Percussion instruments in worship – two hand and single hand egg shaker technique (part 2)

By Guest Blogger | March 15, 2011

‘Play skilfully with a shout of joy’.  Psalm 33 v3 We understand that to play with skill is to play with technique, musical knowledge, speed and dexterity, control and precision and with professional attitude.  Great attributes to have but the word here is the Hebrew word, Yatah, and has similarities to Sakal. The translation ‘skill’ […]

Downsizing my rig – the all-in-one gig bag

By Andy@Musicademy | March 14, 2011

I’ve got to the stage as a guitarist where I’m basically getting a bit lazy and I just can’t be bothered anymore with lugging loads of equipment around. Where I used to spend hours setting up my perfect rig, now I just want one trip from the car, plug in as few cables as possible […]

I’m a little bit country – Nick Langley on Nashville Numbering

By Guest Blogger | March 10, 2011

I’ve seen posts on various websites, including this venerable one, discussing innumerable cunning ways of writing charts. Why, I ask? What’s wrong with the existing systems? Music notation has been painstakingly refined over centuries and does the job perfectly well. People have been recording music since long before Edison invented the phonograph, Bill Lear and […]

Strumming pattern to Lord Reign in Me (Over All the Earth) by Brenton Brown

By Andy@Musicademy | March 9, 2011

This is an interesting one which I’ve taken from the original Brenton Brown recording. Many people highlight the pushes in the melody with their strumming patterns but Brenton Brown, who wrote it, doesn’t. He plays a straight, rock solid strumming pattern. Sometimes playing all the pushes can just be overkill. I’ve listed this in a […]

Ask the expert – where to go for drum resources

By Marie@Musicademy | March 8, 2011

Nennisha emails: “I am currently learning to play the drums and have brought the Beginners DVDs already which I have found most helpful. But I have to say I am slightly disappointed after noticing the plethora of guitar and keyboard help available on your website and hardly any for the drums. Do you think you […]

Vocal Range: Engaging Your Community

By Kim Gentes | March 7, 2011

Local congregations use music in their services in most Christian church contexts. This is true of almost every denomination and facet of Christianity. Even the minimalist approach of using no instruments still requires attention to vocal operation of music concepts. In fact, those using extensive instrumentation must be even more wary of accomodating instrument and […]

Strumming Pattern – Days of Elijah by Robin Mark

By Andy@Musicademy | March 4, 2011

There are lots of versions of this that all vary slightly. I’ve used Robin Mark’s original. Its another syncopated ‘gallop’ style pattern that moves the song along when played fast. Many people use the pattern all the time and it can become a bit wearing if the song doesn’t need it so use it appropriately […]