Recording
www.boltonmusiclessons.com are proud to announce the following lessons are now available:
Guitar – Electric, Acoustic and Classical – all styles covered – Grades, GCSE or just for giggles.
Bass Guitar – Rock, Jazz, Pop and more…
Folk instruments – ukelele, banjo, mandolin and bodhran.
Vocal Tuition – Learn to sing with an experienced teacher.
Keyboards – Beginner to intermediate – learn to play for fun.
Recording – Get to grips with recording your own compositions on a budget, what to buy, how to setup and how to get started.
Composition – Learn how to write music, got an idea why not come for a lesson and workshop it into a rounded peice of music.
Songagram – Get your idea recorded or record your favourite song for yourself or for someone else – we can do original compositions or covers.
All our teachers are experienced working musicians who can cover a variety of styles and genres.
We are based in Farnworth, Bolton BL4 in an easy to find location.
We work days, nights and weekends.
Lessons are charged at £15 for a 45 minute lesson or block bookings can be arranged at 4 lessons for £55 or 10 lessons for £130.
Our teachers:
Jess Main: Singing Teacher
I didn’t come from a musical family, but always wanted to sing from a young age.
I was 10 when I began my musical training, and now at 25 I have completed my Masters degree in Vocal Studies (York). As a member of a female trio, I regularly perform in concerts in London and the north.
I have been coaching various ages of singers since 2009, alongside running several vocal groups. Having explored genres from opera, musicals, cabaret and classic rock, I know that my knowledge would be a useful tool to help you improve your own skills.
Bespoke Lessons
I do believe that everyone has the ability to improve their vocals under suitable tutelage and encouragement. Whether you want to get to grips with a particular style, work towards a grade or just simply enjoy the satisfaction of making a great noise – I can provide that help in a friendly, enthusiastic environment.
Contact details: jess@boltonmusiclessons.com Mobile: 07595 369437
Karl Kramer: Drum Teacher. (mobile, home lessons)
I have been playing drum kit since I was 12 years old, and orchestral percussion since I was 14.
I also teach mandolin, ukelele, keyboards, bodhran, recording and composition.
Over the years I have played in many ensembles, exploring both style and creativity. Since beginning drum kit, I have played for metal bands to folk bands, and I currently play Bodhrán for my band ‘Nish As Rish’ (www.nishasrish.com).
With experience in the Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra, York Symphony Orchestra, University of York Concert Band and CHIMERA ensemble, I am also well practiced in all tuned and non-tuned percussion.
Bespoke Lessons
Our lessons will be focused on three fundamental areas of learning: Technique – Solid technique is key to developing into a great player. Improvisation – Rather than focusing entirely on existing repertoire, I’ll help you explore ways into creating your own music and style. Musicianship – The most important thing about being a drummer is listening to other musicians.
Contact details: karl@boltonmusiclessons.com 07597 837010
Mark James – Guitar Teacher
I’ve been playing guitar since I was 12 and have been playing in bands since I was 15.
I now record under the name Back Bone Shiver – a solo project.
I have been teaching for over 6 years now. mainly in the Bolton area but branching out into Leigh, Walkden, Manchester and Horwich.
I love it, as a business it keeps me off the streets but as a vocation I have loved every minute of it.
Bespoke Lessons
My philosophy when it comes to music has always been no boundaries and I apply that to my teaching.
If you want to play for yourself or others then I’m more than happy to help.
I teach all styles of guitar, I also play bass, banjo, ukelele and mandolin.
I also have a decent project studio recording setup which is also available to students should they need it.
Contact details: mark@boltonmusiclessons.com Mobile:07780 681 585
If you would like to discuss booking a lesson or need advice of what to buy,
Related Reading:
Video tutorial using Reaper and piano roll to create a drum track using midi.
New video created to show how to program drums in Reaper using Piano roll.
VST Drums are Session Drummer 2 available to buy from the Cakewalk store for £8.99
http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2cus/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=10-CPHH1.00-20E
You can download the named notes file used in the video from here:
http://www.free4allbackingtracks.com/download/useful_files/lrEYLtse.html
Kept in a couple of mistakes because I thought they were important to see and how to correct.
If you’re new to reaper you’ll need to now how to setup your vst instruments, below is a video showing you how to do that.
I suggest you watch it before you install session drummer 2
Article about installing VST plugins in windows.
Related Reading:
Video on how to import audio loop into Reaper and use tempo to stretch and shrink drum loop.
Loop used is available to download for free here www.free4allbackingtracks.com
Straight 4/4 Closed Hi Hats 8ths 100bpm – Pattern 1
To download Reaper - Click
Importing a loop into Reaper is a pretty simple thing to do.
Go to ‘Insert’ – ‘Media File’ – locate your loop.
In the video I’ve made sure that the tempo matches the loop I’m about to use – this will then allow us to speed up or slow it down.
If you are going to use more than one loop then it is best that they are all the same tempo and you import them first before you alter the tempo.
You can stretch slow down your loop as much as you want but it can start to sound a bit draggy if you go to far with lowering the tempo.
Related Reading:
When creating a backing track for your own composition getting the drums can be a difficult thing at times.
Where do you start?
There are a lot of software programs out there some stand alone and some vst.
Standalone means a program in its own right.
VST is a program that needs a host(another program)
Without getting too complicated let’s look at a couple of ideas.
1. A program that allows you to loop an audio file.
2. A program that allows you to arrange loops.
The first option could be to use a program like Audacity.
Audacity is a free, easy-to-use and multilingual audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux and other operating systems. You can use Audacity to:
- Record live audio.
- Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs.
- Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, WAV or AIFF sound files.
- Cut, copy, splice or mix sounds together.
- Change the speed or pitch of a recording.
Let’s look at this option first as it’s the simplest.
Download Audacity from here Click
Install software.
Now download this file: [wpfilebase tag=file id=3 tpl=filebrowser /] – Right click and save as
Make sure you download above file to somewhere you can remember.
Start up Audacity.
Below the screen you’ll see.
Look for File on the menu bar at the top.
Click File then ‘Import’ – ‘Audio’
Locate your file on your hard drive – the loop you downloaded earlier and click it.
You’ll then get the screen below.
You can choose any of the two options I’ve just used the fastest option but it may be safer for you to use the second option just in case.
Once you’ve opened the loop you’ll see the screen below.
To loop the track you can use ‘Loop Play’
Find ‘Transport’ drop and choose ‘Loop Play’ – the loop will now start to play.
Alternatively press ‘Shift and Space’ at the sametime.
This is a simple way of created a drum to play along with but it’s not ideal.
To get more creative we can add another loop.
Download [wpfilebase tag=file id=4 tpl=filebrowser /]
Right click and save as
Click File then ‘Import’ – ‘Audio’
Locate your new loop and it will load into a new track. As below.
You should now have two tracks the first track being the loop you loaded earlier, the second track the one you just loaded.
Click on the part where the red arrow is pointing.
The track will change colour, with the loop now highlighted.
Using the shortcut ‘CTRL C’ we can copy this loop. – If you’re not comfortable using shortcuts go to ‘Edit’ – ‘Copy’
Click on track one,
Now track one should be highlighted.
Find ‘k’ on your keyboard – and press it. This will take you to the end of your 1st loop.
‘CTRL P’ to paste and you should now have the new loop at the end of your 1st loop. – You can also go to ‘Edit’ and ‘Paste’.
Now click on track 2 – new loop.
Remove track.
Or press ‘Home’
Now press play – you should hear two different drum beats.
If not something went wrong.
If you do then congratulations you’ve created a simple drum beat.
You could loop play this or add more by following the instructions above.
If you need more loops then go here – More Loops
This is not a perfect solution and could be quite time-consuming but it’s a start.
My next few articles will show you how to use Reaper to create drums either using loops or midi and vst.