As I am sure you are aware, today is the day you are supposed to have your resolutions ready. Set your goals for the new year, and work as hard as you can to make them happen past February.
Most people have a hard time either setting realistic goals, or following through with them. I find that the easiest thing to do is actually to make a sliding scale for your resolution. Start slow and small, and work up from there.
I mean, most athletes don't start setting records on their first day on the course/track/field/court/pitch/arena/ring/rink right?
Here are some ideas, if like me you are a procrastinator, for resolutions that can help you become a better musician:
- Learn a new piece of music.
This doesn't have to be anything super hard. Find something you have never played before, and learn to play it! Take it so, play small sections, do what you need to learn a new piece, just for yourself! Then, you'll have another thing you can do, and more patterns you can apply to other piece.
- Play a new instrument.
If you have been playing your current instrument for a while, why not try expanding out to something new? There are many instruments that are somewhat similar and it can be easy (especially with guided practice, say, here at the Sound Board School of Music) to transfer skills from one axe or horn to another. Expanding your understanding of instruments and applying your current knowledge to a different situation WILL make you a better musician overall.
- Start a band/Supergroup.
We don't have to be Phil Collins to start our own Supergroup. We also don't have to go out and play tons of live performances to be in a band. Find a group of people, maybe your friends, that you like to be around and enjoy making music with, and try to form a small ensemble. Even if you guys never get paid to play, the time you spend playing together will help you interact better musically with other musicians, and it will also help to foster your own musical independence, since in these situations, you are responsible for your own part. Practice, play, and have fun!
- Teach someone else!
If you have been playing for a while, or are looking for the next big challenge, try teaching someone else to play! It is fun and rewarding to help younger musicians improve in their playing, and it will force you to become a better musician by honing the skills you are trying to teach someone else.
The most important things are to play more than you talk, and break every concept down to as few words as possible. Take it from someone who teaches a lot of folks a lot of different instruments, brevity is key to helping musicians improve!
- Volunteer to play for a group of people.
There are always going to be groups that want or need or would love to hear someone play. Yes, it is fantastically nice to get paid for your work, but sometimes the smile on someone's face can be enough. If you are looking for volunteer work, or just want to make the lives of some people a little brighter, consider taking up regular volunteering to share your talents.
Don't take these suggestions as the only things you can do to resolve to be a better musician this next year, find something that fits with what time, ability, or desires you have as a musician. The most important thing is to play more, and realize that it is never too late to learn!
Have a Happy New Year!
This post is going to be way off topic.
I have an unhealthy fascination with wishing people a 'Happy Boxing Day.'
Most Americans have no idea what I am talking about, unless it is written on the calendar they like to refer to. Because of this, I would like to attempt to illuminate at least a few folks about this custom.
It began in Britain. I realize we can that about a lot of the things that we know and love, or at least tolerate (given the Founders overall British lineage) to the Brits, including but not limited to: Doctor Who, Fruitcake, the proper way to drink Tea, the concept of Scones (although American scones are most like muffins or cookies while British scones are more like biscuits...I mean like our biscuits, not the British 'biscuits' they have with tea), traffic circles, using the word 'bloody' as a swear word, and disliking the French.
The original purpose of the Holiday was to mark some kind of appreciation for low income workers who worked in a household, or who may consistently assist a more Lordly or loftily positioned Aristocrat in their day-to-day life. The oldest traditions seem to stem from the Lords and Ladies giving their servants the day after Christmas off to spend some time with their families.
As they did this, many folks gave out a Christmas Box, filled with a bonus, cash, food, or other appreciatory gifts. Thus the name Boxing Day came into regular use.
What started off as a day to tip your regular workers, but then expanded into a day to help the underprivileged, thank those that give you goods and services all year long, and has also become an extra Bank holiday in many countries.
For Catholics, the day is known as St. Stephan's Day, and commemorates St. Stephan, who was the first known martyr for the Christian faith.
This day is also where we get 'The Feast of Stephen' in the song Good King Wenceslas.
So there you have it. A little bit about my favorite, non-American holiday. I realize this isn't too much about music, but there is at least one holiday song involved in all of this!
HAPPY BOXING DAY!
I feel like that one character from that one Christmas special. You know the one. The gentleman who is always talking about how busy he is?
Sorry there have been no updates for the past few days. We have had the opportunity to help a lot of folks brighten up their holidays, but unfortunately that means little to no time to spout out thoughts and ideas on here.
As such, we are hoping to get busier! Here is a quick look at what we hope to bring to you in 2015:
- A small online store to purchase certain models of our best guitars.
- A larger variety of guitars available in the store
- More of the accessories that YOU want us to have (you just need to let us know)
- Email coupons, deals, and specials
- More deals only available through certain social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, or maybe even Blog specific)
- And much more!
We also have been talking, planning, and wondering about the resurgence of our summer Rock Band program.
In the past, this program brought many young musicians together. I want to make it better than ever. Over the next month(s) we will be working to plan out a program that will make music even more exciting for your young rockers out there.
Of course, I can't guarantee anything, but we will be doing our best to help your young musicians excel, and enjoy music as much as possible.
Happy Holidays!
You've probably heard by now who made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year.
Overall, a rather medium year I would say. There seemed to be a large amount of musical ground that was covered by the selection committee. I mean, from Green Day, to Joan Jett, and all the way to Ringo Starr as a solo artist? Don't forget about Lou Reed, Bill Withers, and Stevie Ray Vaughn (with Double Trouble). We certainly have quite a few dreams coming true.
Is it a dream to become part of the Rock Hall though?
I'm sure all of these inductees, or inductees-to-be, will say that it is. Where else can you be immortalized in some fashion alongside other musical icons like KISS, Rush, Buddy Holly, Elton John, William (Billy) Joel, and many others?
On the other hand, it could be argued that getting into the Rock Hall depends on the amount of outrage about not being in, or your overall popularity that has been garnered over the years.
I mean, Rush, who have been performing as Canada's most popular and recognizable Prog Rock trio for decades, only got in a couple of years ago. They have much more seemingly complex music, and a much larger body of work than Green Day, yet Green Day made it in during their first year of eligibility.
I enjoy Green Day, and I'm glad they made it in, but how come it has taken so long to recognize the venerable Joan Jett? She was already well on her way to becoming a rock icon when Green Day started playing in punk bars in the late 80s. She'd been rocking for about 12 years already, but maybe the loophole there is that she was with a different group than the one she was inducted with?
I don't know how these things work.
What I do know is that if the Hall is not careful in some of their future considerations, they could sully the honor that being inducted should be.
The hall should be inclusive to many different areas and genres of rock and roll, we agree there, but they should take care to not try to be a catch-all honor for every musician out there. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a brand, after all, and if they start letting every Peter, Paul, and Mary in, well, then who can they exclude (I do enjoy PPaM by the way, I only mention them for pun reasons)?
Overall, it should be seen as an honor to make it into the Rock Hall, and I hope they can keep it that way. I do wonder, if they could start all over again, if folks might be inducted in a different order. Who knows? If time is cyclical, we may find out.
I'm very happy to have more people join the ranks of musical legends, and although this year is a good one, I fear the time when Justin Bieber might end up being eligible...*shudder*
As a side note, to the folks running the HoF:
At least hold the ceremony in Cleveland more often, I mean, the freaking building is there.
Read on below to see our resident Guitar Guru's review of the VOX AC30TV2:
Today I decided to check out the new VOX we just got in. It's a blue and cream, TV-style, Classic Custom AC30.
Historically, the AC30 has been used as a bright, chimey, amp, (Like the Beatles) or a creamy full lead amp (Like Brian May of Queen).
There are four inputs on the Classic Custom 2. There is normal channel, with high and low inputs, and a top boost channel, also with high and low inputs. So the high and the low control the output before the signal hits the pre-amp. The high limits the low sounds, which brings out a brighter, pushed sound through the amp. The low limits the high sounds, which brings you a more full, rich sound.
For a more full, and round sound plug into the AC30's Normal channel. It's great for chords, or skilled finger work.
The top boost offers a boosted, bright, sparkling clean sound. and pushes an over-driven pre-amp into crunch full overdrive.
To add a shimmer effect to the clean sound, a warm Tremelo circut has been added. The spring reverb creates smooth roomy sounds, complimented by a tone control that will help move from bright to warm within the reverb.
The crunch is a very thick, rich sound, and is very responsive to your touch on the guitar. It can change quickly based on how hard you play, or how high or low your volume knob is on the instrument. When using the top boost it produces a pushed overdrive, and offers some crunchy rhythms.
The leads are full and smooth-sounding.
The master volume knob allows you to get a lot of sound without bursting your ear drums in the decibel department (which is an improvement compared to older AC30 models).
There is a tone cut knob which will cut off the shrill sounds that can ruin your sound at high volume.
Basically, the VOX plays anywhere from sparkly clean to thick, full overdrive. It covers a lot of ground, and is one of the most flexible amps out there.
If you get the chance, stop by, try it out, and fall in love with it!
-Nick
This time of year, everyone tends to get into a bit of a frenzy. We all need to find that perfect gift for that special person.
I think, for the most part, everyone understands that. This time of year tends to make people feel helpful, or wanting to do something nice for the people that they care about.
It also leads to folks going out and spending money. Of course, where ever money is involved, bad things can follow.
We've all heard, from year to year, about the various fights, riots, injuries, and hurt feelings that stem from taking the time to go out and spend a little hard-earned money on the ones you love.
I'm sure many of you remember the movie Jingle All the Way, a film where the Governator has to find that special toy from the kid in The Sixth Sense. Hilarity ensues as he races all over New York to find that perfect toy for his son. Most people feel like that this time of year.
Many people turn to buying items online because of the convenience, or because it beats going out into the fray and possibly coming back without the exact gift you're looking for. That's all well and good if they happen to have what you are looking for, and you don't mind shelling out the money to make sure it gets to you undamaged and on time.
There is another option, however.
I encourage everyone to consider small businesses for many of your purchases this year. We have a specialized selection, and a nice personal touch that you just don't get at large chain, or online stores. We listen to what you need and do our best to point you in the right direction to find what best fits into your life.
We are here to help you find exactly what you are looking for, and if we don't have it in stock, we are more than happy to order it for you. We try to avoid extra shipping charges if possible, by grouping orders together. If you order soon, we can still get it for you before the holidays come to a head.
Think about the things that make your loved ones happy, and if we have it, stop by! Our job is to make sure that you find exactly what you need to continue on, and improve, your musical journey.
Quite a few folks come into the store and wax poetically about their dreams to play an instrument. They started at a younger age but then life got in the way. I'm sure most of us could say something like that about different things in our lives.
I'm here today to tell you that your musical dreams can still be realized.
Sure, you may not end up as a rocker in the 80s doing crazy things, but that doesn't mean you can't learn how to play.
The mindset of a musician is simple: play more, and get better. There is some more cerebral stuff involved in that process in order to get better efficiently, but we'll talk about that another day.
I firmly believe that as long as you have the drive, you CAN be a musician.
If you want to learn guitar, do it.
Want to tickle the (no longer actually) ivories? Go for it!
Want to learn to blow folks away with your Buddy Rich impression (drumming, not talking)? Get up, then sit down at your drums, and do it!
Music is an art form that is very accessible to everyone. If you want to make music, you can make music. We will help you find a way. There are too many different and interesting instruments out there for us to be unable to find something that you, yes you, can play really well.
Everyone who has the desire, should have the opportunity to make music. We here at Sound Board are available to help make that happen for you. Please, let us help bring a little song, rhythm, or melody into your life!
Yes. I play saxophone. I'm sure you all remember my reed rant from last week.
I wanted to put my understanding of how to pick the best set of guitar strings down to help those folks who are just getting started on diving into the world of the electric or acoustic guitar.
Here are some words you need to know regarding guitar strings:
Gauge-Refers to the thickness of a guitar string. Usually measured in thousandths of an inch, these decimals are usually referred to as whole numbers. For example: a string is .008 inches thick, it is referred to as an 8.
Thinner strings are easier to play because they don't need to be as tight to hold their correct pitch. We usually suggest beginners start with thinner strings to make it easier to press down.
For the purposes of this article, string gauge is all we need to worry about.
Electric:
Younger, or inexperienced players, should seek out a set where the High E, the thinnest string, is either a 9 or 10. If they are regular Ernie ball strings, or Super Slinky Ernie Ball strings, the other strings are sized accordingly for an even sound.
More experienced players might want to move up to 11s, or find a set that is more specialized in gauge, as certain folks look for different sounds.
In general, a thinner string is easier to play, but a thicker string has a better tone. There are some exceptions, but in most situations, this holds true.
Another reason to use thicker strings (specifically on the lower pitched strings) is if you like to play with your strings tuned lower than the normal (EADGBE) tuning. This keeps the strings from getting to loose, or not holding their pitch.
Players who like to bend notes a lot, may want certain strings to be thinner so that they are easier to move across the fingerboard.
Acoustic:
Your standard beginning acoustic string pack has a high E at 12. Acoustic guitars need thicker strings to produce a bigger sound because they are not amplified. Also, acoustic guitars require more tension to stay in proper tuning and alignment. Unless you play a lot, 12s can probably get the job done for a lot of acoustic players. In certain instances, 11s may be better for younger players, mainly due to the finger strength required to push down on thicker strings.
As with electric, more experienced players may want a thicker string for a bigger sound, and richer tone.
Both:
Both guitars also have different styles of string available. Coated strings have an extra layer of material added to the regular string to extend the length of play. There are folks who say they work really well, and others who say they don't. These difference may be accounted for with differences in play style, amount of play time, or acidity of oil from the players' fingers. Try out different strings to find out what works best for you.
Certain strings are even wound with different materials, or in different ways. These are usually personal preferences that I encourage players to look into on their own, once they are a bit more experienced and have an idea of what kind of sound they want to come out of their guitar.
All in all, playing any instrument can be a very personal experience when it comes to getting the right strings, reeds, or what have you. Do some experimenting with different kinds, if you can, to find the ones that work best for you!
Persistence is perhaps the hardest part of doing anything in life. To keep at something, or to keep your head up when things don't go the way that you want them to, is very difficult for most everyone.
I'm sure we've all had days where things don't seem to be going our way, and we stick them out because we think, feel, or hope that something better is going to happen to make the less than pleasant stuff seem easier to bear.
Don't worry about if you missed that one chord during your last show. Try not to focus on how or why a note squeaked during that last concert. Why worry about a snapped string during a performance?
Overall, these things can be overcome. I find that the best way to push forward is to have a goal. Maybe you have someone you look up to who plays your instrument, or maybe you want to be like that one famous guy who has done so well for himself.
It is important, however, to remember that no one who ends up doing well at a sport, or activity, ever got to where they are by giving up, or by not trying.
It is said that it takes around 10,000 hours for any one person to gain a high level of proficiency at doing something. 10,000 sounds like a large number, but if you approach your practicing and playing the right way, those hours can really stack up.
One of my favorite ways to put some hours in is to just practice between 10 and 15 minutes at a time, several times a day. Most folks have a bit of time to spare throughout the day, so if you can spend that time practicing, or playing, even for those 15 minutes, you are one step closer to gaining those 10,000 hours of experience.
Something else to try, is to practice in unconventional ways. I don't mean hanging upside down by your ankles out of an airplane unconventional, I mean at times when you might not normally think you could practice.
Maybe as a brass player you can take your mouthpiece with you on your drive to work and buzz a few scales.
As a player that uses his or her fingers to create notes, practice your finger patterns in thin air or on a flat surface. That way your fingers are putting in hours away from your instrument which will help you to figure out what you need to improve when you are back near your axe (or horn, or baby, or whatever you end up calling your instrument).
Wind players can also practice their breathing anywhere they go to help improve lung capacity. If you can think of something you have to do to play your instrument, I'm sure you can think of some way to practice that without always needing to play.
All in all, we as musicians should always strive to overcome our difficulties and play that much better the next time. If you are a passionate musician, there will always be a next time to play, another chance to do better than the time before. As long as you can figure out where things went wrong and are willing to look for ways to make things go right, you will never miss out on an opportunity to grow musically.
What are some other ways you can practice to help make yourself better that may not involve using your instrument all of the time?
Everyone likes to feel fit. It's rather easy to find info on how to stay fit in general, through standard exercise and work-outs. Musicians tend to have a few other things to consider, and thus may need to take different or additional steps to keep themselves in playing shape. Here are a few tips and tricks to stay fit as a musician.
- Make the instrument move to fit your body.
I don't care if you want to play with your guitar slung down low or you want to point your trumpet to the floor. You shouldn't. Move your instrument to a place where it fits your body. It will be easier for you to move your hands where they need to be, you won't have to worry about contorting your body into weird shapes, and overall life will be much better if you move the instrument to suit you, instead of the other way around.
Make small adjustments until it feels very natural to play, and nothing hurts, or feels tight or strained while playing.
- Stay away from cigarettes.
This may sound like some kind of anti-drug ad, but in reality, all musicians should probably shy away from products like this.
For wind players, they can impair your ability to breathe, which is kind of necessary to play.
For everyone else, the breathing issues can still affect how you play since music can be and is very physical. Somewhat good cardio. Keeping cigarettes out of the equation will take away something that might cause some issues down the road.
- Do some breathing exercises.
For wind players, breathing exercises can help to expand and strengthen your lungs and diaphragm, which are integral for maintaining strong air for playing.
For string players, breathing like a wind player can help with phrasing and improve musicality.
For drummers, guitarists, and bassists, breathing throughout playing means you stay alive (duh), and also helps to keep the group together, and play better in time with one another. The band that breathes together, plays together.
- Keep your hands strong, nimble, and safe.
Most all musicians use their hands to manipulate their instrument (unless you play the didgeridoo, in which case you just need to hold that monster), and as such you should take care of them!
Drummers-Keep your hands safe from the cold, and make sure they are relaxed. Tight hands, or too much playing, can lead to carpal tunnel. The cold can make that happen faster, so wear gloves (or mittens, mittens are warmer).
Brass/woodwinds-Practice your music slowly at first so that your fingers (and your brain) get used to the patterns in the music. Your brain creates new, and (with thoughtful repetition) larger pathways for certain actions the more you do them, so practice slow before you go fast! Also, curve your fingers gently! They should look similar to if you drop your hands to your sides and maintain the natural curve of your fingers. It makes life easier.
Guitar/bass/strings- You need to practice your patterns too. I don't care if 'you got it' practice anyway! Make sure your hand is curved gently, and that for the most part your thumb is on the back of finger/fret board, not the side. Practice pinching each of your fingers with your thumb for the proper way to hold your hand.
- RELAX!!
The most important thing for any musician to do while playing is to be as relaxed as possible. I don't mean like a blob of jelly in your seat, I mean feeling calm, confident, and not tense.
Tension in any kind of playing stresses and tightens the muscles in a way that makes it more difficult to perform for extended periods of time. If you ever want to play to a sold out crowd in a stadium, or to a full house at Carnegie Hall, you need to be relaxed and have fun!
The best way to be relaxed is to practice, and play like you know what you are doing. 'Fake it til you make it' has served plenty of people well, but in this context I want you to play with confidence! Know what you are doing, and play it like it is the easiest thing in the world. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it! Even the best in the world fail every once in a while, I mean, Tiger Woods hasn't won a golf tournament in how long? He still makes the big bucks.
Overall, you should try to do things in the easiest way possible. Music is about fun, relaxation, catharsis, and conveying emotion without words. It brings people together, or helps them to expand how they think about life, the universe, and everything. Enjoy it! Practice well to play easily, and you will always enjoy making music with family, friends, colleagues, or new acquaintances.
Go forth and stay fit!
Good morrow!
Today I am putting together a handy guide to those of you who enjoy, want to, or currently play single reed instruments. Most notably, these include Clarinets and Saxophones of all shapes and sizes.
Reed purchases can and should be somewhat individualized. No two players are exactly the same, so they shouldn't all try to fit into one definition of player. That being said, there are a few good guidelines to follow if you are inexperienced, or are unsure what to look for:
First, the number on the reed box is it's strength. This refers to the thickness of the tip of the reed. Thicker reeds are harder to make move, but have a fuller, bigger sound. Thinner reeds are easier to make move, but have a thinner, and sometimes smaller sound.
Reed brands also have some differences among them.
Rico (orange package) reeds are by far the most widely used for beginning and intermediate players. They are cheap, and they get the job done. I recommend all beginners start here, because they just need something to get sound out of.
Rico Royal (blue package) are my go to for most informal situations. Marching band, pep band, or as a quick fix for a surprise gig, I stick with Rico Royals. These reeds are slightly higher in quality (and a tiny bit thicker) than their orange boxed counterparts, and offer a better sound than regular Ricos.
Vandoren is the principal intermediate to professional level brand of reeds. They have several different kinds, in varying boxes, but they all compare rather well to one another. Specifically, I like the Vandoren Traditional reeds in the blue box. They can be used in many different situations and can perform decently for jazz or concert band. They have a bigger sound, and are noticeably thicker than their Rico counterparts. Vandorens are usually a full half strength lower than Rico or Rico Royal (so a 3 in Rico is a 2.5 in Vandoren).
Somewhat on par with Vandoren reeds are the Rico Grand Select reeds. These are Rico's answer to a professional level reed. They sound bigger, fuller, and warmer than their other, more popular brands. I have tried them, and while they are not bad, I still stick with Vandoren.
Here are my reed and strength recommendations for clarinet and saxophone players. If you are wondering what my qualifications beyond managing a music store are, I have played and taught both saxophone and clarinet for many years.
*These recommendations are based off a public school band program that starts in 5th grade*
CLARINET:
5th- Rico 2-2.5
6th- Rico 2.5-3
7th- Rico Royal 3-3.5
8th- Rico Royal 3, 3.5, or 4 *This all depends on the player*
Once they hit high school, if they are playing regularly and want to continue on, I suggest students explore some other reed options to find their optimal sound. Mouthpieces can also have an affect here.
9th- MARCHING BAND: Rico Royal 3.5-4
CONCERT BAND: Vandoren Traditional or V12 3.5
10th- MARCHING BAND: Rico Royal 3.5-4
CONCERT BAND: Vandoren Traditional or V12 3.5-4
11th- MARCHING BAND: Rico Royal 3.5-4
CONCERT BAND: Vandoren Traditional or V12 3.5-4
12th- MARCHING BAND: Rico Royal 3.5-4
CONCERT BAND: Vandoren Traditional or V12 3.5-4
If students want to, or are advised by a private instructor to go above a 4 on clarinet, they should try it out, but I personally have not found it overly necessary.
For bass clarinet players, I would go one half strength lower than you play on soprano clarinet, at least until you are used to playing the much larger bass.
Mouthpieces are another beast all together, so we will shy away from them in this post.
SAXOPHONE:
5th- Rico 2-2.5
6th- Rico 2.5-3
7th- Rico Royal 2.5-3
8th- Rico Royal 3-3.5
Sax players should never really need a reed up to a 4 aside from individual or specific playing demands (like marching band). I have played sax for 16 years and have never needed to move past a 3.5 to play what I need to play.
9th- MARCHING BAND: Rico Royal 3-3.5
CONCERT BAND: Vandoren Traditional 3-3.5
JAZZ BAND: Vandoren ZZ or Vandoren Java 3-3.5
10th- MARCHING BAND: Rico Royal 3-3.5
CONCERT BAND: Vandoren Traditional 3-3.5
JAZZ BAND: Vandoren ZZ or Vandoren Java 3-3.5
11th- MARCHING BAND: Rico Royal 3.5
CONCERT BAND: Vandoren Traditional 3.5
JAZZ BAND: Vandoren ZZ or Vandoren Java 3.5
12th- MARCHING BAND: Rico Royal 3.5
CONCERT BAND: Vandoren Traditional 3.5
JAZZ BAND: Vandoren ZZ or Vandoren Java 3.5
Jazz band players can utilize any reed for jazz, but the ZZ and Java reeds have a different cut that can make them a better fit for jazz settings. The best way to figure out what you want is to play a few different reeds over your career and decide what works best for you.
For tenor saxophone, I find that these suggestions can be used easily.
For baritone saxophone, I would start a half strength lower until you are used to the instrument, then go from there.
Mouthpiece are another beast all together, so we will shy away from them in this post.
All in all, reeds should be somewhat individualized once a player gets into high school to better serve the needs of the player. Beginners should start at roughly the same place so that they can build the basics before diving into the rabbit hole that is reed choice.
I hope you learned something that will help you or your student out at some point in their playing career!
