Category Archives: Music

All In The Family Too

January 6, 2014 David Hunte 3 Comments

I Love My Family. I love my immediate family that I grew up with. I love my wife’s family. I love my church family. I love my work family. I. Love. My. Family. One of the reasons that I love my family so much is that I get to make music with them. I have come to appreciate the times that I have with my wife and children in that they are precious. And before you know it, they’re gone; Gone to College and work and just gone, just trying to pu
So one day I had to play Spain by Chick Corea for Old South Jazz Service. So there were some growning pains with it. But I was able to learn it. A few months later I heard my son, Joey, trying to pick it out on the piano. So I stopped what I was doing and helped him to learn the song to the best of his and my abilities. Any time he saw a piano, he wanted to play the song. And so when we went to my daughter’s school for her piano recital, we were able to get the song recorded for our enjoyment and yours. I. Love. My. Family!!!

So now when I’m tempted to be down, I look at my family who I love, and I keep smiling as I continue to Play It By Ear…

Music

All In The Family – Bassics!

January 6, 2014 David Hunte Leave a comment

This is going to be a great year. I had the awesome privilege to teach my kids some music. Specifically I was able to acquire a bass guitar and teach both of Kids to play. It was very exciting! In this case with the bass guitar being the foundation of the songs that we were listening to at the time. It was Chris Tomlin’s rendition of the “God of Wonders” song.

The beautiful thing about this is that I had recently showed them the pattern on the guitar, and when I played it for them they were able to catch on pretty quickly. It was Absolutely Amazing how much they were able to experiment and get on their own.

The most beautiful thing about this whole situation is that I’m able to spend time with them and pass on the knowledge and experience I’ve gained playing music for the last 30 years. Just the thought of it keeps me smiling and willing to continue to Play It By Ear!

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!

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!

Life, Music

Technology – Hindrance or Help?

October 29, 2013 David Hunte 7 Comments

Well I thought they were a relic of the past, but the do exist. Cassette Recorders! Wow! This is what someone used in rehearsal TONIGHT to help them learn to play by ear. It through me for a loop because with the preponderance of smart phones and apps galore, it seemed kinda out of place to have a device like the cassette to record and then playback for the purposes of playing by ear.

The thing to remember is that you have to use the technology that you are comfortable with. I remember when I used CDs AND Cassettes to help me. In fact I used the Tascam Guitar Trainer (pictured below) to help me learn things.

Then I quickly moved onto the Tascam Guitar Trainer MP1 (pic below). This used MP3s and allowed you to slow down the song to be learned without changing the key just like the original guitar trainer.

With the advent of smart phones, it’s even easier to get a song and be able to slow it down to understand what’s happening with the song. I use an app called Audio Speed Changer on my Samsung Android. iOS devices can use Music Speed Changer, which functions in the same manner – It allows you utilize songs in your library and allow you to manipulate the speed as well as the pitch of a particular song

Additionally the advent of the Internet has changed the way that music is viewed. The Internet has made it much easier to get scores, guitar tabs and also brought a great program such as Audacity – Audacity Link

I think the singularly most significant impact of the Internet on playing by ear is YouTube. It provides a forum for like minded people to chare ideas, to post how to videos and great concert moments. It’s an awesome resource. There are tons of schools that give free YouTube lessons. SoAll you have to do is find the right person to follow and you will be all set. My next question is, it right to use all of this technology to help you to learn or is it not good? You be the judge…. And remember to smile and know that today is another opportunity to Play It By Ear!

A Blog That Talks about Music and Life