Surviving Musician-Hood

Are you ready for tabs?

2009-10-06T23:45:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! In this post, I will be discussing tabs. From my own personal experience, I've discovered that learning chords first, along with scales, will make playing tabs a little easier.

If you've never seen what a guitar tab looks like, here's an example and a little advice from a Youtube musician.

Like the guy mentioned, tabs differ from chords because in most cases the notes are played individually. Usually in every song with guitar, there's the background (it could be many different instruments) and sometimes a second guitarist playing chords. The lead guitarist is the one playing the tabs. If you're a serious guitarist, this is what you need to learn! I must admit, tabs are difficult and sometimes they still confuse me. It takes a LOT of practice to learn a song with a lot of lead guitar.

So you wish to try playing tabs? I did too. I was eager to learn and was looking for an alternative from the web. So I got Guitar For Dummies, it helped me in so many ways.

I've gathered some links to songs with easy tabs, that I learned to play after much practice.

Pink Floyd-Wish You Were Here Tabs (In an earlier post, I posted the links to the chords for this song as well.)

Deep Purple- Smoke On The Water

Black Sabbath- Iron Man Tab
A little more advanced, but I managed it so you can too!

If you have any tabs you'd like me to share, please let me know! :)

Subscribe in a reader

Magic In Sounds

2009-09-12T02:06:00.000-07:00

Part of being a musician is discovering that magic really does exist- in music. Today I'll be featuring some illusions that are heard in sounds. You won't believe your ears! For best results, use headphones.

Illusion 1. As the video publisher states: "When this video is done playing, replay it to hear an amazing audio illusion...It will blow your mind!"

Illusion 2.

Illusion 3. (This is more of a trick)

People have came up with some really creative ways to create music...here's a good example.

Illusion 4. Virtual Barber Shop: Headphones Required!!!

I hope you enjoyed this post!

Subscribe in a reader

Thinking Outside The Box

2009-09-11T00:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome back! Sometimes you have to use your noggin, and I really mean USE it. But in the end, it's all worth it.

Thinking Outside The Box (Finding Inspiration)

I want you to try something.
Look around yourself... do your best to absorb your surroundings. In a few moments, read on.

Most of you will looked at the wall in front of you, your desk, computer, and whatever you have in front of you. Did you notice anything that inspires you? If so, congratulations. If not, you are like most of us. You probably see the same surroundings all the time. You may feel as if you already used all you can around you for inspiration. Now, I want you to try something else.

Turn around, all the way. Look up. Look down. Look at the room behind you (or whatever is back there.)

You probably didn't look behind you that the first time. Maybe you had the chance to find inspiration in something new. If not, try this method in other places. For instance, a man was looking at a newspaper, and found inspiration from a picture of birds. He was able to compose music with the picture. See the video here.

While you're out and about with your daily life, listen closer to conversations. Listen closer to people, and what makes them unique. I have found this method to be a great way to beat writer's block, and to write lyrics, poems, and stories. People may say that they have a daily routine, but every single day is different. Use the little things that make each day different to create whatever you like.

How do you think outside the box? One word: unique. Be unique, but always be yourself. Along with being unique as a person, you MUST be unique with your music. Who cares if someone doesn't like your style? There's always someone else in place of them who DOES like your style. Use everything around you, even the little things, to create music. No matter the genre, music is about one thing, experience. Be descriptive, both with words and with sound. Let's say you've found inspiration in an old grandfather clock. Let's say you write a verse about it.

"Tick tock, tick tock, you
Melancholy wooden clock
We're feeling withered
Out of tune and always locked"

You've also found inspiration with an umbrella, so use this write another verse to go along with the first verse you've just written. You may find it hard to find inspiration in little things, but you must think outside the box. I hope you've find inspiration wherever you are!

Subscribe in a reader

Using Arpeggios

2009-09-04T06:55:00.000-07:00

Arpeggios are chords, with the notes played individually instead of together. In some cases, they are played on instruments such as the piano, because it is impossible to play a chord that is 13 notes with just 5 (or 10) fingers. Many famous songs use arpeggios. Some are used for solos, some for a background riff, and for many other purposes. In most 50's and early 60's hits used arpeggios as the main sound. Believe it or not, arpeggios are still just as popular. (Mainly noticeable in slow songs.)

Here's a very good example of arpeggios beings used instead of regular chords:

Notice how the the "bum bum bum bum bum's" are all sang individually? That's a great arpeggio!

Now here's an example of some arpeggios being used as a solo (Skip to 2:10 to hear the solo): (CONTAINS ADULT LANGUAGE)

One more example- The beginning of this song is a simple Em chord played as an arpeggio:

They use the arpeggio to build their melody, by adding another guitar, then all of the instruments. This riff is played through the whole song.

So how do you write a song using arpeggios? It's simple! If this is your first time writing a song, you might want to read this first.

Once you have your lyrics, song structure, and chords all put together, then it's time to find a good place to change your regular chords to arpeggios. This is where it's up to you. Here are some things to think about:

*Is your song slow? Try to arpeggio the first chord, and repeat it in a rhythmic fashion. But remember as the chords change, to keep your notes arpeggiating. (<~~I guess I made that word up :P)

*If you're playing hard rock, you can still use an arpeggio anywhere you please. But keep in mind, that it might be harder if you're a beginner guitarist. (It depends on the chord.) If you do try this, I'd suggest chords that are simple to play such as Em,Amaj,Gmaj, ect.

For more information about using arpeggios in your music here are some great sites.

Wikipedia- Arpeggio
A Search Of Tutorial Videos (A lot of useful and cool information here!)
Free Guitar Arpeggio Lesson

Subscribe in a reader

Easy To Learn Guitar Songs Part III

2008-09-29T16:42:00.000-07:00

Easy To Learn Guitar Songs Part III

Part I
Part II
Welcome Back!

I have been inspired to write yet another list containing songs that new guitarists can play. (Pianists could benefit from these too!) The blog has exploded with readers that are eager to learn some great songs.

As I said in the previous posts, the songs listed are listed specifically for new guitarists. I know from experience, it's hard to find songs to learn. The songs are all capo- free, and contain no barre chords. If you are still learning your chords, it might be helpful to check out this chord chart.

I'd also like to mention that if anyone sees something that should be added, feel free to let me know!

#1. The Beatles- She Loves You

Chords

Tip: When G6 comes up, I just used a G Major.

#2. The Beatles- Love Me Do- SUPER EASY!!

Chords

#3. The Fray- How To Save A Life

Chords

Tip: If you are confused with the D/F# chord, it's called a slash chord. To avoid any confusion, my suggestion is to play it with a D(major). If you would like to look into more about slash chords, click here for a lesson.

#4. The Rolling Stones- Sympathy For The Devil

Chords

#5. Animals- House Of The Rising Sun- (Well known for being a great beginner song, but I find it a little tricky because you have to strum each string individually.

Chords

There you go! I hope you have a great time learning and exploring these songs. I would love to hear your success story!

Will Music Lessons Work Out?

2008-09-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

Subscribe in a reader

Happy Saturday!

Are you taking music lessons with a paid teacher? Are you thinking about it? Are you thinking about enrolling your child? If so, you should really take a look at whom you chose to instruct you.

For nearly 10 years, I faithfully went to my music classes. It all started when I was around 4. My parents purchased me a little toy keyboard. In no time, I was playing full songs. So what any parent would do, they became excited and immeadietly enrolled in me into a music class. I was pretty small, but I remember the first day. I was put with a teacher named Diana. She was a great, kind, caring young woman.

I was working with her until age 12 when she suddenly disappeared. The music store where I went was owned by an older man who himself is a great musician. I was soon ripped out of my comfort zone, and had to be taught by the owner. Lou. Not that he was mean, or bad, but he was way less humorous and kind. Diana and I would have conversations about things that didn't even relate to music, but it all changed. When I would walk into Lou's classroom, he was unwilling to engage in any conversation besides music. Point is, I started losing interest in lessons.

My 12 year old mind had better things to do than listen to an ol' fella talk for an hour. It was hard to understand him a lot, which made me just cease my learning. My father became upset with me because I told him I didn't want to go back. I did anyway, and eventually took classes at my public schools. After I turned 16, I went back to Lou's for another couple of lessons. It was never the same since Diana left.

So now that I'm done blabbering, I want to explain the whole reason for this post. There are some questions that you need to ask yourself before enrolling.

Is the establishment ran by friendly people?

That's the whole starting point. If the staff or owners are rude, unwilling to cooperate, demanding with scheduling times, ect. that means the teacher you are working with will not be as friendly as you like.

Are they willing to let you meet your teacher before you sign up?

I think this should be a requirement. It would be a waste to be stuck with someone who clashes with you, or your child. When you are looking for qualities, you have every right to ask. How many students does this teacher work with? What are they educated in? Are they willing to be patient? (Unfortunately, That's actually a very common problem.)

Are they overcharging?

It all comes down to the package. Are you getting ripped? Anything around $25 dollars an hour is the average. Some start as low as $5 or 6 bucks an hour- while giving you the same amount of information and skill.

Would they lend you an instrument? (Piano is an exception :)

A lot of music schools are full of rental instruments. Let's say you wanted to learn the flute. You go enroll in lessons and they sell you a brand new flute (which probably bit you on the wallet). You go to flute lessons for 3 weeks and decide it isn't your thing. What are you going to do now? You could sell the flute for a small profit, probably only half of what you paid for it.

If you have a rental, it's usually not a problem to give it back to the store for other students. If you do decide to buy before you learn, try a used instrument first. Sometimes they might now look the best, but they work great. Some even work better with wear.

Are they reliable?

Do they carry a lesson plan notebook, or some other means of organization? Will they actually show up on time? Does the teacher take great pride in keeping their lessons and students organized?

Is there someone working who is specifically there to work with children?

This is important for two reasons. If you want to enroll your child in a class, it's pretty obvious that the teacher needs to have a great deal of patience and a love for children. It's VERY important for you to make sure your child is comfortable around this person, and you feel same leaving them in the teacher's care. (Most classes discourage parents from sitting with the child because it causes a distraction. Nothing personal to the parents!)

The teacher should have the same kind of personality as the child's school teacher. They should not overload the child with practice work, but at the same time have an strong appreciation for a job well done.

One more thing I would like to stress is to make sure that you or your child is willing to take on the challenges. Don't force yourself to do something you don't want to do, but at the same time don't give up. It may seem stressful at first, but trust me- it pays off big time in the end.

Easy To Learn Guitar Songs Part II

2008-09-23T19:21:00.000-07:00

New here?

More Easy Guitar Songs

As I began playing guitar, I was unable to find many sites that list easy guitar songs. I had a heck of a time! With the success of part I, I decided to post another list of songs that are both great songs- and easy to play. If you know any songs that you think should be here, please don't hesitate to let me know!

Like part I, the songs listed range from beginner to slightly advanced. No capo is necessary. Also,

If you are still learning your chords, check out this chart.

Melissa Etheridge- Come To My Window-

Chords

Melissa Etheridge- Similar Features

Chords

Link to song

Aerosmith- Crazy-

Chords

The Kinks- Lola-

Chords

Don Mclean- American Pie (A little more advanced)

Chords

Van Morrison- Brown Eyed Girl (Super easy!)

Chords

Link to song (Sorry about this dilemma- can't find a video for this.)

Once again, there you have it! Enjoy playing. Stay tuned for part III!

Easy To Learn Guitar Songs Part I

2008-09-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

This is a brand new site all about overcoming the challenges of being a new musician.
Subscribe to Surviving Musician-hood?

I found it hard finding some songs to learn on the guitar. After hours of searching, I found some pretty great songs that are surprisingly easy to play. No capos nor bar chords are used in any of these songs.

Check out part II

#1. Eric Clapton- Wonderful Tonight

Chords

#2. Colbie Caillat- Bubbly

Chords

#3. Pink Floyd- Wish You Were Here

Chords

#4. Janis Joplin- Me and Bobby Mcgee

Chords

#5. Metallica- Nothing Else Matters

Chords

#6. Matchbox Twenty- If You're Gone

Chords

#7. CCR- Suzie Q (A Little Fast, so be prepared!)

Chords

Well there you have it. Have fun!

A Warning To All Guitarists

2008-09-15T23:19:00.000-07:00

Tonight something was brought to my attention that may effect you. If you use the web to find tabs, you are at risk of losing that privilege. As I type this, the Music Publishers' Association aka the MPA is trying to shut tablature sites down. It has threatened the sites claiming that they will be charged with copyright infringement. They have already succeeded in shutting some sites completely down. The sites are NOT breaking any laws! There are no known countries of the world that have a law banning guitar tabs on the Internet.

As a matter of fact, if they do succeed then they will be putting a stop to the explosion of new guitarists in the world. In the years since tabs became available on the Internet, the number of new guitarists have grown dramatically. People who can't afford lessons rely on the sites to learn. Think of the kids!

It's unfair to ban people from learning ANYTHING let alone music. The consequences of this could be devastating. All site would be forced to remove ALL free tabs, even if they are voluntarily posted and don't exist ANYWHERE else. We CAN'T let this little corporation bully us into letting them win. You have every right to learn any song you wish. We all do! That's why tabs are there! There is a new organization on the fight to save free music education. It's called MuSato. You can join the site, and be one of the many who will be fighting this monster. Please pass the word on to any musician you know.

Also, check out wikipedia's article about saving the music.

Finding Fame On The Net

2008-09-11T12:37:00.001-07:00

Musicians have a slight advantage over musicians of yesteryear. The Internet is here and there are tons of sites out there to promote your music. The downside is that there are also tons of other musicians on the web who are trying just as hard to be noticed. It can be difficult to become noticed, unless you find a unique way to stand out. Here's some tips on getting started!

musicSUBMIT- According to the site:

Music SUBMIT submits your music to genre-specific radio stations, online music magazines, online music directories, blogs, podcasts, indie record labels, and other electronic music media.

I found this site to be extremely useful. You instantly receive reviews on your music, and you can easily make a lot of fans! It's a great place to meet people with a lot in common with you.

Taxi- Since it's probably impossible for you to pick up and hit the road to LA, the next best thing is a place that will do the work for you. The company offers a full year membership, and within the year promises to help any musician become a signed musician. It works with record companies like A&M, Arista, Atlantic, BMG, Capitol, Columbia, DreamWorks, EMI, Epic, Geffen, Island/Def Jam, Jive, and even more.

How does it work? According to the site, they communicate and work through the record companies. When the record companies are looking for a certain type of music or musician, they search through Taxi.

Is it a scam? Well, I haven't used the site yet, but I have found a great article explaining. A snippet of the page states:

TAXI has been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, and virtually ALL of the Top magazines read by musicians.

Create A Blog

If you haven't already, start a band blog. Find yourself a great hosting service such as Blogger or Wordpress. Keep a log of your progress with your songwriting. When you are finished with the song, post it!

A strong word of advice as well: If you are just starting out, it would be helpful for you to give your visitors free samples of your songs. Don't give them all away, just a few of the best. That way, it will be available for people to put on their winamp lists, IPODs, and they could even burn CDs. Imagine having your song bringing someone's party to life!

To take things a step further, you can purchase a domain for your music. If you aren't familiar with having a blog, don't sweat. It's way easier then you think! Once you get your blog up and running, set up a MyBlogLog profile. It's a great site for any blogger. Your blog views will dramatically increase. You WILL make new fans. Your blog will have it's own community, and you can get to know your readers and fans.

Social Networking
Facebook and Myspace are obviously extremely popular. If you're on the internet already then you should already know what the sites are and how they're used. You probably even have your own profiles already. Well, if you happen to have a lot of friends on the sites then you will have a fan base waiting! On Myspace, you can create a band page. You are able to upload music available for download or just to listen. If you want, others can even use your song on their profile.

Something I must say though, is to take caution when posting to these sites.

Forums
Though I don't much care for forums, I can say they are another great tool for making new fans, and friends.

There are a lot of forums out there, so be careful upon choosing. Here are a few that have good reviews:

Sputnikmusic
Songstuff
Harmony Central

In closing, I just want to say good luck with your online fame! Most of all, have a blast my songbirds!

Bringing Your Song To Life With Drums

2008-09-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

The Kick

Whether you are using FL Studio or using another drum source, the importance of drums is essential in every song you write. Drums are the backbone of most songs. When you think of a dance song, you think of the beat. The beat is the fuel for making people want to just get up and dance. Here, I will explain common kinds of drums and their place in the world.

The whole beat comes down to the kick drums. When you are tapping your foot to a song, you are also identifying the kick drum. It is the sound of the song that provides the main rhythm.

In some songs, the kick drum is played in accordance with the bass. After all, a kick drum is in the bass drum category. It is low, rhythmic, and usually follows a strict pattern throughout the song. Here is a song that emphasize it's kick.

Rhythm Is A Dancer by SNAP

Notice the kick in this song almost has a hypnotizing effect on the listener. Once it starts, it stays the same throughout the song (until the pre-chorus and close.)

The Hat/ Hi Hat
A subtle sounding drum that plays a vital roll in all types of music. It is especially popular in hip hop and rap songs. It is usually played in a loop, repeating through it's respectable parts of the song. For instance, a hat could be played every other beat in an 8 beat riff through each verse. When the pre-chorus starts, the hat will become more frequent and intense.

Hat drums are a member of the cymbal family. It is what gives the song some sizzle. Out of all the main drum sounds, it is the most unpredictable and free. Here are two songs that emphasize their hat drums.

Dr. Dre Ft. Eminem- Forgot About Dre

ADULT LANGUAGE

This song thrives on it's high hat. It is more prominent than any other percussion in the song, and without it the song would probably be bland.

Melissa Etheridge- Bring Me Some Water

Though not as prominent in this song, the hat plays a vital roll. In the beginning, listen to the light drumming. The hat is rhythmically repeating and brings excitement to the singing.

The Snare
The snare is the butter, the kick is the bread. It is common in every type of song, and it is always unique. Sometimes it's the only drum used in a song. It could be used as a solo in a song, it could be used to coordinate with the kick. Think back to highschool basketball games. The matching band always used their snare drums to create their own song.

It usually happens once or twice to every 8 beats. The snare will usually be the main tool for bringing excitement and fun to a song. Check out the fun this guy is having:

A song that emphisizes it's snare:

Janis Joplin - Move Over (1969) - kewego

Keywords: janis joplin move over

Video from cerealspiller

I've put together a short video showing myself putting the mentioned percussion together to create a dance song. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

As always, remember to have fun writing your music.

3 Foolproof Ways To Rid Writer's Block

2008-08-31T12:03:00.000-07:00

It's a menacing phenomenon that slams us all to the depths of heck. Writer's block can happen to some occasionally, but for others it can last for weeks. Here's some tips to help bring your mind back into a creative state.

1. The good ol' dictionary- One of the most common and old ways of coming up with some inspiration. All you need is a dictionary, or a dictionary site. One of my favorite things to do using this method is to find an uncommon word. Make sure you know how to pronounce it correctly, and put it to use. Find some adjectives, and some verbs. Mix and match them until you find something that you feel is going to be catchy, effective, and easy to remember.

2. Challenge Yourself- A method I use a lot is to go to a random quote site. Go to the third quote (no matter what it is) and build your song around it. I'll do an example*:

*I didn't write a whole song, but you'll get the idea.

I logged onto this quote site, the third quote was "What you've got is what someone else prays for."

This is what I came up with:

What You've Got

You told me you are fed up, you
Can't go on like this
struggling to hold your tears in
It's yesterday you miss
I spoke to your inner soul and
Told you I was sure
You're going to prevail
Don't worry anymore

What you've got is a little hope, and
What you've got is a some patience left
Keep being strong, just don't be unaware. just
Keep holding on, I will stay right there

So there you have it. At least you have a start.

3. "Ghost Lyrics"- There is a proper name for the technique, but I haven't been able to find any information about it online. My music teacher taught me this technique when I was a child.

Find a song that you really like, and was also a big hit. With the lyrics in front of you, begin writing yours based on theirs. How? Don't copy their lyrics, add to them. Add as many lyrics to the song as you would a brand new song. For example, let's say you are finishing "Crazy" by Patsy Cline. Here's the original lyrics:

Crazy
Crazy for feeling so lonely
Im crazy
Crazy for feeling so blue

I knew
Youd love me as long as you wanted
And then someday
Youd leave me for somebody new

Worry
Why do I let myself worry
Wondrin
What in the world did I do

Crazy
For thinking that my love could hold you
Im crazy for tryin
Crazy for cryin
And Im crazy
For lovin you

Now, notice that the song is about her obviously feeling very bad about a break up. She regrets wasting her time on some jerk. Let's add on to how the story might have ended. (Very off-the-wall, but this is just another example :-D )

Maybe
Maybe you're feeling so shameful
Just maybe
Maybe you're crying now too

I thought
You wouldn't find some other woman
And then you'd
Rip out my heart strings too

Anger
Why are you getting so angry?
Thinkin'
Did I really find someone new?

Maybe
You're thinking that her your face won't help you
And maybe your hurting
Maybe she's blurting
And maybe
You're missing me too

I have replaced each stanza with my own, but have used the same idea and structure. It's more of a lyrics hack. One thing you must do though, is make the music as different as possible from the song you used to ghost write. Notice how each paragraph has it's own color, both in the song and the ghost written song. The colors correspond to each matching stanza. The idea is to use the song as a backboard.

But as always, be original! (Don't be lazy like I was in the example :) )! As always, thanks for reading!

Making Songwriting Easier

2008-08-21T02:55:00.000-07:00

After some time, I have learned different approaches to speed up my songwriting abilities. A few of them are common, a few of them aren't. This is how I approach every song I write. (Some will soon be posted!)

Listen to a lot of music- I don't mean sing along while you are doing something else. I mean sit down, relax, and put headphones on if possible. Choose a genre of music that best matches the song you want to write. Listen closely to the chord changes, rhythm, instruments. Get to know the real science behind the song. Dig deeper into the backbone of it all. After time, you will have more sensitivity to music and a better understanding.

Once you get familiar with it all, THEN you begin writing. If you play an instrument, try playing along. Even if you can't do it right for the first few times, you will catch on eventually. That is one way of training your ears. Take notes about things that stand out in the songs you like. Is it a big drum solo? If so, try writing something similar to it. Just remember, stay yourself!

Learn Your Scales- This one is crucial. Songs will not make any sense, and they would sound awful if there were no scales. Some songs use the same key through the whole song, but some have a few changes. Finding progressions is very easy once you have learned scales.

Remember, a song will always be in tune if you play the chords of the scales. Lets say you are in the key of C, and you want to change chords. You can use:

C Major

E Minor

A Minor

D Minor

G Major

If you don't know how to play an instrument, learn- I was lucky enough to have piano and violin lessons until I was 17. I was able to pick up a guitar easier than I would if I didn't know anything about instruments. If you have an idea in your head for a song, it's great to just pick up (or sit at) your instrument and make a tune. I imagine it must be much harder for folks who haven't had music experience.

Letting The Song Write Itself- Having a bad day? Having a good day? Something on your mind? Write about it when you get an idea. Let the song write itself. Don't procrastinate and say that you will remember the song. We've all done it, later to forget everything. Write it down as soon as possible. It's usually harder to sit down and come up with a song idea that really has nothing to do with your life. If you are writing something (let's say a child's song called C-A-T) imagine yourself in the listener's shoes (which would be a child). Would the music bore the child? Will it get the child's attention? Always focus on the listener's needs.

More Coming!

The Perfect Girl Guitar!

2008-08-18T19:22:00.000-07:00

Daisy Rock Guitars

I am very impressed with my new guitar. A few days ago, I decided to visit my local Guitar Center. I wasn't even planning on buying a guitar (I just bought a used one not too long before.) But the little pink guitar screamed my name as I walked past.

My mother was nearby and I started jumping around, just like a 6 year old. I thought "that guitar must be extremely expensive!" Just to be on the safe side, I finally asked the salesman. It was only $200.00! It came with:

Electronic Tuner
Carrying Case Strap
3 Picks
Song Book
CD/PC CD
Extra Set Of Strings

The man explained that Daisy Rock guitars are made specifically for women. They have a slightly smaller fretboard for small hands. I picked it up before making up my mind. I could play a Bm with no sweat, unlike my other guitar. Let's face it ladies- I think most guitar companies pretty much expect men to buy their guitars. Daisy Rock is truly a blessing.

I am not out to pick on other guitar companies though, because it is possible to find a smaller guitar. Thing is- once you find a guitar that fits you, your selections will be very limited. And who could resist a Candy Apple pink guitar (Plus many other cute, unique colors and shapes)? Plus, it's lightweight and much easier to handle. They are great for a first time guitar, as well as a professional musician. The sound is great, along with everything else about it. I have no complaints.

In conclusion, I am very pleased with my guitar. Before, I had problems with certain chords. I felt as if I just wasn't holding the guitar right, or somehow I was doing the chord wrong. But now I realized that my fingers were just too short to properly reach the notes. My playing has improved so much just in the few days that I have had my Daisy.

So now you say you want one? (Or you want to get your lady friend one?!?) Cool. Check out the Daisy Rock FAQ's. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine!

Internet Musicians That ROCK!

2008-08-11T22:10:00.000-07:00

Just for fun, I thought I'd find some good videos with even better musicians. I was pleasantly surprised to find the following. Sit back, relax, and watch these people rock out!

Four Hands Guitar
*Popular!* These two guys play some blues- but on only one guitar!

Amazing Kid

This little guy will make it far in this world. Keep it up, kid.

Superb Pianist/Singer

This guy has loads of talent! He really knows how to jam.

Amazing Little Girl

This little girl is one big spark of amazing energy. Her parents should be proud!

Young Man With Great Vocals

Why isn't he famous? All I can say- Dang.

And just for laughs- People singing in the drive thru. It takes nerve and talent to do this.

From one musician to all of you out there: Great work. All of these videos deserve a bigger spotlight than my blog! Thanks for reading.

Writing Your First Song Part I

2008-08-11T07:31:00.000-07:00

Yes, YOU can do it!

With so many people writing in so many genres, choosing your genre and style can be difficult. Here's my ways of coping and managing the many steps in writing a song.

Planning- As you know, most songs have lyrics and a story line. It's up to you to write a story line, and put it to your own music. Most people like to start out with lyrics before writing the notes to go with them. If you don't, you will probably end up taking much longer (unless you've had plenty of experience.)

Every song must follow a specific song structure. If your song doesn't have structure, the listener will easily become distracted. All songs usually have a repeating line or chorus which draws the listener in. Sounds hard doesn't it? Well my friend, it isn't. Once you read and follow the steps, you will be making songs left and right.

Dealing With Writers Block- Life in general follows the concept I am going to use. Everything happens for a reason. Good or bad, you must deal with it. So what's the reason you can't think of anything to write? You need inspiration.

Ask yourself: "What is on my mind right now?" Even if it's something simple like "I want a Hot Pocket." Go for it. You could write about feeling hungry. You could go on to write something that explains "I am glad I have food, so greatful I don't starve like others." Think outside the box and let your mind go.

If you are bold, or you just want a clean idea, try something I like to call "letting the words mind your muse." Go to a website such as this one. Find yourself a nice quote, and build from it. For example, let's say you use the quote "Every rose has it's thorn." Sure it's cliche, and I'm not telling you to use it. But if you did, ask yourself some things. "What kind of things in my life can I compare to that?" For instance: Your new music teacher is a tad crazy, kind of pushy, but he or she is the best teacher you've ever had.Voila! There's your story line.

Finding The Right Key For Your Song: My suggestion is to start your FIRST few songs in the key of G Major. It tends to be the easier for beginners. Many, many songs are written in G Major. It's always easier to know the progressions as well. Check out this site.

Choosing A Genre: What kind of music touches you the most? Nearly everyone has their own favorite genre they can fit right into. What kind of songs are you most "in love" with? What kind of songs do you see yourself playing in the future? For me, it is classic rock. I have adopted the style, along with some blues into my songs. Many artists have used more than one genre, but they mainly stick to the same one (or same variations). Once you get your fans (if you don't already) they will most likely be disappointed if you changed your music style just out of the blue. Find one that fits you, that you feel great being a part of. This way, you can start making more important decisions regarding your musical career.

Keep tuned in for part II!

Learning The Guitar and SURVIVING

2008-08-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

Remember when you were a child and you wanted to take off your training wheels? The first few times you tried to ride your bike without them, you probably fell. When you fell, you probably got hurt and maybe even cried. The tears and pain didn't hold you back from learning though, you prevailed.

Same goes with learning the guitar. It's just a little more complex. Once you learn the basics, you keep on learning. You never stop learning. You get sick of learning. You feel the urge to learn more. It's a complicated scenario, but it all adds up to the big ticket. Once you feel comfortable with your skill level, you may feel like moving up to a faster song. Just as a child grows, he or she may feel like moving from a bicycle to a motorcycle. The challenge is hard, long, and takes a lot of patience. But as you learn, you WILL have fun along your way (unless you are being forced along the way.) Which leads me into my tips. All of the following will most likely happen to you while learning the guitar. Honestly, they still happen to me. I've just taught myself how to deal with them.

#1. Sore Fingers- Sore may not even describe the pain for some of us. Let's face it- if you haven't picked up a guitar and played a chord, look into it before you decide to take it on. The good thing is, it isn't going to be painful forever. In order for the pain to subside, you must develop calluses. Don't worry ladies, they aren't as noticeable and weird as you might think. To get your hand (or hands if you play with your fingers) ready for the guitar, make sure you start out with healthy hands. Any sores on your fingers or pain elsewhere can dramatically effect your playing. Unless of course you are as gifted as Iommi!

You must play at least 4 times a week, or the callouses will begin to heal. Then you will have to rough them back up, which doesn't feel too good.
Take it easy on the smaller strings. They are significantly more painful than the thicker, lower strings.

Be sure to soak your hands in warm water after playing, and use a little Vaseline on the tender areas before you attempt playing. Most importantly, DON'T over do it. If the pain is too severe to play, try resting your fingers overnight and take it easy. If you do happen to over-play, try wrapping your fingers in bandages before you play again.

#2. Frustration
I am frustrated right now. I haven't been able to come up with a bass line for my song, and I have just stared at it for three weeks with no luck. I am trying to find a website that can meet my band-site needs. I am still a beginner at the guitar, and I can't do an F chord. But I realized one day, it's all part of being a musician. I can remember being a little girl and crying because I couldn't play Twinkle Twinkle little star on my keyboard. I eventually passed that, and realized that it is NOT impossible. When I finished playing Moonlight Sonata at the age of 12, I knew then that it will always be worth-while.

If you feel like you can't go on, and it's just not your thing, it's time to have a reality check. YOU have the desire to become a great musician, you have the heart, and you wouldn't have picked up the instrument if you didn't think you could do it. Don't let mental blocks set you back.

Take plenty of breaks. Like I mentioned before, don't strain yourself. There's a professional guitarist in you that is ready to emerge. It just takes patience, self-respect, hard work, and you're set.

#3. Meet People Who Play Instruments
I have learned a lot by myself, but I wouldn't have known how to approach some things without the guidance of my guitar-playing friends. Sometimes, there are actual cases where my question can not be correctly answered without talking to an experienced person. If you are a student, try taking some music classes at your school. Most of the time they are free, and filled with valuable resources. I am not taking lessons for guitar, so I am only going on the internet and friend's advice. Don't get me wrong, the internet can be a great place for finding excellent musician resources, which leads me onto the next tip.

#4. Using The Web As Your Music Teacher
I have learned so much from different websites. The only problem I had was having unanswered questions. (That's where #3 comes in.) I am not much of a forum-type person, so I found an even better way to find sites that suite my needs. Stumbleupon. If you don't know what it is, it's an add-on for Firefox and Internet Explorer. You just need an e-mail address to join. Once you install the toolbar you can search for websites that you could never find on Google or Yahoo. It's feature-rich for musicians of every type. Just select guitar as one of your interest (along with 100's of other topics you enjoy) and you will be showered with gifts from the website Gods. I have found musician sites that have helped me more than I could ever expect. There's loads of video tutorials, and even guitar tabs.

Join websites that offer tutorials for beginners. If you are willing to spend a little cash, there's even websites that will show you step-by-step secrets and tricks for learning at a high rate of speed. (Please, just make sure they're legitimate!)

These are just a few of the tips I have shared with others seeking advice about learning. I hope I have answered your question. As always, thanks for reading!

Tips and Links For Beginning Songwriters

2008-08-06T02:33:00.000-07:00

Alas, I have started the blog I have been planning for a while. In October 2008, I will be releasing my first album. Not more than a year ago I wouldn't have even been able to carry a tune, unless it was on a piano or violin. I don't prefer playing those, and and picked up a guitar. I am learning guitar at a high rate of speed, and am writing songs like wildfire. But I really focused, and am using what I have learned to help others who are like I was.

Like you probably do, I had a lot of questions. Example: "What kind of chord progressions should I use?"

Most of the questions are hard to find answers for. Here's where this blog comes in. Whether you are a guitarist, vocalist, pianist, or a do-it-all-yourself type, I hope this post along with all of my future posts will continue to help you and others.

Fruity Loops AKA Fl Studio
This is the program that opened the doors to my music writing career. My friend, who is a professional musician gave me a copy of the old version. I just fell in love with it. The program is a music creation science lab. It's where you can learn to make professional sounding songs at the click of a mouse.

Pros: Fully interactive interface, numerous add-ons, numerous effects, synths, VST Plugins, instruments, drum kits, and even recording. Not to mention it can be used for every kind of musician with every kind of genre. Free trial download here!

Cons: For those of us less tech-savvy it takes a while to learn. If you do decide to take it on, there's plenty of great tutorials out there that will lead you on your way. The cost of buying the CHEAPEST version is around $130.00 (US). Let me tell you though, it is worth it if you are really down for it.

Band Name Maker: If you still haven't came up with a good name for your band (or yourself if you are solo) there's a few great websites that help you come up with something creative, that fits your needs. My favorite is this one. (I also used some of these for song titles!)

There's also:
~~~~~~~~~~
Death Metal band namer
Name Your Band
The Random Bad Bluegrass Band Namer
Rigel 7: Techno Band Namer

Song Structure: This is one of the most important lessons you will ever need to learn to write music. Song structure isn't about being ordinary, it's about making your song come to life. A song is like a house. First, you must build the foundation to build a frame, which in time turns into a song. You must have at least some understanding of structure if you are a beginner. A lot of us (if not all of us) have made the mistake of just jumping into a song. It may be sucessful for few, but not all of us. For instance, I always find it necessesary to start my songs off with some kind of drumming. These guides will teach you the essentials of song construction.

Wikipedia Song Structure
Guitar Song Structure (But useful for everyone)

More useful links:

Learn The Chords You Must Know -Especially useful for guitarists.
Top 10 Mistakes Guitarist Make When Learning Chords
How To Write Song Lyrics

Thank you for reading my first entry, and I will continue to post more about my stuggles and successes. I hope I have helped you, or at least entertained you. Please stop back by!