The Striving Musician

Playing Versus Practicing

SirJamsalot — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:00:27 +0000

Practice Versus Playing I was at one time a serious competing volleyball player – when I was in my prime that is doing grass volleyball tournaments, then later beach tournaments....

If they didn't want to know, they shouldn't have asked.

2 Wiring Diagrams – 2 DiMarzio Humbuckers

SirJamsalot — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:21:05 +0000

I purchased a Megaswitch – P (5 way switch) from Stewmac to replace my old switch and realized after a nice email exchange with DiMarzio’s support that the switch configuration...

If they didn't want to know, they shouldn't have asked.

Guthrie Goven on String Bending

SirJamsalot — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:44:00 +0000

Guthrie Goven gives a great example of vibrato in this youtube video. Enjoy. If they didn't want to know, they shouldn't have asked.

If they didn't want to know, they shouldn't have asked.

Building a Backing Track

SirJamsalot — Mon, 30 May 2011 06:10:39 +0000

If you’ll recall my recent rant entitled “The Metronome Misconception“, I led you to the inevitable conclusion that you’ve been duped into thinking you should be doing your scales and...

If they didn't want to know, they shouldn't have asked.

The Pentatonic Conclusion

SirJamsalot — Fri, 13 May 2011 20:28:23 +0000

There’s just something about the pentatonic scale that builds expectation – so much so that if you introduce a few notes to complete strangers, they’ll draw the pentatonic conclusion. Many...

If they didn't want to know, they shouldn't have asked.

The Metronome Misconception

SirJamsalot — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 21:35:07 +0000

You’re going to hate me I’ve been (and am) a member of several musician forums and have even braved the tuition fees of one or more musician learning sites during...

If they didn't want to know, they shouldn't have asked.

Learning to be a Musician – Mind over matter

SirJamsalot — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 23:32:58 +0000

Learning to play an instrument is a life long process, and some think they never will because they consider the instrument a foreign object – but to overcome this self...

If they didn't want to know, they shouldn't have asked.

Angelcorpus – Dolls

SirJamsalot — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 23:51:26 +0000

Angelcorpus Can you say Legend of Zelda? This track intro and violin sounds are very cliché to the gaming world, so in terms of creativity, this track is not going...

If they didn't want to know, they shouldn't have asked.

As Everything Ends

SirJamsalot — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 23:50:22 +0000

Overall, the band is very talented, but they do not stand out in my mind as ‘different” from any other band. In fact, the riff used to introduce and end this song with I’ve heard in at least one other song from a main stream band (I wish I could remember the name but it escapes me). That’s not to take away from the guitarists ability to play – the rhythm of this band is pretty solid all the way thru, and the tone sounds great as well, but there is nothing in this track that makes it stand out from any other songs out there. It all pretty much blends into the genre as just another screamo song to my ears.

If they didn't want to know, they shouldn't have asked.

Oversaken – Hitman

SirJamsalot — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 23:46:33 +0000

I really like the song-presentation. All the parts are delivered on time and on key, and the intro drives you directly into the mood with some simple but precise and driving riffage – execution I think is excellent.

If they didn't want to know, they shouldn't have asked.