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 7th Assignments
Eliana
Recommended practice time: 15-30 minutes
What to practice: This week I want you to practice Cream – Sunshine of Your Love, and to get comfortable playing through the pentatonic scales.
How to practice effectively: For Cream, stay loose and relaxed and try playing along to the recording to get the feel down, otherwise once you have the main intro riff down (which you already have down quite well) feel free to look ahead to the Pre-Chorus/Chorus bit! For the pentatonic improvising, try playing over some backing tracks to make it more interesting, and while doing so listen to how the notes you play relate to what’s being played. For the straight up/down the scale and up/down in groups of three try playing with a metronome at a comfortable speed where accuracy is taking front stage.
For some inspiration for what can be done with the pentatonics check out the King of them breaking it down (BB KING).
Good stuff today, and nice meeting you Eliana!
Aarnav
Recommended practice time: 10-15 minutes
What to practice: For this week Aarnav I want you to practice the intro to Superstition as well as the F major scale.
How to practice effectively: While playing both of these I want you to assign a fret to each finger like so – index for first fret, middle finger for second fret, and your ring finger for the third fret. I know this may feel odd at first but if you stick with it, it will become natural and music like this will become a breeze! Also, take a listen to the tune to get song into your mind, and try slowing it down on youtube to play along (click the gear icon for playback speed). You already have it down quite well, playing along will make your practice more fun as well as give you a better idea of how guitar works in a band!
Good playing today Aarnav, it was to meet you!
Aarna
Recommended practice time: 10-20 minutes
What to practice: For next week Aarna, I want to hear you play the intro to Crazy on You by Heart, and to practice the F Major scale and the E minor scale.
How to practice effectively: Take it slow, and focus on accuracy while assigning a finger to each fret like we discussed (index to first fret, middle to second fret, ring finger to third). You picked up the notes and feel of the song quite quickly, so I think if you focus on letting each note ring out nice and cleanly you’ll be flying. The key to that is to stay comfortable, relaxed, and take things slow and steady. Speed will come with time (this all goes for both the song and the scales). You got it! For a refresher on the tune.*
Nice to meet you Aarna, glad you got your cell phone back!
Simon
Recommended practice time: 15-30 minutes
What to practice: For this week I want you to practice Pink Floyd’s Money, and I want to see you play the A Minor scale with the fingering we went over for next class.
How to practice effectively: To practice the A minor scale properly, take it nice and slow, with your thumb positioned on the middle of the back of the neck (not blues style, wrapped around). Because this is a new concept it has to be taken slowly, and you’ll have to resist the urge to play faster until playing with the pinky becomes more comfortable. You can get this down no problem if you approach it like this, just be patient with it, I promise. For Money play along with the recording for now, and similar to using your pinky on the A minor scale, try to do so with the intro lick when it goes from the 2nd to 5th fret. Challenge yourself! You’re already playing more difficult things on the guitar, you got this!
It was great meeting you Simon, your Floyd soloing sounds great! Til next week!
Preferred Books for Daniel’s Students
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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
