By Dave Babbitt – Special to the Sydenham Current
I’m going to make a public confession that my friends are already aware of… I have a very short attention span.
There is rarely a time that I’m not in the midst of multiple projects because I can’t sit still, and I find concentrating on one thing for a long time, simply impossible.
I find it difficult to watch an hour-and-a-half movie and I find a book that has hundreds of pages simply intimidating.
I recall getting my copy of ‘The Moonstone’ in Grade 11 English.
The print was incredibly small and about two and a half inches thick.
I started shaking at the mere thought of how much time it would take to read it… and I never did.
On the other hand, I love magazines because the articles are short.
I love a newspaper, because the articles are short.
I love cartoons because they only last about five minutes, and I love to watch the news because the stories are short.
And that brings me to my happy place, YouTube and its millions of short videos.
I’m a voracious YouTube surfer and COVID has provided me with an excess of discretionary time.
While my tastes are wide, I want to share some of my favourite go-to YouTube music sites.
I watch all kinds of music related videos but there are a few channels that as a musician I subscribe to, and visit regularly.
A channel that I’ve been watching for several years now is that of Rick Beato.
Rick is a highly-trained and experienced musician, audio engineer, songwriter and record producer.
His insider knowledge and connections within professional circles of the music businesses are second to none but what really dazzles me is his knowledge and understanding of music theory at its most difficult levels.
While I only understand a small fraction of some of his explanations, I continue to watch and listen, hoping to pick-up tidbits of information that can help me in my role as a musician, arranger and conductor.
Rick has several series of videos, the most popular of which is probably ‘What Makes This Song Great?’ where he goes into a deep analysis of popular songs that is no-doubt best enjoyed and understood by musicians.
Another incredibly talented and knowledgeable YouTuber is Adam Neely.
Adam is a mere 33 years old but his music credentials are solid.
He has a world-class music education having studied at both the Manhattan School of Music and Berklee College of Music, is world-class bassist playing in several bands, has an incredible knowledge of music history, and much like Rick Beato, possesses a knowledge and understanding of music theory that makes my head spin.
Adam is very personable but if music theory and deep music analysis isn’t your thing, it’s not likely for you. He often talks above my head but I still learn quite a bit.
I’ve also discovered several ‘Music Reaction’ video channels whereby highly trained Vocal Coaches will watch a video of a performance as suggested by their subscribers.
Typically, the performance is one they have supposedly never watched before, and they stop and start the performance, providing their technical analysis and personal opinions.
Being a huge fan of vocal music, I regularly watch a select few of them.
My hands-down favourite music reaction channel is one called ‘Beth Roars’.
Beth is a redheaded Scottish lassie who has a smile and personality that will easily win you over and music knowledge and experience in the professional world of music that belies her age.
Beth is a writer, arranger, actress, veteran of musical theatre, vocalist and vocal coach.
While she has a few different series of topics, my favourite is when she chooses an artist and delves into ‘what makes them, them’ as she says.
She does delve into music history sometimes and the depth of her knowledge is incredible.
Unlike Rick Beato and Adam Neely, one doesn’t need to have a knowledge of music theory to enjoy Beth’s channel.
I will suggest that for one’s first exposure to Beth’s channel, search-out ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.’
This is not a ‘reaction’ video but one of her singing.
I guarantee you will smile and want to watch her channel more.
Another great vocal analysis channel is that of sensational Opera singer Elizabeth Zharoff.
Her channel is called The Charismatic Voice.
While an Opera singer herself, she’s far from a one-trick pony and it’s really interesting to watch and listen as she analyzes performances far removed from her own wheelhouse.
While there are vocal techniques that are specific to different genres of music, she can appreciate, understand and provide an interesting analysis of music from Johnny Cash to Metallica to Opera.
Both Beth and Elizabeth also offer online vocal lessons.
I’ve mentioned this channel before and if you love vocal harmony like I do, you must check out the videos by Voctave.
All of these vocalists have sung at Disney World as part of The Voices of Liberty at one point or another.
Start your journey with Voctave by watching the ‘Fly Medley’.
Lastly, maybe the channel I’ve watched the most during the COVID lockdown has been that of Gunhild Carling.
Unfortunately, there is not enough space in this column for me to rant enough about Gunhild Carling and her musical family.
Gunhild herself is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, dancer, bandleader and artist who will make you smile until your face hurts.
In one of her videos, she is a guest with Post Modern Jukebox and plays 10 different instruments!
She has a deep love for old-time 1920’s jazz, and standards from the Great American Songbook but don’t ignore her because I said the word “jazz”. (uhmm Ruth)
Gunhild and her family are all self-taught musicians. Their output of videos is immense, but perhaps start out with ‘Slow Boat to China’ and I dare you not to smile.
YouTube has proven to be a phenomenal resource for music lovers like me.
Now I’m going to watch a performance by Doc Severinson and the NBC Orchestra on Johnny Carson, and it’s only four minutes and 30 seconds long!
