Wednesday

DEVELOPING A MUSIC CAREER

If you are dreaming of a music career, then you will probably want to learn all you can about your chosen field. Here are just a few areas you might be interested in exploring...

Music Production
Music Business
Musc Theory
Songwriting
Arranging
Online Music Marketing

Or perhaps you would like to specialize in teaching or performing a specific instrument such as...

Guitar
Keyboard
Bass

Whatever your interest may be, you can take the first step toward developing your music career right now. Simply sign-up for a free music course in your chosen field by clicking the link below...

Develop a Music Career: Free Sample Course

The music industry is a very competitive field, so getting a good education can prepare you for success and help prevent costly mistakes. This free course might be just the inspiration you need to make your dreams come true-

And it may be the beginning of a very happy New Year!

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

Thursday

IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR

The traditional Christmas carol "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" originally began as a poem. It was written in 1849 by Edmund Hamilton Sears, a minister who lived in Massachusetts. American musician Richard Storrs Willis was inspired by the poem and composed the music for it in 1859.

FREE TAB:

IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR

Here are the words if you would just like to strum the chords and sing along:

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heavens all gracious King!"
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats
O'er all the weary world:
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o'er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

O ye beneath life's crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow;
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
Oh rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold,
When the new heaven and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace, their King,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

Learn how to play Christmas songs arranged for two guitar players...

10 Classic Christmas Songs

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

Wednesday

IS YOUR GUITAR IN GOOD CONDITION?


What is the condition of your guitar? As you may know, winter is the time of year when you need to be more careful with how you store and transport your guitar. If you are not careful, it could easily get damaged, especially if it's an acoustic.

I was reminded of this the other day when we took our Martin Acoustic in for a simple "set-up" job. When our luthier friend put a straight edge on the top of the guitar my heart sunk. It looked like the face of the guitar had a slight dip just below the sound hole. How could this be? I had checked it myself not too long ago and it was fine. What happened?

My general practice is to leave my guitars out on a stand so I can access them easily. This makes it more convenient for me when I'm teaching too. However, winter can get pretty cold where I live, so I use an electric heater in my music room to keep my guitars warm. But under these conditions, without proper humidity, it's easy for a guitar to become too dry and that's when problems can develop.

This past week the temperatures dropped below freezing, so the heater has been running constantly. I should have taken extra precautions and put our Martin Acoustic back in it's case with the humidifier placed inside the sound hole. But I didn't. Now I stood there helplessly, waiting to hear some bad news.

The luthier was telling me what I already knew as he loosened the strings... "Guitars can dry out this time of year" he said. After the strings were slack, he placed the straight edge on the guitar's face again... "it's okay."


Wow! What a relief! It was a close call, but our Martin Acoustic is going to be okay. I share this story so that it doesn't happen to you. Remember, if you live in a cold, dry climate, to keep your guitar in a case with a humidifier inside the sound hole and the room temperature set between 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Till next time...

Keep practicing!