08/12/2010 by HUMMINGBYRD - 0 comments

Beyond This Place…

College life in its traditional since can teach you a lot about life. It teaches far more then just social and behavior science . It teaches more then quantum physics and the history of the judicial system.

College teaches you about life and how to think.

Although there is much about college to learn…there is still a lot of mystery…especially when it comes to Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO).

One of my frat brothers, Jarrad Henderson is making a film called Beyond This Place: Documenting the Visual History of African American Fraternities and Sororities.\

The scope of this project is to shed light on BGLO’s. In a multimedia formant uniting still images with video, Henderson plans to give glimps of what it really means to be apart of a Black greek letter orginization.

Eventually he wants to make both a book and hopefully a full length documentary on the subject.

There are a lot of services that Black Greeks do for their respective campuses and within the community at large. Often times people do not know about the accomplishments we made, the legacy holders amongst our ranks (i.e Martin Luther King, Bill Cosby, Maya Angelou, Jesse Jackson, etc).

Media and entertainment may give a slanted view of Black greekdom.

We are far more then just steppers. We transcend past party strolls. We do more then just drink. Don’t get it wrong…we kick it…but, that’s not what it is about.

It is about a bond, brotherhood and sisterhood. It is about giving back to the community. It is about education and uplift.

Bro. henderson keep up the good work and educating the masses on what we hold dear. Continue to shed light on the accomplishments and realities of those 3 letter worn proudly. Continue to go beyond what media has shown about BGLO.

You need help with anything… I got you!!!!

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Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

AS Always… Here is a cool tune. Whats up with the revamped acid trippin 1983 videos?????? Here is M.I.A. with XXXO

Printing These Thoughts to Tape,

L.Byrd

07/27/2010 by HUMMINGBYRD - 0 comments

Song Writing 101: Arrangement

Song writing in its root is simple. Some may say that almost anyone can write a song. You piece some words together, usually make the ending of each line rhyme….you have a hit.

Well I guess if you describe like that song writing is easy, but good songs…or better yet great songs are again one of those crafts that takes years to hone.

As a songwriter, I believe that the fundamental DNA of a good song has three strands: lyrical content, melody, and arrangement.

arrangement is one of the key aspects that many beginning song writers tend to overlook. Its’ core function can be viewed like a puzzle…we have all these parts of this song…how do we piece these parts together?

The arranger of a song works closely with the songwriter, artist, and producer helping take their ideas and molding them in a way that makes a song….a song.

Where is the intro?

How will the instruments build?

When should we breathe in the track?

All of that is a part of the arrangment..which again is the end all, be all of a good song.

So next time you are writing a song…keep arrangement in mind. Sometimes as a writer or producer, this aspect comes naturally however, once you actually focus on it…your songs will mature instantly.

Take a look of the behinds the scene with Mary J. Blidge cover of Led Zepplins “Stairway to Heaven”. She is working with Ron Fair, one of the industries best producers and arrangers.

Printing These Thoughts to Tape,

L.Byrd

07/26/2010 by HUMMINGBYRD - 0 comments

T.I.M.E– The Importance of the Mix Engineer

The average listener definitely knows about the artist/ band. They might have a clue about the producer, if he/she is well-known like Missy, Bryan Michael Cox, Brian Eno. Most people never know about the person that is the glue of a musical project…the audio engineer.

I find it amusing when I meet a potential client and they say to me “a man why should I pay you to record me? my cousin got Protools at the crib and a mic…he will do it for free.” My general response is..”cool..have him record you, but understand that what you are paying for is my skills to provide a professional quality track, not my gear.”

The engineer plays probably the most important role in the music project. They are responsible for taking the artist and producers cognitive vision of how a song should sound and make it into a reality, using tools and their ability to manipulate sound.

The engineer is essentially responsible for the mix and ensuring proper signal chain and micing techniques are used…which can be the difference between a track that sounds good and one that is a multi-platinum, Grammy hit.

A lot of people think that when it comes to recording music all you need is a mic, some recording software, and a closet with 10,000 egg carts stapled on the inside (which is a myth…they do not work as sound treatment for your room…so stop using them and recycle).

When it comes to mixing it is a true art form within itself. It’s a craft that takes years upon years to understand. A craft that I am still studying and trying to grow better at.

Mixing takes a lot of time, patience, and energy…you try listening to the same song over and over and over again in efforts to sonically perfect it.

Next time you listen to your favorite song remember that there was some person (usually a nerdy white guy…JK JK JK LOL…well wait it is kinda true ) that took the time out to ensure what your’e listening to was the best performance.

Check this out….This is Sam Thomas. He is Bryan Michael Cox go to mix engineer. He has mixed records for Mary J Blidge, Usher, Indie Arie, Jay Z, Alicia Keys, Chris “cry baby” Brown,and many more heavy hitters in the game…JUSTIN BIEBIER!!!!!

Tommorrow we will talk about the importance of arrangement…So I wanted to give you a heads up…so you definetly gotta tune in.

I will leave you with tomorrow feature video artist. Here is Mary J with Hood Love

Printing These Thoughts to Tape,

L.Byrd

07/21/2010 by HUMMINGBYRD - 0 comments

10/90 Rule: This is how you make money in the biz…

10/90 that’s it. That is all you have if you want to make a living in your business, whatever that may be.

Oh what is the 10/90 rule? It is a simple ratio…out of all your fans/clients/followers you can expect that 10% of them will monetarily support you…that is it.

That is why we as artist and/or entrepreneurs have to stay on top of our games and truly cater to and value our fans.

That is the importance of trying to gain a larger audience…within your niche. Think of it in these terms if you have a total of 50 fans, only 5 will contribute an artistic donation…but if you had 5000 fans, thats 500 that will contribute to your well-being.

Here are 8 tips to help you maximize the 10/90 rule within your band/brand/company..

1. Think Niche

2. Serve your needs first

3. Stand Out

4. Craft a Story

5. Embrace Technology

6. Delegate

7. Never Stop Learning

8. Be A Work in Progress

For more details on the above tips check this article out

Hope this was helpful…

As always…lets check out some good music…lets see…

I posted this track a few months back when it leaked online..but here is Big Boi with Shutterbug (official video). By the way get his new album Sir Lucious Left Foot: THe Son of Chico Dusty