Patrick Howell's EA/Improv. Blog

I got a guitar...

2009-03-17T07:10:00.001-07:00

Blog #5

I just recently aquired a guitar from my older brother. It is a 6 string acoustic and sounds great, the only problem is I dont know how to play it. He taught me a few basic things when I saw him but it wasnt enough to go writing songs or playing comfortably. I decided to look at some youtube videos about how to learn simple songs. That was cool for a while but playing only a few things over and over is boring. I decided a more fun way to get aquianted with the guitar was to just play on my own without really knowing how. I am a musical person and understand key and pitch and tone so knowing what sounds decent and not so decent is easy. So, I started improving. I came up with a few cool ideas and wrote them down in hopes that I can go back to them once I get really comfortable with the guitar. I guess I am just really excited to have a guitar and am excited to keep exploring the instrument.

Improv Exploration

2009-03-10T16:01:00.000-07:00

Blog #4

Good news…I got my leg back. I can once again play drums and feel comfortable doing it. Since my knee was injured I have been experimenting with alternate techniques of playing which seemed to aid my improvisation style. Now that I have my leg back I actually feel like my ability has gotten better, so rather than keep using one leg I have decided to do a few things that may help aid my improving.

One thing I found very fun was using my drum pad and having another person listen through the headphones to what I was playing but only they could hear it. Since I was completely unaware of what exactly it sounded like I started ‘communicating’ with the person by watching their reactions to what I was playing. Sometimes they would look bored, so I sped up and they seemed to enjoy that, and then I may turn the volume up and they wouldn’t exactly like that. It was a very fun experience to do that.

Another technique I used was mixing up the drums I was playing. I would play a tom as if it were a high-hat, and put different cymbals at the toms, and the bass drum would actually sound like a snare. It sounded weird, but every once in a while I would play a cool jam and realize that I would never play that on a traditional style kit.

I guess the point I am trying to make here is that you can teach yourself how to improvise by trying new techniques. When I jam with people again I will most definitely play with some of these new techniques I have learned. I feel like if your unsure of what your playing then you will be a great improviser.

Innovative ways of notation confuse me!

2009-02-24T11:04:00.000-08:00

Blog #3

After reading the Braxton article I was a little frustrated and confused. I have known music only in standard notation and nothing else and looking at some of these notation style makes me a little frustrated. I am asking myself how someone can see/play music from these notation styles. At the beginning of the article Braxton shows us some of the new ways he writes notes or sounds on a page. Why not stick to the way it has always been done? I understand that this is for an improvisation style of music, but I still dont really like it. What this is showing is that I could potentially write random designs out make it into a improvisation notation and for some reason that takes the fun out of it for me. I suppose that since I listen to very structured and tight sounding music I like a notation system that is easy to understand and is known by all.

Also a point Braxton made was that a lot of notation inspires improvisation. I agree with this, but I also feel that most people start out improving when writing music. I feel like this whole discussion about notations is very individualized to the person talking about it. I would say that I am the complete opposite of Braxton. I like standard notation because it is understood and I feel like standard notation give enough to allow for great improvisation. I dont need to draw a picture, or complete a new notation to be able to improv. Who knows!

I am truly confused and frustrated with the article so I will leave it with the idea that innovative notation styles are very individualized and not for everyone. However, I accept that some people are searching for more and that standard notation is not for everyone either. PHEW!

Broken leg = MORE IMPROV!

2009-02-24T10:23:00.000-08:00

Blog #2

I have been a little behind on my blogging the last couple weeks. However I had an experience in class that I wanted to talk about regarding improving.

A few weeks ago I fractured a bone in my knee and being that I am a drummer I tend to use both legs, one for a hi-hat and a the other for a kick pedal. Like everyone else in class I had a chance to play with another member of class. I could have used a set on bongos, or something else not involving my feet but instead I decided to bring in a small drum pad with foot pedals and try it one footed. I never imagined how difficult it was to get into a smooth rythym only using one leg.

It takes a lot of time in general to be comfortable playing any instrument with confidence but when I took away my right leg (kick pedal) and played the kick pedal with my left it brought in a whole new world of technique. I started noticing that I was back to a simple beat on the bass drum while my arms tried to make up the difference for the missing leg. I seemed to be completely improving everything I played because nothing felt familiar to me. I felt like I was learning the drums all over again. I kept wanting to use my right leg but I obviously couldnt.

I feel like if a guitarist broke a finger or something that would be similar. I am not saying that breaking body parts is the way to go, but I am saying that this minor injury opened my eyes up to how a small change in a regular form can allow you to improv a lot easier. Once I get my leg back I may try doing other things to change it up like removing a few toms from my kit, or playing hi hat with my right leg and the bass with my left. It could either be very annoying, or I could love it. It could even be a good practicing technique to become a better drummer. Who knows!

Improvisation to me...

2009-01-23T09:07:00.000-08:00

Blog #1

Improvisation to me is one of the most creative forms of music. You are not reading from a score, nor following any particular idea. It is a completely random and creative process. The only thing that can influence you is your surroundings, or what someone around you is improvising. Improvising is a form of communication!

I have never played in a band, and I have never written a song. But I have played the drums for 15 years. I usually listen to music on my iPod and almost always improvise a drum beat along with the other instruments. Occasionally I try and actually learn a song, but 90% of the time I am improvising. I also play with my buddies occasionally. I have a couple friends who play guitar and all we do is jam. Someone plays a riff or beat and we just take it from there. I truly enjoy jamming because it allows you to be free in your thinking.

I am actually very surprised that I love to improvise and jam so much because the type of music I listen to is completely opposite. I listen to a ton of Dream Theater which is a progressive rock band out of New York. They have very long, complex, and technical songs with many different time signatures melded into each track. When they finish a song, they have memorized everything and fit many different ideas into one long thought out work of art. I love listening to the transitions and I absolutely love watching the live DVD’s because of how they communicate on stage during their songs. They have mastered each other as well as their songs.

Lastly, I feel like most bands aren’t very structured during their writing process. I know for a fact that Dream Theater just sits around and plays riffs until someone likes something, and then they go from there bouncing ideas around. I would call that jamming/improvising. So, even a very structured sound can some from improvising and jamming.

noise...music...nothing...what!?

2008-12-01T17:32:00.000-08:00

Blog #11

I am going to blog about the chapter 10 readings regarding noise music and Merzbow by talking about an experience I had making a noise piece. David Kerschner and I recently embarked on a quest to make a noise piece. We had no idea where to start so we looked at a few different noise artists, mainly Merzbow. Within the reading, the text states that “in noise music there is no endpoint or ultimate moment.” I wasn’t completely aware at first but upon finishing the piece I realized that at no point in time did we ever mean to put something in a particular spot, or at a particular time within the piece. There was no ‘ultimate moment’ for anything to happen.

Another quote from the text states that “Merzbow’s music make a form so complex it no longer is a form, and makes it out of junk.” I loved reading this because the whole time we were making the piece I asked myself what it sounded like? Does this make sense? Will it sound good? Does this work? Once I reasoned with the idea that there is essentially ‘nothing’ I have to think about when making the piece, I really started to like it! My point is that noise music is very random and allows you to put a lot of ‘nothing’ into something and end up getting a nice reward in return.

Playlist

Earshot- “Wait”

Filter- “Cold (Anthem for the Damned)

Tool- “Right In To”

Chevelle- “I Get It”

Dream Theater- “Finally Free”

Response to Tyler's "Do genres die?"

2008-11-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

Blog #10

After thinking about the question of "do genres die?" I have come to the conclusion that they don't. I feel like a bunch of genres are not played much anymore, but I guaruntee that someone still listens to at least one of every genre at some point. I also believe that genres evolve into other genres which I feel can sometimes be a little ridiculous.

A pet peeve of mine has always been how many different metals there are. I would hate to say that I listen to 7 different kinds of metal if someone asks me so I just say "metal", as a whole genre. I am in no way saying that bands should be denied of their uniqueness but to put it lightly, holy shit! I have seen genres that just dont make sense, for instance, "metamorphic rock"! I hate to be mean but when a bunch of bands have been around and have been known as just being "rock" bands, and then immediatly change into "metamorphic rock" bands I have to ask how their sound has changed to make them into this new genre.

MY POINT- Why so many genres? Simple as that.

Playlist

The Crystal Method- "Weapons of Mass Distortion"

The Crystal Method- "Name of the Game"

Pink Floyd- "Wish You Were Here"

Army of Anyone- "Disappear"

Ra- "The First Step"

What is more important to a listener...sound or lyrics??

2008-11-17T15:51:00.000-08:00

Blog #9

I bet your asking yourself what the hell I mean. Well what I mean is that some people really like the sounds of bands but hate the lyrics so they don’t listen to them. In other cases people think that people particular lyricist wrote an amazing song, but hate the sound so they don’t listen to it.

One example I have comes from a few years ago when a Mother asked me what type of music I listen too. I explained to her that I listened to a lot of metal and hard rock. She told me that she would never let her 18 year old boy listen to that type of music because of all the screaming and yelling but she also expressed how it was hard to keep him away from it. I asked her what she listened too and she replied Christian rock as well as light rock and some classical. She also told me that she would prefer he listened to the same. I then expressed to here that there are many bands out there who scream and yell but they scream and yell about hope, love, and in her case Christian faith. I gave her a couple of names of bands such as Underoath, As I Lay Dying and All that Remains and told her a little about them. I mentioned to her that some have spiritual lyrics and in some cases the band consists of musicians who strongly believe in the Christian faith. I am not just saying this about Christian metal/rock but for all instances like this. She didn’t say whether or not she would allow her son to listen to any of these bands, but she did say that she would check them out.

I will ask the question again…do people pay more attention to lyrics or sounds to decide on whether they like the music?

This is a video of All that Remains playing “The Air That I Breather.” Although All that Remains is not labeled a Christian Rock/Metal band, the lead singer/lyricist, Phil Labonte explains that his Christian faith goes into many of his lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG9qlKEyV4E

Playlist

All That Remains- “The Air That I Breathe”

Ashes Divide- “Forever Can Be”

Fair to Midland- “Dance of The Manatee”

Megadeth- “She-wolf”

30 Seconds to Mars- “Oblivion”

Guitar Tapping...Guitar Playing??

2008-11-10T05:34:00.000-08:00

Blog #8

First things first...
I wanted to ask a tough question of whether guitar tapping is considered a real form of playing guitar. (Here is a video of Eric Mongrain performing a song consisting of almost all tapping. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb9cidk0Bfs ) I love these type of questions because it brings up so many opinions and so much conversation. I would like to express my ideas in this blog.

After watching this video I would have to say that guitar tapping is a real form of playing guitar. Although there is a not a ton of strumming with the guitar in its upright position, the basic idea of the guitar is there. I feel that in whatever way an instrument is made to play, if it is played like that then it is legit. A guitar makes sound by using it strings. Whether you strum, pick, or tap it is all making the guitar string make noise. Also, there has always been tapping especially within electric guitar riffs and solos, but up until recently no one ever created full compositions.

So how can an instrument be used to create sound but not in its original intended way. I always think of instruments like woodwinds. It was intended to have air blown through it to create the sound, but someone could easily create sounds by wacking it with drum sticks. Like I said, I feel like each instrument has a original way it should be played. Guitars were meant to have it strings moved to create noise, and woodwinds were meant to have air blown through them. There are many opinions or what is considered original playing but those are mine.

Playlist

Dream Theater- Scenes From A Memory (Whole Album)

Dream Theater- Images and Words (Whole Album)

Reflection

2008-11-03T15:15:00.000-08:00

Blog #7

This week I want to do something similar to Dave's blog a week ago and reflect a little on Sam and Dave's piece from last class. I was lucky enough to be able to help them create it. I really liked the idea they had about correlating the 'Inept' chapter into a piece of music. I was very intrigued as to how they wanted to follow through with it. Initally I thought we might try and actually make a punk song but instead they took the idea a step further and had each of us play a instrument we have no clue how to play. Before I continue, I just have to say that it was unbelievably fun! not knowing how to play something and having free reign to do whatever you want is something you dont get to do that much in life. I never knew being inept at something could be so rewarding. I truly want to learn more about the electric guitar and possibly start taking lessons when I have some free time.

So about this idea of wanting to learn how to play the guitar. Is this where we should praise punk? I got to thinking about how people give punk a bad rap because it is the music that "everyone can play." Well I feel like in some cases punk leads people into other genres and experimental music. A lot of people may have started playing punk but then moved into different styles of music. This could be because they didnt like the simplicity, or the short songs. For example, prog rock band Dream Theater (I'm sorry about referencing them all the time) started up listening to mostly rock and punk. They became a band when prog rock was just starting to become big again. Prog rock lost all headway when punk rock came around in the early 70's. It just so happened that eventhough some of their influences were punk and rock but they turned into a progressive rock band. I think it is interesting how music is created from other genres. In other words, people who hate punk, create prog rock. People who hate certain types of music usually create something opposite. Now obviously this isnt always true. I like metal, prog, country, rap, jazz, punk, and many others. But I feel it very interesting to see that in some ways people owe the creation of their type of music to a music style they despise...

My Playlist

"The Arms of Sorrow" - Killswitch Engage

"In the Presence of Enemies I" - Dream Theater

"In the Presence of Enemies II" - Dream Theater

"I'm Broken" - Pantera

"Only You" - Filter

"Way Beyond" - 32 Leaves

"Stand"- Candlebox

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

2008-10-20T14:51:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-13T08:07:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-13T08:06:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-13T06:29:00.000-07:00

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.

Artist of Interest

2008-09-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

Blog #2

Mike Portnoy: My artist of interest…

To say that I can play his work would be a lie, but to say that Mike Portnoy, drummer of progressive rock band ‘Dream Theater’, has influenced my playing and musical interests would be an understatement.

Mike Portnoy has been the drummer for Dream Theater since they first started writing music in 1985. He has co-produced the last 5 Dream Theater albums and has been named Best Progressive Rock Drummer by Modern Drummer Magazine for 12 consecutive years. Mike is also the youngest person (at 37 years of age) to be inducted into the Rock Drummer Hall of Fame since his idol, Neil Peart was inducted in 1983 (at 31 years of age).

I have become obsessed with Dream Theater but most of all Mike’s drumming for the past couple years. I love odd time signatures, long songs, technical passages, and innovative music so if you have ever heard Dream Theater you could see how I would enjoy them. Here is a video of Mike performing a Dream Theater song entitled “The Dance of Eternity.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Clt4h5y_Hmc&feature=related
This song shows not only his talent as a drummer but how innovative his writing, and drumming style is.

Out of all the things Mike has accomplished I have always appreciated his involvement in the musical community. He has had many side projects (7) as well as sit ins with many other bands. He has always expressed how he loves to experience others music as well as create more of his own.

As far as his influence on my work, I would say that any drum part I come up with or write is 50% inspired by Mike. Whether it is the style of double-bass drums, or tom fills, I guarantee it was inspired by Mike. This can be very frustrating for me as well because I am just not as talented as him so trying to create something similar to his work is nearly impossible for me, especially in garage band or on a drum machine. However, inspiring to be like a musician like Mike will only enhance my musical ability.

I will leave you with a video of Mike and Dream Theater’s keyboard player, Jordan Rudess. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr-spb0SETE&feature=related

First Week Experience

2008-09-21T17:10:00.000-07:00

Blog #1

I have been in the EA Lab using Garage Band a few times this week in hopes of getting a piece together for class this tuesday. I went in with the idea of creating a couple minute repetitive piece. I am hoping that it puts the class in a type of transe. I don't want it to bore people, but I would like it to put the class at ease. It is not intricate in any way but that wasn't what I was trying to do anyway. I found myself having a hard time settling on a particular idea. I sat for 2 hours trying many different ideas as I could but I never used one of those ideas. I came back a couple days later with a refreshed mind and finally got something going. It can be very frustrating to get something going, but once I finally started I ended up moving quickly through the piece. I am almost done and am excited to present my piece tuesday.