See the music

One of the greatest challenge for teachers of music to children above primary school age is helping them become accustomed to reading music and feeling fluent in its written form. The challenge is even greater if a student becomes interested in composing or conducting. This could be a valuable tool -- animated scores synchronized to a recording, to help forge the direct connection between the visual and aural centers in the brain which is essential for those of us who deal with written music. Whether or not it's educational, it is kind of fun. Here's the first track in Miles Davis's great Kind of Blue album, "So What?"

Chuck Jones said Wile E. Coyote came from a Mark Twain book

Chuck Jones recommends to a class of fans to try cracking open a book or two:
January 24, 1992

Knowing how to read and not reading books is like owning skiis and not skiing, owning a board and never riding a wave, or, well, having your favorite sandwich in your hand and not eating it. If you owned a telescope that would open up the entire universe for you would you try to find reason for not looking through it? Because that is exactly what reading is all about; it opens up the universe of humour, of adventure, of romance, of climbing the highest mountain, of diving in the deepest sea.

I found my first experience with Wile E. Coyote in a whole hilarious chapter about coyotes in a book called Roughing It by Mark Twain. I found the entire romantic personality of Pepe Le Pew in a book written by Kenneth Roberts, Captain Hook. I found bits and pieces of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and all the others in wonderful, exciting books.

I dare you all, test your strength: Open a book.

Sincerely,

(Signed)

Chuck Jones