So I might be exaggerating about Nick’s famous guitar skills. Being honest- I didn’t know he played guitar until now! If your reading this and still confused, here’s the trending clip of Jonas’ solo at the ACM Award show.

After watching that you might be more than a bit skeptical- just follow me through the end here. Yeah, Jonas kinda missed a few notes. But thanks to the power of the internet, I am here to share with you why that solo was not bad!

He’s still in good standings with Guitar Hero

Remember that rad game Guitar Hero? Yeah. It rocks! Well anyhow if you missed notes while playing Guitar Hero, the crowd would boo you. Miss too many notes and game over! Nick Missed 12.5% of his solo- 1 measure out of 8. The whole solo wasn’t a bust! The guitar hero crowd wouldn’t have been happy- but they’d have kept him on stage.

Pitch perfect

I admit. He’s a better singer than guitarist. His singing was on point! But, even the guitar solo. There were a handful of really long bends that he hit with precision and decent vibrato.

What a performance!

I’ll say this. If I missed one note in front of an audience that large, on national tv- I’d be sweating bullets. I’d be shaking and all would be lost. Don’t we all mess up from time to time? But how we recover is all that matters. Nick picked right back up, in time with the band and finished the song. Seemingly unphased! Kudos Nick. You’re no Van Halen, but what a performance!

We’re all going to trip up at the worst possible time. Maybe a drumstick flies out of your hand, a pick falls, or you know… hit a few sour notes. Nobodies perfect. I’ve practiced a song what seemed like a million times perfect in rehearsal only to mess it up on stage that same night. What matters is that you keep playing. Play past the mistakes. Don’t ever let them end a song. Missing one measure, is always better than missing a whole song.

The post Why the Nick Jonas solo was still pretty cool appeared first on Band Dynamics.

Written by Olivia H.

It’s been barely two weeks since the Gorillaz tribute show, and my mind is still reeling over everything that happened. On that day I had no idea I would learn so much about music, myself, and performing, in just a few hours! My sole purpose in this blog is to share two things: how insanely cool my first experience on stage was! And how to make your experience up on stage feel like you’re rocking a sold-out arena.

The Gorillaz performance was my first show as the drummer for Daughters of Triton, and it was one of the coolest days of my entire life. As you would expect, getting up on that stage in front of a room full of people waiting to hear your music is more than a little nerve-wracking. But as soon as my band and I stepped on stage, seeing the supporting faces of not only my friends and family but the support of other kids and their families, it completely filled my heart. I felt like I could do anything, with my drumsticks in my hands and the coolest band in the world to back me up (Daughters of Triton forever!!). With the help of our awesome instructors, I felt like we could pull off the performance of our lives.

One thing I really, really loved about the show was watching everyone at Band Dynamics work together and encourage each other. Doing a team huddle beforehand got me pumped for our performance (1-2-3-ROCK!), and it pulled me even closer to the kids in the other bands. Seeing how hard everyone works to play music and to have fun is so amazing to watch, especially when you can easily see who’s having fun onstage. I don’t know everyone at Band Dynamics yet, but when all those supportive faces were right in front of the crowd, cheering my band on, it helped me to remember that I wasn’t alone, and that I could kill it on the drums just as well as they did before me.

Knowing this about my very first show, there are a few pieces of advice I’d give to first-time performers.

Don’t freak yourself out before you go onstage. There’s a bunch of bands playing for your enjoyment- so enjoy the music! If you let yourself dance and sing along with the songs, it’ll easily take your mind off of nervousness and allow you to have fun!

Which brings me to my next and most important point: don’t be afraid to have a good time onstage! The best part of my show was dancing to all of my band’s songs and singing along behind the drums. The more fun you have in your performance, the more natural it’ll look to the audience and the more memorable your experience will be.

All in all, one of the best parts of music is that it brings people together, and that’s exactly what I got to experience at my first show. Everyone in the Toad Tavern gathered together to listen to a bunch of great songs, and as a musician, I absolutely loved seeing everyone jam out together and sing with each other.

Band Dynamics has the power to bring people together through something amazing, and they do it so spectacularly that I couldn’t have had a better time up on that stage, I know you have the power to have the same experience.

-Olivia H.

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Celebrate good times

Take a moment to celebrate. You just played an awesome show! Celebrate the band as a whole. Share with each other the highlights of your show. Kudos to the drummer that kept the beat after breaking a stick, or the guitarist for that shredding perfect solo. Enjoy the win with your band!

Always room to improve

Maybe you just played the best show of your life but only 3 people showed up- time to work on promoting your show! There’s always something that the band as a whole can improve. Your shows are where you’re putting 100% of your efforts forward. You’ll quickly realize what your strongest suit is and that’s great! But more importantly, what areas could use more focus and growth? If you’re asking that question, your band will be better at each performance.

Time for change

After a show is the best time to start new material. You’ve been laser focused on your set leading up to the concert so you and your band should be eager for something refreshingly new. Your drive for new music should be at a high point so run with it! Let your creativity run wild and see if you write a new original in just one practice.

Setting new goals

When all is said and done, your band as a whole needs to agree on band goals. What’s the next step for your group? When is your next show and what do you want that show to look like? How will your set grow or your performance be more epic next round? Whatever you agree on, write it down and get it started!

Stay positive and remember to keep your eye on the horizon. You’re not here to critique your band but help it grow. There’s so much ahead for your group as long as you keep working as a team.

The post How to review your show appeared first on Band Dynamics.

Intro/outro

Every song has its beginning in end. But in the writing process that’s usually the last thing we think about. We gather the core of the song, all the main ideas, and once we’ve written a chorus and a few verses we’re done.

Don’t be fooled. The way your song ends will leave your listener with a final impression that sticks and your intro is going to have to entice them. Make these sections their very own with a unique progression or beat that doesn’t happen in the rest of the tune. An intro/outro can be just as strong your verse and chorus. Granted, don’t do this with every song but once in a while you’ll find something catchy! A great example of this would be “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Greenday. This outro really drives the song home and is super powerful!

Take a break

You’re at a concert. The guitarist and bassist stop playing. The drummer keeps the beat and the singer keeps that chorus going. What do you do? You start clapping and stomping with the drums and sing your heart out! We’ve talked dynamics before. I bet you haven’t considered how dynamic you’re being when you’re not playing. Well, you’re being very dynamic! Now I’m not suggesting a “solo” section. This isn’t the time for the drummer to go wild. Keep the main groove intact by dropping a few instruments out! You can throw in an acoustic chorus near the end of your song, or a drum beat for the crowd. Or maybe a bass riff to really bring the dynamic down.

Set up a roadblock

This one is just for you! We’re always thinking about the final product and not the road leading to it. Because our audience never sees the behind the scenes footage, so why focus on it? Next time you write a song, focus on how you write a song. Maybe you start with guitar, or rhyming lyrics. Focus on your path and set up a few “roadblocks” to make your song challenging for you. For instance, write a song that, largely, doesn’t rhyme. Or write a beat that incorporates paradiddles. Maybe add that fancy arpeggio you just learned to the rhythm guitar’s verse riff. This is going to bring out a very creative side so try anything!

Sound of Silence

Consider what your band room sounds like when no instruments are plugged in or being played. Now consider that first beat everybody hits at once. Huge difference right?! Well it’s just as impactful in the middle of a song. A good place to try this is in the chorus. Maybe those last few lyrics have a huge impact. Let the singer keep going but Maybe the band Stops for a full measure before coming back in with a huge hit on the one. Using the sound of silence can be huge and leaves the crowd anxious for so much more!

Well, there you have it. Thanks for reading and I hope you’re adding to your arsenal of songwriting tips. You can read part one of this article here. If you have any cool tips you’d like to share or see in my next blog just email me! Until then, go write some new music and captivate your crowd!

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In this article, better doesn’t mean skipping steps. It doesn’t mean going from beginner to Metallica in 3 short days. Better means using what you have as a musician currently and making it sound the absolute best that you can. These “tricks” can be adapted for any level of musician and work!

Warm up

Take 2 minutes to warm up to your instrument. Take a moment to get in the game and get ready to perform or practice. You’re not going to play your best the moment you pick up a guitar. Go through an exercise or hit a few chords. Once your hands have warmed up to your instrument you’re ready to play better than if you had just grabbed it and started jamming.

Play softer

Often times we forget about dynamics. You control the volume more than your amplifier does. Generally we start crushing the drum kit or play chords as loud as we can. We all have a regular volume we play at. But your accent notes can get lost in the loudness. If you want people to hear your chord changes, you can make them louder but also make the other notes quieter. Put yourself in control of the volume and you’ll add so much more to your playing.

play slower

No. I am not asking you to play at 1 beat per minute. It’s just a natural tendency to speed up once you’re grooving, especially if you’re with a band. One person speeds up, and everybody catches up. Another person speeds up and a song that started at 120bpm is now 150bpm. Huge difference! Pace yourself and let your songs breathe so to speak. Nobody wants to hear the faster, 3-minute version of stairway to heaven.

play with emotion

No matter how technically proficient you are, if you’re not feeling the song, you’re missing the point! A sad song never sounds better than when you’re sad. Be in the moment with your song, feel that emotion and play it.

Let that last note ring out

Whether you’re just practicing or you’re on stage, let the last note ring out. That last note means you’ve accomplished something! It’s the last note in your scale exercises or the last chord of a song. Let it sing long as a victory! If you end a song too quickly it may be jarring for your audience. Even if you think you let songs ring out, give it another few seconds to sink in.

So from here on, every time you pick up drum sticks or your guitar keep these in mind and you’ll instantly hear a difference. What’s stopping you? Go grab a guitar now and start rocking! Here at Band Dynamics we want you to play to your potential! Schedule a free lesson with us today!

The post 5 tricks to instantly playing better appeared first on Band Dynamics.

Know your audience

We’ve all seen those Youtube videos of metal bands invoking mosh pits. Jumping around while people violently throw their bodies at each other. Well suffice it to say that may not be your audience if you’re playing a graduation party or wedding ceremony. Know the crowd you’re playing for to help you choose what you think they would want to hear. Your time on stage is about connecting with an audience. Are you playing at a low-key coffee shop? Play some low-key, chill music. Are you at a crazy punk venue where the first act starts at 10pm? Time to bring the energy to stage!

Don’t let the clock run out!

Did you know Stairway to Heaven is over 8 minutes long? The average time length given to a band is under 20 minutes- 20-30 minutes if you’re signed and making some headway in the industry. So why spend half your time on stage with one song? Find out how long you have on stage and make the best of that time. You can anticipate the average song is about 5 minutes. Play as much music, and as many songs as you can while you’re on stage. It’s also good to time your set in rehearsals before your show- just to be sure you not going over or under your set time.

Quality music

Being on stage is not about playing the most impressive music. It’s about playing the best music you can bring to the stage. Let me reiterate- play the best music you possibly can! Being on stage will test your ability to focus. You’ll need to focus on the music just as much as your audience. Play songs that come naturally and you can enjoy playing. Play songs that you could play in your sleep, or that you play perfectly at every rehearsal. This is your bands first impression- make it a amazing with the best quality music your band can offer.

Well that’s all! I hope you learned something new, or at least remembered an old shard of wisdom. Let your set showcase who you are. Jump up on stage and have a blast! And Don’t forget to check out our Gorillaz tribute showcase on Saturday, March 19^th.

The post Preparing your set appeared first on Band Dynamics.

I remember thinking in my young years that I didn’t need guitar lessons. I began playing when I was about 12 and I didn’t know anybody else who played guitar. I was the first musical person in my family- my dad still comments that his musical ability is limited to turning on a stereo. So for the first couple of years my guitar learning was fueled by my passion, beginner guitar books, and the internet (before Youtube).

Guitar came naturally to me, not to say I didn’t spend hours laser focused on building chords and getting my fingers to work with me. I got along fairly well on my own searching through tablature and playing along with Black Sabbath, Johnny Cash, Metallica, and Tool songs. But I knew that just learning songs wasn’t teaching me more about theory, or scales, or even chord progressions. Learning more about my instrument was important to me! So I took up guitar lessons.

Once I started taking lessons I began improving astonishingly fast! Before lessons, there were times I’d be stuck in a month lull. Once I started taking lessons, weekly learning something new that I could apply to my own playing. Having a sense of direction from an instructor pushed me to learn more every week, as did having a time frame. Now I wasn’t learning on my timeline. If I wanted to learn a Hendrix tune, I could do it any day I wanted. Having the accountability to a teacher really made me practice more week to week.

Setting goals became a new terrain. Working alone, I’d sell myself short. “That solo is too hard” or “I’ll learn that song later”. Having limiting beliefs became detrimental to growing as a guitar player. My teacher helped set realistic goals. Maybe the entire solo was difficult- but one piece at a time was manageable, until the whole thing came together. I was pushing myself daily to be a better musician.

Ultimately I found that in taking lessons, I’ve become a better musician. Even now when I see musical challenges I seek training and advice. I’ll take lessons, just to keep me on track and growing. And as a teacher I strive to help my students reach goals that may seem impossible, but given just a little direction, make it manageable.

For those that are on the fence about taking lessons, I say this- you may know your destination, but do you know the path? From the person who’s just picked up a guitar for the first time, to the pro musician on stage, there’s always more to learn. Anybody claiming to know all there is to know, knows nothing.

The post What I’ve Learned From Taking Lessons appeared first on Band Dynamics.

Earlier this week I began practicing a new instrumental tune. I found the music straight out of the official book and immediately started hammering out different sections of the song. Now I LOVE guitar, and I’m not one to give up. But I started becoming frustrated. Frustrated that even though I was playing the notes exactly how they were on the official music, it still didn’t sound as good as the song itself.

In that moment I set down my guitar, opened up Youtube on my phone and watched a video of the artist performing it. Instantly my stress and worries washed away! Watching the artist play the tune answered 20 of my questions within 10 seconds of the video. I picked up my guitar and started copying what the artist did, with the exact same notes from before. Each note sounded better than before!

So in my case, I was trying to play a finger picking song without a thumb pick. But in watching the artist and copying what he was doing, it magically fixed the song. I don’t always choose to play songs exactly the same as the artist. When I do, it’s important to know how the artist performs it. If you or your band is working on a song and are going for a particular genre or feel, here are some tips on how to emulate some of your favorite artists.

Technique

How the artist performs the song is just as important as learning the notes. Yes you can learn all the drumbeats but maybe it doesn’t sound right? Does the drummer play softer or louder? Joe Satriani uses a lot more legato so trying to straight pick his songs will make it more difficult and just not sound the same! And if you’re going for the classic Nirvana grunge sound, well- strumming wasn’t their finest science. Go a bit crazy!

Gear

Ok, so you don’t need the exact replica guitar of the artist and yes Neil Peart’s drum kit is gigantic. You don’t need the same exact gear but knowing what the artist uses helps! Do they play guitar without a pick? Does the drummer play with brushes and only two toms? Changing small details could change the entire song.

Feel the music

Most importantly, feel the music. Every song has an emotion behind it, it’s your job to capture that emotion and amplify it to the world! If you’re playing a soft loving lullaby, jumping around stage is just giving it the wrong vibe! Likewise, don’t sit in a chair smiling while playing the soothing sounds of Metallica. Get up, put your rock face on and head bang a bit! The better you connect with a song and convey it’s emotion, the better you’ll play it.

You’re not trying to be a replica of Van Halen, or Kurt Cobain. But sometimes the song you’re writing calls for that vibe. Or maybe you’re covering a song and haven’t asked yourself, “How does the artist play it?” You’ll certainly add your own twist and make it unique to you! So if you’re working on a song and it feels a bit bland, spice it up like your favorite rock stars would!

The post How to Sound Like Your Favorite Artist appeared first on Band Dynamics.

You just had an awesome set. The crowd is clapping and hollering. You ran through your set maybe 5 times in your last rehearsal but on stage it just sounded so much better! The adrenaline and sweat are still racing from running around on stage. You might have gotten caught in the moment but don’t think your show is over yet. Until you’re home napping away the rest of the day you still have a job to do!

As a performing artist you have two jobs. One is putting on a great show. The other is what you do off the stage. This is when you build real connections with other musicians and your fans. Keep these in mind at every show and you’ll quickly see that your shows are going to be more rewarding and more fun!

Load your gear

You’re not done loading gear until the whole band is done loading gear. It’s the whole bands job to tear down your gear as quickly as possible. Nobody wants a singer who jumps on stage and disappears after the set. That gear is heavy! Offer to help your guitarist carry their amp, or help your drummer with a few drums. Being in a band is all about teamwork.

Enjoy the rest of the show

Now that your gear is packed up, hang out! Support your fellow musicians by watching their set. They worked just as hard as you did. Be an enthusiastic audience member. You might hear some really cool music. Talk to the musicians after their set and let them know what you liked. Find out when their next show is and invite them to yours. You might have just made some new fans.

Thank your fans

All your hard work paid off- you had a great show and it couldn’t have happened without your fans being there. If you want them at your next show take this opportunity to personally thank them for coming to this one. Showing your genuine gratitude is what builds a fan base. Thanking them personally will make them really want to come to your next show and even bring a friend. The more people you talk to the more faces you’ll see at the next show.

What’s really going to make you shine is not how cool you are on stage, but how cool you are off the stage. These may seem like 3 small tips. The truth of the matter is by doing these simple things you’re becoming a better performing artist. Treating your band mates, other musicians, and fans with genuine gratitude and respect pays off in a huge way. Anybody can play an instrument. But your attitude is what sets you aside from other musicians. Keep these in mind at your next show and I guarantee you’re going to have more fun than any show before.

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Let’s be honest-losing your cell phone might just be one of the scariest things that can happen! We rely on them to keep in touch with family and friends, give us turn-by-turn directions to the nearest Starbucks, distract us with fun games- it’s our most valuable lifeline. But as well as being our main connection to the world, your phone can be one of your most powerful tools as a musician. In midst of hundreds, or even thousands of music apps out there, I’ve researched and found some of the coolest apps to aid you on your musical journey.

1. Guitar Tuna

Guitar Tuna is the best tuning app for guitars. If you’re new to guitar and don’t know how to use a tuner this is perfect! The first app I’ve known to tell you if your pitch is too high or too low. Once your string is in tune the app will notify you with a little “ping” sound- which is a great audible notification. Guitar Tuna also has a chord library to help any level of musician. Check out multiple voicings of chords from C major to a C7#9!

2. Musixmatch

I often get enthralled in new songs that come on the radio. The moment I hear that catchy chorus I want to know everything about the song before it’s even finished! Before I’d have to use multiple apps to find all I wanted to know. With Musixmatch I can find the artist, title, and lyrics all with the click of a button. Best app for lyrics.

3. Pro Metronome

Finally, a metronome app I can hear over my drums! With past apps, I could never hear my metronome when playing drums. The clicks on this metronome are very bright so you can hear every beat. The layout of this app makes it simple to adjust your tempo with a tap feature, dial, or typing in your BPM. Adjust your time signature and accent notes too! A great app that’s easy to use.

I look forward to sharing more great apps with you in the future and if you have a favorite, let me know! Don’t forget, even with all these awesome apps, the greatest tool a musician has is their own creativity and instrument!

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