Back in the Tin Pan Alley days, music publishers bought and printed sheet music of composers and lyricists, and sold them through retail concessions and licensed agents.  In commonality with today, artists tried to reach their consumers directly by having their music performed in dance halls, bars, and other variations.  The advantage would go to the publishers in the early eras,  and unlike social media and internet musicians of today, who have gained the marketing and market freedoms.

From the early 1880′s the major players in the industry were Edison Phonograph, Victor Talking Machine, and Columbia Phonograph companies.  These companies dominated the upcoming decades by signing performers, owning patents for years to come, and eventually creating relationships with early radio.  The records and artists not the machines would become their primary source of profits.  Over the passing years of the 20th century, merging, radio relationships, and technological advancements finally gave birth to EMI, Warner, MCA, Sony, and Columbia.  These companies changed with the technology, from vinyl records, to cassettes, and even with the launch of MTV and compact discs in the early 80′s.

The question now is whether technology has taken complete control of the industry and passed the torch directly to the consumers.  Digital downloading has given away to a massive dynamic change in the industry, followed by an even more challenging pirating issue.  Everyone has experienced, or read about Metallica-various bands and napster lawsuits for MP3, CD ripping, and file sharing. The argument and challenge is not just for massive record companies, but for the struggling everyday musician.  The music industry reported in 2008 that overall sales were down $10.3 billion in the U.S. markets and $19.4 billion globally.  Major bands such as Radiohead have broken away from labels, and had huge success with independently releasing the album In Rainbows.  Numerous reports claim the band sold $10 million dollars worth of downloads at an average of $6 per download, although it was offered for free.  The big discussion is whether Radiohead would have been able to achieve this without the prior advertising and marketing promotions of EMI for over a decade - before the band broke away?

Many artists are utilizing technology to their advantage, Youtube, Myspace, Facebook, and various social media networks.  Independent bands are finding independent recording studios to help them with album production, and other fun niches.  Apple has found strategic ways of design thinking, and are one of the top innovators in capturing the modern music industry.  Itunes, Ipods, Ipads, and Iphones are just a few ways they are innovating the industry, and gaining a competitive advantage.  Itunes may gain more successful future returns if pirating networks eventually begin to gather a conscience and realize that they are indeed stealing music, and in many cases stealing from individual musicians and not even necessarily companies.  Another company trying to gain a competitive advantage is Live Nation, who started in 1964 as a promotion firm signing artists like Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones.  Currently Live Nation is producing 16,000 concerts annually, for 1,500 artists, in 57 countries, which includes selling 45 million tickets to roughly 150 venues.  Live Nation has acquired all rights to events at Hollywood’s Palladium, London’s Wembley Arena, all House of Blues venues, and numerous others.  Along with these acquisitions they have developed 500 corporate sponsorships, merchandising, and all venue concession services.

The reason for talking about all this is to help independent musicians understand the complexity of the business in this millennium.  Everyone in the industry needs to be actively asking themselves the questions about tackling the future.  How will they market, find a market niche, create music, navigate social media networks, find proper touring management, and most of all make a gain in a dynamic industry? This doesn’t just apply to the artists, but record companies, independent studios, tour managers, talent advisors, and anyone entering the industry.  A few big questions for many are, will their even be room for new artists to sign a 12 year-6 cd deal?  Will the the record company be able to afford the marketing expenses, if a majority of the album sales are forgone because of pirating?  Can an artist get a reliable deal afterwards with a large venue provider, and would it be mutually beneficial?  After looking at numerous financial statements from many of these companies, it seems like the future is very clouded, and could use a few new creative design thinkers and artists to help them move forward.  Perhaps a positive sign is that Arcade Fire a fairly unknown and independent band from Canada, won album of the year this year, over many other highly marketed artists.  Could it be a sign that independent bands, through creative marketing, and independent brand image are demonstrating what the future might hold?

It has long been rumored that players like Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, B.B. King, Wes Montgomery, Miles Davis, Jimmy Page, and a list a mile long had no formal training. Although it may be true, I’m pretty sure every one of these players did not play by ear alone, and both Paul McCartney and John Lennon could write multi-part harmonies in sheet music form.  Jimmy Page inherited the idea of playing his guitar with a bow from his childhood instructor.  B.B. King has long spoken of his arpeggios and scales he uses to practice and warm up before gigs.  Miles and Wes might not have known anything about instruction, but I’m sure some of the great players they practiced with taught them something.

Many people are discouraged from playing music and adopting a new hobby, because they claim not to have any ability.  It is something we hear daily and not just with music, but in sports, education, and life itself.  Everything in life can be improved with a little effort and practice.  Even with numerous States cutting music from most educational institutions, a few free outlets exist to learn from.  So put down the remote, cut back on internet surfing, and don’t be afraid to try a new hobby you’ve always thought about.  I promise with a little practice you will be full of new ideas and achievements that won’t come during those 20 minutes of commercials every hour on the TV.

Finding your groove is like starting an organization, after all music is actually a business.  So without finding the proper starting point, building trust, and being comfortable at a very basic stage you would not want to invest your greatest creativity.  Hopefully this will be a lifetime of great decisions, including having others to trust and share in the journey.  Sure luck is a very important component in being successful, but so is being able to handle the opportunity when it presents itself.  If your art is solid and gets the chance, it is crucial you consider the outcomes and build a foundation.  Make sure the people working with you in a recording studio, engineering phase, management, consulting, or touring have your best interest.  If things don’t seem like they are in order, keep on networking, and stay true to your ideas.  In this musical world you will know if your finding your groove.

I started considering where these artists were from, where they were when they created music, and what seasonal tendencies encompassed their recordings.  Although many other cultural factors could also play a major role in music, I would argue that weather and climate are more influential.  Even more interesting was studying musical styles that have emerged from different continents, with different languages, cultures, and political machines.  Did the weather bring about Reggae, Indie Rock, Punk, Metal, Blues, Classical Era’s, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Latin, Pop, Indian, Asian, and African movements?  Did everything just evolve over time, or globalize over the last century?  Discussions could totally disregard weather – in pursuit of culture – but exploration into regional weather might suggest different explanations into how art has diversified.

I have noticed blockades in my own creativity while composing music.  Mostly involving the atmosphere that local weather has produced while living in certain climates.  Why do so many countries share a commonality in music, even though their cultures and politics are very different?  Would Bjork sound the same composing music on a beach in Hawaii?  Would Jack Johnson compose the same music in Iceland?  Would U2, Modest Mouse, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, and Nirvana have had the same sound if their music was composed in the Caribbean?  Were the Beatles travels to exotic places influenced through culture and politics, or did the weather and climate play a bigger factor?  Why do certain days call for a certain ambience, even though you might not understand the lyrics?  Does music and weather work together in their perfect harmony?

Constructive criticism is perhaps the hardest to listen to.  This criticism might hurt the most, because it is honest, straight-forward, and designed to help you understand what you’re missing.  I have found that this form of criticism often comes my way when I’m unprepared, didn’t practice enough, played a certain song-or showcased art I really shouldn’t, or was trying to be something I wasn’t.  This was also the hardest type for me to take, because it exposed my weaknesses.  Through the years this humbling criticism has helped me improve in ways I didn’t expect.

Destructive criticism may not always be easy to recognize, but it should be.  This is the kind where you gave everything you had on a silver platter, including your heart.  You created something, performed, or accomplished something you never thought you would.  Then somebody tells you it was awful, or they didn’t care for what you did.  I could describe this scenario more, but I’m sure we’ve all been through it.  My best advice for this scenario is to recognize your best effort, and although there is always room for improvement-take time to enjoy your accomplishments.

Uninformed criticism is a kind we read in magazines, see on television, or experience more than we know.  Everyone has personal beliefs based on experiences, cognitive development, and opinions. Have you ever listened to a record you loved and your friend said it was terrible?  Have you ever stared at artwork for hours, which nobody else seemed to understand and enjoy?  Stylistic variation is very complex in nature, Aristotle and Plato spent a lifetime of pondering these things.  Why did every Led Zeppelin album get bad reviews driving them to put their last record out in a brown paper bag?  Why did Jeff Tweedy and Wilco have so much trouble releasing Yankee Hotel Foxtrot?  Why are so many great artists remembered after a tragic event, but never recognized before?  How come you were denied by a venue after you turned in a demo package they never listened to?  Sometimes things don’t make sense and are misunderstood.  Perhaps were in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Maybe were all a little misunderstood.  Then again, we are all living our own lives in different motions.

Criticism is an art in itself, sometimes constructive, destructive, or uniformed.  It should never be taken so personal you give up.  Learn from others, create on your own, and give the world something new.  It takes a tremendous amount of courage to make art, it takes even more to share it.  It is easy to give up on your passion, and even easier for someone else to criticize it.  Why do some people give up on their dreams so easily these days?  Criticism is just a test of will, art is a translation of your spirit, and I hope to get a chance to share in your creation somewhere in my lifetime.

• Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival located an hour outside of Nashville in Manchester, Tennessee.  The festival last four June days, brings in the largest acts of the summer, including comedy, has RV rentals on location in case your a high roller, or you can bring your own RV if a tent is not suitable.  This festival truly has taken the cake for summer festivals in the United States, every year seems to get better.  Make sure not to miss the ten year anniversary of Bonnaroo in 2011.
• Cochella Music and Arts Festival located in sunny Indio, California.  Typically kicks of the summer of festivals in late April, and brings some of the worlds largest acts.  The three day festival is a great way to catch some great acts, if Bonnaroo is to far to travel from the West Coast.  Coachella tends to have a more Indie Rock geared culture, but has been fairly diverse over the past decade.  If you like large scale festivals, camping under palm trees, multiple stages, beautiful mountain scenery, and awesome art-this festival is a can’t miss.
• Sasquatch Music Festival takes place over Memorial Day Weekend, and last for three days.  This festival takes place at the Columbia Gorge Amphitheater in George, Washington.  Every Memorial Day brings in the top Indie Rock, Alt-country, Punk, and Grunge talent.  The Sasquatch Music Festival is the ultimate tribute to the Northwest music scene, which has dedicated itself to producing so many great acts in the last fifty years.  This is another great camping festival experience, located on a plateau above the Columbia River, you’ll find plenty of gorgeous sunsets here.  Watch out!  Temperatures have been known to climb to a 100+ degrees, while local show vendors can charge more than an arm and leg for bottled water.  Hint bring plenty of water, daytime coverage, and pray for some of that great Northwestern cloud coverage to cool things off.
• Mile High Music Festival, located nine miles outside of Denver, Colorado.  This will mark the third year of the festival this August, and does not allow overnight camping.  Although relatively new on the Festival scene, this music fest really packs in a diverse lineup, with some major headliners.  Do not take the folks in Denver lightly, I predict this two day festival will become more than just a two day soon.  This years festival brings in high talent, but doesn’t bolster a lot of small indie talent.  I prefer camping festivals, but with this years lineup-I won’t be passing this one by.
• South by Southwest Music Festival located in Austin, Texas is quite unique.  Austin has always been a great music town for up and coming talent.  This unique festival brings in over 200 bands that perform in clubs and bars around Austin.  Primarily raw talent, and newcomers swarm into this scene.  Just because you might not recognize everyone on the ticket, doesn’t mean your head won’t turn.  This event surely brings in some of the best independent talent from around the globe.  Think of this festival as Austin City Limits on steroids.
• New Orleans Jazz Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana–takes place over two weekends.  This festival is not just Jazz with the likes of Simon and Garfunkel, BB King, Pearl Jam, Widespread Panic, Van Morrison, George Clinton to name a few.  If I had to pick one festival that truly represents the full music spectrum this is it.  New Orleans has long provided music and culture like nobody else, and this two week festival is no joke.  Some of the best blues and Jazz the world can provide, in one of the original origins of those genres.  With over ten ticket packages available to cruise through a massive lineup of music, in one of the most unique cities in America-you must see this once in your lifetime.
• The Telluride Music Festival located in Telluride, Colorado.  Primarily a bluegrass, and grass roots festival, this festival features various Country, Folk, Bluegrass, Classical, and Jazz artists.  A very low key festival in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.  This festival has remained a gem in rough for a long time, but with Phish and some other larger groups playing shows in Telluride this summer don’t be surprised if this festival grows exponentially in the near future.  It is approaching its 40th year anniversary, and has events that last from July to mid August.
• The High Sierra Music Festival located in Quincy, California is another diamond in the rough.  This festival is typically held for 4 days over the Fourth of July weekend.  It showcases some of the best jam bands, reggae, jazz, bluegrass, and numerous other genres.  It has some exceptional camping spots, and won’t disappoint anyone looking to see some great music.  The town is surrounded by hiking, and plenty of outlets to keep you entertained for your Fourth of July weekend.

Music festivals are popping up around the country, but these festivals are truly some of the highlights of the year.  If you love music, concerts, camping, meeting great people, and have never experienced a music festival, there has never been a better time to give it a go.  If you have been to a great festival this year I haven’t listed let me know, so I might be able to check it out someday.

I started searching the internet for numerous luthiers, checking ebay, and taking whatever steps I could to find something that really hit that special place with me.  After awhile I began to think that I wouldn’t find the right guitar, because their were so many different luthiers.  I remember feeling completely overwhelmed, so I took a break for about a month to ponder thoughts in my mind.  Totally out of coincidence the first time I jumped back on the computer, I found Equator Instruments.  I started looking through photos of the guitars that David had built, and was totally blown away at the craftsmanship.  It was exactly what I was looking for, and everything I had been hoping to find.

I wanted a hollowbody guitar made from Koa wood, that could handle whatever genre I wanted to play.  David had the master plan for me, he designed everything perfectly, listened to my questions, and had everything in fine tune.  David was probably the easiest person I have ever done business with.   He used the finest woods, and had nearly every kind of wood imaginable to choose from at the highest grade.  I remember last summer having a difficult time sleeping, waiting like a goofy impatient kid-who wants to open a gift.

Finally in late June I received an email that my guitar was on its way.  A few days later a packaged showed up on my doorstep, which I stared at for two hours.  I got the nerve to open it, and couldn’t believe my eyes, all the waiting was finally over.  The first thing I noticed was the aroma of a fine cigar box, and the great lacquer finish.  I plugged the guitar into my mesa boogie amp, and played for five hours straight.  The fretboard was like nothing I have ever experienced, and had the perfect radius.  It was almost a cross between a PRS and Gibson neck built into one.  The ebony tailpiece, and free floating bridge made for incredible bending and feel.  The tones were rich, and could sustain forever, especially under distortion.  It has been almost a year, and I still have not figured out all the tones this guitar can produce, it was everything I waited for and more.  Thank you David for building such an incredible peace of art, a piece of art that keeps creating more every time I pick it up.

Please check it out the site for yourself, homepage.html http://www.equatorinstruments.com/

Buying guitars was never any easier than my music hopping.  I have owned Gibsons, Fenders, Ibanez, Martins, Taylors, and played everything that the giant wall at the guitar store has to offer.  I finally settled in with a Paul Reed Smith Hollowbody electric, which has been a great friend for quite awhile.  Still, something always interested me about all these different luthiers making custom guitars.  I asked, “Why should I want to buy a custom guitar?”  These were a few answers I came up with.

• Firstly they are 100% hand crafted, and not manufactured
• You choose everything, the wood, the wood quality, the neck, tuners, electronics, even shape and dimensions.
• The wall of guitars at the store will never have your custom guitar hanging there with 50 other Gibson standards that were manufactured, that look the same as all the other Gibson standards on another stores wall.
• You will never forget the experience you have communicating with the luthier that builds your guitar from scratch, and the learning experience from having to seek out exactly what your looking for.
• Lastly, think of your favorite guitar players, I bet you can identify their sound instantly.  Learning about custom guitars, and creating your own sound should be first on your list…

There are thousands of reasons why I believe buying custom is better, but the choice is yours.

Students every week seem to be exploring the internet for free lessons.  The only problem is–some of the online material is either false, or a best effort attempt by that individual to help others.  If you research sites, youtube, and other online teaching networks, you will notice that there is a limitless amount of great material.  Instead of a student talking about how someone played a song, chords, scales, or explained theory wrong to them.  Find reliable sources online, and direct those interested in that direction to the proper sources. Here are some ideas for keeping students from leaving for another teacher, because you are unprepared for this.

• Create a lesson plan, based on your relationship with your individual students.
• Do not be afraid to recommend great online material for your student to glance at based on your lesson.
• Prepare a new idea, perhaps theory based, improvisational techniques, composition, arranging, or teach just basic techinques based on the students needs.
• Always remember that the student is your customer, and they may not want to see you showing off your knowledge, or sitting for half the lesson while you write out scales, chords, tabs, or sheet music.
• Have a clock in the room, but don’t keep checking your watch-if possible take the extra time to explain a concept if it is not received

It is inevitable these days that your student will search online.  It is undeniable that other online teachers are great at what they do also.  Instead of feeling insecure, jealous, or perhaps arrogant. Take advantage of the work that other great teachers have to offer.  You will absolutely benefit from incorporating these techniques.  Do not be one of those teachers that prides themselves in spending entire lessons writting out basic chords-or scales for 10 minutes—when they are online-and a touch away.  Come prepared to teach, whether the student is, or not.  It is a great thing to have something visual online for the student to reference, and work towards.  Engage with them, and give them the advantage they need to succeed.

Music became a worldwide cultural art, and recording equipment was its time capsule.  Whether you throw on an old Robert Johnson 1930′s blues recording from the Crossroads, or Michael Jackson’s Thriller, you are mentally sent back into time.  Music is not new to the world, but wondering whether you could ever invent your own might be.  Just yesterday I heard some very interesting music from Peru that I had never heard before.  Just hearing new cultural music takes me to an ambiance, and emotional state I might not have felt otherwise.

So the real question is why should you consider playing a musical instrument?  The world is full of hobbies, work, and not enough time to sleep.  Maybe your reminded by a little voice in your head, which makes you believe your not a natural at something.  Music is not about being a natural, it is about expressing the moment, places, and emotions from the time that you are living in.  How many people argue Jimi Hendrix is the greatest guitarist ever?  I have personally never listened to music, or played music on the basis of who is the greatest.  I have always listened to music because of the way it made me feel.  These feelings are what inspired me to play.

I have never thought much of watching thirty hours of TV, or playing video games all day long.  Instead, I wanted to figure out a way to play the same notes from Eric Clapton’s variations of the blues. Then I began wanting to go back to Charlie Christian’s and Wes Montgomery’s era to understand what they were playing before television and video games.  Although I might not ever reach their level of greatness, I can always share in the songs they played.  Recalling the first time I watched old footage of Bob Marley on stage, and seeing what he stood for was far greater than his Reggae. Bob Marley played music because it took him places where nothing else could, and touched everyone with his spirit.  When you listen to your favorite albums, you love the way it makes you feel, places you might have been in the past, or even places you may go in the future.  Hopefully one day you start playing music, because you might create something for the rest of us to experience also. I know I will be listening and waiting for that time.