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Thursday, April 14, 2011

Feel The Guitar

Feel The Guitar

The reason why most people who try to play the guitar and are not “up to snuff” is that they give too easily. The problem with these people is that they tend to think that there is something wrong with them and why they simply cannot get the strings to sound right.

In reality, falling short in learning to play the guitar is not based on the capability of the person but more on the kind of style he is using. If he is trapped in a certain level of progress in guitar playing, it should likewise not be blamed on the person but on the kind of approach that he used.

When things like these happen, the only way to get going is to change the style to achieve remarkable results.

In fact, 8 out of the 10 people who were asked what made them continue learning to play the guitar, they answered that it was because they used a wonderful technique that some people take for granted. This approach is known as “feeling the beat.”

People who are considered experts in playing the guitar insist that the only distinction that sets a good guitarist apart from a distinguished guitarist is based on how they apply the approach “feel the beat” to their tune using their instrument.

The basic argument here is that trying to get things going by simply feeling the beat while you play the guitar will absolutely change your style of learning and playing the guitar. When people try to feel the beat as they play the instrument, they get to internalize the pulse of the music as it flows from the strings out to the audience.

This is probably the same reason why some people insist that music is the language of the soul. It is basically the main idea of using this kind of approach.

Music experts assert that it is how the great composers and singers stand out from the rest. When musicians learn to feel the beat, they tend to put the notes into their system and let every tone flow along with the beat of their heart.

The question now is: how do you start feeling the beat. Here are some tips to get started:

1. Internalize the beat

When you want to learn how to play the guitar you must get your emotions ready. Try to feel the beat by listening to the music and bridge a connection between your feelings and the music.

The very core of this approach is to feel the beat of the music flowing into your system.  Once you get the beat connected to your system, take hold of your guitar, and start hitting those strings. Try not to play a song that you already know. The idea is to release the feeling and let the notes flow with what you feel.

2. Play by the ear

As soon as you learn how to feel the beat, you can start playing by ear; this is when you can play the song on your guitar just by listening to it over and over again.

Historical reports show that some great musicians learn to play the instrument by using this approach, because once they start to sense the pulse of the song; they gradually pluck the notes and begin to play the song as they continue to play.

Most people who play the guitar and write songs do not simply use those tabs and musical sheets. They just try to fathom the song by “playing by ear.”

The bottom line is that learning to play the guitar does not have to be rigid and strict or why guitar playing is not specifically exclusive for those talented in music. The instrument is available for everyone, young and old, big and small, boy and girls.
The idea is to take some time to learn the instrument. Trying to feel the beat does not happen in a snap. You have to allot adequate time to start putting the notes into your system.

The truth is that people who failed to learn guitar playing simply lacked the time and patience to do all of these things. Becoming an expert in what you do is simply having the time for it, and if you do, you will start to get the ball rolling and the notes flying in the air.

To get started or to dominate further I recommend this brilliant online guitar course/software that people are raving about.  Check it out 



Global Market Trends of The Entertainment Industry

Global Market Trends of The Entertainment Industry

When it comes right down to it, the global market for Entertainment is divided into 2 main sections:  “The New West” (mainly US, Australia, UK with Asia and Africa following) and “The Old West” (Mainly Europe, South America including Mexico, Middle East and Greenland).  For one of a better definitions, let’s call it “New School & Old School Market Trends”

When it comes to the industry of promotion, marketing and advertising, the Old school has NO market (especially for the indie artist).

To better explain this let’s look at 2 main examples:

1.)   - Think of TV & Radio (which is the main tool for promotion and marketing).  TV and radio is built on, and run by advertising and marketing.  Without it money cannot be generated for the programmes that are shown.  The more popular the programme = the more money that people will spend on advertising during that programme, this then dictates the time on which the programme will be shown to maximize it’s audience.  Prime time programmes are where the most popular shows are shown and therefore the more expensive advertising.

2.)   – Sponsorship.  The Superbowl is one of the biggest sporting events in the US.  This is not only just due to the TV (prime time) position but also due to the sports sponsorship.  Millions is spent on the sport making it a lucrative industry.  Players are then paid for this and everyone makes money.  Notice how woman’s football, cricket, baseball and le-cross fail to excel to the same level in the US?  This is simply because the advertisers and sponsors see no value in these sports so no money is moved around them.  Outside the US: The Commonwealth games is only important to Commonwealth Countries and therefore the market trends are focused there….Anyone in Europe care about Cricket?  So will the European market invest money in it?.......No.

So basically from these simplified examples we can determine that within the realm of entertainment, the value is set by the sponsorship and advertising market.

“The Old School & New School” global attitudes work differently with market trends and therefore the Entertainment industry market will do also.  There are pros and cons to both the “The Old School” attitude, and “The New School” depending on your area of industry.  This article will focus on the Entertainment industry.


Most English speaking countries are considered to be, or are on their way to becoming, the “New West” market (mainly US, Australia, UK with Asia and Africa following) when it comes to the entertainment industry.  Heavy on fluff, flash and sparkle, this industry is like a giant “used car salesman’s” pitch.  US heads this market with Hollywood and LA being famous globally for it’s Entertainment market.  Musicians and Actors around the world know from a young age that this is the Mecca to make it in for their career path, even before they have any market knowledge.  This is highly due to it’s market attitude that stems back to the New York Broadway days.  The glitz and glamour that flows through recordings and Film/TV is felt globally and even the “Old West” and non-US markets are dazzled by it.  Large amounts of money moves around it.  Big businesses and companies sponsor it and ceremonies like the Oscars award those who bring these companies high returns on their investments.  Like the sporting example above, if you can bring the people to the movie seats, and make a profit for the movie studio, you will be awarded and can then charge more for your next project.
This is the same with music and its industry:  Promote and get popular = more advertising and sponsorship = Lucrative career for the artist/entertainment business.  This may mean that you will have to dive into the seedy world of the used car salesman and all its flash and pitches, especially today when the indie artist needs to be their own marketer/manager.

WARNING:  This will not work in the landscape of “The Old West” (Mainly Europe, South America including Mexico, Middle East and Greenland).



This market was not built on the same ‘used car salesman’ history.  The attitude here is of “The Straight Shooter” approach.  All glitz, glamour, pitches and flash is pointless.  This is an honest market, straight forward and to the point.  Precision and targeting is what makes this market the most powerful in the world for just about every business market that exists…….Every market, except the Entertainment market!  Unfortunately this market involves so much of the “Used Car Salesman” that it can not survive in the world of “The Straight Shooter”.  Although a great environment for live shows and artistic attitudes, the career industry beyond that is barren.  Musicians here lack the will and sometimes drive to further their career as they have been brought up knowing this barren wasteland and resign their tool of trade to a hobby or weekend interest.  How many foreign films make it big?  How many European bands can you Name?  Therefore will sponsors and investors back this market?......No!



The internet has thankfully given those in “The Old West” hope and belief that they too can call out from beyond this barren wasteland to be heard by those in the land of milk & honey.  Those still hungry enough and driven enough to go on can find a place where “The New West” can hear them.  Maybe it’s there they can make it….And then they can return as “Used Car Salesman” to a career entertaining “The Straight Shooter”

Memphis Nights
Songwriter, Musician and Producer.