Working With Drum Tracks

By Lori Spencer

 

A drum track is the portion of any sound recording devoted exclusively to the drums. In multitrack recording, what is called the “drum track” in fact usually will comprise several different tracks. Each part of the drum kit is be recorded with a separate microphone, and each microphone assigned a track on the mixing board. For example, one track may be just the snare drum, another may be the crash cymbal, and an overhead microphone captures ambient sound in the room. Mixed together, all of these various elements represent the drum tracks.

Many songwriters will use a drum track to help them create songs. Instead of programming a drum machine for a demo or trying to draw inspiration from prerecorded drum loops, songwriters often find …

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What Is a Guitar Chord Finder?

By Lori Spencer

 

A guitar chord generator, also known as a guitar chord finder, is a learning and reference tool for finding chords on the guitar. Musicians use a generator to create fingering charts for various guitar playing positions along the neck. Guitar chord finders also come in handy for chording any stringed, fretted instrument such as mandolin, steel guitar, banjo, or bass. They are used to look up scales and chord charts in almost any tuning the guitarist can conjure. Many Internet-based guitar chord generators allow users to customize the chart for left or right-handed players.

As a teaching tool, guitar chord finders help practicing musicians learn scales and…(cont’d)

 

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Characteristics of a Fanfare

By Lori Spencer

 

A fanfare is a bold and brief piece of music used to announce the coming of an important person or event. You’ll hear them at sporting competitions like the Olympics, at military and official government ceremonies, and often in movies or TV shows as opening theme music.

Featuring dotted rhythms, repeated patterns and a harmonic series of notes, fanfares are generally brass- and percussion-dominant. This is both to get the listener’s attention and impart a sense of importance to the event…

 

 

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Writing Heavy Metal Songs

By Lori Spencer

 

When it comes to writing heavy metal songs, it’s more about the attitude and riff than following any given format. While the basic rules of songwriting still apply, there are times to burn the rulebook and forget everything you’ve been taught in school. Don’t get too caught up in technique–rock and roll is rebellion, above all else.

Read more: How to Write Good Metal Music | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7335893_write-good-metal-music.html#ixzz1g8ybRfSw

How to Blend the Sound of a Guitar and Bass

By Lori Spencer

 

Achieving just the right blend between guitar and bass should be felt by the listener “like a warm hug” according to Manny Marroquin, mixing engineer on multiple platinum hits for John Mayerand other top recording artists. Think of the guitar as one arm and the bass as the other arm. The idea is to wrap both arms around the listener and engulf them, blending the two sources together to sound like one.

Effective microphone placement, the tone, instruments, amplification, style and rapport of the musicians themselves–and not studio wizardry–represent the keys to successfully blending bass and guitar.

Read more: How to Blend the Sound of a Guitar and a Bass | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7339161_blend-sound-guitar-bass.html#ixzz1g8wzWNra

 

What Is a Vintage Saxophone?

By Lori Spencer

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Defining exactly what a vintage saxophone is can be tricky. Collectors and experts agree that there are several other factors to consider besides the instrument’s age. Quality plays a big role; so does playability. The condition of the horn itself can have a bearing on whether it is deemed “vintage.” Another important factor is the history of that particular brand and model. If the instrument was once played or owned by a significant musician, or was only manufactured for a short period of time, that certainly adds both monetary value and vintage credibility. Woodwind restoration and repair experts stresses that there is a vast difference between vintage and just plain old. An instrument’s date of manufacture…

How Do I Find Saxophone Serial Numbers?

By Lori Spencer

Musicians who play, sell, and collect vintage saxophones always pay close attention to the instrument’s serial number. Knowing the serial number can help confirm the brand, model, and the location of the factory where the sax was made. The manufacturer’s original stamp typically will also display the maker’s name and logo. Saxophone serial numbers differ from model numbers in that serial numbers are longer and contain mostly numbers. As an example, an Aristocrat Series II is a model number made by Buescher; the serial number might look like 294125.

Saxophone serial numbers can tell you quite a bit about an instrument. If you wanted to find out when your Beuscher Aristocrat Series II sax was made…

Read more at http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-find-saxophone-serial-numbers.htm

How to Play “Crocodile Rock”

By Lori Spencer

 

Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock” is a classic showpiece for any pianist and a fun challenge to play. The rest of the band will work hard trying to keep up with some unusual chord changes, while the singer gets to really stretch out the top of his falsetto range on the chorus refrain.

This lilting, 1950s-style rocker conjures up images of sock hops, Hula-hoops and drive-ins and will get people moving on the dance floor.

“Crocodile Rock” was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and appears on Elton’s 1973 album, “Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only the Piano Player.” It is in the key of G.

Read more: How to Play “Crocodile Rock” | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7332311_play-_crocodile-rock_.html#ixzz1g8znRmgX

California Jazz Concerts

By Lori Spencer

 

California traditionally hosts some of the finest jazz concerts and festivals in the United States, partly because many of the world’s best musicians choose to make the Golden State their home. Traveling musicians also love to tour California because of spectacular sunny weather year-round and large audiences of appreciative jazz fans. No matter what kind of jazz you love—bop, cool jazz, Dixieland, big band or smooth jazz—California is the place to hear it all.

Read more: California Jazz Concerts | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7302222_california-jazz-concerts.html#ixzz1g9D81rZF

Tips for Selling Your Used Music Gear

By Lori Spencer

 

When it’s finally time to say goodbye to your treasured Telecaster or the huge Hammond Organ that takes up half of your garage, you’ll naturally want to get the best price. You also want to get cash in hand as quickly as possible.

In the Internet age, the landscape of buying and selling used musical instruments and equipment has completely changed. Gone are the days when you’d simply trade in or sell used gear at your local music store. Due to the online revolution, many music retailers no longer buy or sell used instruments at all. The good news is: now you have got many more options for selling your used gear than ever before.

Read more: How to Sell Your Used Music Gear | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7464665_sell-used-music-gear.html#ixzz1g8mGiWaY