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Post by Mr. Blackwell on Nov 22, 2023 19:18:02 GMT -5
I'll share this reluctantly; because when I did this years ago, everything went off the rails, I was seen as some sort of music snob, elitist, and I'm not. But - I am a musician with a degree, and hear music that way. My sweet spot is music that has mass appeal, but has musical depth beneath the surface. The early Katy Perry songs, as well as Britney Spears, have many such musical gestures. Of course that was all Dr. Luke, another trained musician, and I never denied that. Taylor Swift has none of that; this is an age of short attention spans and going viral. I hear people talk about her all the time, but you know what I'm yet to hear? Someone talking about a song of hers. Who cares? It's not about that. So here's where I get in hot water. I Kissed A Girl by Katy Perry was the most rock and roll thing I had heard in ages. It's in compound meter (12/8) which is rare enough. It's built off a linear ascending bass line (a-b-c-d) with a contrary motion counterpoint line descending, creating the dissonant tritone on the downbeat of the second measure. All building to the power chords in the chorus. Then you put the cherry on top - Katy Perry. The irony! Like her boyfriend is going to mind her kissing a girl. It was in a subtle way a spoof on Jill Sobule's hit of the same name. And Last Friday Night - I'll transpose it up a half step for simplicity. The chords are CM - am - em - DM. In theory those are the chords in the key of G Major. But where's the G Major? There isn't one! In theory it could be in the key of e minor, but does the song sound like it's in a minor key? Not to my ears. I found it fascinating, and jazzed up the chords - added some 9ths, 11ths, etc. and wrote my own disco-tinged song and called it So Katy. I recently completed a sermon on avoiding groupthink. I don't care how popular Swift is; I find her songs generic. The fact that's what's popular today doesn't sway me. It's why I'm not all up in arms over AI like some musicians. Does it really matter if a computer rehashes the same three chords instead of Taylor Swift? I lifted this out of Katy Perry song: Some of the most enduring songs are just C-D-G over and over. I don't think song quality is indexed on how rich it is harmonically or rhythmically. Why certain songs move us is certainly more mysterious than quasi-mathematical music theory. Taylor Swift does very little for me, but if you're unaware of the effect her songs have on her audience you should pay attention: rarely have I seen such a phenomenon. And it's not (just) image based. It's not (just) celebrity based: it IS her songs. The songs do hit home with her fans, who, granted, are a very specific (yet extremely wide) demographic. I always like to use Tom Petty as an example of this. Some of his most famous songs are just the same three chords over and over. Sometimes there isn't even a bridge. But the beauty of a song like Wildflowers is in its simplicity (G-D-A-D... rince, wash, repeat). My point is that there are many ways to write a successful pop song (and by successful, I don't mean commercially) and to dismiss one as inferior because seemingly less sophisticated is a bit myopic. Katy Perry's hits are the same: if they hit home, it's because of their immediacy. The fact that some of them are built on a more elaborate foundation matters very little, because this is music that's made to dance to, or drink to, or finger your girlfriend to. And I agree, they are GREAT songs. Dr. Luke is a killer songwriter and an even better producer. Let's face it, those songs would never have had the same impact had they been released as acoustic ditties or piano-driven tunes. And to get back on topic ("disposability"), musical "complexity" (for lack of a better word), which is a very relative term in pop music, is certainly not the basis for durability, either. Stevie Wonder's music got increasingly sophisticated and he had some hit records with some truly complex yet accessible songs that have stood the test of time. But so did Queen with We Will Rock You, which is probably the most basic song ever written. Yet it still makes people stomp and clap every night in every stadium the world over. There's a fascinating essay by avant-garde composer Milton Babbitt, whose recorded output is close to unlistenable in my opinion, but whose experiments are certainly intriguing. That type of thought might apply to the music he was writing and championing, but it certainly doesn't apply to KISS, Jennifer Lopez, Blind Lemon Jefferson or anything that falls under the "popular music" umbrella. Signed, Leo Tolstoy P.S.: Your song is great! First off thank you so much for checking out the song and your kind words! And major kudos on the Milton Rabbit reference. I believe the essay you are referring to is, "Who Cares If You Listen?" of which I am very familiar. I'm actually reading a book of essays by Arnold Schoenberg, whose music I more or less loathe; but his thoughts on music are fascinating. I do appreciate simplicity, and actually gravitate toward it. It's interesting as you noted, the "simplest" work often is the most memorable. From Schoenberg's era, Barber's "simple" Adagio for Strings, has survived a century better than most esoteric pieces of the same era. Now this is just me, obviously not the majority - song lyrics go in one ear out the other. I think Taylor Swift's songs connect with her audience on that alone. Nothing wrong with that, but it's not for me. I'm a big Tom Petty fan, but take Mike Campbell out of the equation and I probably don't listen. Same with the Heartbreakers in general. Lots of musicianship that elevates Petty's songs.
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Post by Mr. Blackwell on Nov 22, 2023 19:26:23 GMT -5
I'll share this reluctantly; because when I did this years ago, everything went off the rails, I was seen as some sort of music snob, elitist, and I'm not. But - I am a musician with a degree, and hear music that way. My sweet spot is music that has mass appeal, but has musical depth beneath the surface. The early Katy Perry songs, as well as Britney Spears, have many such musical gestures. Of course that was all Dr. Luke, another trained musician, and I never denied that. Taylor Swift has none of that; this is an age of short attention spans and going viral. I hear people talk about her all the time, but you know what I'm yet to hear? Someone talking about a song of hers. Who cares? It's not about that. So here's where I get in hot water. I Kissed A Girl by Katy Perry was the most rock and roll thing I had heard in ages. It's in compound meter (12/8) which is rare enough. It's built off a linear ascending bass line (a-b-c-d) with a contrary motion counterpoint line descending, creating the dissonant tritone on the downbeat of the second measure. All building to the power chords in the chorus. Then you put the cherry on top - Katy Perry. The irony! Like her boyfriend is going to mind her kissing a girl. It was in a subtle way a spoof on Jill Sobule's hit of the same name. And Last Friday Night - I'll transpose it up a half step for simplicity. The chords are CM - am - em - DM. In theory those are the chords in the key of G Major. But where's the G Major? There isn't one! In theory it could be in the key of e minor, but does the song sound like it's in a minor key? Not to my ears. I found it fascinating, and jazzed up the chords - added some 9ths, 11ths, etc. and wrote my own disco-tinged song and called it So Katy. I recently completed a sermon on avoiding groupthink. I don't care how popular Swift is; I find her songs generic. The fact that's what's popular today doesn't sway me. It's why I'm not all up in arms over AI like some musicians. Does it really matter if a computer rehashes the same three chords instead of Taylor Swift? I lifted this out of Katy Perry song: I remember your Katy song. Liked it much more than Katy Perry's music. If I recall correctly, I think people were critical of you right or wrong, because well this is a rock forum for the most part and you were dismissing every rock song/album being released at the time, but praising Katy Perry and even Rebecca Black. Nothing is wrong with loving that stuff, but you were also critical of Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson and Kesha and others who were hot at the time/still hot now of not having the goods that Perry had in your view. It seemed to me though that you were actually more of a fan of Dr. Luke and Max Martin over the actual artist themselves. So perhaps that is why were looked at as being snobby because basically you viewed the production/writing team as more important than the talent of the artist, which just seemed odd especially since you are a musician. But everything that was being done in rock was terrible in your view. So I am sure you can at least appreciate that rockers and metal heads on such a forum as this one who are passionate about rock music, were going to take issue with someone shitting on what rock was releasing many years back, but you were praising Katy Perry, Britney Spears and others in the same breath. I do suspect your view of Katy Perry has changed. Not that you don't think those songs aren't still great, but maybe she needed Dr. Luke and Max Martin more than they needed her and she won't have the longevity of other pop stars that do write their own songs, etc. Basically some of the pop artists you dismissed, have a better music career than Perry does now. Just to clarify - I championed the Rebecca Black song not so much as a great piece of music; but that it demonstrated a teenager could walk into a booth in a mall in suburban America and walk out with a hit song. It was AI way ahead of its time. I liked the song but it showed where we were headed with music - where we are now. I got on board with Lady Gaga when I bought her album for $1 on Amazon. Loved the Mutt Lange track and even bought the special version she recorded for Houston. I was big on Kesha, but liked her Dr. Luke era work. Like Kelly Clarkson, she had scores of very good producers guiding her, then wanted to dismiss them and diminish their importance. That's what I took exception with. I never shied away from my belief that the producers were very important, even with rock groups.
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Post by Hey Man on Nov 22, 2023 23:52:45 GMT -5
I remember your Katy song. Liked it much more than Katy Perry's music. If I recall correctly, I think people were critical of you right or wrong, because well this is a rock forum for the most part and you were dismissing every rock song/album being released at the time, but praising Katy Perry and even Rebecca Black. Nothing is wrong with loving that stuff, but you were also critical of Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson and Kesha and others who were hot at the time/still hot now of not having the goods that Perry had in your view. It seemed to me though that you were actually more of a fan of Dr. Luke and Max Martin over the actual artist themselves. So perhaps that is why were looked at as being snobby because basically you viewed the production/writing team as more important than the talent of the artist, which just seemed odd especially since you are a musician. But everything that was being done in rock was terrible in your view. So I am sure you can at least appreciate that rockers and metal heads on such a forum as this one who are passionate about rock music, were going to take issue with someone shitting on what rock was releasing many years back, but you were praising Katy Perry, Britney Spears and others in the same breath. I do suspect your view of Katy Perry has changed. Not that you don't think those songs aren't still great, but maybe she needed Dr. Luke and Max Martin more than they needed her and she won't have the longevity of other pop stars that do write their own songs, etc. Basically some of the pop artists you dismissed, have a better music career than Perry does now. Just to clarify - I championed the Rebecca Black song not so much as a great piece of music; but that it demonstrated a teenager could walk into a booth in a mall in suburban America and walk out with a hit song. It was AI way ahead of its time. I liked the song but it showed where we were headed with music - where we are now. I got on board with Lady Gaga when I bought her album for $1 on Amazon. Loved the Mutt Lange track and even bought the special version she recorded for Houston. I was big on Kesha, but liked her Dr. Luke era work. Like Kelly Clarkson, she had scores of very good producers guiding her, then wanted to dismiss them and diminish their importance. That's what I took exception with. I never shied away from my belief that the producers were very important, even with rock groups. Oh absolutely - you have always been big on producers, but I think it's one thing for a Mutt Lange to be working with real hard core musicians like Foreigner or Def Leppard vs. say Dr. Luke working with someone with no real musical talent or ability outside of looking hot for the most part and maybe an OK singing voice. So of course the old school rock loving generation is going to view that as some sort of betrayal - praising pop artists with minimal talent and not much real music being created with actual instruments over the rock bands/real musicians writing and recording songs with their blood, sweat and tears. Of course you have experienced the fall out from this as well as a guitar teacher. Less and less young people want to learn guitar or any instrument for that matter. Instrument stores are closing down like Blockbuster Video locations and everyone thinks they just can make it now in the music industry with the most minimal effort possible, because you don't actually have to know how to play an instrument or even be able to sing that well to make it. Toss some bullshit up on TikTok that you made with your computer in 2 minutes and you too can be a star. I would hope that as a musician and teacher - this is an aspect of the music you have championed that you don't like with what it has brought forth with young people not caring about instruments and creating real traditional music. Sure they can have their own definition of what music is, but I am sure you would want to preserve traditional instruments and have them still have them widely used decades from now in popular culture.
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Post by Mr. Blackwell on Nov 23, 2023 22:14:32 GMT -5
Of course you have experienced the fall out from this as well as a guitar teacher. Less and less young people want to learn guitar or any instrument for that matter. Instrument stores are closing down like Blockbuster Video locations and everyone thinks they just can make it now in the music industry with the most minimal effort possible, because you don't actually have to know how to play an instrument or even be able to sing that well to make it. Toss some bullshit up on TikTok that you made with your computer in 2 minutes and you too can be a star. I would hope that as a musician and teacher - this is an aspect of the music you have championed that you don't like with what it has brought forth with young people not caring about instruments and creating real traditional music. Sure they can have their own definition of what music is, but I am sure you would want to preserve traditional instruments and have them still have them widely used decades from now in popular culture. Absolutely. I have many mantras I live by, including, "A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything." In the modern music world, I'm a curmudgeon, and proud of it. I will always champion musicianship, craftsmanship, real instruments and people who can actually play them. It's why I'm not on board with the Taylor Swift hype. If one digs the music, fine. But don't tell me it's great music; it's not. What was that baloney ten years ago, that she was the "Next Eddie Van Halen?" Knock yourself out with that one. I'm not falling for it. When I think of great songwriters, I think Rod Temperton, Barry Gibb. Guys who not only could play instruments, but had a mastery of melody, harmony, and rhythm. None of that matters in today's popular music, but so be it. However, at 55 I have made peace with it. I should be able to retire in ten years, and I've had a great run. As a student of music history, I know nothing lasts forever. As a guitarist and fan of rock and pop, I experienced the Golden Era, which I wouldn't trade for anything. I don't live in the past, but I don't convince myself everything is great today. It's odd for me, because the other world I'm involved in, sports, is completely opposite. Basically musicians are followers, while athletes are leaders. Look how cowardly musicians responded to Pearl Jam going after Ticketmaster, and more importantly Lars Ulrich going after Napster. I think we can say in hindsight 2+ decades later, Lars was right. And it almost cost him his career! He saw this coming, attempted to nip it in the bud, yet was ridiculed. Meanwhile athletes routinely get locked out, go on strike, etc. yet always end up making even more money. In other words, athletes stand for something; musicians fall for anything.
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Post by Hey Man on Nov 23, 2023 23:33:05 GMT -5
Of course you have experienced the fall out from this as well as a guitar teacher. Less and less young people want to learn guitar or any instrument for that matter. Instrument stores are closing down like Blockbuster Video locations and everyone thinks they just can make it now in the music industry with the most minimal effort possible, because you don't actually have to know how to play an instrument or even be able to sing that well to make it. Toss some bullshit up on TikTok that you made with your computer in 2 minutes and you too can be a star. I would hope that as a musician and teacher - this is an aspect of the music you have championed that you don't like with what it has brought forth with young people not caring about instruments and creating real traditional music. Sure they can have their own definition of what music is, but I am sure you would want to preserve traditional instruments and have them still have them widely used decades from now in popular culture. Absolutely. I have many mantras I live by, including, "A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything." In the modern music world, I'm a curmudgeon, and proud of it. I will always champion musicianship, craftsmanship, real instruments and people who can actually play them. It's why I'm not on board with the Taylor Swift hype. If one digs the music, fine. But don't tell me it's great music; it's not. What was that baloney ten years ago, that she was the "Next Eddie Van Halen?" Knock yourself out with that one. I'm not falling for it. When I think of great songwriters, I think Rod Temperton, Barry Gibb. Guys who not only could play instruments, but had a mastery of melody, harmony, and rhythm. None of that matters in today's popular music, but so be it. However, at 55 I have made peace with it. I should be able to retire in ten years, and I've had a great run. As a student of music history, I know nothing lasts forever. As a guitarist and fan of rock and pop, I experienced the Golden Era, which I wouldn't trade for anything. I don't live in the past, but I don't convince myself everything is great today. It's odd for me, because the other world I'm involved in, sports, is completely opposite. Basically musicians are followers, while athletes are leaders. Look how cowardly musicians responded to Pearl Jam going after Ticketmaster, and more importantly Lars Ulrich going after Napster. I think we can say in hindsight 2+ decades later, Lars was right. And it almost cost him his career! He saw this coming, attempted to nip it in the bud, yet was ridiculed. Meanwhile athletes routinely get locked out, go on strike, etc. yet always end up making even more money. In other words, athletes stand for something; musicians fall for anything. So are you saying that you have more or less accepted that the guitar may become extinct? I am being overdramatic of course, but with your phone ringing much less for students wanting to play the guitar and for instrument stores going bankrupt left and right across the world and closing - not to mention instrument company manufactures, it isn't a bright looking future for the instrument. Especially when our generation finally dies off. Yes, Lars was right - but I am not sure he went about it the right way. Millionaire rock stars wanting to sue their minimum wage fans isn't a good look. I think that is why he was ridiculed in addition to the fact that Metallica represented a fight the man/government kind of mentality as a heavy metal band, but now Metallica were coming across like a corporation - that they sold out with their short hair and suits on top of that. I think even young Lars would have wanted to beat the shit out of Napster Lars.
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Post by Mr. Blackwell on Nov 24, 2023 1:37:07 GMT -5
Absolutely. I have many mantras I live by, including, "A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything." In the modern music world, I'm a curmudgeon, and proud of it. I will always champion musicianship, craftsmanship, real instruments and people who can actually play them. It's why I'm not on board with the Taylor Swift hype. If one digs the music, fine. But don't tell me it's great music; it's not. What was that baloney ten years ago, that she was the "Next Eddie Van Halen?" Knock yourself out with that one. I'm not falling for it. When I think of great songwriters, I think Rod Temperton, Barry Gibb. Guys who not only could play instruments, but had a mastery of melody, harmony, and rhythm. None of that matters in today's popular music, but so be it. However, at 55 I have made peace with it. I should be able to retire in ten years, and I've had a great run. As a student of music history, I know nothing lasts forever. As a guitarist and fan of rock and pop, I experienced the Golden Era, which I wouldn't trade for anything. I don't live in the past, but I don't convince myself everything is great today. It's odd for me, because the other world I'm involved in, sports, is completely opposite. Basically musicians are followers, while athletes are leaders. Look how cowardly musicians responded to Pearl Jam going after Ticketmaster, and more importantly Lars Ulrich going after Napster. I think we can say in hindsight 2+ decades later, Lars was right. And it almost cost him his career! He saw this coming, attempted to nip it in the bud, yet was ridiculed. Meanwhile athletes routinely get locked out, go on strike, etc. yet always end up making even more money. In other words, athletes stand for something; musicians fall for anything. So are you saying that you have more or less accepted that the guitar may become extinct? I am being overdramatic of course, but with your phone ringing much less for students wanting to play the guitar and for instrument stores going bankrupt left and right across the world and closing - not to mention instrument company manufactures, it isn't a bright looking future for the instrument. Especially when our generation finally dies off. Yes, Lars was right - but I am not sure he went about it the right way. Millionaire rock stars wanting to sue their minimum wage fans isn't a good look. I think that is why he was ridiculed in addition to the fact that Metallica represented a fight the man/government kind of mentality as a heavy metal band, but now Metallica were coming across like a corporation - that they sold out with their short hair and suits on top of that. I think even young Lars would have wanted to beat the shit out of Napster Lars. You are 100% correct on Lars. It was definitely the messenger, not the message, that got people up in arms. And coming from 'rebellious' Metallica, fans felt betrayed. Yes, I have accepted things have changed and aren't ever returning to how they once were. Being in business thirty years, of course there are up and down cycles; but this is more than a down cycle. Guitar will never become extinct, but it will never hold the prominent place in our culture it once held. There are a lot of guys our age with large amounts of disposable income spending millions on guitars, gear, etc. That will go on at least another 20-30 years. Like classical and jazz, it had its moment in the sun, and history was made. But also like classical and jazz, when it no longer financially sustains itself, it will become a plaything for the wealthy; which it kind of already is, with grossly inflated prices for concert tickets, guitars, etc.
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Post by Hey Man on Nov 24, 2023 12:42:57 GMT -5
So are you saying that you have more or less accepted that the guitar may become extinct? I am being overdramatic of course, but with your phone ringing much less for students wanting to play the guitar and for instrument stores going bankrupt left and right across the world and closing - not to mention instrument company manufactures, it isn't a bright looking future for the instrument. Especially when our generation finally dies off. Yes, Lars was right - but I am not sure he went about it the right way. Millionaire rock stars wanting to sue their minimum wage fans isn't a good look. I think that is why he was ridiculed in addition to the fact that Metallica represented a fight the man/government kind of mentality as a heavy metal band, but now Metallica were coming across like a corporation - that they sold out with their short hair and suits on top of that. I think even young Lars would have wanted to beat the shit out of Napster Lars. You are 100% correct on Lars. It was definitely the messenger, not the message, that got people up in arms. And coming from 'rebellious' Metallica, fans felt betrayed. Yes, I have accepted things have changed and aren't ever returning to how they once were. Being in business thirty years, of course there are up and down cycles; but this is more than a down cycle. Guitar will never become extinct, but it will never hold the prominent place in our culture it once held. There are a lot of guys our age with large amounts of disposable income spending millions on guitars, gear, etc. That will go on at least another 20-30 years. Like classical and jazz, it had its moment in the sun, and history was made. But also like classical and jazz, when it no longer financially sustains itself, it will become a plaything for the wealthy; which it kind of already is, with grossly inflated prices for concert tickets, guitars, etc. Wow. 30 years in business. Congrats. From what I have known - anyone teaching music, guitar, whatever - it was more of a side business and they still needed to have a day job. It's great that you were able to do this full time. I guess Ros' music school wasn't sustaining him - he had to think of a new angle. Yes, someone is buying those ridiculously expensive Paul Stanley guitars and I am sure people on that Gear forum you showed me are buying all that stuff. That will continue until the 50 year olds of today eventually die out.
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Post by Mr. Blackwell on Nov 24, 2023 21:36:05 GMT -5
You are 100% correct on Lars. It was definitely the messenger, not the message, that got people up in arms. And coming from 'rebellious' Metallica, fans felt betrayed. Yes, I have accepted things have changed and aren't ever returning to how they once were. Being in business thirty years, of course there are up and down cycles; but this is more than a down cycle. Guitar will never become extinct, but it will never hold the prominent place in our culture it once held. There are a lot of guys our age with large amounts of disposable income spending millions on guitars, gear, etc. That will go on at least another 20-30 years. Like classical and jazz, it had its moment in the sun, and history was made. But also like classical and jazz, when it no longer financially sustains itself, it will become a plaything for the wealthy; which it kind of already is, with grossly inflated prices for concert tickets, guitars, etc. Wow. 30 years in business. Congrats. From what I have known - anyone teaching music, guitar, whatever - it was more of a side business and they still needed to have a day job. It's great that you were able to do this full time. I guess Ros' music school wasn't sustaining him - he had to think of a new angle. Yes, someone is buying those ridiculously expensive Paul Stanley guitars and I am sure people on that Gear forum you showed me are buying all that stuff. That will continue until the 50 year olds of today eventually die out. Thanks! Part of it is I was never a typical teacher, showing whatever song the student wants to learn while smoking cigarettes. I was more of a mentor. Basically I teach people how to fish instead of giving them fish. I did other things besides teach, but they were all guitar related. I still do, but not nearly as much. I do solo classical guitar gigs at weddings, churches, occasional restaurants, etc. I also had a digital studio long before everything went computer-based. I recorded/produced multiple CD's for an exclusive private girls school, that did really well. I also worked with lots of aspiring songwriters. Some of them would get developmental deals and have a bit of a budget, and they'd hire me. Part of me misses the recording part, but since I dislike the popular music of today, it's a relief to not have to partake. I always get reluctant turning down work, but I'm neither starving nor broke. I can be a little choosy. A couple of years ago I bought a looper pedal. Basically you can play something into it and it repeats it back. I was playing classical guitar for a 60th birthday and figured, why not? I worked up a set with lots of 80's tunes but done on classical guitar. I played the piano part to Motley Crue's Home Sweet Home on the top three strings of the classical guitar. I looped it, and then played the melody over it. It was outdoors as it was still pandemic, and by a swimming pool. Some ladies at the table nearby loved it but couldn't recall the name of the song. I was dressed formal, tie, shoes, etc. and I told them it was Motley Crue. They were astounded as was the host. It was a big hit, and I did a bunch of other favorites. I did La Isla Bonita by Madonna and looped the chords with a rumba, in the vein of the Gipsy Kings. If it ever gets too slow, I may pound the pavement and pursue more of that. But right now, I'm really finding my voice with my songwriting and recording. So I'm planning on focusing on that, at least through 2024. I'm also doing song transcriptions and occasionally tutor music theory, since most of what's online is either wrong or overly complicated. The song transcriptions are a lot of work, but I really enjoy it. I don't have that many clients, but one plays in a wedding band and they get requested to play songs they don't know, especially the bass player. I don't know anything about Ros, but a good friend of mine had a large music school that ultimately went under in 2016, due to the changing musical climate. Sadly my friend died on Christmas Eve two years ago, and he may have been 60 at that. Lots of years of bad decisions caught up with him.
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Post by Hey Man on Nov 26, 2023 15:39:09 GMT -5
Wow. 30 years in business. Congrats. From what I have known - anyone teaching music, guitar, whatever - it was more of a side business and they still needed to have a day job. It's great that you were able to do this full time. I guess Ros' music school wasn't sustaining him - he had to think of a new angle. Yes, someone is buying those ridiculously expensive Paul Stanley guitars and I am sure people on that Gear forum you showed me are buying all that stuff. That will continue until the 50 year olds of today eventually die out. Thanks! Part of it is I was never a typical teacher, showing whatever song the student wants to learn while smoking cigarettes. I was more of a mentor. Basically I teach people how to fish instead of giving them fish. I did other things besides teach, but they were all guitar related. I still do, but not nearly as much. I do solo classical guitar gigs at weddings, churches, occasional restaurants, etc. I also had a digital studio long before everything went computer-based. I recorded/produced multiple CD's for an exclusive private girls school, that did really well. I also worked with lots of aspiring songwriters. Some of them would get developmental deals and have a bit of a budget, and they'd hire me. Part of me misses the recording part, but since I dislike the popular music of today, it's a relief to not have to partake. I always get reluctant turning down work, but I'm neither starving nor broke. I can be a little choosy. A couple of years ago I bought a looper pedal. Basically you can play something into it and it repeats it back. I was playing classical guitar for a 60th birthday and figured, why not? I worked up a set with lots of 80's tunes but done on classical guitar. I played the piano part to Motley Crue's Home Sweet Home on the top three strings of the classical guitar. I looped it, and then played the melody over it. It was outdoors as it was still pandemic, and by a swimming pool. Some ladies at the table nearby loved it but couldn't recall the name of the song. I was dressed formal, tie, shoes, etc. and I told them it was Motley Crue. They were astounded as was the host. It was a big hit, and I did a bunch of other favorites. I did La Isla Bonita by Madonna and looped the chords with a rumba, in the vein of the Gipsy Kings. If it ever gets too slow, I may pound the pavement and pursue more of that. But right now, I'm really finding my voice with my songwriting and recording. So I'm planning on focusing on that, at least through 2024. I'm also doing song transcriptions and occasionally tutor music theory, since most of what's online is either wrong or overly complicated. The song transcriptions are a lot of work, but I really enjoy it. I don't have that many clients, but one plays in a wedding band and they get requested to play songs they don't know, especially the bass player. I don't know anything about Ros, but a good friend of mine had a large music school that ultimately went under in 2016, due to the changing musical climate. Sadly my friend died on Christmas Eve two years ago, and he may have been 60 at that. Lots of years of bad decisions caught up with him. Is this the friend you told me about before? If I recall correctly he would show up to borrow money from time to time, his wife left him, he had a drinking problem and thought he was still gonna make it in the music biz? I could be combining multiple different people you told me about. I think you may have mentioned that a few of your teen friends made bad decisions that still impact them. I am sorry to hear that though. Would there be any money producing local bands and artists these days with your studio? You can be the Dr. Luke of your city. Very cool to give new life to 80's songs in a classical sense, especially if it wins over an audience. Mr. Blackwell was a sharp dressed man impressing the ladies with Home Sweet Home.
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Post by Mr. Blackwell on Nov 27, 2023 3:46:52 GMT -5
Thanks! Part of it is I was never a typical teacher, showing whatever song the student wants to learn while smoking cigarettes. I was more of a mentor. Basically I teach people how to fish instead of giving them fish. I did other things besides teach, but they were all guitar related. I still do, but not nearly as much. I do solo classical guitar gigs at weddings, churches, occasional restaurants, etc. I also had a digital studio long before everything went computer-based. I recorded/produced multiple CD's for an exclusive private girls school, that did really well. I also worked with lots of aspiring songwriters. Some of them would get developmental deals and have a bit of a budget, and they'd hire me. Part of me misses the recording part, but since I dislike the popular music of today, it's a relief to not have to partake. I always get reluctant turning down work, but I'm neither starving nor broke. I can be a little choosy. A couple of years ago I bought a looper pedal. Basically you can play something into it and it repeats it back. I was playing classical guitar for a 60th birthday and figured, why not? I worked up a set with lots of 80's tunes but done on classical guitar. I played the piano part to Motley Crue's Home Sweet Home on the top three strings of the classical guitar. I looped it, and then played the melody over it. It was outdoors as it was still pandemic, and by a swimming pool. Some ladies at the table nearby loved it but couldn't recall the name of the song. I was dressed formal, tie, shoes, etc. and I told them it was Motley Crue. They were astounded as was the host. It was a big hit, and I did a bunch of other favorites. I did La Isla Bonita by Madonna and looped the chords with a rumba, in the vein of the Gipsy Kings. If it ever gets too slow, I may pound the pavement and pursue more of that. But right now, I'm really finding my voice with my songwriting and recording. So I'm planning on focusing on that, at least through 2024. I'm also doing song transcriptions and occasionally tutor music theory, since most of what's online is either wrong or overly complicated. The song transcriptions are a lot of work, but I really enjoy it. I don't have that many clients, but one plays in a wedding band and they get requested to play songs they don't know, especially the bass player. I don't know anything about Ros, but a good friend of mine had a large music school that ultimately went under in 2016, due to the changing musical climate. Sadly my friend died on Christmas Eve two years ago, and he may have been 60 at that. Lots of years of bad decisions caught up with him. Is this the friend you told me about before? If I recall correctly he would show up to borrow money from time to time, his wife left him, he had a drinking problem and thought he was still gonna make it in the music biz? I could be combining multiple different people you told me about. I think you may have mentioned that a few of your teen friends made bad decisions that still impact them. I am sorry to hear that though. Would there be any money producing local bands and artists these days with your studio? You can be the Dr. Luke of your city. Very cool to give new life to 80's songs in a classical sense, especially if it wins over an audience. Mr. Blackwell was a sharp dressed man impressing the ladies with Home Sweet Home. Good memory! I have multiple friends, some deceased, that fit that description. One had dreams of rock stardom and blamed his band's failure solely on Kurt Cobain. He never let that go, and had lots of other issues. He died in 2016. Another friend had a thriving music school, wife and two kids, nice suburban house. His school went out of business in 2016, lost the house, wife left him. And he died unexpectedly Christmas Eve, 2021. He always presented himself as wildly successful, but I suspected things weren't all rosy. He was constantly borrowing money. Late 2000's he pawned two guitars - a Paul Reed Smith and George Benson Ibanez. Probably worth $5K, and the pawn shop loaned him $700. He needed $1K fast or he would lose them both. I loaned it to him, and he left one of the guitars with me. I had it for years, until finally his brother died and left a small inheritance. I don't know what caused his family to disintegrate, but I talk to his daughter, now 22, nearly every day. You may also recall I had 2 shredder friends that would come by once or twice a year to jam. I declined their invitation a couple of years ago, being extra cautious about Covid. Sadly one of them died September of last year. As for working locally, don't know if it's just me, but I have a very hard time talking music as if it's 1988. Everything - and I mean EVERY thing - is so vastly different. Not putting myself down, but I have a very antiquated skill set. Not only is the music biz completely different, the music itself is, too. There are two main facets of production: the musical side, and the audio side. Technology has solved the audio side; anyone with a computer can make pro-sounding recordings. The musical side - my strength - there's nothing to solve because music of today is basically void of anything beyond the most basic understanding of music. Every skill I have that would give me a competitive edge is useless in 2023. Heck, I can even read music, including bass clef; but so what? The local club scene - which was enormous in the 80's and 90's - is gone. I dislike the music and don't want or need to compromise my principles. My set list for my classical guitar gigs is typical classical fare - Bach, Sor, Tarrega, with some jazz standards thrown in - Misty, lots of Gershwin, etc. It goes over very well, but no one was thinking Motley Crue. If it was an older crowd I probably wouldn't have done it. But we Gen Xers are very non-judgmental. Either that or we just don't care.
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Post by Hey Man on Nov 27, 2023 13:08:50 GMT -5
Is this the friend you told me about before? If I recall correctly he would show up to borrow money from time to time, his wife left him, he had a drinking problem and thought he was still gonna make it in the music biz? I could be combining multiple different people you told me about. I think you may have mentioned that a few of your teen friends made bad decisions that still impact them. I am sorry to hear that though. Would there be any money producing local bands and artists these days with your studio? You can be the Dr. Luke of your city. Very cool to give new life to 80's songs in a classical sense, especially if it wins over an audience. Mr. Blackwell was a sharp dressed man impressing the ladies with Home Sweet Home. Good memory! I have multiple friends, some deceased, that fit that description. One had dreams of rock stardom and blamed his band's failure solely on Kurt Cobain. He never let that go, and had lots of other issues. He died in 2016. Another friend had a thriving music school, wife and two kids, nice suburban house. His school went out of business in 2016, lost the house, wife left him. And he died unexpectedly Christmas Eve, 2021. He always presented himself as wildly successful, but I suspected things weren't all rosy. He was constantly borrowing money. Late 2000's he pawned two guitars - a Paul Reed Smith and George Benson Ibanez. Probably worth $5K, and the pawn shop loaned him $700. He needed $1K fast or he would lose them both. I loaned it to him, and he left one of the guitars with me. I had it for years, until finally his brother died and left a small inheritance. I don't know what caused his family to disintegrate, but I talk to his daughter, now 22, nearly every day. You may also recall I had 2 shredder friends that would come by once or twice a year to jam. I declined their invitation a couple of years ago, being extra cautious about Covid. Sadly one of them died September of last year. As for working locally, don't know if it's just me, but I have a very hard time talking music as if it's 1988. Everything - and I mean EVERY thing - is so vastly different. Not putting myself down, but I have a very antiquated skill set. Not only is the music biz completely different, the music itself is, too. There are two main facets of production: the musical side, and the audio side. Technology has solved the audio side; anyone with a computer can make pro-sounding recordings. The musical side - my strength - there's nothing to solve because music of today is basically void of anything beyond the most basic understanding of music. Every skill I have that would give me a competitive edge is useless in 2023. Heck, I can even read music, including bass clef; but so what? The local club scene - which was enormous in the 80's and 90's - is gone. I dislike the music and don't want or need to compromise my principles. My set list for my classical guitar gigs is typical classical fare - Bach, Sor, Tarrega, with some jazz standards thrown in - Misty, lots of Gershwin, etc. It goes over very well, but no one was thinking Motley Crue. If it was an older crowd I probably wouldn't have done it. But we Gen Xers are very non-judgmental. Either that or we just don't care. Wow. Sorry to hear that so many friends had a bad downfall. Do you think any of them were due to them ending their own lives? Sad no matter what. I remember you telling me about the guy that blamed Cobain for his ruined music career and still maintained that bitterness towards him. Even if hair metal was still king though well into the 90's and beyond, did this guy have the goods to make it? What happened to that guy who used to go to Hooters all the time. I think his wife left him and he was getting his rocks off looking at Hooters waitresses over say going to a strip joint. Sure music has changed, but I imagine there has to be some bands/artists in your areas wanting to do the retro rock thing, so in that regard, you would still have plenty to offer there. However if you don't really have an interest in making a 1987 style album in 2023, then you probably wouldn't be any good to them. Is that club not around anymore where you would play from time to time?
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Post by Mr. Blackwell on Nov 27, 2023 23:05:46 GMT -5
Good memory! I have multiple friends, some deceased, that fit that description. One had dreams of rock stardom and blamed his band's failure solely on Kurt Cobain. He never let that go, and had lots of other issues. He died in 2016. Another friend had a thriving music school, wife and two kids, nice suburban house. His school went out of business in 2016, lost the house, wife left him. And he died unexpectedly Christmas Eve, 2021. He always presented himself as wildly successful, but I suspected things weren't all rosy. He was constantly borrowing money. Late 2000's he pawned two guitars - a Paul Reed Smith and George Benson Ibanez. Probably worth $5K, and the pawn shop loaned him $700. He needed $1K fast or he would lose them both. I loaned it to him, and he left one of the guitars with me. I had it for years, until finally his brother died and left a small inheritance. I don't know what caused his family to disintegrate, but I talk to his daughter, now 22, nearly every day. You may also recall I had 2 shredder friends that would come by once or twice a year to jam. I declined their invitation a couple of years ago, being extra cautious about Covid. Sadly one of them died September of last year. As for working locally, don't know if it's just me, but I have a very hard time talking music as if it's 1988. Everything - and I mean EVERY thing - is so vastly different. Not putting myself down, but I have a very antiquated skill set. Not only is the music biz completely different, the music itself is, too. There are two main facets of production: the musical side, and the audio side. Technology has solved the audio side; anyone with a computer can make pro-sounding recordings. The musical side - my strength - there's nothing to solve because music of today is basically void of anything beyond the most basic understanding of music. Every skill I have that would give me a competitive edge is useless in 2023. Heck, I can even read music, including bass clef; but so what? The local club scene - which was enormous in the 80's and 90's - is gone. I dislike the music and don't want or need to compromise my principles. My set list for my classical guitar gigs is typical classical fare - Bach, Sor, Tarrega, with some jazz standards thrown in - Misty, lots of Gershwin, etc. It goes over very well, but no one was thinking Motley Crue. If it was an older crowd I probably wouldn't have done it. But we Gen Xers are very non-judgmental. Either that or we just don't care. Wow. Sorry to hear that so many friends had a bad downfall. Do you think any of them were due to them ending their own lives? Sad no matter what. I remember you telling me about the guy that blamed Cobain for his ruined music career and still maintained that bitterness towards him. Even if hair metal was still king though well into the 90's and beyond, did this guy have the goods to make it? What happened to that guy who used to go to Hooters all the time. I think his wife left him and he was getting his rocks off looking at Hooters waitresses over say going to a strip joint. Sure music has changed, but I imagine there has to be some bands/artists in your areas wanting to do the retro rock thing, so in that regard, you would still have plenty to offer there. However if you don't really have an interest in making a 1987 style album in 2023, then you probably wouldn't be any good to them. Is that club not around anymore where you would play from time to time? There are even more casualties from my rock and roll days. My best friend from high school, a death metal drummer, is incarcerated on an involuntary manslaughter charge. And the singer from the hair metal band I reluctantly joined in '94 died in 2021 from Covid. I knew a bass player who ended his own life. He was bipolar and no one saw it coming. The pub next door had a fire in 2022. They tried to reopen but new ownership of the strip where they leased raised the rent and they had to close. They survived so much, but inflation did them in. I had intended to do CD release shows there, but couldn't. As for producing bands, local or otherwise, there is no longer a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Did you read Stevie's Tuff Diaries? In addition to their recording contract, they got a $100K advance on publishing. That's a huge sum of money, even more so in 1991. That isn't happening in 2023, and hasn't for a long time. It would have to be a labor of love. And while I love music, I do not love musicians. I'm definitely an OCD workaholic, and get flustered around musicians who are not team players. I actually saw the guy who frequented Hooters last night. He's advanced in the world up to Twin Peaks. He's a great guy; borderline brilliant. But like other men - Tiger Woods, Bill Clinton, etc. - when around pretty women, he thinks with the wrong head and makes very bad, life-altering decisions. His infidelity cost him his great wife and even estranged him from his kids. As for whether my friend who hated Kurt Cobain could've made it, at the time they were doing it, no. As I've mentioned, pre internet, the hair metal scene in Houston soldiered on well past 1991. It was like being in a time warp moving back from Los Angeles in '94. The aforementioned hair metal band I joined upon returning had backers with deep pockets and big industry connections; but they weren't going anywhere either, despite some muscle behind them. Here's a video they shot, and they give the date at the beginning as January 24, 1993. It's as if grunge took over and they didn't even pay attention. They were even doing this a year later when I joined. I asked them about grunge, and they said it was a fad. They were partially right; it came and went, but their brand of AOR wasn't waiting in the wings. The rock star singer died in 2021 (Covid) the Hispanic guy with the mullet in the studio is Brian Garcia, who worked on several King's X records.
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