Many music books are designed to help better understand written music and theory, but "Primacy of the Ear" focuses on the development of the ear. "Primacy" outlines pianist and MacArthur Fellow Ran Blake's approach to growing the ear and explains how musical memory is the key to becoming a more potent musician and shaping a personal musical style. Included are the legendary “ear-robics” exercises, developed by Ran over the course of 30 years as head of the Contemporary Improvisation Department at New England Conservatory of Music. Also covered: The Auteur Theory and how it translates into music making, developing and differentiating between the conscious and subconscious mind, listening and musical memory, how to learn from your musical heroes without being consumed by them, developing and using repertoire, and how to record your music most effectively. Primacy of the Ear is Ran Blake’s genius distilled—his teaching and musical philosophy in one volume. Co-written by Jason Rogers.
Ghost Tones: Portraits of George Russell (2015) – CD/Album
$12 USD
Painted Rhythms: Compleat Ran Blake Vol. 1 – CD/Album
$15 USD
Northern Noir –
CD/Album
Ran Blake and Andrew Rathbun
$12 USD
Gray Moon –
CD/Album
Ran Blake and Frank Carlberg
$12 USD
When Soft Rain Falls: a Tribute to Billie Holiday 60 years after the release of her Lady in Satin recording –
CD/Album
Ran Blake and Christine Correa
$12 USD
Aurora (2012) –
CD/Album
Ran Blake and Sara Serpa
$12 USD
Vilnius Noir (2012) –
Limited Edition Vinyl
Ran Blake with David "Knife" Fabris
$20 USD
The Dorothy Wallace Suite (2017) –
LP/Vinyl
Ran Blake with Kresten Osgood (percussion)
$20 USD
The Newest Sound You Never Heard (2019) –
2 × CD/Album
Jeanne Lee with Ran Blake
$25 USD
Grey December: Live in Rome (2011) – CD/Album
$12 USD
Whirlpool (2011) –
CD/Album
Ran Blake and Dominique Eade
$12 USD
Down Here Below: Tribute To Abbey Lincoln, Vol. I (2012) –
CD/Album
Ran Blake and Christine Correa
$12 USD
Kaleidoscope (2013) –
CD/Album
Ran Blake and Jon Hazilla
$12 USD
Ran Blake Plays Solo Piano (re-release) (2013) – CD/Album
$12 USD
Cocktails at Dusk: A Noir Tribute to Chris Connor (2014) – CD/Album
$12 USD
The Road Keeps Winding: Tribute to Abbey Lincoln, Vol. II (2014) –
CD/Album
Ran Blake and Christine Correa
$12 USD
Kitano Noir (2015) –
CD/Album
Ran Blake and Sara Serpa
$12 USD
Chabrol Noir (2015) – CD/Album
$12 USD
Town and Country (2017) –
CD/Album
Ran Blake and Dominique Eade
$12 USD
Streaming (2018) –
CD/Album
Ran Blake and Christine Correa
$12 USD
Eclipse Orange (2019) –
CD/Album
Ran Blake and Claire Ritter
$12 USD
Ran Blake Boston, Massachusetts
In a career that spans decades, pianist RAN BLAKE has created a unique niche in improvised music as an artist & educator. With a mix of spontaneous solos, modern classical tonalities, gospel traditions, & themes from Film Noir, Blake's singular sound has earned a dedicated following all over the world. His dual musical legacy also includes 50+ years as a faculty member at New England Conservatory. ... more
