Mercury Swang

I had a blues/jazz idea for a jam and wanted to present it to the band at tonight's practice. We hacked at it a couple of times and were able to get a flexible piece out. It's something we can use to start a set. In practice we used it to give each member a chance to solo which we'll probably also do live. At the end we were all very happy.

I recorded over a stock drum track the original idea. On the recording there are two guitar tracks and the bass. The feel we ended up with is much more lively with an energetic swing but this clip will give you an idea of the structure.

[Mercury Swang]

Jam Night

Tonight and every monday night is Open Jam Night at the Riverview in Three Rivers. If you're in the area come on down...it's a total blast no matter if you play music or not.

Last monday we did a little funk, a little reggae, and a little jazz...my favorite was "Chameleon" by Herbie Hancock.

Reminiscing of cooler day

I woke up this morning to overcast skies. If you're living in central california you've been experiencing our 100+ degree temps with the nation's third worst polluted skies. With this morning's overcast it's got me back in the mood for fall/winter.

Folks tell me as a California boy I couldn't endure Seattle type weather for more than 3 months. I think that would have to be challenged. I'm totally an overcast / rain / coffee brewing inside kind of kid =)

Popular Music and Art Music

I've been studying music theory through a couple different books. One of them classifies music into two groups "Popular Music" and "Art Music".

Popular music, being inherently "familiar", is based around very common patterns that have existed for many years in western music. Artists who create popular music tend to find ways of being creative using traditional chord progressions and conservative harmonies. They look for ways of combining familiar element in new ways. Alternative rock, country, and R&B are all examples of popular music.

Art music is created by stepping outside the boundaries of what's familiar. These artists tend to seek ways to substitute common chords within progressions. Harmonies are typically more complex as well as rhythm's. Examples of art music are jazz and classical. Generally the sounds created are acquired tastes.

Close to my heart is the style of the blues. I find it interesting because blues music defies the boundaries of popular music by creating progressions that are dissonate as well as the melodies. The may place it in the category of "Art Music" ... However, the arrangements are typically "familiar" which yield the music to become more easily popular.

I've spent time with musicians who like and dislike the different types of music. The general complaint I hear is: "that particular style of music is too limiting to be creative with". Trying to look at it from a creative perspective I would say it isn't the music that's limiting....It's our minds.

Thirsty?

“If you come to me with thirst, I would not give you water, I would only put salt in your mouth to intensify that thirst. Then you would be compelled to find the true source of that which you seek.” Sadaguru

I've been thinking about that quote...does it infer a subordinate or is it just a harsh lesson? Maybe that depends on the source.

Blues Jam at Bens

Last night, last LATE night may I add, we had a killer blues jam at Ben's house. Tyler and Ryan (the bassist from 'The Brilliance') joined in along with my band mates, Chris and Tom, from the Mercury Blues Band. Ben ran the drums for a bunch of sets and overall we just had a blast.

Cool thing is Ben threw together small clips of the jam. Check it out over on his site:

[Saturday Night's Alright for Jamming]

Earth Google

The download link finally became available! http://earth.google.com. This has got to be a pilot's dream tool...here's Mefford Field for strait in to 32:

Melody Me

Looking for ways to tinker with thex notes I came up with another sound clip to practice melodies with. The progression is in E-Major and works down the harmonized scale: E-D#dim-C#m-A. The bridge is F#m-A-F#m-B7. The melody lines were based on Ionian, Dorian, and Aeolian modes.

[meldoy me (1.1mb)]

WHERE CAN I GET SOME MOTIVATION

"Here is a question I've been asking myself a lot lately, so I decided to explore it a little further with all of you. It would be hard to argue the point that the more motivated we are, the more apt we are to succeed in any particular circumstance. Of course, this same philosophy can be demonstrated through our bass playing. If we are "fired up" about getting better or pushing ourselves to the next level, we are more willing to embrace challenges, both technically and musically. However, the big problem is that we are all human, and therefore do not always operate in full efficiency."

[Adam Nitti.Com]

A cool page on getting motivated and getting out of the rut. I think it applies to non-music subjects too!