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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June (2nd Week)
Albert
What to practice: Brown Eyed Girl
Recommended practice time: 10 mins daily
Keys to effective practice: While playing the melody make use of the fret markers (inlays) as visuals to help guide your fingers along more quickly, rather than having to count each time as you shift positions. For playing the rhythm parts, keep it interesting and challenging by playing through the progression with various strumming patterns (the one we went over, single strums, or double on each chord, etc…), later we can start switching it up so that the song makes use of various rhythms to keep it fresh!
Eliana
What to practice: Bach – Invention in C, Technical Difficulties, Symphony of Destruction.
Recommended practice time: 15-20 minutes daily
Keys to effective practice: Because we are now tackling traditional notation again it may be helpful to consult a mapping of the fretboard. Similarly, printing off a blank fretboard and filling it in yourself may be additionally useful to help ingrain this further. Furthermore, by either printing off a copy of the music or using editing software it would be wise to mark in phrase markings for chunking, as well as to help interpret the music properly (ie: when does this melodic line actually change? what notes should be emphasized?). Above all else though continue mapping out the song in a way that makes sense for yourself and we will review and move forward next week!
Aarna
What to practice: Hal Leonard – Chords Chapter
Recommended practice time: 10 minutes daily
Keys to effective practice: For any melody take a moment and review the notes, writing them down if necessary – however, be sure while playing to be picking the note in its correct octave! (we have multiple D, E, F, & G’s now!). While playing rhythm aim for clean full sound and smooth transitions between switches. To help perfect this take it slow and look for the patterns and similarities between chords, and by moving your fingers in small groups of 2/3 instead of each one at a time!
Aarnav
What to practice: Hal Leonard – Chords Chapter
Recommended practice time: 10 minutes daily
Keys to effective practice: Take a moment and review the chords at the beginning of the chapter before delving into the exercises to be sure you have the right names matching the correct shapes! Practice with the aim of smoothly transitioning between the chords with as minimal time in between as possible to where it will eventually be one smooth act. Similarly review the notes to all the melodies, jotting down the names as needed while keeping track which octave each note is in while actually performing!
Simon
What to practice: Bach invention in C, No Bullets Fly
Recommended practice time: 15-20 minutes daily
Keys to effective practice: Take a moment and review the fretboard in relation to note names (all the natural ones found in C major should be enough for this piece). Additionally, it may be helpful to consult a mapping of the fretboard. You may want to print a blank one out and fill it in yourself to help deepen it into your memory. Otherwise, while practicing look for the motifs (little melodic bits) that repeat and move around. If you keep an eye out for them popping up starting on different notes, or inverted, reversed, etc… it will help to see the whole structure of the song as well as make use of one of the many benefits of visually seeing music written out in this form!
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
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