Joe Pass where have you gone?

One of the goals of a music teacher, is o course, to impart something new and and of benefit to the student. Nevertheless, if the student finds the experience enjoyable, he or she will be more likely to stay "interested" in his instrument or voice. Making things simple and a relaxed atmosphere, created by a sense of humor helps. That where Joe Pass comes in. This super famous Jazz guitarist who gained the top spot after a famous accompaniment for Ella Fitzgerald in the the late 1970's was great at this. He made some lessons that can be seen on Youtube.
On his demonstrations of " jazz lines" of major and minor chord progressions, which for the beginner can be very complex and complicated, especially if you use chord names or chord extensions. There are basic chord names and extensions and you can improvise from there.
This is exactly what he says. The words "I like to keep it simple" may me realize that its important to always emphasize the basic or basic patterns chords or whatever you are talking about in music.
His great sense of humor is shown on one of those videos where is talk about the different way of tuning a guitar. After showing some various ways of doing it he finished this part by saying " and the final way, is to find a friend (fellow guitarist) to do it for you!"
Joe Pass "hit a chord" with me. A chord that sound great and is right on pitch. I was sad to find out that he passed away, although his works and ideas on Jazz are publicized in some books , Cd's, DVDs and videos.
Before I begin a teach lesson I have to refresh my memory and make a outline of what I am going to say. I want to leave something meaningful to my student. Joe Pass, where have you gone?
My name is Albert F. Sotelo I am a music teacher in north Georgia, originally from California. I have a on line store www.ilovemusica and some videos on Youtube. We carry music education materials . We can also find for you any specific material, method or author that you request. Thanks for reading and may good music live on!

If your a singer of musican, people must like you!

Are you a Musician? Are you someone that likes to entertain at family gatherings, gratherings with friends or pershaps on a camping trip around the campfire.
the folllowing principle will prove true and even more so if you want to make a living in this very difficult occupation. It helps a lot, to say the least, if people like you?
Do you somehow give the impression, that you are the greatest singer, guitarist or whatever you do or play? If you give that impression, your finshed! Superstars that have survived the test of time always say "Thankyou" as if to indicate humility. Willy Nelson come to mind, and of course there are many others. If you said "Your ears are priviledged to hear me!" and if you meant it, it would be like nailing your own coffin musically speaking. The plain simple truth, is that, people have to like you. Its just as important and your musical ability! Even if your great musically, but your audience does not think you are simpatico, will there be a next time? I don't think so and if there is it will probably me the last! So alway keep this in mind, your encores
will depend on it! My name is Albert F. Sotelo and I love to sing. But I am not the best singer in the world. You are! I have an intenet, featuring among other things music education materials www.ilovemusic.com and www.yoamlamusic.com I also have some videos on Youtube

Singers and voice teachers have a least once, como across the question. Are we born with a beautiful voice or can we achieve one throught voice training? That is a difficult question to answer. Because music is subjective. What is "beautiful" to one, may not be to another. Can you choose between, Bocelli, Groban, Buble, or the late Pararotti? You may pick one or say "none" and you might say "Armstrong" or "Cash " are or were my favorites.
Music is that way. Now try female voices like Carey, Aguilera or Striesand or so many "great" ones, and you will get the same reply!
I was reminded of this polemic when, after the death of Pararotti so many spoke of that "special tone of voice" or "special gift" that he had. I agree with that point of view , but there are some who say no he was not that special. Hey, thats there feeling and you have to respect that in the context on music being sujective. So what's the bottom line? I have not answered the question? The best I can do is this! In summary I'll let Pavarotti own words give us a clue to the anwser. He was asked by music critic Jerome Hines as quoted in Hine"s book Great Singers on Great Singing (1982) "Do you sill do scales?" his reply "Of course, every day!" The next question was "Do you have a certain dicipline or routine you employ?" His repley "Ido." Hmmm.......So whether you have a beautiful voice or not, practice! practice! Practice! Thanks for reading this. Read my other blogs on "pitch speaking" for a better singing and speaking voice quality. We have a on line musica store www.ilovemusica.com I also have some videos on youtube. Til next time Albert.

Put fire in your song or put your song in the fire!

I did not invent or think up that title but it is certainly sure for a singer! the basic truth is that you have to believe or be in sink with what you are singing. I am a musician who, is at first attracted to the sound, I mean, the chord progressions and intervals.( the musical distance from one sound or tone to the next and visa versa) Now I am paying more attention to the words! I keep on hearing the expression " I really like the words to that song" from friends and family which made be realize I for a long time put it in second place, the sound came first.
It's logical if the words of a song are not in sink with your feelings, the way you view life or whatever, it will come out as a half hearted! You don't believe it! I have made this evaluation about what I have sung. I enjoy singing songs that deal with truths of the human condition. But personally I could not give a good performance of a song that promotes adultery, lying, cheating, just for the sake of it.
Its not me, so I put the those songs in the "fire." When you sing, you lay bare your "soul" to your audience. They will either be drawn to you or put you out of their mind. So be real! Be truthful with your self and with your audience! Sing what you believe in ,whether the theme is serious, nuetral or humorous. Remember put fire into your song or put your song in the fire!
My name is Albert F. Sotelo and I have a on line interent store where we among other things, carry music education materials www. ilovemusica.com I also have some videos on Youtube.
Thanks for reading.

Basic elements of good speaking or singing

After a good nights sleep or a night of "deep" sleep, I not only feel good, my voice sounds more resonate. Have you ever had that experience? The conclusion? Relaxation is good for producing a more pleasant sound! But does this apply to singing? Absolutly! The vocal cords perform better. So relax your muscles , your tempermant or spirit and it will do wonders for your voice.
Another great way to improve your resonance is humming. Your head is a resonating box very similiar to the main body of a guitar made of the finest resonating woods. Hum the tunes you know whenever you remember to do so. Since I am a singer and teacher I perhaps am more conscience of doing it on a regular basis.
A few months ago, my wife and I took a trip to Ashville North Carolina and while we ate a a local restuarant I had this experience related to the voice. Our waitress who was very nice had in my perception, a very resonate and pleasant speaking voice that seemed trained. Therefore I asked. " Are you a singer, by chance? Her anwser was " Yes, how did you know"? And then I gave the nice young lady my explanation. So I seem to be on the right track.
So as you see I am passionate about music and the voice in particular. I have a music related business, but even if I did not, I believe I would de inclined to share this with everone. Because Music is something to be shared. By the way, don't forget to "pitch Speak" it will speed you way to a more pleasant speaking and singing voice. My website has a section on educational materials that you might be interested in. www.ilovemusica.com
Thanks for reading Albert.

Speak Schmeak is the blog of Lisa Braithwaite, public speaking coach: Voice care #2 - how's your pitch?

Speak Schmeak is the blog of Lisa Braithwaite, public speaking coach: Voice care #2 - how's your pitch?

"Pitch speak' the Chromatic Scale! Get results!

'Hello is Albert again, speaking the praises of "Pitch Speaking" for a warmer, more plesant singing tone in your voice and more colorful and interesting speaking voice. Your Vocal cords will asmuse 13 positions and these will be put in your memory "data bank." Remember we have the possibility of over 40 or more tones! Here are some options, and you can even invent or create you own! Solfege or Solfeggio has already "mapped out" the Octave this way

"Do Di Re Ri Mi Fa Fi Sol Si La Li Ti Do"(
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

If you have a piano start on a comfortable note say C play and pitch speak in tune all the white and black keys until you reach the next C and "Holy pitch speaking" you have do it! My unusal starting point on the guitar is on A on the sixth or lower string on the fifth fret. I speak in pitch up four frets, then go to the fifth string four fret (C#) and speak from there five frets to (F) then fo to the fourth string again at the fourth fret(F#) four frets to (A) again!

I normally use the following sentence which I brake up into 13 syllables. "Har mo ny is placing chords be hind the me lo dy. ( So the octave "leap" in terms of syllables would be Har...dy)
Practice this moving up or down the keys or fretboard. Female singers who play guitar may want to start a bit higher, for example C , third fret, fifth string. to be in the Alto and eventually Soprano range. Naturally so not forget to sing the dicipline also. Pitch speak and sing the songs you know and remember the nursery thymes, they are also great for this. So remember, Mel Blanc, was a musician and a singer! Johnny Cash sang and spoke to you! Paul Harvey said " good day" and you"ll never forget it! Practice this and your singing voice will impove , male or female. A resonate female voice is beautiful too! And for you guys someone might say " He sounds like that guy from Star Trek, you know Captain Pickard." Hey, I would't mind.
Please visit my website www. ilovemusica.com and my videos on YOUTUBE, Thanks Albert.