Blog Happy

Teaching an Old Dog New Notes

Posted on Apr 15, 2012

One common question that I hear from potential students is if I teach adults. “I have never taken music lessons…is it too late?” “Now that my kids are out of the house I thought I would finally try the piano.” “Is there any hope?” The old adage that says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks is one that sticks in everyone’s heads, whether we want it to or not. Most people have some hidden desire that they assume they can’t do, just because they are “too old” to start now. Whether it is learning to dance, learning a new language, or learning to play a musical instrument, it is definitely...

“Where I Came From”

Posted on Apr 10, 2012

This contemporary solo, entitled “Where I Came From”, was written in homage to Nana Vasconcelos. Vasconcelos is a Brazilian jazz musician and has performed with many well-known musicians, including Pat Metheny and Egberto Gismonti. This video shows some of the many sounds that can be created using the berimbau. Uploaded by Florian Bronk in January 2012.

Creating the Berimbau

Posted on Apr 6, 2012

Parts of the Berimbau The berimbau consists of six main parts: verga or arco: the wooden bow, the largest piece of the instrument arame: the string or wire that is struck to make the sound cabaça: the hollow gourd, which acts as a resonator caxixi: the shaker used to add depth and texture to the sound dobrão or pedra: a smooth stone, held in the left hand and used to change the pitch of the arame baqueta: the thin stick that is used to strike the arame, creating the sound Each part is carefully selected and crafted to create the clearest tone possible. Let’s begin with the verga. Verga The verga is typically made from biriba wood, from which the berimbau...

Berimbau: Capoeira’s Heart and Soul

Posted on Apr 5, 2012

Welcome once again to Slap Happy’s Instrument of the Month! Spring is upon us, and in Colorado that means that we have days of 80 degree sunshine sandwiched by blizzards and 30 degree rain. Even with the schizophrenic weather, this time of year always feels refreshing. It energizes me. And with that energy comes a desire to be outside, to play in the sun, to work up a sweat. This year, it also comes with a longing to be back in Sacramento training Capoeira with my friends at Agua de Beber. Because Sacramento is too far away to commute for training, I have dedicated April to the berimbau, the heart and soul of Capoeira music. This first video you will see is a short...

Grand Schemes

Posted on Feb 21, 2012

Big things are happening at Slap Happy! I have some big goals for this year, and the first two months have been off to a smashing start. If 2012 can keep up the momentum that January and February have set up, this is going to be an incredible year for the studio! Publicity Slap Happy was featured in the Your Hub section of the Denver Post on February 9th. Your Hub is a “ local news and citizen journalism” portion of the Denver Post that covers news from the entire Denver Metro area, which has been divided into 12 regions. Slap Happy was featured in the local business focus section for the South Metro region. Click here for the Your Hub Facebook...