Sep 16
Every guitarist wants to have the best tone. In fact we all work so hard on perfecting our technique and our style that sometimes the most important part of the equasion is forgotten. Your guitar of course. Continue reading »
Archive for the ‘Advice’ Category
Aug 13
Let’s get one thing straight before I get loads of complaints. Singers ARE musicians. We do a very good job at being musicians. The title is a bit pedantic, but I am trying to make a point here. I think it is about time that those of you who are not singers, need to understand our “ways”. Yes I know some of us throw tantrums, lash expensive mic’s to the floor, kick speakers, and walk out of rehearsals in disgust-never to be seen again, or in the nearest bar drowning our sorrows and saluting Freddy Mecury, et al: “why can’t I sing like them?”. Continue reading »
Jul 19
As a guitarist for hire I’ve learned a couple of things: keep your teeth together, attitude professional, gear in top form, and ears wide open. As Frank Zappa said, “Shut up and play your guitar!” Here are some thoughts about a past gig. Continue reading »
Jul 16
The music business: a weird, wonderful and sometimes ugly world, where we all try and find our way in. It can be a very confusing place, and I have been working in it one way or another for the past 17 years and have been living inside of it for the last 24. Continue reading »
Jul 13
Right, where were we?
In the previous part, we laid down a very simple MIDI drum part and bass line for a 6 bar ‘jingle’. Next it’s time to get some real instruments on there. For this example I am going to use my guitar, I have plugged my guitar into the back of my PC through the Microphone-In port using an 1/4 inch to 1/8th inch mono adapter.
Jul 08
ATLANTA—In the world today, there are a growing number of people wanting to get in “the business.” There are also a lot of people trying to transition out of the business because they’ve somehow realized that it really wasn’t what they expected. Continue reading »
Jul 05
How is your bassdrum technique? Many drummers are looking for a better way to control their foot technique as it seems the bass drum presents the most challenge on the conventional drumkit . Most of us are looking for some type of secret technique to conquer it’s mass and awkwardness. There are however many ways which to address this issue however today we will talk about a simple secret that is very effective. Continue reading »
Jun 29
Exercise of Doom Part 1The exercise of Doom as I christened this 15 years ago. Is a way of practicing major scale fingerings. Continue reading »
Jun 28
These bits of advice that I’ve heard or read over the years have earned their weight in gold…. Continue reading »
Jun 11
In this section I ask some of the best what they look for in a player, to give you some idea on what is expected of you as a bassist. Some helpful hints to help you nail that next gig. Continue reading »
May 26
If you’ve managed to find your way to Intellectual Musician then there’s a good chance that you are someone who has all the ingredients for a successful musician. “What?” you say, “how can that be?” What you may not have realized is that the only tools you’ll ever need are already in your possession: curiosity and drive. Continue reading »
May 09
After being away from guitar for a number of years, I thought it would be cool to start my come back with some great new gear. Continue reading »
May 06
Playing guitar is a lifelong endeavor. So don’t plan on learning everything anytime soon. Here’s a few essential tips it took me twenty years and half a head of hair to figure out. Continue reading »
May 03
I can’t count how many times I’ve been asked by students and others, “How do I become a working musician?” “What is it like?” “How do I keep a gig?” Well for all who are concern here’s the my answers to those questions. Continue reading »
Apr 20
Let’s face it, if learning was easy, we’d all be experts. But how does one balance the tears and apathy with the delayed joy and gratification that will undoubtedly come to one who devotes the time? Continue reading »
Apr 17
Many students ask me how they should go about preparing a piece of music for performance. The method I outline here is actually quite simple. By following each step to the word you should be able to prepare even the most complicated pieces without too much pain and suffering. Continue reading »