Ashlee Thao

Life learner, music maker, and fun lover— let’s make the world better together

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

@MusicGuida @Komaniecki_R Music school can consume you, so remember to have fun when you make music, otherwise, you will burn out! Keep a side project just for you, away from school. Also, relationships matter. The whole reason why I went to music school wasn't for performing, it was to network.

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

@gretagus17 Reelax all of your facial muscles. If you need to will yourself to cry, do the opposite.

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

I'm starting to understand what people mean when they say you don't always play music. Sometimes, the music uses you as its conduit, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. It just is.

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

This is literally me right now with our juries around the corner. It's the music student's equivalent to that scary paper everyone else writes as part of their final exams, but your professors actually judge you right there in the room.

[TwoSet Violin @TwoSetViolin]

When you’re practicing for something that’s happening soon but not soon enough for you to get it over with

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

A Small Etude for the Left Hand
https://t.co/k2wHJl2ylo ... this is some thing I wrote because I’ve been having trouble practicingwith my left hand all week. Enjoy.

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

All I can say is Chopin's second ballade in F major describes #KansasWeather this time of year, and it's great! #MusicalMonday #MondayThoughts

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

I wake up and what do I see?
I see a blank white sheet on the street.
No, actually, that's snow, an it's April!
Well, welcome to spring in Kansas, I guess.
#TuesdayMorning #KansasWeather

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

I love seeing how something from high school now applies to a class in college. Maybe we couldn't retain everything, but the stuff that we do really pays off. Fyi, the principle is scansion.
#ThursdayMorning #CollegeLife #SchoolThoughts

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

Two things hold true especially right now about #KansasWeather:
1. You experience all four seasons.
2. Cold is relative.

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

Had an amazing time with @Royal_Kourt18 at tonight's #Hippodrome2021. We got first as a duo, and she got third as a soloist! It's always a good time when performing together.

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

I finally understand why some of my favorite artists took a break off from the music scene. I'm at the point where after this week, I need one too.

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

A rough translation of what music sounds like to my ears when I'm so burnt out, I can't touch a piano anymore... Someone asked me to explore this, I promise it's not random.

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

You realize you're addicted to caffeine when someone tells you they overheard you ordering coffee with an extra shot of espresso... and it already has three shots in it! I ordered a @Starbucks brown sugar drink fyi.

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

Yes, there are ways to practice improv, even though I struggle to explain how I do it. Anyway, I wanted to try my hand at this, so here goes:
Practicing Improvisation Using Chick Corea's Idea of Gradients
https://t.co/jTJ36DnZ0s

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

Psa: please don't try to help me unless I ask for it. Sometimes, "helping" by giving me directions in the opposite direction I'm going or by pushing me that direction hurts more than it helps. Thanks.

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

@KCTV5 This legitimately scared one of my classmates today. It was the most excitement I've experienced all day.

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

I can't believe I went from wearing winter clothing to wearing summer clothing. #TuesdayThoughts #KansasWeather

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

It's crazy to me that we can have negative windchill one week, 50 degree weather the next. I could almost wear shorts...
The saying "if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes" is definitely true here.
#KansasWeather #WednesdayThoughts

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

I must have too much time on my hands... Anyway, enjoy!
Two-Finger Improv Challenge
https://t.co/I3HbNXaVV1

[Ashlee Thao @the_harmonist]

Let's play a game... Finish the musical sentence using whatever you have at your disposal.
#WednesdayMorning #MusicalGames
...And go!