piano

March 28, 2011

Learning Modes

I’d vaguely heard of musical modes but didn’t know much about them until I decided to take some brush-up piano lessons a few years ago.

My teacher was a retired rocker from the 60s who had modest success and was enjoying his life of relaxation in a California beach resort town where my wife and I were staying.

As I got more educated in modes, I also got more interested in Jazz music. I’d never understood where a lot of it came from or where it was going until I got modal.

If you want to stick your toe in the water, there is a great two-part series at ultimateguitar.com

Take a peek and see if it can help you awaken some creative juices in your playing or songwriting.

WADE

Tags: beach, california beach, creative juices, jazz music, Learning, Music, musical modes, piano, piano lessons, relaxation.

Filed under Guitar by WadeB on Mar 28th, 2011. Comment.

March 15, 2011

A Musical Elegy for Japan

By Etan Rosenbloom, Membership/Marketing Associate and Blog Coordinator

The earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan late last week impacted me more than most natural disasters do. I’m not sure why exactly, though I have some theories. One of my very good friends was drowned in a riptide in Panama a few years ago, and there are definitely echoes of his passing in the footage I’ve seen of Japanese cars and homes and people being swept away. Same goes for one of my favorite ever drummers, Mieszko Talarczyk of the Swedish grindcore band Nasum, who was killed by the tsunami in Thailand in 2004. I think it’s especially affecting to see a country that we hold up as an exemplar of technological and engineering achievement be ravaged by the same natural forces that have existed since the beginning of time. Mankind can strive for dominion over the earth as much as it wants. Mother Nature will still take her toll.

Like many of you, I turn to music to help in tough emotional times. Here are a few Japanese artists that I turn to for healing. In the comments field, let us know what music has helped you get through difficulty.

Tags: destructive earthquake, earthquake, grindcore band, mundo frio, Music, piano, rain tree sketch, Sinking, time mankind, tsunami.

Filed under Songwriting by WadeB on Mar 15th, 2011. Comment.

February 26, 2011

Tin Pan Alley – Home to New York’s Music Publishers

Starting in the late 19th century, the major product sold by the music industry was the piano roll. There were no radios, TV, record players or movies.

But most homes had a piano, and even though a great number of people learned to play the piano in those days, the piano roll gave them the opportunity to hear many styles of music and virtuosos.

As popular music gained strength in the entertainment world — eclipsing classic and religious music — music publishers flourished and cultivated songwriters. The area of New York where most held offices was called Tin Pan Alley.

Here is a brief article about this magical place and its role in popular music — after the jump.

WADE

Tags: aggressive business, Alley, century, half a million, Home, music publishers, piano, piano roll, roll, tin pan alley.

Filed under Songwriting by WadeB on Feb 26th, 2011. Comment.

piano

Learning Modes

A Musical Elegy for Japan

Tin Pan Alley – Home to New York’s Music Publishers

Newsletter Sign Up

Categories

Archives

Bunkhouse Boys 1975-2001

Blogroll

Admin Menu