Finding your way with Independent Music

The beauty of the internet age is that people can publish their music from their homes, from their schools, even from the public library. This phenomenon even applies to self-publishing literary works...

The not-beauty of the internet age is that people can publish their music from their homes, from their schools, even from the public library.

Confused? Hang on a minute...

When it becomes easy for people to do something, many more people do it - but this growth in quantity doesn't mean they do it well (quality). So, it becomes a public minefield of music that ranges from the sublimely inspired to the insanely un-listenable.



How do we wade through it? How do we (as listeners) find the nuggets of music we'll enjoy?

There are at least two ways to look at the solution:
1) Look at music discovery as though you're wandering through a YouTube adventure - find some decent music sites, and start listening. Look at the other artists on the pages and listen to them, follow their links, listen to the next, etc.

Let's call it a "music safari." I think music safaris are a blast.

2) Ask friends, family members, co-workers, and people with whom you interact. Every person with whom I converse on this subject always has an opinion. It is not unusual to hear of a band/artist/type of music of which I've never heard... "Yeah, I like Mastodon - have you heard that they just released a new album?" or "I listen to pretty much anything they play on {some radio station}." or "I heard this awesome artist on internet radio last night - I'd never heard of him/her before, but I'm going to find some more! His/Her name is {some name}."

Let's call this one "pimp my ears."


Whether you love to wander through the musical landscape on safari, or if you ask other folks about what they've found, listen! There is a phenomenal amount of great indie (and indie-indie) music out there. It is very much worth panning through bags of dirt to find a ruby or diamond!

music2quitby.com is shutting down.

Dear readers. In the next month or a a little more, I will be shutting the doors on music2quitby.com.

Recent circumstances dictate that I must pare back much music and expense.

Thank you to you all for your support and your thoughts on my little "music to quit by" project. It has been a true joy to share, to create for you, and to read your many notes of support.

YouTube and Guitar Tutoring

It's interesting... for centuries, one learned music by traveling to a tutor or master teacher, then learning your lessons and accepting practice challenges. This is still truly present today, and still marks the pinnacle of learning to be a better musician, performer, and even mentor to others.

But the internet age has introduced something which makes casual, quick lessons almost instantly and freely accessible. Although a musician shouldn't learn from the narrow approach of little bitty lessons from whomever makes videos for YouTube (et. al.), short blasts of ideas, techniques, riffs, examples, etc. are excellent supplement.

Indeed, most folks cannot afford (or do no have access to) decent music teachers at all. With the internet and venues like YouTube, even I can grab zillions of lessons from guitarists ranging from blues masters to metal monsters to technical wizards - for free. (All that is on YouTube isn't good, but if you learn something good, that's what really counts.)

Now for the point of my post: It is incumbent on excellent musicians to take the time to record and give away access to excellent exercise techniques, warm-ups, riffs, practice techniques, composition techniques, and much more. I have always felt that teaching openly is the best way to become a better student and musician for oneself, as well.

Elvin Bishop joins up at MOG!

Elvin Bishop has joined up as a member of mog.com:
http://mog.com/elvinbishop



Awesome!

If you don't know much about Elvin and wonder why I'm glad he joined, look at these links to find out more about him:

http://www.elvinbishopmusic.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvin_Bishop

Trying out my new SNOCAP Store! Give it a whirl!

Here's what my new store looks like. It really works! You can buy a single Jimmy Bear Tune at a time with this neat tool.

And no, the "label" doesn't get tons of the proceeds. I get most of the proceeds.

Cheers!

The idea is to encourage, not discourage

Music is (and probably has always been) an evolving and living thing.

The good music that has already been made will stand the test of time, and will be enjoyed for many generations to come. Both musical tastes and trends come and go, ebb and flow... but great music sustains and persists over and above trends, fads, or fluctuations in the human condition.

Beyond music that has already been made, there is the potential for new music. New music comes from both established artists and inexperienced neophytes. New music comes from the imagination, the hunger for success, or combinations of both.

I think it is great to revel in the beauty of music that is already with us. I think it is wonderful to give in to the safety of tunes that we know and understand. However, I think it is equally important to give our ears to new things (even if all that happens is that one has greater appreciation for what one already likes). We must grow and change to foster new music.

Which brings me to my point: New artists/newbies/neophytes need to be deeply and enthusiastically supported and encouraged. We need and want new bands/artists - on a constant basis. Yes, many new bands should probably stay in the garage or basement. Yes, not all of them are Led Zeppelins, Yoyo Mas, Johnny Cashs, or Mariah Careys. Yes, sometimes, the beginnings are a bit sour.

But, over time, newbies grow musical muscle. They grow understanding of how to express their art. We must be there for them through all the stages of their development. John Lennon didn't start out as an iconic musical firebrand - he started out just like the latest garage band that you've heard on YouTube - sour notes and all (well, maybe with lots of underlying undeveloped genius).

Spend some time sending notes of encouragement to new musicians. Go to see live shows of folks you've not heard. Buy self-produced CDs of artists who sound good (or who sound like they'll be great in the future). Write positive comments on band music pages at places like isound.com and stage.fm. Encourage the young ones to pick up an instrument and play. Offer your warehouse or garage to some local folks looking for a place to play. Listen to one unheard artist a week.

Support new and upcoming musicians (of all ages). It makes a difference. Besides, you might just enjoy yourself along the way.