Saturday, 20 August 2016

How To: Change Guitar Strings

Seems like something extremely simple and basic, but in reality, this isn't always the easiest procedure. It's nice to have the knowledge of how to do it before actually going through with it. To start, I usually change my strings as soon as they start to sound off, or lose their shine. To prolong this, it's important to keep your guitars in the right atmosphere, and use string cleaner. Professionals will actually change their strings before every gig, while others I know follow the strict procedure of changing them every three months. Strings do after time wear out, so whatever practice you do follow, make sure you are changing them every so often.

There are different systems that strings are set up on. There's light strings, regular, studio, heavy, e.t.c. That just depends on what style of music you play the most. I've actually tried most of them, and certain ones are harder to maintain on the guitar, and there is actually a big sound difference and playability to them as well. Also take into account the different bridge systems for differing guitars. There's electric vs. acoustic (which isn't necessarily a different bridge system but does pose differences), Floyd Rose (terrible...), and many others.

In general, here are some tips on how to change guitar strings. First of all, go string by string. A common misconception is to take all of the strings off and then replace all of the strings. Instead, take one string off, replace it, and then continue. Start with the lowest E string, or 6E. Loosen the string by a few turns, and then cut the string close to the nut. Take out both ends of the string. Start near the bridge and attach the string, laying it all the way up to the tuner peg. Make sure you put it through so that the string is facing in towards the middle of the guitar. From there, bend the string around and start twisting to tighten it. Do one loop over top of the end sticking out, and then continue underneath. This makes sure the string doesn't slip. Once it is tight enough, cut the loose end off and continue with the rest of the strings. Make sure you tune right away after putting all the strings on.

Wednesday, 10 August 2016

The 1975's I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it Album Review

Rating: 9.1/10
Website: http://the1975.com/
Purchase: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for/id1065068027

I'm trying to remove as much bias from this review, because I absolutely love this band and their sound. This album is the perfect progression for the group, as they evolve their sound, and continue to spread their music around the world. The 1975 tries to stay true to their original ideology while adapting some new styles to really ramp up this album.

While The 1975 was always going to have trouble replicating the top quality of their first album, they've done an amazing job producing a very good follow up record. With a natural progression, the band still holds onto its unique, pop rock sound that got it all started. Their genius lyrics continue to get better and better, while they add more electronic sounds to really develop the album even more. Again, each song holds something so different, it makes the entire album a joy to listen to.

The only hindrance to the album goes to the group's core. The lyrical content is sometimes over the top, especially with profanities. The actual themes aren't too too bad, but the execution could be much more efficient without the stressed swear words. Again, this is just the band's personality, so can't really be changed too much, but if it were to happen, The 1975 would become so much better.

Wikipedia

Tuesday, 2 August 2016

Chris Stapleton's Traveller Album Review

Rating: 9.3/10
Website: http://www.chrisstapleton.com/
Purchase: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/traveller/id980334914

It's an absolute treasure to find music such as this. This is very much the announcement of Chris Stapleton on the international music scene. For many years he's been behind the scenes, writing out hits for some top artists. Finally he's decided to showcase his own talent, and he's still coming out with some astounding hits. His smooth, effortless vocals drive every track on this album forward. His ingenuity in song writing is crystal clear, and his musical creativity is well deserving of the excitement and respect that this album has generated.

The album is a perfect showcase of this artist's talent. Hit tracks like Traveller, Fire Away, and Tennessee Whiskey are the symbolism of the heart of Stapleton, with other tracks like Whiskey and You, and Nobody to Blame telling the story of the track. It is clear that the album is music straight from the soul of Stapleton. Actually, Stapleton stated that the album was really the result of his soul searching during a trip from Phoenix to Nashville after the death of his father.

Monday, 25 July 2016

Top Ten Songs for July

As of right now, I think Drake's in the lead for song of the summer, and possibly album of the year as well. Chris Stapleton is close behind, and there were a few more releases this month, including from Needtobreathe and Justin Bieber, but One Dance does seem to be the track to beat.

1. All I Want - Kodaline - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cOCmC_m23E
I'm still in love with this song. The raw emotion behind the music and the vocals are exactly what I want from music. The musician is trying to convey a message, one that has to be close to the musician's heart, in order to be effectively portrayed. When an artist cares so much about their message and is able to connect that with music, the magic really happens.

2. Apologize - One Republic - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSM3w1v-A_Y
This song is another that is really one in a million. It can fit into any movie, any TV show, really any dramatic experience. It's a classic, a pop song that will forever be remembered. It has a perfect combination of all the classic instruments, and really introduced the classic new pop drum beat.

3. Brother - Needtobreathe feat. Gavin Degraw - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61Wm_qlVD4Q
One of the big releases of the month was Needtobreathe's new album Hard Love. It takes the band on a slightly different path, with a new sound that is starting to involve more electronics and synth. Still, the classical vocal sound remains, as does the root folky sound.

4. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
Over the past month, I haven't really picked up a guitar and played any music, which is really disappointing. When I do get the chance, this is going to be one of the first songs I tackle. I can't rate this song high enough.

5. Cold Water - Major Lazer feat. Justin Bieber and MO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a59gmGkq_pw
Can Bieber do anything wrong musically? While this definitely isn't Bieber's greatest track, it's a smooth, tame listen, with Bieber's vocals fitting in perfectly. He has an instantly recognizable voice, and is really starting to have a recognizable sound with this electronic dance music.

6. Tennessee Whiskey - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAThXFOy2c
I don't really know, but I've got the feeling lately that I want to see what else this artist can do? What more does Chris Stapleton have to offer, where else can he take his music? That's a good thing and a bad thing. It means that the man has potential to do even more, but it also means that I'm beginning to turn away from his stuff, unless he comes out with more material soon.

7. One Dance - Drake - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IIspaicSnY
I'm not really a huge fan of Drake music, but he does have a few good tracks that are just too catchy to ignore. This is definitely one of them. It's got a very catchy hook, a good beat, and some good tunes to back it up. It's good to see some Canadian talent be well respected in the industry.

8. Cleopatra - The Lumineers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN5s9N_pTUs
I connect The Lumineers to Rend Collective. They both have similar sounds, and similar song writing skills. The Lumineers are very much storytellers with their music. Each song has a different message, that pans out telling a tale.

9. Dancing on My Own - Calum Scott - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q31tGyBJhRY
I love listening to good singing auditions. It's the moment you get to hear a new voice, a new talent. This is definitely one of the best auditions I have ever heard. It's a perfect showcase of his voice, a perfect showcase of his musical knowledge, a perfect showcase of his ingenuity.

10. Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_weSk0BonM
The old adage that it's not what you know but who you know seems to be really true in the music and acting industry. One example would be Leona Lewis. Even though she really got her start through X Factor, she was raised attending the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology. Thrust right into it from a young age; that's one way to do it!

Wednesday, 29 June 2016

Top Ten Songs for June

Still not a great month for songs of the summer. There really hasn't been a whole lot of good new material. It seems all the top artists are on breaks, or currently touring, but not releasing new songs. This still presents a good opportunity to go back and take a look at any older music that may have been passed over.

1. All I Want - Kodaline - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cOCmC_m23E
I actually stumbled onto this song after watching a YouTube video of a Voice contestant Stevie McCrorie covering it for his blind audition. The song is right in my niche; acoustic, emotion driven, and so eerie. It really has that x factor that sets it apart especially in my books.

2. Tennessee Whiskey - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAThXFOy2c
Amazingly, Chris Stapleton doesn't only churn out hits under his name, but he writes for some pretty big artists as well. He's written songs for Adele, Kenny Chesney, Thomas Rhett, Sheryl Crow, and George Strait. Those are some pretty big names singing your songs.

3. Alaska - Maggie Rogers - https://soundcloud.com/maggierogers/alaska
Another one I accidentally stumbled onto. Actually, I think someone shared a video of this on Facebook, of this young college girl meeting Pharrell through a school program, and playing this song for him. Throughout most of the video Pharrell was extremely nonchalant. With this song though, his interest was immediately perked. You can tell when a song is great, simply by the reaction of the people listening.

4. Lost Boy - Ruth B. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuHdkSj5nGc
Of course, the top contender for song of the summer was written by a Canadian artist, again. Ruth B. is 20, coming from Edmonton Alberta. This song has actually been around for over a year, but it was only made popular early this year, which makes it the frontrunner for this year's song of the summer.

5. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
One of the coolest things about this band is how they brand themselves. To them, it's all about "a community of worshippers." Their mission statement is all about pursuing the heart of God, finding Him in every aspect of life, and expressing that through the freedom of worship.

6. This Must Be a Dream - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55wfl5lpoAM
I've mentioned it before, but the 1975's lead singer Matt Healy is an extremely intellectual guy. He seems to have some strong radical political ideas. And he's never afraid to speak his mind. I think that's why so many young people love his work, and follow him ardently.

7. She's American - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFYiOtjB608
Another new song from the 1975's new album. This one, at least to me, sounds extremely similar to some of the other ones from their previous album. I'm actually surprised at this, I tend to think of the 1975 as an extremely unique band. But this song isn't actually that unique to them. The lyrics are though!

8. Lego House - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4BLVznuWnU
While Sheeran is taking a break, it provides some time to really appreciate his older work. The lyrics are incredibly insightful and creative, marking him a true singer-songwriter. Sometimes it makes you wonder where these artists come up with these ideas!

9. From the Day - I Am They - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUjuRFwwvaw
The style of music from this band is extremely similar to Rend Collective, which is probably why I like them so much. It's extremely folk, and very catchy, which is kind of the direction that worship music seems to be veering towards these days.

10. Til the Day I Die - Toby Mac feat. NF - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWLZ_MrPplk
I've never really been a huge fan of Toby Mac, even though he's considered one of the best Christian artists of all times, just because of how he revolutionized the industry. To be honest, this is really the only song of his that I can listen to over and over.

Wednesday, 1 June 2016

Top Ten Songs for May

Surprisingly, there weren't too many new songs breaking onto my top ten list for May. Usually the month serves as the launching pad for summer songs, but there weren't many new summer songs released. Because of that, some new favourites returned to my list, as well as many from last month.

1. Tennessee Whiskey - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAThXFOy2c
I love the guitar work in this song, especially the slide guitar. Probably one of my favourite parts of country music is slide guitar. It's such an uniquely sounding instrument, really adding a whole new dimension to the genre of music.

2. Lost Boy - Ruth B. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuHdkSj5nGc
This is probably the only newer song that broke onto my list for the month. Apparently the song started off in a six second vine. From there, the artist got signed, released an EP, and has this song dominating radio play. Actually, it's quite surprising, usually slower songs like this don't get as much radio play.

3. This Must Be a Dream - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55wfl5lpoAM
The 1975 recently released their new music video for A Change of Heart, which once again showcased their intellectual and creative genius. This video particularly focused on their creative skills, which can be clearly demonstrated throughout their music as well.

4. Shine (Kygo Remix) - Benjamin Francis Leftwich - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u0JNlScNWs
I actually picked up on this song from a tweet that the lead singer of The 1975 sent out. It's another British singer songwriter, and this guy's probably the most unique of all of them. His vocals are so eerie, and actually, this remix dumbs down that feeling just a bit to create a more smooth song. But the original is great as well, as are a lot of Leftwich's other songs.

5. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
This song has caught on around Christian circles so much that other artists have begun releasing covers of the song. One such band who very recently released one such cover would be I Am They, whose hit song is From the Day. They released a cover that is extremely similar to the original, yet has some very different harmonies in it, vocally.

6. Lego House - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4BLVznuWnU
An older Sheeran song, but one of his best. This might actually be the song that launched his international stardom. Classic hip hop acoustic style, with unique lyrics, it's a perfect Ed Sheeran tune.

7. Fast Car - Tracy Chapman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTIB10eQnA0
This is one of those old classics that will always be one of my favourites of all time. I love when a song relies heavily on an unique acoustic lick like this one. You could sit there and play it all day, while adding certain variations, and just having fun with the basis of the song. Those small licks are what makes a song a classic, and so special.

8. Touch and Go - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2cR3zy38DU
One of the newer songs on my list, and it really isn't that new. It's from Sheeran's live album from the concert he played at Wembley which was a huge feat for him, selling out three straight nights at the venue. This song is actually probably one of my favourite upbeat songs from Sheeran, with him still relying heavily on his acoustic.

9. Fire Away - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18AhUXAILWE
Sometimes musician's schedules are absolutely insane. One minute they're non stop recording in the studio, the next playing a different venue in a different city every night, and the next traveling all over for promos. For example, Stapleton over the next few months is absolutely crazy.

10. Heartbeat - Matt Kearney - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acScCRFIFNc
One of the coolest things that you can see in a musician's career is the development of their skill. Matt Kearney's development is insane. He's stuck true to his original sound, but has gotten better and better with each year. This new album is so much better!

Monday, 9 May 2016

How To: Troubleshoot an Effect Pedal

Dawsons
Perhaps one of the most tricky, and most frustrating, aspects of owning an effect pedal would be when something goes wrong. The pedal doesn't work at all, or your sound gets some interference in the form of noise. Especially when you have it hooked up with a multitude of other pedals on a board, your whole system can be ruined just with that one weak link. And sadly, it isn't an easy fix solution. It takes a lot of time to fix, again especially if it is in a system on a board.

There are some different possibilities in regards to the problem when it comes to malfunctioning effect pedals. It could actually be something with your guitar, or the actual pedal, or the amp, or the cables, or the power supply, or the order of the pedals. Isolation is key to figuring out what exactly is the issue. Take each possibility in a step by step order. Plug just the guitar into the amp, use different cables, try using a different power supply, plug just the one pedal in. It takes time, but it truly is effective.

From there, the best option is to get a professional to take a look at your equipment, or simply swap out some of the cheaper equipment such as cables and such. You can try playing around with the wiring of the pedal or guitar (the input jack tends to be the issue with both), but you can create more problems for yourself when you try that. The best bet is to get it professionally fixed. But troubleshooting allows for you to not waste money, and correctly identify where you need to invest in order to create the best sound that you can.