Latch Music's Ezine #5
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* "The Zine" content is contributed by Dave Latchaw and colleagues who use the Internet to promote their musical projects. You can check out previous issues at "The Zine" Archives.
- Article: "The Digital Divide" by Dave Latchaw
- Guest Artist: Chad Hunley - Amazing music & musician.
- Featured Web Site: CNN's "Worldbeat"
- Featured Web Video: In Concert Tony Levin
- CD Pick: Keith Jarrett "The Melody At Night, With You "
The Digital Divide
by Dave Latchaw
Over the last few years, the "Digital Divide" has meant different things to different people. Though cutting-edge computer technology is not cheap, it has made amazing things happen even at the consumer level. My interest has been in using the computer as a tool to aid me in my musical expression and as a vehicle to distribute and catalog my own personal musical development. My first jump into the computer side of creating music was using sequencing and midi. It was very enjoyable for me to be able to orchestrate ideas with different sounds and create my own virtual band. It was rewarding because the creative process was not hindered by environment and economics, not to mention the hassles and logistics of working with other musicians. When musicians are playing together with like-minded cohesiveness in a cooperative environment, that's a pretty cool thing too, but not as easily controlled. I don't mean to say that creating music with the computer is better than playing with other musicians or vice-versa, just different.
I have been involved in debates about technology and music. I've heard the whole range of arguments from various musicians and others who play at music. I really enjoy using technology to create music, but I also believe that it is important to truly understand music theory, be able to play your instrument well and always keep working to improve your level of playing. The Internet is a great place for musicians to distribute and share their music, but it also gives the "musically jive" the same opportunity. When I started to look seriously at the Internet as a vehicle for me to start my own record label, I found an ample supply of really bad music. The most popular music seemed very lame. A lot of the music available was made by computer guys who dabble in music as a hobby. Not that there is any harm in the computer guy messing around with music, but it is what it is. Their level of expression is determined by their musical ability. The music is easily reproduced by other techno guys with the same equipment. My concern is that as the next generation of musicians looks at music making, they won't see the importance of following through with the pursuit of musical knowledge and really learning how to play their instrument. The danger of this first became apparent to me when I was playing a part into a sequencer one day. I started to realize that it was easier and more convenient to fix any flaws in my playing using the software, rather than just playing the part again and doing it right. The technology was speeding up the creative process, but it was not improving my playing because the software could easily fix my mistakes for me. I still think sequencing is cool, but the direction that I want to take is closer to what Frank Zappa was doing with the Synclavier. Zappa was, to some extent, pushing his creative limits past what humans can physically do. If you have the technology, use it and have fun with it, but don't be a musical wimp and not learn to play your best and be knowledgeable about music. There is a significant difference between musicians using technology and the weekend warrior computer guy who dabbles in music.
In the past year, the quantity and quality of music on the Internet has really improved as good players show more interest in using the technology available. It has been great fun for me to check out the other players that have been on MP3.com and similar sites. It's like mining for gold, and you can find plenty of gems to keep you coming back. As consumers become more accustomed to finding their new music via the Internet, all musicians and artists have the potential to benefit economically. The computer heads would like for you to think that using the Internet for music is a mystery and learning HTML is only for the brainiest. If you've already learned to play an instrument, or are learning to play, then learning code and using the computer to promote your artistic endeavors will feel very familiar. It takes time and discipline. Musicians seem to have a knack for spending many hours by themselves, practicing something over and over till they get it right. That's the same mentality that is necessary for computer work. To improve the general quality of music on the Internet, computer heads need to learn more about music and musicians need to learn more about computers and the Internet. Bridge that Digital Divide!!!!!!! It's as simple as that.
Chad Hunley
#1 On which Internet sites can people find your music?
Currently I have a couple of sites on mp3.com, They are www.mp3.com/chadhunley and www.mp3.com/creativepercsmusic
#2 What are your current projects?
Lately I have been working on a project with Bassist Woody Lingle and Saxophonist Chris Hicks. Both of which are also mp3.com artists. We're scheduled to play every Saturday night in December, at a local club in Nashville.
#3 How do you balance your time between practice, gigging, composing, internetting, etc?
Well, actually it's sometimes very difficult for me to find the time to do all three things, usually I try to sort out specific things for that given time frame, maybe weekly, monthly, or yearly.
#4 What has been the biggest surprise for you about having your music on the Internet?
The Biggest surprise has been the communication with other musicians around the world, also It's a nice surprise to know that people really dig what you are involved in.
#5 On your Creative Percs Music site, is Drum-Set Etude #28 part of a series, and how did that piece come together?
Actually that piece was constructed on a book based on rhythm and meter studies, I first thought of the idea when I saw Terry Bozzio perform his prepared pieces for Drum-Set, In Nashville, TN, back in the early 90's. The rhythm and meter book has over one hundred etude studies in it, so basically I took the approach from one of the studies, which ended up being similar to study #28. The Author of the book is Gary Chaffee.
#6 When you compose is it from the drum kit or from the keyboard?
Usually I compose from the piano, or a lot of times I'll just get ideas from listening to other types of music. Sometimes I get inspired to compose things based around rhythmical patterns, and Drum grooves, or sometimes just plan nothing at all.
#7 Which music sites do you check out when surfing the Internet?
I spend a lot of time on mp3.com, listening to other stuff that hasn't had a chance to make it in the typical music world. I also have a few drum sites that I check out often, they are www.terrybozzio.com, www.Garyhusband.com and www.petererskine.com. Other sites would be www.zappa.com and www.latchmusic.com/the_zine.
CNN's "Worldbeat"
**Update: February 2002**
Unfortunately, the Worldbeat show and web page have been discontinued.
"Worldbeat" is a weekly television music show that airs Sundays on CNN. They do a great job of bringing the music of other cultures and interesting, groundbreaking and varied projects to the masses. There is a wide array of video clips, interviews and charts. Hendrix to W.O.M.A.D., James Brown to U2. If you miss the show and want to check it out, this website is worth the time to snoop around.
No Longer Available!
In Concert Tony Levin
Tony Levin/Bass-type stuff
Jerry Marotta/Drums
Larry Fast/Synths
Jesse Gress/Guitars
This is a cool 2-hour web concert of the "Water of Eden Tour", recorded live at a small club in Toronto. The "Water of Eden CD" is one of the newest releases from Tony Levin on Narada Records.
It's very fun to watch great musicians play in a small club. They tend to be more relaxed than usual and just plain having a good time. You can tell that the members of this band have been friends for many years. Tony Levin, Jerry Marotta and Larry Fast were together during the early Peter Gabriel solo efforts.
The music is an interesting blend of the world vibe (the Peter Gabriel influence), with a very healthy dose of rock from King Crimson. Click here to check out the In Concert Tony Levin video.
Related Sites
Keith Jarrett
"The Melody at Night, With You"
Keith Jarrett is a musician's musician. There are a lot of great players out there who have chops beyond belief, but it's not often that a musician takes their ability to another and different level like Keith does. He plays with a detached expression that makes what he's creating seem like it's channeled from a greater place. He doesn't get in the way of the music. I think he achieves that by having total control of his instrument and vast musical knowledge.
If a person has to wonder (while they're playing) which notes will work over a certain chord change, or worry about whether the lick they already learned will fit or not, they will never get to that greater place. One can develop facility on their axe, but if they are concerned about anything technical while they're playing, then it will get in the way of pure creation. Of course a developing improvising musician wants to explore their chops. I know I'm guilty of riffage from time to time just for the fun of it, but that is not playing from a greater place. Perspective is also important. It's a natural tendency for a person to put their own ego ahead of the things that are important about creating music. The musicians who can make the music more important than themselves will have more chances to create something special.
If you're familiar with any of the interviews with Keith Jarrett, then you know he has a huge ego. But Keith is always able to put the music ahead of his own ego. This recording is a great example of playing with detached expression, recorded during the time that Keith has been dealing with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. You can hear him staying detached and letting the music take over. The playing may be simple by some standards, but the level of pure music is a great example of playing from a greater place.
Tracks for "The Melody at Night, With You"
- I Loves You Porgy
- I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good
- Don't Ever Leave Me
- Someone To Watch Over Me
- My Wild Irish Rose
- Blame It On My Youth
- Meditation
- Something To Remember You By
- Be My Love
- Shenandoah
- I'm Through With Love
Click here to learn more about "The Melody at Night, With You"
Related Sites
- Keith Jarrett at ECM
- A Sketch of His Life and Work by Lynne David Newton
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