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Mar
28
Sleeping Dogs
Filed Under Sleeping Dogs, artists | Comments Off
Live at Ellaways Underwood, Brisbane, Australia, Saturday 27 March 2010
Oct
30
10 Easy Ways To Improve Your Guitar Playing Today
Filed Under guitar playing, guitar solos | 1 Comment
One of the most frustrating aspects of playing guitar is when you reach the point where you are not improving.
Whether you are a novice or a seasoned musician, we all face the same problem and ask the question, “Why am I not at the level I want to be and how can I get there?”
To add insult to injury, we see our guitar heroes in magazines and on TV everyday and it seems as if they are constantly inventing new tricks and improving their skills.
When we read about them in Guitar World to try to emulate their skills and learn their tricks only to leave more confused. Becoming the ultimate guitarist is far harder than it looks.
So what is the key to success?
While there is no one answer that can solve everyone’s problem, there are a number of concepts and theories that can help you break through the barrier that keeps you from reaching your full potential.
The one thing that you need to realize is that you don’t need to be a genius to become a great guitarist. The two key things you need to have in your possession are interest and commitment.
You’ll never meet a great guitarist who isn’t passionate about music.
They didn’t get to the level that they are at by being apathetic and lazy. They took the initiative to go out and try to learn something new.
The guitarist who dares to challenge himself takes the risk of failing. This is where many musicians lose their battle with low self-esteem and quit.
It’s not that they didn’t take the risk, rather, that they failed and couldn’t pick themselves up again. If you realize that failure is a part of growth and that it takes many jam sessions to get some tricks down, you have just acquired the first skill you will need to become the ultimate guitarist.
I have compiled a list of concepts that I believe every guitarist should try out. Unlike other articles you will read, these short and simple steps ask you to do, rather that simply read. Thoughts and attitude are important but in the end it’s what you do that counts to your audience.
Let’s get started with the top ten things you can do to obtain maximum results as a guitarist.
Top 10 tips for success…
- Learn something new - Educating yourself is the first step to becoming a better guitarist. Whether you choose to believe it or not, there’s always something new to learn and master. If you are currently studying music in a conservatory, at school, or in college, you will find that learning will come more easier to you. If not, I highly recommend that you get in a program. While I believe in teaching yourself, I also know from first hand experience that motivation and encouragement from a teacher is priceless. Once you conquer the subject that you were learning, push yourself to learn something that you’re not quite comfortable with. Learning within your comfort zone often results with you running around in circles.
- Make your time count - Practicing does not make perfect, it makes permanent. That makes the time you spend playing your guitar all the more important. Don’t waste your time fiddling around on your guitar. Dig in and learn something that will aid you on your quest for musical success. Set goals and work towards achieving them. Whether it’s technique, tricks, or a new song, you can become better just by using your time more wisely.
- Listen to more music - The more music that you are exposed to, the better guitarist you will become. Listen to the bands that you enjoy most and draw inspiration from them. Take note of what the musicians are doing in their songs and make a list of the techniques you want to learn. This can be the motivating force that gets you to play your guitar more often.
- Surround yourself with excellence - When you play your guitar with people who are better guitarists, you not only learn from them but feel motivated to push yourself to keep up. At first this idea seems obscure. Why would you expose yourself to that kind of stress? Let’s face it, if there’s one thing that will make you get motivated quickly it’s the fact that people are counting on you. Don’t play with musicians who are arrogant and rude. Embarrassment doesn’t foster self-esteem and will only get you down. The people you want to learn from are patient and understanding. Eventually you will find yourself at their level. It happens faster than you might think.
- Ask yourself what will you do - when you obtain the skills you want - What do you want to do with what you learn? Perhaps you want to make a CD or join a band and play at some local venues. Start planning for it now and use what you currently have. This ties into setting goals but is not to be underestimated. Knowing how you want to use your talent is important. Create a vision and use goals to act on it. Whether you want to play for others, or to the wall in your bedroom, the choice is yours.
- Teach someone how to play guitar - To teach is to learn. If the only chord you know how to play is a G chord, show someone that. Why? Because it reaffirms what you know and solidifies your knowledge. I can tell you from personal experience that I have learned more through teaching than I ever learned through being taught. It forces you out of your comfort zone and when questions are asked, you need to know the answer. I’m a firm believer that anyone can teach someone something if they want to. Give it a shot and see the results for yourself.
- Believe in your ability - Yes, I know how cliché this sounds. However, you need to hear it. You can do anything you put your mind to and if you choose to play guitar well, chubby fingers or not, you can! Don’t listen to what others say and be true to yourself. This can be hard seeing as we live in a critical society that doesn’t realize how much words can hurt. Keep at it and surround yourself with supportive people. More of a life lesson than a guitar lesson, but as far as I’m concerned music is intertwined with daily living.
- You are incomparable - In case you haven’t picked up the hint yet, you are the ultimate guitarist. There is no one like you and there will never be anyone who even comes remotely close to being like you. Integrate who you are into your music and you will never have a shortage of material. Your music will soon form into your own tone and style.
- Learn what worked for others - Whether you research your favorite guitarist or talk to your guitar teacher, ask others what worked for them. I don’t claim to know all the answers but when everyone puts their heads together, some really neat ideas start to flow. Networking allows you to give and receive at the same time.
- Crush your weakness - We all know where we lack the most in the guitar realm. For me it’s in technique and finger picking, for others it’s something different. Whatever it is, don’t ignore it while enjoying your recent victory. Keep attacking your weak points and you’ll soon see improvement. The secret is that you never stop seeing problems and you continually get better over time. You’ll never be stuck without
something to do. Take out a sheet of paper and write them down. Then find the resources you need to help you destroy them. It’s not unlike a war, but in the end you always win.
Don’t Believe The Popular Myths
You may be surprised to hear that a lot of the common advice distributed amongst guitarists couldn’t be farther from the truth. There are myths and tokens of advice that get passed along and guitarists like yourself use them. Try as hard as you like, but you’ll end up realizing that what meets you at the end of the road is failure.
To avoid that, let’s look at some of the most common myths floating around:
All good players can play all styles: While great in theory, it doesn’t work out in practice. Throughout this website, I consistently push trying various genres of music and becoming a more cultured guitarist. However, no where will you ever hear me, or any other teacher, say that you should be able to master all of them.
The fact is that it takes a lifetime to master one style. Some take up two genres that mix well together, such as blues and rock, but those genres are the exceptions. You will never hear a neoclassical shred guitarist play country. Many jazz musicians take decades to perfect their craft and even then they still see areas that need improvement.
If you want to be a great guitarist, take the genre and
style that you’re passionate about and focus on it. Don’t get distracted with other music. Your guitar heroes are heroes because they mastered a genre. Very few will ever play outside of their specialty and that’s just the reality.
You either have “it” or you don’t: Let’s face it, some understand music more easily than others. That doesn’t mean that you can’t be as good as them. Everyone can play guitar, it just depends on the effort and time you want to put in.
There are dozens of specialties within music and no one knows all of them from the time they are born. Perfect pitch is developed, as is technique and originality. Look at where you started from as opposed to where you are now. Would you say that you are just as original as you were when you first picked up the guitar? I know I’m not.
While things may come easier to others, remember that we all have our own struggles within music and that we are in it together.
To sound good, you need the best gear: The best gear is nice, and yes, you do sound better. However, it’s unnecessary for those who aren’t interested in professional music or are just starting out.
Beginners love to see the rack of guitars at their local music store and say, “I want the $2000 one.” That was me for years but the truth is that a guitar of that caliber is useless to someone who can’t play it. Learn on something modest and work your way up.
Not only will the experience be more rewarding, it’s also nicer on the instrument and your self-confidence. In the end, the guitar is only as good as the person who plays it.
I have heard crappy guitars sound half-decent when played by someone who knew what they were doing. The same applies to you. For those who can afford $5000 guitars, my advice is go for it.
For the rest of us, I say save your money and work towards being the ultimate guitarist. Think about it, if you sound good on a crummy guitar, how much better will you sound on something that can really produce a good tone?
You need to be the most talented to succeed: All too often, as mentioned above, we tend to compare ourselves to others. The ultimate guitarist is you meeting your goals and making progress.
There will always be others who sound better in certain areas but who cares? Be the person you want to be and music will be far more enjoyable. Success is measured on a personal level, not n how many CD’s you sell. The famous musicians in today’s society often find themselves wishing they weren’t so pressured by record labels. They want to be in your shoes where they have the choice to do what they want to do. Enjoy yourself and the rest will fall into place.
Oct
28
Create Your Own Indie Artist Press Release
Filed Under artists, promotion, publishing, website | 1 Comment
Creating a press release can be one of the best ways for an indie artist, or band, to gain some instant media exposure for themselves. And you know, as well as I, that exposure is the name of the game these days.
Even though the world-wide web has opened up many new possibilites for the independent artist, the competition can be fearsome. So, if you have any news item worthy of print (i.e. a new CD for sale, or a concert coming up, etc.) then a press release might be just the ticket to give you an edge. It will provide the publicity necessary for people to know who you are, so that your music will get heard.
In order to make the best first impression on your readers, your press release should be well written, informative, and to the point. Be careful not to lose your reader’s attention by adding too many unneccesary details. Stick to the facts by explaining who you are and what you have to offer.
I generally prefer to write in a third person narrative when I have to create my own press release. By asking myself the questions a reporter might ask me, I am able to think more freely and objectively.
[Reporter] - Who are you- what is the name of your band?
[Band] - We have decided to call our band “Tangerine Sunshine”.
[R] - What kind of music do you play?
[B] - It’s somewhat eclectic and hard to define; kind of a mixture between alternative and rap.
[R] - I’ve heard that you have just finished recording a new CD. When will it be availabe to the public?
[B] - Yeah, it’s called “Mixed Emotions” and we’re really happy with the way it turned out. It will be available next week.
[R] - Where can a person get a copy of the CD?
[B] - It will be offered on our website (url) and through various other retail outlets (identify them).
[R] Great! How many tracks are on your album?
[B] Twelve.
[R] - Why did you pick “Tangerine Sunshine” for a name?
[B] - We like the colorful and positive image that it represents.
Of course, all the names mentioned above are fictitious and the illustration is only meant to show how you might organize the information you want to put in your press release. It can be modified any number of ways to suit your own particular needs. Once your make-believe reporter has gathered up all the facts, you’re ready to write.
THE HEADLINE
One of the most important things is to begin your press release with a catchy headline. You want to make sure that it will grab the attention of your reader right from the start.
FIRST PARAGRAPH
Get the information about who you are (the name of your band, etc.) and what you have to offer within the very first paragraph. Keeping the who, what, when, where, why and how questions before you as you write will help to stimulate the creative process.
SECOND PARAGRAPH
In the second paragragh of your press release you can go into a little more detail. Perhaps you’ll want to describe the style of your music, or tell something more about your upcoming event. If so, this is the place to do it.
THIRD PARAGRAGH
In this third and final paragragh you can briefly tell something about the other people who were involved with your project or event. Whatever you haven’t covered in your press release yet, but feel is important, you can add here. Be sure to include any contact information you have, especially a website or email address.
When your press release is ready, after you’ve spell-checked it for typos and grammar, go ahead and post it on your website and/or in your blog. Then send it to as many free PR sites as you can find. Mi2n.com is a good one for musicians and indie artists to start with.
You should also send your press release, along with a cover letter, to all the local newspapers in your area. Put “Attention: Editor” above the address on the envelope and if possible include a photo.
Don’t forget to send an email to all your friends, relatives, and neighbors as well. This is your time to shine, so reach for the stars!
Written by Kathy Unruh, singer/songwriter and webmaster of AbcLearnGuitar.com. She has been providing guitar lessons to students of all ages for over 20 years.
Click here to listen to a showcase of my recordings.