31 December 2011
by Bill Parsons
1 Comment
LOOPING Looping is a technique I have often used when composing. It involves repeating or “looping” musical materials, such as a melodic phrase, a texture, or a chord progression. The term “loop” comes from early electronic composition where a piece … Continue reading
23 December 2011
by Bill Parsons
0 comments
Grammy Award Winners In September 2010 I shot sixty-four lessons for the Creative Guitar Ensemble DVD project, Grammy Award Winners. The idea for the DVD was to create multi-guitar arrangements for eight classic songs for Beginner to Semi-professional guitarists to … Continue reading
12 December 2011
by Bill Parsons
1 Comment
Creativity Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man In my early twenties I read Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce. When I finished the “artist’s coming of age story” I had a strong impulse … Continue reading
7 December 2011
by Bill Parsons
3 Comments
Active Life “If you’re not having fun, you’re doing something wrong.” – Groucho Marx I am creating four large projects: a lessons website, a dvd, a cd, and a novel. All of them are progressing well but it makes for … Continue reading
5 December 2011
by Bill Parsons
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Sun Salutation Practicing guitar can be difficult on the body. To be locked in the same position with one arm swooped over the body of the guitar with your head cocked in a gaze at the fretboard is ultimately not … Continue reading
25 November 2011
by Bill Parsons
2 Comments
LAYLA A great song is one that translates to other styles. Some styles are more natural than others. But as Eric Clapton has made his way through life playing one of his most famous songs in a variety of ways … Continue reading
24 November 2011
by Bill Parsons
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Issa Bagayogo My brother Greg sent me this link and I thought I’d share it here. From Mali, Issa Bagayogo. Red Hot & Riot We were talking about Red Hot & Riot, one of my favorite recordings that features new … Continue reading
23 November 2011
by Bill Parsons
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AGO I went to the Art Gallery of Ontario in the late summer and saw the Abstract Expressionist show. The most striking work for me were photographs. I was keen to see Mark Rothko again. I had seen his work … Continue reading
12 November 2011
by Bill Parsons
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Blues Masters Blues is alive and well but it has transformed into a classic form. Many artists who come from the Blues have moved into other areas to pursue their musical vision, out of necessity and cultural relevance. The Blues … Continue reading
11 November 2011
by Bill Parsons
0 comments
Yo Yo Ma A truly inspiring musician, Yo Yo Ma has raised the bar of musicianship to include great musicians from outside the classical music world. The Goat Rodeo Sessions is another in an ever elongating line of reinvention collaborations. … Continue reading