There are many parts of the world that are beautiful and I have been fortunate enough to see some of them. The crisp cleanliness of Singapore, Westminster Abbey in London, the Taj Mahal in India. I have seen the Vatican with its spiritual stillness and the canals in Venice. I have seen the blueness of a glacier up close in Alaska and almost the same color blue in the waters of the Caribbean. I have been lucky, I have seen a lot. And I have written songs and taken pictures of every single one of these incredible places. But there is nothing like Arizona.
I lied in Arizona for ten years and have had the pleasure of taking all types of pictures of the great diversity of this wonderful state. From the four corners at the very upper corner of the state to sleeping in a tent overlooking Monument Valley, to the snows in the winter up in Flagstaff, I have done it all. I have enjoyed the cactus and desert flowers in Phoenix and Tucson and participated in many an Indian ritual at one of the many reservations in the state. I have climbed down the Grand Canyon (if 300 feet counts as a climb) and have sat on cliffs edges (not really but close) to take pictures of the sun set or sun rise over this vast wonder. Sometimes its vastness actually takes away from its beauty because it is so hard to take in.
But to narrow it down even further, within the stat of Arizona I enjoy Sedona. Red rock country. The most incredibly beautiful place that I have seen. Now of course this isn’t to say that nothing compares, but in terms of ease of access, natural beauty, the arts and the community there is nothing like Sedona. I have had some of my most peaceful moments in Sedona, clicking away with my camera trying to capture a beauty that I never really captured with my lens. Its souring red rock against green grass and shrubbery to the quaint artsy town that offers any kind of art imaginable, this place is an artsy fartsy fans fantasy. And that would be me.
I love trying to capture the image, and even if I don’t (which is more times than not the case) getting lost in the sights is its own therapy for me. I left those trips with a renewed sense of awe and wonder for the god-crafted beauty of the countryside. You can't ask more than that from a road trip.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Arts and Psychotherapy
Throughout all of time psychotherapists have been looking for an “edge” to reach people under their care. The traditional group or individual therapy sessions where the patient sits and talks based on the direction of the therapist or the freewheeling random though process of the patient did not always obtain the solution or results that were desired. This is not to say that results were not obtained, only that in some instances these results were less than desired.
Through the years there became clarity of the impact of the arts on the human psyche and as such it was explored as a possible trigger or therapy for patients who otherwise had their thoughts, emotions or problems locked deep within themselves and were either hesitant or unable to let out. A hundred years ago at least therapists began to delve into taking the linkage of the arts and implication on body, mind and spirit and applying these concepts to theories of psychoanalysis which would include the use of the arts.
Why the arts? All arts touch something deep inside the human soul and for some reason or another; touch the core of our emotions as humans. All arts have some type of impact on us, and the participation in these arts as part of defined therapy seemed to be the next step into reaching into the depths of that humanness to help comfort, resolve and redeem the soul of the person who was struggling with a particular issue or concern.
So what do we mean when we talk about the arts? Just about any “art” can be applied to psychotherapy and depending on the triggers for the person or the aliment being dealt with, different art therapies might be more appropriate than others. There are a few that are used regularly which will be discussed in greater detail later but let’s take a look at the primary ones that are accepted therapeutic assists for patients. Art therapy is the use of paints, chalk and markers for the purposes of understanding the psychology of the creative process and relating it to patient issues.
Dance therapy is used often to enhance the body and mind connection. It builds upon the belief that movement and emotions are interrelated. Drama therapy is used often for acting out and finding a safe space to express oneself. Music therapy is probably the most well know therapy and is used in a variety of psychotherapy areas. Photo Therapy is used to take a look at the world through the patient’s eyes to better understand what they look at what they see in their mind. And writing therapy is also used. Many people use writing therapy, even people not in therapy. Dairies, poems, songs and the also fall into the category of writing therapy.
All of the art therapy’s reach out to different populations of patients. The therapist’s job is to better understand what the core issues are and then introducing the patient to possible alternative therapies that might assist them in their quest to find resolution to their issues. Let’s talk about each one of these in a little more detail.
Photo Therapy is not widely discussed but it is a form of therapy that is used especially for those that do not have any verbal communication skills and/or are mentally limited. In most cases the therapy takes the patient’s own photos of people, places things and brings to bear the emotions and thoughts that are then evoked when the patient looks at these photos. What was going on? How does that make you feel? What are you remembering right now? These could be some of the questions that are asked while the patient is walking through some of the photos that the patient has taken or has brought in.
Photo therapy can be used with many people and can touch very different areas with the patient. It can be used in something as simple as diversity training to conflict management and resolution to as complicated as divorce. In using photo therapy it is hoped that the patient will gain insight, deepen their understanding of the situation, people or place and then allow them to be expressed.
Sometimes it is as simple as the emotional reaction to the photo which will help the therapist understand some of the issues that the patient has. Photo therapy is also used for the active, not patient people who just need to do some individual therapy without the need for a therapist. For those individuals it is considered fun and enjoyable. It is an oppo0rtunity to de-stress and relax and let themselves go.
Music therapy is a delightful therapy that is very popular and used by many therapists in a great variety of issues, conflicts and therapeutic situations. It is an art therapy which, like all of the others, to fully use it the therapist has to have a working knowledge of the “art” being used in the therapy. In this case the therapist needs to know music and have a musical area of expertise such as an instrument or vocals.
Music therapy is used very widely both from a therapeutic diagnosis perspective to an age, demographic perspective. It can be used for any one such those suffering from a psychiatric issue, a medical issue, stroke victims and physically challenged. It is adaptable to many types of patients. The young to the old all tend to enjoy music therapy, hence its success with pre-school all the way to patients in nursing homes.
Music therapy is primary in stress management. It is well used to try to find that musical trigger which can cause calming and peacefulness in patients that are otherwise agitated. It builds self esteem in those that are in need. This is very effective in the teen age group as it helps them build something they can be proud of. Additionally music therapy is always used in the physically challenged. The music tends to allow the patient to move as fluidly as possible while they are continuing to struggle with their physical ailments.
In art therapy the patient is encouraged to draw, paint or display their innermost thoughts through a drawing or other type of expression using paints, chalks and markers. It is a freeing experience where the patient is able to express themselves through the use of an external tool.
Many people respond to art therapy at all different ages. Children especially tent to like art therapy and when given the opportunity to just draw whatever is on their mind it can often be extremely enlightening to the therapist.
Art therapy uses the psychology of the creative process which means that creativity will eventually allow for a true expression of oneself on the paper or canvas and will get to the inner thoughts of the patient where talking was unable to reach.
Art therapy is a healing art when the patient uses it to draw not only what is in their mind but also express how they feel about it and why they feel the way they do. It allows for the beginning of discussion about what is drawn and why the patient drew it. It also allows for interpretation by both the therapist and the patient and can resolve a number of unresolved issues. Art therapy is very beneficial to the patient’s life if used properly.
Dance therapy looks to build the body/mind connection. It allows for self expression in a setting that is considered safe and non-threatening. It is considered an established understanding that for human’s movement can often be influenced by the emotions that the patient is feeling. Using that as the premise of the therapy, dance therapy tries to tie the patient’s state of emotion to the movement that the patient makes.
It is used very often with patients such as the blind or deaf in an effort to let them express themselves in way s that they are unable. It is also used with patients with Parkinson’s to help them try to control and use their bodies throughout their tremors. Dance therapy is effective as will with patients with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). It allows the patient to dance out the impact of what they are either feeling or experiencing with the trauma in their life.
Drama and Writing therapies also use the particular art form to assist the patient in the expression of themselves either b y acting out how they felt about certain events or issues that they are experiencing.
All of the therapy’s that use the arts as their core tap into the inner person and the art that tends to trigger a response which will allow the therapist to see and understand and then help the patient to resolve to a better and more fulfilling life.
Through the years there became clarity of the impact of the arts on the human psyche and as such it was explored as a possible trigger or therapy for patients who otherwise had their thoughts, emotions or problems locked deep within themselves and were either hesitant or unable to let out. A hundred years ago at least therapists began to delve into taking the linkage of the arts and implication on body, mind and spirit and applying these concepts to theories of psychoanalysis which would include the use of the arts.
Why the arts? All arts touch something deep inside the human soul and for some reason or another; touch the core of our emotions as humans. All arts have some type of impact on us, and the participation in these arts as part of defined therapy seemed to be the next step into reaching into the depths of that humanness to help comfort, resolve and redeem the soul of the person who was struggling with a particular issue or concern.
So what do we mean when we talk about the arts? Just about any “art” can be applied to psychotherapy and depending on the triggers for the person or the aliment being dealt with, different art therapies might be more appropriate than others. There are a few that are used regularly which will be discussed in greater detail later but let’s take a look at the primary ones that are accepted therapeutic assists for patients. Art therapy is the use of paints, chalk and markers for the purposes of understanding the psychology of the creative process and relating it to patient issues.
Dance therapy is used often to enhance the body and mind connection. It builds upon the belief that movement and emotions are interrelated. Drama therapy is used often for acting out and finding a safe space to express oneself. Music therapy is probably the most well know therapy and is used in a variety of psychotherapy areas. Photo Therapy is used to take a look at the world through the patient’s eyes to better understand what they look at what they see in their mind. And writing therapy is also used. Many people use writing therapy, even people not in therapy. Dairies, poems, songs and the also fall into the category of writing therapy.
All of the art therapy’s reach out to different populations of patients. The therapist’s job is to better understand what the core issues are and then introducing the patient to possible alternative therapies that might assist them in their quest to find resolution to their issues. Let’s talk about each one of these in a little more detail.
Photo Therapy is not widely discussed but it is a form of therapy that is used especially for those that do not have any verbal communication skills and/or are mentally limited. In most cases the therapy takes the patient’s own photos of people, places things and brings to bear the emotions and thoughts that are then evoked when the patient looks at these photos. What was going on? How does that make you feel? What are you remembering right now? These could be some of the questions that are asked while the patient is walking through some of the photos that the patient has taken or has brought in.
Photo therapy can be used with many people and can touch very different areas with the patient. It can be used in something as simple as diversity training to conflict management and resolution to as complicated as divorce. In using photo therapy it is hoped that the patient will gain insight, deepen their understanding of the situation, people or place and then allow them to be expressed.
Sometimes it is as simple as the emotional reaction to the photo which will help the therapist understand some of the issues that the patient has. Photo therapy is also used for the active, not patient people who just need to do some individual therapy without the need for a therapist. For those individuals it is considered fun and enjoyable. It is an oppo0rtunity to de-stress and relax and let themselves go.
Music therapy is a delightful therapy that is very popular and used by many therapists in a great variety of issues, conflicts and therapeutic situations. It is an art therapy which, like all of the others, to fully use it the therapist has to have a working knowledge of the “art” being used in the therapy. In this case the therapist needs to know music and have a musical area of expertise such as an instrument or vocals.
Music therapy is used very widely both from a therapeutic diagnosis perspective to an age, demographic perspective. It can be used for any one such those suffering from a psychiatric issue, a medical issue, stroke victims and physically challenged. It is adaptable to many types of patients. The young to the old all tend to enjoy music therapy, hence its success with pre-school all the way to patients in nursing homes.
Music therapy is primary in stress management. It is well used to try to find that musical trigger which can cause calming and peacefulness in patients that are otherwise agitated. It builds self esteem in those that are in need. This is very effective in the teen age group as it helps them build something they can be proud of. Additionally music therapy is always used in the physically challenged. The music tends to allow the patient to move as fluidly as possible while they are continuing to struggle with their physical ailments.
In art therapy the patient is encouraged to draw, paint or display their innermost thoughts through a drawing or other type of expression using paints, chalks and markers. It is a freeing experience where the patient is able to express themselves through the use of an external tool.
Many people respond to art therapy at all different ages. Children especially tent to like art therapy and when given the opportunity to just draw whatever is on their mind it can often be extremely enlightening to the therapist.
Art therapy uses the psychology of the creative process which means that creativity will eventually allow for a true expression of oneself on the paper or canvas and will get to the inner thoughts of the patient where talking was unable to reach.
Art therapy is a healing art when the patient uses it to draw not only what is in their mind but also express how they feel about it and why they feel the way they do. It allows for the beginning of discussion about what is drawn and why the patient drew it. It also allows for interpretation by both the therapist and the patient and can resolve a number of unresolved issues. Art therapy is very beneficial to the patient’s life if used properly.
Dance therapy looks to build the body/mind connection. It allows for self expression in a setting that is considered safe and non-threatening. It is considered an established understanding that for human’s movement can often be influenced by the emotions that the patient is feeling. Using that as the premise of the therapy, dance therapy tries to tie the patient’s state of emotion to the movement that the patient makes.
It is used very often with patients such as the blind or deaf in an effort to let them express themselves in way s that they are unable. It is also used with patients with Parkinson’s to help them try to control and use their bodies throughout their tremors. Dance therapy is effective as will with patients with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). It allows the patient to dance out the impact of what they are either feeling or experiencing with the trauma in their life.
Drama and Writing therapies also use the particular art form to assist the patient in the expression of themselves either b y acting out how they felt about certain events or issues that they are experiencing.
All of the therapy’s that use the arts as their core tap into the inner person and the art that tends to trigger a response which will allow the therapist to see and understand and then help the patient to resolve to a better and more fulfilling life.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
What Accessories Do you Need With Your Guitar
Many times when a new guitarist is at the store they get so overwhelmed that they don't remember some of the accessories which are going to make their learning experience just a bit easier. Having the right guitar is only the first step for the guitarist.
Most importantly make sure you take care of your guitar first. Get a hard guitar case. Protect your investment with a case that can take a hit. Spend a bit more money on it and it will pay back dividends in the long run. A hard case can be kicked, thrown and tossed in the back of the car and survive. Of course, you really don't want to treat your guitar that way but if you have a particularly difficult lesson...you never can tell.
You'll need a capo. A good capo. (allows you to transpose the key of the song while leaving the chords the same by starting the song off in a higher key up on the neck of the guitar). Get a metal or hard plastic capo, don't waste your money on a elastic capo, they do not press the strings down hard enough and often will make the strings sound fuzzy and THAT might make you want to throw your guitar.
Everyone needs a spare set of strings, preferably a set that includes 2 first and second strings since you will break these two more than any other strings. New guitarist tend to break strings more than experienced players. They tend to strum too hard or they are so new to tuning strings that they break them while tuning.
Get lots of picks and a pick holder since they tend to disappear if they are loose. Medium picks tend to work the best for beginners but which ever weight you like, get at least five of them, ten if you choose thin weight, they break very easily.
Everyone needs a music stand and hardly anyone will buy one. So then you spend the day messing with your music, trying to find a place to put it and getting frustrated with not being able to see it well enough. Get a music stand, and not a flimsy one, one that wil stand up if you put a big guitar song book on it that weighs a pound. You will appreciate it if you plan on using books a lot.
This might sound funny but make sure you have a stool if you don't have an armless chair to sit on at home. You are going to want a seat that positions you correctly and stools work really well. Not a bar stool, which is too high, a low stool so your feet will be on the ground.
These items should set you up right when you buy your guitar.
Most importantly make sure you take care of your guitar first. Get a hard guitar case. Protect your investment with a case that can take a hit. Spend a bit more money on it and it will pay back dividends in the long run. A hard case can be kicked, thrown and tossed in the back of the car and survive. Of course, you really don't want to treat your guitar that way but if you have a particularly difficult lesson...you never can tell.
You'll need a capo. A good capo. (allows you to transpose the key of the song while leaving the chords the same by starting the song off in a higher key up on the neck of the guitar). Get a metal or hard plastic capo, don't waste your money on a elastic capo, they do not press the strings down hard enough and often will make the strings sound fuzzy and THAT might make you want to throw your guitar.
Everyone needs a spare set of strings, preferably a set that includes 2 first and second strings since you will break these two more than any other strings. New guitarist tend to break strings more than experienced players. They tend to strum too hard or they are so new to tuning strings that they break them while tuning.
Get lots of picks and a pick holder since they tend to disappear if they are loose. Medium picks tend to work the best for beginners but which ever weight you like, get at least five of them, ten if you choose thin weight, they break very easily.
Everyone needs a music stand and hardly anyone will buy one. So then you spend the day messing with your music, trying to find a place to put it and getting frustrated with not being able to see it well enough. Get a music stand, and not a flimsy one, one that wil stand up if you put a big guitar song book on it that weighs a pound. You will appreciate it if you plan on using books a lot.
This might sound funny but make sure you have a stool if you don't have an armless chair to sit on at home. You are going to want a seat that positions you correctly and stools work really well. Not a bar stool, which is too high, a low stool so your feet will be on the ground.
These items should set you up right when you buy your guitar.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Music Makes the Moment
It begins with the desire for the ambiance you want to create. A clear vision of what you want and what end result is required. Then you build the environment, you play all theexternal factors which will make the event successful down to the tee, this includes the music. In a lot of cases, it is mostly about the music. Why? Because music can make the moment.
Take a sporting event. You have the two teams, the arena, the crowd and the food (and the beer), but when does the crowd start to build in excitement? When does the freenzy start? It starts when the organist plays some of the "charge" music, or it starts when they pipe in the loud aggressive music that gets them up, on their feet, shouting, dancing and pumping their fists to the music they are hearing. The music made the moment and will continue to as the match/game continues.
Or that romantic dinner with the one you love and are trying to win over. You get the food, the flowers and the candles but how do you put the final touch on? You struggle and plan and strive for the perfect dinner music. Maybe something you can dance to? Maye something that will support soft talking and loving moments but it is again a moment making decision and important enough that you think long and hard about it.
Music in and of itself perhaps can't make the total ambiance for an occasion but it is a "completer", it is the final touches on a perfect day or moment, it is the companion to other things (taste, smell, seeing) or the other senses, which when managed together create the perfect ambiance for the occasion.
One of the many influences into creating a god ambiance, music can directly impact emotion in a waythat perhaps some of the other senses can't (at least not as vividly). So it is used to be the emotional accelerant. For the sports crowd it was used to acceerate the emotion of excitment and anticipation, for the romantic dinner it was used to accelerate the emotion of love and longing. Music can put the exclamation point on the moment.
Take a sporting event. You have the two teams, the arena, the crowd and the food (and the beer), but when does the crowd start to build in excitement? When does the freenzy start? It starts when the organist plays some of the "charge" music, or it starts when they pipe in the loud aggressive music that gets them up, on their feet, shouting, dancing and pumping their fists to the music they are hearing. The music made the moment and will continue to as the match/game continues.
Or that romantic dinner with the one you love and are trying to win over. You get the food, the flowers and the candles but how do you put the final touch on? You struggle and plan and strive for the perfect dinner music. Maybe something you can dance to? Maye something that will support soft talking and loving moments but it is again a moment making decision and important enough that you think long and hard about it.
Music in and of itself perhaps can't make the total ambiance for an occasion but it is a "completer", it is the final touches on a perfect day or moment, it is the companion to other things (taste, smell, seeing) or the other senses, which when managed together create the perfect ambiance for the occasion.
One of the many influences into creating a god ambiance, music can directly impact emotion in a waythat perhaps some of the other senses can't (at least not as vividly). So it is used to be the emotional accelerant. For the sports crowd it was used to acceerate the emotion of excitment and anticipation, for the romantic dinner it was used to accelerate the emotion of love and longing. Music can put the exclamation point on the moment.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Should You Force Your Child to Play an Instrument?
It's a battle at times. You want your child to play an instrument, you think it will be good for them, you want them to experience it, you think it is a good idea. Problem is, Little Johnny or Jane do not think it is such a hot idea. They would rather be outside playing, gaming, sleeping, anything but practicing that instrument. So what do you do?
There are many schools of thought on this so I can only give you the thoughts of a retired guitar teacher who have taught them both, the kids that want to learn and the kids that have no desire to learn but are being made to sit there and try. It's an interesting dilemna.
There are children that with a little encouragement will get over their reluctance to learn and do half way decent. Perhaps it is the interaction with the teacher, the knowledge that the instrument is actually fun or they just give up the fight and play to satisfy mom and dad. I have found that these kids tend to do okay but never really excel.
There are kids who go down screaming and yelling. I have spent full lessons watching the child and their mom (usually) fight about why I was there in the first place. Not a vey comfortable position and in one instance I left them their fighting.
There is a love, a desire to learn that is very important for the child to have in order to be successful. So perhaps the trick or the starting point is to help your child fall in love with music. This would include an early introduction to music and instruments, access to music and instruments at a young age is very helpful.
I never once doubted that I would play an instrument. I was introduced to piano at a very young age by a mother who was an accomplished pianist. I learned to love the music by sitting next to hr as she played. And when we both discovered that I had no apptitude at all for piano she did a very smart thing. She let me quit and asked me what other instrument I would like to try.
And at nine years of age I was allowed to choose for myself what instrument I was going to learn. I picked guitar. The key word is "I".
I have never taught a child successfully that was forced to play. I do not believe it is productive or beneficial. I do think early exposure will allow the child to want to play or sing. I think that love of music will allow you and your child to decide what they might be interested in learning. And if they are interested in learning they have a heck of a better shot at being successful than being forced to look at the keys on a piano for an hour hating every minute of it.
There are many schools of thought on this so I can only give you the thoughts of a retired guitar teacher who have taught them both, the kids that want to learn and the kids that have no desire to learn but are being made to sit there and try. It's an interesting dilemna.
There are children that with a little encouragement will get over their reluctance to learn and do half way decent. Perhaps it is the interaction with the teacher, the knowledge that the instrument is actually fun or they just give up the fight and play to satisfy mom and dad. I have found that these kids tend to do okay but never really excel.
There are kids who go down screaming and yelling. I have spent full lessons watching the child and their mom (usually) fight about why I was there in the first place. Not a vey comfortable position and in one instance I left them their fighting.
There is a love, a desire to learn that is very important for the child to have in order to be successful. So perhaps the trick or the starting point is to help your child fall in love with music. This would include an early introduction to music and instruments, access to music and instruments at a young age is very helpful.
I never once doubted that I would play an instrument. I was introduced to piano at a very young age by a mother who was an accomplished pianist. I learned to love the music by sitting next to hr as she played. And when we both discovered that I had no apptitude at all for piano she did a very smart thing. She let me quit and asked me what other instrument I would like to try.
And at nine years of age I was allowed to choose for myself what instrument I was going to learn. I picked guitar. The key word is "I".
I have never taught a child successfully that was forced to play. I do not believe it is productive or beneficial. I do think early exposure will allow the child to want to play or sing. I think that love of music will allow you and your child to decide what they might be interested in learning. And if they are interested in learning they have a heck of a better shot at being successful than being forced to look at the keys on a piano for an hour hating every minute of it.
Ringtones are More Than A Silly Passtime
Ever call someone and hear the music they play for you while you are waiting for them to answere? There is probably a lot more to the ringtone than you realize. Have you ever thought about what the music says about the person who put it there?
I love listening to ring tones of my friends. They tend to be a perfect indicator of the personality of the person I am calling, but sometimes they really surprise me. For instance I have a friend who is meek and mild and her ring tone is anything but (sorry can't put in print!!) So I asked her about it and what she told me was very indicative of music in general.
She told me that music gives her the chance to escape to the places where she wants to be and live out her dreams through what she listens to and plays. It is her escape into different worlds and be who she wants through what she listens to and what it does for her.
This is not so strange. When I play my guitar and close my eyes it takes me away to whatever place I want to be. Sometimes I'm singing in front of a group of friends, sometimes I am at a beach other times I find my Mom there who is long deceased but music was and always will be our connection. But I digress, wht about those ringtones?
I'm a ringtone junkie, I have seperate ringtones for seperate people. There is a musical message that I want people to hear when they call me. It is my way of musicially connecting with them. So for the love of my life I have a love song, which I change regularily. For my familiy I have a song that my Mom use to play for us on piano playing for them as a sweet reminder of the mother we all loved, for unknown people I have some upbeat happy Abba music and then some of my closer friends have their own tunes as well.
So what does this say about me? Well, I deal with all my relationships indiviudally, I have an eclectic taste in music, I owe the phone company a lot of money for all the tones I buy and I probably spend too much time thinking about this to begin with.
I love listening to ring tones of my friends. They tend to be a perfect indicator of the personality of the person I am calling, but sometimes they really surprise me. For instance I have a friend who is meek and mild and her ring tone is anything but (sorry can't put in print!!) So I asked her about it and what she told me was very indicative of music in general.
She told me that music gives her the chance to escape to the places where she wants to be and live out her dreams through what she listens to and plays. It is her escape into different worlds and be who she wants through what she listens to and what it does for her.
This is not so strange. When I play my guitar and close my eyes it takes me away to whatever place I want to be. Sometimes I'm singing in front of a group of friends, sometimes I am at a beach other times I find my Mom there who is long deceased but music was and always will be our connection. But I digress, wht about those ringtones?
I'm a ringtone junkie, I have seperate ringtones for seperate people. There is a musical message that I want people to hear when they call me. It is my way of musicially connecting with them. So for the love of my life I have a love song, which I change regularily. For my familiy I have a song that my Mom use to play for us on piano playing for them as a sweet reminder of the mother we all loved, for unknown people I have some upbeat happy Abba music and then some of my closer friends have their own tunes as well.
So what does this say about me? Well, I deal with all my relationships indiviudally, I have an eclectic taste in music, I owe the phone company a lot of money for all the tones I buy and I probably spend too much time thinking about this to begin with.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Simplifying Guitar Scales for Beginners
Learning scales on the guitar is a very important process. To truly become a seasoned player you really do need to get a handle on knowing the notes on the fret board and how to play the scale for each one.
Each scale starts with the root note (or the scale name like "C" scale). Each scale follows the same pattern W-W-H-W-W-W-H This means that the next note is either a whole step or a half step from the previous note. A whole step on guitar is two frets always, a half step on guitar is always one fret.
Keep in mind that a chromatic scale for any instrument is below:
C-C#/Db-D-D#/Eb-E-F-F#/Gb-G-G#/Ab-A-A#/Bb-B-C
And the difference between each of these is a half step so for scale in C
C (one whole step would be two frets or D)
D (one whole sterp would be two frets or E)
E (one half step wold be one fret or F)
F (one whole step would be two frets or G)
G (one whole step would be two frets or A)
A (one whole step would be two frets or B)
B (one half step would be one fret or C)
C
Try another scale, how about a G scale
G (one whole step /two frets or A)
A (one whole step/two frets or B)
B (one half step/on fret or C)
C (one whole step /two frets or D)
D (one whole step/two frets or E)
E (one whole step /two frets or F#)
F# (one half step /one fret or G)
G
If you follow this simple pattern for major scales you will be able to find all the scales you need to play on the guitar.
Each scale starts with the root note (or the scale name like "C" scale). Each scale follows the same pattern W-W-H-W-W-W-H This means that the next note is either a whole step or a half step from the previous note. A whole step on guitar is two frets always, a half step on guitar is always one fret.
Keep in mind that a chromatic scale for any instrument is below:
C-C#/Db-D-D#/Eb-E-F-F#/Gb-G-G#/Ab-A-A#/Bb-B-C
And the difference between each of these is a half step so for scale in C
C (one whole step would be two frets or D)
D (one whole sterp would be two frets or E)
E (one half step wold be one fret or F)
F (one whole step would be two frets or G)
G (one whole step would be two frets or A)
A (one whole step would be two frets or B)
B (one half step would be one fret or C)
C
Try another scale, how about a G scale
G (one whole step /two frets or A)
A (one whole step/two frets or B)
B (one half step/on fret or C)
C (one whole step /two frets or D)
D (one whole step/two frets or E)
E (one whole step /two frets or F#)
F# (one half step /one fret or G)
G
If you follow this simple pattern for major scales you will be able to find all the scales you need to play on the guitar.
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