Author: mikeslayen

Guitarist/Instructor

What does 100 ‘Likes’ on Facebook Mean? Thank You!

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What does 100 likes mean on Facebook?

Well to mega stars/companies it might mean it was a slow hour.

To people that use Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms just to get likes, follows, re-tweets etc for no other reason than to boost their ego…it might make their day.

What does it mean to me? Everything!

It means that I have friends, family, fans, students, colleagues and music lovers that appreciate and support my musical endeavors.

Music has always made a better world in my world and I hope to pass that same power of music to you, even if it comes from sharing a  photo, music joke, my musical journey, a gigantic symphonic work, a three chord rock song or whatever catches my ear on a daily basis!

I appreciate all the support!

Thank You by Led Zeppelin

Enjoy Your Labor Day Weekend! “Holiday”

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Cannot believe it  is Labor Day and the unofficial end of summer already!

From myself, my family and everyone at Mike Slayen Studios have a fun and safe holiday!

“Holiday,” from the Scorpions. This is a great song, listen even if you are not a fan of the band. This will give you a different perspective than you may have had about the band and heavy metal in general. This is a a very melodic tune.

What does a Playboy Playmate, Pussycat Doll and Big Screen Actress Have in Common With a San Diego Guitarist? A Wedding Blog

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That got your attention!

So what does a talented young lady with these celebrated credentials have in common with a classical guitarist? 364 days a year not much, but, for one day I was the wedding guitarist for just such a person.

This past summer mixed in with all my wedding playing, teaching and other musical activities I did have the honor to play for Playmate, Pussycat Doll and actress, Rachel Sterling. Her acting acclaim includes Wedding Crashers, True Blood- HBO series and a long list of other credits to her name.

So who, what, where, when was this wedding…details, details, details? Not being the National Enquirer or any other supermarket tabloid, I’m not gonna say. You can do the research if it is that important to you. I can tell you it was a typical beautiful Day at the Beach in San Diego….Sunny & 70…as always. (Two shameless plugs)

I can tell you while prepping, I was excited to have a celebrity wedding. Going over in my mind “Wow!”, who is going to attend? Will there be crazy Hollywood types with lots of hoopla? Paparazzi hiding in the bushes? Would I be interviewed by E! TV, wondering what kind of napkins they had?

Well I will tell you exactly what happened…a wedding broke out. A regular, very nice, but, regular ol’ wedding for two people in love to share their vows in front of the ones they love. There was family, friends, beautiful women ….in a nutshell…it was a wedding! A cool wedding for a cool couple! I had nothing but a good experience working with Rachel over the phone, email chats and day of, she was a great easy going bride!

The biggest difference about this wedding than my many others was my friends and families reaction. Usually, my friends say oh cool your playing a wedding this weekend…good luck. But, for this one…I never had so many offers to be my roadie, my soundman, my bodyguard…you name it.

I’m looking forward to keeping an eye out as Rachel’s career unfolds over the years and remember the day that this classical wedding guitarist from San Diego played a superstars wedding!!

Rachel and Logan thanks so much for having me play guitar for you and your guests! I wish you the best in your marriage and careers and hope to play as you renew your vows when we are old and gray.

What is a Picardy 3rd?

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Alex Trebek, “The practice of ending a piece of music in a minor key on a major tonic chord”

…I am going to win one of you a Jeopardy answer someday! Remember this!

Not sure why but while studying music in college the topic of the Picardy 3rd was something that always came up in jokes and conversations between students. It may have to do with it just being a cool musical concept, it may be that is was one of the easier concepts to grasp for most music students, I’m just not sure. All I know is every time I hear it I want to do that stupid Beavis and Butthead laugh and say, “Uhhh-huhh, you said Picardy 3rd.”

It was a practice popularized in the Renaissance period 1400-1600. The origins of the name Picardy are not known for sure although some theorize it relates to the Picardy region of France.

So other than a joke between college musicians, winning Jeopardy or impressing your friends with a relatively useless piece of trivia how does this effect your life?

Well for those of you who write music try it! You will be amazed at the stark lifting statement a final major chord has on a minor keyed song. The half step raising of one note can substantially generate a physical impression on your listeners. And after all what are we trying to do as musicians…move our listeners!

Try it you’ll like it!

Here is Glenn Gould performing Johann Sebastian Bach’s Prelude in D minor BWV926 Listen for the difference between the final major chord and the rest of the piece in minor.

Orfila Winery, A San Diego Guitarist Blog- Performance Aug 24, 2012

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Had  great weekend of gigs! Friday evening at Orfila and a cool wedding on Crystal Pier on Saturday.

Orfila is a winery located in San Diego’s North County near the Wild Animal Park…its still hard for us native San Diegans  to call it Safari Park.
Not exactly sure what is it; the mountains in the background, the gardens overlooking the vineyard, the wine or the music but Orfila has the mojo for relaxation. Everyone who has been there to see me play has a great time.

I had a blast playing a mix of classical, flamenco and rock/pop guitar for them once again. Here are a few pictures from the night. Thanks to all of you who made it out!!!

My next Orfila event is September 30 3:00-5:30, a Sunday afternoon.

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Crystal Pier, A San Diego Guitarist Wedding Blog

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This was my first wedding on the pier and it was a really cool venue! Took place between some of the cottages…which BTW I think I will put on my ‘Things in San Diego’ to do list, stay overnight on the pier. So relaxing to hear the waves crashing underneath.

I do have to say after growing up in San Diego and hanging at Pacific Beach so many times it was definitely odd to be wearing a suit and tie and not a bathing suit and flip flops!!

Congrats and best to the happy couple, thanks for having me play for you!

Here are a few pictures from my vantage point during the wedding(taken after the wedding of course) and a couple sunset shots as I was leaving.

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Feel Good Friday Guitar at Orfila Vineyards and Winery

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Hi Everybody,

Mike Performing at Orfila Vineyards & Winery Jul 14, 2012

I am very excited to be back at Orfila this Friday, August 24, 3:30-6:30 PM.  If you are looking for a great way to unwind and start your weekend off right this is the place. It is so relaxing out in their gardens, overlooking the vineyards and enjoying a glass of wine and some guitar music.  Click here for details.

All ages are welcome.

 
Two For the Road   ‘Mobile American Comfort Food’ a gourmet food truck will also be on hand.

Hope to see you there and play for you!!

Music to Relax! Fight, “Reality, a New Beginning”

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Alright, most of you are going to think I am insane!

Fight was a 90s heavy metal band formed by Judas Priest singer Rob Halford. They were not a thrash metal band like Metallica but very heavy nonetheless.  In addition to Halford’s powerhouse vocals Fight always had great, very crunchy very musical guitar riffs.

I know heavy metal isn’t for everyone. It is an acquired taste that grows over time, but, in my opinion well worth the time. Many amazing virtuoso musicians over the last 40-50 years have chosen this hard edged rock as their genre as it allows for musicality and creativity not afforded in other popular styles.

So how can this song be considered relaxing music? It is kind of like how you feel after a workout. Your endorphins release and you get what they call a “runners high.”  There have been times I was driving home from a rough day and cranked a band like Fight..probably a little bit towards full volume and it really helped me get all the aggressions out. It calms me right back down like a nice shoulder massage would.

This is definitely different than the typical pastoral music I usually share on my “Music to Relax” articles. Although I know it is not for everyone maybe you can obtain  more of a grasp on why people truly do love heavy metal music. There are other forms of ‘ugly’ music that people enjoy as well. Think of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring or some free Jazz that does not follow the ‘normal’ ideals of nice sounding music.

Keep your ears open my friends!!