All posts by David Hunte

Worshiper, Husband, Father, Son, Friend, Singer, Pianist, Guitarist, Geeky Computer Guy, Music Teacher and All around Good Guy!!!

Music

The Struggle Is Real

January 4, 2014 David Hunte 2 Comments

The Struggle Is Real!!!

I went down to the basement to get clothes out of the dryer that I had forgotten and almost turned all of the water in my body to ice. There’s No Heat in our basement.

IT. WAS. SO. COLD!!

But what do you do when faced with impossible circumstances? You press on. You Soldier On! You find a way. At least that’s what I thought you would do. Right? So I added an extra layer of clothing and pushed through. The Struggle Is Real!

I. Got. The. Laundry!

If you’re ever in a situation that seems to be insurmountable, don’t give up! Do Not Give In To Your Circumstance! Just keep on keeping on! The Struggle Is Real!

I pray for those who have to experience – 20°F tonight that do not have a place to stay! The. Struggle. Is. Real!

#ToThineOwnSelfBeTrue
#TheStruggleIsReal
Keep Smiling, Adapt and continue to:
Play It By Ear!

View on Path

Guitar, Life, Music

Staying In Tune

January 4, 2014 David Hunte 2 Comments

At the beginning of each year, people make resolutions. They resolve to lose weight, write a book, be more spiritual, quit smoking, record a music E.P. or mix-tape, among other things. In order to accomplish these goals they have to stay in tune with their resolution and have it resonate with the rest of their life.

One of the instruments that I have learned to play by ear over the years is the guitar, which has 6 strings. In order to play correctly the strings have to be tuned to the correct pitch – E, B, G, D, A and E (from highest to lowest). Sometimes people use alternate tunings but they still have to be tuned to those tunings. If they’re not tuned correctly, then the music does not sound beautiful. The picture above is from my tuner – Snark. It is a beautiful piece of technology that allows me to very accurately get the pitch that I need in place. I love it.

Playing by ear invariably includes keeping in tune especially when you’re using an instrument that requires precise monitoring of pitch, such as the voice or a stringed instrument like the violin or cello. It could make or break your performance when you’re out of tune. Similarly when you are accompanying someone on the guitar or piano, you have to listen to make sure that you are in the same key and that you’re staying in tune with the rest of the ensemble. The key to all of this is staying consistent and focused, always checking your TUNER to make sure that you’re in tune.

As a christian I always pray that I stay in tune with my Creator, just like when I’m playing my instruments. One of the main ways I stay in tune is to pray as often as possible. I also SCHEDULE time to read the Bible and other devotionals. If you can schedule your dentist appointments, you can schedule your devotional time. It’s important for your journey through life and you need it to stay in tune

So keep on praying and playing. Keep on practicing your instrument. Keep on smiling as you Play It By Ear!!! Stay In TUNE!!!

Life, Music

Happy New Year – I’m Ba-ack!!!

January 2, 2014 David Hunte 6 Comments

Happy New Year to one and all. I’m back on the blog. I took a little leave of absence during the holidays for 2013, but I’m back on the wagon now. One of the phrases that you hear at this time of year is the phrase that I started this blog with – Happy New YEAR!!! It’s a phrase that means something. It implies a new start, which is exactly what I’m doing for this year. Part of this new start involves being resolved to do new and greater things and be a better person than you started the year.

In doing this I have resolved to do much this year. I’m going to write more consistently on this blog about music and life and playing by ear. I have also resolved to working out more consistently through out the year. There will be several blogs about that. Additionally I am determined to read through the entire Bible this year as well. There will be blogs about that as well. It will be a great year. And so I leave you with a song that my family recorded on Christmas Day! (It took a little over an hour to put together!) We wish you all the Blessings for 2014 and our Hope is that you find what you need this year.

I Wish You a Happy New Year and hope that you keep smiling as you Play It By Ear

Life, Music

Finding your voice – Timing!!!

January 2, 2014 David Hunte 4 Comments

So recently I had a conversation with my wife concerning this issue: When is it a good time to start learning to Play It By Ear? Or even when is it a good time to start learning to play music? Or if you are a singer, how and when do you begin training your voice? After a little back and forth we concluded that it was up to you.

How do you know when your voice is ready? How do you know when is a good time to begin Playing By Ear? The answer is really EXTREMELY subjective. There are some children/people that can grasp the concepts associated with making music at a very early age, and with the right coaching can excel. One case in point is Mozart. There are others who blossom later in life and they wouldn’t have understood the concepts if they had started as early as Mozart did.

Additionally one of the main issues here in finding your “voice” concerns the coach or music teacher that is helping you on your journey. It is imperative that you find someone who is skilled in playing the instrument as well as skilled in teaching the instrument. As far as is possible find someone who is skilled in imparting the knowledge needed to help you find your voice, to help you find your way. There will be more on this later. But in the mean time just keep smiling and Play It By Ear

Music, Piano

These Three Chords – Pure and Simple!

November 5, 2013 David Hunte 6 Comments

My father was a great musician, with a beautiful voice. He played several instruments from Cello to Trombone, and piano, guitar, and organ as well. He was the one who got me started on playing the piano and guitar by ear. He taught me thus basic fundamental truth about playing by ear.

Here goes: There are 3 basic chords that you can use to play any song, in any key. They are the chords formed by the First (1), Fourth (4), and Fifth (5) degrees of the scale. Using these chords may not be what the original composer may have envisioned for their masterpiece, but the three chords can be used to play any song, IN ANY KEY.

For example, in the key of C Major, which doesn’t utilize any of the sharps or flats, the scale runs through the following notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, and then back to C. The first note of the scales is C with the corresponding chord of C Major. The fourth is F, with the corresponding chord of F Major. The fifth note on the scale is G with the corresponding chord of G Major.

The notes C, E, and G, make up C Major
The notes F, A, and C, make up F Major
The notes G, B, and D, make up G Major

Now that you know this, the important thing to remember is that each chord has 3 notes in it. The trick is to play the chords that correspond to the notes in the chord. This is usually a good idea. However there exceptions to this rule. Sometimes holding your chord is the right thing to do instead of changing on each note that is different from the chord.

That being said, it’s time to smile and continue to Play It By Ear!

Music

It’s Not Easy – It’s A Process!

November 3, 2013 David Hunte 1 Comment

Someone asked me today, “Has it always been easy for you to play by ear?” And my answer was no. I have had to work at it for a long time to get where I am today.

The product of what I am is the result of hours and hours of practice, performances, and lots and lots of mistakes. It’s how you learn – From a lot of mistakes! There’s nothing that life and music teaches better than mistakes.

The thing to remember is that when to u make a mistake, don’t repeat it. And keep smiling and continue to Play It By Ear!

Life, Music

Challenges – Bring It!

November 2, 2013 David Hunte 9 Comments

So I’ve gotten away from talking about music. And I’ve been talking about life and current events. That in and of itself is a challenge, that is finding my voice. Speaking about the voice, I had to sing the U.S. National Anthem – the Star Spangled Banner @ the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Class 203 graduation today. It was a challenge that I met gladly!

But in addition to the blogging, I’m also doing a Personal Transformation Challenge called the 28 Days To A New Me – Personal Transformation. It’s a journey of commitment, and it basically provides encouragement and accountability. It’s what I’ve been using for the past year to lose weight and become a better person. It’s enabled me to go out of my comfort zone and try something like the the Ultimate Blog Challenge. Here’s a picture of what a daily post looks like in the 28 Days to a New Me challenge – Completed Insanity Core Cardio And Balance DVD and 336 push-ups & crunches!

Everyone faces challenges in life. Maybe you’re trying to do a new thing like this blogging challenge. Or you focus on your health and wellness. Or are you starting or continuing to run an enterprise? Or school? Or Domestic challenges? Or you may be facing a Medical challenge? Or maybe you are learning to play an instrument or sing? Or maybe you lost your job or a car recently?

Whatever challenge you face, it is what we do with those challenges that makes the difference between a great life, and a mediocre one or one that’s not so good. What are you doing about your challenges today? Some challenges require assistance from other sources. One of my sources is my Faith in God. I find all my strength there.

I know that I’m gonna smile, keep a positive attitude and face the challenge head-on while I Play It By Ear!

Guitar, Life, Music

More Than Words!!

November 1, 2013 David Hunte 2 Comments

So this is my 31st post since I started the challenge to post a blog every day. It has been a challenge. I have learnt some interesting things about myself. I learnt that I could do something I never thought I could do – Blog for 31 days. OK. So I missed some and had to go into the other month. But there were days when I put up 3 blog posts. In The SAME DAY! WOW. There are no words. I’ve come to realize that it takes “More Than Words” to do a blog. And the words that you see on the blog is sometimes inadequate to express what I feel.

So with that said I took to the guitar instead of the piano to say that its really “More Than Words”

And Still I smile and use every day as an opportunity to Play It By Ear
PIBE

Life, Music, Piano

You Raise Me Up!

November 1, 2013 David Hunte 7 Comments

As I contemplated the final blog posts for the month of October, I realized that there were a lot of people who made a difference in my life – My family, my favorite persons, my friends and coworkers, my Pastors, my church family, my fellow bloggers, First Responders, and my 28DaysToANewMe family. You know who you are. This little song excerpt is dedicated to you, because You Raise Me Up!

I Love You All and I’m taking this opportunity To Smile and Play It By Ear!

Life, Music

Falling Behind – Gotta Play Catchup!!

November 1, 2013 David Hunte 4 Comments

So I started with great hopes and aspirations for October 2013. I was going to participate in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and post a blog everyday of the month. Did I do that? No. Not yet. LOL. It’s the last day and I’m 3 blogs short. By the time I finish this blog, I’ll only need 2 more posts. What shall I write about? What to write? What To WRITE?

I’m open to suggestions on what to write. I Love music. I Love Life. I’ve tried to combine the two. In some cases it worked. In other posts it didn’t quite work. But I will continue to. I’ve got two more posts to go. Wish me luck. Or better yet – Keep on smiling and take this day as another opportunity to Play It By Ear!

Life

From Worst To First – Boston Strong!

October 31, 2013 David Hunte 9 Comments

For the First time since 1918 the RedSox have clinched Major League Baseball’s World Series Championship at HOME!

Boston Strong is not just a cliché anymore this year! It’s a reality! They went from being One of the Worst Team in the American League to being the Best in the World! The Marathon Bombing served a a launch point for team.

This is who we are: CHAMPIONS!
So take some time today to reflect and remember that every day is a great day and that it’s an opportunity to Play It By Ear!

Life

Love. Is. A. Choice – Choose Wisely!

October 31, 2013 David Hunte 8 Comments

I saw this quote recently, and I thought that it deserved to be heard:

“The truth is that the more intimately you know someone, the more clearly you’ll see their flaws. That’s just the way it is. This is why marriages fail, why children are abandoned, why friendships don’t last. You might think you love someone until you see the way they act when they’re out of money or under pressure or hungry, for goodness’ sake. Love is something different. Love is choosing to serve someone and be with someone in spite of their filthy heart. Love is patient and kind, love is deliberate. Love is hard. Love is pain and sacrifice, it’s seeing the darkness in another person and defying the impulse to jump ship.”
– The Great Kamryn

I couldn’t have said it better myself.
So I won’t!
Love. Is. A. Choice.

Choose Wisely! And remember that every day there is another opportunity to Play It By Ear!

Life

iCandy!!!

October 30, 2013 David Hunte 7 Comments

Everywhere you go it’s there. You go to the computer store and it’s there. You go to the music store, it’s there. And don’t forget the grocery or pharmacy (drug store to some). It’s there too!!! What is it?

Candy!

At this time of year, candy is the number one item being sold. I find that it is almost impossible to ignore. So how do you cope?

Do Push-ups as often as possible
Don’t go shopping when you’re hungry
Drink lots of water
Healthy alternatives – raisins, cereal etc
Workout (Did I say this already?)

It’s all about the will power and what you allow yourself to consume. So I will keep smiling and use today as an opportunity to Play It By Ear!

Music

Always Looking To Give!

October 30, 2013 David Hunte 6 Comments

Yesterday my coworker asked for help with bad project that I was delighted to help with. She asked me to help distribute 2 tons of apples that was picked by her organization. I was stunned. I sat. I thought. I made a few calls that helped to feed somebody else.

The main point of this post is that I was able to focus totally on somebody else for a few minutes. And I felt really good about myself and about the fact that there are people out there that care enough about their fellow man that they would take the time to pic 2 Tons of apples and give it AWAY!!! Talk about playing it by ear! It doesn’t get any better than that. Or does it?

WOW!!!

I’m smiling and taking an opportunity today to play it by ear and you should too!

A Blog That Talks about Music and Life