Spence Smith

Some times people will play and play looking for the one only to realize they need to work on themselves a little more to get to a place they feel centered and balanced enough to learn how to find the one. For some this comes with practice and maturity…but once they find the one…they know it.

There’s a saying musicians use sometimes…I need to find the one…

For those of you who aren’t musicians and know very little about music, the one refers to the first beat in the measure. Music has a cadence, tempo…a count so to speak. The count is either in odd numbers like 3 (very common like a waltz) 5, 6, (though an even number is divisible by 3, again waltz like) or 7, etc..or the count is  in 4. Which is what is most common in songs. So…if the count or time signature of the song is in 4, then what that means is there are 4 counts to every measure or also called a bar. Songs are made up of phrases. Usually 8 bar phrases. Phrases make up verses and chorus. Like a collection of sentences make up a paragraph.

So when some asks where one is, what they are asking is where is the first count of the measure or bar. Are you following me still?

The count then is played at a selected speed for the song which is called tempo. Tempos vary for songs. Slow songs, fast songs. Got it? Ok good. The part in music that allows musicians to play together is a very common thread that holds them all together. It’s the count, tempo and key. Still there?

For years musicians have been using a metronome of sorts to help them keep a steady tempo while playing together. We call this the click. We use the click in the studio so it gives us a reference point so we can record more accurately. With the addition to drums loops, programmed instruments, and vocals being played to tracks in a live situation as well as video on stage, the click is crucial to making sure everyone on stage knows where they are in the song…it makes it very easy for them to find the one.

Recently I played with a group of guys I had never played with. We didn’t know each other all that well and they didn’t know me at all. There were no tracks to play to and no video to play along with so there was no need to play to a click. Professionally its more common than not for a drummer to use a click to keep the tempo consistent for the band. It’s so common that most musicians expect it.

I have no problem playing to a click, but I’m a little old school these days. If you don’t need it…don’t use it.

I was amused at the look on the faces of the guys I played with when I told them I wasn’t using a click. For a moment there was shock on their faces and I saw them working a lot harder to keep their part together.

I feel like as musicians today evolve, one thing needs to remain a staple in our society of players. You MUST learn to play well without a click. Your internal clock should know where one is at all times.

Why am I explaining all of this?

Music is emotional. It can be happy or sad, mellow or dramatic. With the flow of emotion in music, sometimes parts of a song are going to speed up a little and slow down a little.  Some people pass out at the thought of speeding up or slowing down songs while playing. But here’s the catch…if it feels good…you really should do it.

I learned along time ago about something called relative time. It means the tempo may vary with the emotion of the song, but as long as all the players are on the same page with it, then what is relative will feel great to the music.

It’s like when Yoda was trying to teach Luke Skywalker how to use the light saber without using his sight. You have to feel it, move with it, allow it to breath and take on something different…you must…use the force.

My basketball coach would say. Don’t let the play get in the way of playing the game. Sometimes things aren’t going to go as planned so you have to learn to move and respond as life ebbs and flows. Sounds like life huh. I guess it’s all relative to what your situation is, but having an attitude that is flexible usually makes life a little sweeter.

For you music types…learn to feel the music. The click can be a great asset…but it can also be your crutch.

For all you who thought I had found the one…I did, just not the one you were thinking of.

HT: Watercooler Wednesday

The music industry is changing fast. Here in Nashville, the change is making a few old schoolers nervous and some early adopters excited. In a time when music downloads scare industry execs, we have found a new beginning in the world of free as an entry point to a long lasting career. Life in the music industry will be different. Not might, not maybe…but WILL be different.
There are rumblings of a new model for record deals and new ways to sell records, but even that is a little old school from what I hear AND what I believe to be true. What I do know is those of you who are independent artists have the leg up right now and the opportunity to do more than you could ever dream. For you signed artists out there who feel strapped in by the deal you signed years ago. Make the best of it, learn from it, and realize it’s your career so be in control when your deal is done and don’t let anyone stand in your way of doing what you know is right for you.

Life in the fast lane…great song right? I love it. But I’m here to tell you that if you slow down to look around, things might pass you by on this one.

I will tell you what I know without going into the details of what I really know.

The live experience will always prevail when it comes to the life of an artist. No matter how CD’s are sold, if an artist wants a career, the show must go on.

When Big Tent Revival was touring. We knew we wouldn’t sell tons of CD’s and that our shelf life was limited if you looked at our career being centered around the sell of a CD. What we also knew was our ability to put on a strong show was far better than our CD sales and the only person paying our bills was the promoters who hired us to come play. Thank you promoters!!

What caused promoters to keep asking us to come play shows was our ability to put on the kind of show that would sell tickets to a certain audience. We entertained, encouraged, and told people about Christ…and most times we just simply rocked. It was that simple. No matter how few CD’s we sold, we could always tour.

When people came to see our shows, the experience they had made them want to go to our merchandise table and buy CD’s, Shirts, Posters…whatever they could buy from us, they bought. Whatever we could sell them, we sold.

You see people. This is where the live experience breaths new life into the music industry. Give people a great show and they will be a fan and buy your CD’s, shirts, posters and hats…you can extend this to the online world as well…the fan club, social network, blog…

As I look at the live experience, I’m reminded that the majority if my favorite CD’s are all live recordings. I’m also reminded of how much money I’ve spent on concert tickets, shirts and everything else that comes with the experience.

So you want to support your favorite artist? Buy a ticket and go see the show. The rest will flow naturally…

HT:Watercooler Wednesday & Creative Chaos