When practicing this morning while having a tasty cup of coffee I got to thinking. I started practicing seriously with a metronome about 12 years ago. I remember it wasn't very much fun in the beginning (not that it's a party now) but as time moved on and I heard the results in my playing, I found it can be addicting after a while. I think it's very important to try to get used to practicing with one. Having good rhythm and timing is key!
You might want to try using a timer to practice a technique for 5 min. at a time. That way you can practice each technique consistently, otherwise, you may not know when to stop an exercise and you might just keep playing it for hours, days, months, etc.. That could possibly create a negative feeling towards the metronome.
Please note: If you have a cat you may not want to get one of those old school metronomes with the pendulum like I have because they will tend to run over and use their paws to stop the pendulum from swinging. This could be anti-productive and make you frustrated while trying to get some serious practice time in.
Good luck!
Feb 28, 2007
Feb 23, 2007
Samba/Tangos
I finished up a rough version of a new song last night. I tried blending a Brazilian Samba rhythm with a Flamenco Tangos rhythm. Interesting combo and I find they really blend well together. I'm going to sit with the track for a few weeks or so before I make any changes. It's also my first time writing a song in the Samba or Tangos rhythm.
Feb 16, 2007
Feb 14, 2007
Tour Journal - coming soon
I've kept a daily journal of all the shows since the very first rehearsal with Luna Negra. Soon in the next month or so I'll start putting everything together with a few pictures attached and posting them. There is a lot to go through so it will take a bit of time. I'll add a link to it from the News + Journal page.
Feb 13, 2007
Recording thoughts - ears vs. vision
During the recording process of the latest album Thira, I mostly used the computer keyboard and mouse for recording, engineering and mixing. I rarely used the console at all and lately I’ve been thinking, will the console be phased out to some degree or will it still be necessary? I think my answer is, I don’t think it will be phased out. One thing I don't like about using the mouse constantly is that your hand can get tired or cramped up after hours of use. Not good, especially when you have to play an instrument. So this makes me think that it’s nice to have buttons to push and faders to move.
For the Thira sessions, I had the computer keyboard and the synth keyboard in front with the console off to the side. (I write a lot with the synth so it makes things easy to have it in front of me.) The other day, I switched to having the console in front and the synth off to the side. What I noticed right away is that it was really nice not to be pinned down to using just a computer keyboard and mouse. It’s really nice to be able to pan, EQ, move faders using the console because you don’t have to look at the screen all the time to aim the mouse while making virtual adjustments. It’s great to reach up and start turning a knob while only listening, even closing your eyes while you make adjustments to fully concentrate on the sound. Of course there are many great advantages and options with the keyboard and mouse but I’m finding that I really enjoy the option of having a small console. I suppose it's all about what you like.
For the Thira sessions, I had the computer keyboard and the synth keyboard in front with the console off to the side. (I write a lot with the synth so it makes things easy to have it in front of me.) The other day, I switched to having the console in front and the synth off to the side. What I noticed right away is that it was really nice not to be pinned down to using just a computer keyboard and mouse. It’s really nice to be able to pan, EQ, move faders using the console because you don’t have to look at the screen all the time to aim the mouse while making virtual adjustments. It’s great to reach up and start turning a knob while only listening, even closing your eyes while you make adjustments to fully concentrate on the sound. Of course there are many great advantages and options with the keyboard and mouse but I’m finding that I really enjoy the option of having a small console. I suppose it's all about what you like.
Music Thoughts
I've been thinking about the direction I'll head next in the future for writing and recording. I've been writing down ideas here and there lately and I really enjoy this time. There is nothing I have to complete at the moment and I can just let the creativity flow from a 3 min. idea to a 3 second idea. I don't know if I want to write something that would sound like "Thira part 2", at the same time, I really enjoy the sound on the album. I also enjoy the sound on the first. Maybe it will be a combination of both or something new all together. I would like to record a very calm relaxing type of album someday too. Maybe guitar and synths and/or some light percussion.
I've also thought about playing a different guitar for the next album or sometime in the future as I've played the one I have for 10 years now. I love my instrument but sometimes playing a new or different instrument gives you a different perspective and/or new ideas and it's nice to take a break. I thought about that when I went up to Ottmar's studio last week to record on one of his new tracks (which is fantastic by the way) and tried one of his guitars. It was a beautiful flamenco guitar, I see what he likes. When I played it, I felt inspiration for writing new material right away. I love moments like that.
I've also thought about playing a different guitar for the next album or sometime in the future as I've played the one I have for 10 years now. I love my instrument but sometimes playing a new or different instrument gives you a different perspective and/or new ideas and it's nice to take a break. I thought about that when I went up to Ottmar's studio last week to record on one of his new tracks (which is fantastic by the way) and tried one of his guitars. It was a beautiful flamenco guitar, I see what he likes. When I played it, I felt inspiration for writing new material right away. I love moments like that.
Time to change strings again.
Ok, so it's that time to change strings again. I've been putting it off for quite a while as it's not my favorite thing to do, having two cats make things difficult also. I've been trying to figure out different solutions to string my guitar in peace. As you saw last time I did this, things didn't work out too well and I've had a few people email me with some Ideas about Locking myself in a room but that doesn't really work because the cats scratch at the door and meow a lot. So today I came up with a new solution!
Of course as soon as I opened the pack of strings, Cosmo the cat was right there in seconds to take the strings from me.
I was trying to figure out what to do. Nothing was really working. At this point the score was Cosmo - 14, Stephen - 0.
As I got to the "G" string I thought, there are two G strings in the D'Addario composite string pack!! One is the regular one and one is composite so why not give the cats the regular "G" string! So I tossed the string on the floor and sure enough the cats hunted the string down, attempted to kill the string with a few swipes, picked it up and it up and walked off with it.
I was able to string the rest of my guitar in peace and by the time I was finished, the cats were bored with the string, left it on the floor and went to take a cat nap.
Hopefully this tactic will work again, I'll keep you posted next time.
Of course as soon as I opened the pack of strings, Cosmo the cat was right there in seconds to take the strings from me.
I was trying to figure out what to do. Nothing was really working. At this point the score was Cosmo - 14, Stephen - 0.
As I got to the "G" string I thought, there are two G strings in the D'Addario composite string pack!! One is the regular one and one is composite so why not give the cats the regular "G" string! So I tossed the string on the floor and sure enough the cats hunted the string down, attempted to kill the string with a few swipes, picked it up and it up and walked off with it.
I was able to string the rest of my guitar in peace and by the time I was finished, the cats were bored with the string, left it on the floor and went to take a cat nap.
Hopefully this tactic will work again, I'll keep you posted next time.
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