I am anything but an idolater. I don't worship things. I don't even place the same emphasis upon things and owning or possessing things that many people do. Things come and they go. This is life on Planet Earth. Things decay and break and are lost or stolen. I cannot possibly recall all of the things that have been in my possession through a lifetime.
But thirty years ago I had an irresistible desire to play guitar and sing songs. I wanted to play well and learned that in order to play well a good instrument is required. Bob Webb advised me about C.F. Martin Guitars and I bought a brand spanking new D-35 [with the three part back and the fingerboard binding] off the shelf in the former Chapman and Hewitt Music Store in London, Ontario with my tax return.
That guitar has been a joy to me from the start and it was yesterday too. It has endured and matured and taken on a resonance that is sweet to my ears and close to my heart where it regularly rests as I play it. This package of wood and wires and glue and metal parts has been one of the greatest gifts I have received from Life. It has been my constant companion though many travels and adventures and all through my complex journey through life and through the world.
Many people buy numerous guitars. I could not afford that in several ways. So I bought one really excellent guitar to play through a lifetime, and perhaps more lifetimes when my guitar gifted son inherits it some day. We have traveled back and forth across the continent numerous times, that guitar and me. We went to many universities together, including Princeton.
We traveled to China together and had a Great Adventure there. We have hitch-hiked together, flown, ridden on trains and boats and in every kind of automobile and truck. The guitar was even hit by a car traveling sixty miles per hours [about 90 km/hr] and flew a hundred feet through the air. It was largely undamaged thanks to the unbreakable original factory case and it was still in tune after that rough ride. The car missed me though! Lol
This Old Guitar brings joy to me, my family, my friends, fellow musicians and countless others who have had the pleasure of hearing it. It's a tool, a toy, a friend and a part of me at this point in our journey together. It has appeared on numerous CDs too.
I even have a little pet name for this sweet lump of wood and wire. I like to think of it as “the best guitar in the country” [Canada]. I certainly have never seen another that I would prefer to own or play. [Although I've always had my eye on a Gretsch Country Gentleman].
A person's instrument is more than a mere possession. It clarifies and carries our hopes and dreams and stories and longings from our minds and hearts to those of others who share our music with us. It moves the feet, the hands, the tongues, the minds and wills of others. It it a special link between imaginations and a medium for communicating the most intensely outrageous or subtle ideas and feelings and impulses.
Music is a tonic for the soul and playing our instruments is important to our health, well-being and the integrity of our minds and souls and bodies and social circles. We should cherish and protect them and respect the ownership of others who also cherish their instruments. They are the wings for our art.
When all friends abandon us and we are alone with our thoughts, feelings, fears and hopes, our instrument will find a way to express the complexities in which we are ensnared and show us the way to freedom. Others will follow, dancing, tapping a foot, singing a chorus and dreaming their own musical dreams.
Jake Willis – Guelph, Canada – February 18, 2009 – Jake Willis Daily
**********
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
A Guitar and a Song
In my own pursuit of the mysteries of how to play music well I have had many mentors and teachers. It seems that I always find someone who can help me take it to the next stage or level. In this blog I hope to discuss some of these generous people who have helped me escape my frustrations and discover the satisfactions that I sought. I did not enjoy the advantages of a formal musical education in an institution. Instead I learned from the pros.
I've loved songs and singing since I was a year or two old, whether in the living room, on the radio or elsewhere. I still recall standing in the pew beside my mother as she sweetly added to the choral harmony in our family church in Northern Ontario. She had a nice voice and loved singing...and bright eyes. I had just learned to stand and I was proud to stand up beside her in church [whatever that was!?], though my standing awkwardly beside her did seem to cause a little distress for Pauline. I watched her posture and the movement of her mouth and eyes as she glanced smiling over her shoulder at me and reached out a hand to keep me from toppling.
Pauline also helped me love to sing country songs and popular songs as we danced around the radio through a childhood lifetime. I always wanted to play guitar and just believed in my heart that I would and could some day play as I imagined in my daydreams. I could see my fingers gliding across the strings and heard sweet tones rising from the sound box. I thought I could really learn to play and help others sing songs as I had been helped by parents, brothers, neighbours, teachers and several choirs masters with whom I worked. I could never afford a guitar as a child.
After my first year of university and at the age of twenty-one when I started playing guitar I was driving a truck for a summer job in London, Ontario. There I met a very interesting young man who was about five years my senior. He was full of life and excitement and good cheer and he was kind to me even though I was a beginning musician and he was fairly accomplished. He wore a big cowboy hat and was politely boisterous in his speech...and he was funny. This alone surprised me about Bob Webb, but there was far more to his kindness than I could have dreamed.
Bob invited me to come out to the club where he was playing that week and see his show...maybe hang out a bit. It turned out to be one of those fairly swank clubs with a cocktail vibe, low lights and an elevated stage where Bob played solo – a man with a guitar and lots of songs to sing. He played so well that I was astonished and he knew SO many songs cold that I was flabbergasted.
His shtick and act also gained the rapt interest of many beautiful women who huddled around him between sets vying for his laughing attention. I was AWE STRUCK by this man. I had never met anyone who played so well, lived so deeply and was still respectful, kind and helpful. Many musicians I'd met of his calibre were arrogant, rude and generally disappointing as human beings. [Perhaps I'd never met anyone of that calibre. lol]
It got better. Bob left the bevy of giggling beauties to their drinks and gossip and walked across the darkened room to join me at his table. “That was AMAZING!” I told him. “Thanks!” [ah shucks] “How did you learn to play so many songs that well?” It was a professional question. “Oh it's easy.” he said. “All you've got to do is play a song a thousand times in a field and you'll know it real well.” “Oh!” says I.
“But how can I learn to play good like that?” I asked despairingly. “Don't worry. That's easy too. Every time you meet someone who plays well, ask them to teach you one thing. Then practice the shit out of it until it's natural and becomes part of your playing.” “Gee thanks Bob.” I meant it and took his instructions to heart. I was hungry to learn.
“What kind of guitar are you playing there Bob?" I asked. “This here is a Martin D-28, made by the C.F. Martin Company in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.” “Is that a guitar you would recommend to me?” “I sure would. I've never had any reason to complain about this beauty and she has brought me lots of pleasure.” he said nodding back at the tipsy group of sweet femininity at the end of the bar where his drink still waited for his return.
“Also you might consider the Martin D-35, which has a more rich bass tone and a more balanced volume across the tonal spectrum. My '28' is a little weak on the bass end but good for bluegrass picking.” “Okay.” I said, not quite sure what the heck he meant about “tone”. “Thanks for all of this.” “You're welcome. See you again soon.” And he did see me many more times, true to his word. “I better go attend to my fans.” he smiled as he ambled sidelong across the carpeted floor and into the arms of angels...Honky Tonk Angels.
I learned at least three big and important lessons that evening: how to learn songs; how to learn to play guitar well; and how to evaluate a guitar. BTW I bought myself a Martin D-35 a couple weeks later for my birthday when my tax return arrived. I've NEVER regretted it...not even once. That old guitar and I have become one.
These music lessons from a competent professional have brought me endless pleasure and have helped me share my song with the world. I have practiced them faithfully every day since and the results show. :)
Thanks Bob!
Post script – In the Fall of that year when I was back in school I heard on the radio that Bob Webb had won Canadian Entertainer of the Year Award. I thought he deserved it. So did those beauty queens and many others. Music goes down so much better with kindness and generosity. :)
Jake Willis Music – Daily Blog
February 10, 2009
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
I've loved songs and singing since I was a year or two old, whether in the living room, on the radio or elsewhere. I still recall standing in the pew beside my mother as she sweetly added to the choral harmony in our family church in Northern Ontario. She had a nice voice and loved singing...and bright eyes. I had just learned to stand and I was proud to stand up beside her in church [whatever that was!?], though my standing awkwardly beside her did seem to cause a little distress for Pauline. I watched her posture and the movement of her mouth and eyes as she glanced smiling over her shoulder at me and reached out a hand to keep me from toppling.
Pauline also helped me love to sing country songs and popular songs as we danced around the radio through a childhood lifetime. I always wanted to play guitar and just believed in my heart that I would and could some day play as I imagined in my daydreams. I could see my fingers gliding across the strings and heard sweet tones rising from the sound box. I thought I could really learn to play and help others sing songs as I had been helped by parents, brothers, neighbours, teachers and several choirs masters with whom I worked. I could never afford a guitar as a child.
After my first year of university and at the age of twenty-one when I started playing guitar I was driving a truck for a summer job in London, Ontario. There I met a very interesting young man who was about five years my senior. He was full of life and excitement and good cheer and he was kind to me even though I was a beginning musician and he was fairly accomplished. He wore a big cowboy hat and was politely boisterous in his speech...and he was funny. This alone surprised me about Bob Webb, but there was far more to his kindness than I could have dreamed.
Bob invited me to come out to the club where he was playing that week and see his show...maybe hang out a bit. It turned out to be one of those fairly swank clubs with a cocktail vibe, low lights and an elevated stage where Bob played solo – a man with a guitar and lots of songs to sing. He played so well that I was astonished and he knew SO many songs cold that I was flabbergasted.
His shtick and act also gained the rapt interest of many beautiful women who huddled around him between sets vying for his laughing attention. I was AWE STRUCK by this man. I had never met anyone who played so well, lived so deeply and was still respectful, kind and helpful. Many musicians I'd met of his calibre were arrogant, rude and generally disappointing as human beings. [Perhaps I'd never met anyone of that calibre. lol]
It got better. Bob left the bevy of giggling beauties to their drinks and gossip and walked across the darkened room to join me at his table. “That was AMAZING!” I told him. “Thanks!” [ah shucks] “How did you learn to play so many songs that well?” It was a professional question. “Oh it's easy.” he said. “All you've got to do is play a song a thousand times in a field and you'll know it real well.” “Oh!” says I.
“But how can I learn to play good like that?” I asked despairingly. “Don't worry. That's easy too. Every time you meet someone who plays well, ask them to teach you one thing. Then practice the shit out of it until it's natural and becomes part of your playing.” “Gee thanks Bob.” I meant it and took his instructions to heart. I was hungry to learn.
“What kind of guitar are you playing there Bob?" I asked. “This here is a Martin D-28, made by the C.F. Martin Company in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.” “Is that a guitar you would recommend to me?” “I sure would. I've never had any reason to complain about this beauty and she has brought me lots of pleasure.” he said nodding back at the tipsy group of sweet femininity at the end of the bar where his drink still waited for his return.
“Also you might consider the Martin D-35, which has a more rich bass tone and a more balanced volume across the tonal spectrum. My '28' is a little weak on the bass end but good for bluegrass picking.” “Okay.” I said, not quite sure what the heck he meant about “tone”. “Thanks for all of this.” “You're welcome. See you again soon.” And he did see me many more times, true to his word. “I better go attend to my fans.” he smiled as he ambled sidelong across the carpeted floor and into the arms of angels...Honky Tonk Angels.
I learned at least three big and important lessons that evening: how to learn songs; how to learn to play guitar well; and how to evaluate a guitar. BTW I bought myself a Martin D-35 a couple weeks later for my birthday when my tax return arrived. I've NEVER regretted it...not even once. That old guitar and I have become one.
These music lessons from a competent professional have brought me endless pleasure and have helped me share my song with the world. I have practiced them faithfully every day since and the results show. :)
Thanks Bob!
Post script – In the Fall of that year when I was back in school I heard on the radio that Bob Webb had won Canadian Entertainer of the Year Award. I thought he deserved it. So did those beauty queens and many others. Music goes down so much better with kindness and generosity. :)
Jake Willis Music – Daily Blog
February 10, 2009
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Promotion
After writing a little on the subject of self-promotion I thought it might be useful to briefly explore the subject of Promotion in order to put those other comments in perspective and context.
When I think of Promotion in the music industry, in the performing arts, in business and in general, the first thing that comes to mind is the military tradition of promoting people. If someone completes special training and upgrades their skills, exhibits some gift, or performs an act of heroism they become candidates for promotion.
Many soldiers begin their career as a "buck private". With good performance and adjustment to the military lifestyle they can be elevated to corporal or sergeant. A gifted and skilled or teachable soldier can reach higher ranks in the promotion process - captain, major, colonel, general and so on.
Soldiers in modern armies are usually organized into groups of varying sizes - company, platoon, corps, brigade, battalion, battle group, et cetera. As a person is promoted they gain recognition and authority on a wider basis and they are more visible as a result of their more elevated status.
At its core music and artist Promotion is related in this way. Some artists desire to be more visible, have more say, more authority, more influence, be seen and heard more. This is all quite possible if it suits a person's life values, personality and career goals. But that discussion would take us out of the realm of Promotion and into the area of Planning. Planning really ought to precede Promotion, but it is not the topic of this brief communication.
Promotion is a process by which a person or product or service is made more widely known and recognized in accordance with its branding. An artist seeking to promote his or her self and career should have a Plan in place and a clear sense of Purpose. That is also part of the Planning process and will be the subject of a future post.
I would venture a working definition of Promotion. It is that process by which someone is elevated in the esteem and consciousness of others. Thereby they can be seen, recognized, valued more highly and appreciated by more and more viewers or fans or interested parties. I personally prefer friends to fans.
In reading this post, please understand and recognize that I am NOT militaristic and only use this as an illustration.
Promotion is a key to success in many things. It is essential to the working artist who hopes for a successful career. Let's also remember that Success can be many things and is different for each person. To Promote yourself is to raise yourself up so more others can see you.
When I think of Promotion in the music industry, in the performing arts, in business and in general, the first thing that comes to mind is the military tradition of promoting people. If someone completes special training and upgrades their skills, exhibits some gift, or performs an act of heroism they become candidates for promotion.
Many soldiers begin their career as a "buck private". With good performance and adjustment to the military lifestyle they can be elevated to corporal or sergeant. A gifted and skilled or teachable soldier can reach higher ranks in the promotion process - captain, major, colonel, general and so on.
Soldiers in modern armies are usually organized into groups of varying sizes - company, platoon, corps, brigade, battalion, battle group, et cetera. As a person is promoted they gain recognition and authority on a wider basis and they are more visible as a result of their more elevated status.
At its core music and artist Promotion is related in this way. Some artists desire to be more visible, have more say, more authority, more influence, be seen and heard more. This is all quite possible if it suits a person's life values, personality and career goals. But that discussion would take us out of the realm of Promotion and into the area of Planning. Planning really ought to precede Promotion, but it is not the topic of this brief communication.
Promotion is a process by which a person or product or service is made more widely known and recognized in accordance with its branding. An artist seeking to promote his or her self and career should have a Plan in place and a clear sense of Purpose. That is also part of the Planning process and will be the subject of a future post.
I would venture a working definition of Promotion. It is that process by which someone is elevated in the esteem and consciousness of others. Thereby they can be seen, recognized, valued more highly and appreciated by more and more viewers or fans or interested parties. I personally prefer friends to fans.
In reading this post, please understand and recognize that I am NOT militaristic and only use this as an illustration.
Promotion is a key to success in many things. It is essential to the working artist who hopes for a successful career. Let's also remember that Success can be many things and is different for each person. To Promote yourself is to raise yourself up so more others can see you.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Shameless Self Promotion
Shameless self promotion is a theme I hear discussed frequently by musicians and songwriters. In many cases it seems to mean that a person will do anything at all to promote themselves and will not be ashamed no matter how crude and crass and rude that method might be.
This approach has never worked for me. I would be ashamed to do what some people do.
My own Rules for Shameless Self Promotion are -
I will not do anything that will make me feel ashamed.
I will not take another person's opportunity in order to advance my career.
I will not step on someone in order to rise. I would rather give someone a hand up when they are down or when they stumble, as we all do.
I will act respectfully towards those who are competing for opportunities...but I will not compete. I would rather help someone than hurt them or make them feel small.
I will be creative in finding ways to enhance and advance my career and in sharing my music with the world.
I will reach for the heart, not the cash or the glory.
I will seek and find my own place in the world of music and I will not hurt or injure anyone in the pursuit of my dreams...for this will diminish my Dream.
I will help others find, create and build their own place.
I only go places I've been invited and I stay as long as I feel safe and welcome.
I will always nurture my own career and believe in myself.
Using these methods I have moved from total obscurity to having a reasonably obvious profile online and in the music communities into which I've entered and where I play or perform. In five years I moved from unknown to fairly well known. No one was injured in this process and I have made some amazing and wonderful friends along the way while providing assistance to many.
I am seeking and building my own place in the world and do not want someone else's place.
The principle that guides me is, "Love your neighbour."
I remain unashamed. :)
This approach has never worked for me. I would be ashamed to do what some people do.
My own Rules for Shameless Self Promotion are -
I will not do anything that will make me feel ashamed.
I will not take another person's opportunity in order to advance my career.
I will not step on someone in order to rise. I would rather give someone a hand up when they are down or when they stumble, as we all do.
I will act respectfully towards those who are competing for opportunities...but I will not compete. I would rather help someone than hurt them or make them feel small.
I will be creative in finding ways to enhance and advance my career and in sharing my music with the world.
I will reach for the heart, not the cash or the glory.
I will seek and find my own place in the world of music and I will not hurt or injure anyone in the pursuit of my dreams...for this will diminish my Dream.
I will help others find, create and build their own place.
I only go places I've been invited and I stay as long as I feel safe and welcome.
I will always nurture my own career and believe in myself.
Using these methods I have moved from total obscurity to having a reasonably obvious profile online and in the music communities into which I've entered and where I play or perform. In five years I moved from unknown to fairly well known. No one was injured in this process and I have made some amazing and wonderful friends along the way while providing assistance to many.
I am seeking and building my own place in the world and do not want someone else's place.
The principle that guides me is, "Love your neighbour."
I remain unashamed. :)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Visible Advantages
There are many ways to deliver our music to the world and to our friends and supporters. Sound files of high quality can be made with a laptop computer anywhere you happen to be. Musicians and songwriters have websites and blogs like this one.
But for my money, which always seems to arrive in very small portions, I see video as the cheapest, most effective and best way to promote myself as a performing artist. Fans and friends like to see as well as hear. There can be an excitement in the visuals.
I have found a process for video making that suits me. It requires only my Sony 740 digital video camera with tripod and remote controller, my computer and the Internet. Actually the musicians are the most important part, along with proper preparations and rehearsal.
I have made many videos [at a low price] for other artists. These vids have found their way onto digital promo pack discs. Some of the vids I produced in this way have been uploaded to websites or to You Tube, or just used for reflection by the artist in order to review performance methods. There are many applications with this simple and user friendly technology. And you get a HUGE bang for the buck.
I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch and enjoy a couple songs from my 2008 Quantum Tour on Google Video. This is my gift to you. Check out Swing! I made over forty of these live music videos and uploaded them to Google Video in thirty days in January 2008.
Many of these vids have proven their worth in the lives and homes and activities of people across the face of the Earth. They are thought provoking and entertaining. That's one of the Visible Advantages provided by decent video footage of your performances. Decent sound is also possible.
I'm now in the planning stages of another video project that will put more of my material in the hands of others so they can do what they're supposed to, for songs have a life of their own and they need wings. The Internet provides wings. I hope to produce the equivalent of a CD before spring and upload it to the world.
People are being touched by my songs in this way and the videos and songs never go away. They require no further production or promotional costs. These are more Visible Advantages. Cool and inexpensive works for me. If you do this, always think Light and Framing.
Peace
But for my money, which always seems to arrive in very small portions, I see video as the cheapest, most effective and best way to promote myself as a performing artist. Fans and friends like to see as well as hear. There can be an excitement in the visuals.
I have found a process for video making that suits me. It requires only my Sony 740 digital video camera with tripod and remote controller, my computer and the Internet. Actually the musicians are the most important part, along with proper preparations and rehearsal.
I have made many videos [at a low price] for other artists. These vids have found their way onto digital promo pack discs. Some of the vids I produced in this way have been uploaded to websites or to You Tube, or just used for reflection by the artist in order to review performance methods. There are many applications with this simple and user friendly technology. And you get a HUGE bang for the buck.
I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch and enjoy a couple songs from my 2008 Quantum Tour on Google Video. This is my gift to you. Check out Swing! I made over forty of these live music videos and uploaded them to Google Video in thirty days in January 2008.
Many of these vids have proven their worth in the lives and homes and activities of people across the face of the Earth. They are thought provoking and entertaining. That's one of the Visible Advantages provided by decent video footage of your performances. Decent sound is also possible.
I'm now in the planning stages of another video project that will put more of my material in the hands of others so they can do what they're supposed to, for songs have a life of their own and they need wings. The Internet provides wings. I hope to produce the equivalent of a CD before spring and upload it to the world.
People are being touched by my songs in this way and the videos and songs never go away. They require no further production or promotional costs. These are more Visible Advantages. Cool and inexpensive works for me. If you do this, always think Light and Framing.
Peace
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
40 Videos in 30 Days
Last January I made and uploaded over forty live music videos of my songs to Google Video in thirty days. I had some help from Ken Brown on upright bass and co-producer.
We had three other musicians add to the music including Chris Williams and Don Beals on guitars and Matthew Glass on fiddle, along with other friends in pubs in Fergus and Cambridge, Ontario. That was a bit of an adventure and the results have been encouraging.
This year we plan to make more vids. This project will be the equivalent of a CD in terms of the amount of material we hope to record. I'm also hoping to upgrade the production values on this next round of vids. I had a brief planning meeting with Ken and Chris this morning and we're looking forward to this little project.
In the meanwhile I hope you'll take some time to check out what we did last year. Many have been viewing Swing! [yellow version], The Box, Did You Forget About The Morning and many others.
You can hear me play and/or join me to play at Delainey's Restaurant in Fergus Tuesday evenings 8-11:00 pm, with host Terry Golletz and a group of warm and supportive others.
Peace
We had three other musicians add to the music including Chris Williams and Don Beals on guitars and Matthew Glass on fiddle, along with other friends in pubs in Fergus and Cambridge, Ontario. That was a bit of an adventure and the results have been encouraging.
This year we plan to make more vids. This project will be the equivalent of a CD in terms of the amount of material we hope to record. I'm also hoping to upgrade the production values on this next round of vids. I had a brief planning meeting with Ken and Chris this morning and we're looking forward to this little project.
In the meanwhile I hope you'll take some time to check out what we did last year. Many have been viewing Swing! [yellow version], The Box, Did You Forget About The Morning and many others.
You can hear me play and/or join me to play at Delainey's Restaurant in Fergus Tuesday evenings 8-11:00 pm, with host Terry Golletz and a group of warm and supportive others.
Peace
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