So it is June

Wow, so that happened - Classical Guitar. Apparently trying to balance work, classical guitar lessons, electric guitar lessons, band practice and general family/friend hang out time is nearly impossible. As you can tell, writing suffered quite a bit and this blog has been silent. I didn't really go anywhere, I've just been extremely busy and a little stressed out.

So Classical Guitar - I think that was something like 20 or 25 weeks of lessons and it was tough! Take all the years that I've been playing guitar and throw it out the window. My overall impression is this: skilled classical guitarists are very talented musicians; however, to be a master of that instrument, that means one thing - classical guitar has to be your only focus (none of this hybrid classical/electric guitar).

It was odd, I remember having trouble playing electric guitar after a few weeks of classical guitar. I had to set down the electric guitar to focus on just the classical material, doing so, caused my fingers/hand to remap the string locations (a classical guitar neck is much wider than a standard, electric guitar neck). After a few weeks went by, I had a lot of trouble playing electric guitar; my precision failed.

Lessons were stressful and my teacher expected a lot, but I'm glad I took the lessons. It's been just over a week since my lessons ended and I've already adopted a new daily, practice schedule that includes classical guitar. I really enjoyed working out of the book that I mentioned in an early post, Noad's book. There is a lot of good material that is found within the pages of that book, it's challenging and fun, but it definitely is focused on guitar duets for the most part. If you try to play the exercises by yourself, they will lack a lot of the charm (and musicality) that is brought out through two guitars.

It's good to be back to what I know, but I'm definitely not the same guitarist I was at the beginning of the year. Classical guitar has allowed me to re-focus on learning, it challenged the knowledge I have and has forced me to try harder at understanding music theory and even the basics of guitar. Classical guitar is worth studying.

Rock 'n Roll

I'm back! Ha, it's not that I've been slacking on guitar, it's just that I don't have much time to write daily - which is quite unfortunate.

Yesterday was interesting, I was hanging out with one of my good friends who is the lead guitarist in a well-known, local band. He's "deep in the scene" as I call it. He filled me in on some of the news regarding bands from the local scene that have gone national...well if you can call it national. It's pretty pathetic at how much drama goes into bands. In my professional life, I don't see that type of drama, but in a band situation - an alternative work environment - it is amazing to see how personal everything is; it's the nature of music.

Anyway, one of the (name-withheld) bands that I haven't heard from in a while, is in a crappy situation; kind of sad. Long story short, they are signed to an indie label that does nothing, they haven't released a record in over a year, they had to change their name because of a lawsuit and the name sucks. They are on tour with some well-known national acts, but I can't imagine they are having a great time.

There are a lot of bands out there that want to "make it," but there nearly just as many indie labels out there. Don't fool yourself. You can only depend on your own skills, not others, to make it in the industry. Networking is important, but your product (your music) is more important.

Words of advice I was given from a Grammy-winning big shot, "focus on bringing in crowds to your shows. If you can draw people, the record companies will find you." You may have heard this before, but it's the truth!

A lot of bands in your local scene, take a business approach to their music. This is not wrong, but, they end up focusing more on the business element, than they do on their music. This is a fatal mistake. I don't care if your band can draw 800 people to a show, if your music sucks, your band sucks.

I know for a fact, having been there with industry folks, when they listen to your demo they give you about 10-30 seconds per song to win them over. If your can't grab their attention immediately, you're done. So, you might love your middle-eight break-down or the sick solo you have about two and half minutes into the song, but don't count on anyone at a record company hearing it.

Just focus on your music and you'll be fine. Besides if you're not in it for the music, if you're in it to be a rock star, you've already failed. And remember, if you do land a record deal, don't let it get to your head! You might have overcome the local scene you came from, but now your in the big leagues. You might feel like a rock star, but you now have to compare your band's music and influence to say Led Zeppelin/Nirvana/The Beatles/etc. Get it? Keep your head, be nice to people, work hard and you might last more than two years.

Peaks and Valleys

Band drama. That says it all, doesn't it? I realized today that if you haven't been jaded by the music scene and everything that it comes along with it, then you don't understand music. People who haven't lived it, don't understand how ridiculous being in a band truly is; all most of us know is the music from bands we like, but many of us don't know the story behind the band.

I can make you this promise right now, if the current band I am in were to actually go anywhere, I'd have one hell of a story to tell ... well, it might be boring, but it is an extremely frustrating one! People who live for their dreams are sometimes blinded by the nightmare the dream has become. Those people who stick through it and don't give up, that is admirable, but borderline crazy. No sane person can willing want to live that type of life. I guess it is all for the live shows, nothing is better than that.

Anyway, classical and electric guitar practicing is starting to mix as well as vodka and a stomach already full of beer. It's hard to find the time to get everything done, especially when you throw work, band, friends and family into the mix. It is getting stressful, but I need to keep pushing through the hard times. The following video always cheers me up though, ha.

This is my all time favorite product video, courtesy of our friend Chappers!



Yes, I do own the Orange Tiny Terror and let me tell you, it is freaking rad!

Weekend

Taking the weekend off.

Wes Montgomery

Wes Montgomery was a highly influential, American jazz guitarist who had quite the ear for picking up licks and melodies. He used octaves often and strummed his guitar with his thumb, creating a very mellow, smooth guitar tone. I believe Wes was a man who really just loved playing guitar and, unfortunately, passed on during the early stages of his commercial career. His song, "Tear It Down," was the first jazz song I ever learned.

Wes Montgomery came up in conversation with my electric guitar teacher; it made me write this post. If you are unfamiliar with Wes, you should remedy that. His music really influenced a number of people, maybe you too?

Song of the day: "Tear It Down" - Wes Montgomery

Let's Rock

Adelitas Way, I just recently discovered this band and decided to check out some of their music online; it's cool. I dig any band that rocks a half-stack, Les Paul and GnR-influenced riffs; ha.

Anyway, even though their music is quite different, Adelitas Way really reminds me of the band Acceptance for some reason. I don't know why, but they do! Acceptance was a good band with a solid record, they just didn't get promoted too well, but I'm definitely partial toward Seattle bands. I'm going to write some more grunge-based rock; I also need to find my Candlebox album.

Keep your sick thoughts to yourself, but my wrist is hurting; ha. Seriously, too much guitar, can you really have too much guitar? It's this classical stuff, but I'm addicted, it's just fun to play.

Song of the day: "So What If You Go" - Adelitas Way

Come Waltz with Me

Today was a cool day. We had a team outing at work, in which we spent the time volunteering. We packaged up over 12,000 meals, enough food to feed 34 kids for an entire year; we went to Feed My Starving Children. Afterward, I had to run out to my classical guitar lesson, which was also cool.

I learned a few things about notation for guitar, which is not something I am able to really describe here, but the complexity of "intermediate" level pieces is enough to give me a headache; what have I got myself into here?

I worked on the first part of a Waltz by Ferdinando Carulli (1770 - 1841). He was a very skilled guitarist who became a sought-after teacher. His teaching methodology is still in practice!

Song of the day: "Lessons Learned" - Alice In Chains