A Very Proud and Humble Tutor

I am really proud of all my students (please call them musicians from now on). A glance through the videos on this page makes me feel happy that 'live' music will live on. Well done guys!!

Reading Rhythm Notation, Part I (Counting)

Standard notation, among other things, is a visual means of representing the pitch and duration of musical notes. Before we learn the pitches of the notes, let's learn to count some rhythms. This chart summarizes many (but not all) of the note values you'll encounter most often in written music:

From Bass-ically Speaking Click here to download this file

Bass Player Wanted

Blue Nation (Birmingham) are looking for a bass player.
You can contact Neil Murdoch through Facebook or their website.
www.facebook.com/bluenationmusic
www.bluenation.co.uk

John Miles - Upfront 1993

You'll probably remember "Music" from 1976, but I doubt very much else. In truth I felt John Miles lost the plot in the 1980's as he tried to embrace the 'synthesiser' age. I saw John Miles when he played an open air gig in at the "Wolverhampton Fiesta" West Park Wolverhampton in 1979 to promote the 'More Miles Per Hour' album. He best know nowadays as the touring guitarist and musical director with Tina Turner but in 1993 he released his last solo album. Nine years later it's on my ipod and it's and absolute joy to these ears. The bass playing in particular is well up in the mix and is played with some panache by Neil Stubenhaus (Barbra Streisand's and Quincy Jones' main bass player). It features the Miles penned song "Now That the Magic Has Gone"  which was recorded by Joe Cocker on his 1992 album 'Night Calls'. This alone is a shinning example of just how good, and sadly over-looked, song writer John Miles is. Just check out the opening track "Everything's OK" and you'll see why this is my 'discovery' of the year.

Van Halen - The Return