Hang On, New Life is Coming! By Lyndol Descant
https://youtu.be/sPFLi_x_WDs
Last August I hit a wall. Suddenly I knew instinctively that my entire life needed an overhaul. I've been lucky enough to live a life of in line with my integrity, and have always felt a deep sense that I was doing the work I was meant to be doing.
Read MoreMid June, 2019 I wrote this in my journal; “End of the Year, another school year down. I'm exhausted.
I've been teaching for 12 years now and though my teaching schedule is smaller and smaller each year in proportion to performing and online work, it still seems to occupy SO MUCH of my heart and energy.
Nothing demonstrates this dedication more than the recital season (in May) each year. It just really it takes it out of me. Somehow I can't seem to make myself care less about it; to just be chill and enjoy the process. No! All my neurosis pop to the surface and rear their ugly and rigid heads.”
Read MoreThis Sunday, we will be playing live at Rockwood 1 to celebrate the release. It’s all very meta, but I’m super proud of our live show and love to offer both the live experience and the next best thing… the live album.
Uri Zelig on Drums, Ran Livneh on Bass and Colin Hua on Guitar
Read MoreA few weeks ago, we made a debut as a duo, this weekend we will be in full form as a trio with Ran Livneh on Bass and Asaf Nisim on drums. Can’t wait! In the park now, soaking up some sunshine and nature to inspire my music tonight, Solo at Gp’s, 8-11. Then again tomorrow night. What a great weekend! Yeehaw~
Read MoreI was an incredibly shy girl and never even dreamed of being a musician till I was in my 20's. After getting exposed to improvisation music thru the Austin 90's music scene, I realized it was something I had to do - to live my authentic life. But I was SO very scared at the prospect. In fact, my terror was so profound that I'd literally RUN from any opportunity to share my music with others. And then hate myself later. I knew I had to do something to get out of this bad pattern. Then I got a great idea.. I joined a comedy troupe.
Read MoreRecently, a young woman (19ish) came up to me at my weekly gig at Gp's and remarked that she had never seen a pianist out live doing music. Wait... What?
She didn't seem a recluse, merely a natural product of the world we live in today. It's a fact that most people get their music online. So even if it was recorded live (which is less and less the case due the sophistication and preference for electronic sounds) they are only listening to it in a produced form, nothing at all like the live experience.
Read MoreA few years ago, I had a photo shoot scheduled and immediately afterwards was going to sub for a classical singing instructor; Both things I'm not too too comfortable with. To this day, sight reading classical music in public makes me very nervous. Not to mention, I've always preferred taking pictures to actually being in them.
A panicky mind is not the best for sight reading, nor for natural looking promo pics...that's for sure. Enter stage left... Square breathing.
My wise and talented photographer Krista Fogle (http://www.kristafogelphotography.com/) introduced me to a patterned breathing technique that calmed me almost instantly. Turns out, I had a great day. Sight reading was decent, and pics turned out nice (See below).
This miracle exercise goes something like this…
Read MoreI’ve run across quite a few hardcore jazz cats who think that the horn is a superior version of the human voice- in volume, range and more (I assume).
I can see where they are coming from, but I do not share this opinion if for no other reason than effective transmission of emotion and message. Though I’ll add… have you ever heard an opera singer in person? Or a full bodied soul voice live… two examples of a type of singing voice that has plenty of volume to spare. Their notes can cut thru the air like a Japanese knife. So it seems more like a preference than a fact - as some have presented it.
However, I do find the comparison of voice to horn very valuable. When a singer thinks of the mechanisms of a horn and then applies it the body, it can be a good way to visualize and optimize their internal , biological instrument.
This is common practice for jazz vocalist wanting to improvise (scat) – to run scales and apreggios. So it’s a great first step for improvisation, or it can just be used as a vocal warm up. A more advanced step is to improvise over the blocked chord changes with your voice.
Remember - You are working on your skill of transposition in both your singing and playing, so even if very slow at first, it’s practice time well spent.
You are also laying a foundation for vocal improvisation; something that Homer proved is not as easy as it might seem:)
Read More“Make My Mind like a Cloudless sky, uninterrupted by the thoughts gone by. From deep with in the silence, I feel such peace. It’s well wishing me down to my feet. It’s kissing me right on the beat.” - Lyndol Descant
More and more I’m finding meditation the key to peaceful living. As the world seems to be falling apart at the seems, and New York becoming Crazytown, USA, I am amazed at the importance of meditation to tap into a perspective that keeps me feeling safe and cared for.
Read MoreI’m so so super excited to be launching a new forum on Pianogroove this week. I’ll be leading the discussion on many different fronts that relate to the singing pianist, as well as the accompanying pianist, and musicians in general. I’ve been a gigging musician and teach for the past 8 years, and I love this chance to share my voice on creating inspired music and building skill as a pianist, singer AND singing pianist. I’ll even include exercises. I’m part of a growing number of musicians who no longer buy into the competitive mindset, but instead seek growth and empowerment thru collaboration. Here’s one of my first posts there…
Read MoreI’ve been working on a new set of 9 songs to release as my 3rd Depo LB, titled I Dared. Most of these songs I’ve been working on for the past few years while living in Brooklyn. Though one was written many, many years ago, but just never fleshed out til now.
Read MoreTonight I am starting a Residency at GP's in Jersey City. When I posted a video and advertised on my FB just now, someone wrote “Living the Dream!” I'm not sure if they are being sarcastic, (it's hard to tell with social media these days) but truthfully, and humbly, I AM! This has been a dream of mine for quite some time. And I'm overjoyed that it's at GP's; a wonderfully eclectic restaurant and meeting ground for so many of Jersey City's interesting peeps.
Read MoreDescant’s music is, at the heart, the work of a storyteller. She has a view of the world and her place in it, and uses her music to communicate this. There’s very little about her music that is not autobiographical. Her songs are pages from a diary which she opens and reads to her listeners.
Read MoreThe candid lyricism of Carly Simon meets the easy listening vocalese of Fiona Apple on Lyndol Descant‘s new release, All Love. A composer, singer, and pianist, Descant has a musical style that is all her own. Comprised of all original material, her compositions combine/crisscross a number of genres, including blues, soul, folk, and ethereal pop. It’s as though she is saying she has no fear of venturing outside earmarked perimeters.
Read MoreI also love to use this time to think back on the year, pondering on what went right and what could be improved on, not just with teaching but with gigs and composing - and managing my schedule. Having space from the hustle gives me perspective and clarity.
Read MoreHers is an eclectic mix of emotions, mad skill, connection to nature, and creativity. Largely piano based, with sincere vocals, it is a self produced recording straight from the heart of Brooklyn. All Love contains 9 original songs that explore philosophical, personal and metaphysical quagmires surrounding the universal subject of LOVE."
Read MoreTonight I'll be accompanying Anadelia at GP's Restaurant. We'll be playing Jazz standards and more as part of The Riverview Jazz Festival. Founded in 2013, this festival is committed to bringing jazz to the people
Read MoreSolo singing and pianio Gig tonight at GP's - Celebrating Sunshine, Spring and Life thru music... 6-9. Covers from all ages, jazz, pop, rock and more...
Read More'Conscious music for challenging times. A topical edition with lyrics and vibes that really speak to every aspect of the human experience. Real music for people who feel music!' - Mark Devlin
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