Music Lesson

Read transcriptCopy Written Shawn Keen 2024, email [email protected] for details. So, the inspiration for this came from hearing some kid downstairsplaying the saxophone. I’m sitting here, trying to come up with a cool idea, and I hear them softly working through that song by George Michael from the ‘80s—Careless Whisper. You know the one—it’s basically the soundtrack to every desperate teenage romance of that decade. I’ll put a link to the song in the comments, but if you’ve ever felt that bittersweet feeling of young love and heartbreak, this song will take you there. It’s the perfect mix of smooth sax and emotional punch. I’m hoping some of you who play an instrument might try it out and get that iconic sax riff stuck in your neighbors' heads. Share the love! Now, here’s the thing—I don’t actually play any instruments. I mean, I pretended to play the drums once, but the guitar lessons I took in third grade didn’t stick. I really wish I could play something, though, to let out all this creative energy, but hey—maybe someday! Anyway, I asked ChatGPT to break down the Careless Whisper riff for the saxophone, specifically for beginners. So, if you play, give it a shot! And if you’re brave, post a clip for all of us to hear. All of this came about because of some kid downstairs, so I even whipped up a cool 1980s-themed image that matches the mood. The music comes after the image description. You’ll find the link in the comments—copy it, paste it into your notes, and play it later. Let me know how it goes! Image Description: Picture yourself in an intimate jazz club straight out of the 1980s. The room is dimly lit, wrapped in a deep, sultry red glow. Red lamps with velvet shades hang from the ceiling, their soft light reflecting off the polished hardwood floors. The tables, small and round, are scattered with glowing red candles inside glass vases, giving the entire room a warm, moody feel. In the center of the room stands a lone saxophonist, silhouetted against the stage lights, pouring his heart into the melody of Careless Whisper. The haunting saxophone notes echo throughout the space, filling every corner with that iconic, emotional sound. Behind him, a classic 1980s band is faintly visible, their presence shadowy but unmistakable, setting the slow rhythm that flows through the venue. Couples sit at their tables, leaning in close, their faces barely visible under the dim red light, fully captivated by the music. The vibe is cinematic, nostalgic, like a scene from an ‘80s movie where time slows down, and everything feels deeply romantic, timeless, and bittersweet. It’s a moment frozen in time, where the atmosphere, music, and emotions all come together in perfect harmony. For a beginner musician learning the iconic "Careless Whisper" saxophone riff, here's a step-by-step explanation and practical tips: The Notes for the Riff: E , D , C sharp , D , E , D , C sharp , B A , B , A , G sharp , A , B , C sharp , D What You Need to Know: E, D, and C sharp, are close together on the saxophone. You’ll be moving between these notes frequently. B is a little lower in pitch and needs fewer fingers pressed down. A and B are even lower, with G sharp being the lowest note in this riff. How to Play It: First Phrase (E , D , C sharp , D , E , D , C sharp , B): - Start by playing E. On a saxophone, this involves pressing down most of the left-hand fingers and a few on the right hand. - Drop to D by lifting some fingers on the right. - Move to C sharp by lifting even more fingers from the right hand. - Repeat this sequence, going back to D, up to E, then down again to D and C sharp. - Finally, land on B, a deeper note requiring fewer fingers. Second Phrase (A , B , A , G sharp , A , B , C sharp , D): - Start by playing A, which involves pressing down more fingers on both hands. - Move up to B by lifting a few fingers, then back down to A. - Now go to G sharp, the lowest note in this section, with most fingers pressed down. - Return to A, up to B again, and then shift up to C sharp. - Finally, land on D, which is just above C sharp*. voice mode: Alright, so here's the story behind this whole idea. I'm sitting in my apartment, trying to come up with something cool, and I hear this kid downstairs playing the saxophone. They're working through that classic George Michael song from the '80s Careless Whisper. You know the one, right? It’s basically the soundtrack to every teenage romance drama from that era. I'll drop a link to the song in the comments, but if you've ever felt that bittersweet mix of young love and heartbreak, this tune will take you right back there. It's the perfect blend of smooth sax and an emotional punch. Now, I’m hoping some of you who play an instrument might give it a shot—get that iconic sax riff stuck in your neighbors' heads! Spread the love, right? Here's the deal—I don't actually play any instruments. I mean, I tried playing the drums once, but let's just say the guitar lessons I took back in third grade didn’t quite stick. I do wish I could play something, though, just to release all this creative energy. Maybe one day, but for now, it’s just a dream! Anyway, I had ChatGPT break down the Careless Whisper riff specifically for beginner sax players. So if you play, give it a go! And hey, if you're feeling brave, post a clip for us all to hear. This whole thing came about thanks to that kid downstairs, and it got me inspired. I even whipped up a cool 1980s-themed image to match the mood. The music will follow after the image description—find the link in the comments, copy it, paste it into your notes, and give it a listen later. Let me know how it goes! Imagine yourself in a cozy, dimly lit jazz club, straight out of the 1980s. The room is bathed in a soft, sultry red glow. Overhead, red lamps with velvet shades hang from the ceiling, casting their light onto polished hardwood floors. Small, round tables are scattered around, each with a glowing red candle inside a glass vase, filling the space with a warm, moody vibe. In the center of the room, there's a lone saxophonist, silhouetted by the stage lights, pouring his soul into the iconic melody of "Careless Whisper." The haunting saxophone notes float through the room, filling every corner with that unforgettable, emotional sound. Behind him, a shadowy 1980s-style band is barely visible, keeping a slow, steady rhythm that seeps through the venue. Couples sit close together at their tables, faces barely illuminated by the dim light, completely immersed in the music. The scene feels cinematic, nostalgic, like something straight out of an ‘80s movie—time slows down, and everything takes on this deep, romantic, bittersweet energy. It’s a perfect moment where the music, the atmosphere, and the emotions come together just right. For those of you learning the Careless Whisper riff on the saxophone, here’s a step-by-step breakdown with some beginner tips: The Notes for the Riff: E, D, C sharp, D, E, D, C sharp, B A, B, A, G sharp, A, B, C sharp, D What You Need to Know: E, D, and C sharp are close together on the sax, so you’ll be moving between them a lot. B is a bit lower and uses fewer fingers. A and B are even lower, with G sharp being the lowest note in this riff. How to Play It: First Phrase (E, D, C sharp, D, E, D, C sharp, B): - Start with E. On the sax, that means pressing down most of your left-hand fingers and a few on your right hand. - To hit D, lift a couple of fingers on the right hand. - Move to C sharp by lifting even more fingers on the right. - Repeat the sequence—back to D, then up to E, and down again to D and C sharp. - Finish by landing on B, which requires fewer fingers. Second Phrase (A, B, A, G sharp, A, B, C sharp, D): - Start with A, pressing down more fingers on both hands. - Move up to B by lifting a few fingers, then back down to A. - Now go to G sharp, the lowest note in this section, with most fingers pressed down. - Come back to A, then up to B again, and shift up to C sharp. - Finally, land on D, which sits just above C sharp. "I hope that works!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izGwDsrQ1eQEpisode Notes Notes go here Support AI For The Blind. by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/wespeak This podcast is powered by Pinecast.