My Music Taste

What and who I like to listen to

I love all genres of music and each has a different impact on me. I think it is important to have a diverse playlist to get a taste of every aspect of music and fully understand and enjoy it. 

Here are some of my favourite artistes for the genres that I listen to: 

Soca-  Kes, Voice, Kerwin Du Bois, Patrice Roberts and Destra

R &B- Alicia Keys, Usher, Jordan Sparks, Ella Mai, HER,  Kiana Ledé and Whitney Houston

Pop- Selena Gomez, Julia Michaels,  Ed Sheeran, Camilla Cabello, Shawn Mendez and Halsey

Rap- Eminem, Chance the Rapper, Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Post Malone 

Reggae- Koffee, Chronixx, Buju Banton, Bob Marley and Protoje 

Gospel- Kirk Franklin, Lauren Daigle, Jonathon McReynolds and Tamela Mann 

Reggaeton and Spanish - J Balvin, Maluma, Becky G, Bad Bunny, Ozuna, Daddy Yankee and Enrique Iglesias 

Who are your favourite artistes and what genres do you listen to? 

Songwriting

What Writing A Song Is Like

How do you write a song? A question many persons ask. Everyone's process is different and no way is right nor wrong. I would like to share a bit of my songwriting process with you, if you'd like . My process of songwriting is determined by what instruments I have around me, the mood that I am in and how inspired I am. First you should determine the genre and then just go with the flow. Sometimes lyrics come to me first then other times I am playing a random chord progression on my guitar and a melody comes to me. Usually,  I write the intro- verse and chorus first and the rest of the song follows. I always have a notepad or voice recorder near when I am in the songwriting mood or feel inspired in order to capture any spur of a musical idea that I get. I often record the entire song in a few goes on a voice recording app and refer to it and add musical ideas as the days go by. Remember, the perfect melody doesn't always come immediately. The baseline and beat of the song is developed later along with any cool production effects that I want to add in. I usually write from personal experience or based on topics that I am interested in. 

Collaboration and feed back is key so I often ask friends and family for their opinions and thoughts on the song so that I can improve it. It is important to trust your gut and your abilities when writing and also don't take it too seriously. It should be fun! Songwriting is a form of expression for me. It's like a musical journal where my thoughts and feelings are transformed into a melody. Song writing isn't a one day thing, it is a 

process that takes practice and patience. 

Below are some of the lyrics of my song Origins:

We've got history 

That's how you're you and I am me 

Something led us here 

It's our destiny 

Written in the walls of our veins 

We all have a place 

We all are a part of history

 Do any of you write songs or even poems? Let me know in the comment section.

Choir ❣😁

            The Bishop Anstey High School Senior Choir 

Choral singing consists of music sung in different parts ( bass, tenor, baritone, alto, mezzo and soprano) often in tutti (at the same time). It brings together persons of different races and cultures and exemplifies the idea that music has no boundaries and is for the enjoyment of all. 

The BAHS choir is near and dear to my heart. I entered the choir in form one and I am still a member to date.The choir is a way of relieving my stress and a form of musical expression. It teaches teamwork, the importance of hard-work, determination and commitment. This choir has become my family. I have met my best friends through the choir. I was given the opportunity to visit Wales, London and France because of this choir and I am forever grateful. The choir has been so successful because of the standard maintained over the years by its members. 

As a result of our hard work, we have been fortunate to be given opportunities to compete

in international competitions in Wales and travel to France and South Africa, performed

exceptionally well in local musical theatre productions, music festivals, at weddings, political

events, performed aside international stars and choirs as well local artistes and experienced

culture from all over the world. We have been one of the few local school choirs that has

achieved all of the above as well as regularly we have appeared on the front page of the

local newspaper. We have hosted our successful Christmas concert every year which the

public looks forward to and they often keep tabs on our performances throughout the year.

In 2017, we sang at the naming of Queen Janelle Commissiong Street to honour our fellow

hilarian Penny Commissiong and most recently, the Inauguration of Her excellency Paula

Mae Weekes. I absolutely love my choir.

 Are any of you a member of a choir?

Soca time

Happy New Year Folks!

May you all have a bright and prosperous 2020!

Christmas is over and now it's Carnival time. My favourite part about the season is Soca. It has become such a huge part of our culture and masqueraders count down the days till Carnival each year. Boxing day is known as the Soca switch day when radio stations begin playing Soca. Before we get into Soca let's look at its origins. Soca was developed in the 1970's by Calypsonian Lord  Shorty.The new music style is a fusion of Calypso an Afro-Trinidadian style of music, and East Indian music to bring together the cultures and music of the two different ethnic groups. It is characterized by it's rhythmic energy and strong baseline, studio production and syncopated beats. It generates an inexplicable vibe and expresses the happiness, freedom and unity represented during Carnival. It is making its way onto the world stage as the art form evolves. 

Some well known Soca artistes are: Machel Montano, Destra Garcia, Patrice Roberts, Kes, Voice and Nadia Batson to name a few.

Some Soca songs to look out for in 2020:

1. Dear Promoter- Kes and Voice

It's already stirring up a vibe and it is a collaboration between two masters.

The link to the vid: https://youtu.be/i2xRLw5SmM8

2. Play Harder- Machel Montano

A song by Soca King Machel Montano that will definitely make you groove.

The link to the vid: https://youtu.be/baFPCWVK1JA

3. Carry on-Patrice Robert

Sung by a Soca queen, it is definitely going to make an impression.

The link to the vid: https://youtu.be/gVf6g31gJg4

4. Soca Global-Erphaan Alves

This song is a Soca anthem and will definitely do well in the season. 

The link to the vid: https://youtu.be/02hC8ZwBzXI

5.Wrong Again -Skinny Banton

This song is already becoming a hit. Its beat will make you dance and enjoy yourself. 

The link to the vid: https://youtu.be/T05PgB6zHGc 

Do you enjoy Soca? and Are you looking forward to Carnival?

What are your thoughts on music ?

What does music mean to you ? 
If there are over 20 views and responses in the comment section I will post a cover or lyrics of one of my songs in the next post. 

What is music to me ?

                   What music means to me 

Music is my heart beat. It's what keeps me going when I feel like giving up. It makes me feel alive and exuberant and it heals my pain. I've known my love for music all my life. At the age of seven I began writing my own songs as an escape and form of expression but as soon as I could talk, I was singing or  humming a melody. I know no matter where I go in life I will always have music whether I decide to pursue it career wise or not because it's a part of me. The strum of a guitar and a sweet chord can ease my anxiety, bring a smile onto my face and make everything stand still for a single moment.

Music is such a huge part of my life. I play piano and guitar, congas, recorder and i'm learning pan, box bass, cuatro and ukulele. I have sang in choirs and I am a member of a Parang band. Music brings people together many of my best friends and I have met through some sort of musical activity or connection. "People who make music together can not be enemies at least while the music lasts." This page is just my way of sharing my love with others so you yourselves can discover the wonders of music and how it can change your life.

I love music so much that my sixteenth birthday party was music themed.

Thanks for all the support on the first post! Shout out to Christina Nigelle-Williams , Kamaria Charles Richards and the others who commented on the last post.

Viva La Parranda!

Hola/ Bonjour/ Hi from your local music guru ! 

 I absolutely love Parang music. Do you? 
Around Christmas time persons often hear sweet Parang on local radio stations or are graced with a home visit from local Parranderos but what is Parang? Parang derived from parranda meaning “a spree or fête” is the lively celebration of the festivity of the Christmas season. It hails from Venezuelan and Columbian migrants who brought their music and culture with them to Trinidad.  A traditional Parang band consists of singers and musicians who play the guitar, the mandolin, the cuatro, the violin, the maracas, the clapper, the box bass, the tambourine, the scratcher and the toc-toc. Other non- traditional instruments like the flute and steel pan have also been used. The traditional Parang songs are Christian and are sung in Spanish, however, secular styles of Parang do exist such as Aguinaldos and Despendidas.

Over the years, Soca-Parang, a mix of Traditional Parang and energetic Soca, has developed as the art form is ever-evolving. Not only do Parranderos go from house to house singing and dancing to neighbourhoods to spread the joy of the season but they have also become a staple at Christmas functions and concerts. The hot spot of Trinidad Parang is the hillside village of Paramin. 

The Parang season begins in mid-October and goes until January 6th, the official end of the Christmas season. The merry atmosphere represents togetherness and the joy of the good Trini Christmas lime.The Parang season this year is coming to an end. Newer bands like Armonias Magnificas, Los Sonidos and BB Serenaders have had a great run this season as well as more established bands like Voces de Promesa, Los Alumnos de San Juan and Voces Jovenes. 

Picture of Armonias Magnificas the two- time winner of the NPATT( National Parang Association Of Trinidad) Secondary School Parang Competition. 

Let me know about your favourite Parang bands and songs.  I'm curious to discover what you guys like. The first 5 people to comment will get a shoutout in the next post!