SimpleMusicSecrets.com Blog

December 20, 2009

Guitar chord calculators/fretboards

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — editor @ 7:17 pm

Today I was playing with several down loadable guitar chord “calculators” for lack of a better term.  I am old school and usually opt fro a book full of chords or scales but I must admit that these on screen tools are very useful. It takes a little while to learn how it all works, but soon you will see how to choose a chord or a scales, save it , print it and so forth.C chord fretboard diagram

 

 

http://www.virtual-fretboard.com/

The virtual fretboard has the best graphics and include options to color the fretboard and is user friendly. You can save the image as well as a jpg and this comes in handy.

 

http://www.guitarcalculator.com/main.html

The guitar calculator is very easy to work, although it appears very small to my eyes and I woudl like to be able to view it in a larger size. You can print the chords you save instantly but you cannot save the image which I do not like.

All in all though they are both very useful.

Tune your guitar

December 15, 2009

The Stage is Yours

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — editor @ 9:57 pm

sms-background-2-tone-blue-on-whiteOne of the biggest problems that a musician faces on their road to success is a lack of confidence. You can be the best in the industry, but if you are not confident in your abilities, no record company is going to take special interest in you. Why? The music industry has changed in its level of performance over the years. When you go to a concert, the artist that you are watching probably doesn’t stand still and sing like a timid child. They probably don’t tell you how bad they butchered the last song, and they don’t tell you how horrible they are. It’s not because they are great and they have recognition, it’s because they will be unappealing without showing confidence.

If you are going to play at a show, or play for a family member, or whatever the case may be, if you want to be good you must have confidence. How do you do this? One of the best methods that worked for me in my music career is a pattern of thinking that I like to call, “The stage is yours.” When you play for someone, whether you’re playing for 3 people or 300 people, you have to remember one thing.

stage presence

how to sing

They are there for one reason, and that reason is to see you. You already have your fanfare; because they are sitting down to listen to you. The stage is yours. You have every right to use it which ever way you want to, in order to give them what they came for.   Being timid about your ability is natural, but needs to stop at some point.

If you think that your not a musician because you only know five chords, then remember this; You know five more chords than almost any body else around you. You will never get better, if you don’t think you’re good to begin with. When you perform, give your music attitude that will leave your audience starving for more. Don’t be shy, because this is extremely noticeable to the people on the outside watching you.

While learning to be confident be sure that you don’t become over confident. This is also extremely important. Nobody likes an arrogant performer that is full of themselves, as it is unappealing. Acknowledge your skill, but don’t try to rub it in. You will make people angry, and no one will listen to the music, because they don’t respect the artist.

There is a fine line between being humble, and being cocky, and you don’t want to find yourself on the wrong side of the fence.singlike a pro

So when you get ready to perform, tell yourself the stage is yours, I’m going to show them who I am, and when I’m finished, more people will know my name. Remember that the audience isn’t there to judge you; they are there to enjoy you. If you don’t take yourself seriously, no one else is?

perform music

December 12, 2009

Two Handed Guitar

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — editor @ 1:12 am

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The guitar takes ideas from both hands to make a full sound. You will increase your flexibility and skill as you learn both right hand and left handed techniques.These are the terms and skills you should know and work on right away.
Skills for the Right Hand

Flat picking is playing the guitar with a plectrum or pick, usually plastic. Flat picking is essential to a well rounded guitar player.

Finger picking is usually described as playing the guitar with only your fingers, not with a pick. When you use all of your fingers, you can play difficult parts at the same time.boywguitar125x125

Read more guitar techniques here

December 7, 2009

Is Older Better? Ask a Vintage Guitar

Filed under: guitar — Tags: — editor @ 11:17 pm

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Why, you say would anyone need to have an old instrument as opposed to a new one? Time will only improve the sound of a well made guitar. As a guitar ages, so does the sound; mellow  is the word for a vintage guitar as the wood changes over time.
What does it mean to have a vintage guitar.

There are other factors that matter when you are thinking about a vintage guitar. A guitar  is more valuable if it is not available, perhaps made in a limited run. The Martin guitar company produced various models of an individual design in short runs.

The Les Paul Gold Top guitar had a particularly cherished finish and golden color which also aged well. With the Fender Stratocaster the quality was lespaulgold200x300more highly desired during an earlier time of the companys history. Famous guitarists lend their name and endorse special guitars known as signature guitars. The guitar is not vintage necessarily but it is more desirable and will be vintage someday. If a guitar was owned by someone famous, that of course makes it more valuable and increases its value.If the guitar was played at a big concert like Woodstock, that would make it more prized as well. A guitar that has a great sound will be valued regardless of the age of the guitar.
Guitar amplifiers are also considered to be vintage in some cases. Vox, Marshall and Fender amplifiers have particularly pleasing sound reproduction capabilities. The tube circuitry is largely responsible for the sound of these amps.

Many vintage guitars today are valued as works of art and are treated as such. To own a vintage guitar is to own a piece of modern music history.Knowing that so and so played the guitar really adds to its reputation  and enjoyment. Modern rock and roll came into being with these instruments.

Some guitars have been restored to play perhaps even better than they did originally.

December 6, 2009

What does a conductor do?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — editor @ 11:24 pm

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Conductors are usually present in one of the following situations;
Choir
Jazz group
Smaller instrumental ensemble

Some people are confused by the point of a conductor, what do they do? How can the players understand what they are doing?

Like instrumentalists, conductors also have their own sense of style and each will vary from ensemble to ensemble.  The style will also change according to genre as there are different factors to consider, for example, a band leader or conductor of a jazz group will keep the band in time as well as signal when performers are to take solos.

There are some general tips on how to treat conductors before understanding how to follow them.conductor200x300

1) When playing a concert, the performers should always stand an applaud to show respect
2) The lead instrumentalists of each section should follow the conductor the closest. It is their responsibility to lead the other players in their section.
3) Watch the conductor using your peripheral vision.  This will allow you to follow them as well as read your music.
4) When the composer states the next piece of music, quickly and quietly change you music, especially in a concert situation.  Talking and chatting in-between undermines their seniority.

A conductor does so much more than keep time.  They know the music inside out and shape the orchestra, leading them during a performance.  Here are some quick tips on how to follow the conductor; read more here

December 1, 2009

Why Read Music? I can Play ok

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — editor @ 3:30 pm

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I wanted to share a few thoughts on reading music. I think it is essential to being a well rounded musician and it can really help in learning a new tune.

Often I have one particular song I want to learn and really want the easiest way to find it and learn it quickly. I go to musicnotes.com and there I search for the song. If it is available it costs about $4 at this writing to print it out at home. I can listen to it first at various tempos and keys with the player they provide.

I can also download it in any key. Than I can get to work learning  it.

I am not an affiliate of musicnotes, I juts love it and use it to demonstrate the point of how knowing how to read music helps my music learning process.

music notation

music notation

Thanks for reading and you can read more here. Learn to read music.

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