Everybody Speaks Music

In this episode of Everybody Speak Music, hosts Mojo Kemp and Kris Schulz discuss the concept of talent and innate born ability with their special guest Eli Slamang, a respected and influential guitar player in the Vancouver metal scene. Kris talks about how he inherited Eli from the great master, Kelly Brown, and how he helped nurture Eli's passion and talent for the guitar. Listeners are invited to share their perspectives on whether talent is something we're born with or something that we build and develop.

Main Section:
Kris shares his special relationship with Eli, whom he considers as close to a son as he has in the world. He talks about how Eli had a lineage of early training and how he put in more hours than anyone Kris had ever worked with. Eli's point system on the board was escalating at a dramatic pace, and other guitar players in the studio were taking notice. Mojo and Kris discuss the video clip of Eli playing with Marty Friedman at a concert in Vancouver, where Eli was invited on stage and played like a pro. Kris has clipped the audio for listeners to hear the event, and the YouTube link is available for those who want to watch it.

https://youtu.be/fs-RY_qMrdw

Conclusion:
Mojo and Kris wrap up the episode, thanking listeners for being a part of the show and raising their bar. They tease Kris's upcoming birthday show, which will be the 100th episode, and express their surprise at how fast they got there. The episode offers a glimpse into the making of a Vancouver metal scene guitar legend and raises thought-provoking questions about the concept of talent.

Episode 97  features an interview with bassist  and multi-instrumentalist  Dino DiNicolo.
 Dino is a monster bass player and dedicated student of the musical craft based out of North Vancouver B.C. Canada.
In this episode Dino talks about finding your true soul in the essence of who you are as a musician, and the importance of self-reflection and checking in with oneself.
We also discuss the love-hate relationship many musicians have with the metronome, and how Dino still uses it in every practice session.
Enjoy this inspiring episode and may it bequeath you a bountiful of bodacious grooves.

https://dinodinicolo.com/

https://www.rockyriobomusic.com/

Rocky has surprised and delighted audiences all throughout the province.  Multifaceted, multi-instrumentalist, Rocky brings the house down with every unforgettable show!  

A gifted voice, and born for the stage, influenced by Jo Stafford and Chet Baker, Rocky has been studying voice for over 20 years.   

On this episode we dive deep into the numeric/interval system for pitch control, effective vocal warmups, the value of a practice regiment and how great teachers learn from their students.

In today’s episode Mojo and Kris break down one of the most important elements of music, Key centers. Using familiar songs like Brown Eyed Girl, Kris illustrates how we can utilize and modify the chord progressions found inside keys to create endless options for creators.
We also touch on the overall ear training  benefits that unlock as a result of studying the musicality and familiarity of key centers.

Resources below

Key Chart 

 | I | IIm | IIIm | IV | V | VIm | VII*
 | C | Dm | Em | F | G | Am | B*
 | G | Am | Bm | C | D | Em | F#*
 | D | Em | F#m | G | A | Bm | C#*
 | A | Bm | C#m | D | E | F#m | G#*
 | E | F#m | G#m | A | B | C#m | D#*
 | B | C#m | D#m | E | F# | G#m | A#*
 | Gb  | Abm  | Bbm  | Cb  | Db | Ebm  | F*
 | Db | Ebm | Fm | Gb  | Ab | Bbm | C*
 | Ab | Bbm | Cm | Db | Eb  | Fm  | G*
 | Eb  | Fm | Gm | Ab | Bb  |  Cm | D*
 | Bb  | Cm | Dm | Eb | F | Gm | A*
 | F | Gm | Am | Bb  | C | Dm | E*

 |
 | Song | Artist | Key | Chords
 | 1 | A Horse With No Name | America | Em | Em-D/F#
| 2 | Stand By Me | Ben E. King | G | G-Em-C-D
| 3 | Free Falling | Tom Petty | D | D-Dsus4–Asus4-G
| 4 | Brown Eyed Girl | Van Morrison  | G | G-C-D-Em
| 5 | Good Riddance  | Green Day | G | G-Cadd2-D-Em
 | 6 | Heart Of Gold | Neil Young | Em(G) | Em-C-D-G
| 7 | Knockin’ On Heavens Door | Bob Dylan | G | G-D-Am-C
| 8 | Take It Easy | The Eagles | G | G-D-C-Em-Am
| 9 | Ain’t No Sunshine | Bill Withers | Am(C) | Am-Em-G-Dm
| 10 | Let It Be | The Beatles | C | C-G-Am-F
| 11 | House Of The Rising Sun | The Animals | Am(C) | Am-C-D-F-E
| 12 | Wagon Wheel  | Bob Dylan/Old Crow | G | G-D-Em-C
 | 13 | Redemption Song  | Bob Marley | G | G-Em-C-C/B-Am-D
 | 14 | Wheat Kings | Tragically Hip | G | G-C-D
| 15 | Last Kiss | Pearl Jam | G | G-Em-C-D
| 16 | Turn The Page | Bob Seger | Em(G) | Em-D-A-C
| 17 | Mother | Pink Floyd | G | G-C-D-F
| 18 | Elderly Woman | Pearl Jam | G | D-Cadd2-G-C-A-Em
| 19 | Hide Your Love Away | The Beatles | G | G-Dsus4-Fadd2-C-D-Dsus2
| 20 | Sweet Child O’ Mine  | Guns N’ Roses  | D | D-Cadd2-G-A

How Clear Channel Homogenized Pop Radio

https://5mag.net/news/iheartmedia-clear-channel-bankrupt/

In this episode of Everybody Speaks Music, Kris and Mojo are joined by Jazz Guitar Teaching Guru Kelly Brown. Kelly shares his insights on how to overcome physical limitations in music and provides tips on mastering rhythm, melody, and harmony. 

He also discusses how to plan an effective practice routine to maximize progress and improve overall musical ability.

Firstly, Kelly talks about the importance of understanding physical limitations and how they can impact your playing. He shares some personal experiences and how he adapted his technique to overcome his own limitations. Kelly emphasizes the importance of finding a comfortable playing position and developing a relaxed posture to minimize strain on the body.

Moving on to the topic of mastering rhythm, Kelly stresses the importance of developing a strong sense of timing and suggests practicing with a metronome to improve rhythm skills. He also talks about the benefits of playing with others and how it can help improve your sense of timing and groove.

When it comes to melody, Kelly advises focusing on developing a strong ear and learning to play by ear. He suggests practicing transcribing solos and melodies to develop this skill. He also highlights the importance of understanding music theory and how it can aid in creating melodic ideas.

Regarding harmony, Kelly recommends studying chord progressions and understanding how different chords fit together. He also suggests practicing chord inversions and voicings to create interesting and unique chord progressions.

Lastly, Kelly discusses the importance of having an effective practice routine and how it can help improve your playing. Kelly suggests setting specific goals and practicing in short focused sessions rather than long unstructured sessions. He also advises practicing in different environments to help develop adaptability and versatility.

Overall, Kelly provides valuable insights and tips for musicians looking to improve their playing abilities. From overcoming physical limitations to mastering rhythm, melody, and harmony, Kelly's advice is sure to benefit any musician looking to take their skills to the next level.

https://horizonschoolofmusic.ca/team/kelly-brown/

https://www.empowerthroughmusic.org/

In today's show, we have Kris and Mojo discussing their week leading up to the Empower Through Music fundraiser show. They share their experiences of facing their fears and overcoming obstacles to put on a great performance.

Segment 1: Mojo's Cold and the Show Must Go On

Mojo talks about how his voice was affected because of having a cold the week leading up to the show. He shares how he was concerned about his ability to perform at his best. But once the show started, there was no turning back, and he had to give it his all.

Segment 2: Kris' Nervousness and Challenges as a Producer

Kris discusses his own nervousness and issues surrounding his week as not only a performer but as the producer of the show. He shares how he had to deal with last-minute changes, and the pressure to ensure that everything ran smoothly.

Segment 3: Facing Fears and Putting on the Best Performance

Mojo and Kris discuss facing their fears and putting on the best performance they could. They talk about how they had to trust themselves and their abilities to deliver a great show despite the challenges they faced leading up to the event. They also share how the audience's positive energy and support helped them perform at their best.

James Testani is the founder of Good Guitarist, the online school that gets students up and running with six strings. Using Thinkific and Youtube, he’s helped students around the world develop their skills and discover the joy of making music.

Originally a traditional, one-on-one guitar teacher, James came to realize that his approach to learning guitar could be used universally. He started a YouTube channel to demonstrate simple techniques. His work struck a chord—before long, his followers were almost doubling overnight. Today, by using Thinkific, he brings the experience of one-on-one guitar lessons to thousands of students.

Podcast Promo Code:
25% off any course or bundle.
The code is: EverybodySpeaksMusic
Use it on any product here: https://courses.goodguitarist.com/

As a beginning musician you’ll often hear the advice to practice in a quiet place where no one will bother you and you can concentrate on what you’re doing.  

So in addition to your focused practice, I suggest some unfocused practice too.  That means two things here.  First, that can mean just sit down and play for awhile with no particular goals in mind.  Outside of your normal practice time, just spend time with you instrument and wail to the best of your ability and just enjoy playing.  After all, that’s why we learn in the first place, right?  Call it enjoying the fruits of your labor.

http://www.guitarnotesforbeginnersshq.com

http://www.zenguitar.com/

A very special episode for me (Mojo) today as we welcome my good friend, SJ Tucker to Everybody Speaks Music. I am absolutely over the moon that I could bring my two biggest mentors together for a first time meeting.

You know that old saying about not meeting your heroes? Not true in this case, my life is so much better for having met sooj!

SJ's Website: https://sjtucker.com/
SJ's BandCamp: https://sjtucker.bandcamp.com/
SJ's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sjtuckermusic
A whole page of SJ related links: https://sjtucker.com/links-of-interest/

Next to my dad, Ernie Britton has been my biggest musical influence. In todays episode we learn about Ernie’s early years as a piano prodigy and how the small town of Chilliwack B.C. holds a large key to the heart and soul of the West Coast music scene.

Enjoy this episode with one of the regions all time greats and please check out all of the links below to add more context and sonic inspiration to your listening experience.

Ernie, My Dad Manfred, Jerry Doucette, Pete Sweetzer, Geoff Ayre, & Terry Berg all star jam

https://youtu.be/sf-du_F-Mr0

Spotify Playlist of songs mentioned in the episode

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MyTwQnoIGmfnVkA0X0KGW?si=ePcURUGnRF6VnILVdSsnww

Some of Ernie’s bands mentioned in the episode

The Mystics

Toller Roche

Slippery Nickle

The Jones boys 

Homegrown

One of the best theory books for someone who is serious about learning the language of music. 

The Basis of Music: Book | Alfred Music

Steve Newton Article on some of the rich musical tapestry from Chilliwack.

Back in the 'Wack Vol. 2: The Lakers say "booking agents are parasites"

Youtube links for those without spotify access

Ain’t misbehavin’

https://youtu.be/PSNPpssruFY

Jeff Beck Group with Nikki Hopkins - Blues Deluxe (Greatest blues piano solo)

https://youtu.be/a7Fm-7N694o

A Tribute to musical mentor Lloyd Abrams from Gary Comeau

Lloyd Abrams (jazz piano/jazz harmony instructor) died Dec 20, 2019....

Here's a shout out to a man that through his patience & generosity changed the course of my life & rekindled the passion for music that continues to flourish to this day.

I studied with Lloyd for 5 years around ten years ago now.

He was always a joy to be around, talkin' music, retelling stories of his younger years in Toronto & California... In my early time with him I argued about why something was a #9 instead of a b3, memorized instead of reading, but he was always patient. Sometimes I would say.."I don't think I'll ever get this"..and he would come back with.."Don't worry, it will come".

.. Took years to digest the concepts

he was teaching. His lessons were 1 hour in length but sometimes the lesson would run 90 minutes. He saw that I had the love & fire for the piano & he norished that. He let me take his cd's

home and digest them. He would reminisce about the great flood of '48 & his boyhood time on the beach in White Rock. I learned a lot from Lloyd & I think of him every time I go near a piano...