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
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January 28th
Eliana
Recommended Practice Time: 10-15
What to Practice: Thrash Unreal by Against Me!, triads/inversions
How to Practice Effectively: Focus on the bridge section for Thrash Unreal, take it slow at first and loop it until you’re comfortable, speeding it up once you get it down. Listen to the song for where to place the accented downstrokes (they are a little different than what we thought, mostly just on 2 & 4). Once these two things are there we’ll check out the lead part and have this tune in the bag. For the triads take time to memorize the order of major/minor and play them up and down each set of string. For an extra challenge try playing this in a new key other than G major (C, A, D are all good options).
Good work this week! We got a little theory heavy but you put the effort in and got it. Keep with it and it’ll become second nature!
Aarna
Recommended Practice Time: 5 minutes daily (Practice Video)
What to practice: Rhythm/lead to Crazy on You, F scale.
How to practice Effectively: Take time to practice going from chord to chord before stringing the whole progression together, look for common notes between chords (save yourself some movement), and look for shapes and similarities in the chords; guitar is a visual instrument, and it makes it easier to play and remember when you look at this way!
Good stuff Aarna, keep up the work!
Aarnav
Recommended practice time: 5 minutes daily
What to practice: Rhythm to Staring at the Sun by U2, F scale. (Practice video)
How to practice effectively: Have patience, and take time to memorize the chord shapes and the names that go with them. Being able to play them without thinking about where the fingers go will translate to more time playing and less time thinking about playing. It’ll come, and was coming along during the lesson. If you practice this a handful of times before next week you’ll see big improvements!
Solid work Aarnav.
Simon
Hey Simon, hope your test went well for school and everything else is going well!
I’d like you to take a look at the first three pages of “Chord Theory” for next week. If there’s anything there that doesn’t make sense, note those questions and we will go over it during our next lesson.
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
