Wednesday, September 5, 2018

II V I ETUDE - Using a composed idea in a solo

Hi Everyone,

It's been a while. I have been very busy on this side, but here I am...

I've been getting a lot of questions on different topics and I decided to begin a series of videos in which I will cover a plethora of concepts such as jazz theory, music technology, recording and mixing, composition and arranging, etc.

On the first video (watch it here) I use a jazz-oriented idea on a II V I in major with the altered V7 and apply it in the context of jazz fusion. Although in this particular video I don't dive too deep into the theory and nuances of the material, it will give you an idea of how you can use an existing idea and incorporate it into a solo. In subsequent videos I will explain in detail this and many other topics.

Please subscribe to my blog (http://socratesgarcia.blogspot.com), my youtube channel, and my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/socratesgarciamusic/) so you can receive notifications when I upload new videos. And if you have any question, don't hesitate to contact me.

You can download the backing track, PDF, and Guitar 7 Pro file here:

Materials for II V I ETUDE 1

I hope you enjoy this first video and can apply these concepts to your own music.




Peace,
S



ESTUDIO II V I - Usando una idea compuesta en un solo.

Hola todos,

Me había desaparecido. Ha estado bien ocupado de este lado. Pero aquí de nuevo.

Me han llegado muchas preguntas abarcando diferentes temas y decidí comenzar una serie de videos en los que voy a explorar conceptos como teoría de jazz, tecnologia, grabación y mezcla, composición/arreglo, etc.

En este primer video (bajalo aqui) uso una idea de jazz (II V I en tonalidad mayor pero con el V alterado), aplicada en el contexto de jazz-fusión. Aunque en este video no explico cada detalle con profundidad, les dará una idea de lo que se puede hacer con una idea compuesta de antemano. En otros videos  voy a explicar con más detalle este y muchos otros temas.

Por favor suscribete a mi blog (http://socratesgarcia.blogspot.com),
mi pagina de youtube y mi pagina de Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/socratesgarciamusic/) para que recibas las notificaciones de futuros videos. Y por favor, cualquier pregunta no dudes en contactarme.

Pueden bajar el backing track, un PDF y el archivo de Guitar Pro 7 aqui.

Materiales para II V I ETUDE 1

Espero disfrutes este primer video y lo puedas usar en tu música.

Paz,
S


Saturday, January 20, 2018

NAMM 2018 - ANAHEIM, CA

Hi!!

Next week I'll be at the NAMM Convention in Anaheim, CA with Strandberg Guitars.
Super happy with the opportunity to share my excitement about these amazing and innovative instruments. Also excited to get together with old friends and make new ones.

If you are there, please stop by and say hi.





Hope to see you around.

Peace,

S

Monday, January 15, 2018

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

A lot of things happened at the end of 2017 and many more are coming up.


Strandberg Endorsement: I became an Associate Artist for these amazing instruments. I'm loving playing them, which has changed some of my priorities, expanding what I want to do for this year. I'm super excited about the guitars! My plan is to record a new small group album before the end of the year, where, hopefully, you will hear why I'm so stoked with the instrument.


Strandberg Boden Original 6

Socrates Garcia Latin Jazz Orchestra at JEN 2018: I got together with many friends (old and new). Always a great place to hang.
On January 5, I was honored to share the stage with an all-star band for the SGLJO concert. It's always a pleasure to hear my music played by these group of musicians. If you want to read about each musician, please visit my Facebook page (facebook.com/socratesgarciamusic), where I shared the bios for each one of them.
I hope to share a video of the show soon, for now let's share some pics.

With the legendary John Clayton and Dafnis Pietro

Before the show

After the show

Pablito, Brad, SG, Helen, Adam Nussbaum, Daniel

The Dominican team after the show

Once again

Coming up:

NAMM Show with Strandberg: 

I'll be at NAMM in Anaheim, CA with Strandberg from January 25-27. If you are around, please stop by to say hi.

Vanderbilt University Concert: 

I received a commission to write a new piece for jazz orchestra for the Blair School of Music's big band. I'll be at Vanderbilt conducting a concert of my music, including this new piece, entitled The Wizard's Wicked Charm. This concert is on February 15th. It will be great to come back to Nashville and see many of our friends from the time we lived there.
I'm also giving a master class on Dominican Music and Jazz.

More things are coming up and I hope to see you and share my music with you soon,


Best of years in 2018,

S

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Hi All,

Here's a compilation of three articles/videos I did for MakeMusic on jazz composition/arranging tips for Finale and the two-part article, "Natural Harmonization," I wrote for JazzEd Online.


If you haven't seen/read it hope you enjoy it.


Peace,

S


Hola Todos,

Aquí hay una compilación de los tres artículos/videos que hice para MakeMusic sobre algunas ideas para composición/arrreglo de jazz en Finale y el artículo en dos partes de "Armonización Natural" que escribí para JazzEd Online.


Si no lo has visto/leído espero lo disfrutes.


Paz,

S


Finale 1 - Ensemble Voicing 
https://www.finalemusic.com/blog/ensemble-voicings/

Finale 2 - Edit Filter/Paste Multiple

https://www.finalemusic.com/blog/jazz-composition-arranging-tips-edit-filter-paste-multiple/

Finale 3 - Drum Cues

https://www.finalemusic.com/blog/jazz-arranging-tips-drum-cues/


JazzEd 1 - Natural Harmonization (Part 1)
https://jazzednet.org/resources/natural-harmonization-part/

JazzEd 2 - Natural Harmonization (Part 2)

https://jazzednet.org/resources/natural-harmonization-part-ii/

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Celebration of the Butterflies

Noviembre 25, 1960, fue un día oscuro para la República Dominicana y para las mujeres, en general. Fue el día que las hermanas Mirabal fueron asesinadas por el dictador Rafael Leonidas Trujillo y su régimen. Debido a este trágico día, hoy conmemoramos el Día Internacional de la Eliminacíon de la Violencia en Contra de las Mujeres. 
Las Hermanas Mirabal eran conocidas como las "Mariposas" y yo compuse una pieza para celebrar sus vidas y todo por lo que ellas lucharon. Esta pieza, "Celebración de las Mariposas", es parte de mi disco Back Home.
La publico hoy para celebrar el legado de las "Mariposas" y en apoyo a terminar la violencia contra la mujer.

November 25th, 1960, was a dark day for the Dominican Republic and women in general. It was the day the Mirabal sisters were murdered by the dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo and his regime. Because of that tragic day, today we commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. 
The Mirabal sisters were known as the "Butterflies" and I composed a piece to celebrate their lives and everything they stood for. This piece, "Celebration of the Butterflies," is part of my album Back Home. 
I post this piece today to celebrate the legacy of the "Butterflies" and as my support to end violence against women. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyxzS3Hi6Ok


Peace,

S


Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Theatre Production of A Midsummer Night's Dream 




I'm playing synth guitar on this modern take of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Pretty cool music in a Latin Jazz vein, on the Brazilian side. Composers Danny Strimer, Lena Arice Lucas, and Alan Miller did a great job! Well written and very catchy tunes.

Great cast and crew, both professionals and students!! Guest artists Andrea Runge and Henry Haggard are amazing! And, so are the students, Clara McGowan, Jill Engstrom, Austin McMains, Frankie Curry-Edwards, and everyone on and off stage. 

It's going to be a blast!


Peace,
S


Comedy
By William Shakespeare
Adapted and Directed by David Grapes
Aerial Choreography by Andrea Moon
Langworthy Theatre
November 16, 17, 18 at 7:30 pm
November 19 at 2:00 pm

Our modern take on this classic will transport audiences to the enchanted rain forest - where fairies live in trees and lines are blurred between fairies, musicians and a noble lord and lady, as we follow the interwoven storylines of four young lovers, a troupe of madcap auto mechanics turned actors and the fairies, who toy with all their fates. Our cast will features a talented mix of comedians, actors, improvisers, dancers, aerialists and musicians, making for a unique rendition of one of Shakespeare’s most captivating comedies. This production reinvents the Bard’s classic in an interactive, accessible and light way. It will appeal to the most avid Shakespeare fan, as well as to those experiencing a live play for the first time. We look forward to seeing you in the forest!"

SGLJO’s Concert and Recording Session

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