Music Blocks

Episodes

1. Say Hello to Music Blocks

   22 Jul 2021 · 4:56 · Trailer

   Music Blocks is a music appreciation podcast that spans genres, cultures and decades. It’s about human emotions and the sounds we use to express them. Developed with input from educators and students, each episode runs…

2. How To Use Music Blocks (For Educators and Parents)

   12 Aug 2021 · 1:39 · Bonus

   Music Blocks is a music appreciation podcast developed in consultation with music educators. It’s designed to help young listeners to explore music more thoughtfully, or to let parents and teachers introduce their kids…

3. Happy (And You Know It!)

   12 Aug 2021 · 6:22

   Happiness is one of the most basic human emotions and a feeling composers often express through music. But what makes a piece of music sound joyful? Hear how Pharrell Williams, Ludwig van Beethoven, Red Velvet, Prince…

4. The Sound of Fear

   12 Aug 2021 · 5:51

   Fear is primal. It’s how we react to the unknown. And when composers and songwriters set out to make frightful music, it opens up a world of creative possibilities. We’ll hear vivid examples from John Williams, Modest…

5. Grrr... Feeling Angry

   12 Aug 2021 · 5:45

   Angry music can feel potent, like a release of pressure for a singer or a musician. So how do musicians express anger in creative ways? Check out some anger-inspired sounds from Fela Kuti, Alabama Shakes, The Clash,…

6. Sad, Sad Songs

   12 Aug 2021 · 6:21

   Grab a box of tissues. This episode of Music Blocks is about the powerful and inventive ways musicians take sadness and turn it into memorable music. We’ll hear examples from Four Tet, Charles Mingus, Samuel Barber,…

7. Surprise!

   12 Aug 2021 · 5:06

   Surprises can be wonderful or shocking, delightful or jarring. And when musicians find clever ways to surprise listeners, things get really interesting. Here’s a look at unpredictable music from Björk, Igor Stravinsky,…

8. Ugh. The Sound of Disgust

   12 Aug 2021 · 6:39

   Disgust is a powerful emotion, but you might be surprised at the nuanced music it can inspire. We’ll hear deeply personal statements alongside stunning protest music from artists like Billie Holiday, Anderson .Paak,…

9. Feeling Pretty Bad

   12 Aug 2021 · 5:32

   Sometimes a musical phrase or a single line of lyrics can unlock those bad feelings we’ve tried to hide. Music can be a powerful way to capture the mood when we feel anxious, chaotic or a little bit numb. This episode…

10. Feeling Really Good

    12 Aug 2021 · 6:20

    It doesn’t get much better than feeling confident, triumphant and optimistic. Translating a really good feeling into music opens the door for lots of creativity. Here’s a peek at how musicians like Janelle Monae, Lil…

11. In Season 2, Hear The Stories Of Our Lives

    1 Aug 2022 · 2:55

    Music Blocks, the podcast about the building blocks that make up your favorite sounds, returns Aug. 16 for a new series of fun sonic explorations! In Season 2, hosts Rebekah Romberg and Luis Antonio Perez explore how…

12. We Love a Good Love Story!

    16 Aug 2022 · 6:28 · S2 E1

    Love is a favorite topic for songwriters. That’s partly because music is such a great way to tell a love story. Here’s a look at how artists like Taylor Swift, José Alfredo Jiménez and Giacomo Puccini use sounds to…

13. An Honest Day's Work

    19 Aug 2022 · 6:09 · S2 E2

    Work is a big part of life. Sometimes you have a dull job to do, and music helps take your mind off it. And sometimes we like to hear stories that celebrate hard work and achievement. Here’s a look at how musicians…

14. Welcome Home!

    23 Aug 2022 · 6:57 · S2 E3

    Music is a powerful way to tell a story about the place you call home. A composer could write music about a place using a simple and evocative melody. A songwriter might write an anthem to evoke a sense of unity and…

15. The Sound of Heartbreak *Sob*

    26 Aug 2022 · 6:38 · S2 E4

    A great song might not heal a broken heart, but it’s a moving way to tell a story when someone or something leaves you feeling shattered. Here’s a look at the clever techniques musicians use to share stories of…

16. Ceremonies & Celebrations

    30 Aug 2022 · 6:10 · S2 E5

    Music gives us a soundtrack for some of the most memorable moments in each of our stories, from graduation ceremonies to holiday celebrations. Here’s a look at festive sounds and traditional stories from around the…

17. Stand Up! Stories of Protest

    2 Sep 2022 · 6:37 · S2 E6

    Protest music is about highlighting problems in society and calling for change. And telling a story through music is an especially powerful way to move a listener to action. Check out some potent sonic storytelling…

18. Gone But Not Forgotten

    6 Sep 2022 · 5:46 · S2 E7

    We all struggle with how to cope when we lose someone we care about. So how do musicians use those universal feelings to tell stories about death and grief? This episode looks at some moving examples, including music…

19. Yes You Can! Stories of Empowerment

    9 Sep 2022 · 6:06 · S2 E8

    Sometimes you need a little extra motivation, and music is a great place to look for it. A well-crafted song can tell a story that makes listeners feel confident, carefree or powerful. If you love uplifting choruses…

20. In Season 3, Meet Some Incredible Instruments (And Their Families!)

    1 Sep 2023 · 3:20 · Trailer

    Music Blocks, the music appreciation podcast about the building blocks that make up your favorite sounds, returns Sept. 19 with a fresh batch of exciting musical explorations! In Season 3, hosts Rebekah Romberg and…

21. Strings And Things

    19 Sep 2023 · 7:10 · S3 E1

    All around the world, musicians use stringed instruments to make music. The way musicians play these instruments creates beautiful and distinctive sounds. In this episode, say hello to chordophones! Chordophones are…

22. Take a Deep Breath!

    26 Sep 2023 · 6:06 · S3 E2

    Musicians who use the power of air breathe life into the music they play. They create beautiful and ear-catching melodies. The instruments they play are called aerophones. In this episode, we talk about aerophones and…

23. Drumroll Please!

    3 Oct 2023 · 7:04 · S3 E3

    In this episode, the spotlight is on membranophones! Membranophones make sound from the vibration of a tightly stretched material. Think of drums that you strike to make a sound. But there are other cool…

24. Good Vibrations

    10 Oct 2023 · 6:10 · S3 E4

    In this episode, we check out instruments that musicians use to deliver some amazing rhythmic impact. Idiophones make sound from the vibrations of an instrument's body. A lot of the time, musicians whack them or shake…

25. Raise Your Voice!

    17 Oct 2023 · 7:51 · S3 E5

    People can make amazing music using their voice. In this episode, it’s all about the power and range of the human voice. Get ready to hear all kinds of vocal techniques – from beatboxing to scatting to yodeling. You’ll…

26. It's Electric!

    24 Oct 2023 · 7:06 · S3 E6

    Electronic instruments like synthesizers and computer software use electricity to make sound. They've also changed music. The electrophone instrument family expands the range of musical colors in a composer's toolkit.…