Music is an art form in which the medium is sound.
i copied that, from wikipedia.
that has nothing to do with this blog excluding that it is about music.
Jazz is a pretty standard music usually, it has an interesting variety of instruments, vibraphone, guitar, bass, horns, pianos. It can be good stuff. Very soothing and rhymic. But Free Jazz, is some wild stuff, no rhythms, or tempos, really i doubt if there are even chord progressions that are contiuous throughout the "songs" or what ever they go by. I don't know if the songs are set up or fully improved, but if they are set up chaos, than i find it to be some what respectable.
yee haw!
-nick
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
T-Pain
Robert: Faheem Najm, better known by his stage name, T-Pain, is an American hip hop, R&B Singer/song writer and producer who has been noted for using the auto-tune effect (often mis-cited as a vocoder effect) in his singing. T-Pain won his first Grammy Award for being featured in the Kanye West song "Good Life". T Pain almost set the new trend of using alot of synth effects with hip hop beats with an almost mechanized sounding voice, this being done with auto tune set to relaxed in a way that it sounds like his notes almost flip when he sings. He is very impressive. T pain is from Tallehassie Florida and has a unique style in dress and art.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
I tried... and yeah (aka el chronical de Nick)
"today nothing is real, boxing matches, music is replaced by technology, some bands don't even write those."
-mcguffin/rogers
Well first off I have to admit I like to record in the most minimalistic ways possible. I have a tascam tape recorder, which may have been my father's from the 80's. And also there is a free computer program called audacity, and it is a multi-track recording program. I think the rawness of music, shows the truth and talent. Lo-Fi is really an amazing and under-rated form of art. (see roberts blog about technology) this is where music is going to be like the book 1984. Few people will be making music, though many models will be playing the "rock-stars". MTV= Big Brother. If you can write a song make the music and do that. Respect for you.
Its all a matter of personal preference, artisitic integrity and what ever motivates thyself.
Things change, popculture repeats itself. Well if the time's are a'changing who knows what the future holds though, pessimism fills me, but whatever.
-mcguffin/rogers
Well first off I have to admit I like to record in the most minimalistic ways possible. I have a tascam tape recorder, which may have been my father's from the 80's. And also there is a free computer program called audacity, and it is a multi-track recording program. I think the rawness of music, shows the truth and talent. Lo-Fi is really an amazing and under-rated form of art. (see roberts blog about technology) this is where music is going to be like the book 1984. Few people will be making music, though many models will be playing the "rock-stars". MTV= Big Brother. If you can write a song make the music and do that. Respect for you.
Its all a matter of personal preference, artisitic integrity and what ever motivates thyself.
Things change, popculture repeats itself. Well if the time's are a'changing who knows what the future holds though, pessimism fills me, but whatever.
Technology and music {Robert(a)'s post}
Roberta- In the world of music today, there are three types of musicians. The first type of musician is the naturally talented, well rehearsed musician. This type of musician may be called old fashioned or simple. They are very good at composing/performing music live and are usually equiped with lessons, as well as somewhat of a natural ability to learn the music easier than most. The second type of musician is the digital musician. These people are incredibly talented with computers and technology. They are able to make themselves sound extremely talented, even though they may not be, by editing the recorded music and possibly using an autotuner to perfect the pitch of every sound. The third type of musician is well abled in both categories. A great way to desipher between this type of musician and the digital musician is to listen to vocal effects. Typically, the digital musician will have some type of vocal effect that will occasionally sound somewhat robotic. This, however is a tough call due to the fact that many multi-talented composers are experimenting with vocoders in order to achieve a new, unheard of sound.
"Long live the tape player."
-Nicholas Danger Rogers
"Long live the tape player."
-Nicholas Danger Rogers
Favorite guitar technices
MKLANE
So, me.. Being the metal head I am. There are a few technices that i like to use when i play. The main ones are pinch harmonices and sweep picking.
Pinch Harmonics is playing a note and giving it a "squeel" sound. It's used mainly at the end of riffs and before the next riff in a song. How you do this is with your picking hand. Most people play with the pick slightly slanted while picking or strumming. In order to do this technice you must keep the pick parrallel with your thumb lowered on the pick. Then when you pick your thumb will gently brush the string RIGHT after the pick has hit the string. This is a very hard technique to master but once you do it sounds very good.
The sweep picking technique is a way to "shred". Bands such as the human abstract and solo artists like Yngwie Malmsteen use this sound. basicly what you do is create a chord (typically a bar chord). You finger each note and pick each individual one and beggin to pick up spead until you are able to do this quickly. Once you are able to move your finguring hand quickly you should be able to move to different bar chords. The motion you begin to have with your picking hand is similar to a sweep motion going up and down the strings. It's not a strum but more like a sweep. Now. After you get this down. YOu have to be able to mute each individual string right after you play it by releasing pressure off your fingure to deaden the note. If you don't then each note will bleed together.
So, me.. Being the metal head I am. There are a few technices that i like to use when i play. The main ones are pinch harmonices and sweep picking.
Pinch Harmonics is playing a note and giving it a "squeel" sound. It's used mainly at the end of riffs and before the next riff in a song. How you do this is with your picking hand. Most people play with the pick slightly slanted while picking or strumming. In order to do this technice you must keep the pick parrallel with your thumb lowered on the pick. Then when you pick your thumb will gently brush the string RIGHT after the pick has hit the string. This is a very hard technique to master but once you do it sounds very good.
The sweep picking technique is a way to "shred". Bands such as the human abstract and solo artists like Yngwie Malmsteen use this sound. basicly what you do is create a chord (typically a bar chord). You finger each note and pick each individual one and beggin to pick up spead until you are able to do this quickly. Once you are able to move your finguring hand quickly you should be able to move to different bar chords. The motion you begin to have with your picking hand is similar to a sweep motion going up and down the strings. It's not a strum but more like a sweep. Now. After you get this down. YOu have to be able to mute each individual string right after you play it by releasing pressure off your fingure to deaden the note. If you don't then each note will bleed together.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Is Rap The New Rock?
N- I see many ways that rap could be considered the next Rock and Roll. I have heard much talk on this comparing. Personally I think rock will never die, but rap is quite popular, in its own way. I see how modern rap is as hedonistic amd indulgent as rock in the 80's. 80's rock was popular and all about being the biggest, big hair, big sound all of that. Rap these days is almost the same, except the tight spandex are very loose jeans or something like that. Bling and getting money all of that good stuff. Sex, drugs and modern rap, eh?
M- In some ways i believe that Rock will always be rock and will never be changed. Rock will always be popular. But, for many years since rock came around it was the leading genra of music for a long time and in my opinion it still is. But, with all the Rap atists and Hip-hop singers out now. I think it is easily possible that Rap/hip-hop could become more popular with it's growth in the music world. I personaly would not like to see this happen because not that the music behind some of their music they produce isn't bad but it's mainly the lyrics that i dislike. Mainly the rap. I don't mind the hip-hop because many of those artists can actually sing. But, I hope that none of the Rap artist get big because personaly i believe that they don't deserve it... Mheh.. Blah.. Roar... yup.. the end.
Roberta Jackson- Ok...whew...here we go: upon hearing and trying desperately to comprehend the question, "is rap the new rock?", I have come to the conclusion that it is purely ignorant. If having to do with popularity, the answer lies in racial biasness. There are certain races that I will not name in order to avoid complication, that will only listen to certain types of music it seems. As far as rap being the next rock, what exactly do you want to know? Are you asking if rap is as popular or even more so than rock? In order to give you a clear answer, I must first recieve a question that is not so vague. There are many components associated with your question. So, are you asking about popularity? Are you asking about which will outlast the other? Or, are you asking if I am going to start seeing posters of Kanye West with a mohawk and tight leather pants? The power is yours. It's morphin' time. Peace. All those who are wanting to know...Matt...Nick...others...not especially Doc....
M- In some ways i believe that Rock will always be rock and will never be changed. Rock will always be popular. But, for many years since rock came around it was the leading genra of music for a long time and in my opinion it still is. But, with all the Rap atists and Hip-hop singers out now. I think it is easily possible that Rap/hip-hop could become more popular with it's growth in the music world. I personaly would not like to see this happen because not that the music behind some of their music they produce isn't bad but it's mainly the lyrics that i dislike. Mainly the rap. I don't mind the hip-hop because many of those artists can actually sing. But, I hope that none of the Rap artist get big because personaly i believe that they don't deserve it... Mheh.. Blah.. Roar... yup.. the end.
Roberta Jackson- Ok...whew...here we go: upon hearing and trying desperately to comprehend the question, "is rap the new rock?", I have come to the conclusion that it is purely ignorant. If having to do with popularity, the answer lies in racial biasness. There are certain races that I will not name in order to avoid complication, that will only listen to certain types of music it seems. As far as rap being the next rock, what exactly do you want to know? Are you asking if rap is as popular or even more so than rock? In order to give you a clear answer, I must first recieve a question that is not so vague. There are many components associated with your question. So, are you asking about popularity? Are you asking about which will outlast the other? Or, are you asking if I am going to start seeing posters of Kanye West with a mohawk and tight leather pants? The power is yours. It's morphin' time. Peace. All those who are wanting to know...Matt...Nick...others...not especially Doc....
Friday, April 11, 2008
We're not webster or merriam...
but we define a cover song as another band replicating a song made by another band or artist, sometimes it will be an attempt at an exact copy, other times the coverers will take the song in a new artistic direction.
EXAMPLES:
Run-D.M.C.'s cover of Aerosmith's Walk This Way
Johnny Cash's reworking of Nine Inch Nails's Hurt
Devo doing The Rolling Stones "I Can't Get No Satisfaction"
I guess Mark Wood covered Hendrix, the Beatles, and many others
EXAMPLES:
Run-D.M.C.'s cover of Aerosmith's Walk This Way
Johnny Cash's reworking of Nine Inch Nails's Hurt
Devo doing The Rolling Stones "I Can't Get No Satisfaction"
I guess Mark Wood covered Hendrix, the Beatles, and many others
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
it's cool man, i'm just barrowing, not stealing.
M.K. Lane - So Apparently covering a song these days is pretty popular. Artists such as Madonna covering American Pie or Britney Spears covering I love Rock'n'Roll can be opinionated into a good or bad thing. I personaly think that it is ok to cover a song live, but i do not think that it is right to put it on a CD, even if credit is givin to the orginal artist. I believe it is their song and they have every right to it and that it should not be used as a filler to create a full length CD. Not to discredit Madonna or any other artist who has covered a song and put it on a CD, I believe they are talented but I do not think that that song belongs on their CD. If you play the song live then it's only a one time thing and giving credit to the orginal composer is needed. I think that playing a song live shows respect to the creater and showing them that they enjoy playing their song and that it is still a hit among the people. But, putting it on a CD can make people think that it was written by artist and not the orginal artists. It can be deceiving. I know for me I was like oh wow that alian ant farm song is cool, ooh yea smooth criminal..thats a good song, then I found out it was a cover by Michael Jackson. And, it just didn't seem as cool to me anymore. Not because it was by Michael Jackson but because i thought that they had written it. But, if i ended up going to an AAF concert and they randomly started to play this song, i bet the crowed would go crazy.
N.D. Rogers- Cover songs... not gonna lie, generally I like them. Not so much a like but at first listen they interest me. I like it when a band does a song completely out of their style for covers the best. As enjoyable as cover songs are, it disappoints me when the cover becomes the bands hit song. That tells me, "as a band we make awful songs, but we can make an enjoyable cover." Cover/Tribute bands are another thing i have a problem respecting. Yes you can play instruments, but you're no better than those guys in Las Vegas who dress up like Elvis. But cover songs do have their secondary benefits, if a popular band covers a lesser know artist work, more people may check out the original. That tends to be a good thing.
Roberta McNershA- About those covers...um...well I generally am just neutral about it. As long as the origional writers are given credit, I think it is ok. I don't have very strong opinions on the topic but, it is totally cool as long as the origional band gets credit. I have covered a few songs myself and it is a good way to find your own sound when you are a musician. It is a great tool.
N.D. Rogers- Cover songs... not gonna lie, generally I like them. Not so much a like but at first listen they interest me. I like it when a band does a song completely out of their style for covers the best. As enjoyable as cover songs are, it disappoints me when the cover becomes the bands hit song. That tells me, "as a band we make awful songs, but we can make an enjoyable cover." Cover/Tribute bands are another thing i have a problem respecting. Yes you can play instruments, but you're no better than those guys in Las Vegas who dress up like Elvis. But cover songs do have their secondary benefits, if a popular band covers a lesser know artist work, more people may check out the original. That tends to be a good thing.
Roberta McNershA- About those covers...um...well I generally am just neutral about it. As long as the origional writers are given credit, I think it is ok. I don't have very strong opinions on the topic but, it is totally cool as long as the origional band gets credit. I have covered a few songs myself and it is a good way to find your own sound when you are a musician. It is a great tool.
Friday, April 4, 2008
An idea that we would like too...
Bring to your attention.
Nicholas "danger" Rogers was curius to know if the class would like to have any questions or comments about we are doing in this cold little nook where we type away.
If we could have the class write down a question on a peice of paper (annonamysly) and then we would look at the questions and pick the best ones that we see and answer them to the best of our ability or see what they have to say about what we are doing.
Nicholas "danger" Rogers was curius to know if the class would like to have any questions or comments about we are doing in this cold little nook where we type away.
If we could have the class write down a question on a peice of paper (annonamysly) and then we would look at the questions and pick the best ones that we see and answer them to the best of our ability or see what they have to say about what we are doing.
Radio is a go go? or a no no?
Enal Ttam- I believe that the Radio industry is only alive still because of howard Stern. Actually, I don't think that. That was a joke. I think it is only alive because of people like Lil Jon' how scream YAH into a microphone. I hate to say this but i think it is going to stay a live in more urban areas due to the lack of ownership of famous artists CD's and Ipods. Urban areas are typically areas who listen to rap and/or R&B which are what most of the main radio stations are. I'm not trying to make a political map of poverty VS. radio. I just think it's an educational guess as to why it is this way. The radio stations of Downtown Kansas City are able to be heard here in the southern suberbs. So basicly, no, i do not think that the radio stations will be going away anytime soon.
Knee-co-lass Dane-jer Raw-jers- I believe that the radio will not go away, as long as it is a a free thing. However I am would assume that it will soon be all satelite. Which may make the radio a "not so free" thing anymore. Which if that does indeed happen could lead to the death of radio, though I believe that it would be a very long and slow death (30 years or more). People will always turn on the radio, if you forget your CD's or your ipod it is an adequete way to beat silence (heavens forbid people in an automobile converse). So I believe that the radio will be around for sometime longer, depending on howpeople want to play business, will depend on how much longer they want it to live.
Roberta- The radio serves many purposes in my own, personal music world...hmmm... I honestly feel like the radio is necessary in today's world, at least for me, that is. I can only stand listening to my ipod for so long, then I MUST turn on the radio to hear what is new in the industry. In my opinion, and in the wonderful land of music, the radio serves as advertisement, as well as the news. It is a great way to find out what is going on around you. If one is consumed by their own music, they will never be able to find out what they do and do not like, within the whole world of music that lay before them. I think that if and when the radio dies down in popularity or becomes less common, those who have abandoned it, will eventually see the true beauty of it and come back from time to time, and those who will have never experienced it in its entirety, will and will grow to appreciate it, as I have. I love the radio...sometimes. ;)
Knee-co-lass Dane-jer Raw-jers- I believe that the radio will not go away, as long as it is a a free thing. However I am would assume that it will soon be all satelite. Which may make the radio a "not so free" thing anymore. Which if that does indeed happen could lead to the death of radio, though I believe that it would be a very long and slow death (30 years or more). People will always turn on the radio, if you forget your CD's or your ipod it is an adequete way to beat silence (heavens forbid people in an automobile converse). So I believe that the radio will be around for sometime longer, depending on howpeople want to play business, will depend on how much longer they want it to live.
Roberta- The radio serves many purposes in my own, personal music world...hmmm... I honestly feel like the radio is necessary in today's world, at least for me, that is. I can only stand listening to my ipod for so long, then I MUST turn on the radio to hear what is new in the industry. In my opinion, and in the wonderful land of music, the radio serves as advertisement, as well as the news. It is a great way to find out what is going on around you. If one is consumed by their own music, they will never be able to find out what they do and do not like, within the whole world of music that lay before them. I think that if and when the radio dies down in popularity or becomes less common, those who have abandoned it, will eventually see the true beauty of it and come back from time to time, and those who will have never experienced it in its entirety, will and will grow to appreciate it, as I have. I love the radio...sometimes. ;)
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Recording recording reboring!!!
enal ttam- The recording buisness is going to the caputts....Basicly It is so easy these days to find many new equipment to record your own music and make it sound so good that the major recording labels are going to go down the can. To me, personally, being a huge fan of the underground music. I see no problem to this because i believe it is up to the band to get their music out there. Not the label, they are just the middle man making the music sound as good as possible on a CD. There are some labels that are needed because there is a skill in being able to mix and edit tracks and all that jazz. But, if you know how to do it yourself, it's so much more benificial to buy the few thousand dollars worth of equipment and do it yourself for much cheaper. Sure, it might take you some more time, but in the long run you will feel like you have accomplished much more and done with more benjamins in your pocket, and not in the recording labels.
Robert McGuffin- I have heard this mentioned before and then as well as now, I believe fully that the statement "The music industry is falling," is completely true. What has lead me to this conclusion is that there is simply no point in even being on a record label. Record labels take most of the money for the music that is sold, leaving the bands who actually create the music close to nothing. Today, bands are able to get famous almost without even playing a show via myspace. Pro-Tools, the industry's number one audio production program is made available to the public for as low as a couple hundred dollars. Pretty much all an artist needs to produce their own music is a computer and a recording program, with a way to upload their music to the internet. There you go. Peace.
nicholust danger rogers- well i ampart of me is somewhat convinced that the record industry is going the way of the dinosaurs, but i'm not sure. I mean, we have itunes, and the friendlyer priced limewire, but at the same time the record industry won't be an easy thing to kill. People, will stick to their traditions, and to what ever is the easyest thing to get so with out manystream record labels being buddy buddy with radio stations and MTV, what will happen? Also if the "industry" is taken out of music, does that mean that the money is gone too? This may make many things more difficult, though with all our internet, telephones, and all that it wouldn't be that difficult to talk with bands from anywhere asking them to do a show or buy one of their albums. So is the music industry/ era of great record companies going to die? Probably, but no time soon.
Close your eyes!!!
Please vote for close youe eyes in the new band showcase at the cornerstone festival in Bushnull Illinois.
They are currently ranked second after slipping from first place over night.
www.cornerstonefestival.com
takes two minutes to register and vote!!!
thanks!
They are currently ranked second after slipping from first place over night.
www.cornerstonefestival.com
takes two minutes to register and vote!!!
thanks!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
ffu/;oivc96 5dc7rfjhykjml7i657t
well in this blog we are just going to do reviews on albums i guess...
yip/jump music by Daniel Johnston: daniel johnstons first 6 albums were done live on a tape recorder, this was one of these albums. he originally lived in west virgina, and was sent to live in texas with his brother. his brothers house didn't have a piano, like his parents house did so he found a way to make an album. this whole album was done on a chord organ, a cheep reed wind keyboard instrument that was more of a toy than a real instrument, it was bought at a dollar store of some sort if the story was correct. The man focus of his music are his lyrics and this album has some of my favorites. "Everything is big in Texas, you know it is, I guess I made a big mistake" are the opening lyrics of the album. Some of my favorite songs are "museum of love", "speeding motorcycle", "don't let the sun go down on your greviences" and "i Remeber painfully" which has some of the best lyrics, and tells an amazing story. Major song themes are lost love, comic book characters (casper the friendly ghost, and captain america are the main two) and just his life experiences. If I must i would compare him to a rougher underground Bob Dylan.
Matt- Stadium Arcadium. One of my favortie albulms by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. This was a two disk album containing twenty-eight tracks, fourteen on each. This cd contains many hits like, Dani California, Snow (hey oh), and she's only 18. They were able to maintain their Funky bass lines and alternative rock guitar in this CD while simotaniusly creating a new more laid back sound. They were also able to be more creative with this CD. They got so creative that they were able to use everything that they had into a much larger CD than they probably would have thought that it would have been.
Robert- Translanticism, an album by Death Cab for Cutie, would have to be my all-time favorite album by them. I really appreciate the experimentation and the seeming sarcasm/irony behind sad lyrics within a happier sounding, major-key. Death Cab does this very well and sensibly on this album. I appreciate the overall laid-back feel to some of the songs on Translanticism.
yip/jump music by Daniel Johnston: daniel johnstons first 6 albums were done live on a tape recorder, this was one of these albums. he originally lived in west virgina, and was sent to live in texas with his brother. his brothers house didn't have a piano, like his parents house did so he found a way to make an album. this whole album was done on a chord organ, a cheep reed wind keyboard instrument that was more of a toy than a real instrument, it was bought at a dollar store of some sort if the story was correct. The man focus of his music are his lyrics and this album has some of my favorites. "Everything is big in Texas, you know it is, I guess I made a big mistake" are the opening lyrics of the album. Some of my favorite songs are "museum of love", "speeding motorcycle", "don't let the sun go down on your greviences" and "i Remeber painfully" which has some of the best lyrics, and tells an amazing story. Major song themes are lost love, comic book characters (casper the friendly ghost, and captain america are the main two) and just his life experiences. If I must i would compare him to a rougher underground Bob Dylan.
Matt- Stadium Arcadium. One of my favortie albulms by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. This was a two disk album containing twenty-eight tracks, fourteen on each. This cd contains many hits like, Dani California, Snow (hey oh), and she's only 18. They were able to maintain their Funky bass lines and alternative rock guitar in this CD while simotaniusly creating a new more laid back sound. They were also able to be more creative with this CD. They got so creative that they were able to use everything that they had into a much larger CD than they probably would have thought that it would have been.
Robert- Translanticism, an album by Death Cab for Cutie, would have to be my all-time favorite album by them. I really appreciate the experimentation and the seeming sarcasm/irony behind sad lyrics within a happier sounding, major-key. Death Cab does this very well and sensibly on this album. I appreciate the overall laid-back feel to some of the songs on Translanticism.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Answers to the qu-est-ion-ez....
Robert- Hello... Doctor.... awh yes. As far as the recording programs, well...we ripped Cakewalk for free but it usually costs. Audacity is free. Garage band comes free with any modern Apple computer, and Pro Tools is expensive but worth it.
Nick- well pro-tools is quite spiffy, thats all i can say about that. if you want an affordable guitar, get a squire pack, it comes with a practice amp and all of that good stuff. or an epiphone pack which is about the same, just different styles of guitar, pretty much.
Matt- Well, If he is just going to start out then i would recoment don't getting any kind of pedals at all to begin with. If we wants an amp to be able to use different effects like mine, then he could get the spider three line 6 amp thats only 15watts with 1 10" speaker in it. It's small and does the same thing mine does, mine just is bigger with more power. This amp will run you about 100 to 150 depending on where you go and if your able to talk them down a bit.
Now, for guitars. You could do as nick suggested and get one of the starter packs. I would recomend the squire pack because if you wanted to upgrade your guitar later but do not have the funds to do so, you can switch out the pick-ups out and get new better ones for cheaper and it will make the guitar sound much different and better. Those packs can run you from 200-350 dollars. But, if you wanted to just get a guitar and an amp then i would suggest Ibanez guitars. They are very good quality for a good price. The only problem with Ibanez is that many of them have a Floyd Rose on them or have a lockable nut at the top of the neck, making it hard to tune. The other options i would suggest is Schecter guitar. They can range from 250 to 2000 dollars. It all depends on what you want in a guitar.
Find out what kind of music he wants to play also;
Metal:
LTD/ESP
Schecter
Les Paul Epiphone
Ibanez
Classic Rock:
Telecasters(fender)
Strats (fender)
Gibson
Rock:
Almost any kind, depends more on style and what kind of amp your using for the situation.
If you want more of a classic rock sound for amps
THen go with a tube amp, they generally are much more expensive since most amps these days are digital or electronically enhanced.
Nick- well pro-tools is quite spiffy, thats all i can say about that. if you want an affordable guitar, get a squire pack, it comes with a practice amp and all of that good stuff. or an epiphone pack which is about the same, just different styles of guitar, pretty much.
Matt- Well, If he is just going to start out then i would recoment don't getting any kind of pedals at all to begin with. If we wants an amp to be able to use different effects like mine, then he could get the spider three line 6 amp thats only 15watts with 1 10" speaker in it. It's small and does the same thing mine does, mine just is bigger with more power. This amp will run you about 100 to 150 depending on where you go and if your able to talk them down a bit.
Now, for guitars. You could do as nick suggested and get one of the starter packs. I would recomend the squire pack because if you wanted to upgrade your guitar later but do not have the funds to do so, you can switch out the pick-ups out and get new better ones for cheaper and it will make the guitar sound much different and better. Those packs can run you from 200-350 dollars. But, if you wanted to just get a guitar and an amp then i would suggest Ibanez guitars. They are very good quality for a good price. The only problem with Ibanez is that many of them have a Floyd Rose on them or have a lockable nut at the top of the neck, making it hard to tune. The other options i would suggest is Schecter guitar. They can range from 250 to 2000 dollars. It all depends on what you want in a guitar.
Find out what kind of music he wants to play also;
Metal:
LTD/ESP
Schecter
Les Paul Epiphone
Ibanez
Classic Rock:
Telecasters(fender)
Strats (fender)
Gibson
Rock:
Almost any kind, depends more on style and what kind of amp your using for the situation.
If you want more of a classic rock sound for amps
THen go with a tube amp, they generally are much more expensive since most amps these days are digital or electronically enhanced.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Garage Band woot
Matt- So basicly. The music that has inspired me most recently have been the same bands that i have previusly talked about in my most recent blogs. So, I plan on telling you my view on Garage Band and the basic things that are cappable with it.
So, Last night at about nine at night i got bored and decided to try seeing what i could create in garage band. After an hour or so of watching video's on youtube on how to use garage band i was creating music in no time. I was able to create basic drum beats and piano progressiosn. I decided i would base the whole composition off of four power chords of D,C, F, and G (played in that respective order). I used a combination of drums, basic piano, synth chords, distorded guitar, two different bass lines, and a random weird drum sound that i could not tell you what it is, but either way it sounds awesome. After five hours of playing around with it i was able to create a song that was a full minute and forty-five second longs. Nothing special. Nothing amazing. But, i thought it was fun to create after five hours of toying around with this program. After I have more experiance using this program i will hopefully have more creative and meaningful songs. As for now, I just plan on doing this in my free time and to play around with.
I really enjoyed using this because i did not have a key board infront of me so i got my guitar out and translated my guitar into piano language and figuring out the distances between notes in the power chords and finding what notes were in each chord. It was also a fun experiance because i learned much more about my guitar by having to translate the notes from guitar to piano.
The other thing that i enjoy about this is that i can also record real instruments like vocals, guitar, drums, or any other kind of instrument. But, for now i am going to stick to doing it all electronically since i do not have the equipment to do that.
So, Last night at about nine at night i got bored and decided to try seeing what i could create in garage band. After an hour or so of watching video's on youtube on how to use garage band i was creating music in no time. I was able to create basic drum beats and piano progressiosn. I decided i would base the whole composition off of four power chords of D,C, F, and G (played in that respective order). I used a combination of drums, basic piano, synth chords, distorded guitar, two different bass lines, and a random weird drum sound that i could not tell you what it is, but either way it sounds awesome. After five hours of playing around with it i was able to create a song that was a full minute and forty-five second longs. Nothing special. Nothing amazing. But, i thought it was fun to create after five hours of toying around with this program. After I have more experiance using this program i will hopefully have more creative and meaningful songs. As for now, I just plan on doing this in my free time and to play around with.
I really enjoyed using this because i did not have a key board infront of me so i got my guitar out and translated my guitar into piano language and figuring out the distances between notes in the power chords and finding what notes were in each chord. It was also a fun experiance because i learned much more about my guitar by having to translate the notes from guitar to piano.
The other thing that i enjoy about this is that i can also record real instruments like vocals, guitar, drums, or any other kind of instrument. But, for now i am going to stick to doing it all electronically since i do not have the equipment to do that.
Artists Who are most inspiring at the moment...
Robert: The artist whom I find to be most inspiring as of today, would have to be none other than Ben Gibbard. Gibbard is the lead vocalist/guitarist of the band Death Cab for Cutie. He is also associated with such acts as: The Postal Service, All Time Quarterback and his own solo project. The reason that I find Ben most inspiring is that his lyrics in every one of his songs are so deep and meaningful. Every song that he takes part in, not only sounds great, but his words and how they are sang litterally send chills up and down my entire body. Ben Gibbard is a very intellegent man, based on the way he writes. There is a song on the "Plans" album, by Death Cab for Cutie that is about eight full minutes long and for about the final three minutes, Ben repeats the phrase, "I need you so much closer." He does this in a sort of way that makes it sound better and better each time. I am in a place of woa everytime I hear the song. Another lyrical phrase that really means alot to me is in a Death Cab song called: "Tiny Vessels," where Ben sings, "The tiny vessels move into your neck and form to bruises that you said you didn't want to fade...but they did and so did I that day." The man makes an immoral time, leading to a depressed leave, while refering to a hicky, seem so beautiful, sad and poetic. I am very impressed as not only a fan of his music, but also as a fellow musician. Ben Gibbard is where I draw most of my inspiration lyrically and emotionally. He is one of my heros....aw yeah.
Nick: Well currently I am finding many different artists very inspriational. There styles are quite different, but here goes. The first I think would have to be a fella by the name of Daniel Johnston, he is fairly minimalistic, and not ocnvensionally talented. But he has a deep sincerity, in his songs which really makes them so amazing. His first 11 albums were him recording into a boom box, and would give the tapes to his friends and girls that he thought were cute. Ben Gibbard claims Daniel as an inspiration and has covered one of his songs. Another band that that I have been inspired by recently is the Beach Boys, they are just really amazing, and i don't really try to sound like them but i practice vocals to their stuff so I suppose I am. Grampall Jookabox inspires me, I really like the tribal sounding drums with his guitar and folk sounding songs.
Nick: Well currently I am finding many different artists very inspriational. There styles are quite different, but here goes. The first I think would have to be a fella by the name of Daniel Johnston, he is fairly minimalistic, and not ocnvensionally talented. But he has a deep sincerity, in his songs which really makes them so amazing. His first 11 albums were him recording into a boom box, and would give the tapes to his friends and girls that he thought were cute. Ben Gibbard claims Daniel as an inspiration and has covered one of his songs. Another band that that I have been inspired by recently is the Beach Boys, they are just really amazing, and i don't really try to sound like them but i practice vocals to their stuff so I suppose I am. Grampall Jookabox inspires me, I really like the tribal sounding drums with his guitar and folk sounding songs.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Gear Preferances:
niffugcm otrebor mailliw: This blog is simply a discussion on what equipment we prefer to use, as musicians, and why exactly that is. I personally only play acoustic music, currently. Actually, my tunes only consist of my voice and my acoustic guitar. I play an Ibanez Talman. The Talman itself is not quite as large as your average acoustic guitar, per say. The feel of the Talman is almost a more "personal" feel. She sits close to the body and when playing, in my opinion I feel like the guitar is mine and I am fully in control. This is almost comparable to the feel of an electric guitar, one may say. That is all as far as my live instuments. As far as recording, I have used five different programs. I have experience in Sonar, Cakewalk, Audacity, Grage Band and Pro Tools. As far as the overall best program, I would have to say Pro
Tools would be my personal choice. The majority of Professional Audio Production today, in the music industry, is done on Pro Tools. When recording, above all else, my experiences with the Sure microphones have been most memorable. Sure microphones are considered the all-around best by most people when using anywhere from condensor to vocal microphones. Sure is the way to go as far as brands; not to mention, from what I have learned, Sure also puts forth a great live sound as opposed to any other microphone. So, to make this short, I guess you could call me a "Sure-Ibanez Talman-Pro Tools-Acoustic-Type-of-guy." P.s. For the record, I would be down with using a somewhat more expensive guitar, possibly like a Martin but I am a broke white boy, so...what I have works for now. Peace.
Sregor Kcin- When it comes to gear I am a fairly easy person to entertain, I prefer nice things but I don't mind saying "what ever works." When in come to electric guitars I am currently liking Univox Guitars, which was a company in the 60's and 70's I believe they were cheaply made and sold guitars, but the one i have is quite nice. It is light and has a great tone, like Chuck Berry sounding tones when clean. When it comes to bass guitars, I prefer Acoustic ones, they have a very raw and punchy tone and I just like them better than electrics. Plus they are very large making great contrast and some challenge for a short fella like me to play. I have a cheap Dean Acoustic Bass. When it comes to keyboards anything works as long as it has some synth and pipe organ tones. I have recorded on Audacity, which is somewhat minimalistic, but is is workable, with some effort. Cakewalk is a nice little program, which is fairly easy, and pretty nice for all you can do with it. Also tascam makes a nice 4-track recorder, if you are into that. And I use a sony tape recorder some times for basic recording, i like lo-fi sounds a lot. I no nothing about Microphones but they are helpful tools. Guitars that look nice and play well are great. I have a Johm Lennon Epiphone, feels just like the gibson but is cheaper. OH YES.
Enal elyk wehttam: So my personal opinion on most gear that anyone might use is that it is all "prefferance". I hate going online and seeing reviews about products that do the same thing as the other products but are used differently or have a different feel to the ear or the physical touch. My personal set up at my house is: Line 6 spider II 60 watt 1x12 speaker, Schecter Damian 6 diamond series. I also have a veriaty of pedals and tuners as well. For starters i prefer my amp of most because of the presets that i can choose from. it contains a tuner and contains a mix of different distortion levels and six different effects. If we would like we can also create our own settings and save them on up to four different channels. The only downfall that i have with my amp is that it doesn't not have an output, meaning i could not connect it with other speakers or cabs. I Love my Schecter guitar because of the neck. The neck is very smooth and the neck contains bat inlays as fret markers. I also like the Pick up's it has. They are EMG-Z, they are not the best type of EMG but they are still one of the best in the buisness compaired to many others. The only thing i currently do not like about my guitar is that the output is lose and needs to be retightened every few times i begin to play.
Now, for my pedals. I have a Boss Chromatic tuner showing me all the notes allowing me to tune to anything i wish, when most tuners only show the orginial six standerd notes for standerd tuning. I also have a Line 6 pod giving me the same effects plus 300 presets that i can use. This is not neccessarity a "pedal" but it is used like one, with combination with a footswitch at the end of the chain of pedals setting the channels with the different effects. Now, you are probably wondering what the point of having this is when i ahve all the effects on my AMP as well. That is because i also have a 4x12 marshall Cab with a Fender FM 100 Head which is my other amp which is much louder and much better, but it does not contain any effects except reverb and gain/distortion.
Tools would be my personal choice. The majority of Professional Audio Production today, in the music industry, is done on Pro Tools. When recording, above all else, my experiences with the Sure microphones have been most memorable. Sure microphones are considered the all-around best by most people when using anywhere from condensor to vocal microphones. Sure is the way to go as far as brands; not to mention, from what I have learned, Sure also puts forth a great live sound as opposed to any other microphone. So, to make this short, I guess you could call me a "Sure-Ibanez Talman-Pro Tools-Acoustic-Type-of-guy." P.s. For the record, I would be down with using a somewhat more expensive guitar, possibly like a Martin but I am a broke white boy, so...what I have works for now. Peace.
Sregor Kcin- When it comes to gear I am a fairly easy person to entertain, I prefer nice things but I don't mind saying "what ever works." When in come to electric guitars I am currently liking Univox Guitars, which was a company in the 60's and 70's I believe they were cheaply made and sold guitars, but the one i have is quite nice. It is light and has a great tone, like Chuck Berry sounding tones when clean. When it comes to bass guitars, I prefer Acoustic ones, they have a very raw and punchy tone and I just like them better than electrics. Plus they are very large making great contrast and some challenge for a short fella like me to play. I have a cheap Dean Acoustic Bass. When it comes to keyboards anything works as long as it has some synth and pipe organ tones. I have recorded on Audacity, which is somewhat minimalistic, but is is workable, with some effort. Cakewalk is a nice little program, which is fairly easy, and pretty nice for all you can do with it. Also tascam makes a nice 4-track recorder, if you are into that. And I use a sony tape recorder some times for basic recording, i like lo-fi sounds a lot. I no nothing about Microphones but they are helpful tools. Guitars that look nice and play well are great. I have a Johm Lennon Epiphone, feels just like the gibson but is cheaper. OH YES.
Enal elyk wehttam: So my personal opinion on most gear that anyone might use is that it is all "prefferance". I hate going online and seeing reviews about products that do the same thing as the other products but are used differently or have a different feel to the ear or the physical touch. My personal set up at my house is: Line 6 spider II 60 watt 1x12 speaker, Schecter Damian 6 diamond series. I also have a veriaty of pedals and tuners as well. For starters i prefer my amp of most because of the presets that i can choose from. it contains a tuner and contains a mix of different distortion levels and six different effects. If we would like we can also create our own settings and save them on up to four different channels. The only downfall that i have with my amp is that it doesn't not have an output, meaning i could not connect it with other speakers or cabs. I Love my Schecter guitar because of the neck. The neck is very smooth and the neck contains bat inlays as fret markers. I also like the Pick up's it has. They are EMG-Z, they are not the best type of EMG but they are still one of the best in the buisness compaired to many others. The only thing i currently do not like about my guitar is that the output is lose and needs to be retightened every few times i begin to play.
Now, for my pedals. I have a Boss Chromatic tuner showing me all the notes allowing me to tune to anything i wish, when most tuners only show the orginial six standerd notes for standerd tuning. I also have a Line 6 pod giving me the same effects plus 300 presets that i can use. This is not neccessarity a "pedal" but it is used like one, with combination with a footswitch at the end of the chain of pedals setting the channels with the different effects. Now, you are probably wondering what the point of having this is when i ahve all the effects on my AMP as well. That is because i also have a 4x12 marshall Cab with a Fender FM 100 Head which is my other amp which is much louder and much better, but it does not contain any effects except reverb and gain/distortion.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Bands we love to hate... ;) aw yeah preppy.
WILLIAM "DR. LOVE" MCGUFFIN: Oh yes...there are many bands that I can not stand for whatever reason. The band that I absolutely LOVE to HATE: "I am the Shump." This band absolutely sucks. There is no doubt in my mind that it is the worst attempt at making serious music that I have ever heard. Mike Shump is the least talented musician that considers himself to be an actual musician. He believes himself to be "the best preppy! Awh yeah!" Shump is famous only for being so terrible. This is nothing short of the truth. The funny thing is...he has no idea. In a way, I am simpathetic but there is a part of me that just says, "this kid is either a lunatic or is in denial." Either way, "I am the Shump; The Shump Experience; Take a Shump"...whatever man. He sucks.
NICHOLAS DANGER "BLACKBEAR" ROGERS: Um... hello, well, i have found many bands to dislike, in fact they are all on one record label. Fueled by Ramen, they deserve no respect from anyone. When all the bands sound alike, which is an uncreative just add water and stir, pop-rock band, then why would this be appealing to anyone. Terrible... so terrible, whiny vocals, power chords with simple picking over top of them, and a basic 4/4 for every song, geez so terrible. Panic at zee disco... what can i say about them... um... vest are cool, and i suppose eyeliner is as well, but that is no reason to start a band. Fall out boy/ cute is what we attempted/ an acadamy is, cute is what we aim for is a band that is naturally untalented, i swear this band makes the shump project sound like the beatles, they were booed off stage at the warped tour, geez. Fallout boy is just repeative, and sounds like every other band in that genre. One band breaks out of this barrier, Paramore. They have a girl singer! Besides this they are the exact same as everyone else. with the doo doo dood oo doo doo dood and they. such a terrible group of bands that my frusteration cannot even be put on to a blog.
MATTHEW "MKLane" LANE: The band that i hate the most is not a band, it is more of a new aged rap that I dislike. I'm not going to lie, there are some older rappers who were good and expressed real life issues and problems with life through poety and ryhms. The thing that irritates me most is the "yeahs!" and the "Okays!" Like, what is that? Anyone can scream ok and yeah into a microphone...But, they are they making millions of dollars off of repeating them selves over and over again. The other thing that irritates me is the fact that they all always have to state their names somewhere in the song. At the beginning of a song they will be like..."LIL JON, "OKAY", LIL BIG BOI "YEAH". In comparison to the older rap scene, they do not show any kind of poetic or musical talent. Many of the old school rappers would sing with their music as well in the chorus and rap the verses. The next thing that i dislike is that all the new music sounds the same. There are eight different songs that could have almost the same beat but have a note or two different. The other thing that i dislike is that they always have to have an "artist" featured on their songs. If you go to a record store and look at a newer rappers CD on the back. It will list the songs and have "featuring: XXXXXXX." on more than half of them. Can they not make a full albulm by themselves? Whats the deal?
NICHOLAS DANGER "BLACKBEAR" ROGERS: Um... hello, well, i have found many bands to dislike, in fact they are all on one record label. Fueled by Ramen, they deserve no respect from anyone. When all the bands sound alike, which is an uncreative just add water and stir, pop-rock band, then why would this be appealing to anyone. Terrible... so terrible, whiny vocals, power chords with simple picking over top of them, and a basic 4/4 for every song, geez so terrible. Panic at zee disco... what can i say about them... um... vest are cool, and i suppose eyeliner is as well, but that is no reason to start a band. Fall out boy/ cute is what we attempted/ an acadamy is, cute is what we aim for is a band that is naturally untalented, i swear this band makes the shump project sound like the beatles, they were booed off stage at the warped tour, geez. Fallout boy is just repeative, and sounds like every other band in that genre. One band breaks out of this barrier, Paramore. They have a girl singer! Besides this they are the exact same as everyone else. with the doo doo dood oo doo doo dood and they. such a terrible group of bands that my frusteration cannot even be put on to a blog.
MATTHEW "MKLane" LANE: The band that i hate the most is not a band, it is more of a new aged rap that I dislike. I'm not going to lie, there are some older rappers who were good and expressed real life issues and problems with life through poety and ryhms. The thing that irritates me most is the "yeahs!" and the "Okays!" Like, what is that? Anyone can scream ok and yeah into a microphone...But, they are they making millions of dollars off of repeating them selves over and over again. The other thing that irritates me is the fact that they all always have to state their names somewhere in the song. At the beginning of a song they will be like..."LIL JON, "OKAY", LIL BIG BOI "YEAH". In comparison to the older rap scene, they do not show any kind of poetic or musical talent. Many of the old school rappers would sing with their music as well in the chorus and rap the verses. The next thing that i dislike is that all the new music sounds the same. There are eight different songs that could have almost the same beat but have a note or two different. The other thing that i dislike is that they always have to have an "artist" featured on their songs. If you go to a record store and look at a newer rappers CD on the back. It will list the songs and have "featuring: XXXXXXX." on more than half of them. Can they not make a full albulm by themselves? Whats the deal?
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Art of Arranging Vocals
Robert- The art of arranging vocals can vary much. There are many technical, and many not so technical or "ghetto" ways of aranging vocals or vocal harmonies. The technical ways are what a choir director would use. The "ghetto" ways are usually used by bands that are not very experienced with the understanding of how harmonies work. The technical way consists of singing on pitch and on key with each other. The "ghetto" arrangements consist mainly for emphasis in harder rock or hardcore music. The harmony is really less a harmony and more a "yell" or a "scream." In my opinion, the technical way is much prettier and alot less annoying. It is very impressive sounding as well; not to mention, it is natural and easier on the good old vocal chords!
Matt- Arranging vocals can be very interesting for the type of hardcore metal music i listen too. They mainly use a different arey of pitchs and highs and lows in their screams. One guitarist could sing while the main vocals does a "scream" over it. But, the main vocals for a real choir would contain the (S_A_T_B) or, the sapranos, altos, tenors, and basses singing their won respective parts.
Nick- arranging vocals can be useful for any type of music, from musical numbers in films, to hard rock styles as Matt has mentioned above. I find it amazing how vocal arrangements can vary so much. Sometimes they sound better while words are being sung and other time just oooh's and ahhhh's work. There are so many different ways they can be done, it amazes me and i have nothing else to say.
Matt- Arranging vocals can be very interesting for the type of hardcore metal music i listen too. They mainly use a different arey of pitchs and highs and lows in their screams. One guitarist could sing while the main vocals does a "scream" over it. But, the main vocals for a real choir would contain the (S_A_T_B) or, the sapranos, altos, tenors, and basses singing their won respective parts.
Nick- arranging vocals can be useful for any type of music, from musical numbers in films, to hard rock styles as Matt has mentioned above. I find it amazing how vocal arrangements can vary so much. Sometimes they sound better while words are being sung and other time just oooh's and ahhhh's work. There are so many different ways they can be done, it amazes me and i have nothing else to say.
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