Where am I? Where am I going? That is the question!

Blog #6

Right now I am amidst a few small pieces that I have truly enjoyed making. I love sitting down by myself and coming up with different sounds and ideas. However, I don’t think I want to do this all semester. Here are some of my ideas…

I would love to record some nature sounds with a field recorder and create a song based on nature. I am very in tune with the outdoors so I think that would be fun. I also want to create a piece with a group of people. It would be amazing to be able to perform it live but that is the less important part of the process. Like others, I don’t have a huge overarching idea that I need to complete. I feel like I am better off tackling things at random that I come up with which I have done previously. I wanted to create a slower paced song, so I did. I also wanted to use the KORG sound pad to create a song, so I did. I am enjoying skipping around from idea to idea and I think I would like to stick with that. So I don’t necessarily have a set idea, but I have a few random ideas that I think would be very interesting.

Blogging about a blog...DMB/Carter Beauford

Blog #5

I happened to be looking through some blogs and came across Andrew Bellmore’s blog about DMB. I have grown up listening to DMB because of my older brother who has been to over 75 shows and my older sister who has been to some 25 shows. I would agree with everything Andrew has said here about the musicianship of the band and their song writing abilities. DMB is also well known for their live performance and how it is ever changing. I respect how they never play the same set each night and how the audience never knows what to expect.

Another part of Andrew’s blog I related to was when he talked about the drummer, Carter Beauford. I have blogged about my favorite drummer, Mike Portnoy, and I would have to say that my second favorite drummer is Carter. Both drummers have very unique style with very technical drumming ability. I look up to both of there musicians and would some day love to be as good as them.

Blogging about a blog...Audience Participation

Blog #4

I recently read one of Joanna’s blogs where she talked about a group called Lucky Dragons. I was reading it because I saw a part on audience participation and became intrigued. To quote Joanna, “The duo is strong believers in audience participation and seeks to break down the barrier between artist and listeners that is typical in dance music. Asking people to interact physically and socially, they create a psychedelic sound with the energy created by these connections.”

Keeping that statement in mind I feel like this type of interaction is very important no matter what style of music. Joanna is referring to dance music and physical interaction with the performers but I can see this working at metal shows or any other style music. I have been to a Godsmack show. Godsmack is a hard rock/metal band and I think every song they performed they either asked the crowd to sing a particular part, or to jump around at a certain time. I had the time of my life at that concert and since that show I have more consistently been listening to Godsmack’s music because it brings that feeling of fun back into my blood.

I just feel like a lot of performers and artists overlook to importance of their fans. Having a great stage presence and showing people you want them to interact is very important in my mind. Plus, it may help people enjoy some of your ‘crappier’ songs!

Tommy Emmanuel

Blog #3

Tommy Emmanuel

Since he was 4 years old, Tommy Emmanuel has been awing the world with his beautiful guitar playing. He has had an over 40 year career or professional guitar playing. With his unique “finger-style” picking he can play melodies no one though possible and create the most beautiful guitar songs around. This “finger-style” picking is said to be like playing a piano where you use all 10 fingers within a piece.

Now I can’t play guitar but if I was to be able to learn one song on a guitar it would be a song of Tommy’s called “Angelina.” This song is one of the most peaceful, uplifting, calming, utopian, songs ever written. Obviously there are many opinions of what an amazing song is, but “Angelina” is my opinion of an amazing song. Here is the link “Angelina.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhR04kmcSXU

I love Tommy for his beautiful, serenading ballads, but he can also write a very upbeat and technical guitar song. Here is a link to a song off the album Classical Gas called “The Hunt.” This is what I call the metal song for acoustic guitars players.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOp6j1_sn-g

Tommy’s influence to play the guitar was Chet Atkins. Chet played in a style called “Travis-picking” where he plays a bass part with his thumb and the melodies with the first two or three fingers. Tommy’s style is similar and is based off from this technique.
Tommy has never taken or been taught formal music lessons but his ability to play the guitar has made him a famous guitar player with fans all around the world.Tommy has created some 20 albums over his career and is continuing to tour even as his age increases.
Like I said earlier this year, it is hard for me to write calm, soothing songs. I have always wanted to learn how to play the guitar so Tommy definitely gives me inspiration to write those types of songs as well as learn how to play the guitar. I used to not be a fan of the acoustic guitar, but after hearing Tommy play, I sometimes prefer it.