Write your own darn "Smoke on the Water!"

Save for the time she cussed out a bully on the CCD bus in 1974, my mom is notoriously clean spoken. I grew up wondering who Hector was, and what I could do to be hotter than him.

This will all make sense in a minute.


I came across a lesson in a guitar magazine recently that got me thinking, and really crystallized an idea that had been floating around for some time.

Some cat had re-harmonized Smoke on the Water to sound all jazzy. Sure, it was slick, but if ya ask me, it was taking pizza and freezing it into ice cream.

There's a skill that I've been chasing lately - the ability to write the epic rock riff. Or the catchy chord progression. Or anything really cool. All the stuff I've learned previously has given me the ability to express feelings through music, but the art of songwriting isn't popular with most rock guitarists. Look through a guitar magazine, and you'll be astounded at how we box ourselves in as sidemen at best, and wannabe emulators at worst. "Sound like Stevie!" "Reharmonize Giant Steps better than John Coltrane!" "Learn Eddie's tricks for blazing riffs!" But very rarely "Be the next guitar hero by sounding like yourself!"

So, instead of reinventing Smoke on the Water, I'd like to paraphrase my mother by saying....

Write your own darn Smoke on the Water!

Of course, this applies to anyone, not just musicians. We all can be epic, copied, and fantastic. We just gotta believe, and most importantly, we just gotta start.


Rock on!

- Josh

Thank you, Thank you all!

Happy Thanksgiving, rockers!

As either a.) a true musician, b.) an egomaniac, or c.) both, I believe all the world's a stage.

And since it's this time of year, it's the perfect opportunity to say....

Thank you! Thank you all!

Internet random people...Thanks for reading the blog, and listening to the music – I appreciate it. Every comment and email is greatly appreciated (well, the good ones), and I'm proud to be part of your rock n' roll voyage.

Students – thanks for learning, laughing, and asking so many great questions! My goodness - I have a house built on great music and laughter. That's something to be very thankful for, and I am.

I've met some great musicians and songwriters this year, and I'm thankful for and to them.

And December 2nd will mark the year anniversary of my commitment (a house, folks.) Psycho ex-wives have nothing on threat of a foreclosure, so I've got that under control!

So, here's a neat little thing that I'd like to offer as a quasi-lesson today:

I started keeping a gratitude journal about a year ago, and it's a really neat thing to do. Each day, you write down what you're grateful for, and most importantly, you try to be consistent with your records. I'm not, but I'm working on it. It's a nice way to remember how much we've got, and to focus on that.

Try it! It's neat. You could document your progress on the guitar with it, too. As an instructor, I'm fortunate in the fact I get to see people achieve their own personal victories over musical obstacles. For some, it's understanding advanced theory, and others, simply sounding a string to join the Club Guitar Player. Each victory is worthy of gratitude and excitement! Write it down, sucka!

Happy Thanksgiving!

- Josh

Made of Scars

Two years.

Two years ago.

They found her.

Two years seems like a long time ago. It was a bright and sunny day like this. It's funny how the sun can burn your eyes sometimes.

I still can't wrap my head around it. Such a meek little girl - seems like she wouldn't have it in her. I guess nobody really ever saw her, and that's what did her in. I never knew her that well - but now I think of her often. A violin usually reminds me - 'cause she was such a fine violinist. I picked up a book of etudes the other day, and sighed. She would practice those for hours.

Oh, what have I learned since that day two years ago? Not much, sadly. It's strange how easy it is to forget in the hustle and bustle. At the same time, I've got another scar there, and those don't really heal - but they can teach. I'm listening to that Stone Sour song right now Made of Scars, and it seems like we all are.

And this one lets me see.

Holy smokes, we're all carrying around so much...Even the kids who come through the door to my studio - especially the kids, actually. I like to ask 'em if they're OK. I guess it's the least I can do.

And on this sunny fall day, when the wind blows emptily through the trees...I remember.

I feel that scar. And I get ready to ask people how they're really doing. Shouldn't we all?

And if you're not doing OK right now, pick up the phone:

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

It seems like the mind is like the sky - full of fleeting clouds and thoughts. Overcast and leaden skies are never forever, no matter how lasting they seem.

Enjoy the breeze today. Be glad you can feel it.

- Josh

PS. I wrote a song for her. www.myspace.com/thefrontsteps It's called "Forgetful Land"

Pause for effect

Rockers!

Cool newsflash - wanna make your lighting fast lines seem more lightning? Try puttin' a pause in 'em.

I had the privilege to address a room full of people last night, regarding a local environmental issue. I discovered something cool - when I stopped talking, the people responded. It was the pauses that let the "yeahs!" and agreement through.

Us guitarists are blessed and cursed by the fact that we never have to come up for air - that is, we can play all day, and the only thing limiting us is hand strength. We could learn a thing or two from saxophone players, vocalists, and anyone else limited by lung capacity.

Coming up for air is a great thing. It gives pause. It lets the applause through. And it makes the lightning seem all the more crackly.

Kaboom!

- Josh

Brand it, sucka!

Rockers!

What's UP? Hey man, I've got a bee in my bonnet...again.
FYI - the phrase "Bee in my bonnet" refers to a thought, idea, or concept flying into my hat, and buzzing angrily around, forcing me to align my actions correspondingly - usually by yelling.


So one of my clients got VIP tickets to see KISS in concert. Man, oh man, you should see the pictures he brought by! He's standing in a room backstage, flanked by the band in full makeup. It is AWESOME.

And then I got a piece of direct mailing today that really set me over the edge. It's for a gym. You open it up, and the first thing you read is:

"Yadda yadda fitness center is committed to conducting business in a manner that demands respect for everyone seeking our services. We strive to ensure that there is no offensive language and appropriate attire is worn. One of the major focal points of.......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..."

When I woke up, that bee was buzzing around trying to escape the bonnet.

Boooooooooooring. (And besides, when's the last time THEY'VE tried to lift a heavy weight - Jesus gains a few middle names...well, at least some of the fellas add them...)

Contrast that with the photo of Evan with KISS. Instantly recognizable.
The other one - uber professional, and uber BoRiNg.

Does your band bio say "Chronic Bleeding Death Sky is well versed in a variety of styles, including, but not limited to, blues, rock, pop, oldies, top forty, jazz, ska, and is quite reasonably priced for your next party, bar mitzva, or campfire..."

OR -

"During a concert by Chronic Bleeding Death Sky, the chicken littles are right - the sky really IS falling."


Brand it.

Make it cool.

(And that's not just for band bios.)

ROCK ON!

- Josh
PS. Don't forge to check out my NEW SONG at www.toughangels.com!

Tough Angels - AND NEW SINGLE!

Rockers!

I need your high-voltage help!

Meet Patty. Originally from Colorado, she has traveled across the world to help the women and children trapped in South Africa's rape epidemic. Her stories are of incredible pain, unbelievable sadness, and unimaginable grace.

Enter my Ma.

Check it: She gets to hear from a lot of cool people through her transformational art business. Well, a customer wrote one day, one thing led to another, and she found out about Patty's cause. So, coming from strong German farmer roots, mom kicked it into high gear with a ridiculously short deadline, my brothers joined in the fight, and...

www.toughangels.com launched yesterday. Visit it.


Cut to: Mad scientist Josh, cooking up sonic stews in his...OK, I won't refer to myself in the third person. Is that the third person? There's so many of 'em in my head, I lose track.

ANYways, I wrote a song for the site. It's available for download under the "Non-Profit Art" section of the site. Yes, you gotta pay, but every dime goes to Patty. Actually, three of them go to PayPal, but you know how that goes.
Interestingly enough, in what started out as just a side project song turned into my best one yet! It's got vocals, cool chords, and a neat little intro hook. I really hope you'll download it, and help support those women and children. They could really use it.

I'm very excited about the cause, and about my song. Help the world, and help Patty help the world! If you've learned something cool from this blog, or my articles, or would just like to help, download that song, man!


You know how they always say that it's good to write from different perspectives? I wrote this song from that of a Zulu woman. That's sort of a reverse-Michael Jackson morph right there! Amazing...


Peace! And spread the word!

-Josh

Through the lens of an artist

Rockers!


OK, new insight here, so listen up, class! I've been observing an interesting phenomenon in myself and other students of guitar that doesn't seem to be shared by other artistic disciplines:

We simply view ourselves as invalid, unworthy students of an unattainable goal.

Sounds like a sick religion.

Go back a few days - I took a vacation, and boy, it was nice. I recently bought myself a nice digital SLR camera (a Canon XSi for you fellow geeks), and I had lots of fun interpreting the world through the lens as I see it. I consider the pictures my art, and I had great fun being creative.

Why is it when I pick up a guitar, I'm crushed under the weight of validity, standards, and trying to live up to Stevie Ray Vaughan's guitar sound?

And I'd venture to guess I'm not the only one. I think most of my students consider themselves students - unable to make any valid artistic statement. Not only that, but it might not have even crossed their minds.

Start thinking about it, rockers! Create the next wave! Don't worry about being unique - you already are. Just play.

Another thing about vacation...My brother Zakk burned a CD of a lot of System of a Down. Those guys are so weird, it's refreshing. I don't think they're standing in the shadow of Eddie Van Halen.

So try approaching the instrument just as you would a camera - you're not gonna pick up a cool SLR and say "Oh, I'd better just stick to shooting the flowers in the front yard..." Would you?

- Josh