Digital Pill – working musicians talk about their lives

I’ve been busy working on this new show Heads in the Cloud for the last month. Its a little outside the Digital Pill box but I’ve posted it here for anyone who might be entertained by Episode 1. Now that we have it up and running I’ll have more time to devote to Digital Pill [...]

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Dave Evans explains the uses of the accordion bellows shake. In this video, Dave describes the uses of the double and triple bellows shake in jazz, zydeco and cabaret music. He includes detailed instructions about how to perform the shake as well as techniques for adding accents to play with the rhythmic aspects of accordion. [...]

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Paul Williamson explains the uses of bebop scales in jazz improvisation. In this video, Paul’s first post for Digital Pill, he describes the construction of bebop scales, jazz articulation, the use of a metronome and how bebop scales place the chord tones firmly ON the beat to create an “inside” sound in improvisation. The video [...]

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Doug DeVries shares some ideas on how to add harmonic and rhythmic variation to a piece of music. In this lesson he uses one of his own compositions – Astoria – as an example of voice leading in harmony as well as examples of how to increase interest by varying the rhythm. Visit Doug on [...]

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Ray discusses using a combination of tone and slap sounds on the djembe to produce rolls of various lengths and their use in contemporary percussion soloing. More information about Ray’s classes, projects and recording can be found at raypereira.com

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In part 2 of a series Doug DeVries shares some ideas on how to add rhythmic variation to a piece of music. In this lesson he demonstrates how to increase interest by varying the rhythm. Visit Doug on these links His website dougdevries.com Doug’s albums on iTunes

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Tim Nikolsky demonstrates how to do Walking Basslines on Guitar. Tim has been performing with the vocalist Margot Leighton for the past 13 years and has developed a unique style of playing in this musical duo incorporating the whole rhythm section on guitar. The technique of walking bass on guitar is also a great way [...]

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Valanga Khoza at home singing and playing the Kalimba (thumb piano) Listen to more of Valanga playing kalimba and singing on iTunes

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Tinpan Orange performing “Saudades” at the Quiet Music Festival 2010. Emily Lubitz – vocal and guitar, Jesse Lubitz- guitar and Alex Burkoy – violin with Harry Angus on keyboard (off camera) You can visit their website tinpanorange.com and buy this song on iTunes

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