FLAC and all that Jazz

I added some new information to my music store page explaining the lossless audio format that my songs are available in called FLAC.

If you are interested in FLAC, but don’t have a clue yet whether it is something fighter aircraft try to avoid or the latest Starbucks drink concoction, you can read all about FLAC at this Wikipedia article that explains everything you ever wanted to know about FLAC.  And, those nice wiki folks have even compiled a list of list of hardware and software that supports FLAC.

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How to Open a CD Case in Three Easy Steps

Have you gotten frustrated trying to open a new CD?  Do you end up cracking the jewel case or leaving parts of the adhesive label on the case?  Here is how to open it up quickly and easily.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-4HvCLyVLA&list=UUuiNT5VPsKt5mom5bIj8vqg[/youtube]

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Handel’s “Messiah”

We spent the afternoon today enjoying the wonderful sounds of George Fredric Handel’s “Messiah” filling the air of the Linda M. Byrnes Performing Arts Center in Arlington, Washington.  The chorus and the orchestra were led by Lyle Forde and composed of all volunteer community members.  Besides the community choir, the program features the Overman Family Musicians who also composed a large percentage of the orchestra with a family member in almost every section.  For a suggested admission fee of $5.00, we received a lot of bang (as in timpani) for the buck.  Besides the complete Messiah there were also performances by a young women’s chorus and an audience sing along of well known Christmas carols.  We had been considering spending the coin to go to see the Messiah concert at Seattle’s Benaroya hall, but considering the ticket prices, parking fees and the hassle of driving into the city, we opted for this instead and we were not disappointed in the least.  The singing and the playing were top notch.  I highly recommend attending this next year if you want to attend a performance of Handel’s Messiah.

Arlington Community Chorus Messiah

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6th String Root Jazz Chords

Continuing on from the last post, here are three Major 7 and Major 6 type chords with the root note on the 6th string, or low E string on the guitar.  Major 7 chords do have a distinctive “jazzy” sound, so they will make you sound cool instantly.  Be sure to notice that you must mute the 5th string with the tip of your first finger and the 1st string with either a finger or part of your hand .  The Major 6 chord requires that you bar the notes on the 4th and 5th strings with your 3rd finger.  And the only difference between the Major 6 and Major 6/9 chords is that you add the 9th with your pinky (4th finger) on the 1st string.  I have also shown an alternate version of the Major 6/9 chord that was taught to me by my friend Michael Powers, which is much easier in my opinion to finger.  You will note that I have intentionally not included which fingers to use in the chord diagrams so that you can figure out what works best for you since everyone has different sized hands and fingers and abilities.

 

Major7_6thString            Major6_6thString        Major6-9_6thString

Major6-9_6thString_Alt

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