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!

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.   
===================================

Taylor Swift on - MTV - VMA Awards (A NEW SONG?!)

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In a world where it's accepted in the music industry to be a studio fake, over produced until you can't recognize your own voice on the radio, Swift is not afraid to sing with her real voice while performing live. That, my musical friends, is the most honest and valiant act an artist can do. It's risky for a career that has lots of limelight and sponsors and the like, but i think because of Taylor Swift's sincere personality and sunny/cheery disposition is the reason why her fans love her so much.


We 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)

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Cutting Your Nails: a Guitarist's Mini-Guide

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You'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!

GO HERE TO FIND OUT THE EXACT INFO TO HELP YOUR FINGERS CALLUS UP QUICKLY AND TO KEEP YOUR SKIN HEALTHY!:http://guitar-hands.com/science.htm

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.

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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Music Choice Cable Channels; What You Don't Know

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One way to avoid spending money online and buying "iTunes downloads" or even the slightly almost out of style CD purchase - is to tune into the channels that you usually skip over on your Cable TV. 


(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

 

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.

"Let's Roll" represents the moment we went from reeling from the attack to fighting back."

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Find the Melodies in Your Life.

Simply put, a melody is something musical that is beautiful to YOUR ears; it's a series of notes on any instrument (including the voice) that is arranged in such a way that it produces a pattern. This definition is the best one i can come up with from what i know. The dictionary is such a black and white world. To me, musical terms should have a label that says, "See real life and for personal experience to edify yourself and others with sound".



It should sound as pleasant to your ears as this Harp might. And by the way, this is a children's harp but I'm thinking about investing in one to learn the intervals of the notes.

We all listen to our favorite songs daily. Whether it's on the radio at work or from a friend that hands you some speakers or ear buds for a quick listen of a new band, there are melodies that are ingrained into the structure of each song. Guitarists sometimes call melodies "RIFFS" or "LICKS". Riff is more descriptive of rock songs and lick is more to do with blues and jazz.

Finding melody is easy. It's changing the scales that we play on our guitars in such a way that it makes a lasting semi-permanent impression. For instance, have you ever caught yourself humming a song and you don't know the words, but.... YOU REMEMBER THE PART YOUR HUMMING?

THAT, is what I'm taking about!!!!!!


That's what songwriters are after. The next unforgettable melody. Think Queen's -"Bohemian Rhapsody", Taylor Swift's - "Teardrops on My Guitar", Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow", think of The Temptations - "My Girl", and think... No Doubt - "Don't Speak".

Imagine the classic Walt Disney movies - the sing-along ones but without the annoying bouncing ball on the words in perfect timing. Your melody should be something that you can sing. And if you're not singing, then you need to be, if you're can't sing at work because you're in a certain customer service type job where it might be considered weird or school, where it might be distracting to others...you can always whistle!!!!

Seriously, if you want to succeed with music and more specifically, with guitar, you NEED to be at least whistling. Or kind of like you read the words of my blog silently in your own mind, you need to be doing the same with melodies constantly.

This is actually what i do to prepare before I sing the first note. Try this: audibly sing the lowest note your voice can hit. Don't worry if it sounds "rumble-like" or you can't keep a "clean solid note" at that point. The purpose of this exercise is to find the bottom of your vocal chords. In the future, you'll be able to "STRETCH" this "CUSHION" area a few notes/tones/pitches lower. And now do this at the top part of your natural voice. Think about this trick like your mimicking a police siren or more specifically (if you need the mental picture) an old World War 2 - air raid siren.

Next blog, we'll be discussing the Falsetto region of your vocal chords and enabling your singing to use this vital area of notes. The same concept that we used to "find" your "lower cushion" and Chest Voice - we'll be using to find your UPPER CUSHION!

Keep internalizing and digesting this info! I know it seems like you're trying to drink out of a fire hydrant, LOL, but soon it'll be like riding a bike. Just common knowledge you can grab out of your brain anytime you need it. :o)