Photo by Scott Pickering

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Song Of Truth Fast Tempo

Jonathan Malone (songwriter, worship leader, and pal 'o mine) wrote this with a little help from me.
No percussion on this demo version...If you were adding some percussion, what would be your choices? Comments?


Listen    Enjoy    Worship      Tell a friend


Wednesday, June 20, 2012

June Set Up Of The Month




Percussionist Marlon Lewis shared these photos of his set up.  The Maryland musician has the goods to groove AND create some color with Mark Tree, Rain Stick, Chajchas, Togo Seed Rattle, Thunder Tube tm , and Finger Cymbals.





Friday, June 15, 2012

Creativity



Steve Jobs said,  "Creativity is just connecting things."

That statement has the ring of truth.  Keep in mind that you have to collect those "things" so that you can have a stockpile in your brain at the ready when the creative moment is needed.  That is why it is important  to explore and grow as musicians.  LIsten to different styles of music...including pieces WITHOUT percussion. Check out methods of playing other than your favorites.  Read up on the newest innovations that you cannot afford...yet!  Attend concerts and clinics presented by great players that will inspire (and humble).

This "collecting for connecting" extends outside of music.  Studying other fields (history, visual art, dance, math, astronomy) can spark creativity in music.  

Devote some of your practice time to creativity. Improvise. 

As percussionists, our number of instruments keeps growing, the sources of educational media increases, and players continue to push the technical limits.




Be a lifelong learner.

Connect and Create !





Intelligent people are always ready to learn.  Their ears are open to knowledge.

Proverbs 18:18 New Living Translation
Scripture quotation from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

What techniques do you use to spark creativity?



Thursday, June 7, 2012