I have to say there is not much about being a dad for the last 3.5 year that hasn’t been pretty amazing! It’s awesome to watch a little baby grow up and learn new things everyday.
As a musician though the coolest thing is when your kids display a little musical talent….or at least an interest.
Hearing my daughter sing her nursery rhymes and TV cartoon theme songs creates more than a little pride for sure.
But, what is really cool is she is starting to rock out a little bit…her new favorite lyrics that she proudly sings over and over everywhere she goes are….
One of the first things you will want to learn as a guitarist is the letter names of each of the six strings. Sure you can learn a bunch of tabs and chords and play songs but what about when you are jamming with your friends and they say something like, ‘your D string is out of tune?’ It sure would be embarrassing if you didn’t know which string they were talking about! I actually remember in college we had composer John Duarte pay us a visit. Some of the students who were playing his pieces were asked to perform for him in a master class setting. One student did a great performance of a Duarte piece. As is custom in a master class the composer/guest is to give some helpful critiques and suggestions. Mr. Duarte suggested the student play a certain passage on a different string to achieve a desired sound.
The student froze. In front of the composer, his teachers and an audience full of guitarists he froze. He couldn’t find the notes he needed and it was embarrassing for everyone there let alone the poor guy on stage.
DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! The first step you need to take is to know your open strings! Once you memorize these there are easy ways to find any note you want on the guitar. If you want to play bar and power chords knowing all the notes on the 5th and 6th string is essential and again it starts by knowing the open strings.
Here are two acronyms that are helpful to remember your open strings. Both were created by students of mine. One from over 15 years ago and one from a recent class.
Here are the open notes starting from the 6th string(thickest) to the first (thinnest)
E A D B G B E
Starting on the 6th(thick) string to the first(thin) string …by Patty
Eat A Darn Good Breakfast Everyday
Starting on the first(thin) string to the 6th(thick) string …by Orlando
Easter Bunny Gets Drunk At Easter
Don’t like these? Create you own version, whatever it takes to get you to memorize the open strings!
Cant believe all my childhood music heroes are in their 60′ & 70’s already! C’mon Paul McCartney is 70?? Although he sure didn’t look it at his Olympic opening ceremony performance the other night, he still looks young.
Anyway, Happy Birthday to Rush bassist/singer/keyboardist Geddy Lee…who is turning 59 today! Hold on to that last year of your 50’s!!! Still rockin out as well. Rush’s 2012 release Clockwork Angels is their best album in years. Somewhat of a return to their heavier roots.
Let me say I do watch American Idol. I didn’t see the first five years or so but every season since I have, but I never vote. Growing up a rocker into Van Halen, Zeppelin, Judas Priest, etc., it is a bit out of my element. However, when my wife’s cousin Mary (of Mama Mary) got tickets and asked us to go I was actually pretty excited. Maybe even a little afraid that it would be a cheesy pop concert but I was excited to see the show and hang out with Mary and her husband.
The kids did not disappoint!!
My fears that it might be a Brady Bunch Popfest were unfounded. Surprisingly, as well, the stage setup was not beastly over powering the singers. With all the hype Idol brings I expected a huge overbearing scene. It was, however, state of the art and perfect for letting the singers do their thing.
So here are some of my thoughts on the show…keeping in mind that I am a guy that loves music but not usually into vocals so much.
The Good!
First of all let me say there was no pitchiness Dawgs!
All the girls sounded amazing! So much serious musical talent for such young musicians. They don’t just sing but use their voices as instruments.
Highlights included;
Elise Testone’s version of Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love. Since I usually go to rock concerts it was a chance for me to feel in my element and rock out a little.
Erika Van Pelt, nailed Pink’s Glitter in the Air!
The duo of Skylar Laine and Hollie Cavanagh hit some serious harmonies together and their musical phrasing was impressive! Their respective solos were great as well.
Very cool to see San Diego native Jessica Sanchez return to a hometown hero’s welcome. Sixteen years old are you kidding me? That girl can flat out sing!
On the boys side I would have to say my biggest surprise of the night was Colton Dixon. He sells it out! There is a difference between good singers and good singers who put their heart into it, good job my man!
Phillip Phillips, what can you say? First of all he was my pick from day one of the auditions when he sang Michael Jackson’s Thriller. All bragging aside he like Colton, but even more so, has stage presence, a great voice and likeability. I would say he even stole the hometown crowd away from Jessica, a bit.
But the best singer of the night maybe one of the best ever is Joshua Ledet!!!! The boy can SANG! I said it not sing…SANG! His version of James Brown’s It’s a Man’s World was PHENOMENAL. Regarding my earlier statement that I like to attend concerts of musicians over vocalists does not APPLY to Joshua. Not sure what else to say but AMAZING!
The Not So Good?
Deandre Brackensick with his super falsetto and Heejun Han with the sweet crooner voice just did not quite live up to the others…keep at it though guys!
The flow of the concert was also a little off especially in the first half. I think it is just the nature of the show not being one recording artist and their own fans creating a bond.
Valley View Casino Arena…come on San Diego we can do better than that worn down piece of junk! I remember seeing shows there in the 80’s and it was not a great venue then…lots of memories though. And sorry to Valley View…everyone is San Diego just calls it the Sports Arena!
The Must Be Mentioned!!
The band! Yeah, believe it or not there are real musicians backing these kids up and they have the best backing them up. Flawless rocking out in the band and some great guitar work throughout the show but most notably on Testone’s version of Whole Lotta Love…Don’t forget these guys!!!!
Alright, there’s my thoughts. I am going to go read Mama Mary’s blog for her thoughts and you should too!
Can you believe the Olympics are finally here? You might not have noticed the pre-coverage going on EVERY SINGLE DAY for the last several months….if you don’t own a TV, computer or radio that is. But, if you didn’t then you wouldn’t be reading this now would you!
I have come up with a musical tribute of sorts to pay homage to the London Olympics starting this evening. This was meant as a light-hearted musical tribute with a touch of humor and cynicism thrown in for good measure.
So without hesitation here is the list….LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
TO THE WINNERS
Sweet Emotion – Aerosmith
Controversial Olympic Logo
Rapture – Blondie
Victory is Won – Santana
Shinning Star – Earth Wind & Fire
Nobody Does it Better – Carly Simon
TO THE LOSERS
Cry Baby Cry – The Beatles
Last Child – Aerosmith
Last In Line – Ronnie James Dio
The Party’s Over – Willie Nelson
Dammit – Blink 182
WHAT OLYMPIC OFFICIALS WANT TO HEAR
Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
Sunshine of Your Love – Cream
Mr. Blue Sky – E.L.O.
Anything by K.C. & The Sunshine Band
Sunny & 70 – Slayen & Fox Guitar Duo (Pardon the shameless plug!)
WHAT OLYMPIC OFFICIALS DON’T WANT TO HEAR
The Rain Song – Led Zeppelin
Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head – B.J. Thomas
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 – Bob Dylan
Have You Ever Seen the Rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival
One Rainy Wish – Jimi Hendrix
IF MICHAEL PHELPS BREAKS THE ALL-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL RECORD
Fast as a Shark – Accept
Iron Man –Black Sabbath
Big Shot – Billy Joel
Bad to the Bone – George Thorogood
One – Metallica
TO THE MARATHON RUNNERS
Run Like Hell – Pink Floyd
Long Distance Runaround – Yes
Runnin’ Down a Dream – Tom Petty
Running Wild – Judas Priest
The Long Run – The Eagles
REGARDING THE CHINESE ‘WOMAN’ ATHLETES (Yes I know this isn’t nice but kind of funny)
Three Times a Lady – The Commodores
Dude Looks Like a Lady – Aerosmith
Inject the Venom – AC/DC
(reference to steroids etc-which unfortunately may apply to many athletes in the games)
Lola –The Kinks
GOLD, SILVER & BRONZE
Heart of Gold – Neil Young
Golden Lady – Stevie Wonder
Silver & Gold – U2
Maxwell’s Silver Hammer – The Beatles
😦 Honestly I could not think of one song with bronze in the title…but does any one really care besides the athlete’s families?
FOR EVENTS WITH CLOSE CALLS
Thriller – Michael Jackson
Skin O My Teeth – Megadeth
Heartbreaker – Led Zeppelin
Ain’t That a Shame – Cheap Trick
Nothing I Can Do About it Now – Willie Nelson
Well there it is a musical tribute to the upcoming Olympics. Out of full disclosure, every song here is in my ITunes library. For those of you looking for new music I strongly recommend you give a listen to any and all songs listed!
Also, this post was inspired by a fellow blogger’s. He is always a great read…be sure to check him out Every Record Tells a Story.
Here is to a safe and exciting Olympics in the true spirit of sport!!
This is a treat for me! Shores of Apollo is one of my former student’s, Victor’s, band. It is always cool to see someone who has taken lessons from me that continues to make music, but, even cooler to see them flourish!
Victor was always really musical even at a young age. Must run in the family as his dad is a pretty good drummer too.
This song has a really cool mix of heavy-ness and dream like melodies. The bands Facebook page states that, ‘all current recording are works in progress.’ Can’t wait for the final versions then. Keep on rocking Victor…and please keep me posted of your upcoming shows and projects!
Check this video out, there are some great guitarists and musicians coming out of the Poway area!
I posted a Debussy piece earlier today one if his Arabesques. A friend of mine commented on the post that I should check out Sabicas’ flamenco piece entitled, “Arabian Dance.” I agree it is a great piece!
Sabicas is one of the huge legends of flamenco guitar and a pioneer in spreading the genre outside of it’s native Spain. I have heard a lot of his stuff but never this one. It is a very virtuoso piece for sure lots of runs and very ‘Arabic’ sounding in its use of the harmonic minor scale. Arabic sounds have always been a big part of flamenco as the Moorish influences moved into Spain and combined with the existing culture.
Hope everyone had an easy Monday! Regardless you might want to unwind a bit and I am here for you. This issue of ‘Music to Relax’, features the impressionist composer Debussy’s piano work “Arabesque.” Debussy wrote a pair of these and this is the 1st one.
The music of the Impressionist period began near the end of the 19th Century in reaction to ‘Common Practice,’ music with its roots in the Medieval period (500-1400), through the Renaissance(1400-1600), stylistically heightened in J.S. Bach’s hands in the late Baroque(1600-1750), continued through the Classical period(1750-1820) of Beethoven and Mozart and exploited through chromaticism and virtuosity of the Romantic composers(1820-1910, some say it has never truly ended.)
Regarding the chromaticism of the Romantic Period pretty much any note was fair game, but, the music still followed the basic rules of tonality and rules of the ‘Common Practice.’ All twelve notes could be used in any key…the basis of my blog name 12 Notes & the Truth!
Impressionists, who followed the art movement broke with these traditions. The result tended to be very lush relaxing wide open sounding music. They tried to make different sounds. Non diatonic scales and non functioning chords were trademarks of this period. However, Debussy and another composer Ravel were not fond of the term applied to their music.
If you want to play this and relax it should do the trick.
If you are looking for a music challenge try to think how this music sounds different than Bach, Beethoven, Mahler…etc.
Remember back in 1979 when there was a tragic event at the Who concert in Cincinnati? 11 concert goers were trampled to death running to get seats. The problem was that the whole event was festival seating meaning it was all general admission with no reserved seats. Imagine everyone barreling in to get good seats. I was barely old enough and think I mostly remember it because of an episode of the old sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. The show was based on a rock n roll radio station in Cincinnati and the oddballs who worked at the station…Herb Tarlik, Les Nessman, Dr. Johnny Fever, Venus Flytrap and of course was the launching pad for Loni Anderson’s career. Obviously the show had to confront the situation.
The Who’s Pete Townshend reacts to the tragedy
One of the following concerts in Rhode Island was subsequently cancelled. Most of the ticket holders received refunds for their unused tickets. There were, however, some who kept their tickets as keepsakes. Turns out those tickets may be more valuable than anyone ever thought. Now as the Who is touring again in 2012, 33 years later, in support of their 1973 rock opera, “Quadrophenia,” those unused tickets are going to be honored for the upcoming concert.
I just hope that they let those ‘kids’ who held on to their tickets keep the old stub…but the article in the above link seems to suggest the venue manager Lawrence Lepore, wants the old tickets. Even with his intent to donate the proceeds to charity…let them keep the tixs and generate a social media campaign for the charity….win win!!
This week was filled with projects, students, arranging music and rehearsals. I finally have a chance to write about last weekends event at Orfila Vineyards & Winery in Escondido! What a great time!! There were lots of friends who came out to relax on a Saturday afternoon. It was great to see you all, play for you and hang too.
If you haven’t been to the winery yet it is a must see San Diego destination. Great place to enjoy a picnic lunch a beverage and just relax. It is kid friendly and they have a blast running and playing as parents rest their bones! All the employs are chill and super helpful. Nice selection of wines and the best…you dont have to drive to Temecula or take an extended trip to Paso Robles or Napa.
Relaxing at Orfila Concert
In addition to the music, the wine and the food they also had Katy Doherty of KD Custom Jewelry with some very cool items available. From my seat on stage she seemed to be a fan favorite keeping busy ALL day and the kids loved her too!
I definitely recommend you pay them a visit…and how about on Aug 24, 3:30-6:30 as I will be back there for another go and looking forward to it!
Mike Slayen ~ Guitarist 