Notes on a Piano (keyboard)…

Now, we all know that the basic 1, 4, 5 note structures (with maybe an additional transition note/chord) can create a complete song… However, when you toss in randomness of notes it might take a little more time to complete the composition.

This video shows a keyboard prodigy that just might blow your mind!

You’ll soon discover how this gifted musician takes four randomly selected notes and compiles a complete symphony beyond what you’d expect on the piano… Very impressive and inspiring.

Jam On!

(Video credit to CBS News 60 Minutes)

“It takes Alma Deutscher just four notes and forty seconds to improvise an impressive short piano sonata right before 60 Minutes cameras. That alone is remarkable — but she’s also just 12 years old…

“While interviewing Alma at her piano, Pelley draws from a hat four cards with musical notes on them: B, A, E flat, G. She announces the four notes’ solfège names and considers them silently. Pelley waits, and the cameras roll.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/watch-a-prodigy-create-from-four-notes-in-a-hat/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab5j&linkId=44340477

Vanilla Fudge, the Original Cover Song Artists…

Playing cover songs is in itself a artistic technique… However, some will argue that playing cover tunes your ‘own way’ is truly a real art form.

Take for instance the Vanilla Fudge band from the 60s… Now these guys really knew how to twist a cover tune. Considered one of the originators of rock covers, Fudge had an uncanny knack of taking a song and making it actually so unique that it became a tune of its own.

I remember not being a big fan of Sonny and Cher… but after hearing their rendition of ‘Bang Bang’ Vanilla Fudge just knocked my socks off with a take on this tune that… well, just made it better!

Anyway… the article below gives credence to which I speak and hopefully will provide you with a great flashback and for the millenniums a new appreciation for twisting cover songs.

Jam On!
-Ron

(via credit: post by Mitchell Cohen @ web.musicaficionado.com)

Deep Purple’s Ritchie Blackmore admitted as much to Guitar World: “We loved Vanilla Fudge—they were our heroes. They used to play London’s Speakeasy and all the hippies used to go there to hang out.… They played eight-minute songs, with dynamics… The whole group was ahead of its time. So, initially, we wanted to be a Vanilla Fudge clone.” And Bill Bruford says that on the first Yes album the group “made the whole lot sound like a cross between Vanilla Fudge and the Beach Boys.”

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…

Creativity and the Mad Genius…

Combining the left and right brain in songwriting, jamming and listening to music, promotes a deep and meaningful fascination. Where does creativity and mad genius start and stop? What do you feel and think when you are jamming… Are you a participant or are you the observer? This article gives more to ponder on this subject matter.
Jam On!
-Ron

(The Imprinted Brain by… Christopher Badcock Ph.D. via:psychologytoday.com)

Can You Be Both Mad and Creative?

How genes set the balance between autism and psychosis… A study of all major British and Irish poets born between 1705 and 1805 found a strikingly high rate of mood disorders, suicide, and institutionalization within this group of writers and their families. By comparison with the rate of manic-depressive illness in the general population, these British poets were 30 times more likely to suffer from manic-depression…
… read rest of article here:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-imprinted-brain/201408/can-you-be-both-mad-and-creative

Former Rolling Stones manager nixes Rock Hall of Fame…

You might find this story of interest as it relates to our music industry and as a musician… Andrew Loog Oldham, the Rolling Stones’ early manager has essentially told the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to go take a hike. The article provides some pretty cool insights as to why Andrew finds the commercialism of their event not living-up to the original intention of Rock’n Roll. I personally have to give him credit for holding-down the rock scene as it was in the 60s!
Jam On!
-Ron

(by Randy Lewis, Los Angeles Times – via:arcamax.com)
Rolling Stones former manager protests Rock Hall of Fame, skips own induction… Andrew Loog Oldham, the Rolling Stones’ early manager, producer and publicist who is being inducted this year into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has announced that he will skip the ceremony…
Read more at https://www.arcamax.com/entertainment/entertainmenttoday/s-1502699#9ttVOHj5Jbcksjbd.99

Pi and memorizing the music scale…

the Music Scale (using Pi)

Wow, this enhanced my ability to recognize the power of math and the musical scale. Incredible to learn that thirty-nine decimal places of Pi are enough to compute the circumference of a circle the size of the known universe with an error no greater that the radius of an hydrogen atom… Now, that gives one another way to ponder the depth of music!

Jam On!
Ron

(by JUR re: Sciencedump.com)
This guy wrote a song to help him memorize Pi, since he can memorize music easier than strings of numbers. In his mind, he can hear the melody, and figure out the numbers…
See this insightful video here:
https://www.sciencedump.com/content/guy-creates-song-using-numbers-pi

The launch of SXSW and it’s flashback years…

SXSW

South by South West moves forward this year beginning this week. Lots of fanfare and lots of music and music related elements for sure. I found a great way to keep-up with all the doings @ SXSW this year, without dealing with travel, accommodations and the crowds… aka, Surviving SXSW

Jam On!
-Ron

(by: entrepreneur.com)
Entrepreneur is on the ground in Austin for SXSW 2014. Feel as if you’re there with us as we share the latest innovations and give you a sneak peek at the launches and ideas that will change how you connect to your world…

Keep up with all the doings @ SXSW here:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/topic/sxsw

Musician, before starting your digital (social) PR campaign, consider the following…

5 Things All Musicians Need Before Starting A Digital PR Campaign…

After reading this article on how to proceed with your musical marketing campaign, I was further intrigued with its simple, yet powerful suggestions and consideration to advance your musical career.
Jam On!
-Ron

(by: https://camilleainsworth.wordpress.com)

While all of these are important goals for musicians to have, and there is no doubt that a PR campaign can help artists to achieve them, many musicians decide to jump into this too early. Without the proper assets, the likelihood that you will actually achieve these goals from a PR campaign are greatly decreased.

In order for a PR campaign to truly be successful, you must have the 5 following assets…

Play by Ear

Today, we’ll learn how to play music by ear intrinsically.

Hi, it’s Ron Greene here,

awhile ago we discussed how music theory, and how you might discover some insightful ways to play better on your musical instrument. Also, I provided you with a blurb about my development experiences with the Music Dial. Play music by ear in a band setting

Within this posting I’d love to discuss some thoughts with you, regarding your ability and feelings about… playing music by ear.

Here’s my take on playing music by ear or “play by ear” if you will. It might reference a typical means of playing music without wanting or needing to read notes on a music staff or on a tablature. The ability to play by ear, no doubt, means a lot of different things to a lot of people. To me it seems that on many occasions, playing music by ear would be a practical thing to learn and do. Continue reading Play by Ear →