Composing George Winston Style

Writen by Edward Weiss

If you’re a fan of New Age piano, no doubt you’ve listened to some of George Winston’s music. What I find fascinating about his songs is how he creates them. Most improvisers/composers start with the melody, usually because it’s the easiest way to begin.

What George does is start with the background. He creates an aural canvas over which he improvises the melody. This is an excellent way to create with because once you have the chord changes for the first 8-bars or so, you’ve pretty much finished a section of music.

Now after Winston gets his (A) section, it’s another textural background that will usually make its appearance for the (B) section. The beautiful thing about this method is that it really frees up the right-hand! Once your left hand is playing the background, you are able to create melody easily. It’s like a lead guitar player creating a solo while the band lays down the rhythm and chord changes. In fact, George Winston has referred to his left hand as the rhythm section.

Creating the background first is just another way to compose/improvise. There is absolutely nothing wrong with going with the melody first if that is what inspires you. However, it’s good to know how others are creating so you can learn from them.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music’s online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!

Marc Antoine Mediterraneo Smooth Jazz CD Review

Writen by Clyde Dennis

The very talented Spanish guitar playing Marc Antoine has once again created some of the worlds most beautiful music with the release of his latest CD, Mediterraneo.

Antoine, now clearly on a roll, has developed himself into one of those rare musicians who upon hearing them gives you the impression that he is in total command of his instrument. Causing it to perform in a way that no one else can, or would dare try to duplicate.

I have myself been a big Marc Antoine fan for a few years now but this is by far the most awesome, creative and inspiring work he has produced.

It is an excellent smooth jazz CD and just about the only thing playing in my CD player these days. Listening to it over and over again, I’m finding there’s always something I failed to hear the first, second, third… tenth time.

Mediterraneo is a gem of a CD in that there are literally no wasted tracks. Each one is a masterpiece.

There is just something about GOOD Spanish guitar that engages your imagination and transports you to new and exotic locations. Not to mention the grand smile that it produces. I guess what I’m saying is it generates happy music.

Overall Mediterraneo is smile producing stuff. What I call, must have music. I give it two thumbs up.

Even the casual smooth jazz fan will appreciate and enjoy Antoine’s very nice chord changes, and good mix of styles.

The standout tunes are Funky Picante [track 2], Mediterraneo [track 3], and Senor Groove [track 7]. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 9, Lady. Very nice!

Release Notes:

This CD was originally released September 23, 2003 on the Rendezvous record label.

CD track list follows:

1. Cuba Nova
2. Funky Picante
3. Mediterraneo
4. Preludio
5. Castellana Hood
6. Afromenco
7. Senor Groove
8. Gotham
9. Lady
10. Gringo
11. Alejandro’s Lullaby

To hear samples of each song on this CD go to Marc Antoine CD – Mediterraneo [ www.smoothlee.com/music-samples/marc-antoine-mediterraneo.htm ]

Clyde Lee Dennis, a.k.a. “SmoothLee” is an AVID music fan, smooth jazz in particular, and in addition to writing CD Reviews for http://www.ILoveSmoothJazz.com can also be heard during his radio show which airs online daily at Smooth Jazz 24/7

Acoustic Guitar Sound Reflects Craftsmanship

Writen by Ben Franklin

A guitar is made for creating all kinds of music be it classic rock, flamenco, country music. It’s a wonder that same instrument can be used to produce such a wonderful array of music.

Acoustic Guitar: An acoustic guitar is one that is made of dried wood. This is most important thing to note, that wood needs to be dried either naturally or using artificial methods. In all old times the wood was dried up for up to three years without picking up the wood again to make the guitar. Let’s look at various parts of an acoustic guitar.

Bridge Unit: This is most important part of guitar as the sound is generated here only. The bridge picks up the vibrations produced by strings (not the whole unit, but the part where the strings touch) and transmits it to the bridge unit, into the sound chamber. The vibration is then amplified using the chamber arrangement, bounced through the struts (they are fan-shaped for classical and box-shaped for acoustics), then pushed out from the sound hole. In case plastic bridge is used, you must drop that guitar immediately. An ebony bridge works wonders on the guitar. Ebony is dense solid wood. However since ebony is expensive you could consider rosewood and ash. This unit is solidly glued to soundboard. This is why you need to make sure that you are buying a guitar with great bridge.

Body of guitar: If body of the guitar is made form plywood it’s not a good guitar at all. An acoustic guitar is an extremely precise instrument. The front of guitar should be made of maple and the back panel is made form different kind of wood. Even though the wood is different, they should be mirror images of each other. If they are not, the guitar was not made by a good craftsman. The sides are also made from third kind of wood.

Some guitars are kept unvarnished. This is done as some people believe that guitar wood is reshaped over time as you start playing.

End block: The front and back of the guitar is joined using an end block. A dense wooden end block is good for guitar. Inspect guitar well and if the soles guy tell you not to, just walk away. Do not spend several hundred dollars on something that is not precise.

Neck of guitar: Acoustic Guitars have a neck glued to the body. The neck needs to be installed only after the end block has been attached and the glue has been dried. The drying of glue should have happened several months before.

When you are buying a guitar, pay attention to whatever you have in front of you. Do not buy the guitar that’s not made with precession. A good acoustic guitar has all the above characteristics. Acoustic guitar will give great music only if it has been crafted by a master craftsman not just any body.

More Resources

Acoustic guitar. http://www.topguitarlesson.com Electric guitar.