Annette Mackey's Blog, page 2

Key Signatures in Major Keys

To view a PDF worksheet outlining key signature, click on the link: Major Key Signatures

All musicians must learn to identify key signatures and play within them. In particular, sight singing requires a clear understanding of key signatures. This is because the solfege scale is moveable and students must learn to find “do.” This is done by identifying the key of the song. If a song is in the Key of C Major (no sharps or flats) then “do” is on “C.”

Keys with Sharps

Memorizing the order of the sharps can easily be done by using the following mnemonic device:

Fat Cats Go Down Allies Eating Bananas. (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#)

The name of the key is 1/2 step higher than the last sharp.

For example, in major keys, if the last sharp is F#, the name of the key is G Major. That means that “do” is “G.”

If the last sharp is C#, the name of the key is D Major. That means that “do” is on “D.”

If the last sharp is G#, the name of the key is A Major. That means that “do” is on “A.”

If the last sharp is D#, the name of the key is E Major. That means that “do” is on “E.”

Keys with flats

Memorizing the order of the flats may be done by using the following mnemonic device:

But Even A Dumb Goat Can Fly. (B flat, E flat, A flat, D flat, G flat, C flat, and F flat)

The key with 1 flat (B flat) must be memorized. It is the Key of F Major. In the Key of F Major, “do” is “F.”

Subsequent flat keys may be identified by naming the second to the last flat.

For example, if I have a key with 2 flats (B flat & E Flat) the second to the last flat is “B flat.” The name of the key is B Flat Major. That means that “do” is “B flat.”

If I have a key with 3 flats (B flat, E flat, & A flat) the second to the last flat is “E flat.” The name of the key is E Flat Major. That means that “do” is “E flat.”

If I have a key with 4 flats (B flat, E flat, A flat, & D flat) the second to the last flat is “A flat.” The name of the key is A Flat Major. That means that “do” is “A flat.”

All the Major and Minor Scales for Piano, Beginning through Advanced Studies

There has been a lot of interest in my scale sheets. As promised, I just added the minor keys. To get to them, simply search under my music studio tab, or you can click HERE

Have a great piano practicing day!

~Annette

Thanksgiving Rolls

Thanksgiving is almost here. I love this simple roll recipe. It’s a little softer and sweeter than most and doesn’t take much effort. In other words, yum! (Feel free to cut the recipe in half.)

7 cups flour (may use up to 1/2 cup less if desired)

2 package active dry yeast (If using bulk yeast: use 5 teaspoons slightly rounded)

2  1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup shortening

2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

In mixing bowl, combine 3 cups flour and yeast. Mix. In sauce pan, combine milk, sugar, shortening, and salt. Heat over medium heat until shortening almost melts, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Add milk mixture to flour and yeast and mix immediately. Add eggs. Mix. Gradually add remaining flour and knead into soft ball. I use an electric mixer with a bread hook. No work. So easy. By the way, you can’t really knead dough too much. The more you knead, the softer the bread. After kneading is done, place dough in greased/sprayed bowl. Spray top of dough with cooking spray. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Punch down. If desired (for softer rolls) let rise again. Punch down and let dough rest 10 min. Roll out as desired. See instructions below for a few ideas. Place prepared rolls onto greased/sprayed baking sheet(s) or in greased/sprayed baking pan(s). Spray rolls with cooking spray and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise 30 minutes or until double in size. Carefully remove wrap. Bake at 350 for 10 — 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from heat. Butter tops and enjoy. Store leftover rolls in fridge in airtight container.

Carrot Cake Recipe

This is my favorite carrot cake recipe
In mixer, combine wet ingredients:

2 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 cup olive oil

4 fresh whole eggs (I prefer cage free, partly because my husband audited a chicken farm once and he came home with a few horror stories. Ever since, I can’t bring myself to buy regular eggs.)

In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients together. (Mix dry ingredients well)

2 cups pastry flour (You can actually use regular flour, but pastry flour is better.)

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon (I tend to use a little extra.)

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix well.
Add 3 cups finely ground carrots. (Use a food processor) Fold carrots into batter and blend well.
Add 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts. Fold in. Blend well.

Pour into prepared 13″ x 9″ pan. Cook 50 — 60 min in preheated oven (300  degrees). Check cake to make sure that it is done. Cool completely before frosting.

 

Frosting

1 1/2 pounds powdered sugar

12 ounces room temperature cream cheese

1 tablespoon REAL vanilla (Use the good stuff)

2 ounces room temperature margarine

Whip ingredients together until smooth and creamy. (If the frosting is too dry, add a little more vanilla.) Frost cake when cool.

 

 

Scales, Chords, & Arpeggios

I decided it was time to add a scale unit to my website. When I’m teaching, I generally reach for my tattered old scale chart and make a copy of it for my students. It is difficult to read AND it’s getting old. That’s why I have decided that it’s time for a new and improved solution. As I add these scale/chord worksheets, I will make a post so that anyone else in need of this resource will get the notice.
Scales, Chords, and Arpeg­gios for all key sig­na­tures, begin­ning through advanced studies.
Each work­sheet contains: a five fin­ger pattern, primary chord progression, octave scale, con­trary motion scale, 2 octave scale (the same fin­ger­ing as 3 — 4 octave scale), and tonic chord arpeggio. 
* The fin­ger­ings listed fol­low university standards.

C Major (No sharps or flats): Scales, Chords, Arpeggio

G Major (1 sharp): Scales, Chords, Arpeggio

D Major (2 sharps): Scales, Chords, Arpeggio

A Major (3 sharps): Scales, Chords, Arpeggio

 

(More to be added soon ~ Annette, 9.25.13)

Clean Indie Read

I have posted about this on facebook but decided to post a fresh link on my blog. The Clean Indie Read blog that started a couple of months ago has gotten off to a tremendous start. It’s a site that lists inexpensive ebooks rated G, PG, or PG-13. As I have watched this blog get started, I’ve been amazed at how fast it has grown. It’s a great resource for both readers and authors. If you haven’t taken an opportunity to check it out, here’s the link: Clean Indie Reads. The blog is run by the amazing, Lia London.

Below is a list of genres posted on the blog as of 9.22.13.

action (33)
adventure (33)
animals (13)
audio book (3)
Biblical fiction (5)
children’s literature (4)
Christian (21)
coming of age (8)
crime (9)
drama (9)
epic fantasy (3)
family fiction (6)
family saga (3)
fantasy (35)
historical fiction (24)
horror (1)
humor (10)
inspirational (10)
LDS (1)
literary fiction (2)
magic (7)
middle grades (30)
multicultural (3)
mystery (15)
myths/legends (6)
New Adult (9)
novella (8)
paranormal (8)
poetry (1)
religion (1)
romance (30)
satire (1)
science fiction (18)
series (37)
short stories (10)
sports (1)
spy (2)
steampunk (2)
superheroes (2)
suspense (7)
thriller (12)
time travel (1)
urban fantasy (3)
war (8)
western (4)
women’s fiction (8)
Young Adult (42)

Understanding criticism: the good, the bad, and the ugly

Have you ever noticed how polar book reviews can be?

“I loved it!”

“Eh.… it was okay.”

“Bleck! Who writes this stuff!”

Clearly, no book is meant for every reader. But as writers, it is imperative to set our egos aside and determine the valid criticism from the invalid. For me, a few steps have really helped with this process.

1. Write with a target audience in mind. This is important for so many reasons. Readers outside your target audience will probably dislike (or at the very least, not LOVE) your book. Understanding this make it much easier when negative reviews come in.

2. Criticism is your friend. Become an analytical machine and turn off your ego. Once your pride is set aside, this becomes much easier to do. Look at your work the way a literary agent would. They’re critical, tough, totally uninterested in your feelings, but very objective. I admit this is difficult, but it is not impossible. Learning to set your ego aside brings a fresh view. You’ll see things you never saw before. An added bonus will be the ability to spot sourpusses. These are the reviewers with an agenda. Obviously, sourpusses offer little constructive criticism. And if it’s not constructive, what good is it? Toss it out.

3. Be objective, even if it’s painful. If more than one reviewer says the same thing, look at the situation again. Take plenty of time before making a major decision. Think, think, think.

4. The Average Jane (or Joe) are probably the best source for constructive criticism. These are the reviewers that don’t have an agenda. They just decided to write a review. Personally, I think they are AWESOME! (thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU to each and every one of them! Whether it was a review written for my books or someone else’s. Reviewers like this are golden! Golden, I say! GOLDEN!)

5. Never allow criticism to put out your fire. Instead, use it. Dissect criticism. Focus through an analytical eye rather than an emotional one. (You’re a writer, so you have an amazing imagination. Put yourself in the publisher’s seat. Think like a publisher. Think like an agent.)

6. Most importantly, ignore the mean people. For some reason there are a few out there chasing indie authors. (Weird.) Ignore them. Period. They’re just not worth your time. At least, they’re not worth my time. I’ve got books to write. Characters to create. Plots to form and scenarios to twist. I’m busy!

7. Keep moving ahead. Learn from your mistakes. Embrace them. They are your teachers. Don’t beat yourself with a stick. There are plenty of people willing do that for you. Instead, keep working.

8. Write, write, write, write, write! You know you want to! Speaking of which, I’ll see ya later. I’ve got more novels in the works. Until next time.

~Annette

 

The Forgotten Queen is Annette Mackey’s most recent novel. Available on Amazon.

Readers Favorite

I am so please to announce that my new novel, The Forgotten Queen , has won the Silver Award from Readers Favorite in the Fiction — Adventure category. I am so grateful! And congratulations to all of the other winners too!! So many great reads are listed! If you’re looking for something to sink your teeth into, take a moment to check out the list of winners: Readers Favorite Contest Winners, 2013.
 

Tutorial Video for Music Rhythm Worksheets 1.0 — 1.4

The following video covers early beginning rhythm.

This is the first in a series of videos that accompany my “Music Rhythm Worksheets.” In this tutorial I teach the following information:
Introduction to notes and rests, Worksheet 1.0: Quarter and Half Notes, Worksheets 1.1: Quarter, Half, and Whole Notes, Introduction to Time Signatures, Worksheets 1.2: Dotted Half Notes and Quarter Rests, Worksheets 1.3: Beginning Rhythm in Common Time, and Worksheet 1.4: Beginning Rhythm in 3 / 4 Time.

Man of Steel

Best movie of the summer? Definitely! Five stars–minus the parts that bugged me. See below for details.

WARNING: there may be spoilers ahead.

If you haven’t seen the new Superman movie, it’s well worth it. But that’s not to say that it is without flaws. And who better to comment on a Superman movie than a longtime fan?  (Except that I am a bit picky.)

Henry Cavill wears the suit well. Not everyone can make us believe that they are invincible while maintaining an endearing quality that keeps us rooting for them until the bitter end. It’s a balance of humility and power. Nicely done.

Every now and then I wished the director had let Mr. Cavill spend a little more time developing the character’s emotions. Too many times I just barely began to “feel” a scene, only to have it clipped short in favor of action/graphics. (And I know Cavill can portray emotions because he was great even as a kid in “The Count of Monte Cristo.”) This was especially true at the end of the movie when Superman screams after Zod is killed. He’s at one of the lowest points in his life. The last Kryptonian is dead–and at his hand. If only the raw emotions had come through. Instead it felt all too super. That was the part where we wanted to see his humanity. His cape, hair, and suit remained beautifully untarnished. There was not even a scrap of shrapnel on his shoulder. After all of that, let his suit be torn! Let him be covered in muck. Let the famous curl in his hair frizz! We already know that he’s powerful, but his clothes shouldn’t have to be. And his hair, no matter how strong, blows in the wind. It should have been a mess. After a battle to the death he should have looked more like a bloodied gladiator than an actor ready for his close up. We want to see him vulnerable. We really do!

I liked Amy Adams as Lois. Some people may have mentioned that she seems a little too fragile for the role. Eh? .… Possibly, but I still enjoyed her work.

And thank you WB (or whoever) for putting in the backstory, which was awesome. We learn a lot about who Superman is, where he came from, and why his planet was destroyed. We also learn why Zod has an eternal hatred of him and is determined to fight to the death when the two meet on Earth. But.… While the opening scene of  Kal El’s birth is tender, those feelings are barely touched upon before an onslaught of special effects takes over. I wanted to be drenched in Krypton’s pain. Instead I felt like I was watching a reel of explosions.

Fast forward a few decades and Kal El becomes Clark Kent. He goes from job to job trying to maintain his anonymity while being a guardian angel to those around him. This section reminded me of the original “Hulk” series that ran in the seventies. In other words, they got it right. At last! Emotions were full blown. MY FAVORITE PART was when Clark went to the aid of the men stranded on the offshore oil rig. When he stood in the fire licking his skin I wanted to applaud. Oh yeah! It was awesome! And drifting in the ocean afterwards was a tremendous idea. I felt his pain as he tried to shut out the world. (Good job movie guys!) Another excellent spot was when Clark entered the Kryptonian atmosphere. I was feeling it there.

I’m sad to say that my least favorite part was the portrayal of Jonathan Kent’s death. Kevin Costner’s acting was good, but it was a stupid scene. No, I did not miss the part about Jonathan putting Clark’s “secret” above his life. Once again, I think they wrote & filmed it that way for the sake of special effects. Somebody wanted to make a tornado happen. It was a cheesy idea. Cheeeeeeeeeesy! Jonathan is supposed to die of a heart attack. That’s the whole point. Clark is supposed to learn that he’s just as helpless as the rest of us, at least when it comes to his family. The scene stunk. Please cut. Rewrite. Film it again and let’s forget that it ever happened.

My last criticism is the lack of sparks between Clark and Lois. Hello? They needed a little chemistry. Maybe the studio is saving that part for the next movie. I hope so, because if Amy Adams and Henry Cavill can’t get it together, then who can?

As a side note, how many buildings can you knock down before you get grit on your shoes? Cut at least a quarter of the city smash scenes, put in more emotional exchanges between the actors, shred the cape when Superman is knocking down buildings, and voila, most of the problems would have been solved.

Lastly, if I’ve deterred anyone from seeing the movie … let me just say that I plan to buy it and watch it over and over again. Great stuff! I loved “Man of Steel” and can’t wait for the sequel.