Yoda and Random Drawings

This free kind of design of Yoda is sketched out in pencil then later gone over with a "Single Lined" black felt-tip pen marker.  While inking I think final line to describe the 3 dimensional form.

Similar physical traits Yoga of STAR WARS Degobah System and Ren Hoek of share. Long ears Big Eyes.  John K. creator of Ren and Stimpy.

George Lucas drew from other stories of inspiration for STAR WARS though it seems like this creator had all the power in the universe, other powers helped him.

Think three D makes your characters believable and real.

The size of your characters can make a difference.  

The lower half of the characters bodies don't move so keep them on a separate layer.

Drawing from three real life isn't that easy when our world is always moving

. . . so drawing from photos works.

Messy Mathew meets a Witch from "Clean Witch Room?"

This book was actually story boards for an animation. 

Get all your boards and story working first

 and then your animation 

will be easier to complete. 

Don't add EXTRA ACTIONS

JUST TELL THE STORY.

"I've Got A Picture" - Eric Stefani

As you can see I have aged

While I've been here in this cage

but I'm turning the page

I won't get stuck at that stage

I don't make minimum wage

I've got a picture of somebody face

it reminds me of someone I knew

I'm not pointing fingers but I think I would say

This ones got to be you

and with my hair turning grey

and wrinkles that I downplay

I'm on the corner cafe

Has it been a decade

These photographs they don't fade

I've got a picture of somebody face

it reminds me of someone I knew

I'm not pointing fingers but I think it's strange

they sure don't look like you

Somebody's Face

Somebody's Face

Somebody's Face

Somebody's Face

I've got a picture of somebody face

it reminds me of someone I knew

I'm not pointing fingers but I'd think I would say

It's left me feeling blue

I've got a picture of somebody face

it reminds me of someone I knew

I'm not pointing fingers but I think I would say

This ones got to be you

"Colonial Rag"

This piece was taking the chord progression from Scott Joplin's "Swipsy" and building a new melody line.  Eric Abrahamson wrote the main theme to page one and I wrote page two.  I tried to stick with way Joplin writes melodies.  I tend to notice the octave and double notes next to each other and lots of contrary motion.  

Abrahamson used the theory of sticking to one idea and developing it as he says, "You don't have to keep going back the well of inspiration."  His main melody repeated three times,  later the melody repeat in bars 13. Other parts I developed a simple rhythm ideas around the main melody.   There are tons of variations you could make, but here I also tried to stick with one idea and keep it simple.

The "Colonial Rag" title came about while I was playing snare drum along side of it.  It was obvious it sounded like right out of the 1800's with Ben Franklin and his kite.  The second page tends to slow down in a similar way that "Solace" or "Bethena" feels.  Joplin's minor chords straying out of key giving it contrast and serious angular direction.  

Third section that's (A7 and Dm) or (B7 and Em)  which I still will create.

Wonder Queen

I never noticed the similarity between "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder and "You're My best Friend" by Queen.   Same drum fill and over all feel.  Wonder is it little more shuffle drums but over all 6/8 triplet. Hand claps.

The Railroad Rag (Accordion)

1

2

3

4

This version uses 16 bar Rag form which gives the songs structure, strength and length.

This song sounds just a good on a accordion as it does on a piano.

Strict Definition of RAG as a "PIANO COMPOSITION"

Here is a grid I made in order to organize chord progressions of musical compositions.  This will help see what "path" other works are taking.  The "ROMAN NUMERAL" system Back used is interesting to me in what chords are used behind the tune.    "The Melody is to the driver singing what the Chord Progression is to the street taken".  This is taken from "Scott Joplin Complete Piano Rags" after the introduction before the "School of Ragtime" by Scott Joplin

Eric Abrahamson Music Book #4

The third version of (Book #4).  This new cover is hand inked on a cel and painted on the back.  The lettering was added in the computer and then touched up.  Larry's hands are finally on the piano and the music he's sight reading is "Margery".  By coincidence my Grandmother's name (Marge Stefani) and also a character I drew for a long time on the Simpson's Television Show (Marge Simpson).

Extra Tall Cat and Laughing Larry were two guys who lived in the early part of the century playing their favorite Ragtime Songs as swell as other Classical pieces.  The don't smoke or drink but have a great time studying and having fun together.  Sometimes they fight.

Eric Abrahamson is a Music Teacher, Composer, who performs at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.  He has been teaching me how to reading "Music for the Piano" for three years.  This book includes most of all the rags I've learned in three years with him including "Swipsy", 'Solace", "Peacherine Rag", "Tick Tock Rag", "Snowflake Rag, "Bethena" and one I am currently working" on Margery".

Lyrics To Memorize

"Hold On" 

Hold On, before your going to do it

Hold On, it's okay to hesitate

Hold On, if you feel you don't know it

Hold On, before it's about to break

Hold On, when the winds not in your direction

Hold On, if you make a big mistake

Hold On, it's not time for celebrations

(Organ Break)

Hold On, maybe try out something different

Hold On, it's better that you wait

Hold On, it's better if you listen

(Organ Break)

"In The Morning"

I wonder if I can get up in the morning

I wonder if I will leave the room

I don't know, what the future holds

I wonder if I can get up in the morning

Is there something I got to do?

I don't know, what the future holds

I wonder if I can get up in the morning

or will I sleep through the afternoon

I don't know, what the future holds

(1:45)

1x loop

traffic

2x more traffic

3x chicken

"As It's All Going Down"

TAKE IT as it's handed out, MAKE IT with what you found
Really trying not to BREAK IT, as it's all going down
ERASE IT if it's not the sound, CHASE IT,  like a sight hound
you certainly can CLAIM IT, as it's all going down

  

and it's all going down
and it's all going down
and it's all going down

MEAN IT, as you breaking ground,DREAM IT, your aren't out of bounds
Silly to think you can't make it, as it's all going down
SAVE IT and cut it out, TAPE IT, you know what it's about it
Really trying not to BREAK IT, as it's all going down

It's certainly what you make it,

Edits "Jim Dandy" and "Smiley Face"

1) "It's Always Something"
My most requested song.  The chord progression was inspired by a Special AKA song from "In The Studio" (1989). Night on the Tiles

2) "Jim Dandy"

While the song is not too bad, it does go on and on and should end sooner.  Cutting out the extra guitar section the song returns to the the chorus and ends sooner for "Again and Again" to begin.
Why doesn't anybody tell me these things!!

3) "Again and Again"

The chord progression to this song was written naturally, meaning I've didn't have to hunt for them they 'flowed' out.  The lyric on the other hand took week of rewrites until I feel they were great.   The last Chorus of the song is too predicable and boring, I wish the song would fade sooner or just have it instrumental.

4) "She's Is Always On His Mind"
'flowed' out

5) "Still There's Another Day"
'flowed' out

6) "She's My Girl"
'flowed' out

8) "Smiley Face"
'flowed' out

9) "Land of Make Believe"
'flowed' out

10) Round
'flowed' out

While listening closely to the first verse of the other version I can hear it's is much better.  Swap! Wondering how it would sound without the 'Frog Man Vocal' on the fourth verse and shorten the song by 30 seconds? 

• "20 sound effect"

• Three musical edits.

The song ends a 2:31 and it much better than the original 3:00 minute version. Thanks to Norma Aragon for giving me a crazy Mark Mothersbaugh Christmas CD with excellent clown laughs.
They brought the song up to a much more believable level.

Mastering

Compression helped to make the over all track sit together better. 

"LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE" (2003)

Today I gathered all piles of miscellaneous CDS to one location.  And during this process I found left over covers and cd jackets made from making my own CDs.   I was out of "Land of Make Believe" but had four good jewel cases with U-CARDS and COVERS.  I just needed to print the CD FACE and burn them.

I started thinking it would easy but three hours of learning how to work printer and find cd face took a lot of time.  To ease or increase the pain I listened to alternative takes of the album.  "Obstacles" was rewritten over the original idea "She's My Girl" but listening to both the original is by far more listenable.  So that track was swapped back.  "Land of Make Believe" and "Still Another Day" still sound pretty good.

"Smiley Face" has some flubs and should be re-edited until they are gone.  "Again and Again" and "It's Always Something" are my best tracks on here.  I've enjoyed playing those tracks probably the most out of all my solo work.  Also people have told me they like these songs.

"Jim Dandy" and "Open Road" while I work my ass off they are ones I skip over.  But "She's Always On His Mind" I keep wanting to keep singing and playing live.  It's got a great lyric and melody probably my third favorite but I still rewrite the verses every time I sit down.

The artwork for the album was different from what I had ever done before.   I wanted one long foldable accordion poster with the lyrics and artwork.  It was the smartest way to go because making little booklets is a real f*@3r#ing nightmare, every f*@3r#in time.  Sadly the original artwork is lost and I can't find it anywhere in on computer's hard drive.

I plan to scan the artwork and reprint new copies since it's one album I am most proud of.

"Round" has some trombone playing that's about 80% there, it's better than some of the stuff I've heard from other live ska bands but would,'t consider it the more professional sound.  I hope to continue trying to play other instruments to see really how impossible they are to play like everyone thinks.

Aero Props

Aero Props (helicopter spinners) has changed the nature of my live show I do at the park.  I keep  a handful of them on my music stand in a coffee holder, and tell everyone to try flying one.  I instruct them with first asking them to hold up their right hand.  Right hand must go forward in order to fly them.



Most folk spend along time revering up their Aero Props in antcipation but really it can only confuse you with which hand to release.  I've notice people need to be told when to left off.  Counting down and followed with sound effects makes it not only more exciting for the flight but also more believable.

The beginner usually needs to be aware of several crash landings before getting off the ground.  The best sound effects are ones that ending a "CRASH!" or a "SMASH!" which is available on my Sound Effect Machine.  Some live walky-talky chatter and 1950's music orchestration would make it even better...

I now have got the iPod working with the speaker, so it's just a matter of cueing up everything together.
The kids usually ask to keep the spinners but I tell them if everyone takes one I will have to go buy all new ones so leave it with me for the fun next time.

For Kids and Families
Garfield Park South Pasadena
Monday Wednesday and Friday
3:30 - 5:30 with Eric Stefani

LIVE MUSIC GARFIELD PARK

Today was a good day for me.   I showed up at four o'clock backed my car into the unloading area and unloaded my equipment.  I then moved the car to a parking spot on the street.  Took me two trips to get stuff down to area where I set up.  Keeping my mind set on playing for one hour.

It looked like a party in one of the Cabanas was winding down so the timing was perfect for me to set up.  I use to get nervous when there is already a party in progress, I would hate to interrupt.  I brought a new box to hold all the music instruments and now it's much easier for the kids to see the instruments.
I tell them to choose one and play it the best you can.

Most of time I don't have time to practice at home with too many other this but if I take my musical instrument out and set up I not only get to share but I get some much more focused practice in.  Playing in front of others has made me a much more courteous musician.

Finally a new sign sign at Garfield park in South Pasadena.  Looks great!

New CD Printer Canon MG 6220

Canon MG 6220 allows you to print direct on white cd faces.  I was really happy having learned they made this after many years of trail and error with stickers and printing on cd.

Today I had a small learning curve, no pun intended.  PHOTOSHOP CS6 In order to get type to line in 'circular path' I had to select 'Ellipse Tool' and then select 'Path'.  The top corner of the menu you will see the circle and to the left of it you get options to choose. 'Shape', 'Path', 'Pixel'.

I had my original artwork then IMPORTED into PHOTOSHOP CS6.  It was very difficult to center the image, even after  many tests.  Finally this new way of printing has center the image perfectly.

               Here was a crazy idea I had that I decided wasn't working as well as the original idea.
Today I burned and printed six c.d.s in an hour but if I have to hear this music again I am going to jump out of my chair.

  Here was a first attempt after using Photoshop and before changing to light blue. 

"The Right Directions"