Linking In The New Year
Music Creators…..
Some links to cool stuff today to close out the Thursday posts for the year. I’m going to put some of the most interesting stuff (to me anyway, but there’s a reason for that) right at the top. Tomorrow’s main post will expand a little further on some of the ideas in the first couple of links that follow.
First, from the folks at CD Baby, some predictions. The one I want to talk about tomorrow is becoming a music “creator” rather than thinking of ourselves as only an instrumentalist, or only a vocalist, or a songwriter only. Some of the themes we’ve talked about on here over the past year or so come together in this prediction.
Music Predictions For 2023 - “More people will embrace a creator-first mindset.”
Next from Songtown - counting for your vocal phrase entrance. Man is this timely for me and hopefully for you. More tomorrow on this:
Counting And Vocal Entrances - Come in on the downbeat (one-beat)?
From the folks at Disc Makers:
And more from the folks at Songtown:
This one is a bedrock question for a lot of us, and it’s more than a simple choice. Goals, and how we set about achieving them create choices about the things we do, and the things we forego - there’s always a choice.
Songwriting Goals: What Do You Want To Do?
Can’t get it out of your head? Make something new out of it!
And from the folks at Acoustic Guitar Magazine, some videos and articles on the basics, and the not-so-basics, but always good stuff:
10 rock songs that to play on the acoustic. These are good, but I may include some of my favorites tomorrow that didn’t make this list, but are great to play:
Surprising Songs To Play On Your Acoustic
Fingerpicking is a bedrock skill, IMHO, and this is a good primer to read and discuss with your guitar instructor:
Fingerpick Melody and Bass Line Simultaneously
Lots of folks only want to shred, but the basic skills of a rhythm guitarist will always be another of those bedrock foundations for playing well:
Some thoughts on links, and the part they play in continually improving our playing abilities: Nothing, absolutely nothing can take the place of a guitar instructor that is patient and knowledgeable. Next on the list is the help and advice the pros at your locally owned guitar shop can provide. I realize not everyone who reads this may have access or the funding to utilize a great instructor or spend much at a locally owned guitar shop. To the extent possible, make these two things a priority, but if that’s not possible right now, the sources I link to each Thursday are some of the best places to learn and put into practice improved techniques. If you absolutely must rely on YouTube videos because there are no viable alternatives, I highly recommend Sean Daniel’s channel to get you started.
Usual disclaimer - no one I link to or mention is paying me anything, and your mileage may vary with any of them, they just happen to be the ones I’ve gained the most insight from.
Regular post and Bonus Round tomorrow - see you then!!
Cheers and keep playing!!
Michael Acoustic