Saosin – I can tell there was an accident here & no angel
Oct 28, 2010 Rock Bands
Saosin the rock bands songs called ‘ I can tell there was an accident here’ and ‘No Angel’
Saxophone Blues Scales – if you Want to Play Blues, Rock, Jazz you Need to Start Here
Mar 15, 2010 Classic Rock
If you’re a saxophonist interested in playing any type of blues based music including rock and roll and even jazz then you need to use the blues scale as your number one tool to make things sound right.
A little history
If you want to investigate back to the beginnings of the blues as it came about in America just start with W.C. Handy, who was a black composer active in the early 1900’s when the blues form began to get popularized in large part because of his instrumental compositions “Memphis Blues” (1912) and “St. Louis Blues” (1914). Of coarse the blues oral tradition can be traced back to the mid 1800’s.
The blues scale
Because our western music has it’s roots in European classical music the music theorists needed to notate the blues scale as it was naturally played and sung into an understandable notation which could be analyzed and played by western trained musicians.
The simplest way to explain it’s theory is this:
Simply take the traditional major scale; C D E F G A B C and flatten the 3rd, 5th, and 7th. Now it looks like this: C D Eb E F Gb G A Bb C.
(Please look at the example on my website for the full musical notation). Notice the E, G, and B have been flattened, they are the 3rd, 5th and 7th notes of the C major scale and flattening them makes the scale sound minor thus giving it the “blues” or sad sound as opposed to the “major” or happy sound.
For us sax players these flat notes are perfect to incorporate a “growl” sound to further emphasize that “bluesy” expression or make it a bit more nasty. Two other things to notice; the 3rd and 5th can be played as a flat or not but the 7th generally is only played as a flat and not the major 7th in this type of scale or musical genre. (for some audio examples please refer to the website version of this article).
So now our basic major scale of 8 notes is now a blues scale of 10 notes. There are other variations to this blues scale; the basic version for example is a 7 note scale: C Eb F F# G Bb C (the F# being the same as the Gb). Adding the D, E natural and A give us more musical possibilities and will not change the basic sound of the blues scale. Even adding a flat 9th ( D flat) was a favorite thing Charlie Parker did a lot and is a good way to jazz up your phrases.
The blues progression
Of coarse this is all just words and notes and theory. You have to apply it and in any blues music this is done over a musical progression thats 12 measures in length, thus the term “12 bar blues”.
We’re in the key of C so the first 4 bars will be the C chord. The 5th and 6th bars change to the 4 chord which is F (4th note in the C scale).
The 7th and 8th bars change back to the 1 chord (C). The 9th and 10th bars change to the 5 chord, which is G. The 11th and 12th bars change back to the 1 chord (C). There are variations in this 12 bar pattern and can be seen on the website version of this article.
When starting out you can get away with just playing the same C blues scale over the entire progression but try to emphasize 1 or 2 of the notes in the F and G chord to make things a little more interesting. For example, over the F chord play an F or an A note to emphasize the harmonic color of the chord a little more.
In conclusion
The blues mean different things to many people ranging from musical styles to a way of life or philosophy. The blues do have musical influences from Europe and Africa but it is truly an American musical form and tradition fully rooted in the black experience of the post-war southern United States.
I want to be clear that when I talk about the blues or the blues scale I’m not only referring to this type of musical tradition and style but include funk, R&B, country, jazz and pop. Like the old saying goes; The blues had a baby and they names it rock & roll and from there came just about every form of pop music in western history since that explosive time in the mid 1900’s
And so, I think it’s safe to say that the blues scale is easily one of the most used and important scales for all types of western popular music.
Experience the full article on saxophone blues scales complete with music notation and audio sample and learn about important artists who made contributions to great American Blues and Rock & Roll.
Johnny Ferreira is an award winning saxophonist, international touring and recording artist. Advocator of saxophone music that rocks, jumps, and swings! For more articles, information, and music visit http://JohnnyFerreira.com
Tags: Blues, Here, Jazz, Need, Play, Rock, Saxophone, Scales, start, Want
Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd + Lyrics
Apr 28, 2007 Classic Rock
*LYRICS* So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell, Blue skies from pain. Can you tell a green field From a cold steel rail? A smile from a veil? Do you think you can tell? Did they get you to trade Your heroes for ghosts? Hot ashes for trees? Hot air for a cool breeze? Cold comfort for change? Did you exchange A walk on part in the war, For a lead role in a cage? How I wish, how I wish you were here. We’re just two lost souls Swimming in a fish bowl, Year after year, Running over the same old ground. What have we found The same old fears. Wish you were here.
Best New Rock Bands Review? Here is Rey Fresco – Hey Girl
Feb 21, 2007 Rock Bands
Best new rock bands of today? Here is a review on Hey Girl from Rey Fresco’s The People Album.
First I will share my thoughts of why I think Rey Fresco goes into the “best new rock bands” category, then let’s hear yours.
Rey Fresco being one of the best new rock bands in California really hit the head of the nail with this track.
The intro is definitely a strong point of the song using bees and their honey as a metaphor. Clever, because it is sweet. The transition of the intro to chorus is so smooth, nothing less would be expected for being one of the best new rock bands.
As for the lyrics in this flowing tune, they are truly just as tasty and meaningful. Not only does Roger have a truly amazing voice, but when he gives it to us, BOY does he give it good.
This band goes above and beyond in the next part which is by Xoco on the requinto. Gosh, what IS a requinto you may ask? Google it. It’s quite amazing.
Often the percussion session is quite striking by the drummer, Andrew “Jenkins” Jones. But in this track, he humbly gives a background simple beat to add focus to the lyrics and other instruments. The bassist also allows the others the front row. You can spot it, but just at the right amount. If you listen closely you can see the magic behind the mixing engine and even catch some trumpets and other horns. The mix and delivery of all of the above is where this bands wins the prize. Clearly defining them as one of the best new rock bands.
Here is what the band Rey Fresco has put together for you about Hey Girl
A love anthem about mother earth and her seed bearing plants. This song talks about Hey Girl, and that is a metaphor for mother earth, and all the gifts we get from her.
This is a tune that I could listen to over and over.
There is not really anything I could say that is bad about this song. Again, what do you expect from the list of the best new rock bands.
So is it one of the best new rock bands of today? Of course you can’t totally agree without hearing it, but I recommend checking them out.
Here is some more goods on one of the best new rock bands: There is a free song available at their website and the entire album “The People” is available on iTunes. After hearing it, you’ll agree, this is one of the best new rock bands.
Check out another article about them here:
Rey Fresco, One of The Best New Rock Bands Review on Sugar Love
This is about a new band called Rey Fresco, good stuff…You can also connect with them and learn more about this new artist at reyfresco.com