Loading ...Recently, my younger sister came back from a music adjudication festival in our homestate of New York, where several of her students were participating with prepared solos. The festival requires students to prepare solo literature, which at a certain level allows them to audition for the all-state ensembles. Students prepare this music tirelessly for weeks on end, but there are [...]
To follow up from my last article on musicians seeking endorsements, I thought it might be helpful to talk about some items that are essential for a musician’s “publicity toolbox.” One of the most basic items a musician should always have is a musical example – plain and simple. I know this might sound a bit silly, but while working [...]
Ever wonder what it takes to be an endorsing artist for a company? You know, someone who goes around getting paid gobs of money to play a certain brand’s instruments? Well, many up and coming musicians may think that an endorsing artist is rolling in money from their respective company, but I thought it might be a good idea to [...]
I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about jobs in the music world, especially for those who may just be starting out. I hear the voices of my younger siblings, both of whom are musicians in their twenties. They were very nervous and anxious after finishing school (both completed masters degrees in music recently). They said, “All of the job [...]
Okay, you’ve made up your mind to learn an instrument. You’ve bought a guitar/drums/keyboard/bass/trumpet, or whatever instrument you’ve fallen in love with, and you’ve signed up for lessons. Now what? Time to start a practice routine. When you join a sports team, it’s imperative to practice regularly. You’re trying to train your muscles to perform duties that may not be [...]
So, you have decided to study with a private teacher. Fantastic!!! In my opinion, players that recognize study is important in their development put them ahead of 50% of their peers. Moreover, those that actually DO study are 95% ahead of their peers. This applies to the beginner through the veteran player of any instrument. Deciding you want to study [...]
We all know the heavy hitters… Gibson, PRS, Fender, BC Rich, Jackson… Names synonymous with quality guitars. Well, in every guitar player’s life, we run across an axe or two by a manufacturer that few have heard of that are absolutely amazing for one or more reasons. Or a guitar by a known maker that may be off the beaten [...]
I have met far too many talented musicians who are without a band, but who long to start one. They sit upon hours of golden material and aren’t sure what the next step is for getting closer to the stage. I’d like to talk a little bit about the process of forming a band, looking for members, auditions, and how [...]
Every guitar player knows that incredible feeling when he finds a new sound for his sonic arsenal. And once the most important part, (I’m of course speaking of “tone”) is achieved, a guitarist can begin to use other weapons to shape his sonic attack. These tools are effects, and there are more versions out there than you could ever hope [...]
In this modern era, guitarists have more sonic and tonal capabilities at their disposal than ever before. Multi-Effects, guitar synths…the list goes on. Yet still, many of today’s players look back at the pioneers who created sound tapestries that were truly ground breaking to try and catch the subtle nuances, even though today’s “toys” usually have these things pre-bundled [...]
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