Do you really need a music teacher?

Say you want to learn to play an instrument just for the fun of it. Say you don't have the time, resources or commitment to receive music lessons. What are you going to do?

TEACH YOUR OWN SELF!

That's what I did, and that's what hundreds of professional musicians out there do too. Where there's a will, there's a way; and with today's internet and vast resources, it's so easy to teach yourself by going into sites like songsterr or ultimate guitar. These sites are literally idiot-proof. Add a bit of common sense and research on the web, as well as maybe buying a few books like "Guitar For Dummies" or "Music Theory For Dummies" and you'll be on your way to learning the fundamentals of an instrument.

Now, say you want to perform in a professional orchestra, or teach; then that's where lessons really payoff because you learn details you would otherwise miss. And these days, to participate in an orchestra (at least a decent or prestigious one), you have to be classically trained. The trick here is knowing how to read music. That's something that you would be surprised how many mainstream artists out there don't know how to do.

The musicians in rock bands are usually self-taught (unless you're a session-musician) and they only know how to read chords or tablature. Pop artists usually don't even write their own songs, let alone play an instrument. And don't even get me started on hip/hop or rap.

Pros. of teaching yourself:
1. Your way, your pace.
2. Stress-free.
3. Cheaper.
4. Looks better with everyone except music directors when you say you taught yourself.


Cons:
1. Takes more time.
2. You don't follow a rigorous schedule.
3. Harder to get a job at an orchestra or as a session musician.
4. You rarely learn how to read music.

The Man Who Went Around the World... Of Music

In his more than 50 years in the music industry, Gene Perla has done it all, according to him, by the stroke of luck. He’s performed alongside some of the most prominent jazz musicians in history, founded his own record and publishing companies, and has even allowed a little time to give back and teach.

            Born in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey in 1940, during the prominence of jazz music, Perla, 70, knew from a young age he was destined to play music. He learned piano at the age of five. An only child with parents who didn’t get along, he turned to music to get through his early years. “I grew up kind of alone,” said Perla. “My mother was very supportive of my music. She paid for my piano lessons.”

            At age 24, after struggling to master the piano, Perla switched gears and learned to play bass. He had found his niche. He would become one of the most influential and proficient jazz bass players of the ‘60s. “The bass was perfect for me because it played organically,” said Perla.

            He then moved to New York to become a professional musician. “The doors opened immediately, he said. “It was thrilling to have the opportunity of doing what one dreamed about. I even got to play with the greatest singer of all time (Frank Sinatra) simply through all the connections and opportunities at the time.”

            A tall, skinny, white-haired man who hasn’t seemed to age past 50, Perla credits his career shifts and business ventures to flukes. “I landed a gig with a famous drummer called Elvin Jones who was asking me for songs to record,” Perla said. “So with the help and advice of friends and lawyers, I set up my own publishing company and copyrighted and sold my own songs.”

            Perla Music Records was even more spontaneous. “A friend of mine who was a saxophonist was complaining about not having any success,” Perla said. “I listened to it and I liked it. So with the help of my attorney, Bill Krasilovsky, I set up my own record company.”  

            Regardless of all the constant career moves, performing has always been Perla’s passion. “I love to play and produce music, he said. “Performing has brought me the success of inner happiness. It gave me something to focus on, explore feelings, become educated and travel the world.”

            His most vivid and cherished memory was performing with Nina Simone in Holland. “The music and environment was soft and delicate,” he said. “It was like full hours of quiet where you feel the sensation of hearing droplets of rain. The intensity was so great that I felt that consciousness escaped physical being.”

            Perla’s transition to teaching came from orders above him. “My first wife wanted me to settle down, so she basically gave me an ultimatum. It’s ironic how that works out right?” His first wife divorced him after 10 years of marriage.

            He landed his gig as a professor at Lehigh through his infatuation of making connections. “I went to the music department where I was introduced to Bill Warfield (director of the jazz band) after they told me they needed a bass teacher,” he said. “I’ll never forget the words Bill said, ‘Gene Perla? Are you that famous bass player?’ Things like that reminded me that I was cool.”

            Perla got the job and eventually created Lehigh’s music business classes where he uses his experience and knowledge to instill the ever-changing concepts of the music industry to his students. “He incorporates stories and experiences he has had to clarify certain topics we learn, or just to share funny anecdotes about things that go on within the industry,” said Michael Langsner, a former student.

            “I admire the fact that Perla knew exactly what he wanted to do and worked hard enough to make a successful living doing it,” said Eric Schwartz, a former student too.

            Perla’s philosophy for success is to go with the flow. That’s how he made it through the maze of the music business and how he recommends others to follow. “You have to attack life,” said Perla. “I like to accomplish things no matter how difficult they are.”

First Podcast Interview

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Guitar player, 80s rock lover and Lehigh student; Ramiro Alfaro; talks about music in his life.

College Bands Rock The House No Thanks To The PA

On my latest article for the Brown and White I covered Lehigh's Battle of the Bands. When the judges announced Scott Pine & the Conifers as the winners the crowd turned silent, with the exception of a few claps out of respect. Everyone was starstruck at the fact that the Peeled Labels, the famous Lehigh 8-person band that includes oboes and violins, didn't win after clearly sounding better than the other bands.

The judges did their job, though. They weren't deceived by the horrible PA speaker system that sank the performances of the heavier rock acts. The Peeled Labels used their live performing experience and took a soft, almost acoustic approach to their set. The result: Clear sound tranceding through peoples' ears.

I'll be honest, no one was in shock more than me at the fact the Scott Pine won. I thought they didn't have a chance, not because they weren't good, but because of their lack of stage presence. The distorted guitar gave me a headache. It was so bad that I had to go outside and order something to eat from Hawk's Nest while they finished their set. The speakers just weren't picking up the high frequencies. And that applied to high pitched vocals as well. I later heard their songs online and realized how good they truly are. On Saturday the guitars sounded crushed and distorted (not in the good way, but in the annoying way) and the vocals of such band like Spitting Images, Roth and The Down Low sounded like a cheap megaphone was being used as a mic. Only Matt Bellamy from Muse can pull that off.

I was expecting The Peeled Labels to win. Hands down they had the best set and also sounded the best. But I can easily understand why the judges didn't pick them. They're not the type of band you would imagine opening for rapper Wiz Khalifa. They'd make a great opening act for Dave Matthews Band or Jack Johnson, mainly softer acts.

Regardless, many bands showed promising talent and I hope they exploit it to the fullest.

Lehigh University Battle of The Bands

Tomorrow night, Lehigh's best bands will take the stage in Lamberton Hall in a competition to select the opening act for Wiz Khalifa during Sundaze 2011.

Sixteen bands submitted demos. Only seven got picked, and tomorrow they will show the Lehigh community what band is worth opening for the hip-hop rookie of the year.

The show begins tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. inside Lamberton Hall in Lehigh University.

This event, co-sponsored by UP and Music Box, is a chance for  college musicians to play live in front of a respectable audience. Previous shows this semester sponsored by the former and latter have included playing at the same Lamberton Hall and the Godfrey Daniels Coffee House.

There is no doubt competition will be fierce, and each band will give it their all. Opening for a mainstream artist like Wiz Khalifa is a great way to gain exposure, plus almost every Lehigh student attends the spring outdoor concert.

Great Musicals Adapted to the Silver Screen

Adapting a musical, in today's age where they've lost a considerable audience compared to decades ago, is no easy task. Many fail ("The Producers" among some), but others hit the mark spot on. Below is a list of some of my favorite musicals that have adequatley made the transition from Broadway to Hollywood.


Mamma Mia!
This feel-good musical didn't need much rewriting to appeal to the big screen. The energy is easily tranceded to the average movie-goer because of the popularity of ABBA to the older generation. Even if you weren't alive for the 70s and 80s pop movement, the long lasting legacy of the Swedish pop giants can make any child to get up and dance along with the choregrophy and music even if this musical about love isn't performed live. The producers had it easy, neverthless, they delivered.


The Phantom of the Opera
The most popular musical of all time, the masterpiece of Andrew Lloyd Webber took a long time to finally make the transition to the big screen. Though the movie flopped in theatres, the long-lasting fanbase of Phantom was enough to have the movie version, directed by Joel Shumacher, be treasured in their living rooms. Not much could be done to alter the theater version to be adapted for the screen. The casting was spot on and the acting talents (not singing) of the cast, fit perfectly with the raw energy that Webber always intended Phantom to have.

Evita!
I might get a lot of criticm for this choice, especially with the poor casting choice of Madona as the title role. But put the pop star aside, Antonio Banderas stole the show as Che, the average Argentinan citizen. For anybody that has expereinced social and political injustice in a third world country, the movie portrayed their feelings to the letter. For citizens of a first world country, it educated them. Another musical by the great Andrew Lloyd Webber, the movie version was enough for me to long for the live musical that I was sadly was never able to watch.

Best Rock Albums of 2010

Even though 2010 was the worst year for rock in terms of sales, there were some great records that didn't receive as much attention as they should hav. Kings of Leon's album flopped even though it had some great tracks, Slash finally released his true solo album and shocked the world, and Arcade Fire took home the most prestigious Grammy.

3. Slash (Slash)
The legendary former guitarist of Guns N' Roses pulled out his own guns by collaborating with over 10 different artists ranging from Black Eyed Peas singer, Fergie, to  former Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters singer, Dave Grohl. All of the songs in this album are simply great. They convey the agressive but soulful personality that Slash always brought to Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver.

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2. Kings of Leon (Come Around Sundown)
Easily the most underrated album of 2010. The followup to 2008's massive hit, "Only By The Night," failed to dominate radio stations and the charts without songs like "Use Somebody" and "Sex on Fire." But songs like "Radioactive" and "Pyro," show much the band has matured in only two years.



1. Arcade Fire (The Suburbs)
Easily the best act of 2010, Arcade Fire broke into mainstream music without sacrificing their indie roots. Songs like "Ready to Start," "The Suburbs," and "City With No Children" lead this massive album to the most prestigious music award.