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March 31, 2009
Goin' Back to Nashville
This week Sheryl and our dear friend Asli (along with Asli’s seeing eye dog Jane) will be in Nashville to attend Tin Pan South.
What is Tin Pan South all about?
From the website:
Seventeen years ago, a group of songwriters got together to promote the occupation of songwriting through a music festival that would focus on the people who write the songs. Recognizing Nashville as the “new” Tin Pan Alley, like the New York scene at the early part of the 20th century, these modern-day troubadours were seeking to bring attention to the new center of song: Music City.
The festival was named Tin Pan South to recognize the past and to celebrate the future.
Sheryl and Asli will get to hear a great many famous songwriters perform their own songs and talk about how they wrote them. They’ll also be catching up with some of our friends in Nashville, and taking care of some business with NSAI.
Curious about these famous songwriters who are performing at Tin Pan South? Take a look!
Am I jealous because I have to stay here? A little. Am I glad that they get to go? Absolutely!
Posted by leonolguin at 05:30 PM | Comments (1)
March 30, 2009
Studio Teamwork
So how can recording studios work together?
The current technology available to the studio owner means that recordings no longer need to be produced in one studio.
I’m not going to go into an exhaustive study of the advances made in recording technology (because that would be exhausting, and I am not a “gear head!").
As Inigo Montoya would say, “Let me 'splain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up.”
Years ago, recording in multiple studios meant transporting master tapes from one studio to another (with the risk of damaging or losing the tapes!) Now, audio files can simply be transferred electronically from one facility to another. Smaller, in home studios can operate as “satellites” for a larger facility. Basic tracks can be recorded in one place, vocals in another, and the project can be mixed in yet another facility.
The advantages: we now have extraordinary flexibility when it comes to recording.
With the ability to send audio files back and forth, a project can be produced in multiple recording facilities and still end up with a unified sound.
An artist can work with a producer long-distance on basic tracks and arrangements, and then they can get together to record vocals. Smaller, home based project studios can be used in producing professional quality recordings, thus reducing the budget.
What fun we can have when we all work together!
Posted by leonolguin at 11:27 AM | Comments (0)
March 27, 2009
We’re All On the Same Team
Recently I was hired to produce a demo for a songwriter. Usually, this is not a very complex operation. I receive a rough demo from the writer, create a track in the studio, bring in other musicians to play on the track, bring in a singer to sing the song, play it for the songwriter, tweak it a little, and that’s it.
Sometimes, however, we hit a few bumps in the road. This particular project seemed to hit more than its share.
Production was constantly delayed for one reason or another, and we encountered scheduling problems with our singer.
To make a long story short (and to employ a cliché, which I usually avoid like the plague) the end result was a songwriter who was not completely satisfied with the demo we ended up producing.
So, what did we do? We did not have the time or budget to start over, but we did have a pretty good instrumental track. We ended up turning the project over to another producer, a friend of ours based in Nashville, and they will produce a new vocal.
I know they will do what they can to make our client happy.
Occasionally, someone will tell me about another recording studio in town. We have been in business for 19 years now, and have seen many of them come and go. I’ve even heard that some of these studio owners were “putting down” our particular operation, saying things like “They charge too much, its just a bedroom set-up, we’ve got more equipment,” etc. (Somehow they think that statements like that will never reach me!)
My response? None.
I have learned to view the other studios, whether they are “storefront” studios in a stand-alone office space, or “home-based project studios” like mine, as possible collaborators, not competitors.
We’re all on the same team!
Posted by leonolguin at 11:20 AM | Comments (1)
March 24, 2009
Brother, Can You Spare 100 Trillion Dimes?
Here’s an interesting article in the Washington Post that deals with how the current economic downturn is reflected in popular music.
Have you written any songs about “hard times?”
Posted by leonolguin at 10:31 PM | Comments (0)
Just One Voice
I’m starting work this week on a major recording project with an artist who is producing two CDs worth of material in one go. She has just sent me several songs to work with, and all I have received is a recording of her singing her melodies and lyrics, with no accompaniment. It is my job to find chord progressions to go with her melodies, create the arrangements, and produce the backing tracks for her to sing to. She will then come down to Florida and stay with us for a while to record her vocals.
Sometimes songwriters, who write in this seemingly primitive fashion, where they just sing a tune without even playing the guitar or piano, actually come up with better melodies than songwriters who write “on the guitar” or “on the piano.”
It’s not too hard to see how that might happen. A guitar player or piano player may get so caught up playing the riff or chord progression he or she came up with, that the “melody” becomes whatever fits over those chords. Then, if you remove the accompaniment, the melody turns out to be fragmented, unmemorable, even a little boring.
A great many songs today are built from the “bottom up” in the studio. Everything starts with a drum loop, or a loop with a chord progression. The track is constructed, parts are added, and often the last thing written is the melody. It’s easy to hide a weak melody with an attention-grabbing track! (Often the lyrics are pretty flabby as well.)
Do you want a challenge for your songwriting? Try writing a complete song “acapella,” that is, entirely without accompaniment. Challenge yourself to come up with a song that stands completely on its melody and lyric content. Trust me, its not easy, but it can be done.
I can help you with the chords!
Posted by leonolguin at 10:53 AM | Comments (1)
March 20, 2009
Work Songs
Most of my songwriting friends know that professional songwriters often write as many as 3 or 4 finished songs a week, often more.
Are all of these songs going to become hits? Of course not. But maybe one of them will, and that’s all they need!
So what about all of those other songs? Many of them can be categorized as “work songs.” These are songs that are written, put aside and sometimes forgotten. Or, they will be “dismantled” and parts of them will turn up in subsequent songs.
If you write a lot of songs, you know how it goes: you may have a great first verse, or a fabulous chorus, but the rest of the song doesn’t work. Well, don’t let a good “song part” go down with the ship. Save that great line, that catchy chorus, and build a new song around it.
You may just come up with that one big hit.
Posted by leonolguin at 11:13 AM | Comments (0)
March 19, 2009
Practice Time!
When I was learning to play the piano, I used to practice for 4 to 5 hours a day (much to the annoyance of my family).
Even today, after more than 36 years as a professional musician, I find that I still must make time to practice. Maybe not for 4 or 5 hours, but I still need to spend some time on my instrument (with an occasional day off).
The great piano virtuoso Vladimir Horowitz is quoted as saying: “If I miss one day of practice, I notice it. If I miss two days of practicing, the critics notice it. If I miss three days of practicing, everyone notices it.”
Anyone who wants to be a musician must practice his or her craft. Any performer who brags about never practicing is either lying, or not very good.
Posted by leonolguin at 02:03 PM | Comments (0)
March 17, 2009
Congratulations Are in Order
Congratulation to a member of our musical family, Chris Kahl! His song, “Out on Cedar Key” (which was recorded in our studio for Chris’ new CD) placed 2nd in the Will McLean songwriting contest this year.
Chris is looking forward to singing it at the Will McLean Music Festival, which will be held April 3-5, 2009 at Withlacoochee Campground, Dunnellon, FL.
http://www.chriskahl.com/gigs.html
We always knew he would make good!
http://www.willmclean.com/songcontest/index.html
Posted by leonolguin at 11:48 AM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2009
Songwriters’ Round in Orlando
For those of you in the Central Florida and Space Coast area, I wanted to let you know about the upcoming Songwriters' Round, to be held on Wednesday, March 18th at Infusion Tea, Orlando. Infusion Tea is located at 1600 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32804. (407) 999-5255.
www.infusionorlando.com
The performance will start at 7PM, and there is a $7 suggested donation.
This evening will mark one of Sheryl's first live performances since her bout with lymphoma that started last summer.
Sheryl is feeling a little stronger each day, is easing back into performing, and working on writing new songs. She’s planning to do a couple of new songs at this performance.
Also featured will be Sandz of Time, (our dear friends Spike and Sandy!) and Mark Smith.
Hope you can come out and support live music, and local songwriters!
Posted by leonolguin at 11:05 AM | Comments (0)
March 13, 2009
Musical Enlightenment 2
So what causes those “down days?”
Over the years, I noticed that a “down cycle” would hit after a noteworthy musical setback had hit me first.
I remember the first time I tried to sing one of my songs for an audience. I had written what I thought was a great Contemporary Christian song, and I had the opportunity to sing it in church, accompanying myself on piano.
The reaction was universal:
“Boy, you sure know how to play that piano!”
“What about my singing?” I asked, without shame.
“Yes, you can really play that piano.”
“Did you like the song?”
“You really have a gift for playing the piano. Thank the Lord for that.”
Needles to say, I suffered a “down time” shortly thereafter.
But eventually I learned something valuable. I had spent years learning to play the piano well. I had spent no time working on my singing, or my songwriting. What made me think that these abilities would just spring naturally out of my skill as a pianist? Singing and songwriters were skills that would need to be learned and developed, just like my piano playing.
Another time I was working a recording session in the late 70’s. I was hired to play piano on a jingle. I was given a chart, and was full of confidence, since I knew how to read charts.
But as we ran down the tune, the guitarist on the session turned to me and said, “You’re stepping all over me. You’re playing too much.” I was so self-involved during the session that I was not listening to the guitar player (or anyone else in the band for that matter). My ego was bruised, but my ability to play in a band improved that day.
During the “down” times, those periods of discouragement, I have come to see (with the advantage of hindsight that goes a long way back!) that that was actually a positive signal.
My down times as a musician almost always came as a result of coming face to face with a deficiency in my skills or knowledge. When I suffered a “musical setback” I could now see clearly what my next step forward as a musician would be, whether it was working on my craft as a songwriter, building my skills as a singer, or learning how to listen when playing as part of a group.
Of course it took me many years to fully realize this, and I am still tempted to brood when my “musical ego” is bruised.
But the roller coaster ride isn’t as wild as it used to be, and the down days serve to remind me that I always need to grow as a musician. The process never ends, as there is always more to learn.
Posted by leonolguin at 09:28 AM | Comments (0)
March 12, 2009
Musical Enlightenment
We all want to grow and improve as musicians, as performers, as songwriters. We practice, we write and rewrite, we hone our craft, and we ask our fellow musicians to help us.
What makes the process difficult is that our growth is seldom as consistent as we would like.
Some days, we feel as though we are making real progress. Our confidence in our abilities is strong. The voice feels good, the music sounds great, the lyrics are top-notch, and the reaction is encouraging.
Other days, we feel as though we are not making any progress at all, or even regressing. Our confidence is shot, the voice feels ragged, the music sounds muddled, the lyrics make no sense, and no one seems to care whether we do this or not.
I’ve been on this “roller coaster” of musical ups and downs for more years than I would care to admit. (OK, I’ll admit it, I’ve been a professional musician since 1972!)
I’ve learned a few things that have helped me “smooth out the ride” a little, which I will tell you about tomorrow.
Until then, if you are having a “down day,” hang in there!
Posted by leonolguin at 12:53 PM | Comments (0)
March 11, 2009
The Ol’88 – Part 2
The year: circa 1973. The situation: I was a pianist without a piano.
To stop playing and just give up the piano was out of the question. Not to mention it was the only thing I was good at.
I could walk to our church and practice there, but that was rather inconvenient. Nevertheless, that’s what I did for a while.
Now, the details of what came next are lost to the fuzzy memories of youth. All I can recall is that somehow the Rotary Club of San Pedro (my hometown in Southern California) got word of my predicament, and they began to search for an instrument for me. (If I recall correctly, I had an uncle or two who were members of the Rotary…)
Did they just go out and get another upright piano? No, they found me a GRAND PIANO. And not a “baby” grand; a full size grand!
The instrument, whose previous owner remains unknown to me to this day, had been left in storage for several years, and was in superb condition, despite being built in 1928.
I can’t remember how I actually received the piano. I have no memory of any special ceremony held by the Rotary Club, but I do remember coming home from school one day to find this amazing instrument in our living room. It was mine, and it was a gift!
I immediately returned to my daily routine of practicing from the time I got home until dinner. I even arranged my school schedule so that I could finish at lunchtime (12:27PM), walk right home, and practice from 1PM until 5PM, every day.
Since the piano was situated right there in the living room, and was a LOUD instrument, naturally I drove my family crazy.
My name became “Leon Getoffthepiano.”
Posted by leonolguin at 12:28 PM | Comments (0)
March 10, 2009
The Ol’ 88
Mr. Teed was here this morning to tune my piano. He’s been doing this once or twice a year for the last 24 years.
My piano is a 1928 Knabe 6’6” grand piano, and it takes up a rather large portion of my living room.
I have been tempted many times over the years to sell the thing, especially during times when finances are tight (like right now!). But eventually the urge to sell always seems to subside and eventually go away all together.
There’s a story behind my acquisition of this instrument that has been a part of my life for over 30 years.
I started taking piano lessons when I was 11, in 1969. Within 6 months of starting lessons, I had won first place at a piano competition (I still have the trophy) and had given a solo recital.
This made me something of a minor celebrity in my hometown, and it all started when my dad bought an old, beat up upright piano. He got the piano to give himself something to have fun on since he played by ear. His big number was “Anchors Away,” which is ironic since he was in the Coast Guard. I started fooling around on the piano, and soon asked to take lessons. That’s when I learned that there was a young piano teacher and her family who conveniently lived next door.
We kept that old upright for a few years, until I started taking from a second piano teacher a few years later (I was still studying with my original teacher as well). He wanted to see me practice on a better instrument, so he arranged to store his unused upright piano at our house. It was an instrument far superior to the one I was used to.
I developed the habit of coming straight home from school, and going right to the piano to commence practicing. I would practice until dinnertime.
One day I came home, and there was no piano! I was a pianist without a piano. And, being the oldest of 6 children, in a one-income household, a piano was not something we could just run out and buy. We didn’t want to get another beat up old piano. In addition, in those days there was no such thing as an inexpensive keyboard with a good piano sound, they had not been invented yet!
So what happened next? Tune in tomorrow!
Posted by leonolguin at 01:35 PM | Comments (0)
March 04, 2009
What Is It About Songwriters?
OK, I married a songwriter. I’m a songwriter. Many of our best friends are songwriters. Over half the clients that come to our studio are songwriters.
Every month we go to meeting of songwriters (NSAI) and talk about, you guessed it…songwriting.
We love songwriters!
Sheryl and I do a lot of work helping songwriters with their songs. Instead of just offering a “studio for hire” (which is a great thing) we also offer, “song doctoring.” If someone is going to spend a fair sum making professional recordings of their songs, why not record those songs once they have been shaped and molded into a state of perfection? (Or at least near-perfection, given the subjective nature of song evaluation…)
But getting back to our NSAI friends, why do we care so much about them?
Well, here are a few reasons just “off the top of my head.” I may add to this list later…
1. They are creative – They make something out of nothing. They bring beauty into the world.
2. They are taking chances, and are willing to take on risk - Some of our members have made enormous investments in their songwriting, spending a great deal of time and money.
3. They are willing to learn, change and grow – Few can survive in our NSAI group if they come in with the attitude of “I’m the best there is, and there is nothing more that I need to learn (but you can all learn from my own wonderful self, however…) We’ve had a few folks come in, and go out, of the group, taking this attitude with them. I, of course, will not mention any names, because I can’t remember them. I CAN, however, remember the name of every teachable songwriter I have had the pleasure of working with.
4. They are fun! - There is something about the sheer joy of creativity that is infectious. Getting together with fellow songwriters, who are generous with their encouragement, and wise and gentle with their criticism, always lifts the spirit.
Posted by leonolguin at 10:26 PM | Comments (0)
Return to NSAI
Sorry to miss the last few days. After 2 years, the flu bug finally caught up with me, and knocked me flat. However, I’m on the way back to health now, and ready to ease back into “normal” life. But then again, how normal is life for a Project Studio Guy?
Sheryl and I went to the monthly NSAI meeting for the first time since June 2008. We were a few minutes late, so when we walked in together for the first time in over 8 months, well, Sheryl got a standing ovation. We were very touched, to say the least.
Several of the members had not seen Sheryl since she was diagnosed with Lymphoma back in July 2008. Others had been able to come and visit a few times while she was undergoing treatment.
Our NSAI group was meeting for the first time in a music store in Casselberry, FL. We were housed in a recital hall-type wing of the building lined with practice / lesson rooms on each side.
So as were attempting to discuss songwriting, and listening to and critiquing songs, we did aural battle with numerous attempts to play “When the Saints Go Marching In,” by a budding pianist in one room, a few drums lessons emanating from another, and a group of young, somewhat inaccurate, yet no doubt sincere saxophonists rehearsing music exercises together in a third room. There was even a vocal lesson going on at one time.
We may have to find another meeting place, but it was kind of the music store owners to host us.
After the meeting we went to a nearby restaurant and “closed the joint down” as we ate, drank, laughed and talked.
I was reminded once again of how much we love and care for the members of this group.
I’ll tell you why tomorrow.
Posted by leonolguin at 05:50 PM | Comments (0)