It is said that "Love finds those who are ready to receive it." With that being said, when you develop those melodies throughout the day inside your head, THAT'S when a song comes to you! And then you promptly part the sea that is your room and throw anything out of your way from you to your guitar and that blessed RED BUTTON that says RECORD. Sorry "stuff", it's just the way it is with us musicians! HA. :o)
Creating something out of nothing (ironically, a name of an album by the band, Modest Mouse) is surprisingly difficult if you think too hard about it. But as you "feel out" the melody and understand that the 1 to 4 single notes you're playing are home to a scale, your goal/vision for the original song becomes clearer.
Also, the corresponding chords that are near to the scale ( and/or the notes you're playing) will be at your command. That the true power of creating music; knowing the essentials about music theory.
Something to think about: you won't know what the finished product will be until you play it back after recording it. Until you complete the writing process. Don't "get married" to your work. Sometimes, it can never feel fully "done" or complete. And other times, we have riffs or lyrics that never see the light of day - they never get put into a finished song. And I'm here to tell you - that's okay. All of that will be logged onto the backburner for later use or maybe not at all - and if you have to throw some lyrics away. Don't worry - there are plenty of words, phrases and idioms within your mind's reach. And if you get writer's block, there's always Ask Jeeves or Google.
A huge reality check for me was that more often than not, all my guitar melodies and riffs sound like choruses. Meaning - I have all these catchy notes bunched up together, where the verse should be. And i do have a song that has the same notes for the chorus and the verse; there are huge hit songs out there like that. but traditionally, you want to tell them what you're going to tell them (your audience) for the verse, then the chorus should be the hook and main idea of the song.
And you really need a chorus - your verses and the listener should be CRAVING it! Besides your intro, it's the first thing everyone hears. And it NEEDS to be solid enough to make the ears tell the brain to tell the hands to not change the radio station or track number.
The lyrics should match up the building elements of the sound you are creating:
And there's this thing on my mind
And I'll surely tell you in time
It has the feeling of almost
And what you now know, isn't a ghost
Obviously, those are merely lyrics to describe the progressing knowledge of the writer to the listener but it's written to give you an example of what you need to be doing.
I'D SAY GOOD LUCK BUT I DON'T BELIEVE IN THAT. YOU AND I, WE CREATE OUR LUCK. :)
-Troy
Monday, November 22, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
AND THE WINNER IS...!
Congratualtions! If you've recieved a flyer about guitar lessons in your neighborhood, and you're here on my website - you've done your due diligence. For those that choose not to learn, it's okay. Don't feel bad for them. Sometimes, when students are ready, teachers will appear.
For all of my students who are studying alongside of me at Nellis Air Force Base, this is also your letter of excellence. You've chosen to better yourself too and I'm honored to be your guitar teacher as well as your music mentor and friend.
For my new friends, i invite you to take the next step and call or leave a message for me on my cell phone 229.834.3853 to talk about your plans for musical greatness. Even if you just know that you love music and you have no clue how to go about learning or playing the guitar.
In life, there are those that focus on "fear" and telling us that our "dreams" aren't worth "it". And then, there are those that build you up and assist you in creating those dreams a reality in your life. Those dreams are as real as the wood from your guitar that you play - even if you don't own it yet...it's out there. CHOOSE YOUR DREAMS, AND THE REST WILL FOLLOW!
For all of my students who are studying alongside of me at Nellis Air Force Base, this is also your letter of excellence. You've chosen to better yourself too and I'm honored to be your guitar teacher as well as your music mentor and friend.
For my new friends, i invite you to take the next step and call or leave a message for me on my cell phone 229.834.3853 to talk about your plans for musical greatness. Even if you just know that you love music and you have no clue how to go about learning or playing the guitar.
In life, there are those that focus on "fear" and telling us that our "dreams" aren't worth "it". And then, there are those that build you up and assist you in creating those dreams a reality in your life. Those dreams are as real as the wood from your guitar that you play - even if you don't own it yet...it's out there. CHOOSE YOUR DREAMS, AND THE REST WILL FOLLOW!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Guitarist Affirmations (BEFORE PRACTICES AND GIGS)!
Mind Over Matter: A Handbook for Musicians to help you overcome Performance Anxiety
THE INTRO: Affirmations are a way to get your brain working. They're expressions of wishes that you want to be realities. They're your own personal "cheerleader" when you have trouble being that on your own. They help formulate exactly what it is you need to become. They are beliefs that will color your personal and professional future. And we need to give time to develop that part of our lives.
THE WHY: When you say these to yourself, keep in mind that they have to be loud enough so you can hear them. And it needs to be loud enough so that your "core self" can hear it; you can say something dozens of times, again and again - but until you actually know and believe your heart, these won't help. You don't have to scream to the point where you "lose your voice", but you DO, have to feel these 100%
THE HOW: They can be said just audible enough for you to hear them or if you're off stage or not up yet, (maybe you're sitting in the audience at an open mic night) others won't think you are crazy for saying these. Really, it's mainly to get that voice in your mind "happy". You alone, are in charge of pepping this leader up. When it comes down to it, YOU are your own hero. Ultimately, that's what the majority of people long for.
DIVING DEEPER: So your inner self-talk will be thee, way to communicate inside your head. As your brain and mind is working - will be what causes you to doubt yourself before, during or after a performance. This is so important that you allow yourself enough time before the gig to prepare you mind.
THE WHERE: And what it really comes down to a lot of times, is showing up to your gig early. You'll gain an advantage over others that aren't so familiar with the exact circumstances and environment. Not that it's dog eat dog, but you don't want to "disqualify" yourself in any way before you even get on stage. Getting there early will be your way to gain peace and calmness. This will help you to network effectively and efficiently with other musicians. Also, this will keep your mind off of that performance anxiety that almost everyone has. And if you don't drink like me, you'll have to face this someway or somehow. Other musicians will be concentrating on trying to get settled at the gig, arriving like a strong wind, breezing through the doorway entrance!
HERE ARE YOUR AFFIRMATIONS:
I learn music effortlessly and easily.
My Cover songs inspire people to connect to the fondest memories from their past.
I can create new songs that no has ever heard but many will once i sing them.
I record soundtracks to people's lives.
I am a confident, competent guitarist.
I love everything about music.
When a new song comes on the radio that i don't care for too much, i listen to it for the hook to "see it through"
People that don't play yet, look up to me.
I must teach those that need music education.
I am a Music Mentor.
I can teach someone a small concept that I've learned on guitar.
My right hand's rhythm and technique are who i am as a guitarist.
They know that I can play dozens of songs perfectly - in my own style.
I love how the guitar helps me to spread love to other people.
===================================
THE INTRO: Affirmations are a way to get your brain working. They're expressions of wishes that you want to be realities. They're your own personal "cheerleader" when you have trouble being that on your own. They help formulate exactly what it is you need to become. They are beliefs that will color your personal and professional future. And we need to give time to develop that part of our lives.
THE WHY: When you say these to yourself, keep in mind that they have to be loud enough so you can hear them. And it needs to be loud enough so that your "core self" can hear it; you can say something dozens of times, again and again - but until you actually know and believe your heart, these won't help. You don't have to scream to the point where you "lose your voice", but you DO, have to feel these 100%
THE HOW: They can be said just audible enough for you to hear them or if you're off stage or not up yet, (maybe you're sitting in the audience at an open mic night) others won't think you are crazy for saying these. Really, it's mainly to get that voice in your mind "happy". You alone, are in charge of pepping this leader up. When it comes down to it, YOU are your own hero. Ultimately, that's what the majority of people long for.
DIVING DEEPER: So your inner self-talk will be thee, way to communicate inside your head. As your brain and mind is working - will be what causes you to doubt yourself before, during or after a performance. This is so important that you allow yourself enough time before the gig to prepare you mind.
THE WHERE: And what it really comes down to a lot of times, is showing up to your gig early. You'll gain an advantage over others that aren't so familiar with the exact circumstances and environment. Not that it's dog eat dog, but you don't want to "disqualify" yourself in any way before you even get on stage. Getting there early will be your way to gain peace and calmness. This will help you to network effectively and efficiently with other musicians. Also, this will keep your mind off of that performance anxiety that almost everyone has. And if you don't drink like me, you'll have to face this someway or somehow. Other musicians will be concentrating on trying to get settled at the gig, arriving like a strong wind, breezing through the doorway entrance!
HERE ARE YOUR AFFIRMATIONS:
I learn music effortlessly and easily.
My Cover songs inspire people to connect to the fondest memories from their past.
I can create new songs that no has ever heard but many will once i sing them.
I record soundtracks to people's lives.
I am a confident, competent guitarist.
I love everything about music.
When a new song comes on the radio that i don't care for too much, i listen to it for the hook to "see it through"
People that don't play yet, look up to me.
I must teach those that need music education.
I am a Music Mentor.
I can teach someone a small concept that I've learned on guitar.
My right hand's rhythm and technique are who i am as a guitarist.
They know that I can play dozens of songs perfectly - in my own style.
I love how the guitar helps me to spread love to other people.
===================================
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Taylor Swift on - MTV - VMA Awards (A NEW SONG?!)
Image via WikipediaWe can all relate to that home town boy or girl artist that has been catapulted into stardom and fame, especially when their songs are so warm and easy to say, "hey i've felt that way too". What great songwriting comes down to is finding that exact point in each additional word that you use, and have the listener fall more and more in love with the "picture" you're painting.
To me, artists that utilize the story-telling sort of writing style have always been "hit material". Look at Johnny Cash or the classic song from Journey, "Don't Stop Believing". Heck, just li=ook at the whole genre of Blues!!! It's busting at the seams with
Listen to the song lyrics from her brand new song she sang LIVE at the MTV Video Music Awards:
"Who you are is not what you did or where you've been.
You'll have new septembers. Lines change like a river.
Today is never too late to be brand new."
HOW AWESOME IS THAT?! I can just hear Taylor answer Billy Joe Armstrong from Green Day. It's really an amazing thing to be able to write off of someone else's hit song. THAT, takes talent and a certain level of genius when it comes to finding the perfect words. When it all is said and done, artists like myself, my students, colleagues and Taylor Swift too - we're all people who communicate with 120% of our hearts. We put it in all that we do. ANd it shows - especially for Taylor this year at the 2010 VMAs! CONGRATS Miss Swift. :o)
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Cutting Your Nails: a Guitarist's Mini-Guide
Image via WikipediaYou'll find that as your nails grow from being cut cleanly and pristinely, they tend to get this overgrown "ROUNDED" look to them. Sometimes they get so long you have to "cut them, before you cut them". Then it's onto the Emory Board or "nail file". The way I've found that best works for me if this happens you'll want to "shape" your nails straight across. From the longest point; basically at the tip or middle of the end of your nail. It should look like a line. You might find yourself in a similar circumstance if you're just starting out or getting used to this semi-frequent clipping schedule for keeping on top of your healthy nails. It's perfectly okay. Even i forget to trim my nails a handful of times per year. But don't get me wrong, you'll notice the difference as soon as you cut them. The reason being, and I'm always asking why about everything music or otherwise, is that to "form" some chord shapes, your nails will bend and weaken, dragging on the fretboard's wood. It's actually healthier for your nails to be properly trimmed than to have extremely long nails. And honestly, that's not really a reality that a male OR a female guitarist has to be worries about. There are plenty of cool, cute, healthy "things" you can "do" to and for your nails to "liven them up" and help them out too!
1) You can set a reminder on your cell phone (every Monday after work/grade school/college classes let out for instance).
2) You can send a quirky "mass text" to some of your other guitarist (or stringed instrument) friends helping them remember also!
3) You can clip your nails in the shower and not have to worry about them hitting you in the face! haha!!! (Serious Note: some high end clippers have a way to not make it so much like a slingshot the moment your nail is clipped).
4) Your nails should be cut no shorter than the thickness of a dime.
5) Your nails should be no longer than the thickness of a nickel.
6) If you fret any note, the tip of your finger should be able to depress the string all the way down without your nail "tapping" the wood portion of the fretboard. (frets are the metal lines going vertical as you hold your guitar).
7) You should be looking towards cutting your nails once every 8-20 days.
8) When you do "bends" starting on a note & go up a tone/note or two, make sure your nails don't get "caught" on the natural wood grain of your fretboard.
9) When preparing your left hand for a "pre-bend", this will take precise quickness; don't take the chance of letting your nails go another day/practice/session.
9) When preparing your left hand for a "pre-bend", this will take precise quickness; don't take the chance of letting your nails go another day/practice/session.
10) Buy 3 or 4 large nail clippers.
11) At the very least, put one in your main guitar case. This should be for emergencies.
12) After you cut your nails, it wouldn't hurt to help your cuticles out by raising them with one of these tools and then using some lotion.
13) Sometimes after gigs lasting around 1-4 hours, I've noticed that the skin above my cuticle, of my index finger on my right hand (long description, sorry)...it's bleeding from strumming so much. Sometimes, I just get into the songs. haha! Honestly, this might be an area where i can improve in; I need to have more delicate control and deliberacy on my downstrokes and strumming patterns.
14) ANOTHER HELPFUL HINT IS: you can use this time before and after cutting your nails to stretch the muscles and everything else going on in those hands of your too!
15) Put your palms together. Now bring them towards your chest. Push them firmly against one another & bring your wrists in front of you. You can even bring the tips of your fingers up under your chin to help them stay put while you do this relaxing exercise. Obviously, you'll feel your elbows bow out on the sides. This is normal. :o)
Well, i know you guys are doing great things and adding more and more songs to your coverbook as the months go by. Make sure you're writing in your Musical Journals. They're the continuity for your inner songwriter and future self. Something so simple as keeping your nails clipped seem trivial and small but in the long run, it will help you to do those little things in life. As always, it's the attention to detail that will get you noticed on the stage, in recitals, on the streets, in coffee houses, and yes even at a stadium gig!
Never pass up the chance to grow your dreams bigger and better. Always write down what you want to achieve and give your mini- goals a "timestamp" and a "finish-by date". It'll help you get to that huge goal that seems so far away. And all in all, ALWAYS TALK TO OTHERS ABOUT YOUR DREAMS. DON'T JUST COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE, CONNECT!!!!!
Ask questions and find what everyone around you has in their hearts from when they were a kid. Dreams never die, they just go dormant. Attention is the most basic form of love. Think of every failure you come across as a sad little thing that just doesn't understand your reality and love. Others that "down your dreams and dedication" usually are just upset that they're not still chasing THEIR beloved dreams. That's all. Just remember that fact. Show them love - and help them get out the shovel & "re-dig" their dreams out of the hole they buried them in long ago. If we're still alive, then we still have time.
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Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Music Choice Cable Channels; What You Don't Know
Image via Wikipedia(I so wanna sing that part in "Money For Nothing" by the Dire Straits - HAHA!)
Being a great DJ for your party can be super easy. Granted, you COULD go with that 67 year old accordionist for 20 bucks an hour for the first 5 hours, but we know how that would end. Well, the party probably wouldn't even get started.
SO! Here's an alternative that works. Turn on your TV and see if you have the "Music Choice" service with your local cable provider. It's usually the channels you normally skip through! :o)
These select channels GIVE you your time back to actually enjoy your own party. Also, you can concentrate on being the host that everyone knows you are. When you have to "juggle" talking to each guest at your party, it helps to ICE BREAK as well about favorite types of music first. Or even what people "DON'T" like...i.e. the newest release by Britney Spears. Honestly, i can't think of the name, so i guess that's a good thing. Usually the radio stations ingrain our already information-overloaded minds with overplayed singles.
Moving onto the performer's reality: in the past, private parties that I've played for have saved by voice by having Music Choice service as a filler for the songs that weren't in my songbook. After the end of each set of songs, I'd take a break - the coversation would thicken and enrich and, some "chill music" would "volume up" in everyone's background.
Another reason why MC is awesome is that guests will ask for requests or different songs by artists/bands playing currently on the MC play-list and you can utilize that to book more gigs and personalized set-lists for the requester. Usually people are pretty agreeable once someone chimes in with a song name the love. It's like lightning around the room. Volumes get louder, smiles stretch beyond happy and laughing commences. It's a cool sight for my eyes - to know that I'm helping people connect and have a good time.
SIGN UP HERE FOR A MUSIC CHOICE ACCOUNT!:
http://www.musicchoice.com/UserRegistrationConsolidation.aspx
Sunday, September 19, 2010
September 11th, 2001 - Custom Guitar Made for a Solder!!!
Originally, I wanted to write a special note today about not giving up, about bouncing back from most coldest, scariest, horrific odds and circumstances. I still might in the future; people are always trying to dismiss each other's dreams as not worth the effort or the time. COMPLETELY FALSE by the way. ;o)
I began searching for an all white Spanish-style acoustic electric guitar to be my main recording guitar and one that I'd do upscale gigs with. Besides my $6-700 Godin guitar, i don't have an electric or acoustic over around 250-325 range.
So, I found an ad for a custom guitar luthier in California. www.leachguitar.com Went to his site, then fell in love with his artistic genius embedded in the woods of his guitars. Many are rare stones and I can only imagine how long this guitar took to complete. I guess i could always, ASK him. HAHA
He also has a guitar that hinges at the neck and the body for a mere $600. This is the first I've ever seen and would be the perfect replacement for the Martin Backpacker guitar. Plus these are all American Made! Awesome!
READ BELOW ABOUT THE EXACT SPECIFICATIONS!!!! AMAZING!
"This guitar was built for my brother who is recently retired from the U.S. Army. When he first asked me to do this guitar it was not that long after 911, I can honestly say the theme originally didn't inspire me very much. Every time I tried to think about the inlays all I could see were the planes crashing into the side of the WTC. My thoughts seemed to be filled with the defeat of the day. Exactly one year after the attacks the local paper ran a special section commemorating Sept. 11, it was then that I realized the theme had to be one of victory and resilience. The challenge for me was to create 3 distinct areas that equally represented the 3 crash sites. One of the things that I noticed while doing the research for this project was the way the Pentagon and Pennsylvania crashes were almost forgotten in the overwhelming coverage of the WTC crashes. I wanted this guitar to be an example of "modern mythology" that told the complete story with equal emphasis. One of the inlays that I ended up doing that seemed out of place for some reason was "Let's Roll"... it just seemed to not fit with more artistic and subtle inlays, I even tried to translated the phrase in Latin to make it a little more artistic sounding, after much input for several internet friends I came to the now obvious conclusion that it needed to be verbatim and dead center on the guitar.
I began searching for an all white Spanish-style acoustic electric guitar to be my main recording guitar and one that I'd do upscale gigs with. Besides my $6-700 Godin guitar, i don't have an electric or acoustic over around 250-325 range.
So, I found an ad for a custom guitar luthier in California. www.leachguitar.com Went to his site, then fell in love with his artistic genius embedded in the woods of his guitars. Many are rare stones and I can only imagine how long this guitar took to complete. I guess i could always, ASK him. HAHA
He also has a guitar that hinges at the neck and the body for a mere $600. This is the first I've ever seen and would be the perfect replacement for the Martin Backpacker guitar. Plus these are all American Made! Awesome!
READ BELOW ABOUT THE EXACT SPECIFICATIONS!!!! AMAZING!
"This guitar was built for my brother who is recently retired from the U.S. Army. When he first asked me to do this guitar it was not that long after 911, I can honestly say the theme originally didn't inspire me very much. Every time I tried to think about the inlays all I could see were the planes crashing into the side of the WTC. My thoughts seemed to be filled with the defeat of the day. Exactly one year after the attacks the local paper ran a special section commemorating Sept. 11, it was then that I realized the theme had to be one of victory and resilience. The challenge for me was to create 3 distinct areas that equally represented the 3 crash sites. One of the things that I noticed while doing the research for this project was the way the Pentagon and Pennsylvania crashes were almost forgotten in the overwhelming coverage of the WTC crashes. I wanted this guitar to be an example of "modern mythology" that told the complete story with equal emphasis. One of the inlays that I ended up doing that seemed out of place for some reason was "Let's Roll"... it just seemed to not fit with more artistic and subtle inlays, I even tried to translated the phrase in Latin to make it a little more artistic sounding, after much input for several internet friends I came to the now obvious conclusion that it needed to be verbatim and dead center on the guitar. "Let's Roll" represents the moment we went from reeling from the attack to fighting back."
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