So weird to see all these rockers getting in there 60’s & 70’s, but it beats the alternative.
Happy birthday to Ozzy!!! I wanna know where you get one of these cakes??
Author: mikeslayen
Guitarist/Instructor
Must See Music & Animation
Some of you may have heard of Animusic, but if you haven’t you’ve got to watch this!
Unlike many projects where music is written to fit the animation or vise versa, Animusic uses computer programs to drive the animation from the music.
As creative as the instrument in this video is, there are real life ‘versions’ that are similar like the 42 stringed guitar in the picture below.
Mike check:
George Harrison, My Favorite Beatle
Eleven years? I can’t believe it has been eleven years since George Harrison left us!
My apologies this post is out a day late to recognize the day of his passing, November 29, 2001.
I came relatively late to the Beatles party. Never really liked them as a kid, they were old and silly looking and I wanted to hear my Van Halen, AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. It was not until I got out of high school that their commercialism was replaced in my mind by how incredible of musicians they truly are. One year my mom gave me Rubber Soul as a holiday gift and I was totally blown away!
George quickly became my favorite Beatle. Sure there’s the guitarist connection, but, his songs always struck me musically. There’s a grace and style about his tunes. He penned some of the greatest melodies of the Rock and Roll era. To this day I truly believe, as beloved as he is, George is an underrated guitarist
Some of my favorite Harrison tunes include, Here Comes the Sun, Something, Blue Jay Way, If I needed Someone and the epic While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
When recording my first CD, Reflections of San Diego, with the Slayen & Fox Guitar Duo, I even ‘borrowed’ one of his melodies. Well actually I infused the melody into one of my songs. Meaning it is relatively hidden but means something to me having it included. That said if anyone ever thinks they have found it let me know I would be VERY impressed!!
RIP George Harrison
Mike check:
Music to Relax – Ravel, Pavane Pour une Infante Defunte
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving vacation. Getting back to the work grind is going to be tough this week especially for those of you lucky enough to have had some time off for the holiday. Once again my friends I am here to help you chillax and set an aural soundtrack to get you in a groove for the week ahead.
I was first introduced to this piece when I just began ‘serious’ study of music in college. There was an arrangement for a guitar quartet that I was lucky enough to be a part of and have loved this piece ever since. There are several arrangements of the Pavane for a variety of instrumentations including solo piano and guitar. My favorite , in the video below, is a symphonic version. Ravel was a master of instrumentation as can be heard in this piece and his other compositions such as, “Bolero.”
Ravel along with his contemporary and French countryman, Debussy, were the leaders in the music of the Impressionist movement. A period in music history that generally stretches from 1875-1925.
In my previous Music to Relax Posts, I often mention the words open and space when describing the music. I thought I would expand on that here. Both terms ‘open’ and ‘space’ are multifaceted in musical analysis. They can refer to the rhythm, harmony, melody, texture and orchestration, as well as, any musical parameters. In order of the previous parameters this could mean; longer slow notes, chords that extend over the octave with little dissonance, stately themes and a lush character. This certainly does not mean that relaxing music can’t be dissonant, fast, chromatic, etc. Or that music that doesn’t follow these ideals can’t be relaxing. They are offered as generalizations which are often employed in music widely regarded as relaxing.
Perhaps a good illustration would be in visual arts. If you see a painting that is very busy and confusingly draws your focus in multiple directions it might be considered to raise tension in a viewer. Conversely, a portrait of a pastoral landscape with flowing soft colors and a subject that catches the eye easily would be more relaxing.
Enjoy and relax!
Mike check:
One Month Christmas Countdown Begins
Don’t forget to breath and enjoy everyday even with the stresses of the holidaze!
Here’s a Brian Setzer Xmas tune to get you in the mood, if you aren’t already.
Mike check:
Guitar, Wine & Relaxation…a Black Friday Alternative, A San Diego Guitarists Performance Blog
Once again, I had the pleasure of performing at Orfila Vineyards and Winery in Escondido. This time the day after Thanksgiving. I really didn’t know what kind of crowd to expect. Would everyone stay home? Be burned out? Turkey hangover? Shopping?
Well, the first sign it was going to be a nice crowd was there was no parking except the overflow. Walking up with my gear, it was packed. That always gets the musician juices flowing. But, it was also nice to see folks using their ‘Black Friday’ to relax. Even better they were supporting some locals over the big box chain stores. Including Orfila, myself and local jewelry maker Katy of KD Custom Jewelry, who’s always a pleasure to work with. Darn Good Food Truck was also there, but, I was so busy I never got a chance to go see what they were all about, sure they were ‘darn good’ though.
With the holiday season upon us, I only have one more scheduled public performance and you guessed it…I will be at Orfila on Dec. 2…3:00 to 5:30 PM. If you haven’t been to Orfila yet it is a must. There is truly something in this valley overlooking the vineyards that always makes for a great relaxing day. If you are planning any events or weddings definitely take a look here!
Some photos of the day!
Mike check:
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you all for following my blog! I appreciate all of you who follow and chat about my favorite subject…..MUSIC!
Thank you to all my wedding and performance clients, fellow musicians and students….it is a pleasure to share music with all of you!
Mike check:
Happy Birthday Joe Walsh, 65, Life’s Been Good
I remember being a little kid listening to Joe Walsh’s, “Life’s Been Good.” It was the coolest song ever at the time. Cool guitar riffs(yes I was hooked on guitar even as a kid) and funny lyrics. I have mentioned before in my blogs that I am not much of lyrics guy, but, c’mon what little kid doesn’t laugh with their friends over lines like, ‘I have a mansion forget the price …Ain’t never been there they tell me it’s nice.’ Actually, the tune has held its own for 34 years now….so it wasn’t just for kids.
I will always think of Joe Walsh, as mentioned above, as a combination of iconic rock guitar riffs and a silly side, including some of his performance faces…he took the ‘guitar face’ to new heights. To me he is the redeeming musician in the Eagles. His stylistic rock licks lifted the Eagles from country band to Rock Supergroup status. His mark is most notably etched on tunes like Life in the Fast Lane, The Long Run, In the City and his shared guitar work on the epic Hotel California solo.
Joe’s been at his career for just under 50 years now. He has achieved legendary success as a member of The James Gang, The Eagles and his solo gig.
Here is to Life ‘Being’ Good for years to come…keep rocking Joe!
Mike check:
Getting Married in Yosemite
Here is an idea for the couple looking to try something different for their wedding. Could you imagine standing in the middle of the Yosemite Valley to take your vows with El Capitan and Half Dome peaks in the background as your altar?
Living and playing music in Southern California is amazing! I get to play guitar for weddings and events at some of the most beautiful and historic venues in the world regularly. That said, it would be a thrill to play guitar for a wedding in Yosemite!
Better yet, why not at the top of Half Dome itself?
Let me know if you need any help with your wedding music..wherever your venue is being held.
Mike check:
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year…
Well it’s definitely that time already in the music teaching biz!
If you are like me, you know it is way too early for Christmas music, at least for listening. However, with student performances and CD recording projects coming up SOON it has been my experience that the day after Halloween needs to be the official start of practicing holiday music.
Gotta love the Frank Sinatra Christmas Songbook…has NOTHING to do with him other than the picture on the cover.
For those looking for music I strongly recommend the FJH series of Methods and Xmas books. I’ve been using them for 7 plus years now. Their books are a bit more contemporary than the ol’ standards. My students laugh cause I know what page every song is on….they test me but they never trick me.
Tips on practicing for the holidays…
-Don’t bite off more than you can chew! Pick one or two songs with arrangements at your skill level. Learn those and then dive into another. If you start too many at one time you might burn out and lose your steam.
-Practice at least one song you play the notes or tab and a couple with just chords. People love to sing their favorites this time of the year and you can strum away and accompany them.
-Have fun!! Making music with others is a blast. Be confident, but, don’t take it too seriously!
BONUS TIP: Unless you are really comfortable sight-reading make copies of the songs you intend to play and leave the book at home! If you have the book people WILL start to browse and make requests which can be an uncomfortable situation for beginners.
Good luck with the guitar this holiday season!
Related posts:
Guitar for your holiday events
Mike Slayen ~ Guitarist 