Today's Music Lesson

1) Editing your mix can really pay off, by "Eliminate that Second Solo Altogether!"

2) You can not "Burn to Disc" from an iPod!

3) You can rewrite the song until the lyrics are correct, or until you are exhausted.

4) There is an "h" and no "l" in the word "exhausted".

5) The background music should "Spotlight the Vocalist" in the best possible light.

6) When mixing you might have to go through a few "trails" until you get to the good ones.

7) A song with four verses could be shortened down to three if there is a good spot to edit.

8) Be sure to label your mixes, in the computer and on disc.

9) Put discs away when your done.

10) Look how much time you spent to get it corrected and completed.

11) Don't listen to the song so much that you can not tell if it's any good, take a break!

12) Get the verses to "sing the lyrics" by singing them over and over until they are comfortable!

You can check my new mix of "Places You Get to Go" from my new album "On Time" (2011) at ericstefani.net under Podcast.

Places You Get To Go

You got to come to a closed door

before you're going get inside

and not until you get up the tree

will you find the honey in the beehive!

and to the places, you get to know

I hope you get to go

and all the others you haven't seen

I hope your lights are green

You got to come to a stoplight

before you get to go ahead

and to play the Blue Danube

you don't have to flying to Budapest

and to the places, you get to know

I hope you get to go

and all the others you haven't seen

I hope your lights are green

(Instrumental)

Yes you got to put your order in

if you want to come up

and you got to keep momentum going

you don’t want it to end abrupt

and to the places, you get to know

I hope you get to go

and all the others you haven't seen

I hope your lights are green

(Instrumental)

and to the places you get to go

and to the places you get to know

(This lyric has started to lean towards food, should not it be 'places'?)

"Places You Get To Go"

Again today I found another line that may be a better rhyme:

"You gotta to come to a stoplight, the rules you must abide

and if you you’re taking up two lanes, you might wanna move a side!"

Help the song to to keep moving along.

"Places You Get To Go" (verse 2)

I've lived with the teacup line for a few days but I think now I got it.

The lyrics should lead in the "places" chorus or lyric so . . .

"When you come to a stop light, you can not go because it's red

and if you're taking up two lanes, then go on, go ahead!"

Although it doesn't have the variation on the story, it does feel more natural than the "teacup" line.

"You got to put your order in, if you want it to come up,

and you better take the caffeine out, if you wanna a teacup!"

Russian Sailor's Dance

"Russian Sailor's Dance" is written in key of Cm minor key with a time signature of 2/4. It was written by Reinhold Gliere and played pesante which means heavy or lumpy. The Bass Clef plays the melody line while the striking violins and Violas play striking accents.

The recordings I've heard are very very fast. There are 5 pages with the same idea played in different speeds/tempos. Moderato, Animato, Allegro, Piu tranquillo, Presto, Pui mosso, Tranquillo: Tranquil, calm.

Dave said his students can just learn part of the song if they choose so, that you do not have to learn to play the entire piece. Although I enjoy this song it does go on and on with variations on the same theme, similar the way my sketchbook were in college.

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I'm finding out these horrifying 5 pages are nothing but the same thing over and over, just different variations. They add a harmony here, they take one there. Octave thing with the bass playing runs, so just really learn the main theme and you got it.

Hey I thought Horrifying would drop the "y" if they add an "ing".

"Prelude" - Baroque Piano

This is a nice song with familiar sounding melodies. I'm not too sure what the song is saying but it serves as a good study for "note reading". Composer Johann Kuhnau (1660-1722). You can remember his name by (kAh) the Lion from Jungle Book, (nAh) like your Uncle Mike always says - and "OO" the reaction someone makes to someone else who is trying to show off.

Making an Album Cover Sleeve (Booklet)

The paper I ended up using was a "Exact Vellum Bristol" 67 lb. Bristol semi-smooth finish by wausau paper. It's a card stock that is too thick, after it's folded the edge looks terrible! I went searching to Office Depot and Office Supply Warehouse but they both sell the same as far as thickness 67 lb ... When I asked the fella I said Kelly's Paper before it could leave his mouth. . . . . but I know it will be that stuff only for Color Copies not inkjet.

The only problem when you fold it down the center, what you think is 'center' for one page

is 'another center' because you have to compensate for the extra “right side” space the

printer adds!!!!! What is that extra space that gives the creator the biggest head aches?

One thing I learned about printing covers in Photoshop is to put both the front and back in the same file on different levels. This way you are using the same exactly space and pixel ratio and everything. You don't need to make two, and make sure they are both the same. Since they are in the same file it's really makes it a no brainer.

I don't know who owns the copyright on the "Clock Pictures", I should do a drawing to be safe.

"Fruit Tree" - Songs Take Time To Mature

This song was written 10-2006 and have recently got it typed up correctly. You really need more people working on this stuff to get it done on time. But like plants they need time to mature. Originally written on a sequencer then jotted down with pen, this typed up version is spaced correctly, it has corrected key signatures, corrected ties and slurs, added repeats, corrected timing and octaves. This is simple but catchy.

Funeral March (Introduction)

Funeral March (Introduction)

I notated this from listening to the original introduction of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents"

"The End" - Sheet Music

I was trying to combine the original version of this song which was in a different key and a different Time Signature. Actually these original working song titles were "Man of the Forest" and "Always". Both lead up to yet another "Looping a three-chord progression" song working-title "Precious". All together will make a fantastic ending song.

"The End" - lyrics

When it's that you've reached the end
Then it's time to start again
There's something to locate
and don't you dare wait

And as soon as you start again
You'll soon come to another end
You're finished and you feel complete
The world is at your feet

as it's certain as your feelings show
they're just as certain as you let them go
and weather you like it or not

you'll be running in circle a lot

You think that you have reached the end
And now your done, but let's not pretend
Your time here is incomplete
You know you can not retreat

After that is all done and neat
There is something you must repeat
Because again you've come up into the end
Then it's time to start again

More "The End" lyrics from "On Time" (2011)

"The End" lyrical attempts to a final song

When it's that you've reached the end
Then it's time to up and start again
There's something to locate and don't you dare wait

And as soon as you start again
You'll soon come to another end
You're finished and you feel complete
The world is at your feet

So Certain your feeling will show
But you learn to let them go
Now you're running in circles a lot
Whether you like it or not!

You think that you've reached the end
And now your done, but let's not pretend
Your time here is incomplete
You know you can not retreat

After that is all done and neat
There is something you must repeat
That were you'll find me
That's where you'll find me

The End - lyrics

"The End" lyrical attempts to a final song

When it's that you've reached the end

Then it's time to up and start again

There's something to locate and don't you dare wait

And as soon as you start again

You'll soon come to another end

You're finished and you feel complete

The world is at your feet

So Certain your feeling will show

But you learn to let them go

Now you're running in circles a lot

Wheather you're ready or not

You think that you've reached the end

And now your done, but let's not pretend

Your time here is incomplete

You know you can not retreat

After that is all done and neat

There is something you must repeat

That were you'll find me

That's where you'll find me

Lyrics to "The End"

Early attempt at lyrics "Precious" which turned into "Collage" and was changed again to "The End".

Although the words tweet
Words get in the way
But words are the only way

Don't you want to get close
No I don't want pink eye

Trying to thru the day
Looking for words to say
But There're people behind me
And they right up behind me

Trying to get through the day
Too many people in the way
There're people behind me
There're people behind me

What is it you had mind?
And was, God involved at all this time?
He can help you decide things
He can help you decide things

Multitrack 2000 Manual - 'Time Signatures & Tempos'

Rough Out Some Old Ideas

"Break Down the Door" by the Special AKA

While I've always been a fan of bands, I've also been a fan of the band songwriters. Jerry Dammers wrote many great songs in the 1980's, one of my favorite's I recently transcribed.

I could't decided what to do about the bass clef. I may work out a left handed piano part.

On Time (2011) - update

I got alot done today on "On Time". I was able to extend and edit songs, get artwork together and gather lyrics and print. And the few lines the needed to be rewritten came together but how am suppose to rerecord them?

There are several songs that are instrumentals, I could write words and sing but do not have time, can always up date later after I get the product line moving along.

I hope you're making time to do what you want to do on your holiday, but also make time for friends and family.

- Eric

"Copper Nickel"

I've been working on finishing up "Copper Nickel", it's coming out better but man it's eating all my time and Christmas is right around the corner. Stress and I've been having trouble sleeping. Good Night!

On Time (2010) is not in time for Christmas but tried my best. I guess it could be but no time for production and can remix. Deadlines . . . need to get more organized!

Piano Recital- Not The End of the World

My piano recital in this Sunday at a church in Burbank. I have been practicing "Peacherine Rag" and "Sonatina" (Beethoven) for months. It is at 2pm so maybe I should be anticipating playing (practicing) during the afternoon instead of during the morning and night? I do play during the afternoon and I usually practice on Sundays.

I am aware of the difficult parts that do arise when playing these songs. I know where I need to really concentrate. The repeats are not comfortable playing in front of the teacher so I usually skip playing them. The endings of both of these songs I blow about 40 percent of the time but I know where the problem lie so I just need to "Think!".

"Bb" then "Bbm"

then the second time "Eb"

I played "Sonatina" today and they said it was perfect! Copper Nickel bass line was simplified to two notes in he chorus. Wow, severe change from the "Night Club" bass line.

Bookcase

Today I got this great bookcase from my friend Paul Sunich. I was going to use it in my animation room but decided to use it to put all my music books in one location. It matches my house and I put my a big window near my bedroom. The bookcase is a vintage school shelf and is in great shape. The top is the perfect height for putting stuff on too.

Bunte Music

I visited a new second-hand bookstore. They have a music section that I straightened up as I was thumbing through there selection when I came across this book. It think is German, I really like the colorful cover, super weird children friendly colors for adults.

The other weird thing is that it says it's for accordion but the left hand is written for piano. Also my accordion teacher gave me a piano book and is telling me to read the piano music for accordion. Meanwhile my other teacher, the Disneyland Ragtime Piano Player/Teacher tells me NOT to try and read accordion music for piano!

Seems to me theses instruments are very closely related but I don't want to conflict with any voice of authority, so I keep my mouth closed and listen. The other weird thing is I didn't pay for this book, when I got home it was in my bag. I didn't mean to steal this book.

This music is meant to be played for drinking at a German October Festival.

"Sonatina" - Beethoven

Here is "Sonatina" by Beethoven that I have been working on to play at at December recital.

The fingering was figured out by Eric Abraham and I've type it into the score using Photoshop.

"Mystery Theme" by C. Gounod

"Funeral March of a Marionette" is used in the 1960's Television Show "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour". There is a third part that holds and leaves a 'drone' harmonizing the music. Sounds like three things going on at once making the music more interesting and enjoyable.

"Reap the Wild Wind" (12'' Version) by Ultravox

Lately when ever I feel down about my own music, I can usually pick myself up by listening to others. One particular 80's track "Reap the Wild Wind" (12'' Version) by Ultravox has such a perfect beat and groove that it puts me in a dance mood that melts all my cares away. The bass line has nothing going on but the same notes in same area and it's repetition really works.

". . . you take me hand and give me your friendship . . ."

then a minor section which has the line

" . . . Take my hand . . . . . . Take my hand . . ."

you can not help but sing along

Then the two chord chorus sheds light on everything you didn't know.

" . . . Reap the Wild Wind . . ."

There's a keyboard that comes in perfect near the end which makes you know there's an extended ending. This part tells everyone to keep dancing. The keyboard sound reminds me of the band "Sparks".

Great drum track, the drummer can really play the drums.

May the sound of the irreplaceable 80's always keep us young and dancing.

Beethoven - "Sontina'

Here is a new song I am yo learn.

Copper Nickel

"In the United States, the term "nickel" or "nick" was originally applied to the copper-nickel Indian cent coin introduced in 1859. Later, the name designated the three-cent coin introduced in 1865, and the following year the five-cent sheild nickel appropriated the designation, which has remained ever since. Coins of pure nickel were first used in 1881 in Switzerland and the use of nickel is ancient, and can be traced back as far as 3500 BC."

http://kkouyate.blogspot.com/

Copper Nickel

ERIC STEFANI 11.14.2010

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Oo o o o Copper Nickel

You seldom find them on the floor

and once you find one, you'll want more

Oo o o o Copper Nickel, Oo o o o five cent

Soft and fickle and they can get bent!

Flip it for HEADS or TAILS I bet you . . . heads!!

They're not like others you collect

but just as unexpected when they're flipped

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Oo o o o Copper Nickel

You seldom find them on the ground

and once you get one you want a mound

Oo o o o Copper Nickel, Oo o o o five cent

Soft and fickle and they can get bent!

They're not like others you collect

but just as unexpected when they're flipped

You seldom find them on the floor

Oo o o o Copper Nickel Oo o o o five cent

Soft and fickle and they can get bent!

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Oo o o o Copper Nickel

You seldom find them on the floor

and once you find one, you'll want more

Oo o o o Copper Nickel, Oo o o o five cent

Soft and fickle and they can get bent!

Flip it for HEADS or TAILS I bet you . . . heads!!

They're not like others you collect

but just as unexpected when they're flipped

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Eric Stefani - ON TIME (2011)

Here is a cover design of my album. Purple and orange colors seem to express pretty well. I had done a few others and this one seems special.

The Grinch (1966)

Auld Lang Syne