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Dec 6, 2010
Nov 22, 2010
Update
Stepping out of blog office for a bit so I can put 100% into finishing my album. It's top priority right now. Thanks for checking in and happy holidays
SD
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
SD
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Nov 6, 2010
Update
Ah! New hard drive arrive. Going to get busy transferring files over this weekend
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Nov 2, 2010
RE: Practicing guitar
Anyway back to what I was saying. I want to talk about Practice. Not performing, not a show, not playing in a band.... practice. I want to talk about practice.
So if you are new to playing guitar or want to get better at your instrument I'll need 100.3 percent of your attention, if you're not a guitar player, you're off the hook this time. I was thinking how important it is to give a new technique your entire attention, means no distractions. Not only practicing it SLOWLY and flawlessly but also in time with a metronome. Do I need to mention to turn off that TV?
Patience is key. I think that patience could be the #1 thing most people struggle with. They don't want to put in the time that it really takes to truly get good and not fake it. Okay, if you feel the need to try the technique real fast, fine. Do it super duper fast or whatever and get it out of your system then get back to seriously practicing. Hey, I'm totally guilty of that at times. Just be patient. And I'm talking about being patient for months, even years sometimes. Remember, being good at something takes a lot of time a dedication. I still feel like I have a lifetime to go of learning and practicing my instrument. Hell, maybe two lifetimes!
There are a few things that I think are much more important then speed. can you think of what they might be?..............Time is up! Well I was thinking of "time" and "dynamics". Try working on your dynamics of the technique. I always start out practicing a new technique at a very loud volume. I find it easier to soften up once I feel comfortable with the playing. I have found it more difficult practicing something over and over softly and then trying to add power. As for time, practice slowly and make sure your notes line up with the click of the metronome. As you are playing the technique with the metronome work on your dynamics. Play it softly, loudly. Soft to loud, loud to soft but in time. Very important.
Get to know your strengths and weaknesses. Really try to identify and work on the weaknesses. Most of the time you may only want to work on your strengths, but it's so important to work on the weaknesses!! Don't get me wrong, nothing wrong with working on the strengths (keeping the pencil sharpened), hell turn on the TV for that one if you want. But for things you want to improve on or start to learn, seriously take the time to concentrate and pay attention to what you are doing. Try something for 5 min straight. You'd be surprised how long 5 min can be playing the same thing slowly over and over. And you'd be surprised how much better you'll be at it after the 5 min are up. Now, don't expect a huge improvement, but you'll notice a difference. By doing all of this you'll find that speed will automatically happen over time. As I've said before somewhere in this blog I have a metronome and a timer that I like to use when practicing. I actually like the old school wind up metronome, something real about it opposed to a digital click that feels completely lifeless to me.
Okay, my nails are dry and I need to get practicing as I don't have a lot of time these days so I need to make the most of it and typing isn't helping my playing any. So I shall say goodbye for now!
SD
So if you are new to playing guitar or want to get better at your instrument I'll need 100.3 percent of your attention, if you're not a guitar player, you're off the hook this time. I was thinking how important it is to give a new technique your entire attention, means no distractions. Not only practicing it SLOWLY and flawlessly but also in time with a metronome. Do I need to mention to turn off that TV?
Patience is key. I think that patience could be the #1 thing most people struggle with. They don't want to put in the time that it really takes to truly get good and not fake it. Okay, if you feel the need to try the technique real fast, fine. Do it super duper fast or whatever and get it out of your system then get back to seriously practicing. Hey, I'm totally guilty of that at times. Just be patient. And I'm talking about being patient for months, even years sometimes. Remember, being good at something takes a lot of time a dedication. I still feel like I have a lifetime to go of learning and practicing my instrument. Hell, maybe two lifetimes!
There are a few things that I think are much more important then speed. can you think of what they might be?..............Time is up! Well I was thinking of "time" and "dynamics". Try working on your dynamics of the technique. I always start out practicing a new technique at a very loud volume. I find it easier to soften up once I feel comfortable with the playing. I have found it more difficult practicing something over and over softly and then trying to add power. As for time, practice slowly and make sure your notes line up with the click of the metronome. As you are playing the technique with the metronome work on your dynamics. Play it softly, loudly. Soft to loud, loud to soft but in time. Very important.
Get to know your strengths and weaknesses. Really try to identify and work on the weaknesses. Most of the time you may only want to work on your strengths, but it's so important to work on the weaknesses!! Don't get me wrong, nothing wrong with working on the strengths (keeping the pencil sharpened), hell turn on the TV for that one if you want. But for things you want to improve on or start to learn, seriously take the time to concentrate and pay attention to what you are doing. Try something for 5 min straight. You'd be surprised how long 5 min can be playing the same thing slowly over and over. And you'd be surprised how much better you'll be at it after the 5 min are up. Now, don't expect a huge improvement, but you'll notice a difference. By doing all of this you'll find that speed will automatically happen over time. As I've said before somewhere in this blog I have a metronome and a timer that I like to use when practicing. I actually like the old school wind up metronome, something real about it opposed to a digital click that feels completely lifeless to me.
Okay, my nails are dry and I need to get practicing as I don't have a lot of time these days so I need to make the most of it and typing isn't helping my playing any. So I shall say goodbye for now!
SD
Thoughts about Practicing guitar
Sitting here with Cosmo on my lap waiting for my nails to dry so I can start practicing guitar. Got me thinking..... sigh, hold on... the cat is meowing at me to pet her and not type.... brb
Oct 31, 2010
Oct 24, 2010
Thoughts
Halloween is only a week away and I'm getting my netfliks que ready for the scary movies. I don't consider myself too much of a scary movie fan however Halloween is one if my favorite holidays so I gotta do it up. Don't worry, I don't go overboard or anything like dress the cat up in a costume. I just like a few scary movies and some candy. Maybe some lit candles or something....
Speaking if cats, my little flea ridden pet Cosmo is insisting on sitting on my lap at the moment. Don't ask me how she got fleas... I have no idea. Same goes for Herbie. Advantage to the rescue!!
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Speaking if cats, my little flea ridden pet Cosmo is insisting on sitting on my lap at the moment. Don't ask me how she got fleas... I have no idea. Same goes for Herbie. Advantage to the rescue!!
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Oct 19, 2010
This week
The hard drive i record my music on to is having problems, I have everything backed up but need to pick up a new HD before I continue. Man, same thing happened during my last album.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sep 24, 2010
The fly...
So there was this fly buzzing my ear while I was sitting here in the couch, don't ask who let the fly in, I have no idea. Anyways, I call my trusty fly swatter Cosmo Kitty. Impressively she shows up on location immediately, literally with in seconds ready to take action!
So I pointed to the fly, and said "fly!" "fly!!" look! Go get it!! She looked left, she looked right and then laid down and went to sleep....
So I pointed to the fly, and said "fly!" "fly!!" look! Go get it!! She looked left, she looked right and then laid down and went to sleep....
Sep 22, 2010
Sep 18, 2010
Sep 14, 2010
Practice tips!
Im out at the moment and thought I'd use the good ol' trusty iPhone for a blog entry. I just so happen to have it along with me and thought I'd write what was on my mind for a second or two.
Been playing a lot of guitar lately which has been nice. And for all you guitar players out there, a friendly reminder to stretch your hands/arms every once and a while, or better yet, before and after practice! Something I always forget to do but very important non the less. (I don't usually use the term "non the less" and thought i'd give it a try!) Anyway, I say this because I noticed it was difficult for me to stretch my arms out to the sides and tilt my hands towards the ceiling. As soon as I started to tilt my hade back I thought "wow, this isn't good maybe i need to stretch more" So! Don't follow my example, just follow my advice! That's it for now, gotta go.
Have a nice day.
Oh, If you don't play guitar or an instrument, disregard this post, you're fine.
Been playing a lot of guitar lately which has been nice. And for all you guitar players out there, a friendly reminder to stretch your hands/arms every once and a while, or better yet, before and after practice! Something I always forget to do but very important non the less. (I don't usually use the term "non the less" and thought i'd give it a try!) Anyway, I say this because I noticed it was difficult for me to stretch my arms out to the sides and tilt my hands towards the ceiling. As soon as I started to tilt my hade back I thought "wow, this isn't good maybe i need to stretch more" So! Don't follow my example, just follow my advice! That's it for now, gotta go.
Have a nice day.
Oh, If you don't play guitar or an instrument, disregard this post, you're fine.
Sep 10, 2010
Sep 4, 2010
Music thoughts
Working on a new song, well it's not that new as I've been kicking around the idea for a few years when I noodle on the guitar. You would think with that amount of time I'd have the entire arrangement done and then some but what happens as I start to record? I mess around with some keyboard sounds and hear something really cool and start writing something totally different to the song. Totally took on another form within a few min. As of now the piece is 8.5 min but am not sure If it will stay that length. Gonna try a few different arrangement ideas.
Seems to be a pattern, I've always gotten song ideas when playing around on the keyboard. However I'm writing most if not all the songs on the guitar for this album opposed to the past two albums where I wrote a lot of the songs on the keyboard. I feel it's giving everything a more guitar focused sound. Whatever that means... But you get the point right?
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Seems to be a pattern, I've always gotten song ideas when playing around on the keyboard. However I'm writing most if not all the songs on the guitar for this album opposed to the past two albums where I wrote a lot of the songs on the keyboard. I feel it's giving everything a more guitar focused sound. Whatever that means... But you get the point right?
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Sep 3, 2010
Sep 1, 2010
September
Can't believe September is knocking on my door already. I have no idea where the year has gone. Then again, don't we find ourselves saying that every year?
Anywho, wanted to check in and let you all know that I'm going to get back to blogging more and am considering a twitter page again. You know, so you can read what I'm up to from time to time, mostly me complaining about something haha. But hey! Life stuff you can relate to right? A lot has happened in the last year and just haven't had as much time as I'd like to blog, do flickr photos, twitter etc.. But it's time to get back to all that don't you think so? So, thanks for hanging in there and let's get back to action!!
I'm very excited about the new album and the direction it's headed in. Planning on a 2011 release. I'm very proud of the work I've done so far and am looking forward to finishing it up this fall.
In the mean time, feel free to check in and say hi or ask questions etc etc...
SD
Anywho, wanted to check in and let you all know that I'm going to get back to blogging more and am considering a twitter page again. You know, so you can read what I'm up to from time to time, mostly me complaining about something haha. But hey! Life stuff you can relate to right? A lot has happened in the last year and just haven't had as much time as I'd like to blog, do flickr photos, twitter etc.. But it's time to get back to all that don't you think so? So, thanks for hanging in there and let's get back to action!!
I'm very excited about the new album and the direction it's headed in. Planning on a 2011 release. I'm very proud of the work I've done so far and am looking forward to finishing it up this fall.
In the mean time, feel free to check in and say hi or ask questions etc etc...
SD
Jul 3, 2010
summer
Picked up a pair of the Apple in-ear monitors last night at the Apple store for my trip to Europe. I've decided to travel as light as possible this time, I've never liked to be too weighted down while on the move. I will only be taking is my new iPhone and the in-ears. No lap top, extra movies, ipod etc... Of course I'll be taking clothes too, I'm just talking about the carry-on stuff that keeps me entertained.
So it's going to feel very different just taking a very small device and not all this extra stuff that I've been used to taking for years. I think I've grown to depend on all that stuff so it feels a bit weird not to be taking all of it, funny how that happens. I'm not even taking my favorite Sony 7506 head phones (which are pretty big and bulky when traveling). Had the same pair for 14 years!! Never had one problem with them but it's probably getting time for a new pair as I'm sure the speakers are fatigued after all this time but they still sound good to me.
Anyways, I'll try and upload some photos from the trip and check in from time to time if I can.
So it's going to feel very different just taking a very small device and not all this extra stuff that I've been used to taking for years. I think I've grown to depend on all that stuff so it feels a bit weird not to be taking all of it, funny how that happens. I'm not even taking my favorite Sony 7506 head phones (which are pretty big and bulky when traveling). Had the same pair for 14 years!! Never had one problem with them but it's probably getting time for a new pair as I'm sure the speakers are fatigued after all this time but they still sound good to me.
Anyways, I'll try and upload some photos from the trip and check in from time to time if I can.
Jul 2, 2010
May 10, 2010
music update:
Been working on new music the past couple of weeks for my next album. Been having a great time just experimenting and trying new sounds & instruments etc.. Been playing a lot of electric guitar on the new tracks. The music has been taking on a new direction, some of the older songs I had written for this album had hints of what I'm doing now. It's kinda a salute to the music I grew up on back in the day but with my twist of using the Flamenco guitar and keyboards. It's exciting and yet not sure what will work and what wont.
That's about as much of a hint as I can give for now. As usual gotta sit with the music for a while to see how I feel. Been working on an arrangement for this one tune for over a week now. It's been like pulling teeth to get this one song into shape but after last night and today I feel it's really starting to take shape. Funny how one song can be written, arranged and recorded in one to two days, another could be one to two weeks.
I feel like I'm on a creative roll at the moment and I love it when that happens
That's about as much of a hint as I can give for now. As usual gotta sit with the music for a while to see how I feel. Been working on an arrangement for this one tune for over a week now. It's been like pulling teeth to get this one song into shape but after last night and today I feel it's really starting to take shape. Funny how one song can be written, arranged and recorded in one to two days, another could be one to two weeks.
I feel like I'm on a creative roll at the moment and I love it when that happens
Apr 21, 2010
Apr 18, 2010
Happy Birthday Cosmo Kitty!
Cosmo is 5 years old this month, where does the time go...
I remember when she was 4 weeks old and could fit in the palm of my hand, I believe this (below) was taken a few weeks later.
HERE's a good Cosmo post from a few years back when she was 2. Of course, nothing much changes around here, we still battle over the guitar strings every time I change them. Haven't posted it since it would be pretty much the same story over and over. Speaking of, I am changing the strings on my guitar tomorrow. Maybe for old time sake, I should take a few photos.
We had a really funny battle of who would sit on the studio chair night before last. She always sits either on my lap or is always close by when I'm recording. Seems to be our tradition since she was a kitten. As soon as I get up she jumps onto the chair and at that point it's not easy to get my chair back.
Sometimes I give up and decide it's easier to share the chair.
I remember when she was 4 weeks old and could fit in the palm of my hand, I believe this (below) was taken a few weeks later.
HERE's a good Cosmo post from a few years back when she was 2. Of course, nothing much changes around here, we still battle over the guitar strings every time I change them. Haven't posted it since it would be pretty much the same story over and over. Speaking of, I am changing the strings on my guitar tomorrow. Maybe for old time sake, I should take a few photos.
We had a really funny battle of who would sit on the studio chair night before last. She always sits either on my lap or is always close by when I'm recording. Seems to be our tradition since she was a kitten. As soon as I get up she jumps onto the chair and at that point it's not easy to get my chair back.
Sometimes I give up and decide it's easier to share the chair.
Apr 13, 2010
RECORDING
Added bass to one of the tracks late last night. I'm really happy with how it turned out. Going to listen to it over and over to see what or if anything needs to be changed. Totally gives the song a different feel over all, new and refreshing for me as I've heard the same thing for a while now.
Mar 21, 2010
Travel Map
Putting together a travel map. So far the total is up to 300 cities in 36 countries and a some more to pin but I can't remember at the moment. Thought I'd share in the mean time. Still a lot of ground to travel!
Jan 17, 2010
Walking in the rain
Just got back from a nice long walk in the rain. I've always enjoyed walking at night in the rain for some reason. A few years ago when I was in Tokyo I took some nice long walks around midnight in the rain. I did that for 3 or 4 nights in a row. Next time I'll have to bring my camera along, saw some good reflections in the puddles. Cosmo is here ready for petting, she was happy to see me get back home.
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