Musical Holocron

This rolled past my feed today. This is a list of the first 50 videos that played on MTV when it was debuted. I was already aware that "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles was the first video, but was not sure what else might have come next.

Found via Facebook.

It's got me thinking. How long before MTV was a thing had musicians and labels been making music videos for their songs? I mean, where did the idea come from that in addition to audio output, they would also produce a video to accompany the song. According to my quick search, music videos are as old as the 1960s at least. The earliest music video may be Tony Bennett's "Stranger in Paradise" from 1956. Stuff like that was produced for American Bandstand and other TV shows. So I guess the practice was gaining traction for a while.

But really, the question I'm asking is who knew there would be a need to fill 24 hours of time with music videos before MTV announced they would be starting it? I guess you can't make an MTV unless these videos already existed and you could use them. I look over the list of the first 50 and see four Rod Stewart songs, four REO Speedwagon songs, and two each by Pat Benetar, Iron Maiden, Lee Ritenour, Pretenders, Styx and The Who. Some of these songs were ridiculously popular chart toppers and hold up well today. Some of them I've never heard of. Who told these artists to make sure they produced music videos to go with their songs? To me it felt like an art form --the creation of music videos-- that didn't have an outlet anywhere prior to MTV landing.

The answer to my question seems to be that there had been a lot of music videos produced prior to the 1980s. Some of them were made as "promo videos" for the songs. And although there wasn't a station that was showing them 24/7, there were plenty of outlets on various programs around the world. The videos were sometimes clear advertisements designed to promote the songs, with perhaps no "art" value on their own. Read more about the history of music videos here.

I slapped together a Spotify playlist of all of the songs from this list I could find (44/50). It might make more sense to create a YouTube playlist at some point, so that it includes the actual videos, but I'll save that as an exercise for later (or someone else). Check it out here or below.

Labels: history, MTV, music, music/artists/iron-maiden, music/artists/lee-ritenour, music/artists/pat-benatar, music/artists/pretenders, music/artists/reo-speedwagon, music/artists/rod-stewart, music/artists/the-who, video

# posted by ArcoJedi : 19:49  0 comments

I want to share this @messiahsez video that encapsulates everything you need to know to start playing slide blues guitar with open D tuning (DADF♯AD).

That's wild. I want to learn more immediately and I think I need to be this guy's friend too.

Here's a slightly more serious video to actually get into more detail with a different type of drop D tuning (DADGAD).

Labels: genre/blues, music, music/guitar, video

# posted by ArcoJedi : 01:14  0 comments

I know at some point, I was researching some DIY musical instruments. I think I was considering making something with PVC pipes a la Blue Man Group. At some point I got suggested videos by Nicolas Bras. Check this out:

Nicolas just passed 100k subscribers to his channel. His stuff is so wacky and weird and I love each one. He demonstrates in each video a concept, shows how he designs and builds it, then plays an original composition. Sometimes he takes it one step further, adding on other pieces and making a composite instrument.

Given time, the one I want to make the most is the Aquatic Harp inspired by an Indian ektara. See this:

I don't know why I want one. I don't know what I would use it for. I don't know where I would use it. But I still want one.

Oh, and here's the fun PVC pipe instrument.

Labels: audio, genre/instrumental, instrument, video, weird

# posted by ArcoJedi : 20:31  0 comments

Discover, organize, and enjoy media from around the web.

Learn more: radd.it!

Labels: Delicious, graphics, music, photography, via:reddit.com, video

# posted by ArcoJedi : 16:28  0 comments

Labels: Delicious, kids, music, music/artists, music/drums, news, news/culture, news/world, reference, teachers, via:ted.com, video

# posted by ArcoJedi : 14:21  0 comments

Understanding musical notation is a big part of being a musician. But it can seem daunting to someone with no experience. I've been a fan of TED videos for a long time. In this edition, Tim Hansen gives a short easy to understand introduction to how to read music.

Labels: music, music/notation, video

# posted by ArcoJedi : 15:22  0 comments

Having a blue Monday? This piece solves it.

Labels: genre/blues, genre/jazz, music, music/artists, music/artists/j-j-johnson, music/trombone, video

# posted by ArcoJedi : 07:40  0 comments

Did you ever get the feeling that you were talented, but you'd never reach moments of pure greatness?

SHOCKED!FACE is SHOCKED.

Labels: funny, music, music/artists, music/piano, via:youtube.com, video

# posted by ArcoJedi : 18:39  0 comments

The piano doesn't get enough credit. I've found a treasure trove of piano players covering random rock songs that I never would have thought would make sense on the keyboard. There are many videos available on YouTube. If you wanted to learn to play the songs yourself, it's not a bad place to start. But here's just a small taste of my favorites.

DragonForce - Through the Fire and Flames - Piano 4 Hands Cover

I'd guess these guys names are Max and Leo? Everyone who's played Guitar Hero has likely heard this song. I think the piano version here is very loyal to the original.

And everyone who plays music loves free sheet music.

System Of A Down - Toxicity - Piano Cover

Vika Yermolyeva does a number of metal and classic rock song covers. Because they are all copyrighted works, they are available for free download on her site.

Labels: ♫, music, music/artists, music/artists/dragonforce, music/artists/system-of-a-down, music/notation, music/piano, video, video-games

# posted by ArcoJedi : 23:12  0 comments

The Nine Inch Nails penultimate classic --some would say manifesto-- that is Pretty Hate Machine has been remastered and re-released in a new glorious edition. It came out today, and it is available on CD, vinyl or digital download.

Get it today at nine inch nails: pretty hate machine.

Found via Reddit.

Labels: download, genre/alternative, music, music/artists, music/artists/nine-inch-nails, via:reddit.com, video

# posted by ArcoJedi : 00:21  0 comments

I've avoided watching American Idol for the last complete season. I'll admit that I had an uneasy like/dislike relationship with the show the first several seasons, but that I watched it when my wife watched it. Her interest in the show has dwindled down to non-existent from my perspective. There were dramatic parts of the show that I would get interested in when it was on, but as far as I'm concerned it's good riddance to bad rubbish.

I could write a long treatise on what I don't like about the show and the negative effects that have hampered the music industry. But I'll keep my elitism in check for right now. After all, as I mentioned there were redeemable moments that I can't ignore. There have been certain moments in the show that have been interesting and memorable that made for good television at the least. And some of the artists that graduated to stardom from the ranks of the contestants are worthy to stand alongside other more traditionally accomplished musicians.

But damn. The nerve of some of these... *sigh* ...kids can really annoy me at times. For a moment, let's focus on one named Jordin Sparks, winner of season six. I've appreciated at least one song of hers called Tattoo simply because the chorus captures an emotion I associated with the tattoo I got for myself when my son died. At it's heart, this song is a lost romantic love song. However, the theme is that someone who is gone will remain as a permanent mark on their heart. I can dig that just a bit.

Sparks' latest hit that is being overplayed on the FM dial is catchy, but altogether sounds way too familiar. And I don't mean to say that the lyrics or music were plagiarized. No, the problem is nothing so droll. It's the fact that the idea for the song's theme was already out there in a much more classic version. This story has already been told. This question has already been answered. The sad and annoying fact is that young Jordin may be too young to even know it. Confused? Perhaps the video evidence...

Jordin Sparks - Battlefield

The underlying question that young, naive Jordin is (repeatedly) asking here is WHY does love always feel like a battlefield? Hmph! What a dumb question. Do you really want to know why, Jordin? Would you like a source of wisdom to enlighten you? Well, there's no need for me to tell you what should be obvious. This question has already been answered by one of your elders and betters. And it was stated so elegantly back before you were born (probably). Once again, let's roll the video...

Pat Benatar - Love is a Battlefield

Did you catch that Jordin? Love feels like a battlefield, because IT IS a battlefield! So there you go. You might make a memorable songwriter some day Jordin. But the next time you get yourself up to asking silly questions, please be sure to consult the entire music catalog of Pat Benatar for the answer before you put any more silliness into song form. It might save you and us a lot of grief. Thanks! ::Jim

P.S. Actually, perhaps you shouldn't stop at just Pat Benatar. Other songstress classics from the 80s you should check out include Blondie, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer, Kim Carnes, Dolly Parton, Sheena Easton, Pointer Sisters, Abba ... (Who am I forgetting?). Anyway, I sincerely hope this helps. So much for keeping my elitism in check, huh?

Labels: ♫, funny, genre/pop, history, love, music, music/artists/jordin-sparks, music/artists/pat-benatar, music/lyrics, via:youtube.com, video

# posted by ArcoJedi : 23:59  0 comments

Labels: ♫, audio, genre/hip-hop, genre/jazz, local, local/new-orleans, music, music/artists, via:youtube.com, video

# posted by ArcoJedi : 00:57  0 comments

If you dig a bit, you'll find that lots of musicians of every skill level post clips of themselves online. The video and audio quality varies all over the map and that's okay. But imagine if some genius takes as many of the clips as they can find and puts them together into one overdubbed sampled funk-jam that is as beautiful to listen to as it is fascinating to watch. Well, if your imagination is like mine, you probably wouldn't have reached this far. Watch as Kutiman mixes YouTube, and not just for one little song but seven! When you see genius like this, be sure to smile. Who comes up with this?

Note: If you follow me everywhere, I'm cross-posting this in at least one more spot.

Labels: genre/funk, genre/remix, genre/rhythm-and-blues, genre/soul, music, music/artists, via:youtube.com, video

# posted by ArcoJedi : 23:36  0 comments

I shouldn't. I really shouldn't write this, as Ms. Spears is one of the most overexposed, nominally underrated, overproduced and endlessly debated celebrity/non-celebrities these could possibly be. Even one of her few ardent fans defending her publicly became one of the most lampooned and parodied Internet sensations out there. Don't believe me? Get a t-shirt and tons of other products. Certainly she's not the craziest celebrity. Or the first crazy one. Or for that matter, the last. But was she batspit insane before stardom or did it come later? Is it the chicken or the egg?

I don't follow pop music anymore, haven't for years. I don't watch MTV. My real question is if she is even relevant anymore. And I guess by the fact that I don't care about the answer should be answer enough. But say what you will, her (and her crew) know how to make a decent video.

Britney Spears - New Music - More Music Videos

It's simple, to the point and doesn't force you to think. But does anyone really play videos anymore? Yeah, I didn't think so. See more Britney Spears in Womanizer if you want. Thanks for the eye candy Britney, now just go away.

Labels: genre/dance, genre/pop, MTV, music, music/artists, music/artists/britney-spears, news, parody, television, video

# posted by ArcoJedi : 00:26  0 comments

Labels: instrument, music, technology, video

# posted by ArcoJedi : 22:26  0 comments

The following video is a great close-up of a performer at the piano playing a John William's masterpiece. But more importantly, the camera is focused on the player's hands. Though it is not clear if the musician learned this piece from published sheet music or is playing by ear, a determined fan could learn and approximately duplicate the performance on their own instrument.

My cousin playing the epic theme of the battle between Anakin and Obi-Wan ... this music is one of the many that we will provide to you by YouTube.

Found via YouTube {tags: video star-wars star-wars/episodeiii music music/artists music/artists/john-williams}.

Labels: ♫, genre/cover, genre/soundtrack, music, music/artists, music/artists/john-williams, music/piano, video

# posted by ArcoJedi : 00:08  0 comments