Easy Arpeggios

An arpeggio is a chord played one note at a time rather than strummed all together (I'm talking guitar here) Using the notes of a C chord (C-E-G) I demonstrate a few easy ways to play a major, minor (C-Eb-G), augmented(C-E-G#) and diminished (C-Eb-Gb) arpeggio. Remember to hide most of the pick under your thumb and use the tip. I find that it minimizes the amount of movement your picking hand needs when you want to play fast.

this blogpost originated from nathanfleet.blogspot.com

Tweet Lessons and Tips

I am now tweeting short tips / lessons on Twitter. Follow me @nathanfleet twitter.com/nathanfleet

Santa Light Optical Illusion

Mixing it up. Listen up.

Recently I have been sending several film scores and theme songs to be approved before making final versions of songs. I mix in stereo and surround. I have a sub woofer that rumbles the house but chances are, iPhones and laptops do not have subs hooked up and that is where clients are now previewing work, on the go, on the bus, in the car or at a cafe.

While you want to make sure that your mixes sound amazing in a controlled environment like a theatre or home theatre set up, that is not always where your work will be previewed or even listened to in its finished format.

For example, I recently created a theme for a movie review podcast called Screamwave . I had bass drum percussion running through the piece and in my environment, my subs were booming and it sounded very cinematic. When I reviewed it on my laptop the drums were non existent. I went back to the recording session and added some taiko drum sounds that have a higher frequency and that brought the percussion pattern back to life when I reviewed it on my laptop.

Listen to these on your laptop / iPhone speakers to hear what I mean
Low drums original listen
Higher drums for laptop listen

Always listen to your mixes the way real people do. Laptop, iPhone, car, iPod, desktop speakers and your home theatre. Take the time, listen to your mixes, take ear breaks and enjoy the subtle differences a few changes can make.

This blogpost originated from nathanfleet.blogspot.com

Modern film composing

The video says it all.

The blank staff pocket book was bought in Hamilton from MIXED MEDIA on James St.N and made by a company called MOLESKINE. Lucky 7 is a modern noir film. Please visit www.lucky7movie.com to track the films progress.

Interesting how I amusing old school pencil and paper with new"ish" school iPod classic.

Speed Picking: Quick Tips

I've been teaching speed picking a lot lately and have a few quick tips on things you can do to perfect your technique. Back in the day I used to study the speed tricks from guys like Yngwie Malmsteen and Randy Rhoads. Fast forward to the now, I am glad I studied it but must admit I only use it selectively. While speed is impressive, it can often overstay it's welcome when you get too showy too often. The last run in the video example is from the song "Just Swing" which will be on Talk to the Machine.

Suggestion 1) Use speed if you hear it rather than trying to insert it to impress. If you were to talk to someone non-stop, no breath you'd become annoying quite quickly. With your guitar solos you can treat it like a conversation, use the speed to enhance a part(s) but don't neglect silence, slower rhythms and less scale runs.

See video below for tips 1-3.

Tip 1) Picking should alternate and be from your wrist, not your arm. If you look like you are sawing wood then you are using up too much energy and you will tire quickly. Relax.

Tip 2) You're pick should not be parallel to the string as it will create resistance. Instead you should angle the pick slightly so that your pick slices smoothly across the string.

Tip 2a) Make sure you only use the very tip of the pick on the strings. The rest should be tucked under your thumb. You will have much more control.

Tip 3) Don't swing your hand up and down. The farther away your pick is from the string, the less speed you will have. It should look like your hand is barely moving. Once you down-pick the edge of your pick should be on the underside of the same string. Minimize any space between pick and string.

Tip 4) Get a metronome and use it. Start your exercise or scale at a tempo that you can play without flaw. Gradually increase the speed and make note of the tempo where you start to get sloppy. That tempo will now be your goal. Go for accuracy over speed and be patient, the results will come.

I am by no means a speed master and I don't have the hours I used to but I know how to get it when I need it. Back in the day, I had the time and the discipline to practice my metronome speed exercises for a few hours a day. That is what it takes.

If you can't see the video go to the original post at this link.

This post originates from

nathanfleet.blogspot.com