Free Music Writing Software

For those of you looking for a music writing program (and yes, it's FREE)...

Stephen,

Thanks for taking the time and sending me the invoice for your book. It has been paid today and I know your book is going to be out of sight. I would like to ask a question. I want to write my own drum music. Can you recommend a web site?

Thanks,
Jim




Hey Jim,

Thanks man...I'll put your order in as soon as I press "send" on this email.

And absolutely I have a website. I've been really big on doing my online stuff for as little cost as I can...not because I'm not willing to put money into it, but because I want to prove to young musicians that you can indeed make something out of nothing (or with little funding). So, you should check out this website...

http://musescore.org/

THis is an open source music software...it's FANTASTIC! I've been using it for 2 years now. When I first started using it, it was a bit glitchy, but over the past couple of years they've really worked on making it a quality, reliable, and most importantly FREE software. I used it to write my whole book, btw. When you go to download it, your computer may throw a warning that it could harm your computer. THat's just your computers natural response to downloading a foreign source...I've downloaded dozens of updates from MuseScore and it's never once harmed any of my computers.

Hope that helps!

-Stephen T.

Drumming - The Funky Drummer Messed Up

A lesson on the groove to "The Funky Drummer" and how you can take it through all of its permutations. Sheet music is in the video description on You Tube. And if you dig this concept, you'll dig my book...which you can get HERE

How To Drum - Linear Drumming

Shut Up

It's time for me to get back on my proverbial soapbox...sorry, it's been a while and I've been mulling some things over.

I think that sometimes the absolute best response to someone is simply "Shut up." Period.

Lately I've been involved in a few "I just thought I would be in a different place in life" sob story conversations with different people. Don't get me wrong...these are all great people. I love hanging out with them, working with them, talking with them, etc. It just seems like as of late the topic has been "Poor me, I thought I would be in a different place by now." Well...boo-frickin-hoo. Join the club.

I think that as humans, we're born with this gene that keeps us unsatisfied with our life, no matter the hand we're dealt. You make six figures one year but aren't creatively fulfilled...you have a great family but stay stressed out all of the time...you are happy with where your playing is but don't have enough work...and the list could go on ad infinitum.

You know what...I thought I would be in a different place myself by this point in life. Now, that's not saying that where I am isn't a great place, but I simply thought it would look different. As a matter of fact, I don't think I know of one single person that knew exactly how their life would look. So I guess we're all in the same boat.

What to do.

If you're unhappy with where you are, why don't you get about the business of changing that...instead of bemoaning the fact to all of your friends. Crying in your coffee while you're talking to a friend is a great way to vent, but it accomplishes absolutely nothing...except maybe some watery coffee and a friend that checks their watch every time you start talking.

So the next time you find yourself saying "I just thought it would look different at this point in life", do me a favor. Just shut up. Shut up and think about how you could maybe change things. Think about your ideal life. Find one small thing you can do each day to make your life the perfect one you've always wanted. It can be as simple as sending an email or signing up for a class. Doesn't have to be a big one...it just has to move you in the direction you want to go.

It all starts with shutting up though.

I'm sure this made you all feel warm and fuzzy inside...you can thank me later.

How To Drum - Faster Singles Between the Hands and Feet

James Brown "Funky Drummer" - Groove Breakdown

I had a ton of requests to break this one down...so here ya go!