In this blog post, Lance Vallis goes over the perpetual debate between whether one should pursue music, specifically guitar, through lessons or by being self-taught. He elaborates on both the pros and cons of both, bringing up points on creativity and efficiency. This piece is useful for someone just getting into music and deciding which is best for them, or someone rethinking their approach to learning. The author's conclusion is that it doesn't matter which you pick, as long as you know what's best for you, as everyone can be different. There is surprisingly little bias in this piece, as the blog is tied to a website where the author advertises music lessons.
In this blog post, author Johnny also visits the argument of whether or not it's best to take guitar lessons or teach yourself. This post is far more biased than Lance Vallis' vlog, as Johnny argues strongly against lessons. In his post, he uses a humous style, seen in his use of ellipses and single sentence paragraphs. Johnny compares learning guitar to making a sandwich, claiming that the process matters more than what anyone could teach. I enjoy this piece for it's style but I don't agree with all of the arguments it uses, and similar to Vallis' blog, this post is tied to a newsletter focused on teaching yourself guitar.
In this news article, author Claire Davies lists eight reasons why playing guitar is playing good for one's mental health. This article was inspired by a poll done on viewers on what guitar means to them. Many of the listed reasons visit topics such as self-esteem and confidence, as well as creativity and emotional expression. This article is super good for anyone who's considering learning to play, as well as anyone who is already a musician and is looking to find out more about the effects and results of their passion.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/01/spice-girl-melanie-c-says-the-live-music-industry-needs-support.html
In this interview, spice girl Melanie Chisholm, aka Mel C or Sporty Spice, discusses what it's like to release music as an active artist during lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic. For her, the hardest part is not being able to perform in person for people, and she's trying to come up with a special virtual way to celebrate her upcoming album. This piece may really resonate with musicians who are used to performing at in-person events who are no longer able due to quarantine, and are struggling to continue creating and sharing what they love. As Chisholm elaborates her points, she speaks to everyone, on how it's important to find positivity during this times and realize what we've been taking for granted.
In this Op-ed, authors Keith Powers and Justin Kantor argue that New York's smaller music venues are in dire need of saving. As the pandemic wears on, there is still no sign of hope for venues, as they're expected to be last in reopening. Powers and Kantor introduce alternatives, such as having outdoor, socially distanced events. The piece elaborates on the role of music venues in New York City's economy, as they employ countless workers, as well as generate demand for nearby businesses such as hotels and restaurants. This piece describes the perspective of journalists observing the effects of COVID-19 from the outside, which would be eye opening for anyone who's being directly impacted by the virus via the music industry.
In this blog post, the unnamed author outlines tips for becoming a better musician. They give ideas such as goal-setting, and patience, as nothing happens overnight. This blog post could be very useful to someone who wants to become a musician and is looking for ways to start out, or an experienced musician who is stuck in a creative rut and needs some advice.
In this Op-ed, author Casey Rey claims that guitar solos are disappearing across music, specifically country music. They claim that this is due to their length, which tends to be too long for broadcasting requirements for the radio. Rey also places some of the blame on audiences, adding that people prefer songs that are more fast-moving and short. I don't agree with everything said in this piece, but it is good to hear someone else's perspective and to see whether or not it fits with your own. Any musician could benefit from hearing the opinions of someone else in their field, as they may be able to relate to the argument, or come up with a valid counter-argument.
In this video, YouTuber Marty Schwartz, also known as Marty Music, gives a guitar lesson on "Over The Hills and Far Away" by Led Zeppelin. He first plays the introduction, on acoustic, and subsequently breaks it down note for note with the intent of teaching it to guitarists online. This is completely relevant to any guitarist, and I have used this video to learn how the the song myself. Anyone who plays guitar who wants to learn this specific song, or improve their playing in general could benefit from this video, as well as someone considering learning guitar, who wants to know what it takes to be able to play this song.
https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/northeastern-university/1887429-music-motifs-llc-kerr-hall.html
In this internet forum, the topic of Northeastern University's Musical Motifs LLC (living learning community) is being discussed. This is directly relevant to anyone who associates with Kerr Hall, as that is where it is located. User PengsPhils, a former resident of Kerr, talks about life there as a part of the Music LLC. They talk about its pros and cons, concluding that they enjoyed the experience overall, as it's possible to with anyone there. This is a must-read for anyone who is considering choosing the Music LLC, or anyone who currently lives there who wants to know more about the general culture of Kerr Hall.
In this blog post, author Helienne Lindvall discusses the idea that musicians are more likely to suffer from depression. Lindvall cites a report from Health.com which found that people working in the arts are fifth most likely to suffer from depression, with 9% having reported a major depressive episode in the past year. According to the author, possible reasons for this are the prominence of drugs and alcohol in the musical community, as well as a desire for acceptance from their audience, a lack of which can result in disappointing feelings. This is relevant to any musician, especially those who may feel depressed or unhappy, and are wondering if they're feeling alone.