Can not to go beyond when you hear this beauty !!

This piece is so amazingly Beautiful and touches my very soul.  I hope You're alright XX

Calm

Its all about holding onto your dream, in this case, music, when times seem toughest. 'Emotional Playing ......'

Do you ever suffer 'musician's block'? Have you ever felt inadequate? Have you been stuck for ideas, or tried to create and nothing seems to come out? Its a 'war' inside one's own mind.  Perfectionism, lack of time, 'I'm not good enough' …. excuses abound …. eventually negative feelings can creep in  and override that 'dream', whatever it may be, [in this case music]. Frustration can creep in and 'musician's block' rears its ugly head.

Such thoughts may be reinforced, as one gets out of practice and the skills one gained eventually weaken ….. one feels like they need to start all over again; just as I did, when poor health intervened in my 'journey' and I felt that no progress had been made; that I had to start all over again; the 'fun' had been lost. …………….. My original goal: to enjoy, to escape, to heal, and to feel with music - my outlet-  had become a source of frustration. Maybe others can relate to such feelings?

Musicians are often described as quite emotionally sensitive people, whom are able to push out such emotions into, and through their music -  and it is these internal feelings that make a difference - it doesn't have to be 'perfect' - it is a journey of story-telling and of transporting ourselves and others away. This was my 'journey' and journeys can be 'rocky roads'.  

Musicians are story tellers with music, and not just with words - and it doesn't need to be 'perfect', creativity can never be 'perfect'.
- we feel and inject  pain, anger, sadness, happiness, and beauty, we reveal the emotions into the world of sound, transporting ourselves and other people into this 'world', often transcending what is 'technically correct' - yes, technique  is important too, but we try to bring it from the heart as well.

Music is my outlet. Yours too?

Whatever one's goal is; whether its for fun or to become famous (ummmm, lol), or to feel lost and escape the world of 'reality' for awhile… it is your dream, as long as it is a passion and it remains fun 

Some dear friends on SoundCloud encouraged me to keep going and I also watched some great videos about 'emotional playing' and learning how to relax into one's music without being overly self-critical. What also inspired me, in knowing that I would never become a 'concert great' :-), ... was that some great composers who achieve such passion and connect through 'emotional playing', are also famous for bad technique and playing wrong notes :-)

So - This is my renewed attempts - its a - Megs 'starting' again piece, a WIP [work in progress] and it brought me great comfort to know that I could once again, sit down at the piano and play at least; to rediscover the energy and satisfaction. To learn to be kinder on myself, to be patient and to know that we don't have to be 'perfect'  in creativity

- and most importantly to have fun in doing so! :-)

NOTE: This piece will also be worked on further and transformed into an orchestrated version with John Styles and Matt Baker, please stay tuned ….

Composer: Megan McCarthy
Solo Piano: Megan McCarthy
Mastered by: John Styles (OneVision CrossWorlds)

Hold Onto The Dream - Megs McCarthy (Producer: John Styles)

Facebook :)

Brian Eno - An Ending (Ascent) [Cover]

After a strange dream the other night, I felt a strong need to express the feelings which stayed with me when I awoke. Do you ever wake and cannot seem to shake the feelings evoked by deep dreams for some time? It is a strange feeling. Hence I went to my piano and just 'played' until the early hours of the morning, influenced by the night's atmosphere when the city was quiet and many people slept.This piece was the result, a strange sensation of longings, strange dreams and times, a sense of being trapped in endless cycles, patterns of behaviour, and questions about life itself. 

What resulted was an imperfect improvisation containing one main theme repeating and encircling itself with few melodic changes, cyclic, in nature but with different and subtle changes throughout.  An almost eery sensation and something quite different indeed :-)


Composition/Impro: Megan McCarthy
Piano Solo: Megan McCarthy

Graphic sourced from: 
- http://stormraynes.net/wpinstall/?p=622    by Maria Beavers

Endless Cycles - Megs McCarthy

Valery Beshevli - Ballad

Something different again from my last 'uplifting piece' [Moths to a Flame], this one slower,  more simple and gentle …… and in progress [I think!] hehe ….

The night was silent at the start of a another heatwave here in Australia, houses still warm despite the coming of relief and 'cool' air over the last few nights. The only sound was that of the portable air conditioner struggling to fill the room with cold air. On nights such as this, during the worst times, one dreads to leave that 'cold' room to enter into rooms where a furnace seems to envelope one.

Despite the silence, I couldn't sleep. Feeling unwell, drained from heat, worried about someone dear to me, I felt a strong urge to play the piano. A melody of sorts had formed in my mind, a melody to soothe the soul. So I pushed past that pain and mental barrier which was telling me  'I can't get up', and I got to the piano. Darkness surrounded me except for the gleam of lights from the street lamps outside my window, …..The only other light came from the glow of the computer screen spilling out onto my piano.

So I closed my eyes and just gently played in that silent warm night,… to my surprise it sounded soothing and delicate, my fingers seemed to hit the right notes and a gentle melody and harmony was created - after a difficult patch with my music, I was surprised at how my fingers effortlessly 'found' what I 'felt',….. I was so engrossed with what was happening, how calm it felt, how much joy I was gaining from playing, thinking that maybe things would be ok for the person I care for,  that I couldn't pull myself away to simply press the record button. 

My heart sank.

Could I play it again, play an improvisation, the way in which had just been created from nothing, or from within? To soothe my soul and the person I cared about so deeply, and hopefully others too.  I tried to forget that it was recording and ignore that darn metronome which I had forgotten to turn off - it throws me, hindering the free-flow nature and freedom of an improvisation

I continued to play, attempting to recapture this melody once again, and this is the result after several problems with my DAW and it not capturing the recording properly.  No, its not the same as my first attempt, no, it doesn't seem to flow as well, or find some of those harmonies that just 'came' so effortlessly from within the first time……  …..simple and imperfect though this piece may be, it still portrayed a sense of the gentleness I felt, ….. in playing ……. "quietly in the night" …. hoping that my dear friend would be alright ….

Improvisation/Composer: Megan McCarthy
Piano Solo: Megan McCarthy

I would also like to draw your attention to  David Ackerman, who surprised me by sending me a wonderful version and interpretation of this track, adding a new dimension of guitar and ambience which suited [playing] quietly in the night' so beautifully, so I most gratefully said yes for him to upload it …. You can find him and the track at: https://soundcloud.com/deephod/quietly-in-the-night-feat  :-)

If this piece [Quietly in the Night] speaks to you in anyway, I would love to hear your feedback, the more I continue on my 'journey' …..  I might also attempt a second version of this with added instruments, and/or if anyone is interested in a collab?  :)

Graphic Source:Julie Lueders  http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/walk-quietly-into-the-night-with-me-julie-lueders-.jpg  

Quietly In The Night - Megs McCarthy

Ciaccona (L'Arpeggiata & Christina Pluhar)

Arvo Pärt- Spiegel Im Spiegel

Description coming soon - "The Butterfly Story" >>>

Improvisation/Composition: Megan McCarthy
Piano Solo: Megan McCarthy
Graphic Source: Unknown

The Road to Hope - Improv by Megs McCarthy

Released new album.
14 piano solo mastered tracks.
You can listen to it on spotify https://play.spotify.com/album/17y8uFpqNNoR9Bdxd1FjSx , like the other albums. If you like my music please support me on spotify!
If you want to offer a coffee,  you can buy the high quality tracks, on
itunes https://itunes.apple.com/album/a-day-in-venice/id942915453 , amazon etc etc
and the physical CD on 
bandcamp https://fivos-music.bandcamp.com/album/a-day-in-venice 
thanks again to all of you for your support :-)

the tracks
01	A Day In Venice	02:34
02	Looping, Nocturne 29 Oct	05:05
03	Color Your Life - Yellow	04:34
04	Trip In Mind, Nocturne 29 Mar	05:10
05	Memories. You & Me On The Beach	04:11
06	An Old Photo, Nocturne 14 Jan	04:11
07	Sunrise At Meteora	03:51
08	Racines, Une Histoire, Nocturne 7 Feb	04:41
09	On The Road Again	03:48
10	The Next Film, Nocturne 10 April	03:24
11	New Day	02:42
12	Conversing By Myself	05:27
13	A Greek In Vienna	03:26
14	Ithaka	04:36

Spotify

A Day In Venice - New album Preview. http://open.spotify.com/artist/25SRM5wLczZ3uTLcVXRoe7

Part 2 of an intimate set of piano, in 432 A tuning, exploratory, gentle and lively by turns.
Sensitive energy which can be soothing or healing.

Turning Warm

Driving on the road  through a foggy landscape in the end of november inspired me to create this piece of music...


MACRIMA - Nebelschweif überm Novemberwald

From the multi-nominated Album of the Year release, The Piano, hear samples of each song from the album.  

Dance You Pretty

limited edition 7” vinyl available now: 
https://piersfaccini.bandcamp.com/album/blick-bassy-piers-faccini-mother-time

Last summer Piers Faccini and Blick Bassy met and sang together for a concert in a Romanesque chapel in the Cevennes near Piers’s home. The following morning they agreed to try and write and record something together, the challenge being to get it all done in the three hours they had available before Piers left for another gig. In the exceptional surroundings of Conqueyrac chapel, they wrote and recorded ‘Mother Time’ as well as putting down a version of the American traditional 'Make me down a pallet on your floor' to which Blick Bassy added some words in Bassa, the language of his homeland in Cameroun.

Recorded in one take, whilst keeping the overall colour of the chapel’s unique acoustics, this very limited edition 7” vinyl is produced by Beating Drum and No Format.

Get it here: https://piersfaccini.bandcamp.com/album/blick-bassy-piers-faccini-mother-time

Mother Time

Order 7'

Piers Faccini & Blick Bassy - Mother Time

Life’s journey is never a straight arrow but a set of continuous circles. Just as we are full of anticipation before embarking on a new journey, we soon find ourselves looking forward to coming back home with more gratitude, appreciation and a deeper understanding of what was already there. 

While my debut album was centered around core clarinet repertoire, in the three albums that followed, I ventured out into mainstream classical music, transcribing and arranging some of my favorite classical works that were originally written for other instruments. 

Through this experiment, I trained myself to sing through my clarinet like an opera singer, phrase long melodies like a concert pianist and play like a virtuosic violinist. It also created opportunities to reach out to modern day composers of different styles, accumulating many new clarinet pieces and a few of them are included here. 

Taking on different paths allowed me to stretch my imagination and collect wonderful musical ideas. Coming back full circle, I am delighted to present to you some of my favorite clarinet classics from a fresh perspective. Cheers!

Michele Mangani: Executive

music : Alonso Mudarra
guitar : F.Hiemenz
----------------
please take a look at my little video work with this recording:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqJRgIGfvwQ&hd=1

----------------
This "Fantasia" of the 16th century is composed for the vihuela (an ancient form of the guitar) by the spanish musician Alonso Mudarra. As its subtitle shows, Mudarra tried to imitate the special way, in which a famous harp player of his time used to play his instrument.
("Fantasía que contrahaze la harpa en la manera de Luduvico".)

Quite amusing are the annotations by Mudarra himself.
At the beginning of the Fantasia, he wrote "It is difficult until it is properly understood". And really funny but true, he set a foodnote in the middle :
"From here on to the end there are some false notes; but when played well they do not sound bad"
----------------

"Fantasia" by Alonso Mudarra

The Victim

Thank you so much for your continued support and encouragement! I truly appreciate it :-)

 I love the SC community, because it is a 'community', with the many styles of music and the inspirations and encouragement I find here for all! 

After discovering SC and hearing so much talent - I wanted to join in, but so much to learn!   I was a classically trained pianist when a youngster (now a tad rusty), who has restarted a musical journey, originally in learning the field of electronic music, and exploring piano improvisations and compositions.  However, most of my latest works have been piano-based, and am hoping to once again, learn some more electronic and even combine the two; piano and electronic ... But then again, I keep returning to the piano! hehe :)

- still exploring and not feeling bound by any rules! 

BTW: If you want to know a little about any most of my tracks (and the same on other musician's profiles), just click on the title and it will take you directly there. (as many new people don't realise one can do this) - Please note that I also have a 'megs-repost' account - www.soundcloud.com/megs-reposts  and will be reposting tracks there (rather than filling up this main account, because there are so many tracks I'd love to repost, so if any of you see some un-posted tracks that were here, they're over at my other account! Love you to follow there too, so I can hear some more of your music :-)

A Mini Biography: Music has been a part of my life since a young child (my whole family is musical, though of different styles, with my step-father's fantastic rock-band and analog synths, bass and acoustic guitar, my mother's gorgeous Irish folk-band, autoharp and dulcimer, my brother's beautiful self-taught guitar, and my Dad's famous banjo playing) :)   

At a young age of about 5, I attempted composing my own piano works whilst begging my mother for piano lessons; and after about a year, my wish became reality and I trained for the AMEB (Australian Musical Examination Board) exams. I eventually started performing live, with amateur tours around the country area for a singing group and for theatre groups (though that was a long time ago now!). 

But eventually, I headed down a different path in academia, in getting my Bachelors degree, Masters degree and a PhD.

Now I have a chance to find this dream again, slowly but surely, as long as its fun. I also find it very therapeutic, as music can often express so much more than words can. It is a journey where time seems to have no meaning. This is a 'musical diary' of sorts, as I struggle through a difficult time in life health-wise, ... my escape .... music :-)

So, I would love it if you would follow me on this 'journey' because any advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated :)

Of course, I am also here as a Fan, and would love to find more people to listen to! There are so many wonderful, talented, and often undiscovered musicians up here, and I cannot get enough of your music! I have very eclectic tastes in music. 

My apologies too if there is ever a delay in my replies, as I can't always be here, but will try to get back to you and comments, I appreciate them so much. Hoping to find all my friends, and new ones too! ;-)

... and thank you so much too! SoundClouder Of The Day, 18 May 2O13 - its all thanks to your support and encouragement!

- http://soundcloud.tumblr.com/post/50670179704/soundclouder-of-the-day-megs-music-journey
- https://www.facebook.com/soundcloud/posts/10151388607376059
- https://plus.google.com/u/0/+SoundCloud/posts/A9ikSMMUAUz
- twitter.com/SoundCloud/status/335481937202397184

The Road to Hope - Improv by Megs McCarthy

Megs Music Journey

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