"Favorite French Songs + More"

Completed printing, straightening, folding, stapling, 12 books today.  This includes 5 hours of corrections.   I could not go through another year without finishing putting together this book.   It's "all the music from the last year and half" I have been given to study outside of the normal music books.  A book of all the "Familiar and Famous" Accordion Music not found in the "Traditional Palmer & Hughes Music Books" that you want to play!

This work has made me a much better Music Transcriber, Music Copyist,  Music Arranger and Book Printer.  Now all I have to think about now is "How" to get these books into the hands of the right people, the People who Play the Accordion!  I can not sell this book but I will give you one if you want it!

"French Favorites"

Today I made corrections on:

• "Swan Lake"
• "Padam"
• "Star Wars"

The corrections I made on two others were lost due to carelessness with files.  Tried to go back and fix through using the App "Time Machine" but files  were saved at a time in between when it actually "Saved" them so could be not found.

Two songs were:

• "Le Autr Valse De Amelie"
• "Valse D' Amelie"

Luckily I had printed the updated version out
so they were saved, just not digitally.

There were 4 Star Wars Themes I added to the book.

What Size Is Your Book?

What Size Is Your Book?

8 x 11 cm

"French Music and Favorite Potpourri" (2011)

"Happiest Music On Accordion" (2009)

"Lessons With Eric Abrahamson" (2010)

What Size Do You Really Want Your Book?

9 X 12

This is the size of professional music books but it is an "odd size"
for the paper does not work in printing this size. So mine books are smaller.

"French Music and Favorite Potpourri"

"Lessons With Eric Abrahamson"

"Happiest Music On Accordion"

What Size Do You Really Want Your Book?

"French Music and Favorite Potpourri"

"Lessons With Eric Abrahamson"

"Happiest Music On Accordion"

On Time :"Paradise Island"

Recording "Star Wars": Rebel Fleet

Status
Connecting Computer to a Projector then to a Cintiq did not work.
Fail

Status
Disconnected  the projector
Succeed!

Status
"Empire Strikes Back"
take 1 - fail
take 2 - fail
take 3 - fail
take 4 - almost
OH WAIT IT'S NOT EVEN RECORDING!!
(replug in Black Jack + reconnect hard drive, painstaking)
take 5 - here we go - FAIL
TAKE 6 - - fail
TAKE 7- fail
Take 8 - - fail
Take 9 - - fail
Take 10 - - fail
Take 11 - - fail
Take 12- - fail
take 12 -20 - fail
Take 21 - good take but can not hear sound
Take 22 - Trying to listen back but the headphone jack is loose/broken.
Works only through iTunes and headphones
(I am hearing fire and a buzz from computer.)
totally sucks plus a real bug is circling me.

                             Definitely choose the wrong line of work!                               

The Empire Strikes Back (1980) STARWARS "Rebel Fleet Theme"

PRINT MUSIC 2011

Last night the PRINT MUSIC kept crashing and I could not print the document I worked so hard on.  THIS MORNING I WENT TO print music WEBSITE ENTER 7 DIFFERENT PASSWORDS AND NONE OF THEM WORKED.

I click on change/forgot my password and they sent me a new one which also did not work!

So before throwing the computer in the pool I decided to create a new account.  I forgot to pray to GOD during all this so this could have been part of the problem too.  I created a new account with a new email. ericstefani@me.com and set a new password.  So that worked and I finally got to sign on to the sight.

I searched for Print Music 2011 upgrade an found one that said "Print music 2011a" but it was only for "registered users".   Well I was a "registered user"  under the other email!  Anyways I decided to just click download and it worked!   Took two minutes and 46 MB.

I decided after all this just to buy a new frickin' program. $129 with a new password and the new email.
I use this program like some people eat food so I really needed to get it to keep me out of trouble and working on something positive...

Later after two hour of downloading the program and to install, I finally get it back up and working.    Why can't things be a little easier?

LOGIC STUDIO: "Cut + Paste"

The new program uses the right panel to "cut + paste" tracks.

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CUT

Hight light  tracks, then click "edit" and then select "cut"

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TEMPO
To change Tempo or "click" put the curser in the middle of the Tempo and after you click drag "up" or "down" in order to change "Tempo".

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Although this looks incomplete, it was the way Blogger uploaded the image.   It would only "upload" part of it. This happened after I took the single sheet and split it up into two to in large my vision.  Also the printer would not print the new version, that is, you are seeing a snapshot I took in "Preview" since it would not print!

How to Mic a Piano

Instructions

1. • 1
     Spend some time listening to the piano. Have someone play it while you walk around and listen to the piano from different angles. Make mental or physical notes about where the piano sounds muddy, thin, boomy or just right.
   • 2
     Decide on some mics. You can use just one mic or up to 3 to get a good sounding piano. Try to stick to condenser mics. Some good large-diaphragm condenser mics are the AKG 414 and the AudioTechnica 4050. Small-diaphragm condenser mics such as the Neumann KM 64 and Earthworks also work well on pianos.
   • 3
     Mic your piano. A good place to start is a spaced stereo pair inside the piano. Place the mics at the G that is an octave lower than middle-C and at the G that is an octave above middle-C. Being closer to the hammers will give you more attack, while moving back some will give you a more even sound.
   • 4
     Set up a room mic. An omni mic set up at the end of the piano or out to the side can capture some nice sound. Another alternative to having mics inside the piano is to set up a mid-side or X/Y stereo pair off to the side of the piano.
   • 5
     Move your mics around. The likelihood is that your first setup is not going to give you the sound you want. Adjust the mics until you get the right balance. Remember always to check for phase and to make sure your stereo mics sound good in mono.
   • 6
     Use compression, EQ and effects sparingly and tastefully. You can get a great, pop sounding piano with a little compression, but be careful not to overdo it. Also, you can EQ to reflect the sound of the piano better, but your first option should be to adjust mics. Reverb and other effects can add to the sound, but should be used in moderation.

Read more: How to Record a Piano | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2090063_record-piano.html#ixzz1ehZPNazK

Live Practice

Today's 'Live Practice' at the park went pretty good.  I wasn't nervous in the least bit.  I didn't play the songs perfect but I did get through them all the way to the end.  The electric piano is a little tougher than the  upright piano, but it went well.

Later I practiced "Star Wars: Empire Strike Back - Rebel Fleet End Title" Theme.  Here's a typed version I enthusiastically made as soon as I got home!  This was taken from two page sketches I made while listening the soundtrack during the movie and writing out the music using the piano.

GARAGE BAND - "Visual EQ"

Follow this path in order to get to the "VISUAL EQ"

Make sure u have "Real Instrument Track" or it will not work!

You got to  click the "Edit" button to get to the Goods!

John 15:5 "I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who continues in me and in whom I continue bears abundant fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." I found the Visual EQ at the bottom of the page that allows you to change EQ with animated bars moving as the song plays.  This is helpful to determine what is being hear visually plus these present are unlike the other EQ I found, that you have to set every "freaking" point! Recording "Dill Pickles" Played it about 7 times but sloppy, so just setting the sound right, microphone placement, EQ +Bugs.  Preparing to capture a great performance as I practice for Saturday's "Live" recital. This EQ allows for different over all fluent sounds, to "CONTROL" the over all Bass, Low Mid, High Mid, Treble.  Also the "Analyzer" gives the . . . "Visual EQ Animations" !

GARAGE BAND - "Real Instrument Mode"

Only in "Real Instrument" mode does it allow you to choose reverbs and EQ settings.  If the programs think that "The Track" is a "Loop Track" or "Midi" or something other than a "Real Instrument Track" it will not allow you to add Gate, Reverb, Delay, Gate or Compression.  You must have it in "Real Instrument" mode.

Feedback Protection

Going Through the "Sound Control Options" to "Dial In" the best sound

• "Reverb" and "Echo" options
• Compression Options: "Piano Smooth" and "Piano Upright"
• Noise Gate -60 (Any higher and the sound cuts obviously cuts out)
• Graphic EQ - (Ok, Finally now I can have the option of turning up the high end!
• AUFilter - Allows EQ changes in less options.  (5 buttons) 

To me it doesn't sound "stereo", it sounds "mono" 

but at least I got it finally working!!

Feedback Control: turn "on" position

Microphone an Upright Piano - - - - - - - - - - for "Garage Band" and "Logic"

Testing the equipment to get sound recorded for "Bethena" and "Dill Pickles" Practice

1) Two Condenser Mic w/ new batteries are on 2 separate stands.
2) One covers the right side high notes + the left on the low ones.
3) XLR into "ONYX Black Jack 2X2 USB" user interface.
4) Plug in headphones, can hear Audio + Light Display moving.
5) Open "Garage Band" Application.
6) New Track "Real Instrument"
7) Untangle headset wire around chair!
8) Press Record!
9) Set Phantom Power to "Off" since they already have power.
10) "Stereo" setting
11) Hi-Z
12) USB + Power light are both light green.
13) Record a test with volume down on the computer

SET SYSTEM Preferences

General Preferences let you add a click, but do I need to create a click track first so it's not on the final recording?  Need to experiment first to see what happens.

Audio/MIDI

Here is where you set the interface to interfere with your creativity

I don't want automatic loops.  Should I click these?  I don't know.

These just allow you choose number of track, kind of silly really.

"Logic Pro" Installed

It took me all day yesterday to install Logic Pro.  I have been very happy with my own way of recording but since someone got me this program I thought I better give it a try.  The only problem is that when I go to play the demo I can not hear anything.

LOGIC PRO SUPPORT  

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Here's is my final for today.  

In making of "French Music and Favorite Potpourri" here are two drawings I recently did.  I haven't drawn in awhile and I think that it helped me to appreciate and identify that my first versions are pretty good.  I will have to go over these with ink and then add half tone shading to make final.

The Alfred Hitchcock Presents" Theme song is called "Funeral March of the Marionettes" by Charles
Gounod.

Today I got together the cover artwork 11x19 saved as a PDF.  Now I just need to get it printed up and I can complete this project.  I made all the corrections on the music that I type set in PRINT MUSIC and they should not need fixes except for "Bella Notte".  Also "Indiana Jones" was never submitted.

Photo by Todd Stefani

PRINT MUSIC: "Slurs and Ties"

I have always had trouble using "Slurs" and "Ties".  They have these four "anchor points" you have the option to pull on in order to shape and properly place them.

But this morning I noticed that if you take the furthest "anchor point" and simply drag it directly a crossed to the last note you want it to end on . . . when you release the mouse . . . the slur "jumps up" into the exact place you need!  Placed Perfect and Angled Accurately!

What Song Is This?

User Accounts for Mac.

Did you know that if you have two different "User Accounts" on a computer,  you can only "Sign On" to just one at a time.  So the computer stores information completely different from the other account? Yes.  This is for privacy between different people.

I did this by accident,  I have two accounts and I was working on one, and when I came back a week later I signed on to "wrong user account" so my work was not there after signing on.

Later after thinking about maybe using "Time Machine" to restore my files, I remembered having the two "user accounts".  So I restarted the computer and signed on as the other "user account" and found all my updated information.

File Sharing Between User Accounts 

You can use "share folder" that allows transfer data between two accounts.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3309

"Strawberry Rag"

This song has been actively pursuit in perhaps leading me to a new CD.  Although Lotso the Bear from sent me some sour vibes, I will not let his encounter steal my dreams even if he does smell like Strawberry's.

Here's the flyer to my up coming recital.  Dec. 3rd, 2011

BlackJack - Driver for Interface

ONXY 2x2 BlackJack

Here's the driver you need to download to operated the interface.

Mackie USB Driver V2.0

The guy showed me several different options. The lower end ones seemed to be made of plastic and didn't had the stereo XLR L/R for microphones. I asked to check out high end ones. He explain they work with "Firewire and Firewire 800" but USB for sound works basically the same digitally.

The last one he show me indeed had a more "professional" hardware and wasn't too high in price, $150. He mentioned it had Phantom Power and knobs that I'd seen on Large Studio Soundboards.   The two stereo inputs are both "XLR" and "Quarter Inch", which is just what I need.

Check out the video at this website:

http://www.mackie.com/products/onyxblackjack/

Later I saw they make a head set with microphone,  I paid $80 to use when doing the LIVE Puppet Show.

Mackie - ONYM Driver Download

Today I picked up a new ONYX Black Jack made by "Mackie"

I wanted to get better sound when recording my own performances so I

was hoping to go directly off the Roland 16 Track recorder in to the computer.

The guy at Guitar Center said the best thing to do is get a stereo interface.

Previous day I pick up a small pair speakers to help let me know what the final

sound will sound like. I will hopefully start posting these performances if there

is anything magical happens.

"Vaise D'Amelie" (2001)

This version of this song was written for piano and was too small and blurry to read. I retyped it up in 'Print Music" for accordion so that I could read it without guessing.

It was on 4 pages without repeat marking, just written out, although it's not perfect it's much more useful to me now in this format. And yes, I am aware the movie came out 10 years ago.

The Strawberry Band's in Town

The Strawberry Band's in Town

Please stay and listen to the song I've written

it's not like the one's before

it may sound familiar but this one ain't filler

I guarantee that, you love this more

The melody to sing is very pleasing

when it goes right along as planned

Pull up a chair, I swear it’s easy

the Strawberry Band's in Town

the Strawberry Band's in Town

Hear it again you might just start a humming

when I'm not there, it's there for you

Yes it's "On the level" but brother it ain't easy

it picks you up, when your feeling blue

The Strawberry Band is not a bowl of cherries

but the tune sure can carry well

Please take a listen to the song I've just written

the Strawberry Band's in Town

the Strawberry Band's in Town

(Take a Listen)

the Strawberry Band's in Town

the Strawberry Band's in Town

"Strawberry Rag" - (Hour 2) Lyrics

"Day At The Races" - Abrahamson

Practice a new piano song "Day At The Races". Has lots of scale type melodies that back track then expand on the same idea using "8va" variations. The left hand is using simple 1, 4, 57 progressions but mixed up in an interesting ways.

After wresting with just the right hand while programming I found myself reading it pretty quickly once I got to know what it is they are trying say. To me it sound like a Irish Dance rather than a Day at the Races.

Pay attention to the fingering and relax wrists. Tempo was at 90. I plugged it in with pianos but later gravitated towards the organ and playing is like a 'Bach' or 'Church Hymn'.

With all this movement throughout the piece the bass noted "A" remains in place like the weight holding the song in place while the rest is suspended, flowing above.