music2quitby.com is shutting down.

Dear readers. In the next month or a a little more, I will be shutting the doors on music2quitby.com.

Recent circumstances dictate that I must pare back much music and expense.

Thank you to you all for your support and your thoughts on my little "music to quit by" project. It has been a true joy to share, to create for you, and to read your many notes of support.

NIN Continues to evolve

Nine Inch Nails evolves again. Alessandro Cortini is the latest member to leave the "live band" version of NIN - to pursue other sounds.

I've liked NIN for a good while - the first time I heard NIN music, I was playing one of the Quake FPS video games. The game, played in the darkness of my living room with the CD in the drive and the speakers cranked, was a frightening and adrenaline-festive event - and the NIN music absolutely made the experience unique and rockin'.

Since the end of the 1980s, NIN has been an evolving organism. This is very much in contrast to most of the traditionalist groups (the ones whose membership during recording and performance stays relatively stable). I like stable bands with traditional lineups and shapes. But - there's something exciting about the way Reznor constantly evolves the people, the sound, the techniques, and the idea of what NIN is.

Rock on, NIN. I CAN'T WAIT to see what's next.

2012 - a Movie and Music Coincidence

I went to the movies with some friends this past weekend. There were lots of action trailers, but there was one trailer which grabbed my attention...

The Sony Pictures Entertainment group's movie "2012" (The official site is here, opens a new window...).

The trailer is simple, thought-provoking, and very powerful. In a matter of coincidence, I made a piece of music last summer which depicts the coming of 2012 (according to the Mayan civilization). The music isn't catyclismic - rather, it is peaceful, continuing, and oddly mystic/eastern - all at the same time.




Give it a listen and watch the first "2012" trailer (with the trailer's sound off, and the trailer in a loop...). The two go together strangely well.
2012 - Maya, by Jimmy Bear Pearson.

Been having fun creating new sounds with my custom guitars

Nothing really earthshaking to write about today... Just thought I'd share a sound or two. My music and instruments have blossomed this month. I'm very grateful.

I was lucky enough to find a really nice limited-edition Jackson DXMGTSP in Inferno Red. I promptly gutted the electronics and had a great time customizing the sound...

Here's a nice, clean-ish tune using the DXMGTSP JP Custom: http://jimmybearpearson.com/moosic/TakeMeHomev2.mp3

Gone Fishin'

My grandfather's death last Spring was a milestone in my life. Charles (Charlie) had always been there. Now he's not.

It was his time, though...

It was just time for him to go fishin'
GoneFishin.mp3

YouTube and Guitar Tutoring

It's interesting... for centuries, one learned music by traveling to a tutor or master teacher, then learning your lessons and accepting practice challenges. This is still truly present today, and still marks the pinnacle of learning to be a better musician, performer, and even mentor to others.

But the internet age has introduced something which makes casual, quick lessons almost instantly and freely accessible. Although a musician shouldn't learn from the narrow approach of little bitty lessons from whomever makes videos for YouTube (et. al.), short blasts of ideas, techniques, riffs, examples, etc. are excellent supplement.

Indeed, most folks cannot afford (or do no have access to) decent music teachers at all. With the internet and venues like YouTube, even I can grab zillions of lessons from guitarists ranging from blues masters to metal monsters to technical wizards - for free. (All that is on YouTube isn't good, but if you learn something good, that's what really counts.)

Now for the point of my post: It is incumbent on excellent musicians to take the time to record and give away access to excellent exercise techniques, warm-ups, riffs, practice techniques, composition techniques, and much more. I have always felt that teaching openly is the best way to become a better student and musician for oneself, as well.