Newsletter Vol. 3 # 15 – February 01, 2006

Greetings,

Welcome to Volume 3, Issue #15 of Guitar Noise News!

In This Issue:

  • News and Announcements
  • New Articles and Lessons
  • Guitar Noise Staff Picks!
  • Exploring Music With Darrin Koltow
  • Email Of The Moment
  • Notes From Nick
  • Buried Treasure Of The Internet
  • Forum Findings
  • Emails? We Get Emails
  • Event Horizon
  • Reviews
  • Off Site Sightings and Works In Progress
  • Random Thoughts

News And Announcements

Welcome to Guitar Noise News and a (slightly belated) Happy Chinese New Year to everyone. In case you missed it, it was last Sunday, January 29. Don’t forget to put “4703” on your checks now, unless you’re someone who prefers to write out “Year of the Dog.”

I just got the latest copy of Play Guitar! Magazine (their Spring 2006 issue) and, lo and behold, there’s a great story from Guitar Noise Forum member Mark Taylor on page ten! Mark describes providing the pre-show music for his community theatre’s Christmas play. When Mark originally agreed to do the performance, he enlisted help and got a small band of friends together. Little did he know that he’d end up doing a solo performance!

How did he cope? Well, you can read all the details in the story. The great thing is that he did such a good job that he got invited back to play this past Christmas! And Mark? I’m waiting to hear about that performance as well!

It’s always a thrill to see names from the Guitar Noise community pop up in such inspirational ways!

One last thing before I forget – don’t you forget about Valentine’s Day coming up in two weeks. I don’t want to hear stories from folks who should have known better than to forget their loved ones!

We’ve got a lot of ground to cover since our last newsletter, so let’s get going!

New Articles And Lessons

Review Is Required
by Jamie Andreas

Reviewing a lesson or piece is an essential, if often overlooked phase of the learning process. Jamie tells us why it’s so important and gives us reasons why to include reviewing old material as part of our regular practice routine.

Mastering The Higher Positions
by Dr. Scott Morris

Guitarists tend to be somewhat comfortable with note names in open position, but become disoriented and frustrated when they attempt to move up the neck. Dr. Morris, Coordinator of Guitar Studies at California State University presents five scale patterns, which, whenn combined with a basic knowledge of the Circle of Fifths, will allow you to play in any key over the entire neck of the guitar.

Express Yourself
by Tom Hess

In becoming a guitarist, one is, in essence, becoming an artist, learning to express oneself musically. Tom looks at the challenges of artistic expression and offers some valuable songwriting pointers in his latest article.

Guitar Noise Staff Picks!

It will come as no surprise to many of you that I spent a lot of time these past months listening to a lot of bass guitar music. And while I’ll be passing along a lot of recommendations from many masters of the bass guitar, I’d like to take a moment here to recommend a very old CD and a book.

First, the name Rob Wasserman probably doesn’t ring a bell with most of you. Rob works on both acoustic (stand up) bass and electric bass guitar and in the 1990s produced three intriguing albums entitled Solo, Duets and Trios. The first disc is just Rob and his bass. The second is Rob playing bass while a guest artist takes on the vocal chores (with an occasional guitar thrown in) and the last is, as you might have guessed, contains songs with Rob and two guests. Rounder Records (fairly) recently repackaged and released all three discs in a single box set called Trilogy. I don’t even know if you can find copies of the original single discs anymore! While Trios is a little uneven, both Solo and Duets are superb testaments to the both the bass and the imagination of the bass player. And well worth your seeking them out.

Another name that might not mean much to you is James Jamerson, who is easily the most famous bass player no one knows. As a member of the Funk Brothers, Motown’s “house band,” you have heard his bass lines on hundreds of songs. It’s safe to say that he inspired more bassists, directly or indirectly, than anyone in the history of the electric bass guitar. Hal Leonard has a terrific tutorial book out called Standing In The Shadows Of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson, that is a must for the libraries of the serious would be bass player. There are interviews, transcriptions and analysis and some of the greatest bass players you can name helping out on the book’s accompanying CDs.

Exploring Music With Darrin Koltow

And here’s the latest tip from Maximum Musician’s Darrin Koltow:

A tip on guilt: What does that have to do with playing guitar? It has to do with practicing. Guilt over how often you think you ought to practice, versus how much time you’re actually spending on the frets. But more to the point, guilt related to the guitarist you are compared to the guitarist you think you want or have to be.

There’s some real simple advice on handling this uncomfortable emotion: let it go. However much you practice has got to be enough. It is enough. Unless you’re a pro musician, your practicing isn’t putting any bread on your table, as good as it may feel. So let practicing take a back seat to working, paying bills, watching your kids grow up.

There’s always more to learn on the guitar. And no matter what skill level you have, no matter how much skill you’ve lost, the point of playing is really to feel engaged in something timeless and wondrous, isn’t it? And you can get that feeling even if you can’t tell the difference between a tuning peg and a truss rod, or an eighth note and a perfect fourth.

There will always be players who are “better” than you — in other words, more skilled. And there are always going to be players more dedicated than you. So what? No other player can give you what you can give yourself when you play: again, that sense of timelessness, of wonder and timelessness. So let the guilt go; let the good flow.

Thanks for reading.

For those of you who might like to know more about Darrin, let me direct you to his website, Email Of The Moment
For the record, all of the staff members (writers, contributors and Forum Moderators) receive a lot of emails and PMs (“Personal Messages” sent via the Guitar Noise Forum). Sometimes, though, I get it and then pass it along to them. Here’s a good example:

Hi,

I’d just like to thank Nick Torres for his writing and Guitar Noise for posting it. I was in the market for a nice new guitar in the $500 to $600 price range and had played a few. Unfortunately, the guitars I liked best were in the $750 price range. After reading the article on how to buy a used guitar, I shifted my focus just to see what would be available. Friend of mine has nice old guitars that sound great. This fact agreed with the article. My first music store visit turned up nice old Takamine that sounded better than just about any other guitar I played there, including those close to $1000. I’m sure some of the difference is just about what I think sounds good but overall I’d say I have to agree with Mr. Torres. Thank you Nick Torres for the education and Guitar Noise for the service to the music community.

Notes From Nick

Speaking of Nick:

One topic that frequently pops up on the Forum Pages is “Am I too old to make it?” The last time this topic came up (just within the past two weeks!), the poser was all of twenty-six and Nick made a very inspirational reply that I think is worth sharing with everyone:

Hi and welcome,

To answer your question, if you are twenty-six you have plenty of opportunity to make it. Then again you will always have opportunity to make it.

However, you will need to better define “make it”.

There are many questions you need to ask yourself.

Do you just want to play as your sole means of financial security?

Would you consider teaching? Maybe a part time job too?

The answers to those little questions make a big difference.

Are you willing to treat playing as a job?

It won’t be a hobby anymore. You will need to formalize what you do. You need to put aside certain hours every day for writing music, real practice, band practice, PR, calling people, arranging gigs, collecting past due money, negotiating contracts, writing checks for posters, buttons, shirts, arranging travel, booking hotel rooms, etc.

Are you ready to play when you don’t want to? Don’t feel well? Are tired? Burnt out?

It’s not glamorous. Is that what you mean by make it?

But wait there is more.

Are you talking about the music or the money? If you play great music that is loved by many, but can’t support yourself solely on the proceeds is that success or failure?

See the problem is defining the question. You’ll see this quandary often in business and science and ethics classes and well, everywhere. If you don’t know the question, you won’t know how to get to the answer. A business wants to grow and be profitable. Is acceptable growth 2% or 20%? Is $10,000 of profit the goal or $1,000,000? Is making it living in a small apartment and driving a used car or do you want a big house and a new car? See what I mean?

So let me help you define the question. Don’t call it making it.

Personally I’d call it four things.

  1. What do I love to do?
  2. What am I willing to do to do the thing I love to do?
  3. Where is the balance?
  4. Will I learn to recognize and appreciate what I have when I have it?

Once you know the answers to those four go and do some homework. Get a book from the library on managing a band so you can see what goes on. Talk to people in the business. Do some soul searching.

Then again, maybe you shouldn’t ask me because I have already made it.

I teach and work and play out. Sometimes I play in front of a hundred or so people. That’s a big crowd for me. Sometimes I play in front of ten, a small crowd. I enjoy both equally. I play around campfires, with strangers, with beginners and experts. I play for kids in school and the occasional church service. I met a homeless guy playing on a street corner near where I work. I asked if he minded if I join in. Whenever I find someone to share music with I know I’ve made it.

I enjoy teaching guitar. When I get a student past a hurdle or they master a new song, I know I’ve made it.

I also enjoy my work. My co-workers want to know where I’m playing and they show up and support me. When people show up like that you get all warm and fuzzy and you know you’ve made it.

I have a bunch of the most wonderful and amazing friends. You know I’ve only met them a dozen times, but I think of them as some of my oldest and dearest friends. I play guitar with them a couple of times every year, wherever they are come hell or high water. Playing with these friends is more important to me than playing in front of a stadium full of people. Yep, once again I made it.

I’m a perpetual beginner guitarist. I always will be no matter my level of technical proficiency. Whenever I learn something new I know I’ve made it.

Just about anywhere in the world I could email someone and tell them I’m bringing my guitar and I’d not only have a friend to jam with, but probably a place to stay too. Uh-huh, I made it.

I’ve had a song written about me. I’ve got a musical nickname. I’ve got my picture hanging in a basement in Chicago. I’ve made it baby.

You’ve probably guessed that for me the most important question is the fourth one. Once you’ve got that one you really have made it.

And finally, just in case I got you down, remember this quote (by Dr. Wayne Dyer) from a past newsletter:

There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there’s only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen.

Buried Treasure Of The Internet

Usually we dedicate this space to a website other than our own, but I’d like to highlight an area of Guitar Noise that many of you might not know about:

One of the most exciting things about the Internet is that you can (if you have the equipment and the know-how) play with musicians from all over the world. At Guitar Noise’s Online Jams and Collaborations Forum page you can play with other GN forum members and create some wonderful music. Here’s a recent sampling of a “Pink Floyd style” jam (aptly titled Syd’s Long Walk) that Smokingdog hosted, featuring guitar solos by GN Forum members Banre, Taso, Gnease and Bish.

Give a listen to some of the ongoing jams and, if you can, join in on one! Meet other musicians, exchange ideas and have some fun!

Forum Findings

The Swap Meet pages saw a flurry of activity last month. Two of our members got together and did a straight trade of instruments.

Not only did each member get a new instrument, they provided a lot of interest for all those on the sidelines!

If you’ve got some equipment to sell or trade, be sure to post at the Swap Meet.

Emails? We Get Emails!

Hi David,

First, thanks for all the inspirational writing and lessons. I thought you might like to hear about our “Open Mike Night” I helped organize after reading Guitar Noise Newsletters. I am a member of the Elk’s Lodge in Chandler, Arizona and we have a lot of amateur musicians as members. In the past four months we have put together two “Open Mike Nights” where everyone is welcome to break out their dusty old equipment and make some music with others or sing their favorite songs. Sometimes it sounds like swinging a cat by its tail and other times it’s magic. Either way it’s a great opportunity to have fun and gain some experience playing in a band with an audience.

Keep up the great work! The silent masses wait in anticipation of every Newsletter.

Great to hear from you and to hear about your Open Mike Night! I hope that you continue to have success with it and that it helps people come out and play.

Remember that if you have a story about playing with others that you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you. Help inspire others to bring their music to the world! Write me at [email protected] and please put “playing with others” in the subject line if you can!

Event Horizon

If you’re in the Midwest, you probably already know there are many GN members scattered all about. Bish hails from the Illinois/Iowa border and his band, Hap Hazard, play very regularly in the Quad Cities area.

You can catch Hap Hazard in February at the following venues, dates and times:

February 3 at the 11th Street Bar and Grill in East Davenport, where the music runs from 8 PM ’til midnight.

February 11 at Blue Port Junction, located at the southeast corner of I-280 and Highway 61 Interchange just west of Davenport. Music runs from 8:30 PM ’til 12:30 AM.

Over on the other side of the state of my former home state, you can see GN Forum member Missy51633 (all of seventy-two years, mind you!) playing with Fender Benders (one of three bands she regularly plays in!) here during February:

February 5 at the Moose Lodge, located at 225 South Depot Street in Brazil, Indiana, from 5:00 PM until 8:30 PM.

February 11 at the Moose Lodge, located at 400 East Depot Street in Sullivan, Indiana, from 8:00 PM until midnight.

February 18 at the V.F.W. Hall, located at 201 Court Street in Fairfield, Illinois, from 9:00 PM until midnight.

February 25 at the American Legion Hall, located at the corner of 9th and John Streets in Saint Francisville, Illinois, from 8:00 PM until 11:00 PM.

Reviews

Robert Fripp: Love Cannot Bear
CD Review by Jimmy Caterine

The latest release from musical pioneer Robert Fripp is a CD of live performances. Mesmerizing and intricate in arrangement, yet very relaxing and satisfying music to listen to.

Kate Bush: Ariel
CD Review by David Hodge

Kate Bush returns with her first studio disc in quite some time – a two-CD set that will both delight and challenge her listeners.

Off Site Sightings And Works In Progress

In addition to the article on Mark Taylor, you’ll also find my latest lesson for Play Guitar! Magazine in the Spring 2006 issue that just hit the newsstands. It’s called “Play Well With Others” and details a few ideas and technique you can use to play “second guitar” parts while a friend is strumming the basic chords.

And be on the lookout for Play Guitar! Magazine’s Summer 2006 issue, which should be out in about three months. It will have an article from Tom Serb (also known as “Noteboat” on the Forum Pages).

Random Thoughts

I got an email from Frank Wright, who volunteers for a nonprofit organization called “Guitars Not Guns,” whose purpose is to help kids avoid gangs by providing them with music and music instruction instead. It’s an admirable project. Going to their website, http://www.guitarsnotguns.org/, I found out a lot about them:

Our Mission: To provide guitars and lessons to foster children and other youth at risk, regardless of ability to pay. We also provide mentoring of children by inviting professional musicians, teachers, entertainers, producers and other music related professionals speak to the children to make them aware of the opportunities a life in music can provide.

Our Goal: Stop the violence, “guitars not guns,” in schools. We divert as many children as possible from the self-destructive behaviors of drugs, alcohol, crime and gang activity. By exposing children and teens to music. We hope to engage their creative potential and offer them an alternative to the increasingly narrow array of choices presented them.

Our History: The idea started in 1992 with Ray and Louise Nelson and their desire to help the foster children in their home in San Jose, California. It was through this experience with foster kids that Ray decided to help by providing guitars and lessons not only for their foster kids but others as well.

On July 24, 2000 “Guitars not Guns” became a federally exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. June 2002 Guitars not Guns started it’s first guitar class with two volunteer teachers at the Social Services building in San Jose, CA . Ray and Louise recently moved to Peachtree City, Georgia where they will begin the music program for children on the East Coast. call-770-487-1070 or [email protected]

Not surprisingly (given that this is America, after all), they make a big point of stressing they are not “anti-gun.” But that’s obviously beside the point! What matters is that they are using music as a way of reaching out to kids and to hopefully make their lives better.

Currently Guitars Not Guns has chapters in California (Fairfield, Oakland, Pasadena, Redwood City, Salinas-Monterey, San Francisco, San Jose, Stockton and Walnut Creek) and are hoping to have chapters soon in both New Mexico and Georgia.

If this is something of interest to you, check out their website and drop them a line. And if you’re looking for a charity that you can get behind this year, please give Guitars Not Guns your consideration. Maybe instead of trading in an old (but playable) beater, you might consider giving another person a chance to play guitar!

Until our next newsletter, stay safe and play well.

And, as always,

Peace.