The Greatest Music Themes Ever Created for Film: Part One

It’s fair to say that certain movie music themes and soundtracks have turned out to be as timeless and enduring as the films they were made for. Songs or music pieces can help enhance the production value of a film as well as underlining the main themes and the general mood of the plot. Here is a list of a few of our favourites at School of Popular Music that we’re sure are just as memorable to you.

The Godfather – Nino Rota

How could we possibly start without mentioning what is arguably the most recognisable music themes of all time? Rota’s mournful, dark and looming compositions are the perfect accompaniment to the rise and fall of Michael Corleone. The themes of the American Dream and Sicilian tradition within the film merge perfectly with Rota’s blend of jazz and Italian popular song.

A Clockwork Orange – Wendy Carlos

Unsettling and eerie as the dystopian society in which the film is set, the music of A Clockwork Orange is a unique mix of classical music and electronic synths. Classical music is actually a major plot point in the film’s storyline; the protagonist’s favourite composer is none other than Ludwig van Beethoven. Having said that, the film’s signature track is undeniably the synthesised version of Henry Purcell’s Funeral March for Queen Mary.

The James Bond theme – Monty Norman

Although the original has been updated for modern times, the soundtrack remains as dashing, classy and dangerous as ever. The composition is derived from a song from the Indian stage musical A House for Mr. Baswas. Norman adapted Good Sign, Bad Sign using nine brass instruments, five saxophones, a rhythm section and a solo guitar.

The Star Wars theme – John Williams

Sitting down to a new Star Wars movie wouldn’t be half as exciting without the grand, swashbuckling theme accompanying the famously yellow opening titles. Because Williams played the bass when he was young, the theme was composed of strong bass sections; it also followed the same key as the Fox Fanfare (B-flat major) as this piece of music was such an integral part of the final result.

The Lord of the Rings soundtrack – Howard Shore

Shore’s score, which was created for perhaps the most famous film trilogy of the 21st century so far, has garnered him worldwide acclaim. It varies from lilting and harmonious for the innocence of the hobbits to dark and foreboding for the evils of Mordor and Sauron. Shore is said to have created over 100 leitmotifs to suit the different cultures and peoples of Middle Earth, creating the most intricate collection of music themes ever recorded in film history.
If you’re interested in learning how to play this music yourself, contact the School of Popular Music for music lessons, guitar lessons and general music tuition in Guernsey. We cater to all levels, from beginners to advanced learners.
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Why We Get Goosebumps When We Listen to Music

Have you ever felt chills up your spine and got goosebumps when listening to a piece of music? Some of us react more intensely to music than others. Scientists have now unravelled a few theories behind why music has such an incredible ability to trigger such powerful emotions. The staff at School of Popular Music, who offer music lessons in Guernsey, take a look at recent studies that delve into the link between biology and music.

I’ve got chills, they’re multiplying…

According to a new study published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, there’s a deeper reason for some people experiencing chills than them simply appreciating music more than others. MRI scans of twenty students show that the ten who reported experiencing chills when listening to music had a denser volume of brain fibres that connect the sections that process auditory information and emotions.
Not only does having more fibres indicate a more efficient processing between the two sections, it also shows that those with these stronger connections may feel more intense emotions generally, not just when listening to music.

Music really is a drug

According to a team of researchers, when we are moved by music, our brain behaves as though it is reacting to psychoactive drugs or delicious food. The pleasure experience is driven by dopamine, a chemical which has been linked to addiction, as it produces physical effects known as ‘chills’ that cause changes in the skin’s temperature and electrical conductance. The release of dopamine seems to be greatest when listeners have a strong emotional response to music, with the chemical’s levels peaking just before that special note or chord finally occurs, flooding certain areas in your brain and increasing activity in the nucleus accumbens, which in turn, causes goose bumps or chills.

Sad music evokes goosebumps

What is fascinating is that neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp has found that people more often feel such chills or goose bumps when listening to music that evokes a sad feeling or memory, as opposed to a positive one. The amygdala may also be involved in this process, due to the emotions stirred up by certain songs that may be more melancholic in nature.

Loudness, Tempo & Pitch

Researcher Dr Schubert has observed that ‘loudness, tempo and pitch have a measurable impact on people’s emotional response to music.’ Through his study, he found that arousal is associated with a composition’s loudness, and to a lesser extent, its tempo.

Listening to music is therefore a truly abstract form of pleasure. The profound feelings we experience – and the goosebumps music evokes – likely have their origins rooted deep in our evolutionary past. Our staff at School of Popular Music are passionate and offer the best music lessons Guernsey has to offer. We give singing and instrument lessons, so whether you’re looking for piano, drums, violin or guitar lessons in Guernsey, we are the school for you!

Internationally Famous Singers that Started off as YouTube Stars

Getting a big break in the highly-competitive music industry is no easy feat, which is why many artists try to gain exposure on social media channels in the hopes of making it big. Here are a few famous singers and musicians that started off as Youtube stars, brought to you by our passionate team at School of Popular Music:

1. Ed Sheeran

He may be a household name nowadays, with his songs being overplayed at weddings around the globe, but Sheeran started off as an ordinary church-choir singing child from the age of four and learned to play the guitar at a very young age. Although he started his YouTube channel in 2006, it wasn’t until he hit 10 million subscribers in early 2017 that it really took off on such a massive scale. He currently has around 30 million subscribers, making him one of the top YouTube stars!

2. Justin Bieber

Undoubtedly the most famous YouTube star of all time, even Bieber had to start somewhere. It wasn’t that long ago that the pre-teen burst from relative obscurity to superstardom after being discovered performing on a YouTube video on his channel. With approximately $55 million in earnings last year, it’s safe to say the time Bieber spent uploading videos paid off.

3. Walk Off the Earth

Next on our YouTube stars list is not a singer, but a Canadian band. Known for their homemade videos of cover songs that have been viewed over 600 million times. Since they released their cover of Gotye’s ‘Somebody that I used to know,’ they have built a global audience of almost 3 million subscribers, making them one of the most famous cover bands in the internet age.

4. The Weeknd

The Weeknd’s name and music were an enigma at first. Despite choosing ‘xoxxxoooxo’ as an account name and only featuring static images in his music videos, he was able to develop an impressive following, proving that his climb to fame was based solely on his talent and signature voice.

5. Lily Allen

Known equally for her feuds with other celebrities and interesting voice, the Brit was one of the first pop stars to emerge through social media. Unlike the others on the list, Allen started off by developing a fan base through her demos on MySpace before the release of her 2006 debut album which features the hit song ‘Smile.’ Allen’s journey from MySpace sensation to chart-topping recording artist highlights the power of social media when it comes to talent exposure.

Whether you’re interested in following these YouTube stars’ footsteps or simply want to take up an instrument or master a skill, we invite you to sign up for lessons at School of Popular Music, where you can enjoy anything from violin lessons to drum lessons in Guernsey!

Greatest Alternative Acts of the 80s

From TV’s Stranger Things and recent releases like Atomic Blonde in the cinemas, the 80s are back with a bang. And what of music? The 80s were a decade during which the odd and the eccentric were celebrated, yet many millennials today are drawn to the combined sounds of synths, guitars and electronic beats.

The School of Popular Music – your favourite music school in Guernsey – takes a look at some of the most popular underground acts of the 80s which have gone on to influence musicians to this very day.

The Cure

This band is famed for their 80s hits such as “Just Like Heaven”, “The Lovecats” and “Lullaby”, along with their iconic image of smeared lipstick and wild, backcombed hair – a look particularly championed by lead singer Robert Smith. They were one of the first alternative bands to enjoy both commercial and critical success, even before alternative rock had managed to break into the mainstream. Their music has influenced bands like The Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead and The Rapture.

New Order

The song “Blue Monday” has now become a staple in modern dancefloors and film soundtracks. Its mechanical sound and immensely catchy beat exemplifies the style of this 80s alternative band, known for their mixture of electronics, post-punk and dance music. Thanks to their influence on dance-rock music and synth-pop, they have gained a reputation as one of the most important and talented bands to have come from the 80s.

Depeche Mode

Dubbed “The Godfathers of Techno”, Depeche Mode are arguably the most successful and influential electronic band of all time. Their ability to mix and blend genres like goth, rock, pop, techno and house as well as making use of various instruments such as guitars, piano, keyboards and synthesisers is mainly what has made their songs stand out so much. Martin Gore’s soulful and poetic lyrics combined with Dave Gahan’s deep baritone voice is one of those rare partnerships in popular music that has gone on to influence an innumerable number of other bands, including The Killers, Linkin Park and Rammstein.

REM

It’s impossible to be a fan of alternative rock without having been influenced by this band. Formed in 1976, the band went on to enjoy success in the 80s with singles like “The One I Love” and “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”. They continued to be one of the biggest bands in the alternative scene during the 90s and the early 2000s, until calling it quits in 2011 – much to the disappointment of their dedicated fanbase.

Fancy learning some of these brilliant 80s songs? If you’re looking for music lessons in Guernsey, contact us at the School of Popular Music – we also offer drums, guitar and singing lessons in Guernsey.

Energy Attracts Energy: 5 Bands with Electric Stage Presence

Who wants to pay to watch a boring band that does nothing but stand there and plays music perfectly and predictably? No matter how great the music played, an aura of disconnect with the audience creates the impression that the band members are just there to do their job. Live performances should be all about the contagious, electric energy on stage which is transmitted to the audience, pumping them up.

Here are just a few bands that have amazing stage presence, picked by the team at School of Popular Music that give music lessons in Guernsey. Here goes, in no particular order:

1. Metallica

Metallica IS stage presence. Despite having been playing forever, this band is great in every sense of the word. The bandmates work so well together on stage, with Kirk Hammett’s unbelievable stage presence and a smile that warms everyone’s hearts, Lars Ulrich’s electric drum energy… and of course, not many frontmen command stage presence like James Hetfield does.

The magic combination of fantastic sound, special effects and the voice Metallica gives the frantic crowd, leaves no doubt that watching Metallica live is one of the most exhilarating experiences a rock/metal fan will ever have!

2. Slipknot

The larger-than-life masked bandmates feed off each other’s energy and fuel the intense drive that took them from the backstreets of Des Moines to the world’s stage. However, there’s no debating that it is frontman Corey Taylor’s commanding voice and stage presence that sets Slipknot’s live performances over the edge.

3. Foo Fighters

It is near impossible to attend a Foo Fighter’s concert and remain seated. The band’s strong connection to its fans can be felt from the moment the bandmates set foot on stage. Frontman Dave Grohl and drummer Taylor Hawkin’s energy, in particular, is contagious and Grohl’s facial expressions are some of the most captivating in the rock scene worldwide.

4. Coldplay

A combination of mind-blowing pyrotechnics, lighting and Chris Martin’s boundless energy make the band’s performances absolutely explosive. Martin’s stage presence is a force to be reckoned with, spending most of the time sprinting up and down the stage and jumping when the beat drops.

5. Lacuna Coil

Lacuna Coil’s shows are always raw and sincere as they put everything they have into them. They’re known in the industry for connecting with their audience; throwing guitar picks and drum sticks and maintaining eye contact with fans. Talented frontwoman Cristina Scabbia is very open with the audience, often speaking to them and asking them to join in the singing.

Bands that move around and connect with their audience and bandmates create intense energy and energy attracts energy, allowing those on and off stage to feed off on each other’s energy! Electrifying!

Fed up of playing the air guitar and drums in front of the mirror? School of popular music offers music tuition in Guernsey. Whether you’re looking for drum, piano, violin, guitar or singing lessons in Guernsey, we offer it all.

5 Female Singers with the Largest Vocal Range

From the lowest of rumbles to ear-piercing whistles, vocal range essentially refers to the span of pitches a particular voice can produce without sounding like a screeching tyre. This range is measured in octaves, which in simple terms, are notes that you hear as ‘the same’, just in a higher or lower pitch. The passionate team at School of Popular Music, which offers singing lessons and music tuition in Guernsey, discusses a few of the female living vocalists with the broadest vocal range:

1. Mariah Carey

With her 5-octave vocal range and her ability to reach notes in the 7th octave vocal range as well just go back, it should come as no surprise that Mariah is the top. She hits the highest, most ear-piercing note of all time, making anyone in the vicinity’s hair stand on end. This is known as whistle register. Do not try it at home.

2. Christina Aguilera

Known for her powerful belting, Christina’s vocal range spans four octaves. Yet what is even more impressive is her voice dexterity, allowing her to jump between the different parts of her range with ease. Listening to her light, feminine speaking voice and breathy low register, one would not expect it to take on the thick and weighty tone with a nasal sound, that is so characteristic of the singer’s style.

3. Hayley Williams (Paramore)

Both Hayley and her voice are known for their versatility. With her 4-octave range and a voice that possesses a beautiful mix of edginess and girly smoothness, it is hard not to love this singer. Her voice is well connected throughout all registers, with lower notes that are dark and well controlled, however, her strongest vocal asset can be heard as she ascends to her characteristic roaring, ear-splitting high notes. Hayley’s sharp tone as well as her excellent breath control – allowing her to head bang and both hold high notes for long – makes her one of today’s top live performers.

4. Celine Dion

You are certainly no stranger to Celine Dion’s sharp voice with the nasally quality that is distinctly hers. Her 5-octave vocal range and ability to even reach an E6, paired with the skill of projecting her voice in all registers, thus allowing it to pierce through the heaviest of instrumentations, has earned her a multitude of awards and sold out shows worldwide.

5. Beyoncé

The technical, trained singer has a 4-octave vocal range, which is one of the strongest in the music industry. Although unlike Mariah Carey, she doesn’t have the whistle register, her incredible vocal flexibility and dexterity more than make up for it. In addition, Beyoncé’s exceptional breath and core support means she can hold notes long and dance with little decline in vocal quality, which is a rare but great quality for live performances.

Whether you love or loathe their musical styles, there’s no denying these ladies’ talent. Hum your way to School of Popular Music for the best singing lessons Guernsey has to offer and contact us today! We also provide music tuition, including; guitar, violin, piano and drum lessons in Guernsey.

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The Musician Effect: Why are Instrument Players More Attractive?

What is it about people looking sexier with an instrument in tow? Is it the passion they have? The emotions they pour into the creation of music? It seems the odd phenomenon where there’s an instant increase in attractiveness – has been around for years. The team at School of Popular Music discusses what has been dubbed ‘The Musician Effect.’

Research from various studies provides evidence that the tendency to find a musician more attractive was stronger among women. This sex was more likely to be receptive to the romantic advances of guitarists compared to non-guitarists, as well as accept a Facebook friend request from a man they didn’t know. When the man wasn’t holding a guitar in his photo, only 3% of the women accepted his request, while 28% accepted the request when he held the instrument.

So why is musical skill sexy? Why do mate-value ratings generally increase for those playing an instrument in photos? Some researchers suggest that playing an instrument signals to potential mates that the person embodies characteristics such as intelligence, mindfulness, sensitiveness and determination – all desirable traits in a romantic mate.

What does this tell us about music’s evolutionary purpose? Psychologists claim women are attracted to those with musical ability because back in caveman times, if a man had the time to be creative it meant that he was so fit and talented at survival skills that he had chance to create art in his free time.

The good news is that these days you don’t need to hunt dinner to be an attractive potential mate – playing an instrument does the trick! Of course, it’s not just about holding an instrument, but how well you play it! If you’re looking for guitar, drum, violin and piano lessons in Guernsey, look no further than School of Popular Music!

Whether you want to become the next Rockstar or simply lock yourself in the basement to jam with a few mates, we provide the best music tuition Guernsey has to offer! For more information, contact us today by calling us on 07911 730994 or emailing at [email protected].

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Coolest Female Acts According to School of Popular Music – Part 2

A new generation in music has seen an increase in the presence of women in the rock and alternative industry, bringing a breath of fresh air to the scene. In continuation to our previous blog, School of Popular Music, which offers singing lessons and music tuition in Guernsey, shares some essential listening of female-fronted/all-female bands, this time our female acts will be those who fall under the indie pop/indie rock category.

1. HAIM

The all-female trio consisting of three sisters have taken the scene by storm. Yet their diverse musical influences, ranging from soft rock to ’80s synth pop, ’90s R&B influences and their subtle hints of disco, make it hard to categorise HAIM’s genre in a clear-cut way. Whatever genre you may deem more appropriate, what is clear is that they have a unique, distinctive sound. Although Danielle is the lead singer (and guitarist), the three girls together are able to cover a wide vocal range and create a warm, soothing sound.

2. Echosmith

Yay! Another all-sibling band! This time not all female. The indie-pop band, whose style is influenced by ‘80s dance-rock and led by Sydney Sierota, is best known for hit song ‘Cool Kids’. Sydney has shared a stage with Taylor Swift, with her captivating, dreamy, alternatively poppy voice.

3. London Grammar

Hannah Reid’s captivated us all with her distinct, engaging voice. The English band’s indie pop sound is spellbinding in itself, yet Hannah’s low vocal register and mature-sounding of her voice, lends the band’s songs a somewhat haunting quality.

4. Warpaint

California all-female indie rock foursome don’t really have a lead singer, rather, they share vocal duties. Warpaint’s music is an interesting mix of smooth, smokey vocals paired with upbeat music and groovy beats. Some of their diverse influences include Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk and even hip-hop, as can be seen in two of their song names ‘Biggie’ and ‘Dre’.

5. The Cardigans

The Swedish indie rock band is no stranger to the music scene. Despite how long the band has been in the scene, the line-up has remained unchanged. Lead singer and lyricist Nina Persson’s swooning, seductive voice is the band’s trademark. She has also released two albums as a solo artist and has collaborated with many renowned artists such as Manic Street Preachers.

If this blog highlights anything, it is that female vocalists and musicians can not only keep up with their male counterparts, but in some cases, be the main contributing factor to a band’s success!

Regardless of your gender, if you’re looking for the best singing or music lessons in Guernsey, School of Popular Music provides both; including; drum, violin, piano and guitar lessons in Guernsey. For more information, contact us today by calling us on 07911 730994 or emailing at [email protected].

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Coolest Female Acts According to School of Popular Music – Part 1

Metal music is widely associated with male musicians and frontmen. However, the past decade has seen an increase in all-female or female-fronted bands in the rock/metal scene. Our team at School of Popular Music – offering singing and music lessons in Guernsey – has compiled a list of some of the most talented international female acts. In no particular order:

1. Paramore

No female-fronted band blog would be complete without a mention of Hayley Williams, known for her ever-changing bright-coloured hair, stage presence and her incredible vocal range. Her charisma and great vocals during Paramore’s live performances are a breath of fresh air, leaving everyone out of breath and wondering where she gets her lung capacity from. Her great diction and amazing projection and ability to hit the highest of notes (Have you listened to ‘Misery Business’?), are beyond awe-inspiring!

2. Lacuna Coil

Cristina Scabbia is hands down one of the most talented female vocalists in metal. With her mesmerizing vocals and typically dark and abstract lyrics, paired with the band’s dark soundscape and haunting melodies, Lacuna Coil’s fan-base is international.

3. Guano Apes

Former vocalist of German rock band Guano Apes’ Sandra Nasić. The band’s career took off with the release of ‘Open your eyes’ and is known for great tracks like ‘Big In Japan’, ‘Loards of the boards’ and ‘You can’t stop me’. Guano Apes manage to amalgamate heavy enough music which is yet melodic and really catchy and full of energy.
Sandra’s voice – so much strength, yet can also be feminine in song verses like ‘Rain’ and ‘Pretty in scarlet’, so different, you would hardly believe it was the same singer’s voice.

4. Infected Rain

Nu metal band Infected Rain is fronted by Lena ‘Scissorhands’, with her unique image and voice. Formed in 2008, Infected Rain delivers powerful, energetic music and emotion in a blend of modern metal styles, heavy guitar riffs and Lena’s hard screaming. Lena got her ‘Scissorhands’ nickname from her ten-year background in hairdressing, for which she even has scissors tattooed on her body – in true metal form.

5. Halestorm

Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Lzzy Hale has power and a roughness to her voice that gives it a unique strength. Halestorm came into the spotlight, with ‘I am the fire’ – their intro song for the series Supernatural. She has also performed as a guest with high calibre artists such as Avenged Sevenfold and Corey Taylor – Slipknot and Stone Sour’s vocalist.

6. Jinjer

Tatiana Shmayluk’s beautiful voice, melodic vocals paired with deep thundering screams contributed to the beautifully fierce Ukrainian band being awarded The Best Ukrainian Metal Band of 2016 and getting more international exposure.

So whether you’re looking to go pro, go live or simply lock yourself in your room to sing some tunes for your Youtube channel, we offer the best singing lessons Guernsey has to offer! We also provide music tuition, including; guitar, drum, violin and piano lessons in Guernsey. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the second part of this blog!

For more information, contact us today by calling us on 07911 730994 or emailing at [email protected].

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What’s in Store for Music in 2018?

It’s hard to carry out predictions when it comes to music. Although you might predict the future based on current trends, unforeseen things tend to pop up. However, below we’ve listed a few of our predictions for pop music in 2018.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality entering the popular music industry is almost inevitable, and perhaps, this is why many companies are now investing in this great new technology. The idea is that virtual reality will be fundamental at music festivals, allowing viewers a brand new way to experiment with the performance of their favourite artists and DJs.

Although festival organisers of Coachella and Lollapalooza already love this idea, other festivals are still uncertain.
Another idea is that the VR functionality on YouTube will be greatly improved and perfected, allowing people to wear virtual reality headsets and watch music videos in a new way.

The Synthwave scene will grow

A year ago, the new thing for young producers was bass and house music. However, this year, we’ll see an increasing number of young producers who’ll be creating music inspired by retro movie soundtracks and video games. This genre welcomes back the ‘futuristic era’ of music that was so influential in the 80s.

Spotify will dominate the music streaming industry

Up until now, the only thing Spotify is missing is the ease of uploading that producers have with Soundcloud. However, Spotify will become more friendly with DJs and electronic music producers, making Soundcloud obsolete. Besides this, Spotify might launch new technologies that improve audio quality.

With the increasing development of technology, it’s no doubt that it’ll have a large effect on the music industry in 2018. We can also expect many young, new artists on the scene, as well as new hits from our current favourites-which, is definitely something to look forward to!

If you’re from the Guernsey area, love music and would like to get a head start in the music scene, then consider attending lessons at the School of Popular Music where we provide a large choice of instrumental and vocal classes for all ages and skill levels.

For more information, contact us today on 07911 730994 or email us at [email protected].

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