MusicMyLife

We musicians take our music examinations and tests very seriously, because even though the test results may not define you as a musician, we judge ourselves based on how much we score in these tests. Last morning, I gave my Trinity Rock and Pop Grade 6 Guitar examination...let me tell you this: I've given Grade 3, Grade 5, and now Grade 6, and I can very well say that these examinations are in no way good enough to judge any musician. So, you're reading this post for three possible reasons: 1)You just came across my blog through some kind of google search. 2)You follow my blog. 3)Your friend, relative showed you this post. Either way, you're reading this because you have an exam to prepare for, and you need to know how you can best prepare for such an exam. Here are a few tips I feel can help you prepare for your exam better: PRINT: Plan Redo Inconsistency Negligence Try Here's what each of these terms mean: 1)Plan: Almost everything requires s

This post will be best understood by people who have been learning a stringed instrument for at least a year. I recently started my 11th grade in college (the system is a little different where I live, so just accept it). There's different clubs in college, and I've signed up for a club as a performer. Today I had to go for an audition for one of the inter-collegiate events coming up. I was looking forward to this audition, because I knew I would nail it, but things didn't go exactly the way I thought they would. The person who took my audition (let's name him A) was a part of the club, and a fellow organiser and performer. For the audition, I carried my acoustic guitar. They didn't have an amplifier, so I couldn't use their electric guitar or bring my own (I didn't carry my amplifier because I was traveling in a train, very inconvenient). He asked me to play something. I told him I had just started working on 'Rain' by Vinnie Moore. I took

There are tons of people who say that the musicians back in the day were legends, and I don't disagree. Today I'm going to share my views on this topic about vintage bands. What does Vintage mean? Vintage simply means something of high quality from the past, the best of it's kind.  What's the difference between their time and ours? Everyone's aware of the rapid technological developments happening in the world today.  In the earlier days, the recordings had a decent quality, but we're talking about a time when computers weren't that advanced, there was no electronic music, or auto-tune, or any of that. The problem with today's music is, you never know whether a musician is really as good as he looks. You never know if a singer is really as good as he is. If you aren't aware of it, auto-tune can also be used in live performances. Your favourite singer might be using auto-tune, and you might not even be aware of it...unless yo

If you cannot think of new ideas or new tunes, there's a simple solution.  Disclaimer: This is mainly for beginners. If you're an advanced musician, you probably know this already. 1)Generally, the best compositions are made when you don't expect them. Let's say you're sitting and just playing random notes or chords on your instrument, just relaxing, and you suddenly feel like singing. Without thinking, you play a progression of chords and start singing whatever comes to your mind. That's happened to me and a lot of other people a lot of times, and usually they're better than the planned compositions. 2)However, another tip to making a great composition is to think out of the box. This means going beyond what you're taught. It's not tough at all, so beginners, or people who are scared of exploring, just read this. All you have to do, is find the same notes you're taught in another part of the instrument. Let's take the C scale and the

I assume most of us reading this post right now play some sort of instrument. Surely, you've seen people play it faster than you and you're just sitting there thinking "I have to be like this guy"...well, I've gone through it too, and I still do, but here are a few tips I've learned that actually did help me become faster at my instrument. 1)Play it slow: Nobody started playing their instrument fast from the beginning. It takes patience and effort. Just play the lick slowly, and repeatedly. It will go into your muscle memory soon, if you do this step properly. That would increase your speed over days, weeks, years, whatever your capacity is. (I really hope it isn't years) 2)Play it fast: In contrast to my previous point, there's another theory which most people disagree with, but I've tried it and it worked for me. Try playing it fast. In the beginning, you might not even be able to get the notes right, but sometimes you just don't have the

Let's admit it: We pay a lot of money on our instruments. Some of us even pay to get the strings of our guitars changed instead of changing it ourselves.  Due to this we all want our instruments to last long. If you're a millionaire wasting your money buying a new piano every week instead of cleaning it, this post is not for you.  This post is for you guys who actually love your instruments and want them to last long. Here are some things you can do to make your instrument last you a lifetime: Know it: You need to know your instrument better than others do. If it's a guitar, you should know it as something more than just a guitar. It should have more value than a guitar to you. You need to love your instrument, know it's special features if it has any, know how to play it better than others. You should be comfortable playing it in all ways.   Only when it has your appreciation will you be able to maintain it better and make it last longer. Rock it:

Alright okay so I'm pretty sure most of us on this blog are musicians. However, if you are just a music lover or a potential musician, you're still welcome on this blog.  We have heard a few people say that their instrument is what really makes the difference in the sound, but is it really true? There are some people that believe that what we use, that is, our equipment, doesn't really matter. It's how you play what you play that matters. Today I will break the deadlock once and for all, and make it clear whether our instrument really matters. Let's get right into it. 1)Have you ever heard Gary Moore play? (he's a guitarist by the way)...if not, then  click here  to hear him play. When you're watching the video, notice how his guitar sounds. He used a Gibson Les Paul guitar. They are supposed to be really good, they give a really deep and heavy sound compared to other electric guitars. Also notice how he holds the stretch at 3:15 in th

Hey guys, I hope you're doing good. This article is only for those who have stage fright.  Unlike what many people say, it is not necessary that if you have a little nervousness or fright before going on stage, it's because your performance is going to be good. That is all bullshit. I am going to be pretty straightforward with you, it's only been told to you to boost your confidence or to make your state better. However, now it seems to be a belief. Let me set things straight for you, and tell you how to overcome your fears.  I'm 15 now, but when I was younger, like 6 or 7, I was too shy to talk to guests who came to my house. Today, I go on stage with almost no fear or nervousness. Stages have become a playground for me, and I look forward to stage performances. Stages are very interesting, here's why: 1) It shows you how good of a musician you are. It shows you your own level. 2) The best feeling is when your audience cheers for you. It will make you feel

 We all know that we have two types of guitars (mainly) in this world: The Electric Guitar and the Acoustic Guitar. Which one do you prefer playing? I was at my guitar class a few months ago, and I asked one of the teachers of the music school (we are all friendly) which guitar he had. He told me he only had an acoustic. Yet he played the electric when he was teaching. That got me thinking. I am personally the type of person who loves playing the acoustic guitar. At home, 98% of the time that I practice, I use the acoustic guitar. Why is that? I just prefer the acoustic guitar because it not only sounds (according to me) way better than the electric guitar, but also has thicker strings (10 gauge) which makes my fingers stronger. So the next time I play the electric, I'm like the incredible hulk! Amazing... Jokes apart, the electric guitar is much easier to play. Not only are the strings thinner and more stretchable, but you get an amazing sound. In addition to that