The words of the song ליהודים היתה אורה / Layehudim Haysa Ora come from Megillas Esther, which we read on Purim at night and in the morning. We also say these words each week after Shabbos is over, as part … Continue reading →
First impressions I still remember scales from when I was a kid. (Ugh.) I had this book of scales – I thought they were just finger exercises. My teacher would assign one of the exercises for me to practice. To … Continue reading →
It’s Chanuka! And that means lots of opportunities for playing and singing! This song is brought to you by reader request . . . Sheet music for חשוף, by Yaakov Shwekey. Looking for a great Chanuka present for someone you … Continue reading →
Tovim Hashnayim Min Ha’echad – Two are Better than One After exploring the idea of contrafactum with Dip the Apple in the Honey and Oh, My Darling Clementine in the previous post, I thought I might present you with another … Continue reading →
You know how some songs have the same tune but different words? Like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and the ABCs. Well, it turns out there is a word to describe that! It is called contrafactum. According to Wikipedia: In vocal … Continue reading →
I love this emotional rendition of מלך מלכי המלכים by נתנאל דבוש. They say this bar mitzvah boy was blind since he was a baby and then miraculously regained his eyesight. Whether this is accurate or not, I do not … Continue reading →
Image credit: Lag B’Omer Bonfire by my son, Dovid Rabinowitz On Lag B’Omer in Meron, thousands of Jews dance around the bonfire. They sing the tune of Bar Yochai, which enumerates the praises of Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai. This is … Continue reading →
Read on for my little Grammin about playing Jewish music . . . I’ve been there. You want to play some Jewish music, but there’s no decent sheet music available. You find some sheet music and your teacher won’t use … Continue reading →
A request for instrumental backing tracks to sing along with got me working on this karaoke version of Benny Friedman’s Bsheim Hashem. Karaoke simply means the instrumental accompaniment (my favorite!) without the singer singing the melody. I have included the … Continue reading →
