Performance based on emotion

Thinking about the previous post, I really think that Sara Bareilles does this fantastically well in this version of Gravity. Simple, effective.

Ok, so maybe I do have a bit of a crush on her. She's got the greatest voice ever!

Performance based on song

Juliana gave me an interesting assignment this week: to take a song, and to go through it, section by section, and identify the emotion that is being portrayed. And once you've done that, identify physical states which can be used in performance to portray those emotions. I think that I've always thought about performance, but never from an emotional point of view, only from a "That would be cool onstage" point of view. But thinking about it, none of the great shows that I've seen were great because of the flash that they did; it was the small, emotional cues in the music and body language that did it. Dave Matthews and Eddie Vedder I think both do this extremely well. They really sink their entire beings into each line, and that's what makes a good performer.

Choruses? Try not to be too preachy

As I've been seriously engaged in some songwriting for the past few weeks, I'm finding that I have no trouble really writing the lyrics for a verse. Come up with a concept, tell a story, use neat metaphors; that's all easy stuff. The hard part of songs is writing choruses. The problem is, everything that I write comes out like I'm a pretentious, preachy ass, which maybe I am. But that's not what I want to be. And I guess that's not entirely true. I'm ok at writing choruses for songs that are self analytical, or told in the first person, because then the chorus can become a part of the story. The problem occurs when a song tells more than one story. Then the job of the chorus would be to bring together the themes that carry through all of the stories. But it's difficult to do that without being preachy.

Why are people so engaged by a catchy, few word chorus anyway? I guess I can't talk, because I am too. I just can't write them very well. They sound so juvenile. Either my chorus has too many words in it and is therefore difficult to remember, or there aren't enough and I sound two. *sigh* Ah well. Keep plugging away at it, I suppose.

Do you think anyone would like a song about waiting for a plane and observing the people? I don't care; I want to write it. I've even got a chorus in mind for it...

Santana at Woodstock

This is probably old news for most people (It's been viewed two and half million times), but this is one of the best jams ever. I'm not even close to old enough to remember Woodstock (hell, my parents are too young to remember Woodstock), but kind of wish I'd been there.

I can't believe that drummer was 20.

Santana Rocks



Thanks Justin_Bobby on Twitter!

Pink Floyd never again

Apparently David Gilmore has decided that he won't have fun playing with Pink Floyd anymore, which means no more reunions. This is of course a little disappointing, since I'd love to see the band play again (I've seen both Gilmore and Roger Waters), but I have to respect the guy. Whatever his reasons, which he claims aren't because of his tiff with Roger, he's not caving into any sort of pressure, either from fans or from money. I understand he was offered a lot to do a reunion.

Here's a guy who knows what he wants to do, and is sticking to it. There's nothing wrong with not reliving the past; he's ready to move on, and is happy doing that.

Negligence

Yes, I've been negligent (not that anyone reads this blog yet). I haven't posted in weeks. IT almost makes me feel better that in that time I've launched a new blog (which I do update daily) and a YouTube Contest, which is already more of a success than I ever thought it would me. But that's no excuse for neglecting my personal blog. I'm going to be better about it.

Right now I'm watching Pan's Labyrinth and playing with my Twitter account, which I am going to use a lot more. The music in this movie is great. It's subtle, but really impacts the movie in certain points. I think it would be a great deal of fun to score a movie. I wonder how Ben Folds did it with over the hedge?

I learned how to play Mamma Kin on the guitar yesterday. Twasn't terribly hard, but it's a great deal of fun. Go Joe Perry!



Time to find some more music to listen to and play!

Alone time

There's something nice about not having anyone around. I'm staying at a co-worker's house this week while she's away. There are no neighbors touching any walls, so you don't have to worry too much about making noise. I got back from work and played my guitar, and sang at the top of my lungs. It was great practice for everyone involved (just me really). It's weird. I'll get up in front of 200 people and sing my heart out, but I don't like to practice when anyone is home, really no matter who it is. Strange how we're self conscious about something, but completely unafraid of other things.

I need to get back onstage soon.

John Mayer and Paramore

It seems like a strange combination (and it was), but John Mayer played with Paramore last week in Pittsburgh (video below). I think that this is one of the great benefits of being and up and coming band like Paramore (who I like a lot). Getting to play with your legends. John Mayer was able to do it when he was playing with Clapton, and now he's returning the favor for Paramore. Was this a great performance? No, not really. But it was good, and it was different, and it shows that there doesn't have to be a solid divide in musical styles. Crossing genres is always a good thing.

Musicians should avoid planes

Ed Robertson from the Barenaked Ladies was involved in a plane crash yesterday, while he was flying with three friends. Fortunately, no one was injured in the crash, which occurred while Robertson was piloting. However, just goes to show, planes are the bane of rock and rollers.

In Your Eyes

There are a lot of ways to judge a musician, and sometimes it's a cover that really does people justice. I love all of Sara Bareilles's music, but this cover of In Your Eyes is just one of those songs that I watch over and over and over and over and over.

Go Sara!

Songsterr

I've found a great free guitar tabs program. It's called Songsterr, and it's great. I hear that it's like guitarpro, but I've never used that program (I am in fact that cheap). But this one is free, so I've started using it. The song choices aren't nearly as good as other tab locations, but the quality of the tableture, and the interface, can't be beat. It's amazing how much faster I'm learning songs that with regular tableture. It allows you to play the tab, so you can get a perfect idea of the timing. It lets you do this at full speed, or at half speed for those faster passages.

Like I said, song choice isn't great, but there are some great songs that are included, songs that I've wanted to learn for awhile. I know that it's still better to use your ear, and learn straight up, but sometimes, I'm just imptient, and want to learn a song quickly, without having to listen to it 30 times in a row just to get the riff right.

Thunderstruck: This is waht it means to be a rock star

AC/DC, Angus Young, Thunderstruck. Need I say more?

Max Mueller

Just got back from seeing Dan Douglass's band Max Mueller play at the Cat Club. Max is an awesome guitar player, and the trio sure knows how to rock. I'm not a huge fan of Max's voice or the songs he writes, but the boy can play guitar. And I've never seen anybody drum with the style that Dan has. He gives it everything he's got, which is all you can ask for. I don't necessarily care for the band for a number of reasons, but they are fun to go and see. If you like grungy, bluesy music, definitely check them out.

It's always good to go see friends play. I went to Fitchburg State with Dan.

Come Back to Bed: John Mayer

Love this song, love this artist, love this performance.

Soothing, timeless music

It’s weird how some music can just stick with you, music that’s not great, but it always feels right. I mean, Zepplin and AC/DC and the Beatles are obviously timeless, but that’s because they’re phenomenal bands. I’ve been listening to MatchBox20 for more than 10 years now, and still, no matter how much I’ve heard it, I stop and listen. They’re not a fantastic band, and they’ve only had a few great songs, but they’re had a ton of really GOOD songs. It’s music that you don’t have to think about; it’s just soothing and there. And that’s not always a bad thing. So thank you Rob Thomas. I still like you.

Sara Bareilles: Little Voices

Newish CD I’ve discover: Sara Bareilles, Little Voices. There’s really no downside to this CD, other than the fact that the first song, “Love Song” has been overplayed. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a great song though. The album, full of simple piano parts that are engaging, though she’s no Ben Folds, has a ton of hooks, and is easy to sing along to. She covers a variety of topics, ranging from whistful musings to statements of female independence. Bareilles has a great sense of herself, and what she’s trying to accomplish with her music. With bluesy melodies and well constructed lyrics, she tells a story with every song. My three favorites are the end of the album, actually, City, Fairytale and Gravity (songs 9, 11 and 12). City and Gravity are beautiful, longing tunes, and fairytale is a wonderfully crafted, clever, fun assertion of independence. I’ve been listening non-stop, and find a new little piece to love every time.

Buy, listen, love.

Singing instructor

For about 4 months now, I've been taking vocal lessons with Juliana Snapper, a California based singer. Not only is she a phenomenal singer, but she's a great teacher. Every wekk that I leave, I can hear a distinct improvement in my voice. Even the members of my band commented about how much my voice was improving. She can hear better than any person I've ever met, and doesn't even need to look at me to know what I'm physically doing wrong. She cares about my voice, and is always encouraging. But she's not afraid to be direct. Best teacher of any subject I've ever had. I'd suggest taking lessons with her.

Wondering

I have to wonder which is actually better; living in LA, one of the music capitols of the world, where Record execs abide and go to see local bands, but are in sensory overload, or living somewhere else, where there are fewer bands to compete with, but also fewer talent people around to find you.

Dave Matthews

It seems sad to start a blog with this, but I saw DMB play in LA the other day. It was the day that Leroi, their fantastic sax player, died. It was something of a heartwrenching concert. They were so obviously hurting, and they still kept playing. They did abandon their setlist and just played all of his favorite songs, which made for a very strange concert. But one I'm glad I saw. That kind of personal concert happens once in a lifetime.

There was still a lot of pot being smoked around me though.