The title of this blog is taken from a lyric from a song i wrote a few years back in technical schooling for my career, and it still rings true in my mind and heart:
I have a question. When? WHEN was the exact moment when we gave up on wanting to be what we wanted to be?
Was it the lie that we have to work as a bean-counter or paper-filer forever - until we either saved up enough money to never have to work again or died?
This isn't a blog about money or financial IQ but if you're interested in taking care of that part of your life, visit and fully digest this:
http://www.richdad.com/RichDad/RichContent.aspx?cpid=5
Ultimate, by taking care of the money matters in your life, whether you're 14 or you were born in 1914, it will help you to pursue whatever your heart desires. it sounds like something out of Alladin but it's cliche for a reason - what's true, is true - IS TRUE.
The minute you set a structured path (usually in your mind before anywhere else. then write it in your musical journals, FINALLY tell as many people as you can about it), the sooner your financial freedom can help you to buy that dream guitar or jam with your favorite guitar hero.
To those that might be saying, "yeah right Troy, like i'm gonna come across an opportunity to play acoustic guitar with Jewel, Santana, The Killers or Pat Metheny" well, what's really stopping you? the only thing that i see is a little bit lacking imagination towards the possibilities and maybe a low push for personal and professional networking. I'm sure Jewel's Mother's neiece knows Jewel, VERY WELL. And i'll rest that point a bit. heheh. ;)
The main, "Take It To The Bank" point is that things are possible. Just like it's possible to take however many notes are humanly possible for the ear to hear, and then taking silence and creating a beautiful hard hitting masterpiece that a radiostation is begging you to allow them to have some airplay!!!
LOVE YOU GUYS and KEEP on KEEPIN' on!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Video Lessons
Check out my Youtube account for mini teaser lessons! Subscribe to my channel and check back often...I put up new stuff all the time! If you have any questions about what I teach, feel free to email me - troyinlasvegas@gmail.com!!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Guitars = Money + fact + True Story
QUESTION: if money wasn't an issue, what guitar would you buy?
ME: a Rainsong Black Ice (then I'd paint it all white!)
You know, money really isn't the issue. i think sometimes, we have to get to a certain point in the love we feel for music and playing our instruments before we can blow a thousand bucks on a piece of wood. Because, ultimately - that's what it comes down to until the perceived value of that guitar goes up.
AKA, you've gotta make it past the learning curve on any instrument to get to a place where you can save for anything over $300.00!
Also, you've got to see the magic and blessings associated with your cultivated gift to understand the value that the guitar will be at - when it blesses other's lives. Especially your family and friends.
How amazing would it be to play at a party that one of your friends is having, get 2 hours worth of cover songs, gently insert some original songs of yours in each setlist, and finally - to express yourself in the way you perform them?
OBVIOUSLY you've thought about how cool it would be to play one of your favorite songs, but did you know that about 7/10 times, someone else has already done the hardest part of the song-covering process?
go to www.ultimate-guitar.com & search for your top TEN absolute favorite songs, then email me here for more help on making those songs, pages in your cover song binder!!!: troyinlasvegas@gmail.com
ME: a Rainsong Black Ice (then I'd paint it all white!)
You know, money really isn't the issue. i think sometimes, we have to get to a certain point in the love we feel for music and playing our instruments before we can blow a thousand bucks on a piece of wood. Because, ultimately - that's what it comes down to until the perceived value of that guitar goes up.
AKA, you've gotta make it past the learning curve on any instrument to get to a place where you can save for anything over $300.00!
Also, you've got to see the magic and blessings associated with your cultivated gift to understand the value that the guitar will be at - when it blesses other's lives. Especially your family and friends.
How amazing would it be to play at a party that one of your friends is having, get 2 hours worth of cover songs, gently insert some original songs of yours in each setlist, and finally - to express yourself in the way you perform them?
OBVIOUSLY you've thought about how cool it would be to play one of your favorite songs, but did you know that about 7/10 times, someone else has already done the hardest part of the song-covering process?
go to www.ultimate-guitar.com & search for your top TEN absolute favorite songs, then email me here for more help on making those songs, pages in your cover song binder!!!: troyinlasvegas@gmail.com
Sunday, April 18, 2010
To Collaborate or NOT to collaborate...that's a Darn Good Question
One fact that is immensely true is that, YOU are the only person who can translate the music inside your head, to a CD through writing it out, TAB-ing it, or scribbling down the chord diagrams.
It's up to you! Nobody can act on behalf of your musical voice and presence. You are you.
These affirmational statistics about the real creating power you hold are innately a part of you as a human-being. Even if you don't play an instrument yet - there is music living inside of you.
Ultimately, I know this because of my personal and positive musical attributes: healthy Beliefs, strong moral Values, personal Identity and personally created Reality have been helped by one book in particular, "Zen Guitar" by Philip Toshio Sudo. Check his book out and have fun with the lessons because it's one of those lifetime books! Inside it covers the reasoning behind the authors purpose for writing it. Philip says, "In the Zen Guitar Dojo, we're not so much concerned with the how of guitar-playing as we are the why". So this is the key focus for your efforts as a new guitarist. A popular Zen phrase says, from one principle learned, you'll be able to learn a thousand. That's the same with guitar; as you get better at guitar, you'll be learning how to sing as an accompaniment.
Check out my link to the left on discovering the "why" of guitar-playing. In my opinion, it's a really fun and interesting read that every guitarist should experience. To me, books really engage YOUR specific brain. There aren't any "cliff notes" for the gifts you'll receive by "taking your brain by the hand" and helping it "try on" these ideas and ways of thinking about guitar playing & music writing.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, VISIT: www.zenguitar.com
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Buying Used Guitars
Alright! You've decided to buy a used guitar. Sweet.
There are a lot of used guitars out there in Las Vegas & even if you're not from Nevada, there are usually at least a dozen guitars in each pawn shop in your city. For the most part, these guitars aren't in the best condition & the prices are somewhat marked up. Yep, pawn shops are trying to make their money too! They're almost as sneaky as a used car salesperson.
So! If you're looking for something to help you get past the "learning curve", take a friend that definitely knows how to pick out a quality guitar - that way you don't end up with a totally crappy hunk of wood. It might "look" good (i.e. the paint job or design) but it's what's inside and how well it's been maintained over the years/since it was first made that counts.
Usually, the strings on these used pawn shop guitars are beyond dead - meaning...you can't even tune the strings to see if the guitar itself is worth the money they're asking. So it's a really tough battle to find a "keeper". The old saying that, "it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack..." - i can somewhat be applied here.
Your best option would be to buy from a small or large music store. One that has consignments or "used gear". If they don't have it advertised, try getting to know the owners or the people who make the calls & decisions like that. It's vital to form a good solid relationship with musicians in your community. that's how "success" is "found". From here, you can let them know what you're looking for so they can keep an eye out for your new, errr....used guitar. heheh. ;)
Ultimately, it comes down to caring. If you care about the people you interact with, genuinely want them to success as much or more than you - it can only help you in the world of music. Whether you want to just learn cover songs for yourself & family - or, you want to get "Oprah Rich", no one has ever gotten anywhere of worth by cutting corners. There has to be value in whatever you're doing or buying. And if it's not worth it, it's just NOT worth it. Trust me.
About 2 weeks ago i found Washburn acoustic guitar at the Summerlin Guitar Center. It was marked $99, no joke. I put it on layaway & was puzzled why it was so inexpensive. Well, after getting it home & getting new D' Addarrio strings put on it, i found out that the bolt on the 4th string's tuning peg was stripped and wouldn't tighten against the headstock of the guitar. Also, the holes on the bridge looked like they had been super-glued to keep the string pegs from slipping out. CRAZY.
So you see, even what seemed like a great used gear deal - was in fact, not as great of a "score" as i had thought. I'll probably have to invest in some new tuning keys/machineheads for the acoustic but i really like the tone of the guitar & it has a "root beer" color to it! All in all, not to bad of a find. It's just really easy to get stuck with a crappy guitar. The better route would be to save up for at least a $3-600 acoustic electric guitar or try a fully electric guitar for around $125-200.
The main point that has to be understood is that - buying a guitar, is an investment. It's kind of like buying a Harley Davidson motorcycle - they only APPRECIATE in value over the years. And when it comes down to it, when you meet the right guitar for you... YOU'LL KNOW IT.
There are a lot of used guitars out there in Las Vegas & even if you're not from Nevada, there are usually at least a dozen guitars in each pawn shop in your city. For the most part, these guitars aren't in the best condition & the prices are somewhat marked up. Yep, pawn shops are trying to make their money too! They're almost as sneaky as a used car salesperson.
So! If you're looking for something to help you get past the "learning curve", take a friend that definitely knows how to pick out a quality guitar - that way you don't end up with a totally crappy hunk of wood. It might "look" good (i.e. the paint job or design) but it's what's inside and how well it's been maintained over the years/since it was first made that counts.
Usually, the strings on these used pawn shop guitars are beyond dead - meaning...you can't even tune the strings to see if the guitar itself is worth the money they're asking. So it's a really tough battle to find a "keeper". The old saying that, "it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack..." - i can somewhat be applied here.
Your best option would be to buy from a small or large music store. One that has consignments or "used gear". If they don't have it advertised, try getting to know the owners or the people who make the calls & decisions like that. It's vital to form a good solid relationship with musicians in your community. that's how "success" is "found". From here, you can let them know what you're looking for so they can keep an eye out for your new, errr....used guitar. heheh. ;)
Ultimately, it comes down to caring. If you care about the people you interact with, genuinely want them to success as much or more than you - it can only help you in the world of music. Whether you want to just learn cover songs for yourself & family - or, you want to get "Oprah Rich", no one has ever gotten anywhere of worth by cutting corners. There has to be value in whatever you're doing or buying. And if it's not worth it, it's just NOT worth it. Trust me.
About 2 weeks ago i found Washburn acoustic guitar at the Summerlin Guitar Center. It was marked $99, no joke. I put it on layaway & was puzzled why it was so inexpensive. Well, after getting it home & getting new D' Addarrio strings put on it, i found out that the bolt on the 4th string's tuning peg was stripped and wouldn't tighten against the headstock of the guitar. Also, the holes on the bridge looked like they had been super-glued to keep the string pegs from slipping out. CRAZY.
So you see, even what seemed like a great used gear deal - was in fact, not as great of a "score" as i had thought. I'll probably have to invest in some new tuning keys/machineheads for the acoustic but i really like the tone of the guitar & it has a "root beer" color to it! All in all, not to bad of a find. It's just really easy to get stuck with a crappy guitar. The better route would be to save up for at least a $3-600 acoustic electric guitar or try a fully electric guitar for around $125-200.
The main point that has to be understood is that - buying a guitar, is an investment. It's kind of like buying a Harley Davidson motorcycle - they only APPRECIATE in value over the years. And when it comes down to it, when you meet the right guitar for you... YOU'LL KNOW IT.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Tuning & Ear Training MUSTS
Tuning your guitar as close to pitch as possible can be one of the best things you can do for your guitar. Think of it like this - what you think you sound like as you hear your own voice isn't actually what others are hearing. this is because your laranyx & vocal cords are vibrating so close to your head & ears that you percieve a different frequency or pitch that the note your singing is acutally registering at.
A tuner on the other hand, is never off. 440 Hertz is your A string frequency, and that doubled is 880 Hertz which is that same A note but an octave higher on your sheet music. Pretty sweet huh?
So, to develop your ear training. Practice tuning with your electronic tuner first after putting new strings on, then see how close you can get to match the tones you heard before. This is crutial in the development of your ear training. :)
A tuner on the other hand, is never off. 440 Hertz is your A string frequency, and that doubled is 880 Hertz which is that same A note but an octave higher on your sheet music. Pretty sweet huh?
So, to develop your ear training. Practice tuning with your electronic tuner first after putting new strings on, then see how close you can get to match the tones you heard before. This is crutial in the development of your ear training. :)
Monday, April 5, 2010
Chord Transitioning
Hello!
After enduring a rigorous trial by fire in training with the US Air Force, as of Feb. 11th 2010 - I'm now a Staff Sergeant (E-5). It was definitely a learning experience thru the academic days and long nights staying up reading but i'm glad to have internalized and committed to my life, the tools and knowledge. I know that what i learned will help me be a better supervisor & person. After all, of all the learning we do in this life, it can only serve to help ourselves, our families & others out when they're most in need! IN ESSENCE, THIS IS THE POINT OF PRACTICING WHAT WE KNOW.
Alright, lets get a quick lesson in for you to master now that i'm back on the blogosphere!
Tune your guitar up & start practicing your chords that you know you know. The solid stuff. The ones you don't even have to think about.
Now here's the kicker - the goal with this "quick practice" is to use chords like A, D & G...and run through them starting at around 60 BPMs (beats per minnute) with your eyes closed.
Do this with the "A chord".
Practice looking at the fretboard and visualize the fingers pressing down on exactly the right frets for the "A Chord". Now open your eyes and make the chord. Now reclose your eyes while still keeping the chord shape and its notes fretted.
Now, this is the point where your closed eyes need to "remember" what you just saw after your visualization technique we just did. okay?
Now apply the A chord over and over with this model.
The above, helps you memorize each chord WITHOUT the use of your eyes. It allows your EARS to train themselves properly. And finally your HANDS almost develop a sixth sense.
THINK OF HOW THE BLIND USE BRAILLE!
Focus on "seeing" with your fingertips. Feel the changes as the inside portions of your left hand's fingers change/ travel from one chord to the next.
ALRIGHT! - so in theory, you should be able to fret any earthly chord in existance, then fret another chord - and be able to change freely between the two. So for starters, like i was saying in the beginning of this lesson, you'll be doing this with Chords A,D & G.
A secondary goal after you accomplish this will be to increase your tempo/speed at which you play the Chord changes.
After enduring a rigorous trial by fire in training with the US Air Force, as of Feb. 11th 2010 - I'm now a Staff Sergeant (E-5). It was definitely a learning experience thru the academic days and long nights staying up reading but i'm glad to have internalized and committed to my life, the tools and knowledge. I know that what i learned will help me be a better supervisor & person. After all, of all the learning we do in this life, it can only serve to help ourselves, our families & others out when they're most in need! IN ESSENCE, THIS IS THE POINT OF PRACTICING WHAT WE KNOW.
Alright, lets get a quick lesson in for you to master now that i'm back on the blogosphere!
Tune your guitar up & start practicing your chords that you know you know. The solid stuff. The ones you don't even have to think about.
Now here's the kicker - the goal with this "quick practice" is to use chords like A, D & G...and run through them starting at around 60 BPMs (beats per minnute) with your eyes closed.
Do this with the "A chord".
Practice looking at the fretboard and visualize the fingers pressing down on exactly the right frets for the "A Chord". Now open your eyes and make the chord. Now reclose your eyes while still keeping the chord shape and its notes fretted.
Now, this is the point where your closed eyes need to "remember" what you just saw after your visualization technique we just did. okay?
Now apply the A chord over and over with this model.
The above, helps you memorize each chord WITHOUT the use of your eyes. It allows your EARS to train themselves properly. And finally your HANDS almost develop a sixth sense.
THINK OF HOW THE BLIND USE BRAILLE!
Focus on "seeing" with your fingertips. Feel the changes as the inside portions of your left hand's fingers change/ travel from one chord to the next.
ALRIGHT! - so in theory, you should be able to fret any earthly chord in existance, then fret another chord - and be able to change freely between the two. So for starters, like i was saying in the beginning of this lesson, you'll be doing this with Chords A,D & G.
A secondary goal after you accomplish this will be to increase your tempo/speed at which you play the Chord changes.
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