https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjfmJtO_Jgw
from the archives.
Monday, January 18, 2021
Monday, January 11, 2021
Your Uke is Not Out of Tune
Details of "Strawberry Fields Forever" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgtzOafdoOQ
Do not be disappointed or unhappy if you find you have been playing your uke "off key", as long as they are in tune relative to each other; that is, if you play a chord on all four strings and it sounds good, it is resonant, and you like the sound. It's nice when playing with other people at the same time to be tuned so everyone is producing the same C chord, but many of us no longer have the luxury to do more than zoom, and playing together (both people hearing each other) is hard on zoom (today).
Some famous songs were recorded "between keys". There is a term called "cent" - there are 100 cents between each semitone: C and C#, or between B and C (on the piano each mechanical key is 100 cents from the next, regardless of black or white key, and there is no black key between B and C). 50 cents above C would make it halfway to C# - most of us won't hear it without a tuner, and if all the strings were "detuned" 50 cents below their Concert tuning it would only make those with perfect pitch suffer (sorry John). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cent_(music)
The video is a tribute to sticky tape and a diagonal cut with a razor blade on magnetic tape. Combined with varispeed and the time they had (55 hours !) to do many re-takes, professional editors, produced a brilliant and beautiful frankensong.
So what does tuning mean, when the actual key is part way between "notes"? our friend jake says there are many https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-tune-a-ukulele#3-ways-to-tune-a-ukulele-with-a-tuner but even if you don't have a tuner, and are by yourself, you can still tune your four strings relative to each other.
Use other ukulele strings as a reference.
You can also tune by ear using your own strings as reference notes for one another. For instance, you can tune your open E string to match the pitch of the C string at the fourth fret. You can tune the open A string (1st string) to match the pitch of the G string (2nd string) at the second fret.
If you want more details send me a note or give me a call and I'll do this with you on your uke.
Ironically, Mitchell's bout with the crippling illness would influence her music in unforeseen ways. Unable to form conventional guitar chords because of weakness in her left hand, the singer experimented with alternate tunings that have since become part of her signature sound. Mitchell, cited by Rolling Stone as one of the 100 best guitarists of all time, has used up to 50 nonstandard tunings, allowing her to explore rhythm, harmony, and melody in unique and innovative ways.
More on different tunings used by Joni Mitchell: https://uniqueguitar.blogspot.com/2013/01/joni-mitchells-guitars-and-tunings.html
What this means to us ukulele players is: if you have a really favorite song you want to play and sing, but the chords are "too hard", you can change to another key so the diminished chord is only two strings instead of four (example: C#dim is 1010, but Cdim is four fingers on four strings. If the change is key doesn't help enough (or makes it hard to sing), be adventurous and try tuning one of the strings so it's easier to play! Of course the other chords will have to adjust too. What else do you have to do when locked in? Use your time inside. Suggestion: use your notebook and pencil, and write down where you start, what changes you make, and sketch out your "chords" and to what note each string is tuned.
Monday, December 21, 2020
Neuroscience says these are the happiest songs
https://mymodernmet.com/10-happy-songs/
-----from the article----(I replaced the embedded videos with links to YouTube)-----
What is your happy song? According to one Dutch neuroscientist, most happy songs have some distinctive traits in common. Several years ago, Dr. Jacob Jolij—at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands—was asked to examine a list of favorite songs compiled by the UK-based electronica band Alba. Although not a peer reviewed study, his investigation discovered several trends among the given examples of perky music. “Happy” or “feel good” songs have significantly faster tempos than average pop music, they tend to have cheerful lyrics, and are more often in a major key.
When Jolij was first approached to examine the data set of happy songs, he had to take a qualitative method to analyze trends within the set. As a researcher, he emphasized on his website that what makes a happy song is “highly personal and strongly depends on social context and personal associations.” Each song in the data set was chosen by the surveyed person for personal reasons, but analysis of musical technicalities provided some hard data. The songs averaged 140 to 150 beats per minute, a tempo that’s about 20 or more beats higher than the average pop tune. This upbeat rhythm probably subliminally reenergizes listeners. The surveyed songs were also much more likely to be in a major key rather than a minor key. Jolij commented that a major third key, specifically, is recieved as a happy, confident sound.
Jolij also examined the lyrics. He described most happy songs as having either cheery, nonsensical lyrics or lyrics which described happy events and positive, fun emotions. Parties, love, dancing—all are good fodder for a happy tune. Jolij then took all his findings and combined them into a mathematic formula. Not a rigorous predictor of happy songs, the formula mostly served to test his theories on tempo and tones. Tested on songs designated as happy by Dutch listeners, the algorithm continued to support the trends Jolij discovered.
While most scholarly research ends in journal article, this project culminates in a playlist by Jolij of 10 of the happiest songs from past decades. This list is sure to brighten your day with some throw-back tunes.
Neuroscientist Dr. Jacob Jolij has found the happiest songs on earth…according to careful scientific research. Take a listen and be the judge for yourself.
1. “DON'T STOP ME NOW” BY QUEEN, 1978
4. “UPTOWN GIRL” BY BILLY JOEL, 1983
-----from the article----(I replaced the embedded videos with links to YouTube)-----
What is your happy song? According to one Dutch neuroscientist, most happy songs have some distinctive traits in common. Several years ago, Dr. Jacob Jolij—at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands—was asked to examine a list of favorite songs compiled by the UK-based electronica band Alba. Although not a peer reviewed study, his investigation discovered several trends among the given examples of perky music. “Happy” or “feel good” songs have significantly faster tempos than average pop music, they tend to have cheerful lyrics, and are more often in a major key.
When Jolij was first approached to examine the data set of happy songs, he had to take a qualitative method to analyze trends within the set. As a researcher, he emphasized on his website that what makes a happy song is “highly personal and strongly depends on social context and personal associations.” Each song in the data set was chosen by the surveyed person for personal reasons, but analysis of musical technicalities provided some hard data. The songs averaged 140 to 150 beats per minute, a tempo that’s about 20 or more beats higher than the average pop tune. This upbeat rhythm probably subliminally reenergizes listeners. The surveyed songs were also much more likely to be in a major key rather than a minor key. Jolij commented that a major third key, specifically, is recieved as a happy, confident sound.
Jolij also examined the lyrics. He described most happy songs as having either cheery, nonsensical lyrics or lyrics which described happy events and positive, fun emotions. Parties, love, dancing—all are good fodder for a happy tune. Jolij then took all his findings and combined them into a mathematic formula. Not a rigorous predictor of happy songs, the formula mostly served to test his theories on tempo and tones. Tested on songs designated as happy by Dutch listeners, the algorithm continued to support the trends Jolij discovered.
While most scholarly research ends in journal article, this project culminates in a playlist by Jolij of 10 of the happiest songs from past decades. This list is sure to brighten your day with some throw-back tunes.
Neuroscientist Dr. Jacob Jolij has found the happiest songs on earth…according to careful scientific research. Take a listen and be the judge for yourself.
1. “DON'T STOP ME NOW” BY QUEEN, 1978
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=DxQK_ARQmMY&list=RDAMVMDxQK_ARQmMY
2. “DANCING QUEEN” BY ABBA, 1976
2. “DANCING QUEEN” BY ABBA, 1976
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFrGuyw1V8s
3. “GOOD VIBRATIONS” BY THE BEACH BOYS, 1966
3. “GOOD VIBRATIONS” BY THE BEACH BOYS, 1966
4. “UPTOWN GIRL” BY BILLY JOEL, 1983
Saturday, December 19, 2020
Your Music and Your Brain
Music, dance, and your brain (esp for people with Parkinson's Disease):https://www.onedayu.com/aarp-1216
locally, work goes on, not only at Tufts but also NorthEastern and BIDMC on neuro imaging.
The dancing to rhythmic music in therapy for Parkinson's is dramatic!
I found a playlist for videos on "Capturing Grade" (movie mentioned on this presentation) on YT. Lots of good information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k3-lwWRYYk&list=PLU9i0SaYJa0WwM9J5bt4jnzZh-tAkACnS
The English National Ballet has a series including lessons https://www.youtube.com/c/englishnationalballet/search?query=parkinsons
Which includes some lessons from this year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxJXMcscpdk -- Join Dance Artist Kate Hartley-Stevens for a special online edition of English National Ballet's regular Dance for Parkinson's class. This class is also suitable for anyone for whom gentle dance technique and movement would be beneficial to health and wellbeing.
Part #2 can be viewed here ► https://youtu.be/aRcaakAdMDA
Part #3 can be viewed here ► https://youtu.be/rJ3OPYZEViw
locally, work goes on, not only at Tufts but also NorthEastern and BIDMC on neuro imaging.
The dancing to rhythmic music in therapy for Parkinson's is dramatic!
I found a playlist for videos on "Capturing Grade" (movie mentioned on this presentation) on YT. Lots of good information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k3-lwWRYYk&list=PLU9i0SaYJa0WwM9J5bt4jnzZh-tAkACnS
The English National Ballet has a series including lessons https://www.youtube.com/c/englishnationalballet/search?query=parkinsons
Which includes some lessons from this year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxJXMcscpdk -- Join Dance Artist Kate Hartley-Stevens for a special online edition of English National Ballet's regular Dance for Parkinson's class. This class is also suitable for anyone for whom gentle dance technique and movement would be beneficial to health and wellbeing.
Part #2 can be viewed here ► https://youtu.be/aRcaakAdMDA
Part #3 can be viewed here ► https://youtu.be/rJ3OPYZEViw
Friday, December 18, 2020
Resources for Ukulele
James Hill - classes at https://www.uketropolis.com/ - some start at $1.
Wintertunes.net ukulele virtual camp with lessons, songbooks, etc.
Austin Ukulele Society has some very well made play along videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpzpnVV8LfU&list=PLCpahUTHGEHhAwAs3rhIH13IRNU17mnCh
Software: Musescore (free version is available) - try it.
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Free free free ! software and services for musicians
Wow. Great free stuff for musicians
https://www.musicradar.com/news/coronavirus-giveaways-the-best-free-software-and-services-for-musicians
(Image credit: Steinberg)
https://www.musicradar.com/news/coronavirus-giveaways-the-best-free-software-and-services-for-musicians
Coronavirus giveaways: the best free software and services for musicians
As the COVID-19 crisis unfolds, music software and gear companies have been quick to step up to the plate, offering a slew of freebies to maintain the morale and productivity of confined musicians and producers across the globe.
Here, we've rounded up all of the best giveaways, and we'll keep this hub updated. Grab 'em while you can.
Fender Play for 3 months
Fender Play centres around easy-to-follow, instructor-guided videos to help new musicians get underway and to develop players who are a little further along on their journey. You can track your progress as you move through the lessons, too.
Learning songs is a fundamental part of musical development and, in addition to the lessons, the Fender Play library is rammed with jam tracks by everyone from Led Zeppelin, Green Day and Oasis, to Sia and Shawn Mendes.
Logic Pro X free for 90 days
Apple has confirmed that, in light of current events, it’s offering free 90-day access to its Logic Pro X DAW so that everyone can make music with it. It’s also offering the same deal to anyone who wants to use Final Cut Pro X.
Ableton Live 10 Suite for 90 days
First Apple offered Mac users the chance to use Logic Pro X free for 90 days, and now Ableton is doing the same with Live 10 Suite, its flagship DAW package.
Featuring not just Live, but also a wealth of plugins and soundware, the Suite bundle also includes Max for Live, which enables you to customise and build your own devices.
Drum Channel: 1000 x free 30-day subscriptions
Drum Channel - the online drum school founded by DW’s Don Lombardi - is offering some relief for drummers stuck inside during the lockdown period by giving away 1000 free 30-day trial subscriptions.
Free versions of Steinberg Cubase, WaveLab and more in its #StayHome Elements bundle
Comprising Cubase Elements, Dorico Elements, WaveLab Elements and the Absolute Collection of plugins, this is available until 15 May and can be used for free for 60 days.
Sonible and Focusrite’s Balancer plugin free until 13 April
In a bid to get you to ‘stay@home and create’, Sonible and Focusrite have made their Balancer plugin available as a free download until 13 April. This promises to balance your audio tracks automatically in a matter of seconds.
Roland’s Zenbeats music-making app (iOS/Android)
Zenbeats is a cross-platform production app that promises to “make music creation easy”. It features drum sounds from Roland’s TR range of drum machines, and offers sampling, instruments and effects.
Arturia iSpark app and Pigments 2 free trial
Arturia is the latest company to encourage you to stay home and make music, and it’s giving you some free music software to do it with. The biggest news is that iSpark, the company’s iPad drum machine app, is free until 30 April, but Arturia is also showing some love to PC/Mac users, who can road-test the Pigments 2 plugin synth for free between 2 April and 3 July.
Get KV331’s SynthMaster One free for iPhone and iPad
Not just a great iOS synth, but a great synth full-stop, KV331’s SynthMaster One has gone free for iPhone and iPad until 15 April. The regular price is $19.99.
Soundtoys' much-loved Effect Rack plugin
This is a powerful and creative multi-effects plugin that enables you to create processing chains using 14 classic Soundtoys effects; the likes of EchoBoy and PrimalTap for delay, Decapitator and Radiator for analogue-style saturation, and Tremolator and FilterFreak for powerful rhythmic modulation and filtering.
AS-16 Analog Sequencer Reason rack extension
Normally yours for $40, the AS-16 Reason rack extension is an advanced 16 channel analog CV sequencer with MIDI and audio features. At the heart of AS-16 is a user controlled sequence that can be modified in real time using the jump, skip and pad buttons.
In addition, it includes several note scales that allow you to quickly create bass lines and then tweak via MIDI, or use the built-in audio modifiers as an advanced envelope generator.
Two notes Torpedo Wall of Sound - free lifetime license
Two notes Audio Engineering is giving away free lifetime licenses for its Torpedo Wall of Sound speaker and miking simulation plugin until April 30th.
Torpedo Wall of Sound comes with two free virtual cabinets - 4x12” modeled on the Slash signature Marshall® and a 2x12” modeled on a HiWatt® with Fane® speakers -and 8 virtual power amp emulators, powerful on-board EQ, ‘overload’ (speaker cone distortion) emulator and 8 reverb/room emulations.
For more info see the Two notes Wall of Sound site now.
Positive Grid Bias FX Mobile free for 90 days, until 8 April
Positive Grid is giving you the Bias FX guitar amp and effects mobile app - plus all of the available features and expansion packs - for nothing. You have until 8 April to download it on your iOS device, and it’ll run for 90 days.
Based on the same technology as Positive Grid’s excellent Bias FX desktop software, the app contains a wide array of realistic-sounding guitar and bass amps, effect pedals and studio racks for your iPhone or iPad. Signing up a ToneCloud account will unlock all of the additional content and enable you to to share and download thousands of custom presets.
Reaper 6 free until the end of June
If you’re in urgent need of a DAW to work with while you’re on lockdown, Cockos has stepped into the breach by offering free temporary licences for Reaper, its fully-featured music production software, which are valid until the end of June.
Pro Tools for 90-days (for eligible applicants)
Avid is stepping up to support professional Pro Tools users who’ve been asked to work from home during the COVID-19 crisis. It’s announced that it’ll make a limited number of 90-day licenses for its creative products available for free to qualified media enterprise and educational institutions.
As you might have deduced, this doesn’t mean that anyone and everyone can have a Pro Tools license - companies need to submit the request for licenses on behalf of their employees, whether they be full-time, contracted or freelance. Similarly, educational institutions need to make bulk requests on behalf of their students.
Minimoog Model D iOS app
In a bid to spread “positivity, creativity and expressivity” in these difficult times, Moog Music has announced that it’s giving away its Minimoog Model D iOS app for free. An official emulation of the most famous synthesizer of all time, this runs on both iPhone and iPad, and usually costs $14.99/£14.99.
Writing on Facebook, Moog says that it hopes that the app will offer: “A moment to slow down, appreciate our innate strength, and experience the uplifting power of sound. A chance to share the way we hear the world around us…”
Serato Studio free version now available
Launched in 2019, Serato Studio is a simplified PC and Mac DAW that’s designed for beginners and DJs who want to move into music production. Now it’s been updated to version 1.4.4 which, as well as adding new features, also introduces a free version.
Korg iKaossilator on iOS, until 31 March
Recognising that a lot of people are going to be stuck at home with not much to do for the next few weeks and months, Korg says it wants to “help you with a musical way to occupy your mind”.
iKaossilator can certainly do that: it’s a fun and addictive loop-based app that enables you to make music simply by swiping on the screen. You can work across multiple tracks and in a wide range of genres, and a decent amount of drum, bass, lead, chord and other sounds come included. You can adjust the tempo and lock everything to a specific key so you’ll never go out of tune.
You can grab iKaossilator for iOS on the Apple App Store (free until 31 March).
Free Soundation Premium until the end of June for students (via teacher application)
“We’ve received many requests from schools around the world who would like to use Soundation for remote music education due to COVID-19,” , says Adam Hasslert, CEO of Soundation. “We realized that there is a huge need for online music education solutions right now, so we’ve decided to offer it for free in order to support and encourage young music makers to stay creative during this challenging time.”
As of now, teachers and educators can sign up for a free Soundation Premium subscription and set up accounts for their students. These accounts will go live from 31 March. Teachers will also be able to create group pages in Soundation’s online community to facilitate their teaching.
Cherry Audio's Voltage Modular Nucleus: “stay at home and learn to master modular synthesis”
Cherry Audio is giving away Voltage Modular Nucleus, a complete modular synth package that features 22 modules and more than 130 presets. As of now - and for the foreseeable future - anyone can download it for free for Mac and Windows.
This is great news for anyone who’s likely to have plenty of time on their hands over the next few months. Modular synthesis is something that you can really immerse yourself in, and Voltage Modular is a great platform to start on.
Jordan Rudess's GeoShred Play iOS app
Thanks to its scale-locked diatonic playing surface, Wizdom Music’s GeoShred Play iOS app enables pretty much anyone to play shred lead parts without ever hitting a wrong note, and right now, company supremo Jordan Rudess is letting you download it for free.
The latest sales and discounts on music gear
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