Posts tagged as:

inspiration

10-Minute Music Practice

by Leah R. Garnett March 12, 2010

One person may practice an instrument for an hour a day, another for only 10 minutes a day. And yet the person who practices for 10 minutes may make more progress than the one who practices for an hour. Why? Because the person who plays for only 10 minutes may spend that time in focused practice, working on developing new skills.

The person who practices for an hour may spend that time playing songs, pieces, or scales that he or she already knows. Read more…

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Rest Is the Best Medicine, Says “Liverpool Beat” Doc

by Leah R. Garnett February 22, 2010

Stephen L. Cash lives a double-life: Chief hand surgeon at Lankenau Hospital outside of Philadelphia and “George” in the Beatles tribute band “Liverpool Beat.” Dr. Cash graciously agreed to be interviewed by Music After 50 on aches and pains of older musicians. Read more…

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Behind the Glass with Joe Chiccarelli

by Howard Massey January 22, 2010

Joe ChiccarelliAs the producer of classics from Frank Zappa, The White Stripes, and Kurt Elling – Joe Chiccarelli draws inspiration from a variety of sources.

Unlike many producers whose sonic stamp is immediately recognizable (a Roy Thomas Baker or a JohnShanks, for example), you’d be hard-pressed to identify a Joe Chiccarelli “sound.” It’s hard to believe that the same individual who produced the rough-and-ready White Stripes’ Icky Thump was also responsible for the ephemeral, moody ambience of the Shins’ Wincing the Night Away or the smooth, slick jazz tones of Kurt Elling’s Night Moves. Read more…

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An Interview with David Ellefson

by Scott James December 28, 2009

David EllefsonDavid Ellefson is a man who needs no introduction in the world of heavy metal. For those unfamiliar with his work, David has earned 7 Grammy nominations, multiple gold and platinum records and has been on numerous world tours as a founding member of the band Megadeth as well as with recent bands F5, HAIL! and Angels of Babylon. He also holds a Bachelors degree in business and marketing, has authored a book titled “Making Music Your Business…A Guide For Young Musicians” and continues to educate musicians through his online video series “David Ellefson’s ROCK SHOP”. Read more…

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A Musician’s Roadmap To Setting Goals for 2010

by Disc Makers December 22, 2009

What They Don’t Teach You At Harvard Business School (a bestselling book) talks about a research study that was conducted at Harvard between 1979 and 1989:

“In 1979, the MBA graduates were asked, “Have you set clear, written goals for your future and made plans to accomplish them?”

Only 3 percent had clear written goals and action plans to achieve them.

Thirteen percent of the graduates had goals, but they were not in writing. Read more…

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Start Your Own Scene

by Scott James October 26, 2009

I hear a lot of people complain that their band can’t really get anywhere because there’s not much of a scene where they live. However I don’t see a lot of people doing anything about it. If there’s going to be a scene, someone needs to have the vision and initiative to start it. So if you don’t have a booming scene where you live – start your own! Here’s how:

The first thing that you need to do is to scout out at least one good venue. What you want to look for are venues that are: Read more…

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Classic LP Covers and Why They’re Still So Fresh Today

by Disc Makers October 26, 2009

The 1st album cover, created by Alex SteinweissIn 1938, Alex Steinweiss invented the album cover. It’s almost unimaginable that there was a time when records didn’t have covers (up until that point, they were sold in relatively plain brown paper wrappers advertising the record companies. See photo at right). Steinweiss’s idea was a huge marketing success which exploded into a new and exciting world of art and design. Now artists could explore their creativity in more expressive ways in a new commercial market. During the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s Jim Flora, Ben Shahn, Rudolph de Harak, Reid Miles, Steinweiss, and even Andy Warhol were major contributors to album cover design. Read more…

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Creating The Perfect Pitch

by Ariel Hyatt September 23, 2009

ArielHere is a key lesson in branding yourself that can really set you up to have a major breakthrough for your musical career. What you will create here will define you in the minds of your fans and potential fans. Read more…

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Command: The Difference Between Good and Great

by Scott James September 21, 2009

curtain-thumbHave you ever been to a show where the music was very good and the playing was flawless but…you just didn’t “feel it?” Something was missing but you just couldn’t put your finger on it. Chances are what was missing was command. The artist didn’t have command of the room.

A few years ago I went to see an artist named Jim Bianco at a local club called “The Hotel Cafe.” He sat down at the piano to play a softer song called “Painkiller.” I started to chat with the girl I was with when he began playing. I remember stopping mid-sentence as this wave of energy seemed to hit the room. Read more…

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Disc Makers Atlanta Seminar: The New Music Business Model

by Disc Makers September 14, 2009

JawarIf you’re in the Atlanta area on Wednesday, September 16 at 7:00 pm, come join Disc Makers for our latest music seminar, featuring guest speaker JaWar – motivational speaker, author, and business consultant. The seminar will be held at our Regional Sales Office (3102 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30305, Phone: 404-842-0221, Fax: 404-842-0211) and will cover issues such as using social media the right way, branding you for revenue (earning money), optimizing your online “presence” and much, much more!

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Are You a Beggar or a Rockstar?

by Scott James August 28, 2009

Beggar or Rockstar?Most bands out there are looking for support. They want you to help them out, vote for them in a contest, go to their show, buy their CD.

By contributing to their cause you will get them far enough to get their big break. When they get their big break they will have made it and other people will be there to give them all they need and they’ll live happily ever after.

There’s just one small problem with that model: It’s an illusion that will keeps artists trapped until long after all of their dreams are gone. It’s a fundamental misinterpretation of the way that money and value work. This strategy will no sooner make you successful then it will a beggar. Read more…

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Finding Inspiration

by Disc Makers August 25, 2009

Finding InspirationInspiration is the spark that fuels creative work. As a graphic designer and a musician, I know how easy/difficult it can be to find that spark. I don’t see inspiration as an object to be sought out in old books or in dusty corners of the internet. It’s something that needs to be found within, nurtured, and applied to your everyday life. The good thing is that inspiration comes from just about anywhere as long as you keep your mind hungry for it, and allow your experience and taste to guide you.

That being said, here are a few places that really put me in the mood to be inspired. Hint: If you’re looking for ideas for your next album package design, these are some great resources! Read more…

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Kickstarter: A New Way to Fund Ideas and Endeavors

by Disc Makers August 25, 2009

Kickstarter got picked up by the New York Times! If you’re unfamiliar with Kickstarter, it’s a “funding platform for artists, designers, filmmakers, musicians, journalists, inventors, explorers…” where the average Joe can make pledges to artists who need a little help getting started. The Kickstarter website explains that “money is collected only if a project reaches or exceeds its funding goal before time expires. If a project’s funding goal is $5,000 and only $4,999 is pledged when time expires, no money is collected. Zip, zero. Also, no rewards will be delivered. No funding, no rewards. Everyone walks away as if nothing happened.” Why did they decide to run the system like this? They provide three reasons: Read more…

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Move It or Lose It

by Scott James August 17, 2009

What’s your dream?

If you’re like most musicians I know, your dream probably includes getting a lucrative record deal and playing in front of large crowds of people. Maybe you’d like to score a major motion picture and go down as a brilliant composer. Either way, your dreams probably go beyond playing at Joe’s Bar and Grill on Tuesday nights or playing in front of your cat in your bedroom.

Sadly, most people will never realize their dreams. Sadder still, most people will never be able to overcome their fears enough to even give themselves a chance. Most people are full of rationalizations and illusions that keep them where they are. They cling to their dreams but they wake up one day and realize they never bothered to put one foot in front of the other to bridge the gap between their dreams and reality. Read more…

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5 Ideas to Transform Your Music and Your Life

by Scott James August 10, 2009

Is your music career and your life where you want it to be right now?

We run on auto-pilot a lot more than we realize and more than most of us would care to admit. The good news is that once we become aware of this, we can take control of the habits and routines in our lives and design new ones that will get us where we want to be.

Here are five concepts that can transform your music career and your life. If these concepts resonate with you I recommend taking immediate action, however small, towards implementing change. Don’t over-think it. Just take action. Momentum is everything. Read more…

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