Composing Myself

Trying to compose myself and find time to …. compose …

There are many projects going on right now … and still much music to be written! We are finally laying down tracks for the Regi Hendrix project. Several brand new tunes and a couple of Jimi Hendrix covers on the agenda. The project has an interesting blend of blues rock and prog riffing.

I have also been working on some brand new music for the new Magic Elf album. Lot’s of new tunes … many tunes need to be completed, but a lot of new ideas on the table. (We actually have done a couple of rehearsals recently in preparation for a show on September 9th. The first Elf show in quite a while. We’ll be playing with the Travis Larson Band … an awesome instrumental rock band from California) At these rehearsals, I did get to jam on a few new tune ideas with the guys …

And of course, the Carl Roa Band has already been playing a few new tunes at our gigs. And I do have some CRB-centric ideas I need to work out with the band next time we are rehearsing.

Looks like a lot of new music coming out in 2010. Please stay tuned … till next time.

-Carl

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The problem with The Summer BBQ

Don’t get me wrong … I love summer BBQ’s … spending time with family and friends … all good. But having been assaulted at a few BBQ’s this summer, it prompted me to considering the problems with the “Summer BBQ”! Indeed, it is not overcooked burgers or dogs … unfortunately it is somthing far more insideous … much more grave and horrifying … yes … it is an over abundance of bad music.

Why must I be assaulted with the most contrite, homogonized crap I have ever heard at these events? Why do people own that music? Usually at volumes that would require a Marshall stack to drown out. Boy o’ boy … is that what the music industry has become? How did this happen? Why would someone listen to that crap?

What happened to the music industry? How did it come to be that they somehow felt this is what people wanted to hear? Why why why? Three cheers for the down fall of the recording industry, if that is what the industry is about! Churning out the most contrived garbage I could ever imagine. If I could somehow record the sound of combined excrement discharges, I still don’t think it would be as bad as the stuff I am hit with at these events. Truly horrid.

At some point along the way, the record industry went astray … I can only imagine that somehow they felt more money could be made by quickly churning out some quantized recording, basked in auto-tuned vocals. I guess if you don’t need to be able to sing or play, recordings can be put out quickly with less expense?

Going back to the 60’s and 70’s music, it seems as if their was much more great music being put out in rock and pop land.  The music seemed to have more feel and depth to it. More to enjoy. Somewhere along the path, the executives conned the general public that they could enjoy churned out plastic sounding music.

I believe, given the chance, their would be far less “BBQ assaults” IF the general public had a chance to hear a wider selection of music. Arguably, things may be changing these days as the record industry seems to be crumbling and indy labels and artists are leveling the playing field. In many regards, an indy artist can market in similar fashions to major labels.

I am hoping to attend a BBQ sometime soon, where Allan Holdsworth is blasting over the sound system, and the other crap is being packed up with the rest of the trash.

Amen.

Till next time …

Carl

The benefits of consistent practice

Consistent practice time has only become more challenging to find as I’ve gotten older. As real life responsibilities and daily tasks take up much of a typical day.  It can be a real challenge to find time to pick up the guitar everyday … I wish I could take a magic pill and freeze my technique! That would be awesome. Of course, every player and person is different. We all have different bodies and capabilities. But for me, I need to practice everyday just to maintain where I am at.   I have always been jealous of players who seemingly do not need to keep a steady practice schedule to keep their chops up … or at least that’s what they tell me! But for me, I need to pick up the guitar everyday. Oddly, when I don’t play everyday, I feel like something is missing.  The music somehow seems to keep me centered.

The real goal, of course, it to be improving! As I grow as a musician, I find some of the best improvements can happen by playing live. Sometimes, due to limited time, I will spend most of a practice session with “chop maintenance”. Meaning, a technical workout to keep the dexeterity in place! If I get that done … it’s a good day!

In sum, I have found no subsitute for steady long term improvement, other than picking up the guitar everday and getting some time in. Skip a day …  and I feel it. That sucks!  Why does this instrument require so much attention?! LOL.

Enough chatter … back to the shed.

Welcome to my Guitar Blog

Welcome to my Guitar Blog! I will be posting various articles on guitars, performance, recording, gear and more here. Please feel free to leave comments and I will do my best to respond to all questions.

Thanks,

Carl