100 Free Resources for Teaching Yourself Guitar

“Novice to Slash: 100 Free Resources for Teaching Yourself Guitar”

http://www.onlinecolleges.org/novice-to-slash-100-free-resources-for-teaching-yourself-guitar/

Blinded by the light

While performing at an outdoor venue on a cloudless day with a swing band last evening, the band leader placed our stands directly facing the setting Sun. As soon as I sat down to arrange the first few numbers on the music rack, I realized that I wasn't going to be able to read the scores. A quick trip to the car for a baseball cap (embroidered with "musicteachers911") fixed the problem.

As soon as I returned, the entire rhythm section asked if I had extra caps as they were facing (pun intended) the same problematic situation. Another minute later and they were all outfitted with caps as well.

Since I drive a convertible, I usually keep a few caps in the car for the Summer. After last night, I decided to keep some caps in the car for the entire year.

good gigging!

Larry Marra

www.musicteachers911.com

The "List"

I was playing piano in a swing band for our local library's 200th anniversary. The band leader passed out a set list with the order of songs and chart numbers. I quickly arranged my charts in the performance order. Since the piano parts are several pages longer than the horn parts, I felt very confident that the gig would go well since I wouldn't have to be rummaging around the piano library case to find the next song.

Just before the fifth song, the bass player asked what number was next. I told him," 703 "Route 66". Then, the drummer told us that the leader just signaled to skip it (as it was a vocal number and our vocalist wasn't here yet).

Since the piano sits in front of the band leader, I never noticed that the leader was holding up a different chart than the list had. The bass player and I scrambled for the new number and came in just in time.

lesson learned,

just because a band leader passes out a set list doesn't mean that he will follow it.

good gigging!

Larry Marra

www.musicteachers911.com

Get the point?

This Tuesdays Praise Team rehearsal hit a bit of a snag.

We decided, in the interest of time, not to set up the entire PA for our Tuesday rehearsals. The drummer uses a Roland V-drum electronic drum set and pulled out a small amp to broadcast his instrument's sound to the singers and the rest of the band.

We were learning, "Mighty to Save" by Laura Story. It is about an 80 BPM song and has a catchy little snare drum street beat rhythm instead of a full drum set beat pattern.

Well, after asking the drummer four times to turn down and blend with the band so I could hear the singers, I noticed that his amp was in front of him and facing us!

I rose form the piano bench, turned the amp around so the back was facing the band and the speakers were facing the drummer.

Problem solved. The drummer was now balancing with the band in a way that the band could hear each other and he could hear himself.

Sometimes, a balance problem is as simple as relocating where the instrument's sound is pointing.

good gigging!

Larry Marra

www.musicteachers911.com

I can see clearly now

Having just finished an outdoor festival performance with a locally popular swing band for July 4th, I'd like to provide you with a tip about keeping the printed charts securely on the music rack.

I went to my local hardware store and purchased a sheet of clear plexiglass the same dimensions as the music stand. I place this directly over the charts so the wind doesn't blow the music away. While the other musicians were wrestling with clothespins and having the wind fold the music over so they couldn't read it, I was playing undisturbed, safe in the knowledge that my music was staying right where I wanted it.

Good Gigging!

Larry Marra

www.musicteachers911.com

What's in a name?

After the annual contemporary Christian music festival I was helping to present, I noticed some very expensive musical instruments were left behind in the worship center. I checked the cases, but couldn't locate any names or contact information to assist me in returning these items.

Directors, make it a priority to check all of your musicians equipment to make sure that they are properly marked with return information. This is especially important if the students are using school or church equipment.

When I am performing, my business cards are taped on every piece of equipment that leaves my house, When I play piano, this includes, power cords, hand carts, music stand, connecting cables, cases, sustain pedal, and keyboard stand.

I sent a mass emailing to all the director describing the lost instruments, but, as yet, haven't had a single reply.

So what's in a name? It simply means the piece of mind that your music equipment will be returned in a timely manner.

good gigging!

Larry Marra

www.musicteachers911.com

Be sure to subscribe to the iTunes podcast, musicteachers911 for more helpful tips.

Annual Instrument Check-up

This tip I learned from my HS Band Director. Before the first day of school I would take an afternoon to completely inspect, maintenance, and repair all the instruments in my ensembles. I would check every valve, side key, slide, finger pad, and tuning peg. I used to give the brass a bath, blow dry, and oil change. The strings got a fresh coat of lemon and linseed oil and wax. Every woodwind side key and pad was tested and repaired. Later that night, I would do the same with every instrument that I used for my personal performances with various ensembles. Being on stage, away from home, is no time to find out that an instrument isn't functioning properly.

The Marines have a saying, "Take care of your weapon, and it will take care of you". I feel that this could also apply to your instrument of choice as well.

Good Gigging!

Larry Marra

www.musicteachers911.com

bounced check!

Yesterday, I had a performance accompanying a rather popular local vocal band. The lead singer, Trent, has a very edgy rocker voice and was coming to the event from another performance earlier in the day.

One of the other singers was being helpful and grabbed Trent's microphone to assist the sound tech with the mic check.

Minutes before the concert, the sound tech's mother tripped and fell entering the concert hall. He rushed her to the hospital (she is OK) and we were left with no sound man.

Trent arrived as we were being announced onstage. He grabbed the mic and started singing with the group.

He was about twice as loud as everyone else!

Why?

The other vocalist checked the mic by holding it about ten inches away from her mouth and specking normally.

Trent puts the mic less than an inch away from his and give his voice all the punch of a seasoned prizefighter in his prime!

So, he was sticking waaaaaaay out in front of the other performers.

He didn't seem to notice as his monitor usually has him out in front anyway. With no one to adjust the sound from the board, we were all frantically trying to get his attention.

Now Trent is a rather intense fellow, so he was in his own world. I had to jump off the keyboard during the guitar solo, run down the aisle, adjust his levels and return to the piano in about 16 measures. (I didn't make it)

lesson?

Have only the person who is actually performing on a specific mic do the sound check for it.

Otherwise, you'll have a bounced check when you try to cash your gig money!

:)

good gigging!

Larry

Heads up!

Directors.

Here's a simple fix to increase the effectiveness of your rehearsals.

Send a "heads up" email to all the members in advance stating the agenda for the next rehearsal.

Some key points to include would be:

1. the order of the songs to be rehearsed. This will let the members know what to practice ahead of time, and put the music in rehearsal order.

2. Upcoming gig info including the date, time, location (including the address for those with GPS capability), concert dress, song order, parking info, and any set up instructions.

3. Contact info for the other members in case they wish to set up a sectional on their own beforehand.

4. End with your complete contact info in case they have additional question you can answer beforehand.

Remember, the more information you can impart prior to the rehearsal, the less time you will need to take away from rehearsing.

Less talk, more music makes for a great rehearsal.

good gigging!

Larry Marra

www.musicteachers911.com

rough gig!

Last night I was playing piano with the an 18 piece Swing Band for a local dance. The stage was very small, so the band leader decided to put the trumpets, trombones, bass and drums on the stage. The saxes and I were placed on the floor in front of the stage. I was placed to the left of the stage. THIS WAS THE WORST SET-UP EVER! I didn't hear (or see) anyone on the stage. I couldn't hear the chart numbers being called. And the brass told me at the break that they couldn't hear anyone down front.

RULE #1. Always set up so that the entire group can hear and see each other. If there is not enough room on the stage for your entire ensemble, the set the entire group on the floor. .

'nough said

Larry Marra

musicteachers911.com