Here are some video examples of these exercises as they may not be entirely understood just by way of my explanation, as a video supplants a 1000 words!?
I hope anyone reading this will find something of use in my efforts to encourage. Please leave a comment if you wish.
This is a finger exercise that will challenge you and perhaps add a new component to your musical vocabulary. Its a fairly straight forward structure, despite the name, almost chromatic in nature. So the simple animation provided below will give a good sense of how it is to go. It can be played anywhere on the fret board. The animation suggests the low end of the fret board. So begin by working up the neck
1st finger 1st fret E string (F note)
2nd finger 2nd fret A string (B note)
3rd finger 3rd fret E string (G note)
4th finger 4th fret A string (C# note)
4th finger 4th fret E string (G# note)
3rd finger 3rd fret A string (C note)
2nd finger 2nd fret E string (F# note)
1st finger 1st fret A string (A# note) from here begin the pattern anew next note on the D string
2nd finger 2nd fret D string (E note)
and so on across the fret board.
Depending on where on the fret board you try this, find corresponding chords to play along with it.
Making an impression in the digital realm is not as easy as I thought it would be. I have been spending time generating artistic and musical content but not at the level I would like it to be. And then there is the ownership of it, specifically the rights of ownership as in copyrights. Generating new items, songs, art, is fun and invigorating but sharing it presents problems. Thinking it is so good that it has to be protected from theft so that I might get the full benefit of my brilliance, i.e. money! I should be so well regarded that someone would think enough of my skill to steal from me! I bring this up because there are alternatives to copyright.
Gwenn Seemel a visual artist has written about this in her book “You Share Good” and spoke about it in a Ted Talk. Also has made a success of her efforts at producing art as a non copyrighted effort. By placing her work in the public domain she has at the very least eliminated one hindrance I seem rather effective at using to prevent me from ‘sharing good‘. Mistrust and the sense I might lose out if the work is not properly “caged in a copyright”. Or the other seemingly more relevant fear, my creations will be co-opted and used against me, by not allowing me to perform or recreate pieces that I developed!?
At this point however it is just fear preventing any sort of display or sharing. I should be delighted anyone would think enough of a creative endeavor of mine to want to utilize it as they would. Still it is nice to be acknowledged and recognized for ones efforts. I once had some wire sculpture stars I made on display at a swap meet and noticed one had gone missing. Rather than being upset about the loss I was pleased someone found it intriguing enough to take it.
Surprised I was by this perspective coming from my mind.
Well it was taken, (maybe knocked off the table) but I found it a bit later, being kicked about on the ground, completely ignored, and worst of all, discarded by the person I thought had wanted it! I was more bummed by that than the perceived theft. But the emotional response I had to the instance as it initially played out in my imagination was interesting. And it still reverberates today as some sort of perspective or assessment of things that matter to me, that I could make better use of.
So that’s how that works!
Round and round he goes where he stops nobody knows!
So this is overdue, at least as I had planned it. But wouldn’t you know, other possibilities presented themselves in order to try to make this a more cohesive whole. Then I read something on Medium from Ayodeji Awosika
about “embracing the suck” How the first 100 blog posts, or song attempts, or presentations are not going to be the best one is capable of. But it takes all those to get to the good ones, to the better examples of ones capabilities. So while I drafted an outline for this post, basing it on the songwriting, recording and publication process. And contemplated how best to demonstrate that. I felt a video would be the most viable expression of the effort but time and perfectionism has not let me realize that at this time. So even though I am “embracing the suck” I still know I can do better than just throwing something out here and leaving it at that. I mean I made an outline for this! Again, to strive for a little continuity and purpose I suppose more than any thing.
So the outline went like this and I am using a song I already wrote and complete but not recorded. So definitely listen for that here next post.
Develop an idea. in this case a chord progression that would change position at a point in the song and be figured/played in an inverse way to see what contrast/inspiration that would generate.
Write Create Edit. Fairly self explanatory took awhile to get lyrics, tried writing in french even enlisted my mother on that front to see if that gave it more charm.
Record Embellish Overdub. Lush it out, make some juxtapositions to make the auditory experience something to relish. I also transcribed it on the keyboard, as I am in the habit of doing with my guitar originated songs. Both to develop skill on that instrument as well as afford alternative opportunities of musical performance.
Administrative. Copyright. This seems a foregone conclusion, but of all the music I’ve created over the years I’ve yet to do this one thing. Perhaps due in some part to the fact it doesn’t get heard often, and I hem and haw about it. But it can be a useful thing to have as a component in the finale of my outline. And aid as an incentive in the process of wanting to get it out there!
Promote and Publish. Make a video as previously mentioned, describe the process, share related art work.
So that has yet to be completed after all this time. Perfectionism being what it is I err on the side of edit some more. So I have this to offer instead.
So this is the 12 note names of the western musical scale with associated key signs in the treble or G clef for reference. This being a significant part of the Sonic Spider Web awaiting patent application to reveal the full concept it is shared here. You will see that instead of the common circle of fifths, the notes are displayed sequentially as the notes would occur on a musical instrument. Some notes/tones have two names, this is called enharmonic, sounds the same but is written differently, depending on the key sign a musical piece is composed in. This information is a primary building block of musical understanding. I hope you find it useful.
So this symbol in the Guitarbeau logo is meant to stand in for the G of guitarbeau!
Spent part of the week looking at some creative attempts mustered in the past that were to become a series or contribute some refinements to technique. Much was made about them at the time but follow through was wanting. So many songs, new skills to acquire (keyboards), working with pen instead of pencil. Sculpted with wire. Not much of that made it to see the light of day or heard at an open mike at night. Stymied by perfectionism, still it pesters and percolates in the reverb of the mind. Show your work. Below is from a 1990’s sketch book.
So that’s some of the possibilities sought after in the past. I haven’t stopped trying to ARTiculate from time to time, but other concerns seem more important even when blank pages and broken strings could benefit from some attention! Keep Pushin On!
So the web thing is a process and so is life so here I am processing it all to the best of my abilities. Yes that title does say doinf with an ‘F’ to kinda emphasize the point I am trying to make here. It sucks to not know what you are doing and it also sucks to know what you are doing and still be doing it! That’s life and it sucks sometimes. Write now I am trying to forge another path that I have not been accustomed to for a long time. That of sharing and caring about what I have to share and care about. Like most I imagine, it is me I care about the most because well, that’s what it is to be alive, also, ask any cat who or what they are thinking about, I guarantee it will be about themselves! Meouch! That being said I need to find another paradigm to refract on about life so I retooled the Spreadsheet/calendar paradigm to more accurately reflect that which I thought to be more relevant to life experiences or those that which one might wish to , want to or, are having to review before or after choosing. So here it is. More of a proactive questionnaire really.
So the next attempt might be to use the verb ‘BE’ Is, Am, Are, Isn’t, Ain’t Aren’t as a thought provocative. We’ll see if I have that kind of initiative. Oh, I went back to Guitarbeau because its just so much easier to reference and find. Still blogging Idealisticaspirationsunltd.art though!
So I am changing the site name to reflect some alternative choices I have made to make this site more appealing, as if that were even possible! As a content generator I am challenged by what to put up here. Having as I imagine many do, a plethora of interests and projects to pursue and peruse. I choose this change to be more conducive to getting this stuff out there. Also I have been wanting to be more involved in what can maybe best be described as, the shameless self promotion in furtherance of my ideals. We’ll see how well that goes. But the process should be fun, and I want to be useful entertaining and pertinent while I still can.
Is it just going to be music and media? What qualifies or can be quantified as media? I do not want to limit my self here. But as I have a significant investment in music to make that a prominent feature, that will be the strongest of projects to promote. Despite the somewhat amateurish production values the music is still there, wanting and waiting to be enjoyed. As for the media part, I make art, draw, paint (digitally), photocraft and create as often as able. And will in due course put it here, though some of it already is. How much to reveal of the process before I become a bore or a chore to understand is already provoking me to curtail my explanation at this time and do some art or music today or at least link some of the aforementioned!?
On Teaching
Teaching is an art, requiring many things, understanding of the subject matter, skill with related articles of usage, patience.
I have had many opportunities to reflect on and realize this.
Why?
Knowing how to do something does not mean one will be able to explain to someone else, how to do it. Or be understood.
I am reminded of something I read in Readers Digest years ago.
“An education is something you give to yourself”.
To me that means, despite the best efforts of teachers, the most interesting of presentations and the most comprehensive materials, we learn because we want to.
In many cases we learn things like walking, talking, driving, writing, all because we have to. But when the subject is something we want to do , then we choose to educate ourselves.
So when there is a desire to learn, and there are, always increasing and evolving methods with which to acquire an education, the means to do so are many. How best to proceed?
There are many ways to acquire a skill, one of the most needed though is patience. On the part of anyone involved. Whether teaching or studying, a mindset of patience helps immeasurably.
We can also learn by teaching.
Our own knowledge is enhanced by showing another how to acquire skills within our interest.
If you are a life long learner, show someone what you know and prepare to be enlightened as you uncover a new way to look at that base of knowledge you have as you share!
So regarding learning anything let alone music, why use a teacher when there is YOUTUBE, the internet, CD’s DVD’s, Books?
Reasonable question, and a committed student will find these methods useful at times as well, to pick up a new tune or technique. However there are some things a teacher can provide more responsively:
Encouragement, if I can do it you can!
Incentive, someones going to hear me I better practice!
Observation applying the instruction, am I doing this right? this can lead to faster more relevant progress.
Having a teacher also shows a sincere commitment to see the effort through.
I am currently accepting new students for the guitar and electronic keyboard.
I have been playing and learning the Guitar for 36 + years and have been developing my Keyboard abilities for 9 years.
I teach musical skills by way of rock and pop and original music.
I can teach you how to read music, tablature, and learn songs by ear.
I have developed a tool useful for understanding some of the more complicated music theory concepts to a single page, as in notes, modes, scales and chords.
One of the main benefits that I provide is that I come to you,
(Marana, Northwest Tucson)
I am also patient, an ability necessary to acquire and advance musical skill. If you prefer a by the book approach I can accommodate that as well.
There are many avenues to learn by. We can use whatever method you deem appropriate. No long term commitment necessary, if you just want a single lesson that is ok. If interested email or contact me at:
Guitar and/or Electric Keyboard.
idealist@idealisticaspirationsunltd.art
Or call & leave message please 520-288-5617 Bill L
Thank you for your consideration.
So this is a new endeavor for me (blogging), hopeful that it will generate some interest, both for myself and anyone who finds this here. My reach for musical proficiency began in earnest one Christmas after receiving a plastic rifle as a gift. I immediately strapped it over the shoulder and began to strum it as a guitar! Infatuated with music making, I continued a never ending, albeit intermittent climb to musical aspirations that remain forever on the horizon. As a child singing along with a limited but formidable number of 45 rpm records, I would channel Elton John’s ‘Philadelphia Freedom’ at the top of my lungs whilst enjoying the sonic sugar high with headphones on. Those outside the headphone induced delirium I was enjoying, thought otherwise about my present abilities to carry a tune. I don’t remember the exact phrasing used to quash my efforts at out loud singing ‘practice’ but it did and still does give pause for concern. Though I can, given the right opportunity, publicly display skill in this regard (singing), There is a struggle to put it out there. But do continue the search for opportunity to do so.
Sometime later I received a much desired acoustic guitar, which was not as easy to play as the aforementioned rifle, but I would soldier on as it were with the help of a lovely young guitar teacher Miss Staci Misiti, if I remember correctly. She would walk me through the ‘Mel Bay’ learn to play guitar method. Once I broke a string and thought the guitar was forever broken, I cried like a little baby, emotional memories seem to last forever. Time passed interest waned but never left. A few acoustic guitars later, I got my first electric guitar and that was the real beginning of my musical journey. Armed with a proper desire to learn to play, to impress girls, I got lessons from the local guitar hero and began to get an education in rock that I was not privy to before. Being the oldest I had no elder brother or sister to inform my ears of music that was available besides top 40 radio. My Teacher at that time Marc Schumman (Marc Ferrari in the 80’s I think) Began my musical sojourn into hard rock guitar with bands like Aerosmith, Van Halen, Ted Nugent etc… Practicing in earnest I impressed my teacher but still didn’t quite understand the music he would try to teach me. I being a KISS fan new nothing of Led Zeppelin. An overlooked bit of music history that time had no problem helping me to correct. That and friends who would become the source input for the sonic impetus driving much of my formative musical training.
My first band. Me and Bob Alcott formed ‘Red Freaks Don’t Smoke’ He new what it alluded to, I did not, and still don’t. They say 3 chords can say so much, but we only knew 3 notes before we took our show to the patio, at which time we were promptly hailed as guitar heroes via the ‘tossing of the proverbial empty bottle’ at our stage. This was not the last time some one would think so much of my stage presence as to throw something! That one really hurt, not the first one though. We were noticed, and there is no such thing as bad publicity! (Stone to the side of the head not withstanding)
Many, many lessons and practice sessions later with maybe 3 songs under our belt, we audition a drummer to round out our trio. The guy showed up with the biggest drum set I’d ever seen and a professional ability that far out weighed our own. I guess my sales ability on the phone and overt optimism about what we were capable of got him to show up. Why he stayed that afternoon I’ve no idea, but first time with a drummer and I was hooked. Rock n roll even our basic version of ‘Rocky Mountain Way’ in the garage that day sold me on the unflappable desire to continue this course and try again.
Again and again. The impetus to make rock music had borrowed deep and there were quite a few others that also entertained this obdurate wish to annoy our families, from the basement or, the neighbors from the attic on a Sunday morning. Restating famous guitar riffs and songs that got ever faster and harder (dynamically). We bore the names of our tribe, Warlord, Blitzkrieg with honor. And a determined preoccupation to not be associated with any other style of music than the ‘hard rock’, which been channeled into our brains as our fingers and feet would follow as best we could, to impress ourselves as well as, the beer drinking population that would tolerate the caterwauling we were capable of.
And so it went on, Wedding Receptions, Clubs, Pubs, Battles of the Bands, Private Parties, Writing and Recording, Teaching, Jamming. I always enjoy trying to make a performance a thing to behold, rehearsals could get discouraging depending on many things, not the least of which was how often we could get together. Once a month is not going to cut it to perform regularly, too often and it may sound uninspired. Then there are the leaders of the band that can be demanding to the point of dictatorship, that can be demoralizing. And yet to get out there and play, make something happen sonically as well as the myriad other ways music can affect us is still the main goal, of wanting to be a musician in the first place. Of course it can also be for private amusement, one does not need to want to perform to want to play. But I think if you develop something to the point that it makes you happy, you will probably want to share that at some time to make another happy.
À la prochaine (until next time)
