day, and we need to talk about it, and before you get all "Pff...Hot Cross Buns? Really?" Trust me, you want to hear this.  James joins me and a rambunctious baby at my favorite local haunt to talk shop again.
 
Check Out James's new album, Piano Poetry, out now!
http://www.jamesfernando.com/
 
Feauring clips from:
12 Variations on "Ah, vous dirai-je maman" by Mozart, performed by Stefano Ligoratti - 
Prelude and Fugue in F Minor by J. S. Bach, performed by Peter Bradley-Fulgoni

S2 Ep7 - Rob Talks Modes (Dorian Mode) and has a breakdown

I talk about putting a song into the dorian mode, the chord changes we can do with that, and I get all bent out of shape over trying to choose what to put down.  Enjoy!

S2 Ep6 - Denis Viel talks Soul, Singing, and Stagecraft

 
Denis Viel is a blues guitar player and singer from Quebec City, who has developed his sound into a strong, soulful performance that easily commands the room. On this episode, we talk about what makes an effective arrangement and performance of a song, and why a musician might want to "save the candies for later."
 
Other Audio:
Amazing Grace
performed by the Blind Boys of Alabama

S2 Ep5 - DAMOYEE talks about layers, voices, and reverb

DAMOYEE is an award-winning multi-hyphenate music artist (composer, musician, singer, songwriter, producer, arranger and recording artist) from Dallas, Texas.  In this episode she arranges one of her favorite songs: "Fair Chance" by Thundercat, talks about using her voice as an instrument, and describes how she makes a space-y song even space-y-er...spacier? 
 
Featuring audio of:
"Fair Chance" by Thundercat, featuring Ty$ and Lil B
2020, Brainfeeder 

S2 Ep4 - Rob Talks About Modes: Lydian Mode

In this episode, I dig into a topic that always eluded me learning music: modes.  Focusing on the Lydian Mode, I rearrange two songs into this mode.
 
0:00 - Intro
0:55 - Disclaimer
1:35 - Modes
3:28 - Lydian 
4:56 - Frere Jacques / Are You Sleeping
8:14 - When the Saints Go Marching In
 
Helpful Resources:
Book: Twentieth-Century Harmony, by Vincent Persichetti
Videos:
Modes, Explained Visually
What Modes Really Sound Like
How to Use the LYDIAN Mode