W Paul Pulsipher | Producer, Pianist, Songwriter, Composer

The following perspective is something beautiful by pianist and composer Heather Niemi Savage, who expressed to me the idea of “standing up for your own work and making decisions according to your beliefs about your art in general and what the specific piece needs, even when others try to tell you differently.” In our conversation this resonated with me as well. Music is one of those fields where there are general guidelines and rules to help make music speak better to the soul, but, paraphrasing one my…

Jason Julian is one of those special people who understands the every day power of music to help shape us into, ultimately, who we are meant to be, if we let it. As the guest author for Blastissimo for this month, Jason shares how his own memories with music have helped shape him into the amazing man, leader, husband, father and friend he is today. 

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Like most, I have a profound love of music. Always a tune in my head or hummed about
during my day. I even work better when music is…

MY SUU CAPSTONE LITERATURE REVIEW
(link to relevant music at the bottom)

PREMISE

With the rise of music recording, broadcasting, production, live sound and staggering bursts of discovery in audio technology throughout the 20^th century came a slew of complex issues to be resolved. These issues ranged from performing rights, copyright and licensing to difficulties surrounding originality, fraud, moral responsibilities of music professionals, and legal ramifications of ownership vs. access since neither music…

When I was writing up my Honors Capstone Proposal at SUU, the first thing I did was tell the brief story of why I didn't pursue music as a profession right out of high school. I explained that at the time my parents were under the impression (and correctly so) that I had to be one of the very best of the best in my piano skills if I wanted to make any money and that the cost, time and effort it would take to do so might not be the best idea to pursue it as a career. They also believed - and this was…

Jennifer Lynn is one of those highly experienced and special influences in both the music and medical industries you definitely want to get to know better. Her own experience speaks for itself in this academic reflection and her personal adecdotes thrown in just put the icing on the cake. If you want to understand the effects of music on the mind and heart from an academic and personal perspective, pay attention to this one!
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In recent years, the connection between music…

This entry is by one of the faculty at Southern Utah University, David Torres. He is the Director of Athletic Bands, teaches brass and oversees several high class brass ensembles. The following is just one of his many first hand experiences with the rush of being a paid performer before he came to SUU.

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Throughout my career, I have been extremely fortunate to travel to many exotic places around the world. These travels have taken me to every US state and well…

As a follow up to last month's blog, this one includes so super fun things I've learned in my continued construction of my  Sample Library here at SUU.

In the last few weeks I have been absolutely crazy busy with recording more than 15 different instruments and hope to be able to get more before the end of the school year. It's been more fun than maybe I should be having (haha) getting samples of Violin, Viola, Cello, three types of Guitar (nylon, electric and bass), Tenor Sax, Flute, Piccolo, Alto and…

I'm a little late on this one, but that's because starting a my Senior year at SUU has been super crazy so far. On to top of 9 classes this semester, I'll be running a brand new Commercial Music Club so I can qualify for a scholarship I got, recording every instrument I can't play for my the school's Sample Library I'm putting together (i.e. everything but piano and some percussion, lol), preparing for my Junior and Senior recitals, working part time on my own business and a position I was offered at the…

This month (July 2024) I found a super cool story from a local music store here in Southern Utah. Briar Adams has one of those “American Dream” musician backgrounds about going from always being on the road to being well on her way to making more than just ends meet with her talents. I'll let her give you the details:
[some parts have been edited for clarity and readability].

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My life has always been a wondrous journey through the concept and beauty of music and I believe…

My first experience releasing songs I wrote and performed in my first album was intimidating. At the time of the first release I happened to be working as an intern with Clive Romney in his home studio and I had help from him in getting my vocal and instrument tracks balanced just right. There's a few things I've learned since then that I felt it appropriate to pass on to others who are trying to get into recording. Some these are lessons I've learned about what I'm glad I did and a few others I wish I…