BFA (York)
Daniel is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and performer from Toronto with a passion for exploring music of all genres and origins.
Daniel received his Honours Bachelor Degree in Music at York University where he originally attended for jazz, but soon branched out into Film Composition and world music such as Klezmer, Balkan folk, Baglama, Eastern European Folk, Flamenco, and Celtic. Since graduating he has primarily focused on crafting and performing on soundtracks for various feature and short films, plays, and television pilots, including Netflix releases and one theatrical release under the mentorship of the prominent Canadian Composer, Lesley Barber.
On the performance front he has also performed and written several EP’s alongside other Toronto artists in the genres of rock, funk, metal, alternative, folk, experimental, and flamenco, and continuously explores new and interesting avenues of guitar related genres.
Music for him is a life long pursuit, and he approaches it as a life long student. Through the one know many.
Get to know Daniel…Beyond the Bio!
Hobbies: Camping, hiking, travelling, board games, reading, cooking and exercise!
Musical Influences: Jóhann Jóhannsson, Bonobo, Radiohead, Thomas Newman, Joe Hisaishi, Plini, Periphery, Paco de Lucia, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Neil Young, Devendra Banhart, Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Igor Stravinsky, etc…
Favourite Food: Shawarma, anyday.
Least Favourite Food: the over/poorly cooked variety.
Favourite music: Rock, Psychedelic, Metal, Folk, Ambient, Electronic, Original Soundtracks, Folk.
Favourite Song: At the moment it would be The Girl From North Country by Bob Dylan.
Favourite Movie: Jojo Rabbit
Favourite Book: a tie between – Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth; Khalil Gibran, The Prophet.
Favourite Quote: “We have created a Star Wars civilization, with Stone Age emotions, medieval institutions, and godlike technology.” – E. O. Wilson
Latest Homework from Daniel
Is Daniel Your Teacher?
Sign up now to get your weekly assignments delivered, and never lose your homework sheet again!
February 5th!
Eliana (lesson material link)
How long to practice: 10-15 minutes daily
What to practice: I want you to be able to play through all the rhythm parts of Thrash Unreal, beginning to end, at a tempo that you can do so with 80%+ accuracy. Also, take a look at “I Was a Teenage Anarchist” and try playing it through once or twice for next week.
Keys to success: You have everything you need for success on this one, at this point it’s just a matter of practice and repetition. I suggest playing both by yourself with and without a metronome, and with the song at a volume that you can clearly hear both yourself and the recording. Pay close attention first to syncing your rhythm with both the clicks of the metronome and with the recording, and be mindful of the dynamics we went over via palm-muting and opening up. For bonus marks also do this with the lead part! Regardless of how far you get with this I also want you to check out “I Was a Teenage Anarchist” once or twice for next week, just to gauge your ability at reading and learning on your own – which I think is fairly high!
Good work Eliana, you’re doing very well with this style of guitar, and am happy with your engagement!
Aarna (Youtube music playlist + material link)
How long to practice: 5-10 minutes daily
What to practice: The rhythm/lead to Crazy on You + I want you to listen to this playlist and pick the song that appeals to you most. Our mission currently is to find the music that speaks to you personally!
Keys to success: The biggest key to getting your chords/lead line playing down is consistency and repetition. The more you play the song, the more consistently over consecutive days, the easier everything will become (even if that means playing it only 1-3 times a day, each day, which might take 5 or so minutes to do). Do this and use the practice video I made for you for reference! For listening to music and choosing a song I want you to listen through as much of the playlist as possible (minimum 3 songs) and take note of what you like and dislike, what reasons you enjoy or can’t stand each one in (descriptive words and reasons could include: it sounds beautiful, ugly, too harsh, fast, i enjoy/don’t enjoy the lyrics, it has a cool beat/rhythm, etc… think of a couple of unique short descriptions for each)
Lots of progress this week with Sunshine of your Love and Crazy on You, keep it up!
Aarnav (Youtube music playlist + Material Link)
How long to practice: 5-10 minutes daily
What to practice: Staring at the Sun by U2 + listening to the music playlist attached to find our next tune to work on!
Keys to success: Be sure to check out the video I attached of myself playing through the song for reference, and otherwise it’s a matter of putting time in playing the chords and getting comfortable with it over time. Our goal is to practice more consistently. With that in mind, we need to find a good next song to work on. So, a part of your practice this week is to listen to the playlist I attached from Youtube, and see if any specific song sticks out to you as something you dig. Super easy, uber fun, and will give us a broad variety of options to choose from moving forward!
Keep up the good work Aarnav!
Simon (Lesson material link) (Ink Spots Sheet Music)
How long to practice: 10 minutes daily
What to practice: Playing – I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire by the Ink Spots
Keys to success: Take it slow and try both option A and option B for chord voicings, seeing which one is better for yourself. The overall key to playing this song will be in memorizing the chord changes, and getting comfortable switching between them as smoothly as possible. Some parts will be easier than others. I also want you to get familiar with the chord names, not just the notes on tab, so, I especially want you to write the chord names above the tab using the chord chart as reference. Some of the chord names are written in for reference!
Good work Simon, I’m glad you dig this song and are singing as well as playing! Let’s keep developing it!
Preferred Books for Daniel’s Students
Click to buy them here, and they’ll come right to your house! What could be easier?
Hal Leonard Guitar Method
The second edition of this world-famous method by Will Schmid and Greg Koch is preferred by teachers because it makes them more effective while making their job easier. Students enjoy its easy-to-follow format that gives them a solid music education while letting them play songs right away. Book 1 provides beginning instruction including tuning, 1st position melody playing, C, G, G7, D7, and Em chords, rhythms through eighth notes, solos and ensembles and strumming.
Hal Leonard Guitar Method COMPLETE
The Hal Leonard Guitar Method is designed for anyone just learning to play acoustic or electric guitar. It is based on years of teaching guitar students of all ages, and reflects some of the best teaching ideas from around the world. This super-convenient Complete Edition features the new and improved method books 1, 2 and 3 spiral-bound together.
Modern Method for Guitar
This pack includes Volume 1 of this practical, comprehensive method book (the basic text for the guitar program at the world-famous Berklee College of Music) PLUS a matching DVD-ROM featuring 14 complete lessons with Larry Baione, chair of Berklee’s guitar department.
Modern Reading Text in 4/4
This book has become a classic in all musicians’ libraries for rhythmic analysis and study. Designed to teach syncopation within 4/4 time, the exercises also develop speed and accuracy in sight-reading with uncommon rhythmic figures. A must for all musicians, especially percussionists interested in syncopation.
Hal Leonard Music Theory for Guitarists
Guitarists of all levels will find a wealth of practical music knowledge in this special book with online audio access. Veteran guitarist and author Tom Kolb dispels the mysteries of music theory using plain and simple terms and diagrams. The accompanying recordings provide 94 tracks of music examples, scales, modes, chords, ear training, and much more! To access audio visit: www.halleonard.com/mylibrary
