Isn't it funny how synergies or serendipidies occur? I am just getting ready to start the Specialist Blues, Rock and Jazz guitar program at Berklee on Monday (so excited) and I was clearing out some old guitar lessons and I came across some photocopies of the Martian Love Secret lessons by Steve Vai from 1989 (!!!). I actually had the original magazine (from which I made the copy) and I remember reading and devouring the lessons as a teenager. There was something about these lessons which really spoke to me, and changed the way I approached the guitar and even more dramatically life. I really recommend you give them a read if you need to be inspired and are looking for something beyond some simple guitar exercises.I had seen Steve Vai performing the year previously (1988!) with David Lee Roth on the Skyscraper tour and that had been a revalatory experience too, it is funny that all these years later I am finally embarking on the course I wanted to all those years ago.Believe in yourself and your dreams"I am that....."PeaceNeil
Creative Branding and the musician
I found this article by Deane particular informative, interesting and thought provoking as it hits home something which I know I struggle with endlessly and I also know a number of you out out there also struggle with the same issue...how do I brand myself as a creative person or even as a freelancer? Especially as we have to deal with wearing multiple hats on different days to get different gigs and work. I have to say though, I really like the approach Deane has about being blunt about what you do, the idea of outposts is very important too, I don't think Facebook is the place to have a base, it is here (well for me) at your domain and Facebook is the bar/coffeeshop you go to socialise and tell people about what you are doing....then get them to come and look at your base. The question is crucial though...who am I?EnjoyPeaceNeil
Careers in Orchestration and composing for film
Just came across this video and it really does make some interesting points about how to survive a career in orchestration and composing for film. I have to say that it is brutal honest piece, which is very refreshing! Let me know your thoughts!PeaceNeil
Steve Vai - Back in black
Came across this new video of Steve Vai and 2Cello's doing a cover of ACDC's back in black and I had to post a link to it as it certainly made me smile, it took me back to being 15 again, just joyously appreciating rock and roll and it's simplicity! The same feeling I remember when I first saw the video for Steve Vai's The Audience is listening, which was how cool it is to simply just rock out on the guitar!Hope it brings a smile to your face too.EnjoyPeaceNeil
Interesting Article : How to be productive
I just came across this article, and given that I am in the midst of my Daily Creation Challenge, I thought it was apt to see another approach on how to be productive. I am not sure I fully agree with all the points raised, but on the whole there are some great nuggets of advice in there. The #dcc has certainly taught me what makes me productive, whilst some of the elements are contained within the article, I think part of the process was discovering, 'how I work best' and 'what do I need to enable me productive'. For me the main thing is time pressure, time limits really focus the mind, and all the extraneous stuff (e.g. worrying about what people will thing etc etc) go out the window and the job gets done...which ultimately is what we all want to achieve!PeaceNeil
Google Nexus 7 and BBC iPlayer not working
Not sure if anyone else is having this problem, where the the fantastic BBC iPlayer doesn't install or work on the equally fantastic Google Nexus 7. Well fear not, it is actually relatively to sort out. Basically, Adobe Flash Player 11 doesn't install with the new version of Android (Jelly Bean), and it seems that the only way to install it is manually via an apk. The very helpful people here have provided links to the two apks. Once downloaded, click install and you are good to go!PeaceNeil
Passive income and freelancing
I guess the goal of most creative types is to gain some form of passive income from existing work to fund new projects and actually gain some income from the material you produce. There are many ways currently of doing this, from stock photography to the more traditional licensing of works (e.g. music libraries). Getting material up can be a bit of a slog sometimes, and I find some of the terminology and hoops some companies make you go through to upload material can be a little of putting (but I guess this ensures quality control!).Anyway, I digress, I have just come across this website and it really good insight and loads of useful information, so I thought would share it with you!PeaceNeil