018: Getting "Off Book", with Melody Payne

On this episode, we are joined by Melody Payne, a.k.a. “The Plucky Pianista”. Melody has been writing online since 2012, sharing innovative and forward-thinking ideas for teaching music more effectively.

 

In this conversation, we talk a lot about getting “off book” - meaning being able to play even without the note-by-note sheet music in front of you.

 

Melody shares an impactful early experience with a performance that went wrong and how she eventually learned to handle musical mistakes with grace.

 

She found a great way to get started playing by ear and improvising with a friend, and that led on to wanting to equip her students with the tools needed to feel that freedom.

 

Melody teaches two particular skills and uses a special app to help her young students quickly start playing the songs they love in their own way without needing to learn them note-by-note.

 

One thing a lot of musicians struggle with is how to make their performances actually sound good - not just hitting the right notes at the right time, but actually moving the listener. Melody shares insights on her "Three Rules for a Magical, Musical, Moving, Performance".

 

If you’ve ever felt limited to playing just the notes that are put in front of you, you’re going to love this episode. Melody shares so openly and has real insights on getting “off book”.

 

 

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Full Show Notes and Transcript: Episode 018

 

Links and Resources

• MelodyPayne.com

iReal Pro app

3 Rules for a Magical, Musical, Moving Performance

Accompanying 101: 10 Tips for Beginning Accompanists

 

 

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Om Podcasten

Ever wondered why some people seem to have a gift for music? Have you wished that you could play by ear, sing in tune, improvise and jam? You are in the right place. Musicality Now is a mix of interviews and teaching, featuring some of the most inspiring and insightful musicians and music educators, talking about how to learn the core inner skills you need to feel like a "natural" in music and enjoy freedom, creativity and confidence. Topics include: Playing by ear, Singing in tune, Jamming with other musicians, Having a good sense of rhythm, Writing your own music, Writing notation, Improvising a solo, Talking intelligently about music, Understanding Music Theory, Clapping in time, Knowing your instrument inside and out, Tuning your instrument by ear, Reading notation, Sight-reading music, Playing from a lead sheet, Performing live, and Playing multiple instruments. Musicality Now is brought to you by Musical U (musical-u.com), the leading provider of musicality training online. Learn more and get shownotes at musicalitynow.com.