Musicality Now
Music
About
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...
Episodes
- Inside The Book: It's Out!
This episode of Musicality Now discusses the release process of the host's new book. The host explains the challenges behind the project and why the launch has been more complex than anticipated.
- 316: Musicality Now: Bringing light and clarity to your musical journey (Coaches Corner, Episode 12)
In this episode of Coaches Corner, the Next Level coaching team shares strategies for musical advancement, including the importance of accountability partners, maintaining focus, and aligning musical goals with personal identity.
- 315: Don't Give Up.
This episode of Musicality Now provides encouragement and motivation for musicians who are feeling a decline in their interest or drive to practice. It also includes show notes and links to additional resources centered on musicality and e…
- 314: How To Deconstruct Songs Like A Car Mechanic (with Benny Romalis)
In this episode of Musicality Now, Benny Romalis from HowToWriteSongs.org shares his method for deconstructing songs. He explains how treating songwriting like a car mechanic—by analyzing the specific musical jobs of each song section—can…
- 313: Curiosity And Craft, with Benny Romalis (How To Write Songs)
Benny Romalis from the YouTube channel 'How To Write Songs' discusses his approach to songwriting, including the importance of curiosity and treating music like a craft. He joins the podcast to explore the techniques of legendary songwrite…
- 312: The Musicality Book Cover Reveal! (Inside The Book)
Christopher unveils the cover design for the upcoming Musicality book and provides a preview of future content. The episode includes information on how to register for updates about the book.
- 311: The Scale That Keeps On Giving (Coaches Corner, Episode 11)
In this episode of Musicality Now, the coaching team discusses the importance of the pentatonic scale and shares techniques for independent musicians. Topics include taking musical authority from sheet music, the joy of pentatonic scales,…
- 310: Audiation - It's All In Your Head (Inside The Book)
In this episode of Musicality Now, the concept of audiation is explored. The discussion covers the ability to hear and imagine music in one's mind and how this skill acts as a booster for musical growth and learning.
- 309: Motivation and Discovery (with David Reed, Improvise For Real)
In this episode of Musicality Now, Christopher is joined by David Reed of Improvise for Real for the fourth part of their conversation. They explore the sources of musical motivation and the internal nature of musical inspiration.
- 307: Sing Better By Turning Your Voice OFF?! (with Jeremy Ryan Mossman, Body Based Voice)
In this episode of Musicality Now, Body Based Voice expert Jeremy Ryan Mossman shares unusual singing exercises involving lip-syncing to help singers improve their confidence and technique. This excerpt from a Musical U masterclass explore…
- 307: The Bus Shelter Breakthrough (with Jeremy Ryan Mossman, Body Based Voice)
In this episode of Musicality Now, Body-Based Voice expert Jeremy Ryan Mossman discusses how his research into Feldenkrais, biomechanics, and biotensegrity led to a holistic singing technique used by professional performers.
- 306: Where True Musical Creativity Comes From (with David Reed, Improvise For Real)
In this episode of Musicality Now, host Christopher talks with David Reed of Improvise for Real about the role of listening and instinct in musical creativity. They explore how musicians can access and develop their natural ability to impr…
- 305: Turning Problems Into Gifts And Enemies Into Friends (Coaches Corner, Episode 10)
In this Coaches Corner episode of Musicality Now, the coaching team discusses techniques for musical growth, including saxophone breakthroughs, reframing problems as gifts, working with a metronome, and developing an inner pulse.
- 304: The Goal (Inside The Book)
This episode of Musicality Now explores the upcoming book on developing musicality. It examines the meaning behind the book's tagline and discusses the possibility of unlocking natural musical instinct.
- 303: The 80% Rule In Ear Training
This episode of Musicality Now discusses the 80% rule as a strategy for overcoming frustration and plateaus in ear training practice when progress becomes stagnant. The host shares how this approach serves as an effective antidote to the s…
- 302: Get Started With Konnakol (with Alex Ostapenko)
Alex Ostapenko introduces the basics of the Indian rhythmic language of konnakol in this excerpt from his Musical U masterclass. He explains how to begin experimenting and being creative with the practice.
- 301: Learning The Language Of Rhythm (with Alex Ostapenko)
In this episode of Musicality Now, rhythm expert Alex Ostapenko discusses the use of konnakol and body percussion to enhance musicality. The guest shares his personal journey with rhythm and offers insights on incorporating these technique…
- 300: Feel, Imagine, Create (with David Reed, Improvise For Real)
In this episode of Musicality Now, Christopher is joined by David Reed from Improvise for Real for a discussion on the process of learning and performing musical improvisation.
- 299: Diagnosing And Solving The True Causes Of Musical Struggles (Coaches Corner, Episode 9)
In this episode of Musicality Now, the Next Level coaching team discusses various strategies for overcoming musical struggles, including active listening, addressing mental blocks, and the benefits of self-recording.
- 298: Be Yourself And Discover Your Own Music (with David Reed, Improvise For Real)
In this episode of Musicality Now, host Christopher talks with David Reed from Improvise For Real about musicality, creativity, and the meaning of being a musician. This is the first part of their conversation.
- 297: Unlocking Harmony
In this episode, the host discusses two key realizations regarding harmony and chord progressions that helped simplify the process of playing chords by ear. Additional resources on music theory and harmony are provided in the show notes.
- 296: Classical vs. Rock/Pop vs. Jazz Harmony (with Tony Parlapiano)
In this episode of Musicality Now, Tony Parlapiano discusses the harmonic differences between Classical, Rock, Pop, and Jazz music. He explains and demonstrates how chords and progressions function in each genre.
- 295: Creating, Listening, Understanding (with Tony Parlapiano of popMATICS)
In this episode, Tony Parlapiano of popMATICS joins the podcast to discuss his approach to simplifying complex musical concepts for learners. The conversation focuses on creating, listening, and understanding music.
- 294: Can You Learn Perfect Pitch? Should You? (Inside The Book)
This episode of Musicality Now investigates the concept of perfect pitch, discussing whether it is possible to learn and if it is an essential skill for musicians. The discussion references The Musicality Book and insights from Professor H…
- 293: Help Us Choose A Book Cover! (Inside The Book)
The Musicality Now podcast invites listeners to vote for their favorite cover design among four finalists for the new musicality book. Community members can cast their vote at musicalitybook.com/vote.
- 292: Accelerating Musicality (Meet The Team, with Almut Spaeth)
In this episode of Musicality Now, Almut Spaeth from the Musical U team shares her personal musical journey, including her experiences with Musical U and Next Level before joining the team.
- 291: Small Steps To BIG Performances (Coaches Corner, Episode 8)
In this episode, the Next Level coaching team discusses strategies for improving musical performance, including reducing intimidation, adopting ear-based learning, using body-based techniques, and focusing on rhythm for various musical ben…
- 290: Overcoming The 4 Types Of Performance Stress
This episode of Musicality Now features a clip from Sarah Niblack's masterclass, covering four distinct types of performance-related fear responses for musicians and their specific strategies for management.
- 288: The Practice Ingredients For Successful Performance, with Sarah Niblack
Sarah Niblack of SPARK Practice discusses how musicians can improve their practice habits to achieve more successful, confident, and joyful performances. This mini-interview explores her unique perspective on musicality and performance pre…
- 288: 5 Tips For Rock-Solid Performances
In this episode of Musicality Now, Christopher provides five high-impact tips designed to help musicians maintain a solid performance and prevent their prepared music from falling apart under pressure.
- 287: Rising Above The Herd In Music
In this episode of Musicality Now, the Next Level coaching team shares various tips and techniques for musical development. Topics include rising above the herd, building performance confidence, analyzing melody, and discovering personal m…
- 286: Choosing Musicality, with Mark Hanna (Meet The Team)
In this episode of Musicality Now, listeners meet Mark Hanna from the Musical U Admissions Team. He discusses his personal musical journey and explains his role in assisting new members and Next Level clients.
- What Exactly Is In The Musicality Book? (Inside The Book)
In this episode of Musicality Now, the host provides a chapter-by-chapter overview of the new Musicality book to explain what topics and content it covers.
- 284: Are You A Robot?!
In this episode of Musicality Now, the host discusses how to avoid becoming a "musical robot" by reconnecting with the personal meaning behind making music. The episode provides questions and pointers to help listeners bring more expressio…
- 283: The 3 Pillars Of Improv, with Lorin Cohen
In this episode of Musicality Now, Lorin Cohen discusses the three pillars of improvisation. The episode explores the mindset of an improviser and addresses common questions regarding the role of music theory in attaining high-level improv…
- 282: Rhythm and Soul, with Lorin Cohen
In this episode of Musicality Now, jazz bassist and educator Lorin Cohen discusses his unique approach to musicality and improvisation. The mini-interview explores methods for overcoming intimidation when learning jazz and improv.
- 281: The Power Of Making BAD Sounds (Coaches Corner, Episode 6)
In this episode of Musicality Now, the coaching team provides practical advice for musicians, including the benefits of making bad sounds, strategies for short practice sessions, and ways to continue musical growth away from an instrument.
- 280: Musicality and Connection (Meet the Team, with Charm Cajurao)
In this episode of Musicality Now, Operations Assistant Charm Cajurao discusses her varied background in music, including involvement in choirs and K-Pop, and her role in supporting the operations of Musical U.
- 279: 3 Ways To Use Singing In Your Daily Music Practice
In this episode of Musicality Now, listeners learn three methods for incorporating singing into their daily music practice to help accelerate musical development. The host explores how the singing voice functions as a tool for improving ov…
- 278: Becoming Aware Of The Breath (with Michaela Bartoskova)
In this episode of Musicality Now, host Michaela Bartoskova explores a natural approach to learning how to sing by focusing on breathing techniques, independent of vocal performance. This masterclass segment offers a pathway for musicians…
- 277: The Power Of Finding Your Voice (with Michaela Bartoskova)
Michaela Bartoskova, a voice, singing, and yoga coach, joins the podcast to discuss her holistic approach to breath and voice. She shares her background and explains how she helps singers overcome anxiety and resistance when learning to si…
- 276: WHY Every Musician Must Sing (Inside The Book)
This episode explores why singing is a fundamental tool for musicians to integrate into their daily music practice. It discusses the benefits of singing for developing musicality, as highlighted in the featured book.
- 275: The "Sweet Spot" Repertoire That Unlocks Easier Musical Progress (Coaches Corner, Episode 5)
In this episode of Musicality Now, the coaching team discusses strategies for musical progress, including performance mindset, tracking development, selecting appropriate repertoire, and playing music by ear.
- 274: Surprising Musicality (Meet The Team, with Andy Portas)
In this episode, Musical U team member and Next Level coach Andy Portas discusses his musical background and shares his approach to helping members discover their musicality.
- 273: Is THIS The Missing Piece For Your Musicality? (Inside The Book)
This episode identifies a foundational skill that enhances various musical abilities, including ear training, improvisation, and rhythm. The host explores why this skill is essential for musical development and why many musicians struggle…
- 272: 5 BIG Mistakes Adult Music Learners Make - And How To Fix Them
This episode of Musicality Now identifies five common mistakes made by adult music learners and provides guidance on how to address them to improve the learning process.
- 271: Learn Music Faster... By Doing LESS?! (with Dr. Molly Gebrian)
In this episode of Musicality Now, Dr. Molly Gebrian discusses how principles from neuroscience can be applied to music practice to accelerate learning, even by practicing less. This segment features insights from her Musical U masterclass.
- 270: Someone Should Have Told Me This When I Was A Kid! With Dr. Molly Gebrian
Dr. Molly Gebrian, a professional viola player and expert in neuroscience, discusses methods for accelerating the music learning process. She shares insights on overcoming challenges related to learning pace and performance.
- 269: Coaches Corner, Episode 4
In this episode of Musicality Now, Christopher and the Next Level coaching team share practical tips for musical development. The team discusses techniques including solfa, the importance of ease and joy, using basslines for memorization,…
- 268: Experiencing Musicality (Meet the Team, with Camilo Suárez)
In this episode of Musicality Now, educator and professor Camilo Suárez discusses his musical journey, his experiences with musicality training, and his work in the Colombian educational system and with the Musical U team.