WHAT OLD BOOKS AND LIBERAL ARTS CAN TEACH US ABOUT HOW TO LEARN MUSIC

Music is about dance? See #6 and weigh in.

When it's recommended that you read old books, like Aristotle, Plato, and the ilk, in addition to books that are more current the reasoning is simple: these books don't just teach you things, they teach you how to think. Teaching students how to think is also one of the tenets of liberal arts education, and ironically, that got me thinking. In the subjects of Philosophy, Literature and Science, there are "great books" which stand as either classics or do the ultimate job of teaching the reader how to think. Meanwhile, in the subject of music, there is no such thing.

Music is tied more closely to culture and expression, and is constantly moving. While major composers like Bach, Beethoven and Mozart are of course widely known and respected, ultimately the older music is the more "dusty" it is, the less hip, the less current, etc. There are exceptions as listeners enjoy music that stands the test of time and there are many classic songs and styles that outlive their makers. However, it remains that there are no 'go to' texts about music that teach one how to think about music. 

So, I will take a stab at it and continue to update this article as it develops:

1) Your ear, your ears, yes there's two of them!

Sheet music is a language and understanding music theory, composition and such is a skill, but never lose sight, or um, never lose hearing...music is in your ears.

2) Know the instrument. 

The instrument is an instrument in the truest sense of the word. Measure it. Weigh it. Smell it. Look at every angle. Understand every nuance and mechanic of it.

3) Know the melody

There's lots of chord charts out there, but do you know the melody? How well? Intimately?

4) It's about the audience, not you

It's liberating to be freed from the self, so check the ego at the door.

5) It's about you, and the audience of the universe

An addendum to #4, you need some ego to get the fire started, but the expression is higher.

6) Dance

Not always, but very often, music is ultimately about dance. This can be dancing with the body, or even dancing of the mind and heart.

This is just a start. What ways of thinking about music are important to you?

Image source: here

YouTube: Three Subtle Downsides to this Super Site

What's your favorite part about YouTube? More importantly, what are the downsides to this resource?

1) Learning

Enough said. While there is a lot of fluff to sift through, overall, learning about nearly any music topic or technique is a search word away. This is very very different than decades past where you needed to be at the right place, at the right time, in person, to learn many of the things YouTube shares readily. Plus, you can get many perspectives on the same topic.

The downside: information overload. Plus, it is sometimes it's just easier to learn with a human. YouTube video watching is addictive, and while learning here saves time, the extra time you saved could be eaten up. What giveth, also taketh.

2) Locality

When radio was king, each region had its own sound. This was because the musicians in one area would play with one another, creating a style. Now, there is less emphasis on geography and music is drawing from influences far and wide. This could make for an ecclectic stew. 

The downside: as music rises to the top when it appeals to the masses--who on the Internet are a bunch of bored people--the result could be that the artform of music just becomes a bunch of clickbait horse#hit. Let's see how it plays out in the coming decades.

3) It's the radio now...and the library...and your cool friend's record collection

YouTube includes many songs from the past and present which are searchable. You can create playlists, and find nearly any song you seek...all without visiting the record store. All without paying the artist nor the record label. Of course, you still pay, that is what those annoying ads are. Yet, despite these ads, being able to find nearly any music imaginable is worth its weight in gold. 

The downside: as an artist you are not just competing with the music happening now, you are competing with all the music that ever was.

Feel free to share your favorite part about YouTube in the comments. 

Image source: here

Social Media Break: Update

I challenged myself to take a break from social media for one year. That was in August and August is rolling around again. So far, mostly good. I scroll occassionally, I click like occassionally, I see what people are up to and even discovered some new music. 

For the most part, I have kept to my guns and am taking a break. I used to feel my IQ melting like an ice cube in the sun on a hot day in Cuba, and somehow wind up posting an irate comment on someone's wall whom I didn't even know. It was in some of those moments, I had to let go. What really made me pull away and set the proverbial gun down was that the rage and comments in social media have real life impact. The way we think and imagine the world to be affects people's lives, and deaths. 

It was kind of heavy. I had to stand outside and look at the sky for ahwhile. Virtual reality is a thing unto itself, but social media is also an example of virtual reality. Our preconceptions, stereotypes, concepts, world view, et. al.--they are all a form of virtual reality in the sense that much of the world exists only in our head. 

Clearly, COVID times allowed me to get philosophical but it was well overdue. Lockdown allowed to the world to stop--and suddenly all those things I "had" to do, well, I didn't really have to do them. It was an illusion of productivity and an illusion of urgency. Of course, we must fill our days with something. We don't even "have" to go to the grocery store, but we have tasks and goals that we set our mind to, whether we are fulfilling Maslov's needs, or some higher vision or lesser impulse. Being able to let go of not one but almost all of my "must do" items on the list wasn't just liberating it was show-stopping. I could create my life, my own life, like clay from the ground when the world started.

The first part of this reinvention was setting down the painting that had been created of me. Social media photos are from reality, but the sum is greater than the parts. That, I believe, is the point. Like iconography in a church or temple, it creates myth and reinforces it. This is perfect for music and entertainment, branding and self identity.

Social media is itself also entertainment. People use it for fun! Somehow, though, the seriousness of the myths and ideas we create, and how they affect us all was a concept that is prevalent (so prevalent it's hard to see it like the forest through the trees) that social media was like the prism that showed the beam of light on the wall. I finally "got it"--Eureka.

Each platform is different, for example while Facebook is more about self identity and a public scrapbook, TikTok, from what I understand (I do not use the platform as I am too busy hollering 'get off my lawn'), is like copper for the electric current of trends, allowing them to speed through culture at the rate of 100mph. Twitter is about hashtags. So, for awhile yet...I will be #creatingmyreality.

The Breadcrumb Trail Back to My Roots

I had to search through multiple emails and passwords before finding my way back to the login of this account. I feel like Hansel and Gretel, returning home and promising to pack more breadcrumbs next time. After turning On Axis Music into a proper website, and almost going into the oven of a corporate identity I have decided to cool out and redirect the URL back to this blog, where it started. My main focus is Music with a capital M and sharing my thoughts with you here. 

Survival of the Fittest vs. Survival of All

The theories of evolution, while great at describing variations of feathers on pigeon wings, bacteria in petri dishes, and camouflage colors of butterflies, it is awful for eugenics and justifying superiority. In commerce, which can be likened to survival of the fittest, products and services best suited for market make money while those that do not, do not. In art, it's understood that value of something doesn't relate directly to its commerical value.

However, technology makes it possible to flood the digital space with more music than has ever been available at any given time in the history of the human race (go with me on this). People can record at home, on their phone, in a bus, on a street, in a school, even while eating green eggs and ham. Sites ranging from Soundcloud.com to Pandora and Spotify are platforms to share music by Jane Doe as well as major well-known acts. While it makes sense to have sites that are likened to libraries of digital music, searchable by artist and genre, playlists, etc...it is the ability to share music by unsigned, hobby-level artists, and semi-professional artists that is the focus of this article. Before I get too dry and academic, let me pose the question:

Isn't competition, and standards of musicality, healthy to stir men's and women's (and transgender, yo) souls toward greater musical victories...rather than to simply be excited to hit the "share" button every time we noodle something that almost works, before editing it ten times...to a new definition of OK?

I'm convinced that the finger was photoshopped in.

Content Creators Get the Short Straw in the Internet Draw

A recent Forbes article, brought my way by ASCAP newsletter, talks about impending changes to the Internet. Read it here.

 After reading it, I have more questions than answers:
 - Is the Obama policy for Internet better or worse than what is being proposed now, and why?
 - How would new policies affect content creators?
 - How would new policies continue or impede the monopoly of major Internet companies?

Art by HJ Frank

It is clear that over the past ten years, the content that creative people make is offered for free online in many forms; whether audio, video, photos and writing.

While the Internet offers a place to showcase work, and to view portfolios, it also cuts out the "retail" element that the music industry relied on, in the past, to generate revenue.

The content creators are made to feel like we are lucky to be able to show our work online; meanwhile, Internet and smartphone companies keep the lights on.

 While the Internet is often toted as a "great tool" it is also the bane of the entrepreneur who creates content.

Looking Back and Forward on Musician and Artist's Rights

This video shows Frank Zappa testifiying before Congress, and serves as a reminder about the importance of musician's and artist's rights. Here is a run-down on songs, recordings and relted copyrights, licensing and royalties. Here is a video about owning your own publishing. Even if you are only partially in understanding of this topic, please use this as an excuse to dig deeper, research more and become informed. Here is one more about the importance of Publishing...food for thought!

Six Website Strategies

by Hannah Frank

Some sites offer the kitchen sink while others are like an intriguing first date. Here are some categories to help your online game. Organize your site by deciding your purpose: sales, familiarity with your brand (soft sell), presentation of data, email capture (ongoing communication) or "internet tourism".

  1. Sell, Sell Sell: The homepage features an immediate "call to action" and display of merch. The goal is clear: the site "first impression" is designed for clicking and buying. This isn't necessarily bad: if fans will come to the site to find out how to buy a product, this is a declaration that the website is a trusted POS (point of sale).

  2. Pleased to Meet Me: Many website designs are focused on blogging, but that doesn't mean you need to invent yourself as something more interesting than you are. This type of site is a labor-intensive collection of videos, blog entries, essays, poems, artwork, pictures of cats, etc.  It's time intensive for the artist (most sites in this style are built directly by the artist) and not focused on sales. While this type of presentation can be magical in giving a quick feel to the artist's creative process and inner workings of their mind, it also requires serious fans willing to browse it at length. It creates a personal connection with the artist, yet the conversational tone can be unfiltered (TMI) and familiarity can breed contempt and boredom. For some artists that operate in a niche or are truly working in an advanced multimedia style requiring explanation, the shoe may fit. However, for the most part, get your head out of your ass already.

  3. Search & You Will Find: Organized information about artists, projects, releases and/or services. The goal of this site style is to give brand credibility and build a legacy. It tells readers "this information is important." It is extensive, but feels respectful. This type of site is high on easy to find information and low on drivel. It will likely have crisp bios and professional photos. Be careful of being too slick...make sure the deep content is as good as the surface.

  4. The Overwhelming First Date: we just met, but can we have your email address to take this further? Sites with a lot of content often want to share it, but can invest more time in learning about the viewer. If your site has a lot of content to share that's great. But consider ways to learn about the readers, or make different areas of the site for window shoppers, customers, public and/or industry partners so that all viewers are not funneled down the same chute.

  5. Bits and Pieces: This type of site is a destination, you can almost feel a breath of fresh air as the browser opens. It includes integration with social media, image-based blog entries (look at the pretty colors), and plenty of subtle calls to action. There's no single call to action, and the website style encourages browsing. While this style is great for not hitting viewers over the head, make sure it's "sticky" enough to give them a reason to return, share and buy. If branding is the goal, and only goal, then show the bits.

  6. The website for offline...seems counter intuitive, but consider if your website or online presence is actually meant to drive action off line. Examples are readers attending an event, physically walking into a brick and mortar store, or another offline activity. Hard to believe, but there is life beyond the screen. Take this to heart and make sure the online world you create isn't more interesting than real life. Hope this helps as you build a new website or tweak an existing site for maximum leverage. As the Internet, especially with the combo of social media and smart phones, makes it possible to capture and share just about any content designers desire...make sure it's what your readers desire also.

  Media Bonus: The magic of the Internet allows us to view this video in regards to #1. Coffee is for closers, but will hard sells cause the reader to close the browser? That is the question.

###
 Reach Hannah at axis.contact@gmail.com or Twitter @HannahFrankSong

The Band Leading the Naked

First things first. The title here is taken from the phrase "the blind leading the naked". In addition to being the title of The Violent Femme's third album, it is derivative of dialogue in Shakespeare's King Lear, where Gloucester and Old Man are discussing: "...[it is] time's plague when madmen lead the blind".

While we could dive into the historical and current context for the quote, this article is about being a bandleader and how sometimes the musicians in the band are the ones leading.

We could also muse over the wonder of a few lines before it: "...bring some clothes for his naked soul" relating to the musicians helping clothe thee naked song, but let's save the metaphors for lyrics. Gordon Gano, lead singer and songsmith for the Milwaukee-based Violent Femmes (which I fully admit rocking out to in my late teens, what better time?), was likely drawing from this King Lear dialogue when naming his album...but how do I know he named it? Maybe his friend, drummer, bassist or someone else named it. The lead person in a band somehow seems responsible for everything about the band, even down to the album title, but alas it is a group effort. All members of a group, sometimes even of the production staff, record label, friends, support network, anyone related to the project is part of "the clothes" of the otherwise naked project.

Let's look at potential fallacies, alerts and such:

The emperor has no clothes.         
Who calls it out when a project has no legs, is going all wrong, or is otherwise off course?

Flats with THAT dress?!               
The critic.

Bro that shirt is dope.                    
All is good so long as you keep preaching to the choir in your niche market.

These shoes look great                    
but can't walk a block in them.       
Your band looks great online but when it comes down to it,  the drawing board and the woodshed are a-callin'.

These work boots are not fashionable 
but my feet are warm in this Minnesota winter.
You're not drawing the masses, but there's some music being made that has an intrinsic value.

These may be silly examples, but serve to show the bottom line is that HOW this music is dressed and WHAT it is wearing makes the difference of where it can go, who it appeals to, who takes notice, and most importantly, if the music itself is comfortable.

Bandmates and musicians (and engineers) adding creative input to music projects are all part of the way the music is dressed. Their influences, ideas and skills will be the fabric.

This doesn't just apply to music and bands...it could be in a classroom where the questions students ask change the course of the discussion.

You never know what will happen when more people start adding to a project.

In my case, charts and drummers are new chess pieces. I'm enjoying the new directions my music is taking as I adapt to rhythms and have a chance to "learn" my own songs; memorizing one particular version of a song and digging into it.

As much as the role of bandleader often asks us to be proactive, even bullheaded, or have some artistic agenda we're trying to promote.....I feel most creative when I can use the fabric the band brings to the table to sew some new musical clothes.

Technology Brings Tools and Challenges to Music in 20th and 21st Centuries

In the 1970's the challenge in music was to be LOUD. Technology was just allowing bands to fill stadiums with sound and amps were finally going up to 10...and the race was on to see who could get to 11 first. Bands like THE WHO headlined this effort. 


Now, the challenge in music seems to be getting bodies to shows. With technology again in a featured role, the Internet with video, websites, and social media, as well as smartphones, with apps and access to the web, people in the tech-oriented affluent first world are accessing more audio and video media than ever. The Internet allows musicians to share work, from demos to full albums, in ways that was never before possible. Technology allows musicians to record music in their home, instead of clamoring to get a major label record deal, one of the ONLY ways to get professional quality recordings in most of the 20th century. 


Now that technology allows musicians the means to create and share their music digitally and in the cloud, the challenge that faces us in the 21st century is physical. Physical bodies in bars, clubs, concert halls, etc. that come in person to see music. Perhaps recording technology allows music to get too "heady" and be so introspective that people would rather listen to it at home on speakers than experience it in person. 


The means by which something is created, is the means by which something is experienced. Music that is CREATED LIVE is more apt to be successfully performed and enjoyed live. Music that is CREATED IN THE BOX (i.e. recorded in a studio, edited widely, etc.) is more apt to be successfully enjoyed IN THE BOX-- i.e. in someone's headphones, or speakers. There's nothing better or worse with either approach but take note if the way you're creating music ends up being the way you experience it, and how you expect others to experience it.

OnAxis Music Internship Available

Internship (school accreditation possible) offered to a person interested in:
Music Marketing as it relates to...
- Photoshop
- Web Research
- Emailing
- Press Contacts
- Press Releases
- Blogs
- Social Media Marketing on Twitter and Facebook
- Music Profile sites: Soundcloud, Reverbnation, Bandcamp, Youtube
- Booking
- Advancing Shows
- Developing the web presence of a band or organization
- Developing credibility
- Developing fans
- Developing revenue

Skills/Tools Needed:
Computer with Internet Access
Laptop if possible
Willingness to meet in person to review learning and tasks
Willingness to serve as Typist/Administrative Assistant

***This is not an on-site position. Work is at-home or at meet-up public location, such as coffeeshop, meeting rooms, etc.***

A work day may consist of:
Meeting for 2-4 hours, reviewing tasks and how to use Internet/Computer to complete tasks

This is a chance to learn a lot about music marketing. You are the direct assistant to Publicist/Blogger in the Chicago music scene with clients including Podcasts, Recording Studios, Independent Record label, and Audio Engineering/Repair/Tech Businesses. Clients also include independent solo artists and bands.

***About me:
Websites:
www.onaxismusic.blogspot.com

***How to Apply
Only the brave may apply!
Be willing to type and you will learn music marketing from an active, participatory perspective and know more about booking and promoting your own band, and working as a Marketing Professional.

Email your phone number and a paragraph of intent about yourself and what skills and interests make you want to work.

Email: Axis.Contact@Gmail.com

 ***Duration:
Internship is 2-3 months, or longer depending on needs. Schedule is flexible.

***Compensation:
Transportation/Stipend may be available.

***Location:
Meetings are in Pilsen neighborhood, or in/near downtown.