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!
Tag: san diego
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 check:
New Trend in Wedding Videos
Looks like there is a new trend in wedding videos. Couples are expressing themselves through their favorite music instead of a traditional video of the day and their guests. Hmmm, one could argue they are just trying to go viral and get some attention, but it seems like a trend that is gaining popularity.
I think it would be a fun change to play a wedding where everything was a bit crazy and different. Although, these days most couples are not throwing their parents weddings and the ‘traditional’ is now less the norm. Most couples enjoy having music and events that are more reflective of who they are than traditional wedding marches, etc.
Let me know if I can help you with your wedding music!
Mike check:
One of My Students Recent Performances, Great Job!!!
Here is a recent video of one of my students. He performed at a high school function and played great!!!
Keep up the good work Mr. W!!!!!
In full disclosure…he worked this piece up all by himself!! See what practice can do!!!
Mike check:
Chargers Back in Win Column, Beat Chiefs
Wow! This season has fell apart and I have to say it is time for the Norv era of Charger history come to an end despite a victory over one of the NFL’s weak sisters the Kansas City Chiefs.
After a month of losses and a bye victory does feel nice.
Enjoy it Bolt fans!
Mike check:
Halloween Wedding Entrance
As I said on a previous post I have played Halloween Weddings before but nothing like this…although it would be a fun change of pace!
Mike check:
Viral Royal Wedding Video
I am guessing this is not how the Royal Wedding actually went down. Amazing how much some of these actors look like the Royals. Enjoy!
If you need anything regarding your wedding music please contact me, Mike.
Mike check:
My Last Wedding of the Season, A San Diego Guitarist Wedding Blog
October means two things to me as a guitarist. First, believe it or not October is usually my busiest month for weddings. A fitting punctuation as it is also the ‘end’ of the ‘wedding season.’
Although I play weddings year round April through October are the months I am busiest performing for couple’s big day. I am still not sure why October is the busiest, but it is! And yes, I have even done Halloween Weddings, and no, they were not holiday themed…just regular ol’ weddings!
With October coming to a close, this past weekend marked the end of my wedding season. I played a new venue, to me, and one I thought was really cool! It is called LevyLand. The venue is just a house, like a typical summer rental, in Carlsbad, CA. But just a house does not do it justice. It is a really nice house in a really nice area near the beach in the San Diego area, with a great garden for hosting events, such as, weddings.
A great wedding, great people…a great way to end my 2012 wedding season. This was also special because the bride was a former student of mine. I am always honored when former students and clients keep me in mind for their music needs.
Best to K n R! Thanks for having me out to play for you!
Now time to gear up for Holiday Events, student recordings, a few weddings and whatever music comes my way until 2013 wedding season!
Click for previous wedding posts.
Met some great vendors as well:
Mike check:
It Takes a Village…?
…At least that is what they say. Anyway, I am always happy and proud to share support (links or ?) of others who are passionate about their craft!
Here are a few folks who have linked or promoted my website and now its my chance to pay it forward. Thanks everyone!!
Been having fun chatting regularly with a few fellow music bloggers. Mixolydianblog for all things music focusing on composition, ethnomusicology and of course a love of the GUITAR! Heavy Metal Overload A great read for all types of music, as well as, Heavy Metal. Last but not least Zombiemisntrel another comprehensive music blog also leaning towards rock and metal!
A wedding photographer from the Philippines shared my blog post Ten Tips for Planning Wedding Music
An arts magazine called Yareah shared my blog Dodecaphonic Sudoku
Right to Bitch a new blog to me, shared John Bonham 32 Years Missed Check out his blog regarding Bonham’s influence on him as a young drummer. Funny guy!
A local San Diego photographer Nathan Petty …thanks for keeping in touch!
Sharing is caring! If I missed anyone feel free to remind me…I’m always glad to network with like minded people out there working hard at their creative endeavors!
Mike
Mike Slayen ~ Guitarist 