OK music fans…don’t Google or look at the album first.
What chord is Eric Clapton playing on the cover of his album Slowhand?
Tag: music
Dodecaphonic Sudoku
Wow! Here is a serious brain teaser for music geeks.
For the uninitiated dodecaphony is a music term relating to the twelve notes we use in Western music… the basis of my blog 12 Notes & The Truth!
In the 1920’s Composer Arnold Schoenberg set out to compose music through a process that obliterated the systems we are/were used to hearing. Serialism is the name of the movement in which all twelve notes must be used before any are repeated. Creating no key centers in the composition and lack of melody and harmony as we are used to hearing.
The following puzzle is a take on dedecaphony. A Sudoku matrix set up where each note can only be used only once, horizontally, diagonally and in each of the 12 boxes of the matrix.
In essence there is no difference than converting a regular Sudoku puzzle to be 12 x 12 instead of the traditional 9 x 9. Where the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 are replaced by the 12 notes in our chromatic scale A, Bb, B, C, Db, D, Eb, E, F, Gb, G, Ab. Once completed, a composer would take any of the rows horizontal or vertical and compose using those notes.
Complete Serialism proved to be a little restrictive and many composers have used this technique as a guideline rather than a steadfast rule.
Here is the puzzle. I haven’t worked it so cant guarantee its solve-ability. Have fun if you are so inclined!
This music wasn’t written to be scary or Halloween-ish although not a bad way to transition into October with this piece.
This is real music listen with open ears and an open mind!
Arnold Schoenberg’s, “Piano Concerto op. 42 (Excerpt)”
Enjoy!
Mike check:
Do You Remember the 21st Night of September? EWF
“September,” is truly one of the gems of the 70’s disco era…and who didn’t love Earth, Wind & Fire?
My favorite part…you guessed it…the opening guitar riff. Every time I hear the song I immediately try to picture how he is getting that snappy sound on his guitar. He might just be using the very edge of his pick, like a pick squeal technique without using the fleshy finger. However, it has a peculiar sound like he is actually pinching the string between his thumb and finger and snapping it, almost like you would do with a rubber band. When I play this song that is what I try to do. It is kind of hard to control each note since it is so quick which would mean he is a pretty skilled guitarist.
Here is it “September,” by Earth, Wind & Fire
Mike check:
Upcoming Shows, September
Here are my upcoming public performances through the end of September.
There are two shows.
Both are solo performances featuring a mix of classical, Latin, popular and flamenco styles.
Friday, September 21 at the Roxy in Encinitas. 7:00-9:30PM
Very cool place that has been supporting music forever in San Diego. They have something for every taste. Great food mostly vegetarian but don’t let that scare you, try the falafel burger or their pizzas. Roxy also has specialty coffee drinks, full bar and desserts.
All ages are welcome!
Sunday, September 30 at Orfila Vineyards & Winery in Escondido. 3:00-5:30PM
This is the place to go if you want to relax out in nature for a couple hours. Orfila overlooks the vineyards and mountains in the distance.
Taste some wine, grab some food(they are supposed to have a gourmet food truck) and listen to music.
Kids are definitely welcome even though it is a winery.
In all I have five gigs the next two weekends so I will be a busy guy. Two weddings, a fiesta and the two public events above.
It’s been blast seeing everyone at the recent shows and it is always great to see familiar faces so hope to see you! You might even get your photo on the website! Check my blog.
Also check my performance calendar.
Mike check:
This is an awesome music photo…check out how he does it too!
Mike check:
1,000,000 Sold = Platinum not Gold
I just noticed an exponential theme in my last two posts and now am uncontrollably on a mission to see how high I can go with this!
Worlds Top 1o Richest Drummers
What Does 100 ‘Likes’ on Facebook Mean, Thank You!
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Land of 1000 Dances, Wilson Pickett
1,ooo,ooo is a lot of records to have sold! And 1,ooo,ooo units sold equals a Platinum Record according to the RIAA(Recording Industry Association of America). Certainly a lofty standard for all musicians.
Mike check:
100,000 Artists For Change
I just noticed an exponential theme in my last two posts and now am uncontrollably on a mission to see how high I can go with this!
Worlds Top 1o Richest Drummers
What Does 100 ‘Likes’ on Facebook Mean, Thank You!
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Land of 1000 Dances, Wilson Pickett
Alright I had to reach out from my own experiences and hunt for 100K but found a good one. I like the authors take on change…with the Gandhian philosophy of change yourself to change the world not vice versa. Good luck on your event!!
Mike check:
What does 100 ‘Likes’ on Facebook Mean? Thank You!
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
Mike check:
What does a Playboy Playmate, Pussycat Doll and Big Screen Actress Have in Common With a San Diego Guitarist? A Wedding Blog
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.
Mike check:
What is a Picardy 3rd?
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.
Mike Slayen ~ Guitarist 