The Chromatic Scale

This scale divides the octave into twelve semi tones.Therefore the distance between each note of the scale and its neighbor would be half a step. Usually each scale could be transposed to all different keys, but since the scale contains only half steps it doesn't really matter where you start playing the scale. It all sounds the same. In other words there's only one chromatic scale.

The scale is often used in music to express drama. Moving from one semitone to other creates a dramatic effect. The leading tone is just a half tone under the tonic. It is named so since the semitone movement is very dominant. Now imagine a whole scale moving only in half steps.

The "flight of the Bumblebee", a famous orchestral interlude written by Nikoli Rimski-Korsakov is a wonderful piece which demonstrated the power of the chromatic movement.

The Next Mozart ~ Emily Bear

Emily Bear is 9 years old and began piano studies at the age of five with Emilio del Rosario at The Music Institute of Chicago. She currently studies classical piano with Mary Sauer, Principal Keyboardist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and jazz improvisation with Alan Swain. Additional mentors include Yoheved Kaplinsky, head of the Juilliard Piano Department. Emily is equally comfortable playing jazz, classical, or her own compositions.

Emily made her professional debut performing a solo concert at the Ravinia Music Festival in July of 2007, when she was five years old. She played a solo 40 minute program mixing classical, jazz, and her own pieces. She is the youngest performer in Ravinia’s more than 100 year history. She was asked back to perform solo concerts in 2008 and 2009 as well.

She most recently made her Carnegie Hall, debut, performing original music solo, and with orchestra, including the world premiere of her composition, "Peace - we are the future" with 100 piece orchestra,

Richard Clayderman ~ Mariage De Amour MV

Maksim Mrvica ~ Exodus MV



Biography of Bach

Born into a musical family, Bach received his earliest instruction from his father. After his father's death in 1695, Bach moved to Ohrdruf, where he lived and studied organ with his older brother Johann Christoph. He also received an education at schools in Eisenach, Ohrdruf, and Lüneburg. Bach's first permanent positions were as organist in Arnstadt (1703-1707) and Mühlhausen (1707-1708). During these years, he performed, composed taught, and developed an interest in organ building. From 1708-1717 he was employed by Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Weimar, first as court organist, and after 1714, as concertmaster. During this period, he composed many of his best organ compositions; in his capacity as concertmaster, he was also expected to produce a cantata each month. In Weimar, Bach's style was influenced by his study of numerous Italian compositions (especially Vivaldi concertos).