Comments for MUSICIO - UNO http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio Sun, 22 May 2011 23:13:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Final Blog Compilation & What This Class Means by KendallF http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=349#comment-419 KendallF Sun, 22 May 2011 23:13:21 +0000 http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=349#comment-419 Music Inside/Out was a great class. I never experienced another class like it. Learning about all the different jazz thats around the local area I had never knew about. To experience this was amazing for me because I had always wondered. To now finally see for myself and learn about the brass music was good. Having so many bands come and visit with us and play their music and explain how they started was everything I had always wanted to know. So I thank you Mr. Irvin Mayfield for having this class and a thanks to Stephanie Mayne for being an awesome teacher. Music Inside/Out was a great class. I never experienced another class like it. Learning about all the different jazz thats around the local area I had never knew about. To experience this was amazing for me because I had always wondered. To now finally see for myself and learn about the brass music was good. Having so many bands come and visit with us and play their music and explain how they started was everything I had always wanted to know. So I thank you Mr. Irvin Mayfield for having this class and a thanks to Stephanie Mayne for being an awesome teacher.

]]> Comment on Week 12: Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes by VictoriaN http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=334#comment-418 VictoriaN Tue, 17 May 2011 12:24:40 +0000 http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=334#comment-418 Here is yet another instance of a band that is somewhere in between genres. I think I am correct in saying that this is the first one with a bit of classical influence, though. (Not that you would think it to look at them.) I want to know where the violin and cello were during this performance, though. String instruments happen to be my weakness. This is also not the first band to say the same thing my high school band director used to tell us: “Fake it till you make it.” I guess the two recurring themes combined are to do your own thing and have enough confidence to make it work. And do it with people you like, otherwise your band will fall apart. The bit they said about rehearsal intrigued me. My musical experience is limited to being in my high school’s band/orchestra where all we did was rehearse over and over and over again, but that was mostly because we were a bunch of high school kids learning how to play well. Once you get to the point where you are actually good at playing your instrument, I suppose there is not as much need for rehearsal as such. Jazz musicians especially have that element of improvisation in their music that does not seem to require as much set music, which leads to less rehearsal and more playing. Rock musicians may have something similar, but to a lesser extent. Classical music is nothing but rehearsal. But rehearsal does reinforce muscle memory and natural attunement to the songs you know. Here is yet another instance of a band that is somewhere in between genres. I think I am correct in saying that this is the first one with a bit of classical influence, though. (Not that you would think it to look at them.) I want to know where the violin and cello were during this performance, though. String instruments happen to be my weakness.
This is also not the first band to say the same thing my high school band director used to tell us: “Fake it till you make it.” I guess the two recurring themes combined are to do your own thing and have enough confidence to make it work. And do it with people you like, otherwise your band will fall apart.
The bit they said about rehearsal intrigued me. My musical experience is limited to being in my high school’s band/orchestra where all we did was rehearse over and over and over again, but that was mostly because we were a bunch of high school kids learning how to play well. Once you get to the point where you are actually good at playing your instrument, I suppose there is not as much need for rehearsal as such. Jazz musicians especially have that element of improvisation in their music that does not seem to require as much set music, which leads to less rehearsal and more playing. Rock musicians may have something similar, but to a lesser extent. Classical music is nothing but rehearsal. But rehearsal does reinforce muscle memory and natural attunement to the songs you know.

]]> Comment on Week 11: Glen David Andrews by VictoriaN http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=330#comment-417 VictoriaN Tue, 17 May 2011 12:13:08 +0000 http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=330#comment-417 It must have been awesome growing up in a community of musicians the way he did. The best way to learn a trade is by watching and doing, for music as much as anything else. You watch other people, see how they do it, try it for yourself, add your own spin, see what works and what does not, and gradually become better and better at what you do. And in a place like Treme you also get the community feeling of always having someone sitting on a front porch playing something. You also get a nice contrast between the people that know what is important and the people following the crowd into trouble. It seems like Glen Davis Andrews knows this. He knows how to harness the power of simple belief in what you are doing to push yourself forward. He knows that kids that are creating something are not getting into trouble. He knows that people who put forth a false image of being tough are not worth dealing with. And what is more: he is putting this knowledge to use, not just for himself, but by starting a rehab centre and music programs for high school kids. He has not only built success for himself, but is sharing what he has gained and helping other people to improve their own lives. And that is something worth getting behind. It must have been awesome growing up in a community of musicians the way he did. The best way to learn a trade is by watching and doing, for music as much as anything else. You watch other people, see how they do it, try it for yourself, add your own spin, see what works and what does not, and gradually become better and better at what you do. And in a place like Treme you also get the community feeling of always having someone sitting on a front porch playing something. You also get a nice contrast between the people that know what is important and the people following the crowd into trouble.
It seems like Glen Davis Andrews knows this. He knows how to harness the power of simple belief in what you are doing to push yourself forward. He knows that kids that are creating something are not getting into trouble. He knows that people who put forth a false image of being tough are not worth dealing with. And what is more: he is putting this knowledge to use, not just for himself, but by starting a rehab centre and music programs for high school kids. He has not only built success for himself, but is sharing what he has gained and helping other people to improve their own lives. And that is something worth getting behind.

]]> Comment on Week 10: Masters Month, Steve Masakowski by VictoriaN http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=317#comment-416 VictoriaN Tue, 17 May 2011 11:51:44 +0000 http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=317#comment-416 It seems like a lot of the really brilliant artists are just a little bit out of their minds. They’re alcoholics and drug addicts and they don’t play well with others. Van Gogh shot himself in the chest, Poe died on the streets of Baltimore, and Black overdosed. Why is this? I guess their minds live somewhere other than the world we’re in and they can’t quite cope with that. Maybe they just find it hard to relate to people that don’t see things the way they do. Seclusion can screw with your mind. So all music is in 2/4, is it? Well, that sucks for me. I hate playing in cut time. I have to pretend it is in 4/4 to be able to figure out the rhythm. But then, I do suck with rhythms if I’m reading sheet music rather than playing by ear. If I have not heard a song, I have to sit with a pencil and count out each note in order to play the song right. I guess drummers are more naturally inclined towards rhythms, though. At least, I hope they are. Being a drummer that can not hold a beat would not exactly be conducive toward success. Even so, being a drummer that writes mostly in 5/4 is pretty unique. The only song I can think of off of the top of my head that is in 5/4 is the Isengard theme music from The Lord of the Rings, and that was written in 5/4 so that it would purposely sound a bit off. Not many people are able to write in 5/4 for the majority of the time. It seems like a lot of the really brilliant artists are just a little bit out of their minds. They’re alcoholics and drug addicts and they don’t play well with others. Van Gogh shot himself in the chest, Poe died on the streets of Baltimore, and Black overdosed. Why is this? I guess their minds live somewhere other than the world we’re in and they can’t quite cope with that. Maybe they just find it hard to relate to people that don’t see things the way they do. Seclusion can screw with your mind.

So all music is in 2/4, is it? Well, that sucks for me. I hate playing in cut time. I have to pretend it is in 4/4 to be able to figure out the rhythm. But then, I do suck with rhythms if I’m reading sheet music rather than playing by ear. If I have not heard a song, I have to sit with a pencil and count out each note in order to play the song right. I guess drummers are more naturally inclined towards rhythms, though. At least, I hope they are. Being a drummer that can not hold a beat would not exactly be conducive toward success. Even so, being a drummer that writes mostly in 5/4 is pretty unique. The only song I can think of off of the top of my head that is in 5/4 is the Isengard theme music from The Lord of the Rings, and that was written in 5/4 so that it would purposely sound a bit off. Not many people are able to write in 5/4 for the majority of the time.

]]> Comment on Week 8: Masters Month, Victor Atkins by VictoriaN http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=296#comment-415 VictoriaN Tue, 17 May 2011 11:43:19 +0000 http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=296#comment-415 Now, there is a way to skip the whole starving artist phase before hitting fame and glory: go teach for a while instead of living out of a tour van. I suppose with six kids that is the way you have to go, anyway. You can not exactly just do what you want without being able to buy them some food. Even if you do not have a string of young’uns to look after, it is not a bad plan. I have a friend who is an amazingly talented artist, but she knows better than to try to live by selling paintings, so she is going to teach art. A teacher’s salary may not be much, but it is a steady income and it will get you by. And it looks like his kids learned from his example. Unlike the children of drugged-up rock stars with their messed up lives (kids do, after all, follow their parents’ footsteps), if he and his wife and son are starting a record label together, his son must not be doing too badly for himself. That also shows that his wife must be fairly involved in his music, as well. And as we all know, behind every great man is a great woman [rolling her eyes]. I do not know what the rest of his kids are doing, but I think it would be safe to say that the rest of them are making their own way in the world. Now, there is a way to skip the whole starving artist phase before hitting fame and glory: go teach for a while instead of living out of a tour van. I suppose with six kids that is the way you have to go, anyway. You can not exactly just do what you want without being able to buy them some food. Even if you do not have a string of young’uns to look after, it is not a bad plan. I have a friend who is an amazingly talented artist, but she knows better than to try to live by selling paintings, so she is going to teach art. A teacher’s salary may not be much, but it is a steady income and it will get you by.
And it looks like his kids learned from his example. Unlike the children of drugged-up rock stars with their messed up lives (kids do, after all, follow their parents’ footsteps), if he and his wife and son are starting a record label together, his son must not be doing too badly for himself. That also shows that his wife must be fairly involved in his music, as well. And as we all know, behind every great man is a great woman [rolling her eyes]. I do not know what the rest of his kids are doing, but I think it would be safe to say that the rest of them are making their own way in the world.

]]> Comment on Week 12: Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes by Amanda http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=334#comment-414 Amanda Sun, 15 May 2011 08:06:32 +0000 http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=334#comment-414 Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes was a fun band, and I could tell they don't have a problem taking themselves too seriously. Their nicknames (each with "Johnny" in it to show their connection to the band) and band story proved that well enough. The name was picked spur-of-the-moment before a battle of the band competition. They're young and I enjoyed their diverse, varied song styles. Like most of the good bands we've heard, they took a few minutes to decide how to describe their band and decide on "eclectic funk rock." The stretching and merging of genres intrigues me and attracts me to bands, and it's something I've been exposed to in this class. I feel my musical horizons have really been expanded because of it. Though Dave, the nonconformist (“Busta Nut”) of the group, does not see their goal as being “the best” in the New Orleans music scene, I found them to definitely be among the best we’d watched. I liked their humble, honest spirit, defining themselves by their group and their own standards, not blinded by unrealistic or pressing ambitions. They seem like they just want to have fun and make music they like. What could be better? The band’s made up of Dave on bass, Andre on baritone sax, Omar on trumpet, and Mark on guitar. They started the class with their dynamic “Hey Lil’ Mama” number, written by the drummer who couldn’t make the class, a major contributor of the band. Naturally, it was very rhythm-oriented, but the guitar and bass player got to show off their singing chops too. As you could guess from the title, it had a very feel-good sound, especially thanks to the sax and trumpet parts, complimented by the guitar and bass. The sounds of each instrument melded really well together. I wish I could’ve heard it with the electric cello, which normally takes the place of the guitar. I was also impressed to find out the drummer is a pianist too, and I wish I could’ve seen him in action. They’re classical jazz players originally who have been playing together for 10 years and gone through the usual changes that bands do as they develop, losing some instruments until they found the sound they wanted. They used to be more funk/rock oriented, inspired by bands like Galactic and late 90’s crunk bands. The band has grown out of their enjoyment of taking every single genre and putting the “Johnny Sketch twist” on it and constantly avoiding being pigeonholed into just one genre or style. They’ve went through a lot of changes and developments from their more casual roots , but still keep it loose with irregular but structured rehearsals. Their music and style emanate a happy-go-lucky aura that really refreshed and engaged me. I’m glad I got introduced to this awesome band and hope I get to see them perform again with the full group. Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes was a fun band, and I could tell they don’t have a problem taking themselves too seriously. Their nicknames (each with “Johnny” in it to show their connection to the band) and band story proved that well enough. The name was picked spur-of-the-moment before a battle of the band competition. They’re young and I enjoyed their diverse, varied song styles. Like most of the good bands we’ve heard, they took a few minutes to decide how to describe their band and decide on “eclectic funk rock.” The stretching and merging of genres intrigues me and attracts me to bands, and it’s something I’ve been exposed to in this class. I feel my musical horizons have really been expanded because of it. Though Dave, the nonconformist (“Busta Nut”) of the group, does not see their goal as being “the best” in the New Orleans music scene, I found them to definitely be among the best we’d watched. I liked their humble, honest spirit, defining themselves by their group and their own standards, not blinded by unrealistic or pressing ambitions. They seem like they just want to have fun and make music they like. What could be better?
The band’s made up of Dave on bass, Andre on baritone sax, Omar on trumpet, and Mark on guitar. They started the class with their dynamic “Hey Lil’ Mama” number, written by the drummer who couldn’t make the class, a major contributor of the band. Naturally, it was very rhythm-oriented, but the guitar and bass player got to show off their singing chops too. As you could guess from the title, it had a very feel-good sound, especially thanks to the sax and trumpet parts, complimented by the guitar and bass. The sounds of each instrument melded really well together. I wish I could’ve heard it with the electric cello, which normally takes the place of the guitar. I was also impressed to find out the drummer is a pianist too, and I wish I could’ve seen him in action.
They’re classical jazz players originally who have been playing together for 10 years and gone through the usual changes that bands do as they develop, losing some instruments until they found the sound they wanted. They used to be more funk/rock oriented, inspired by bands like Galactic and late 90’s crunk bands. The band has grown out of their enjoyment of taking every single genre and putting the “Johnny Sketch twist” on it and constantly avoiding being pigeonholed into just one genre or style. They’ve went through a lot of changes and developments from their more casual roots , but still keep it loose with irregular but structured rehearsals. Their music and style emanate a happy-go-lucky aura that really refreshed and engaged me. I’m glad I got introduced to this awesome band and hope I get to see them perform again with the full group.

]]> Comment on Week 14: Wednesday at the Square by LeonardH http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=344#comment-413 LeonardH Fri, 13 May 2011 17:56:00 +0000 http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=344#comment-413 I wasn't able to see the performance of Professor Mayfield in person but I was able to watch it on the computer. I was waiting to see him perform something because I wanted to see what allthe hype was about. His swag is no other musician I seen during the semester. Tattoos and sunglasses made me feel like I could relate to him. This was a great performance and he lived up to all the hype in my opinion. The performance of the saints go marching in, was my favorite out of all the songs that were performed on this Wednesday. Irvin isn't just a famous musician who doesn't care about anybody but himself. He obviously is proud of New Orleans and glad he is apart of the great musician new Orleans has produced. This is known when he said you couldn't go anywhere else in the united states and listen to great music like this. I wasn’t able to see the performance of Professor Mayfield in person but I was able to watch it on the computer. I was waiting to see him perform something because I wanted to see what allthe hype was about. His swag is no other musician I seen during the semester. Tattoos and sunglasses made me feel like I could relate to him. This was a great performance and he lived up to all the hype in my opinion. The performance of the saints go marching in, was my favorite out of all the songs that were performed on this Wednesday. Irvin isn’t just a famous musician who doesn’t care about anybody but himself. He obviously is proud of New Orleans and glad he is apart of the great musician new Orleans has produced. This is known when he said you couldn’t go anywhere else in the united states and listen to great music like this.

]]> Comment on Week 15: Jeremy Davenport by LeonardH http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=354#comment-412 LeonardH Fri, 13 May 2011 17:46:03 +0000 http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=354#comment-412 This being the last class of the semester I was excited because I would finally be able to have sometime off from school. Going into this final class we were going to have another performance from a interesting musician. His name is Jeremy Davenport. I could this was a successful man just by the pway him and his band were dressed. All four of the band members were wearing expensive looking suits. Come to find out Mr. Davenport owns a club in the Ritz Carlton, a nation known hotel franchise for having the top notch guest. Besides his appearance, his music spoke for it self. I really enjoyed all the music he shared with us. His up tempo beats with subtle variations made the music to be enjoyable. Most of his music is original but he has some that is remakes. He is really a fan of music and feels we are not as musically inclined like we once was. He wishes every child was brought up learning how to play atleast one instrument during their life regardless of what it is. This being the last class of the semester I was excited because I would finally be able to have sometime off from school. Going into this final class we were going to have another performance from a interesting musician. His name is Jeremy Davenport. I could this was a successful man just by the pway him and his band were dressed. All four of the band members were wearing expensive looking suits. Come to find out Mr. Davenport owns a club in the Ritz Carlton, a nation known hotel franchise for having the top notch guest. Besides his appearance, his music spoke for it self. I really enjoyed all the music he shared with us. His up tempo beats with subtle variations made the music to be enjoyable. Most of his music is original but he has some that is remakes. He is really a fan of music and feels we are not as musically inclined like we once was. He wishes every child was brought up learning how to play atleast one instrument during their life regardless of what it is.

]]> Comment on Week 11: Glen David Andrews by KendallF http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=330#comment-411 KendallF Fri, 13 May 2011 07:29:35 +0000 http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=330#comment-411 I am actually glad to blog about this class, i enjoyed this class more than any other we had all semester. Glen David Adrews was simply amazing and very entertaining. He had me and the rest of the class attentive the entire time he played because his music had soul and great tone. His music alone shows the kind of person he is and his character, that he is an entertainer and not only that a people person. Andrews is the prime example of hard work makes a successful man. He explained to us how he was from the projects and was into and doing drugs when he was growing up, and soon became fond of music. His story was interesting because he is a living example of someone that came from nothing to something because of hard work. Andrews and his band members somewhat reminded me of the brass band Rebirth. He sang the songs with a lot of soul and put his heart into it, and not only did he sing he played his instrument so well. I was bobbing to the beat and tapping my foot as they played song after song. I am so glad to have been in class and learn about Glen Andrews and see him in person. I am actually glad to blog about this class, i enjoyed this class more than any other we had all semester. Glen David Adrews was simply amazing and very entertaining. He had me and the rest of the class attentive the entire time he played because his music had soul and great tone. His music alone shows the kind of person he is and his character, that he is an entertainer and not only that a people person. Andrews is the prime example of hard work makes a successful man. He explained to us how he was from the projects and was into and doing drugs when he was growing up, and soon became fond of music. His story was interesting because he is a living example of someone that came from nothing to something because of hard work. Andrews and his band members somewhat reminded me of the brass band Rebirth. He sang the songs with a lot of soul and put his heart into it, and not only did he sing he played his instrument so well. I was bobbing to the beat and tapping my foot as they played song after song. I am so glad to have been in class and learn about Glen Andrews and see him in person.

]]> Comment on Week 10: Masters Month, Steve Masakowski by KendallF http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=317#comment-410 KendallF Fri, 13 May 2011 03:04:10 +0000 http://irvinmayfield.com/musicio/?p=317#comment-410 This week during Masters Month we got the opportunity to learn about well known drummer and composer James Black. Despite his obscurity outside of his native New Orleans -- and in addition to his considerable accomplishments as a jazz drummer and composer, James Black was simply one of the greatest funk drummers of all time. Even though with James's amazing talent, he never really got the recognition he deserved and is probably best known only by New Orleans jazz musicians and natives as well. His music is crazy and all over the places seems like but sounds good. I enjoyed what Steve and David did for the class. Though he never found national fame, he still made his mark in the music of New Orleans and won’t soon be forgotten, especially thanks to programs and projects like this. Just as Dana said above i remember when Steve spoke of how, after posting a video on Youtube of James Black playing funk music he wrote and recorded in his later life, Steve received many comments from other musicians in New Orleans about how great James was. It was then that Steve realized how much James touched all our lives and influenced so many musicians. This is such a great thing because many people have recognized james's talent. This week during Masters Month we got the opportunity to learn about well known drummer and composer James Black. Despite his obscurity outside of his native New Orleans — and in addition to his considerable accomplishments as a jazz drummer and composer, James Black was simply one of the greatest funk drummers of all time. Even though with James’s amazing talent, he never really got the recognition he deserved and is probably best known only by New Orleans jazz musicians and natives as well. His music is crazy and all over the places seems like but sounds good. I enjoyed what Steve and David did for the class. Though he never found national fame, he still made his mark in the music of New Orleans and won’t soon be forgotten, especially thanks to programs and projects like this. Just as Dana said above i remember when Steve spoke of how, after posting a video on Youtube of James Black playing funk music he wrote and recorded in his later life, Steve received many comments from other musicians in New Orleans about how great James was. It was then that Steve realized how much James touched all our lives and influenced so many musicians. This is such a great thing because many people have recognized james’s talent.

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