ReadOasis Step 2 Miles Davis (May 26, 1926 – September 28, 1991) was one of the most important musicians of the twentieth century. He helped to develop many styles of modern jazz music. These styles include cool jazz and jazz fusion. Cool jazz has a calm, relaxed, and smooth... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 Richard Wagner was born on May 22, 1813. He was a famous German musician and writer. He wrote operas, or "music dramas." Unlike many writers of opera, he wrote the words and music for all his works. Wagner's music is known for being intense, complex, and... Read more
W.C. Handy: Father of the Blues (Step 2)
ArtsCoursesLevelsMusic Step 2BProtectedStep 2Stories May 19, 2019 0
By Maria Sonora ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) W.C. Handy at age 19 "Then I saw the beauty of primitive music." W.C. Handy, Father of the Blues W.C. Handy grew up in the southern part of the United States, in a small town in Alabama. His father was a... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 The bells are ringing, but John is sleeping. It's time to wake up! This is the basic setting for the song "Are You Sleeping." In the English speaking world, many people know this song, and they can also sing the first lines in French. Frère Jacques,... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 The room is dark. You are alone. You are drinking a coke and downloading some songs from the Internet. Then you hear a crash. Your heart stops as you hear a man shout. "This is the police!" You catch your breath and say, "What?" Then another... Read more
The Best Guitarist: Jimi Hendrix
ArtsCoursesLevelsMusic Step 2BProtectedStep 2StoriesTimes May 6, 2019 2
ReadOasis Step 2 It was the summer of 1967. About 200,000 people came to the small town of Monterey, California. It was time for the Monterey Pop Festival. Over 30 artists were playing 3 days of music. But today, people remember the last night of the show. It was... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 Humans have played instruments like guitars for 5,000 years. The English word "guitar" originally may come from the Indian word, "sitar." Today guitars play a main part in jazz, blues, country, rock, and pop music. They are also used for solo classical music. In popular culture,... Read more
Music: Good for Your Ears
CoursesIdeasLevelsListen!Music Step 2BProtectedStep 2Stories March 27, 2019 2
ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) Clive Wearing sits at the piano. He stretches out his hands and fingers. He takes a deep breath. Then he begins to play. His fingers strike the keys, and the piano hammers hit the strings. The strings vibrate in beautiful harmony and precise rhythm.... Read more
Experienced in the Blues: Eric Clapton
ArtsCoursesLevelsListen!Music Step 2BProtectedStep 2Stories March 15, 2019 0
ReadOasis Step 2 In June 1999, Eric Clapton sold 100 of his guitars. And his 1956 Fender guitar went for the record price of $497,500. In total, the sale brought in $5 million dollars. And Clapton gave the money to a drug and alcohol clinic that he started. After... Read more
Isaac Albéniz, Genius of Spanish Music
ArtsCoursesLevelsMusic Step 2BProtectedStep 2Stories February 18, 2019 1
By Maria Sonora ReadOasis Step 2 Isaac Albéniz (May 29, 1860 - May 18, 1909) was a genius of Spanish music. He gave his first concert when he was four years old. And at the young age of nine, he began his concert career. By age 15, he had... Read more