Musicians Blog | The Musicians blog

David Bowie’s Influence on Music…

David Bowie died in early 2016… his mark on the music industry is both, influential and controversial. Reviewing his past, one can indeed provide many twists and turns that contributed to our music industry.

via GIPHY

The press release below provides more insights regarding the unfortunate (early aged) departure of David Bowie…

Jam On!
-Ron

Credit Given via:https://www.bbc.com/news/

“The artist’s hits include Let’s Dance, Changes, Space Oddity, Starman, Modern Love, Heroes, Under Pressure, Rebel Rebel and Life on Mars.

He was also well known for creating his flamboyant alter ego Ziggy Stardust.

The singer (ed. Bowie), who had been living in New York in recent years, released his latest album Blackstar only last (ed. early 2016) Friday, his birthday.

The album has been well received by critics and was intended as a “parting gift” to the world, according to long-time friend and producer Tony Visconti.”

Read the rest of this story about David Bowie’s death here…

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35278872

Invention of the basic Jazz beat…

It was the late 30s’ and there was a drum cat named, Kenny Clarke. This dude could swing! Little did I realize that he created a very cleaver way (amoungst many other insightful trap notables) to use the ride cymbal as the one-beat.

Most drummers in those days struck the bass on every beat in the measure, a technique known as four-on-the-floor. For some of the faster songs back then, it was virtually impossible for drummers to keep-up this way.

Instead, Kenny kept the pulse going on the cymbal, using the bass and snare to ‘cut the time up’.

Now, with the advent of double bass and drums and pedals, the 4 on the floor is an option for trap players.

This article talks more about the history of this patriarch of drumming in modern jazz.

Jam On!
-Ron

(by: Michael J. West via: NPR.org)

Spang-a-lang was only part of Clarke’s innovation. Marking time on the ride cymbal with his right hand — previously, jazz drummers employed the bass drum with the right foot — gave his left hand and feet the freedom and sonic space to play thundering accents (“dropping bombs”) at irregular intervals…

Read the rest of the article here…

https://www.npr.org/sections/ablogsupreme/2014/01/08/260769892/the-drummer-who-invented-jazzs-basic-beat

Playing Guitar Like Keith Richards…

In this short video clip interview, Keith Richards explains the importance of having an acoustic guitar around for playing. The fact that Keith actually fools around with the guitar, even removing a string to show another tuning style, is note worthy enough to view.
Jam On!
–Ron Greene

Keith Richards Explains Why ‘the Acoustic Guitar Is Most Important’…

(by:https://www.acousticguitar.com – News)

Richards kicks off the conversation with this knowledge bomb: “I would say that the acoustic guitar is the most important thing for a guitar player to start with. Learn the feel and the touch of the string and what it does against a fret. Learn that and then you can add the effects later on…

See more at…

https://www.acousticguitar.com/News/Must-Watch-Keith-Richards-Explains-Why-the-Acoustic-Guitar-Is-the-Most-Important

Songs Every Guitarist Should Learn to Play…

I recently came across a website that mentions the top 20 songs every guitarist should learn to play. Spending time at this site had me realizing that knowing many great tunes is a nice reference, indeed. However, I was further reminded that having a list of guitar ‘tabs’ is one thing. Yet, also having a great reference to how the chords are developed for each song, is a wonderful compliment.

So, take a look at the website (below) and maybe consider grabbing a Music Dial Chart or two, to make your guitar tab reading much easier.

Jam On!
-Ron

(via: Ultimate-Guitar.com)
This week’s traditional Wednesday Question saw the UG community debating the mater of songs that every guitar player should learn to play. Kicking things off with an all-time classic, we have Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb.” Universally hailed as the tune with the greatest guitar solo of all time, it’s quite apparent why this one made the list…

Find the rest of the list of the top 20 songs every guitarist should learn here, and be sure to visit MusicDials.com to compliment your tabs!…

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/ug_news/top_20_songs_every_guitarist_should_learn_to_play.html

Yes co-founder and bassist Chris Squire died…

On June 28, 2015 at the young age of 67, after a battle with leukemia, the rock band ‘Yes’ (and unfortunately for the music industry) lost it’s founding member and very influential bass player, Chris Squire.
A quote from this article mentions… “Despite their critics, ‘Yes’ clearly belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their omission is one of the greatest injustices. They were on the voting list in 2013 but didn’t get in.”
Oh how the Rn’R H of F is missing out on one of the greatest rock bands of all. Anyway, I’m sure their board will come to their senses and finally include Yes in their deserved position.
Jam On!
-Ron

by Larry Atkins via: theHuffingtonPost.com

“In describing the sound of Yes, Peter Keepnews of The New York Times said, “Yes, formed in 1968, was known for its blend of rock, jazz, folk and classical influences and also for its complex time signatures and pristine vocal harmonies. One of the first of the so-called progressive (or prog) rock bands — among the others were King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer — it went on to become the most successful and longest-lasting.”…

Grateful Dead’s 50th anniversary…

In the year of the Grateful Dead’s 50th anniversary, the quintessential jam band appears to have greater currency than ever among the indie, the underground, and the generally weird.

Here’s a recap of GD’s July 4th Chicago, Soldier Field gig.

It’s hard to imagine the Grateful Dead without Jerry Garcia… but, remembering their mainstay as the most respected rock band in the industry is a must, indeed. This article provides a decent insight into their last stand on the music scene…
Jam On!
-Ron

By Rob Mitchum via: https://pitchfork.com

Not too long ago, the Grateful Dead might have been forbidden territory for this scene. The image surrounding the Dead for much of their later years—a traveling drug-fueled circus of ’60s nostalgia, soundtracked by lengthy, solo-filled jams—was the antithesis of the punk/alternative/indie ethos…

Jefferson Starship’s 50th Reunion…

Although Grace Slick won’t be attending, bass guitar player Jack Casady and guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, will be holding a one-time tribute celebration to commemorate the anniversary at this year’s Lockn’ music festival in Arrington, Virginia.
Jefferson (Airplane) Starship retains its roots in the San Francisco Bay area and are on the list of one of the classic 60’s rock bands.
This article provides more details on the reunion, sort-of-speak…
Jam On!
–Ron Greene

<> at NJPAC – Prudential Hall on July 16, 2015 in Newark City.

By David Sands via; ForBassPlayersOnly.com

The Grateful Dead isn’t the only trailblazing psychedelic rock group hitting a mind-altering milestone this year. This fall, Jefferson Airplane will also be soaring into its 50th anniversary…

The greatest synthesizers…

Keyboards come in many flavors. Since the introduction of the synthesizer, the development of interesting sound waves hasn’t stopped. Herein this article you’ll discover some of the most intriguing synths manufactured. Come discover some of the top best synths…
Jam On!
-Ron

(Scot Solida via MusicRadar.com)

These synths made a historical impact, changing the way future instruments would be designed and, most importantly, inspiring the musicians who played them.

Read more on the top 10 synthesizers…
https://www.musicradar.com/us/news/tech/the-10-greatest-synthesizers-of-all-time-224433

The Thrill is Gone, B.B. King dies 05-14-15…

Blues Guitar playing and singer, B.B. King died Thursday, May 11th 2015 at his home in Las Vegas. He was 89 years old. Many of us guitar players relied on some of his licks to complete our solos and back-up rhythm fills. King played a Gibson guitar he affectionately called Lucille with a style that included beautifully crafted single-string runs punctuated by loud chords, subtle vibratos and bent notes. Here’s a feed from FOX news with further information…
Jam On!
-Ron

via: FoxNews.com Published May 15, 2015

For most of a career spanning nearly 70 years, Riley B. King was not only the undisputed king of the blues but a mentor to scores of guitarists, who included Eric Clapton, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, John Mayall and Keith Richards. He recorded more than 50 albums and toured the world well into his 80s, often performing 250 or more concerts a year…

Learn more here:

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2015/05/15/blues-legend-bb-king-dies-at-8-attorney-says/

History of International Guitar Month

International Guitar Month (IGM) has been an annual
celebration of guitars and guitar products that happens
every April. Started in 1987, IGM was originally sponsored
by Guitar & Accessories Marketing Association (GAMA)
and National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM).

In 1996 GAMA decided to focus most of its resources on Teaching Guitar Workshops… subsequently, International

Guitar Month was rolled into their effort of introducing
more music instruction.

It seems cool enough to take additional notice @ least
once a year, to celebrate the Guitar as a major participant in our music history.

Jam On!
-Ron

Grab your All-Around-Guitar-Pack Discount special… Now, all
‘4’ Guitar Dial Charts for just the price of ‘3’… Get One FREE!

Play by ear with these chord and note charts

https://www.MusicDials.com/guitar.html

Ron Greene Publications is celebrating International Guitar
Month with our hand-held visual guides for … music theory,
chord structures, melodic notes, keys and scales. All in one,
compact 9″ x 11″ portable movable dial that fits inside your
instrument case and is readily available whenever you want!

Time to celebrate International Guitar Month.

Ron Greene
Inventor of the Music Dial Charts
@ (970) 259-5214