Dendy Jarrett

I was recently speaking with a Harmony Central community member who has just completed a 14-year run with his band but is now moving on. He’s decided to form a Chicago tribute band. This caused me to wonder about Chicago tribute bands and how many might exist out in the cosmos. While searching online, I discovered the number one return was a band that completely blew me away. Some say their tribute to Chicago is even better than the original. Certainly that might start a great debate, but it's the truth—they’re amazing. Here’s the catch: they’ve never seen Chicago in person. They barely speak English at all. They’re in Russia. And, if I didn't tell you, you’d never know it (unless you check the names when the credits run). They’ve recreated every subtlety and nuance but have done so with great skill while keeping the feeling and integrity of the music. So after watching dozens of their videos, I thought – well, they’re in the studio—anything can be corrected in the studio. However, I watched videos of them playing live, and they were crushing it. In the bio on their website, author Scott Schwebke interviews the band leader, Leonid Vorobyev, and he says, “Chicago has never been in Russia and none of us have attended their concerts…we have only audio records and videos (to help us learn Chicago songs).” No charts or scores of the songs existed (in Russia), so Vorobyev transcribed the tunes by ear. They’ve only been playing together since 2014, and their cover videos have gone viral on YouTube (see below). The band is called Leonid and Friends. What’s important to note about there being a Chicago band, is that because Chicago spanned such a wide time-line, there are bands that do “early” Chicago and do it well. Then there are other bands that do “later” (Cetera) era Chicago. Leonid and Friends do both well. Watching their videos opened the door for me to fall in love with Chicago all over again and gain a greater respect for the music and lyrics. You may ask, "What’s the big deal?" They are from Russia and fell in love with Chicago’s music to the point that they were passionate enough to pay tribute to it. They didn’t let a language barrier get in their way. It’s proof positive that music is truly universal. After all, where else can you experience Chicago in Russia? -HC- Join the discussion at Harmony Central Website: http://www.leonidandf.com YouTube Videos: 25 or 5 to 4 Question 67 and 68 Hard to Say I’m Sorry/Get Away _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

Believe it or not, this coming week will usher in the start of a new school year. When I was a student, our schools never began until after Labor Day. Forty-five years ago...still fresh in my mind...it was the day I had to convince my father that I wanted to be a drummer instead of a trumpet player. Perhaps he knew how expensive being a drummer could become. After all, a trumpet player can live with “just a trumpet.” (Hey, at least he was open to my being a musician!) Once I was triumphant in my argument, I remember lugging a 40-pound snare drum onto the school bus on our country road every day—all the time telling myself that at least I wasn’t a tuba player. It’s probable that many of you have similar stories, whether you started playing in the 4th grade through your public school music program or whether you joined a group of local peers and formed a garage band. Perhaps your parents even enrolled you in private lessons. What I do remember very well about my school music program was the endless need for fundraisers for instruments, instrument repair, uniforms, and competition trips. Contrast that with the fact that I never remember the football team having fundraisers for the new uniforms they wore—EACH WEEK! If you have a child in the school band, you know what I’m referring to, and if you don’t … you will. Supporting the arts at your school is a huge way to show support for the arts in general and to teach children the importance of making music. Funding was difficult during my generation, but it’s only grown ever-increasingly more difficult. The truth is, with every new administration in Washington, D.C., we’ve faced the possibility of the end of funding for music and arts in public schools. While that's never been passed into law, what it has done is attrite the support of music at the local funding level to historic lows. Our own Phil O'Keefe visited this subject in his "Can We - Or Even Should We- Modernize Music Education" article. Studies have shown that the students who participate in music have better academic scores in everything from math to social sciences. What’s also true is that students (whether in school bands or garage bands) have better team-building skills, as music places musicians in a position that forces them to interact closely with other people. Harmony Central’s mission is to inspire people to make better music. An important way you can help us carry this torch is to support our youth with their desires to learn music. If you play, perhaps your story will inspire a child to pick up an instrument and start his or her musical journey. You may just be providing them a joy that will last a lifetime. And on that note, I’m off to take my daughter to her weekly ukulele lesson! _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

The year was 1972 when Seals and Crofts released their genius hit Summer Breeze. If there is one song that embodies summer, this song certainly ranks high on the list, if not at the top. The words can take you to a front porch with some acoustic guitar love happening and fireflies all around. Take a moment and enjoy these lyrics: See the curtains hangin' in the window, in the evenin' on a Friday night A little light a-shinin' through the window, lets me know everything is alright Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind See the paper layin' in the sidewalk, a little music from the house next door So I walked on up to the doorstep, through the screen and across the floor Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind Sweet days of summer, the jasmine's in bloom July is dressed up and playing her tune And I come home from a hard day's work And you're waiting there, not a care in the world See the smile a-waitin' in the kitchen, food cookin' and the plates for two Feel the arms that reach out to hold me, in the evening when the day is through Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind Songwriters: Darrell Crofts / Jimmy Seals Summer Breeze lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group This past week I was on a working vacation of sorts (as publishing deadlines loom, no matter if you are on vacation or not). While camping, I heard the familiar sound of this song in the cool mountain air. I started walking toward it and discovered a guy sitting outside his popup camper playing Summer Breeze on a well-worn acoustic guitar and singing to his heart's content. He was escaping his worries by singing this song. Hearing this song drove home the point about how important music and 'the song' can be in life. Reading through the lyrics above, I feel certain your mind took you to the all too familar melody. You probably remembered the first time you heard it, or it transported you to a favorite summer place. Maybe you have someone who's waiting there without a care in the world... As you work through the dog days of summer, take time for making music. Let music be the arms that reach out and hold you. It'll make you feel fine! Image credit: The image above was taken back in 1973 by Paul Bausch during a Seals and Crofts concert. Paul is a writer for On The Records, an online publication about Classic Rock records, and more. Enjoy the video: _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

Summer NAMM 2018 just wrapped up, and the vast sea of music gear and the enormous attendance on public day brought up this question: Do we ever have enough music gear? Craig Anderton wrote one of his ever-popular Craig's List articles about a year ago and explored '5 Symptoms that Your Gear Owns You!' While Craig's article is a satirical look at gear obsession, it nonetheless raises a serious issue. Obsession by Merriam-Webster's definition is a "persistent, disturbing preoccupation with an unreasonable idea or feeling—something that causes a complete preoccupation." Society is currently undergoing a significant minimalist movement. You see a dozen shows on “going tiny.” Many people are paring down what they own to to allow more focus on experience. If you live in a city, do you really need a car - or do ride shares, public transportation, and the occasional rental make life much easier? So what about being musical gear obsessed? Is the mere mention of this sacrilegious? Perhaps you are music gear obsessed, or do you know someone who is? Can you even own too much music gear? Well, certainly you could own one acoustic-electric guitar and play the music you want with it, but where’s the fun in that? It was recently reported that the average guitarist owns seven or eight guitars. Does that cross over the threshold into being “gear obsessed"? Or does each guitar contribute its own musical flavor and personality? It's pretty easy to hit that seven-guitar number: nylon-string acoustic , steel-string, semi-hollow body, Les Paul-type guitar, Strat-type guitar, 12-string electric, and some flashy guitar like a Flying V or a different technology altogether, like a Line 6 Variax or MIDI guitar. That's not obsession - that's versatility! I have friends in the industry who own dozens of keyboards. Many of them are old school (think Yamaha DX7). Certainly they could use a sampler or virtual instrument to obtain the same sounds, but they prefer using the actual keyboard that produced the sound. Something within them connects with that instrument; no substitute will do. And since we’re on the subject, where do you cross the line from being a collector to being obsessed? If you purchase an Epiphone Casino in blue sparkle and you now feel you must own one in every color, are you a collector or are you obsessed? We could debate this point all day...but that would be obsessive! Some accumulate music gear and it never gets used; then there are others who accumulate gear and use it all the time. What’s amazing is that, unlike other types of interests, musical gear remains valid even when newer technologies appear. Most of the older music gear is timeless, and as long as you can maintain it, it can make music. Since Harmony Central is all about inspiring people to make better music, we have no issue with people who are music gear obsessed. It probably means they are music-obsessed as well. And let’s face it: there are worse obsessions, you know! Keep making better music. -HC- _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

Why Summer NAMM? Because you can never hear too many Strats going through overdrives and playing different songs at the same time! Yes, there's nothing quite like the thrill of random combinations of guitar, drums, effects boxes, ukuleles, basses, and various unidentifiable instruments making a joyful noise unto the loud. When people tell you it was a hot show, well, it was. No one is certain how or why it happens, but the week of Summer NAMM in Nashville also coincides historically with the hottest week of the year up to that point. This past week was no exception. Heat indexes were in the 102 degree range, with actual temperatures in the mid 90s - and humidity that made it impossible for anyone to say "hey, no sweat!" Occasional drenching thundershowers added a wet accent on top of the wetness of the air itself. Coming one weekend after Sweetwater's superb GearFest (with, by the way, a record-setting attendance of over 15,000 people), you had a one-two punch of geargasm gone wild, enhanced with a touch of euphoric exhaustion. But once you were inside the elegant Music City Center (which still has that "new convention center" smell), you were calmed by air conditioning, improved food options, spacious aisles, and a bunch of fun products - which made Summer NAMM seem well worth the effort. It's regaining its footing due to the tentatively strengthening economy, and you could certainly tell it was about the music industry - people were selling, and people were buying. NAMM also presented a steady diet of tech topics in their TEC Tracks workshops, as well as lively panel discussions and interviews in the Idea Center. Our very own ex-HCer, Craig Anderton, kicked off the TEC Tracks sessions with a keynote address about the future of music technology - and that sound you heard was heads exploding as he covered blockchains' effect on intellectual property, how to re-invent music stores, machine learning, 3D printing as the new DIY, MIDI's next 30 years, virtual and augmented reality, and the music delivery systems of the future. The TEC Tracks complemented a marked increase in pro audio-oriented booths, although as expected, Summer NAMM remains primarily a show for people who like picks & sticks. For obvious reasons, we were happy to see Gibson's strong presence and new lineup. Between that, Fender's Player series guitars, the PRS acoustics and Custom 24, and a slew of other guitars - from the revival of classic brands (like Supro, Harmony, and Heritage), to boutique guitars, to new Kala U-Basses, and of course, much (much) more - it's clear that those people who only a few months ago predicted the death of the electric guitar probably need to write some follow-up articles. They also might want to add that a lot of the new guitar sales (50% for some companies) are due to more women getting into guitar. Analog stomp boxes continue to dominate the world of effects, and NAMM is the place for all kinds of accessories - straps, sticks, picks, pedalboards, and more. Of course, you'll still find the "corner case" instruments and controllers that surface for a year or two, then fade back into obscurity. But you'll even find some keyboards, like the latest from Casio (very impressive) and Yamaha. Public day saw a huge upswing in attendance, and while in the immortal words of Herman Cain "I don't have facts to back this up," no one really needed facts to know what was going on - all you had to do was try to get from one end of the hall to the other to realize people were jammed in not quite like sardines, but...well, actually very much like sardines. Overall, there wasn't any huge new trend or product category, but better versions of what's tried and true. And that's not a bad thing, because it means that the music industry continues to make its modest comeback - although after running through the halls of NAMM this past weekend, you might think "modest" is understating the case. You can find out about the new gear from your favorite manufacturers, but meanwhile, to give you that "you are there" vibe we've put together a photo documentary thread at Harmony Central so you can see what it's like to walk down row after row (after row) of booths. So in case you weren't able to enjoy the heat of Nashville (AKA Music City USA, AKA Nashvegas), we're here to bring you the Music City meltdown. All the Summer NAMM New Product News The Official Summer NAMM 2018 Photo Show Report -HC- _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

I attended a presentation by HC’s Craig Anderton about why high-resolution audio won’t solve the industry’s problems, and one of his comments was that music is becoming increasingly fractured and personalized. Music used to be something that helped hold society together; now it’s targeting narrow groups of people who often listening to music by themselves on headphones. But are we as musicians becoming more isolated? Earlier on, if you wanted to record a band...you needed a band. Now all you need is one person, a computer, and some virtual instruments. There have been several attempts at sites devoted to online collaboration, but none of them ever got traction. Maybe it was because the technology wasn’t there yet...but maybe it’s because we’re becoming increasingly isolated. When we listen to Pandora, it feeds us more music that’s based on what we heard before, isolating us from new music. We used to listen to stereo systems that pushed air through speakers to groups of people, and now we listen to music by ourselves over earbuds. Granted, there has always been isolation to some degree in music. But even though Beethoven wrote his symphonies in isolation, he needed to interact with other musicians to make those compositions public. Does the “problem” with today’s music have nothing to do with audio resolution, data-compressed files, a record industry that hasn’t quite made the transition to the 21st century, the devaluation of intellectual property, or music being more in the background than the foreground? Or is the root of the problem our increasing isolation as musicians and listeners? -HC- _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

Many musicians go through phases of playing interests, which is a natural part of being a musician. I’ve known musicians who were so into playing that they began their day with a one-hour practice routine—every day. Of course, these are players who make a living with their music. For most of us, however, we play either because we supplement our normal day job with some weekend gigs, for the relaxation (interpretation – stress outlet), or for the love of making music. No matter the reason, some of us go through times when we don’t touch our instruments (we refer to these as ‘dry spells’). No doubt, there will be people who comment that a musician going through a dry spell isn't truly an inspired musician, but —trust me—this is normal. For those who work fulltime jobs, time can be an issue. “Life” gets in the way. I have friends who play for church. Some are super devoted and are there any time the band performs; others rotate in and out with their ability to participate. Finding a music/life balance is the tricky part. It may be that your instrument is stuck away in a dark case calling for you. “Play me!” it calls. The old adage “out of sight, out of mind” may be the reason you’ve not picked up your instrument in some time. In a previous Dear Musician, Why Choose Music, I explored some of the reasons you may be a musician. I speak about the fact that you may have started playing because your parents wanted you to, or perhaps you chose band as an elective in school. "...but then a funny thing happened: you didn’t stop playing music! It wasn’t just a passing fancy. You found out that playing music could make you feel better when you were down. You had a sense of accomplishment when you mastered some riff from your favorite song. You enjoyed the open-ended challenge of a world that, even if you lived for 1,000 years, you could never fully master or even fully understand. You found out what Quincy Jones has been saying for years...and is indeed that common thread: Music is food for the soul.” And Souls need to be fed! Harmony Central’s mission is to inspire people to make better music, but perhaps we should start with simply inspiring you to make music. It’s ok to go through a dry spell, but this is the time of year for camp fires, vacations, family gatherings, and more. Switch off the television or your devices. Then ask yourself … is your instrument calling? - HC - _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

I ask this question because the past two weeks, have found me completely surrounded by activity. It occurred that the majority of those events involved music. I attended the Broadway show "Wicked" (which was fantastic), and if you’ve seen it, you know – it’s a musical. My children introduced me to the movie "The Greatest Showman" – and if you’ve not seen it, do yourself a favor and do so. If you’ve seen it … then you know – it’s a musical. I watched much of the playoffs for the NHL because the Nashville Predators were part of them, and music is abundant (and loud) during those games (to include some fantastic live music). All of this made me think: I wonder how many things we attend in which music is a primary part of the event? Being musicians, we typically clue in to music that's around us … or do we? Most musicians are like “soundhound” — the music app that tells you what song’s playing. We’re intuitively wired that way in most cases, but I do find that many people are not. Especially today it seems like everything that’s instant gratification can tug at our awareness. Consider a time when (if you’re a baby boomer) you had to wait an hour or more to hear your favorite song come on the radio (or if you were lucky … stereo). Not so anymore. “SIRI” - play my favorite song and POOF…it happens. I said in a previous Dear Musician to try and imagine the world if music were suddenly gone. Vanished. Poof! No Music. NOPE! I prefer not to go there. Next time you’re out, be aware of the music. I’m sure if there is no music, you’ll notice that for certain. The lack of music can take a great experience and make it only good at best. Harmony Central’s here to inspire people to make better music. In doing so, we want to make certain we don’t take music for granted. It's a major part of that mission. Calling attention to music and acknowledging it is also a way to keep musicians making music and, for many, making a living. Take inventory of your last two weeks – was it surrounded by music? If you’re not certain , maybe you were taking music for granted. -HC- _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

Dear Musician - When Musical Icons Stumble Will you kick it while it’s down? by Dendy Jarrett Let’s face it – there are very few American Icons left when it comes to brand names that are still manufactured in the U.S.A. Coke, Harley-Davidson, Jack Daniels, and Airstream are just a few. These brands are all internationally recognized and represent top quality that's made in America. This week, we learned that Gibson has stumbled, announcing it has filed for Chapter 11 reorganization and protection through the bankruptcy courts in Delaware. Maybe Gibson isn’t as ubiquitous as a brand like Coke, but their logo is instantly recognizable the world over, as is the iconic Les Paul body shape. Now, to the Gibson haters who rejoiced at the announcement of the brand's stumbling, I remind you that there are only a few of these hallowed 100-plus-year-old brands left in the US. Gibson is trying for a comeback. You can kick it while it’s down...or you can help it get back up. I’m left thinking about the over 800 families who are supported by this fantastic brand. I’m left thinking of the guy who has cut necks from blocks of wood for 18 years. He’s done it for so long he doesn’t even need the cut lines any longer – he does it by touch and sight. That’s what happens when you’ve done something for so long that it becomes a part of you. I’m thinking about the woman who has scraped bindings on these guitars for 30 years and wears the worn calloused tape-wrapped fingers to show for it. I’m thinking about the guy who stands in front of a buffing wheel all day buffing the nitro finish into an amazing work of art for some aspiring guitarist. None of these people makes a tremendous amount of money, but each does his or her job because of the love of working for such an iconic and historic brand. There’s been talk about the quality suffering over the last few years. None of these people had anything to do with that. When companies feel pressure to make numbers, something’s got to give. Of course, Gibson could have resorted to robotics manufacturing years ago to increase production so they could pump more and more guitars into the marketplace. But wouldn’t something have been lost in that sort of measure? Any product that’s hand made is going to have “characteristics” that may be viewed as flaws. It’s impossible to have something touched by humans without some inconsistencies and issues. But without the human touch, Gibson’s guitars wouldn’t have maintained their mystique and prestige—they would have become sterile representations of craftsmanship lost. Fortunately, that craftsmanship has not been lost--it has been re-awakened. What I’ve heard from guitarists is that the 2018 models are some of the best-produced in years. That’s a good foundation to start a comeback. And let’s look at something else that's unique about Gibson. Did you know that if you call their customer service line, you get a live human every time you call? No robotic prompts, no clearing- customer-service house in Bangladesh – just dedicated American guitar enthusiasts to take your call 24/7 - 365 days a year. Who does this anymore? I won’t go into what caused this magnificent century-old company to stumble. I have my opinions, and you probably have yours. Chances are our opinions are pretty close. And it's complicated. But I implore you not to throw out the proverbial baby with the bathwater. Don’t punish the people who labor under circumstances beyond their control, yet remain dedicated to making musical instruments as only they know how. Now that this iconic brand has stumbled, I ask you to stand behind them as the re-gain their footing under new leadership. Stand behind the guy cutting the necks. Stand behind the woman scraping bindings. Stand behind the guy who stands behind the buffing wheel who’s covered in buffing compound from head to toe. You’ll be providing them with a job and a paycheck to feed their children. You’ll be protecting an iconic American-made product. You’ll help support over 800 families who rely on guitar sales to pay their mortgage. They are people just like you, but, more importantly, they are the Gibson brand. They are why 'only a Gibson is good enough.' There are other guitar companies to whom you could send your business, and perhaps you need a Fender to go with your Les Paul or vice-versa—and that’s great…go for it. But please think about this century-old piece of American history. Don’t kick this brand when it’s down. Help it get back up. Oh, and since Harmony Central is owned by Gibson, we’ll thank you as well. We’re here to inspire people to make better music, and this time we’re asking you to make some music with a Gibson. In the meantime, if you do, we’ll leave a light on for you. _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

Dear Musician - The Gig ... A Celebration ... the discovery of a hidden treasure by Dendy Jarrett Dear Musician - April is International Guitar Month. I'm a drummer, so why would I care? Well, the guitar is arguably one of the most influential instruments that developed our music today. Truly, all fretted instruments are extremely important in music history, but the guitar takes the prize, especially after The Beatles performed on national TV on the Ed Sullivan show. And since the guitar has so influeneced music and inspired so many to make better music, I'm a big fan. International Guitar Month, which began in 1987, is an annual celebration of guitars and guitar products promoted by the Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association (GAMA) and the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) to attract awareness and develop loyalty. I was surprised to learn this past week as I was receiving e-mails for International Guitar Month of a hidden treasure right here in Nashville ... Harmony Central's corporate back yard! How could I have missed this gem for the last year? Nashville's Gallery of Iconic Guitars (The GIG) opened its doors on April 25, 2017, with a special performance from legendary musicians Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs. The following is from a press release on April 10, 2018: "The museum now attracts tourists and musicians alike who seek a sneak peek at the historically significant stringed instruments. The GIG is the result of a gift to Belmont University of nearly 500 vintage guitars and supporting endowment—amounting to a total value of approximately $10.5 million—from the estate of the late Steven Kern Shaw. Shaw was a collector, philanthropist, and the grandson of Jerome Kern, who was one of America’s foremost composers of musical theater and popular music (responsible for such classic songs as “Ol’ Man River”, “The Way You Look Tonight,” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”). Steven Kern Shaw family friend George Gruhn (founder of Gruhn Guitars and vintage instrument expert) serves as co-executor of the estate and noted that Mr. Shaw’s will specified his desire that the instruments be donated to an institution capable of properly exhibiting and caring for them, preferably in the Nashville area. Gruhn noted, “An instrument is not a servant to a musician, but rather a partner. The really great instruments are alive, and they make suggestions. Sometimes you lead them and sometimes they lead you… Belmont University was the natural choice for a permanent home for this collection since it draws students and scholars from around the world and is noted for the excellence of its music programs.” The collection has a total of nearly 500 unique and irreplaceable instruments with approximately 100 guitars currently on display, from an 1887 Martin 0-28 to a 1989 Paul Reed Smith Custom 24 “10 Top.” The Gallery of Iconic Guitars is located on the campus of Belmont University inside the Lila D. Bunch Library (1907 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212) and is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Free parking is available on the street and in designated visitor lots. Admission is $5 but free for children under 12, as well as Belmont students, faculty and staff. Visit thegigatbelmont.com for more information and to purchase tickets." So, celebrate International Guitar month, whether you're a guitarist or not, and the next time you're in Nashville, make certain you discover The Gig. You'll be inspired to make better music! photo credit: Sam Simpkins/Belmont University _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

Dear Musician – Musical Independence What a musician on fire looks like … by Dendy Jarrett New York-based drummer, singer-songwriter and synth bassist Josh Dion is a musician on fire. And, no, that isn’t a typo…this guy plays drums, plays keyboard, and sings. The world’s full of extremely talented musicians. I’ve had the privilege of knowing some who live in Nashville. But Josh Dion seems to be of another planet. He’s on par with someone who juggles, chews gum, walks a tightrope, and pats his head all at the same time. If you’ve ever studied drums with a professional drum instructor, one of the bibles of drumming is Jim Chapin’s Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer. This book is a starter guide to learning independence of each hand and each foot. Your brain starts to remember how patterns feels to your limbs. For some it’s easy, and for others, not so much. Josh Dion’s not only a one-man band, but he’s also laying down the funk all by himself. But what’s striking is that he makes it look easy and seamless. The musical brain is a fascinating piece of wonder. The number of processors and ram necessary to make all these parts work together in his brain is staggering. Musical independence can take many forms. For Harmony Central, it’s remaining neutral so that we can provide you with honest and reliable gear reviews and a non-biased place to come together as musicians and share. For musicians, it can be the freedom to play the music you love or music that you feel connects you with your audience. For Josh Dion, it’s simply having a brain in each of his four limbs, plus being able to sing a part while those four limbs operate with complete independence. And for those musicians who enjoy watching Josh Dion work his magic, he’s what a musician on fire looks like—while he makes better music! [WATCH] JOSH DION - FURTHER ON UP THE ROAD AT THE LITTLE BIG BEAT STUDIO LIVE SESSIONS Josh Dion: The Art Of Singing & Drumming (FULL DRUM LESSON) - Drumeo _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

Dear Musician – Music’s All Around Us And you’d be surprised how people are making it … by Dendy Jarrett Many musicians have music in their heads all the time. If you’re a drummer, you may experience cadencitus — hearing a cadence in your head when you walk. That cadence plays in your head at the same tempo as the pace of your walking. It can be akin to getting a song that just won’t go away stuck in your head. For many others, something that you experience may spur musical inspiration. I remember seeing an interview with Barry Gibb in which he recounted how the rhythm of the song Jive Talkin’ was inspired by the chunka-chunka-chunka sound of a car rolling over a bridge spanning the Biscayne Bay near Miami. And then there are those who seem to find music in everything they hear or see. I was recently turned on to Porcapizza. This guy takes ‘stuff’ that he finds and makes makeshift instruments out of it, and he’s growing a tremendous following. He plays Jimi Hendrix’s smash hit “Foxy Lady" with a tennis racquet guitar, an old typewriter with Pringles cans attached, and some tuned knives, while he sings into an old land-line telephone. The tennis racquet has a construction hard hat as a resonator, and kitchen butter knives are fashioned into a low-metallic resonant mbira or kalimba that runs the bass line. Now I know this conjures up notions that music made with trash probably sounds like trash, but I’m here to tell you … give it 1 minute. There are lots of historic examples of this “trash to [musical] treasure” movement. The musical group STOMP and Blue Man Group have made careers out of this re-purposing and recycling of goods into instruments. There are You Tube viral videos of people in remote countries making instruments out of whatever washtub or turtle shell they can find, thus in many cases proving that where there’s a will, there’s a way. What’s most inspiring to me is that in these examples that I mentioned, musicians don’t wait until they have all the right gear and all the stars are aligned to make music. Whether necessity is the mother of invention, or someone just thought it was simply a "cool idea," they are great examples of how music is all around us. So whether you are being inspired to write the next song from the rhythm of the road, or if the tone of an item you have lying around sparks your creative juices and inspires you to turn that item into an instrument, we encourage you to go for it! From a tennis racquet guitar to a butter knife bass line, make better music — music's all around us! [WATCH] _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

Dear Musician - Seasons Turn! Turn! Turn! There is a season ... by Dendy Jarrett While it may not seem like it in some parts of the country, spring is springing up all around us. When we usher in this new season, we’ll be inviting and welcoming change. Change can be good. For some, it offers a resurgence of creativity, a renewed desire to complete dormant projects, or start new ones. Perhaps it's time to write that next song or figure out that riff you’ve been anxious to learn. Maybe the moment has come to finish mixing some songs... or just do some spring cleaning in your studio. Perhaps I’m showing my age, but spring always reminds me of this Pete Seeger song that became a #1 hit for The Byrds in 1965. The words still resonate with me—and others—today. Turn! Turn! Turn! To everything (turn, turn, turn) There is a season (turn, turn, turn) And a time to every purpose, under Heaven A time to be born, a time to die A time to plant, a time to reap A time to kill, a time to heal A time to laugh, a time to weep To everything (turn, turn, turn) There is a season (turn, turn, turn) And a time to every purpose, under Heaven A time to build up, a time to break down A time to dance, a time to mourn A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together To everything (turn, turn, turn) There is a season (turn, turn, turn) And a time to every purpose, under Heaven Farmers will be planting seeds soon, and those seeds will grow into new plants that will produce new food. It’s an effort that has been renewing since the beginning of time. Plant, grow, harvest, rinse, repeat. Just like farmers, Harmony Central’s goal is to plant the seeds of making music. We do so never knowing what seeds will fall where, but we know based on the growing make better music movement that those seeds are germinating. And we hope they will be hardy perennials that return every year, whether Harmony Central is there to water them or not. This season may bring good change; only the spring rains will tell. But this we know: to everything turn, turn, turn... there is a season. [Editor’s Note: We buried the bass player in my band this past weekend. Music is a gift. Every day is a gift. Hug those you love. Rest in Peace, Jamie Simmons. I'll think of you every time I hear big thunder.] _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

Dear Musician – Make Better Music Movement When words fail … music speaks. by Dendy Jarrett Dear Musician – Thanks for stopping by today, and welcome to the latest issue of Make Better Music. We consider ourselves fortunate that when it comes to musical topics, you and others in the Harmony Central community generally avoid the mindless negativity that seems to be a major part of social media today. Yes, we’re certainly in tumultuous times, and it seems like there’s a lot of hate...so it helps to have a place where we can talk about our love of music. Some people look toward music and the arts as not just an antidote to the stress of everyday life but as having the potential to actually change society. For as long as any of our editors can remember, music has been a vehicle to take political stands. In fact, one of the great things about music is that it is a non-violent way to say what you want others to hear. But will it actually effect change? That’s debatable. In the 1930s and 40s, Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger sang about labor practices and struggles of the average worker, yet some would say at least some of those problems still exist. And even though Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” and James Brown’s “Say it Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)” sang eloquently about racial tension and inequality, we still live with those issues today. Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” became a feminist anthem of sorts, but one look at the headlines will tell you that problems in the workplace for women remain. And while Bob Dylan, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and John Lennon sang about the angst of war, as you read this there are dozens of armed conflicts going on in the world. So does this mean music has no “teeth”? Not necessarily. Solving problems that have been entrenched in the world since the first cavemen argued over who was going to eat the spoils of the hunt is no easy task. Music can send a message, but it’s up to people to act on that message. And some people do act on that message, because in hard times we often turn to music for a solution—and many times, the people hearing that music have delivered. In 1971 The Concert for Bangladesh itself raised close to $250,000 for Bengladesh relief, with an estimated $12 million raised through proceeds from the live album and film. I spoke recently with drummer Charlie Morgan about his first gig with Elton John, which was supposed to be a small fundraiser “thing.” Turns out it was a little fundraiser known as Live Aid, which is estimated to have raised $38 million in 1985 for aids research. And what about Farm Aid, or when Music Rising helped musicians (and many others) when Katrina hit New Orleans...Ariana Grande’s benefit for the victims of the Manchester Arena terror attack...Hope for Haiti Now, which raised $16 million...the list could go on, including the myriad benefit concerts held in communities throughout the world that contribute to charities or people in need. All use music to raise much-needed funds, as well as provide moral support, during a crisis. We at Harmony Central celebrate the positive impact music can have on people, whether through the forums that reflect your thoughts, or this newsletter (and thank you for sharing the Make Better Music newsletter with other musicians and asking them to sign up—you are the reason our circulation continues to grow). We believe that a community of musicians can provide support that may not solve the world’s problems but chips away at them relentlessly and, in the process, changes hearts and minds. Our goal has always been to "make better music," but maybe it’s time to turn that into a Make Better Music Movement that also helps make a better world. We believe music can provide a long-lasting, positive outcome on society—and you can be a part of that. So, please join us in a Make Better Music Movement because when words fail…music speaks! _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

Dear Musician: Exceptional Talent Is Not Dead When you’ve got it … you’ve got it! by Dendy Jarrett You don’t have to be a fan to acknowledge exceptional talent, but when you’ve got it … you’ve got it. In Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton’s latest release, Say Something, it took two weeks of planning and 200 people, but they shot this video live with one cameraman. Amazingly it was pulled off in one single take. There aren’t multiple cameras, fancy editing, cut-ins, or the normal hoops that make a video enjoyable. It’s simply raw, exceptional talent. Esquire magazine’s article explains the entire production process in a January 26th article that also shows the video and still shots from the video. Do yourself a favor – watch the video. If you didn’t know the back-story, it’s still great; but now that you do,…it’s even more fantastic. I acknowledge that Justin got his largest early bump in stardom from being in a boy band. This, like many other boy bands, could have simply been a flash in the pan for him, but Justin’s talent stood out. It’s taken him far and wide. Few artists have a repertoire that has equal demographic reach. When you combine his talent with another exceptional raw talent, Chris Stapleton, it’s a winning match. But let’s put aside for a moment whether you like Justin or Chris or their music. What’s encouraging to me is that exceptional talent is not dead. In a world of instant everything where it’s hard to be impressed and wowed by anything anymore, they proved that when you’ve got it … you’ve got it. So whether you’re an accomplished musician or a young musician just starting to learn your instrument – be inspired. You should be encouraged that in a world of mediocre, readily available entertainment, you can still be pulled into great music by exceptional talent. You should also be inspired that great music is still being produced and that the light on music is not growing dim. No, exceptional talent is not dead … and with that, you should be motivated to pick up your instrument and go make better music! -HC- Enjoy! youtube video: _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

Dear Musician- NAMM: A Musical Homecoming Is it 2018 Winter NAMM already? by Dendy Jarrett NAMM stands for the National Association of Musical Merchants, and every January the organization puts on a trade show in Anaheim, California...which is a smart move, especially for those who consider insane amounts of traffic a worthy tradeoff for shoveling snow back in the Polar Vortex-friendly parts of the country. This year the show had around 100,000 attendees (who for some reason, all seemed to want to eat lunch and go the bathroom at the same time) from 139 countries. There were also some showgoers who may have been from other planetary systems (we saw them), but we couldn’t confirm that. Manufacturers show their best of the best and release much of their new gear during this event. It’s four full days—this year, January 25 through January 28—when manufacturers roll out the red carpet for showmanship and try to “one-up” the competition with new gear, wow-factor displays, and artist appearances. And it’s great but can have its moments. For example, the drum hall is...well, imagine as many drummers as possible, playing everything from Sinatra to Metal all at once, as loudly as humanly possible. If nothing else, it encourages good behavior because it provides what could very well be a preview of hell, and you certainly don’t want to go there. And for any click-bait journalist who wants to write about the death of the guitar, I think they maybe just got a little mixed up—after hearing the 42,012th guitarist playing Eddie Van Halen badly, it might be that they just wish the guitar was dead. Since the end of the 20th century, Harmony Central has provided intense coverage of the NAMM show. In the beginning, it was just HC and a handful of other media doing that sort of in-depth reporting; in those early days, we had huge shoulder-mounted cameras, a control room, and spent all night editing video so we could get “something” up the next day (if we could get the bandwidth to do so). But times have changed. Back then you needed big budgets and technology to get that sort of info to the masses. Now, you need only a cell phone and cellular connection or wi-fi signal, which means everyone who hasn’t dropped their smartphone accidentally in a toilet recently is uploading their own NAMM news on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and, of course, the Harmony Central forums. Even before the show, if you searched on Winter NAMM 2018, there were already thousands and thousands of hits. As a result, this year we’re going to bring you insights and reflections on the show and its gear, based on our over 20 years of going to Winter NAMM. We can’t be first online to bring you “gear reveals,” because manufacturers now have the ability to do that from the second the show opens—and they threaten us with being exiled to the drum hall if we dare talk about anything even one minute sooner than they lift the embargo on their press releases. Instead, what we’ll give you is something the manufacturers can’t give you: our thoughts about what gear really stands out from the rest, and the directions in which the industry is going, based on our (ahem) expertise and years of analysis. So, this edition of Make Better Music is all about today’s trends in gear, technology, and even how government regulations affect new gear in these musical times. For those of us in the industry who go to NAMM, it’s a musical homecoming. It’s the time of year we see all of our friends in the industry, catch up, tell stories, and reconnect with what got us into this crazy business in the first place. Craig Anderton has often said that Anaheim is famous for being the home of Fantasyland, Frontierland, Adventureland, and Tomorrowland...but he means the NAMM show, not that theme park next door. Yes, it’s another year, another NAMM, and another long weekend with no sleep...and we’re already looking forward to next year. -HC- _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

NAMM: Is it Relevant Anymore? Only time will tell … by Dendy Jarrett NAMM is the National Association of Musical Merchants. They were formed in 1901 as 52 members of the National Piano Manufacturers Association of America when they then formed the National Association of Piano Dealers of America. Their first trade show was held in the YMCA hall in Baltimore, Maryland. The idea had merit – manufacturers had people who knew the ins and outs of the piano; how to care for it, how to tune it, how to adjust the soundboard, etc. These people would later be known as product specialists. These specialists would be available for dealers to see the newest products and write business but, while there, learn more about taking care of the instruments they sold to their customers. Fun Fact: Did you know that Thomas Edison was a NAMM member and even exhibited one year? The term NAMM didn’t become real until 1919 when the association name was changed from the Piano Manufacturers (NPMDA) to the National Assoc. of Musical Merchants (NAMM). NAMM continued to thrive and grow. It missed a couple of Trade Shows during the Great Depression. In the late 1930s NAMM became involved in the advocacy for music in education, and in 1940 became involved in price disputes that resulted from some low instrument pricing in the Montgomery Ward catalog. Over the years some milestones even became popular and then faded into time – like in the 1920s, the first women being allowed to be guests at banquets. In the 50s a campaign to heighten dealer interest, which resulted in the “Miss Music Contest.” Then there was the 1938 contest in which NAMM started a “window display contest” to see who could provide some of the best in merchandising their wares. In 1945 WWII closed the trade show for the year, as there was a travel ban due to the war. During the years, the show moved around. It was in New York, Atlantic City, Miami, and even one year in Missouri. One of the places that saw a long run was McCormick center in Chicago where Summer NAMM found favor. In 1976 NAMM celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a huge party in Chicago, which sold out a record 103,360 square feet of displays. Over the years, NAMM finally settled into a winter show in Anaheim at the Anaheim Convention Center and a summer NAMM show in Nashville at the Music City Center. In 2001 it celebrated 100 years. In 2016 NAMM reported that it had the highest attendance, as the numbers topped 100,000 for the first time. 2017 saw the numbers fall just short of 100,000, so there wasn’t much fanfare about attendance. As you can see, NAMM and the NAMM show have adapted to changing times over the years. They’ve morphed into something huge. But— is it relevant anymore? NAMM’s trade show was originally developed to provide both product knowledge to dealers but, more (and most) important, to write business. Little emphasis was placed on attendance, rather “membership” numbers and the amount of business written with each show. During the mid 1980s, I attended my first NAMM at McCormick in Chicago. I can remember that while it was busy and crowded, it was relatively quiet. People were in booths at tall tables standing around writing business. Dealers would come in and place their opening orders for the year or (in the case of the summer show) their Christmas season orders. Dealers would take advantage of NAMM specials many times offered because a dealer made the effort to travel to the show. And even in the drum hall, you might hear an occasional crash cymbal or whack on a tom-tom, but you’d never hear someone break into a jam on a kit. It was simply too disruptive to the business side of what was at the core of the show’s intentions. Something changed over the last 25 years. The show has become more of a “mine’s bigger than yours” fest, and it’s become more about the attendance overall. In the 90s they started “Public Day,” but, honestly, every day has become public day at NAMM. The halls are packed beyond belief. The noise levels are almost unbearable. Lines are hundreds of yards long as people wait to see an artist signing autographs as a booth. It’s become quite the circus now. And it’s cool and fun, but it is no longer about writing business for music dealers. And that’s A-OK if you acknowledge and accept that fact. The show represents a substantial investment for larger companies – to the tune of over 7 figures by the time they pay for travel, boarding, food, booth space, and shipping gear. And more and more manufacturers are starting to weigh that investment against the return on their investment. When the first NAMM shows started, communication was quite primitive by today’s standards. The advent of the smartphone and high-speed internet has changed everything. Manufacturers no longer need to wait 6 months between product development announcements. They no longer need to wait for the masses to come to them because they can get their message to the masses with the click of a send button. And with virtual reality finally starting to gain traction, the sky’s the limit on what may come in the future. Granted, you’ll never replace picking up a guitar and trying it out, but isn’t the consumer able to do that at a retail music store? Or are buyers now keen on some new direct-to-consumer model that give you 24 hours to try a product (and if you don’t like it, return it if you cover the shipping and a small restock fee)? The future holds some interesting unknowns. Yes, in over 100 years of progress, NAMM will evolve, as well. You’ll see larger, better-funded manufacturers opt out of having a large display, and they’ll be spending their money on better online experiences where consumers can make up their minds regarding buying choices. As someone who goes to the NAMM Show, I’d like to see NAMM have two days that are restricted to quiet displaying and music gear only with dealer-to-manufacturer-only meetings. No artists or massive crowds on those first two days. Then let the last two days be open to the general public when all the business aspects have been satisfied and we can get our party on. Is NAMM still relevant anymore? Well, the jury is still out on that. But we believe that anything that promotes music and music instruments and the love of making better music is a worthy cause. As for the NAMM show itself...only time will only tell. -HC - _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

Dear Musician - What's the Meaning of Music? The answer is...there is no answer by Dendy Jarrett “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” - Aldous Huxley Music can bring people tears of joy or touch the kind of profound sadness that causes tears of a different kind. Music can start a peace movement or create martial music that accompanies the drums of war. Music can express the pain of Trent Reznor trying to make his way through a complex and frightening world or the joy of Johann Sebastian Bach trying to transcend the physical world and touch God. It can manipulate the emotions of the audience watching a movie or heal people in ways that science still doesn’t quite understand. So what exactly is the meaning of music? The answer is simple: there isn’t any inherent meaning. None. Music is a shape-shifter, and that shape depends totally on the musician creating the shape. The dictionary would have you believe that music does have a definition, and by their standards, it sounds so simple. Wouldn’t it be easy to dismiss music as something so simple if it yook only one shape? This was brought home to me recently by a friend who’d written a very dark song with a theme about gaining independence from a relationship that had come to feel like a prison. But then he decided there were better and deeper ways to shape the music. He changed the theme to reflect how good it would be for the people involved to become independent from each other—how they could pursue their own dreams and their own lives. He didn’t really change the music much; even the lyrics weren’t all that different. But it felt different. Music, the shape-shifter, had flipped its shape. The significance here isn’t changing from negative to positive. Sure, positive attitudes are great, but the world isn’t all a bed of roses. Music needs to be able to look harsh truths straight in the eye, as well as celebrate joy. No, the significance here is that music is here to serve you, and, like creating a sculpture, you determine its shape. Because music itself means nothing, you can have it mean anything. You can exorcise your demons like John Lennon, celebrate a higher force like John Coltrane, use music to raise money for philanthropic causes like John Legend, or tell stories like Johnny Cash. Music has power. Music will do your bidding and shift its shape to whatever you want. So, in truth, the question isn't "what is the meaning of music?" The real question is this: how will you shape your music? -HC- _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

Dear Musician: Musical Resolutions Can 105,000 musicians be wrong? by Dendy Jarrett I know it sounds crazy, but the years seem to move by faster as we navigate life. Each year we set goals (and for musicians – musical goals) with good intentions; but, for many, the road of good intentions doesn’t lead to anywhere. 2017 saw a host of great goals being met for Harmony Central. This newsletter, Make Better Music, now exceeds 105,000 subscribers. This also means some of you (along with us) hit your 2017 musical resolution – to make better music. We’re glad you made us part of your resolution. Taking a look back, Harmony Central produced an incredible amount of material in 2017. For Articles, we published 170. That’s One Hundred Seventy! In the Expert Review category, we published 100 (One Hundred!) product reviews. And we published 26 issues of Make Better Music. I’ve included links to all 26 Editions in case you missed one: Make Better Music V17.1 Make Better Music V17.2 Make Better Music V17.3 Make Better Music V17.4 Make Better Music V17.5 Make Better Music V17.6 Make Better Music V17.7 Make Better Music V17.8 Make Better Music V17.9 Make Better Music V17.10 Make Better Music V17.11 Make Better Music V17.12 Make Better Music V17.13 Make Better Music V17.14 Make Better Music V17.15 Make Better Music V17.16 Make Better Music V17.18 Make Better Music V17.19 Make Better Music V17.20 Make Better Music V17.21 Make Better Music V17.22 Make Better Music V17.23 Make Better Music V17.24 Make Better Music V17.25 Make Better Music V17.26 While we believe that looking out the front window of the band bus is the way to approach life, we do also believe that taking a look in the rear view mirror can help one keep balance and perspective. As we ring in 2018, let’s remember all the musicians who left us in 2017 (it was a heavy blow to music this year) and let’s be thankful for the things we did accomplish. Harmony Central hopes to continue to turn out great content and improve our newsletter. Unlike many other newsletters, we don’t include tabloid style advertising; rather, we keep all of our supporters music instrument or music industry specific. No one needs reminders of what you shopped for on Amazon yesterday! In return we ask that you support us. Click an ad, share Harmony Central with a friend, share Make Better Music’s Subscription link with a fellow musician, and, finally, find us and like us on Facebook. We’d be grateful. So, as you face 2018, do so with a musical resolution in mind. Practice more, perform more, turn off a device and pick up an instrument, and above all … make better music. -HC- _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

Hope, by definition, is “a feeling of expectation and a desire for a certain thing to happen.” In last year’s holiday Dear Musician, we explored giving the gift of music and encouraged you to do so. We have the same hope this year. Harmony Central’s purpose is to inspire people to make better music and, equally important, to instill hope through the joy of music. Lots of great things have been said about music. May some of these quotes inspire you – “Music can change the world because it can change people” — Bono “Where words fail, music speaks.” — Hans Christian Andersen “Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” — Maya Angelou “Music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we’re all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” — Billy Joel “Music is one of the most powerful things the world has to offer … it has the power to unite us.” — Lady Gaga “Music doesn’t lie. If there’s something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.” — Jimi Hendrix “Music is a powerful tool in galvanizing people around an issue. There’s no better way to get your point across than to put it in a beautiful song.” — Ed Sheeran “Music is powerful. As people listen to it, they can be affected. They respond.” — Ray Charles “Music washes away the dust of everyday life.” — Art Blakey “The best music is essentially there to provide you something to face the world with.” — Bruce Springsteen “Music, at its essence, is what gives us memories. And the longer a song has existed in our lives, the more memories we have of it.” — Stevie Wonder “Music is for every single person that walks the planet.” — Robert Plant Music is for every single person that walks the planet—I don’t think it could have been said any better. Many quotes throughout history reference keeping hope alive. In this season of family, relaxation, and religious significance for many, we hope you will keep hope alive through music. Happy Holidays! _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

Korg G1 Air Digital Piano Catching air on a keyboard … from beginner to pro by Dendy Jarrett I’m a drummer by profession, not a keyboardist, but did receive a good foundation on keyboards with many years of piano lessons as a young person. Those lessons served me very well through years of percussion studies. I can attest to the value of having a good keyboard available to musicians of all ages. For many, it's not a question of wanting a good piano, rather a question of finding the space. A piano, even a compact upright, is extremely heavy. Korg has a solution in the Korg G1 Air Digital Piano. Digital pianos aren’t new; they’ve been around awhile, but the technology and design have become technically refined over the past few years. What struck me the most (first impressions) is the Korg G1 Air's design. This thing lives up to the name ‘Air.’ It’s sleek, yet looks like a conventional upright piano that went on a lean diet. It’s so thin and hugs the wall so tightly that you could fit this into most hallways without getting in anyone's way. But with thin designs there's usually some compromise in features, sounds, or playability. Not in the Korg G1 Air. This sound is so realistic that if you were to close your eyes, you’d think you were playing an acoustic piano. Let me walk you through the G1 Air. Keys and Pedals: This keyboard features a full 88 key (A0-C8) range. The keys are weighted in a very realistic way; your hands will tell your brain that there are hammers on the other side of the wall. Seriously, my main keyboard experience is with weighted keys, and Korg nailed the response. Not only do they play downward like a weighted key and then release in the same way, but Korg even builds in the sound of a silent weighted key release. It’ll mess with your head it’s so realistic. The pedals will leave you with the same experience. There are Damper, Soft, and Sostenuto pedals, and half-pedaling is supported. The dampening pedal has no latency that I could perceive and was exceptionally realistic. Presence: The speaker positioning in this keyboard emulates the sound dispersion pattern of an acoustic piano. With other digital pianos, you can often hear from where the sound is emanating, but Korg strategically positioned the speakers in the G1 Air so that the sound is all around you. If you have the piano function set to an upright setting, you’ll think you’re playing an upright. If you choose a grand piano setting, your optic nerves will twitch looking for the lifted lid and outstretched strings. Sound: Three huge sampled grand pianos are standouts on this small piano. There is a German, Austrian, and Japanese Grand piano included. Each has a distinctive sound. The G1 Air has a total of 32 sounds which include not only the sampled Grands but organs, clav, a 60s mod ‘Rhodes’ sound, vibraphone, acoustic guitar, strings and more. Features: There are some standard items that have become available on digital pianos, but then there are those that stand out. Here are some of the G1 Air's features that set it apart from basic digital pianos. The keyboard is available in three colors: Black (G1-BK), White (G1-WH) and Brown – a wood-grain finish (G1-BR) 5 types of touch selection Pitch transpose and master tuning Maximum polyphony is 120 voices Effects include: Brilliance, Reverb, and Chorus (3 levels of each) Recorder – 2 track with a 45,000 note maximum 50 demo songs (sound demos 10, piano songs 40) Connections include Line Out, MIDI (in, out) USB, Headphones X2, Pedal, Speakers, DC 24V Controls include:Power Volume /A./J. Piano(s) Others Favorite Split Function Select Tempo (+,-) Metronome Record Functions – Play/Pause/Stop/Rec/Part 1/Part 2 The power output is (20 W + 20 W) X 2 Included items are an AC adapter and the dedicated stand (that appears to be a part of the overall seamless design). And here are the features that were standouts for me: How did they get such a HUGE sound from such little speakers? Speakers are 4.72” (12cm) X2, 1.97” (5cm) X2 The dimensions are 52.99” wide/32.36” height/ and an incredible 15.12” deep. It’s such a tiny footprint – even apartment dwellers can now own a piano! I mentioned the piano's weight before. This piano weighs in at a grand total of 90.39 lbs. Bluetooth! Yes, the G1 Air features Bluetooth and you can sync it up to your smartphone and play along to tunes or use it to stream music (it sounds great for playback). If you purchase this keyboard from an online retailer, it will be shipped to you in a large box and will most likely come freight. It is well packaged and the assembly is straightforward. I’ve included some videos of this piano in action below. You get a classic slim design, tremendous sound, state-of-the-art technology and years of enjoyment at an affordable price (street price: $1,399). If you're looking for the perfect starter piano that can go into your child’s room and serve them for many years to come, or if you are a seasoned professional keyboardist living in a small place, this keyboard is a perfect solution. Resources - Unparalleled Sound and Expressive Playing Experience: Intense Piano Pleasure: You can find the Korg G1 Air at: Sweetwater Musicians Friend B&H Photo Video Pro Audio Guitar Center Amazon _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

The holidays are drawing near, and you’ll no doubt be spending more time with friends and family. Everyone will be in festive spirits and enjoying their favorite tunes. And you’ll be subjected to them. You probably had parents whom you remember saying, “Hey, turn that noise down!” or even, “They don’t make music like they once did.” Seems like we’ve all had someone say this type of thing to us at one time or another. It takes effort not to be that person. Do you hear what I hear? I hear kids who are making their first tentative attempts at playing their brand new instruments. While some people may hear it as "noise", what you're actually hearing is the sound of musical doors opening up for the next generation of musicians. We all start somewhere, and it should be exciting for seasoned musicians to see young people embracing music. During the holidays especially, we encourage you not to be overly critical. It may be kids playing “their” music (which may not be your cup of tea), or it may be someone caroling beside you who shouldn't be singing except in the shower. It may even be a kid who’s received a guitar (or drums –yikes!) for Christmas and you must endure hours of “shredding” by untrained hands. (We speak from experience!) Whatever you hear, may it be from the perspective of music appreciation and patience. An encouraging word goes much farther than a discouraging one. Being open-minded to tunes that don’t fit your normal listening preferences can keep musical interests alive. Allowing yourself to endure hours of Hot Cross Bun on a new flute-like recorder may mean the difference between your child sticking with making music... or not. Our mission at Harmony Central is to inspire people to make better music. We’re not preaching to you, but we wish to remind you that how you approach others when they're making music could make a difference that lasts a lifetime. So we ask you to be aware. Do you hear what I hear? Don’t let a critical ear spoil the spirit or the festivities. Image: © WestEnd61/REX/Shutterstock _________________________________________________________________ Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.