Student Speaks Out

I am so happy.

Today was awesome.

Tabscout.com a great starting point

It s always great if you come across great resources that help you further. If thee is one I thoroughly recommend for guitar players to put in their favorites it would be tabscout.com.

On this site you will find a large collection of tabs , PowerTabs and Textual Guitar Tabs that to see or download. The site claims to be aware of well over 400,000 tabs and  must say so far I have nor bee disappointed. The search options are good and easy to use and even though sometimes there may be slight mistakes in the tabs provided by contributors it is a great starting point and time saver especially if, like me you like to teach using the music my students love and would like to play as a starting point.

For such an approach tabscout is a perfect starting point. Look for the tabs or chords of a song, there is a good chance you’ll find it there.Check it out yourself.

A Salute to my Master: Klaus Flenter

By accident I stumbled upon some information about my teacher from back than: Klaus Flenter, one of the greats when it comes to chord melody jazz guitar playing in the Netherlands and beyond.The first video is a trio version of the song Green Dolphin Street.

If anything I will always remember Klaus as the one that solidified my love for chord melody guitar playing and what a joy to see my old teacher going on like this and like on the next video where the trio plays Misty.

Klaus, my old master, thanks for all the great stuff you taught me over the years at the Conservatory in Rotterdam and even now when looking at these videos.

Students Happy with Lessons via Skype

The guitar lessons via skype turn out to be a real blessing. It beats the impersonal video and makes it possible to enjoy a lesson at your convenience without having to leave the home but with the advantages of being tutored face to face.

Here’s what one new student said:

It works and it great!!! In a fortnite another one. Highly recommended folks!!

Book now as places are sort of limited.

Thoughts on play along tracks and metronomes

I get regular questions on  whether to use a play along track or a metronome .

I guess it depends somewhat on the purpose: both are equally capable of helping you with your time. At the same time however when it comes to using it form the purpose of improvisation, I generally prefer the metronome. While having the whole band behind you, for instance using Band-in-a-Box or play along CD’s I generally find that they are a limitation to my imagination.I can’t help but feeling that when it comes to improvisation practice: less is more. So I would generally prefer a metronome.

At the same time however I realize that it may well not be that easy to hear the harmonic structure of a sing and improvise on that especially when you are starting out. I guess that is where I’d go for using a midi file or band in a box file with just the bass.

National Recording Studios Open Day – May 29

Saturday May 29 will see a fresh addition to the annual NZ Music Month calendar with the first
national “Recording Studios Open Day”.

Between midday and 4pm, a variety of professional studios around the country will open their front doors
to anyone interested in taking a look inside. Owners, engineers and staff will be on hand
to answer any questions about the studio and the recording, mixing
and record mastering processes.

The national “Recording Studios Open Day” is a new initiative aimed at encouraging more musicians to take
advantage of the wide range of recording studios and in-house recording professionals available around the country.

Co-ordinated by New Zealand Musician magazine www.nzmusician.co.nz the afternoon provides a rare opportunity
for musicians, artist managers, music students (and those expected to fund new recordings) to find out more about local studio
facilities, as well as the distinct audio quality benefits of recording in a professional studio environment.

Participating studios range from the high-end and long established likes of York Street and Stebbing Recording Center in Auckland,
to Palmerston North’s vibrant and incredibly low cost community facility known as The Stomach. Entry is free and each studio will offer its own
program of information and entertainment.

Studios participating

Recording Studios Open Day,
Saturday May 29, midday to 4pm:

York Street, Parnell Auckland www.yorkstreet.co.nz or ph (09) 307 1444

The Stomach, Palmerston North: www.creativesounds.org.nz or ph (06) 359 0120

The Colour Field, Tauranga: email: info@fragilecolours.com or ph 027 667 3737

TMV Studios, Levin: www.tmv.co.nz or ph (06) 368 3655

Tandem Studios, Christchurch: www.tandemstudios.co.nz or ph (03) 366 7281

STL Audio, Victoria St, Wellington: www.stlaudio.co.nz or ph (04) 801 5602

Stebbing Recording Center, Herne Bay Auckland www.stebbing.co.nz or openday@stebbing.co.nz

PAF - Villa Number 9, Porirua: www.paf.co.nz or ph 027 454 8523

Earwig Studios, Birkenhead Auckland: www.earwigstudios.co.nz or ph (09) 480 2219

Depot Sound, Devonport Auckland: www.depotsound.co.nz

For more information see:
www.nzmusician.co.nz or email: info@musicexpo.co.nz

Compliments: Richard Thorne – The Music Expo
09 373 2572
021 908 327
info@musicexpo.co.nz

Thinking Outside of the Box: Steve Vai on the Creative Process

Last night by accident almost I stumbled upon the YouTube Channel of Steve Vai here >>> to be amazed by all the videos with such incredible guitar playing. But that actually was not what amazed me most. I was really blown away by the new band String Theory and the set up with two violin players (one traditional and one electric).  It is yet another example of how THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX  really frees up for new possibilities and sounds, in this case due to the two violins.

Don’t you just love the way these instruments blend together, I know I do and what’s more. I have been writing new music and felt like arranging it with so that my very talented cousin could play his violin in there but was not sure how to get it so that it would be more than just an intro and than over and done. Than you Steve for opening up my world of possibilities again. At the same time: it meant two scores in the fireplace and back to the drawing board. Normally I’d be sad about that this time I am excited!

Here is another be blown away from the same band. Love those incredible harmonies.

I remember well how much I enjoyed my holiday in Bulgaria years ago staying in the ancient city of Nessebur and its beautiful people and how could I forget our stray dog that followed us around everywhere and would be there in the morning waiting for us. When seeing the video below which deals with Steve Vai’s creative process I started wondering if I had missed something there.

The most important lesson in here is I guess for me is: DO NOT STICK TO WHAT YOUR FINGERS ARE TELLING YOU BUT TELL YOUR FINGERS WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. I remember well how I wrote some music for my good friend Michael Pokocky but could not play it that point (actually studying to get it fluent), it was the very same thing!

Have fun playing and writing.

Books: Pat Metheny the Interviews

The Pat Metheny Interviews: The Inner Workings of His Creativity Revealed

This book is now available in New Zealand and a definite recommended read for musicians and non musicians alike.

In 2007, composer, arranger and performer Richard Niles wrote, produced and hosted a three-part radio series for the BBC titled “Pat Metheny – Bright Size Life.” The discussions Niles had with Metheny for the series covered all aspects of the this well known musician who has played an important role for both guitar and jazz music. It covers everything from Metheny’s first awareness of his love for music to knowledge and wisdom gained from years of dedicated musicianship.

This book is a transcription of those and other interviews Niles conducted with Pat Metheny over time.
It’s a surprisingly easy to read, without the loss of detail for the sake of brevity.

The subtitle of “The Pat Metheny Interviews” states it’s “The inner workings of his creativity revealed.”
While this may seem like a considerable claim to make, the book delivers on promise.
Niles and Metheny discuss topics such as why he was driven towards music with such enormous drive and dedication, how he developed his style and approach; how he set and achieved his demanding goals; Metheny’s methodology as a guitarist, improviser and composer.

Transcriptions of what he played during the interviews appear in the book. Additionally the book has contributions from some of Metheny’s colleagues like Lyle Mays, Gary Burton, Jack DeJohnette, John Patitucci, Metheny’s brother, Mike Metheny, and the late Michael Brecker, as well as a number of rare photographs from Metheny’s private collection.

Whether or not your a fan, it is pretty hard to deny his exemplary musicianship. His first solo album, “Bright Size Life” (1976), has been highly influential  for a new generation of players. He’s won a great number of  “Best Jazz Guitarist” polls and awards which include three Gold records for “(Still Life) Talking,” “Letter From Home” and “Secret Story,” 12 Grammy Awards, including an unprecedented seven consecutive wins.

He performed with Ornette Coleman, Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell and David Bowie. His writing partnership with Lyle Mays has been compared to Lennon/McCartney and Ellington/Strayhorn. His body of work includes compositions for large orchestras, film and ballet. He has been a pioneer in the realm of electronic music with the Synclavier and the electric sitar and is known to have developed new types of acoustic instruments such as the fretless guitar, the soprano acoustic guitar and the 42-string Pikasso guitar.

The book can be obtained through Fishpond by clicking on the cover of the book on the left.

And for those of you that may be interested in his music, try out the following albums which I can highly recommend.Of course the first album to appear here is Bright Size Life, his debut album that changed the face of jazz guitar playing. Just click on the album covers below to listen to samples and buy the CD.

Another favorite of mine is Travels.

Or perhaps just browse around yourself using the keyword “metheny” in the search box below.

All Products Books Music Movies

www.fishpond.co.nz

Chord Scale Companion for Commonly Used Keys in Worship Music

Major Scales

SCALE	I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII
C	C(maj7)	Dm(7)	Em(7)	F(maj7)	G(7)	Am(7)	Bo (min7b5)
D	D(maj7)	Em(7)	F#m(7)	G(maj7)	A(7)	Bm(7)	Co (min7b5)
E	E(maj7)	F#m(7)	G#m(7)	A(maj7)	B(7)	C#m(7)	Do(min7b5)
F	F(maj7)	Gm(7)	Am(7)	Bb(maj7)	C(7)	Dm(7)	Eo(min7b5)
G	G(maj7)	Am(7)	Bm(7)	C(maj7)	D(7)	Em(7)	F#o(min7b5)
A	A(maj7)	Bm(7)	C#m(7)	D(maj7)	E(7)	F#m(7)	G#o(min7b5)

Minor Scales

For the minor scales the above translates to the following (parallel) minor scales:

• C  ==> A minor
• D ==> B minor
• E ==> C# minor
• F ==> D minor
• G ==> E minor
• A ==> F# minor

NEWS – NOW GUITAR LESSONS ONE ON ONE VIA THE NET – NEWS

Living too far away to drive to guitar lessons, or just want the occasional lesson at the convenience of your own living room or music room or actually even your bedroom (provided you have internet connection there), consider one on one live lessons via skype.  All it takes is you, your guitar (an amp if applicable) a web cam and microphone. Besides skype I am looking at alternatives like yahoo messenger and msn messenger.

This may just be the solution for younger students that do not want to be traveling in the evening hours or where other commitments make it more convenient to stay at home while still receiving instructions.

Just email me, and you’ll be receiving firther instructions on payment and we ca book a lesson at a time that works for both off us. Payments are accepted via bank transfer/electronic payment, paypal and/or credit card.

Contact me for more information >>>