By James (JJ Rocks) Johnston
Of course this is the fun column. Hey, come on you guys (and ladies)! You only get out what you put in! So let’s get in time and in tune! Ok, enough yelling from me. Let’s practice.
No matter how you write music down, whether it is standard notation, tab or ancient hieroglyphics, it all boils down to the same thing. The sound of the music comes first, then the written version. I feel that too many people get that backwards. It seems that a lot of us believe that written music should be in command of the actual performance. Not true. Even if this performance is just in your head and goes right to the paper, the sound still came first.
We all know that writing something down is sometimes crucial to memorizing a piece of music. But I teach my students that it’s only an aid for learning, and not to be used for performing.(that is unless someone throws a song at you on your break at a gig that you’ve never heard before and you’re forced to use duck tape and a bar napkin) Just think about being at a party and somebody hands you a guitar and you have to say “I don’t have my music book with me”. I wouldn’t want to be that guy. And how about that one band you see sometimes that sounds good but they’re always reading out of their books. That’s when you think, “They’ve been playing those songs for a long time. Why are they still reading the music?” Now I’m not talking about a band made up of students who are still learning a song.
I’m talking about players that have been around for awhile.
I use a lyric book when I sing. Why doesn’t that rule apply to me? Well, it’s because I don’t like singing. I don’t hate it, I just don’t like it. It just happens that sometimes I wind up being the singer by default. And what’s that got to do with the price of picks? Here’s what. This is my own opinion of course, but as long as I’ve been playing it seems that the people that remember the most music are the ones that love it the most. Just like the singers who remember all those lyrics (which amazes me), you can tell that they love it. Sometimes they love it so much you have to leave the room. I’m only kidding. I’m just poking fun at you singers out there!
So, besides loving your music, what else helps you to remember the music that you want to play? The answer lies in what music really is. It’s sound plus simple math. What’s written on paper is just a visual interpretation. That used to be the only way to record music. Now it’s used by most of us to only help retain it. Here’s an easy way not only to remember the structure of a melody, (not the rhythm) but it also helps you understand the basic math involved. So, for the beginner to intermediate students, let’s go over an easy formula system.
Let’s say you already know how to do a major scale on your instrument in at least one key. (Unlike guitar players, some instruments have to completely change their fingering for different keys) Now play your scale in just two octaves. Seeing how most melodies fall within a two octave range, I’ll write out the scale steps for a two octave major scale. Since the scale steps 1 and 8 overlap, we can use the word root. (R) By the way, I request that my students remember the rhythm of a melody. Come on, you don’t want to have to write down everything!
The formula system:(Go to www.stcroixmusic for example)
Starting with the root (R), up to the next root of course is one octave. The dots on the bottom of the numbers represent the steps in your lower octave. They are only used on top starting from the high root and when you go above the upper octave. From the middle root to the seven there are no dots and it represents your upper octave. When you reach the end of your upper (second) octave, there’s a dot on top for your high root. Sometimes a melody will reach above the upper octave, so just keep your dots on the top of the scale steps for those notes. So, within two octaves there are three roots. It’s a piece of cake.
Now the trick is to remember the names of the scale steps and not just a finger pattern. Just go slow and say them out loud like, low root, low two, and low three and so on up to the middle root. Then from the middle root, count up to the high root by just saying the numbers and not using the word” low”. Be sure to say “high root” when you get to the top. Most melodies will revolve around one octave and just venture a little into the next. Let’s start by mostly using the upper octave and a little of the lower one. I’ll write them in easy to understand phases using small groups of numbers. First let’s do an old favorite. Here’s a piece of the main theme to “Somewhere over the Rainbow” using this simple formula. This piece has no steps above the upper octave, only below.
Somewhere over the rainbow:(Go to www.stcroix music for example)
Now use that same formula for something a little more complex. This is the basic theme from Bach’s “Jesus Joy of Mans Desiring”. The highest note again will be the high root. Don’t forget that the dots are used to mark the octave that a scale step is in. Watch out for the ones in the lower octave.
(Go to www.stcroixmusic.com)
So by now you should be getting the hang of it. Now, hum something that you know real well and find what scales steps the melody falls on. Then write it down to help you remember the song. If the melody falls in between any of the scale steps, just use the step above that note and add a flat.
Example: R, 3, 5, b7 (flat 7) Of course a flat seven would be between steps 6 and 7, seeing on how there’s a whole step between those notes.
Well, just listen close, practice, and watch your steps! And don’t forget, you are what you play, not what you read!
- JJ Rocks www.stcroixmusic.com
October, 2006
Sunday, April 12, 2009
JJ Rocks article # 3: From Kiev, Ukraine: The Mosqutio
By James (JJ Rocks) Johnston
If you take rock n’ roll, mix it with high levels of musicianship, a little uncharted ground, the desire to express musical freedom, and top it off with a huge helping of originality, you get “The Mosquito!” A band that’s full of colorful sounds and textures from Kiev, Ukraine. It’s been a good while since I’ve heard a band that carries on the traditions and artistic abilities of bands like Rush, Yes, Jethro Tull, and even Gentle Giant.
Just as we are starting to get used to the “fad followers” that we hear so much of on today’s radio, there’s a band that comes along and sets a whole new pace of intellectual music listening. A band that doesn’t try to fit in the molds left over by groups attempting preconceived thoughts of blatant commercialism.
Starting with the vocals of Sveta Morozova, I’d like to say that her singing is unique, adventurous, sometimes humorous, and most of all, dead on. She nails her vocal parts like a carpenter nails wood. Her presence in this band takes it over the top, and away from bands that are mostly know for their instrumental complexities.
Sveta’s part in their formula helps cerate a tapestry of very interesting musical colors while adding to the bands overall visual attraction.
I’ve haven’t had the pleaser of seeing them live yet, but the picture above is worth a thousand words.
Speaking of fun to watch, drummer Alex Lihuta must be a blast! I don’t know about you, but when I see a band that has a great drummer, it always keeps me stretching my neck towards the stage. With a rock solid feel and a tone that is a refreshing break from the sound of most of today’s progressive rock drummers, Alex’s playing skillfully intertwines with the bands many interesting twist and turns, while still remaining incredibly tasteful.
Lead guitarist Oleg Shuvalov also has the unique ability to play just what the song needs. (An ability that some of us “hot dogging” show off guitarist could use a bit of.) I haven’t heard that kind of playing since Gary Green from Gentle Giant. It’s a challenging task when you mix that rock type of tone into a sound that contains very clean flute and violin work. Oleg does a great job in choosing his guitar parts because they show off his unique style without trying to attract too much attention to his own playing. Believe me, it’s a real art form. He doesn’t try to be a desert topping on a band full of back up players like many modern day guitarist often do. He’s part of the recipe and he plays great!
For now, I don’t have any info on the bass player. His name is not listed on their site. (If I missed it I’m sorry) But this guy is really aware of what’s going on and just as much a part of the arrangement as the rest of the band. What I’m trying to say is he doesn’t just play “bass parts” and fills like other bassists often do. He’s right in there with the rest of the musical gears, all turning to create a high output of total band creativity while showing his own very original playing style. And he has great chops! (Playing ability)
So here are some tunes from “The Mosquito”: “Quasar” “Sancho Pansa”
Please feel free to contact them at their very cool website. Tell them that STCROIXMUSIC.COM sent and check out the rest of there music. Also please tell them how much you like this website because it was designed by Sveta, and programmed by Oleg, and for this we will be forever grateful!
- JJ Rocks www.stcroixmusic.com
http://www.mosquito-band.com
October, 2006
If you take rock n’ roll, mix it with high levels of musicianship, a little uncharted ground, the desire to express musical freedom, and top it off with a huge helping of originality, you get “The Mosquito!” A band that’s full of colorful sounds and textures from Kiev, Ukraine. It’s been a good while since I’ve heard a band that carries on the traditions and artistic abilities of bands like Rush, Yes, Jethro Tull, and even Gentle Giant.
Just as we are starting to get used to the “fad followers” that we hear so much of on today’s radio, there’s a band that comes along and sets a whole new pace of intellectual music listening. A band that doesn’t try to fit in the molds left over by groups attempting preconceived thoughts of blatant commercialism.
Starting with the vocals of Sveta Morozova, I’d like to say that her singing is unique, adventurous, sometimes humorous, and most of all, dead on. She nails her vocal parts like a carpenter nails wood. Her presence in this band takes it over the top, and away from bands that are mostly know for their instrumental complexities.
Sveta’s part in their formula helps cerate a tapestry of very interesting musical colors while adding to the bands overall visual attraction.
I’ve haven’t had the pleaser of seeing them live yet, but the picture above is worth a thousand words.
Speaking of fun to watch, drummer Alex Lihuta must be a blast! I don’t know about you, but when I see a band that has a great drummer, it always keeps me stretching my neck towards the stage. With a rock solid feel and a tone that is a refreshing break from the sound of most of today’s progressive rock drummers, Alex’s playing skillfully intertwines with the bands many interesting twist and turns, while still remaining incredibly tasteful.
Lead guitarist Oleg Shuvalov also has the unique ability to play just what the song needs. (An ability that some of us “hot dogging” show off guitarist could use a bit of.) I haven’t heard that kind of playing since Gary Green from Gentle Giant. It’s a challenging task when you mix that rock type of tone into a sound that contains very clean flute and violin work. Oleg does a great job in choosing his guitar parts because they show off his unique style without trying to attract too much attention to his own playing. Believe me, it’s a real art form. He doesn’t try to be a desert topping on a band full of back up players like many modern day guitarist often do. He’s part of the recipe and he plays great!
For now, I don’t have any info on the bass player. His name is not listed on their site. (If I missed it I’m sorry) But this guy is really aware of what’s going on and just as much a part of the arrangement as the rest of the band. What I’m trying to say is he doesn’t just play “bass parts” and fills like other bassists often do. He’s right in there with the rest of the musical gears, all turning to create a high output of total band creativity while showing his own very original playing style. And he has great chops! (Playing ability)
So here are some tunes from “The Mosquito”: “Quasar” “Sancho Pansa”
Please feel free to contact them at their very cool website. Tell them that STCROIXMUSIC.COM sent and check out the rest of there music. Also please tell them how much you like this website because it was designed by Sveta, and programmed by Oleg, and for this we will be forever grateful!
- JJ Rocks www.stcroixmusic.com
http://www.mosquito-band.com
October, 2006
JJ Rocks article # 2: From Zargoza Spain: Anna Maria Ganarul Perez
By James (JJ Rocks) Johnston
I honestly can’t understand why this girl isn’t hot on the Latin charts! But as you’ll find out in our very first issue of St. Croix Music Magazine, we have made a great discovery. Not to say that she is an unknown artist, because I’m sure that many people know her music. We just want to try to bring her talents to as many people as this publication reaches. And hopefully, with all the countries that we are reaching, that will be a lot. Our list of bands (and their friends) that we contact from around the world is constantly growing.
Born in Zaragoza, Spain, the first step in Anna’s career as a singer was at the age of four when she participated in a song contest on Spanish radio. Later she enrolled in the “Niccolo Paganinni” conservatory in Zaragoza where she studied piano, musical forms, choir and soloist. She quickly learned that singing was her passion. When she was 9 she traveled throughout Spain with a musical group called “Rainbow”. Also at the same age she won first prize as a singer in a prestigious contest in her hometown. Since then she has won numerous awards in Spain and the US. You can read about them if you visit her website that I’ll list at the end of this column.
Presently Anna is with a group in Miami called “Ahnika”, and they are producing some very polished recordings and sophisticated arrangements. This is a band that I would love to see here at our own “Divi Casino” one day. This band kicks! I’d love to see if they do the acoustic guitar parts on this recording live! They sound like a top notch Latin dance/recording band and I can see them getting a huge following. We’ll, that is as long as Anna is up front! Not to take anything away from this wonderful band, but this article is centered around, and inspired by Anna’s incredible voice. And as you can see, she has the looks to go with it! I just wish that I had a clearer picture, but I can’t get in touch with her at the moment because she might be on tour. So whether it’s with “Ahnika” or a back up band of some of St. Croix’s finest, I’m sure that she would be well received here in paradise.
So please take the time to listen to more of her incredible voice and to leave her a message on her website below, and don’t forget to tell her that you heard her here on STCROIXMUSIC.COM. Meanwhile, while your are downloading her song “Presa De Tu Amour”, we here at SCM are going to try our best to get her some airplay here in the Islands.
– JJ Rocks www.stcroixmusic.com
Free: Download: “Presa De Tu Amour”
http://www.garageband.com/artist/2006anika
October, 2006
I honestly can’t understand why this girl isn’t hot on the Latin charts! But as you’ll find out in our very first issue of St. Croix Music Magazine, we have made a great discovery. Not to say that she is an unknown artist, because I’m sure that many people know her music. We just want to try to bring her talents to as many people as this publication reaches. And hopefully, with all the countries that we are reaching, that will be a lot. Our list of bands (and their friends) that we contact from around the world is constantly growing.
Born in Zaragoza, Spain, the first step in Anna’s career as a singer was at the age of four when she participated in a song contest on Spanish radio. Later she enrolled in the “Niccolo Paganinni” conservatory in Zaragoza where she studied piano, musical forms, choir and soloist. She quickly learned that singing was her passion. When she was 9 she traveled throughout Spain with a musical group called “Rainbow”. Also at the same age she won first prize as a singer in a prestigious contest in her hometown. Since then she has won numerous awards in Spain and the US. You can read about them if you visit her website that I’ll list at the end of this column.
Presently Anna is with a group in Miami called “Ahnika”, and they are producing some very polished recordings and sophisticated arrangements. This is a band that I would love to see here at our own “Divi Casino” one day. This band kicks! I’d love to see if they do the acoustic guitar parts on this recording live! They sound like a top notch Latin dance/recording band and I can see them getting a huge following. We’ll, that is as long as Anna is up front! Not to take anything away from this wonderful band, but this article is centered around, and inspired by Anna’s incredible voice. And as you can see, she has the looks to go with it! I just wish that I had a clearer picture, but I can’t get in touch with her at the moment because she might be on tour. So whether it’s with “Ahnika” or a back up band of some of St. Croix’s finest, I’m sure that she would be well received here in paradise.
So please take the time to listen to more of her incredible voice and to leave her a message on her website below, and don’t forget to tell her that you heard her here on STCROIXMUSIC.COM. Meanwhile, while your are downloading her song “Presa De Tu Amour”, we here at SCM are going to try our best to get her some airplay here in the Islands.
– JJ Rocks www.stcroixmusic.com
Free: Download: “Presa De Tu Amour”
http://www.garageband.com/artist/2006anika
October, 2006
JJ Rocks article # 1: From Oslo, Norway: The OJ Trio
By James (JJ Rocks)Johnston
There’s a side of jazz that brings to mind a dimly lit café somewhere in Norway on other side of a hazy blue neon sign. A musical place called “Cool”. A musicians place called “Hot”. This band brings me back to Brubeck, Parker and Miles. Normally they play as a trio, but these guys sometimes have a few guest players on their recordings. The ones on this recording didn’t leave their names, but they are great players. The sax man takes a very melodic solo that shows an incredible ability in the art of anticipating his next musical phrase. With a tone of silk he seems to merrily roll though solos without a hint of improvisational stress. The keyboards float above at first like fluffy clouds adding just the right amount of shade to an already heated up musical incorporation of technique and mood. But when it’s his turn to shine the ivory light, he takes you on his own little musical adventure, while he seems to create his own song within a song.
I’ve always been a big fan of the upright (double) bass. The players of this distinguished instrument are not only judged by their improvisation skills, but for the accuracy of their intonation. To put it plainly, it’s not an easy axe to grind. The vocalist on this recording seems to lie somewhere between Michael Franks and Harry Connick Jr. But he still manages to have his own vibe that displays a great mix between modern and traditional jazz vocal styles. He also does a great job interacting with the sax to form an enjoyable intro and outro to this song.
The guitarist keeps a bed of velvet tone, fills and chords though out the song showing total respect to the melody.
The members of this magnificent trio (minus the added players) are Ole Jorn Myklebust on lead vocals and trumpet, Jan Olav Renvag on double bass, and Asborn Lerheim on guitar. They met in 1997, and have been playing together ever since. After touring clubs and festivals, they now play regular at a club in Oslo, Norway every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. In March 2001 the OJ Trio released their first CD, and it received quite a lot of good reviews.
So sit back and enjoy this wonderful mood setter of a song called “She is mine”.
Free: Download: “She is mine”
If I find out the names of the other guys sitting in on this recording, I’ll publish them in a later issue. If you want to hear more from the band you can visit them at there website below and don’t forget to tell them where you heard them.
- JJ Rocks www.stcroixmusic.com
http://www.garageband.com/artist/oj_trio
October, 2006
There’s a side of jazz that brings to mind a dimly lit café somewhere in Norway on other side of a hazy blue neon sign. A musical place called “Cool”. A musicians place called “Hot”. This band brings me back to Brubeck, Parker and Miles. Normally they play as a trio, but these guys sometimes have a few guest players on their recordings. The ones on this recording didn’t leave their names, but they are great players. The sax man takes a very melodic solo that shows an incredible ability in the art of anticipating his next musical phrase. With a tone of silk he seems to merrily roll though solos without a hint of improvisational stress. The keyboards float above at first like fluffy clouds adding just the right amount of shade to an already heated up musical incorporation of technique and mood. But when it’s his turn to shine the ivory light, he takes you on his own little musical adventure, while he seems to create his own song within a song.
I’ve always been a big fan of the upright (double) bass. The players of this distinguished instrument are not only judged by their improvisation skills, but for the accuracy of their intonation. To put it plainly, it’s not an easy axe to grind. The vocalist on this recording seems to lie somewhere between Michael Franks and Harry Connick Jr. But he still manages to have his own vibe that displays a great mix between modern and traditional jazz vocal styles. He also does a great job interacting with the sax to form an enjoyable intro and outro to this song.
The guitarist keeps a bed of velvet tone, fills and chords though out the song showing total respect to the melody.
The members of this magnificent trio (minus the added players) are Ole Jorn Myklebust on lead vocals and trumpet, Jan Olav Renvag on double bass, and Asborn Lerheim on guitar. They met in 1997, and have been playing together ever since. After touring clubs and festivals, they now play regular at a club in Oslo, Norway every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. In March 2001 the OJ Trio released their first CD, and it received quite a lot of good reviews.
So sit back and enjoy this wonderful mood setter of a song called “She is mine”.
Free: Download: “She is mine”
If I find out the names of the other guys sitting in on this recording, I’ll publish them in a later issue. If you want to hear more from the band you can visit them at there website below and don’t forget to tell them where you heard them.
- JJ Rocks www.stcroixmusic.com
http://www.garageband.com/artist/oj_trio
October, 2006
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