After considerable difficulty with video cap and editing software, I’ve finally gotten two new videos done. I decided to make an arrangement. I did it in Sibelius 7 and Reaper. The first video shows the process of making the arrangement. This arrangement was for violin, cello, piano, guitar, bass and drums. The 2nd video shows […]
Author: James Gilbert
Another in our Introduction to Chords video series is now on YouTube. This video takes a look at chord progressions – the flow of chords from one type to the other. Comments and more importantly, suggestions for future videos are welcome. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNqpv3Q6_eM?hl=en&fs=1] Enjoy the series.
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New addition to the cataog
We’ve added a new instrumental mp3 by the G-Flat Group to the catalog. Going Around In Circles A double-length mp3, electronic sounding, ambient, environment piece. Many recordings these days use 24, 36 or more tracks before making a final stereo mp3 file. This piece consists of two tracks with a third, rhythm track generated by […]
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Introduction to Chords, Part 5
Part 5 of our introduction to chord series is now available on youtube. This video talks about altered chords, sus and added note chords (eg. C6/9) [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G30C2eZuj8I?hl=en&fs=1] Hope you enjoy it.
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New additions to the catalog
Some new mp3 instrumentals have been added to the music catalog at http://www.jamesgilbertmusic.com/catalog.php The two new title are Leoni in Africa and Sweet Feel. The first is a blending of African drums and Middle Eastern melodic instruments. A considerable portion of the music consists of a variety of African drums. The melody is added on […]
Part 4 of our continuing introduction to chords series is now available on youtube. In this video we introduce chord inversions of chords and voicing of chords. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDDNDmNyJ0A?hl=en&fs=1] As always, your comments and suggestions for future videos are welcome.
Another look at practicing the piano. This time for intermediate to advanced level students. This is one approach to practicing the piano. It is by no means meant to be the only way. Use this as a supplement to other ways of practicing. Before You Play Look through the piece of music and look for […]
I posted a video showing some of the features of Session Strings Pro that is shipped with Komplete 8 Ultimate. (I’m not sure if it also ships with just Komplete 8). [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXCc-JPbQ6U?hl=en&fs=1] The video should give you an idea of what is possible with the animator feature. The original material is basic block chords. […]
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Chords – Part 3
Part 3 of our ongoing series about chords is now available on YouTube. In this video we talk about Augmented and Diminished chords. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOVHzQ9Ggos?hl=en&fs=1] You can think of Diminished chords as minor chords with a flat-5th. You can think of Augmented chords as major chords with a sharp-5th. When adding 7ths to diminished chords, […]
Here’s another article about one of my YouTube videos. This video has a very rough piece of music in it using the Studio Drummer and Retro Machines from Kontakt 5 (part of Komplete 8 Ultimate) and Reaper. No processing was added. The sound is straight from Kontakt. I loaded a midi file into reaper, added […]
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Chords – Part 2
Part two of my continuing video tutorials about chords is now available on YouTube: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCvHrSsyDWY?hl=en&fs=1&w=425&h=349] This video gives an intro to chords that have more than 3 notes, like 7th and 9th chords. Any comments or questions, feel free to ask.
I’ve started a new video series on my YouTube channel. The first part of an introduction to chords is there. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmezVWK0Ex8?hl=en&fs=1] The major and minor chord charts shown in the video are available for download in the Free Titles section of the music catalog: www.jamesgilbertmusic.com/catalog.php There are also some other chord related files there […]
One approach for beginning to intermediate level students. This article contains some suggestions on how to practice the piano. These are geared toward pianists from the absolute beginner to intermediate level. This is only one of many approaches to practicing, but all the suggestions are worth applying to your practice routine. First a brief comment. […]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B49i8EtmS-w Ever wonder what goes on in an arranger’s mind when they go to arrange a piece of music? Well, here’s a video showing some of that process. It also shows off some of the new Sibelius 7 music notation software. See how I take a hymn tune based on a German folk melody and […]
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Sibelius 7 first impressions
A look at the new Sibelius 7. Keep an eye out on my YouTube page in the near future for some screen shots and more detailed looks. Highlights For someone upgrading from older versions, plan to spend time learning the changes Gone are the menus, welcome the ‘ribbon’ Text handling changed (typography & frames) New […]
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New sheet-music
Four new titles are now available in the music catalog at the website. These titles are for solo organ, solo piano, instrumental solo with piano accompaniment and an organ hymn accompaniment/alternate harmonization. O Day Of Radiant Gladness jamesgilbertmusic.com/catalog.php?sid=OR22 This arrangement is based on a German folk tune, also known under the hymn tune name ES […]
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Why are Piano Lessons so expensive?
My opinions on the matter… As a piano teacher, I wonder sometimes how people can afford lessons. But when I see the cost of cell phone plans, cable tv, eating out, I wonder how people can afford those things too. I think it is a matter of priority. If the cost of lessons is such […]
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Me playing the piano
Here’s a video of me playing the piano. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LU7478Ir0w] Some people who haven’t seen me play the piano in a while (if ever) wanted me to put up a video of me playing the piano. This video shows me making up some music off the top of my head one day as I wait […]
Welcome to the JamesGilbertMusic.com blog. We’ll be posting information about the website, projects we’re working on, asking your opinions on what we do. Topics we hope to be covering include: Piano lessons, music theory, using Sibelius, using the DAW Reaper. Look for links in the future to free mp3 files and sheet music as well. […]