Vibe is good.

Vibe. One of my favorite words in managing people, and composing music. It's amazing how often I can use the word in a week. I've been recording guitar, bass, and programming drums for a client, and after doing 5 songs I can already feel the overall vibe the Cd will have. When you listen to your songs, do they have vibe? ~Just a thought.

Too tired to think straight.

These days, it's all about being too tired to think straight. If you're in a similar situation, try to maintain your passion for the guitar by actively listening to music. Can you detect the key of the song or imagine how the riff is being played? If not, keep trying. There's nothing like the sound of a 6-string guitar in Drop A tuning...

I'm still here.

I've had plenty of random musical thoughts to share on this blog, and will make a better attempt to keep it up to date. If you've visited and not seen any new content, I'm sorry. I hope you've been playing your instrument and funneling the creative juices into the form of a new song or two.

Biggest Challenge.

The biggest challenge you have being a self-employed guitar teacher is the fluctuation in income. Whenever a new sport starts, lacrosse for example, multiple students cancel their lessons, typically without giving any notice. If you happen to be taking private lessons, be considerate give the instructor as much notice as possible. Thanks.

Collaboration.

Collaborating with other musicians is one of the coolest parts of being one. However, as you get older and have less and less time, finding professional musicians that have similar or common goals is crucial. I can still remember some of the vocalists that came over to my parents house while growing up. I'd have my pre-recorded tracks ready, give them the cue to start, and I'd get an ear full of love-me-sideways lyrics and viking-rock. The memories still make me laugh and occasionally haunt my dreams. These days, I'm more apt to go it alone using loops and samples than make random calls for musicians. The last few Cds I've recorded however, have been very rewarding. The pro-guys I've had play drums, sax/flute, and keys have taken the songs to new heights. I'm excited about my new project, though I know it will take longer due to my 2010 plan. So, stick with the pro-guys.

Interesting.

Why do my guitar students say 'sorry' when they make a mistake? I find it very interesting. Doesn't learning an instrument qualify as a new an exciting challenge where you're bound to make mistakes? Here are some tips:

1. Cut yourself some slack, realize that horrible notes are part of the game
2. If you mess up, smile and move on
3. Realize that perfection doesn't exist
4. It's supposed to be fun

I'm going to count how many sorry-eez I hear this week

School.

It's too bad that so many classmates and people I grew up with quit playing their instrument. I think that's one of the main reasons I play and teach the guitar. I remember asking old friends what they've been doing and the response was predictably "working", "going to school", "oh, the usual", how depressing! Just because you got a job or got married doesn't mean you have to quit playing your instrument. I always thought to myself ... that's stupid.

My fifth grade teacher Mrs. Palmer made everyone sing Abba Super Trooper one day in class. I hated singing. She stooped in front of all of us, hand to her ear, to ensure we weren't just 'mouthing it'. Psycho! I remember her telling me I wasn't a good singer. What?*@ Anyway, thanks to her, I continued through life with a complex of singing, but also a love of the guitar. How strangely things work themselves out. In my mind Mrs. Palmer is the wicked witch of the North in Wizard of Oz.