Thursday

DREAMING OF A MUSIC CAREER?

Do you ever find yourself dreaming about having a music career? Perhaps you like to watch American Idol and can easily imagine yourself performing on TV in front of a live audience.

On the other hand, the thought of doing something like that might just scare you to death!

Don't worry, you are not alone. Many talented singers, songwriters, and musicians, are shy and struggle with stage-fright. It is not that uncommon.

But rather than putting your music career on hold, I suggest you begin to face your fear by taking small, active steps toward reaching your goal. It will probably help if you work in stages.

STAGE I:

Perform with a small group of people you know well and trust...
- Arrange a family concert night for fun. Let each family member have a chance to perform something (acting, singing, telling a joke, etc.) in front of the others. You should use the time to perform something musical. 

STAGE II 

Perform for one person you know well and trust...
- Tell your closest friend about your dreams of having a music career and ask if you can perform something for them privately.

 STAGE III
 
Perform with a small group of people you may not know well...
- Get involved with other musical people by joining a choir or a band.

 STAGE 1V 

Perform for a small group of people you may not know well...
 - Invite people to a musical jam &/or get together at your house where you can encourage each other, practice performing and learn new things. 

When you feel comfortable with a particular stage you should move on to the next one. That way, you can gradually build your confidence for performing. After all, the more you do it, the easier it will become! 


Till next time... 

Keep practicing! 

Wednesday

DAVE MATTHEWS - You & Me

Once in awhile a song comes along that really stands out above the others. You and Me by The Dave Matthew's Band is definitely such a song. It is truly exceptional- fresh, original and one of the best my ears have heard in a long, long time.



You & Me Guitar Tab

The Dave Matthews Band has been around for almost 20 years now, and comprises a mix of talented musicians whose backgrounds cover everything from classical, rock, and soul; to jazz, bluegrass and hip-hop. This influence, along with Dave Matthews creative songwriting talents, has produced a rather unique musical fusion that crosses cultural boundaries and appeals to audiences all over the world.

The fact that DMB are able to "sell out the largest arenas on earth" and were also nominated to receive the Best Rock Album and Album of the Year for Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King at the 2010 Grammy awards, proves that they have got what it takes.

DMB is just "getting better all the time" and I look forward to more great music from this band in the days to come. In the meantime, I'm going to learn how to play this beautiful song and suggest you try to do the same!

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

Why Work When You Can Play?

Friday

REMEMBER THE DOOBIE BROTHERS?

Last week some friends invited us over to watch a Doobie Brothers concert that was recorded live at Wolf Trap Park in 2004. It had been sooo long since I had listened to this band, that I almost forgot how good they were (or perhaps I should say, are)!

Here is an early black and white clip of a 1973 Doobie Brothers concert that I found on YouTube...



Now, that's what I call a "blast from the past"...

Click the link below if you would like to learn how to play this song...

Jesus Is Just Alright - Guitar Tab

The Doobie Brothers have gone through several different members over the years, but two core people from the original band, Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons, have managed to hang in there.

This classic rock band has been going strong for 30 years and have sold more than 22 million albums. Here are some of their most well known songs...

Black Water

Listen to the Music

Jesus is Just Alright

Takin it To The Streets

China Grove

Learn how to play lots of classic rock songs - CLICK HERE!

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

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Saturday

EASY STRUMMING PATTERN FOR GUITAR

Many beginner students have trouble strumming in time with the music when they are first learning how to play guitar.

I have found that my students timing begins to improve when they practice playing an easy eighth-beat strumming pattern like this...



To give it a try, hold the D Major Chord while you strum down (d) and up (u), counting each beat out loud...

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
d u d u d u d u



When you are ready, go ahead and add a chord change to G Major. Remember to keep it slow and steady. Your goal is to reach the first down-beat of the G Major chord without losing the rhythm of your strumming pattern.

The final step is to add an A7 to complete the chord progression:
D G D A7 D
Play each chord like this:

D
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
d u d u d u d u

G
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
d u d u d u d u


D
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
d u d u d u d u


A7
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
d u d u d u d u

D
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
d u d u d u d u


Practicing this eighth-beat strumming pattern will help improve your ability to transition smoothly between chords. Then, when you are ready, you can learn how to play songs on guitar...!

Till next time,

Keep practicing!

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