The Good Musician

This was on the wall of a rehearsal room I recently inhabited.
1. Thou shalt attend thy rehearsals with steady faithfulness.
2. Thou shalt not touch graven metal with thy bare hands.
3. Thou shalt not take thy sharps and flats in vain.
4. Remember thy performance dates and keep them holy.
5. Honor thy director that thy days be long upon the land.
6. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s bell assignment.
7. Thou shalt not tap thy foot with exceeding loudness.
8. Thou shalt not steal thy neighbor’s pencil.
9. Thou shalt return thy bells to their …read more

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Image details: Power 105.1’s Powerhouse 2005: Operation Takeover served by picapp.com
“Sly Fox” is old news by now. Nas nails it with class. This young hip-hop artist is right on the money with his rhythms and rhymes, his telling it like it is without resorting to cliches or puerile gesturing. Nas is wide awake and doing better journalism than the MSM.
He may be selling out somewhere, but not in his music. This Good Musician has a social conscience, incisive raps, wrapped up in compelling harmonies and precise, grooving beats.
Mr. Nasir Jones gets loads of love from AlterNet, one of my …read more

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The I Ching tells us that it furthers one to find a great teacher. The Good Musician has followed b5media’s own Darren Rowse for several years, and Darren is definitely my blogging guru. I use Problogger Tips as often as I refer to the Chicago Manual of Style for authoritative, useful, timely tips and ideas to help me think about blogging in a global, more productive way.
Darren has a Zen calm that shines through every blog post or vidcast he puts up. His generous, welcoming spirit makes you feel that he has just invited you into his living room expressly …read more

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The Good Musician loves great film music. Growing up with 50’s musical extravaganzas through the evolution to electronic and digital of today, I’m aware that what I hear in the movies is just as affecting as what I see. A great music and sound staff can pull a mediocre movie up to a decent one. Even though I have more than five favorites, I’ll try to be the Good Blogger and keep it short and sweet.
1. Kiss Me Kate (1953) Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson look fabulous and really wail on the Cole Porter score.
2. Psycho (1960) Pretty much the …read more

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The Austin Chamber Music Festival kicks off tonight with a special concert featuring Peter Bay conducting George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with pianist Michelle Schumann. Also on the program is the world premiere of University of Texas composer Dan Welcher’s “Four Personal Ads,” featuring soprano Mela Dailey. The Cecilia String Quartet tops off the evening with Gershwin’s “Lullaby.” The concert takes place at the Lady Bird Johnson National Wildflower Center, 4801 LaCrosse Avenue, Austin TX.
The festival continues throughout the week.
Saturday, July 12, 3:00 pm
Austin Chamber Music Festival: Wild Basin Winds
Mathew Krejc flute, Ian Davidson oboe, Steve Girko clarinet, Thomas Hale …read more

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Everything The Good Musician wants (and needs) to know about leveraging cool tech to be successful. The Austin Music Foundation Music Industry Boot Camp is a goldmine of tips and tools for artists and bands to integrate online Web 2.0 technologies and internet best practices to most effectively promote yourself and your music.
Best of all, Music Industry Boot Camp is free and open to the public!
Monday, July 14, 6:30 p.m., Scholz Garden, 1607 San Jacinto, Austin TX
Image details: Consumer Electronics Show Previews Latest Products served by picapp.com

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James and Gus photo by John Katz. Used with Gus’ permission.
The Good Musician interview with Dallas-based composer and sound designer, James Neel, principal of James Neel Music House. James is the very definition of “a musician’s musician.” And he’s been doing it for a long time. Maybe this interview will stir up some of the old gang to comment, hint, hint.
1. Who is your greatest unsung influence (as opposed to favorite famous composer/performer)?
Richard King Hamilton – now living in Los Angeles (incredible musician – all world). When I was a junior in high school, he showed me …read more

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OK. So what in the heck do you pack for a ten day tour in Central Europe? One bag allowance, which has got to hold music and concert gear. Not a lot of options after that, it’s purely a priorities and puzzle-solving game. Official papers and coin of the realm in my bum bag. Hmmm…

1 digital camera, batteries
1 pr. black Birkies
1 pr. black Footsmart closed shoes
1 pr. black knee his
7 pr. various undies
2 long-sleeved cotton shirts
4 short-sleeved cotton shirts
4 pr. trousers, casual to dress
1 journal
6 pens/pencils
2 thick paperbacks, sci-fi, historical NZ
3 qt. sized baggies of essential mini-toiletries, medication
5 pr. …read more

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Bruce created a robust body of information for all good musicians before he said goodbye to his colleagues at b5media. I encourage you to take advantage of his expertise in the music business. His Music 2.0 and Music 2.0 Bookshelf pages will move you smartly toward building your personal database of helpful tips and resources from expert bloggers, a must-have for The Good Musician’s business needs.
In this age of indie music producing and promotion, it behooves aspiring musicians to gain some practical knowledge in the business side of the profession. Many schools offer degrees in music management, but you …read more

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The Good Musician introduces a new project: TGM exclusive interviews with local Texas musicians.
Today we’re talking with Rick Blincoe, who just released his first solo CD, “Don’t Bet the Farm.” You can listen at Rick’s My Space page, or at CD Baby.
Rick has been a musician most of his life, and paid his dues down through the decades as a solo and band performer. You just can’t pigeonhole Rick. His musical influences come from classical, rock, jazz, country, and he distills his musical and life experiences into thoughtful, highly listenable material. In case you’re wondering, the reason his backup …read more

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