Bob Wiseman believes most things in life are universal, or, as his friend Joe once said, everything is everything. Bearing in mind this fortune cookie advice, Wiseman writes about finding the link between music and daily tasks, like teaching a five-year-old "Twinkle, Twinkle" and doing the dishes each night. Bob writes daily, the way someone else might practice scales; although his sense of the instrument and the musician has changed over the years, Bob adheres to doing exercises that have wider connections than whether the strings are in tune. Each entry is unique and compellingly written, but the themes throughout - on improvisational music, life lessons, and conflict - are ubiquitous.
Music Lessons is a collection of thoughts on the link between music and daily tasks. Each entry is unique and compellingly written but there are some loose themes sustained throughout, such as improvisational music, life lessons, and conflict. The writing is intriguing, accessible, and inspiring.
Bob Wiseman likes having fun. He was on CNN lying about wanting to change his name to Prince; he played accordion on "If I Had a Million Dollars" by the Barenaked Ladies; he produced Kid in the Hall Bruce McCulloch's "Shame-Based Man"; he was the composer for The Drawer Boy, winner of the 2018 Best Feature Film at the Canadian Film Awards; and Odetta took his hands in hers and kissed them after hearing him play prepared piano at the Bitter End on Earth Day 2000. He was also a founding member of Blue Rodeo but quit in the early '90s when he no longer found it fun.
Little girl asked if I could show her Mary Had a Little Lamb.
No problem.
Really?
Really, select a note any note.
She pressed F. We started ma/ry/had (F, D# C#), she worked it a few times.
She said I like to make things up.
That's a sign of a composer. Let's make something up.
Really?
Really.
We played a little improvisation then changed her mind returned to Mary Had a Little Lamb. Kept attacking the notes vertically with her fingers and wrist in the same line like a knife stabbing. Asked her to try balancing a miniature plate on her hand which made her hands horizontal with the keys more pianistic but this was also a little exhausting. Took a break and made small talk, she has a lot to say. Wishes she could speak French but her school won't allow it until she's in grade 6. She said her parents both speak other languages and when she was younger in daycare she could count to 30 in Chinese.
Could I hear you count in Chinese?
I don't remember anymore. You know what else? My parents were going to take me to China one time but they changed their mind at the airport so we didn't go.
Really?
Really.
Did you know the black notes on the piano are a scale that is used in a lot of Chinese music?
Really?
Really. Let's make something up on the black notes, play anything just black notes and I'll back you up.
Really?
Really.
Proceeded to make something slow, melodic and pentatonic. Her mother noticed from the kitchen and walked into the room listening and beaming that her daughter was doing this.
I said to the mother I heard you guys almost went to China. She looked at her daughter and then me,
We've never been to China. I don't know why she makes things up like that.
Should I or shouldn't I tell her? Kid's a composer just practicing making it up.
