2005.04

Serving the ears of the community for over ten years

It’s Time!

The annual Silver Music Studios recital is up around the bend. Parents and adult students, please note the CCR reference. On May 22, you and your children's dreams come true. Be in the spotlight for up to 4 minutes. This year we will be recording the event. A CD will be made available through the school and our website.

 

Come celebrate the success of all whom have worked so hard this past year. Feel free to check out pics and other info for this and last year's recital on our website at www.silvermusicstudios.com. Inform your teacher if your’re interested in performing. Slots are filling up, so hurry. See Y’all there!

 

Directions to the Manoa Post VFW  (1112 Steel Road):
·          Take Route 3(West Chester Pk.) to Eagle Rd. (Havertown)
·          Turn such that Starbucks becomes on your left on Eagle Rd.
·          Take Eagle Rd. to Steel Rd. and turn right.

Improve your improv with Jam Sessions

Jam Sessions is an interactive improvisational tool focusing on the 2 most contemporary scales. Explore the Blues and Major Pentatonic sounds with background band tracks for you to create against. Book and CD - $20.  Available at studio or website.

Teacher Spotlight: Christine   Christine blesses us with her charm, wit and over 5 years teaching experience. If it is Bach to Beatles to Broadway you desire, she is for you. Currently performing with a local party band, CHANCE, Christine draws from a hands-on/ears-on approach. Let her guide your fingers and your mind up and down the ivories. Christine teaches Tuesday and Wednesday in Drexel Hill. Come see and hear Christine perform with her variety band Chance. You May even recognize the bassist as our very own Rob Cunningham.  Check out the band’s website at www.chancetheband.com.

Excerpt from

Music Pursuing The Horizon

by Chuck Anderson

 

Music should be a personal expression and not an endless series of exercises. The technical, aural, theoretical and creative facets of music must be explored to discover the possibilities of expression through discipline. There is no freedom without discipline and no useful long term discipline without

the freedom of creativity.

 Music Pursuing the Horizon deals with the tribulations of the student and performer at various stages of their development. Mr. Anderson has been an educator, performer, composer and zen prophet for over 40 years.

Joke Corner

(An early apology to the percussive at heart.)

A customer walks into the new store on the block that sells brains.  There are three glass cases, each containing an active, grey brain. The first one says, "Astrophysicist", and it costs $10.  The second one says "Contractor", and it costs $1000.  The third one says "Drummer", and costs $10,000.The customer is confused, and questions the salesperson.

 " I don't get it... why would I want a drummer's brain for $10,000 when I can get an astrophysicists' for $10?"

The salesman replies, "Because it's never been used."

Praise for Odyssey

The Daily Local News reviewed Scot’s solo all-guitar album, Odyssey, and had this to say:

Local guitar teacher Scott Silver has been influencing many a player from West Chester to his native Havertown.

Now Silver has taken the time to gather some of his finest work onto a CD called "Odyssey." The 12 tracks offer a refreshing mix of styles and tempos, each with its own distinct personality.

Silver’s gift is to breathe live into instrumental music, and his work can really move the listener emotionally without using any lyrics (not an easy thing to do).

This CD is really a labor of love for Silver. Check out the CD for yourself. It’s available through Silver’s website, or by phone at 610-359-8535.

Give "Odyssey" a listen, you’ll find it’s a journey well worth taking.

Tips from a tech:
Jack Romano, Jr.

Many of you have wondered what the suggested 'bi-annual checkup' refers to and deals with on your instrument(s). Here are some words of wisdom from our local expert: 

Nothing is more rewarding to a serious player than having their electric guitar 'set up' the way it suits them as an individual. Different styles of playing, coupled with a certain 'feel' desired by the player, are accomodated by factors such as gauge of string.  Jazz usually requires a heavier gauge (.011 - .012), whereas rock and blues tend to lean toward the lighter gauges (.009 - .010).   

Adjustments (especially neck) are different from Summer to Winter. In the Winter, dry conditions may cause a 'back-bow' on the neck. In Summer, warmth and humidity may cause the neck to bow forward.   Having a qualified technician do a set-up (one in Summer and one in Winter) will help keep your guitar at an even keel. This 'set-up' should include a restringing, neck adjustment, action adjustment (if needed) and intonation. If your potentiometers (pots for short), switches, or jack are 'scratchy' or noisy, cleaning of the electronic package is often included in the 'set-up'. Keep fresh strings on your instrument. Every few months is suggested for a full string change This will help ensure even tension and retain your setup as long as possible.   

Come visit Jack at:
8 E. 2nd St.
Conshohocken, PA
610-828-4345

*Call ahead to make an appointment