influence and back story of why I like and chose music.

A bit about my influences and the reasons of why I chose music and guitar in case you wanted to know a bit more about me .

So I started guitar when I was 15 years old I felt like that was bit of late age compared to some people because I know some people start when they are younger then I was but they say your never too old something like that and my guitar teacher started when he was 15 as well so at least I wasn't the only one .

I had guitars over the years before I was 15 just random ones never really took to it just had it in my bedroom sat there one day.  I just tried to learn myself I thought I really want to learn more about this is interesting I want to be able to learn about it . So I told my parents I want some guitar lessons so they said okay I will have a look online. So my parents went online I don't know what website exactly but said my daughter wants guitar lessons something like that's on there for then people who do music to contact us or we contact them about it so we had a message from this man named Dave saying  I play guitar and offer lesson. 

 So we arranged to meet him and it was some time in June that I started the lesson it was 3 years ago now I started going to him and gradually I learnt how to play the guitar I can still remember my first chords it was A major and E Major and then few weeks later on it was C major and A minor and D major and played simple and easy songs at first . After a few months or maybe a year later don't know exactly when but  my guitar teacher introduce me to guitar grades he mentioned them and told us about them . 

So at that time when he mentioned doing guitar grades I was at about a grade 4 level so he said to try grade 1 see how you like it and see how well I do and go from there and  if I like it carry on to the next ones so I did we worked on it for months I did 3 songs which were rolling in the deep by Adele , man who cant be moved by script and green onions by booker t and the mg and you have to do technical exercise too which is scales so for example g major scale and a chord sequence and I got merit and distinction on it I was 4 marks away from getting a distinction on the whole exam which kind of annoyed me a little bit .Then I did skip 2 and 3 as I was a grade 4 anyway at the time I did my grade 4 and recently about month or two ago I did my grade 5 exam and now I have move on to grade 6 which is were I am currently at .

I'm really thankful for my guitar grades as it really has helped me along the way when we are playing these songs at college and I'm asked or given a solo to do from doing these grades and from having the guitar lessons as helped me so much to understand the theory behind things no I don't  know everything but I think personally I know enough and I can make a solo because I know the theory behind it what chords go together what scales go with it etc .

As a musician we have those thoughts and doubts about not being good enough but I got my guitar grades to look back on and its a great thing to have if your can afford to have them  and  whenever I feel that way there are times were I nearly gave up but I didn't i push on because I honestly don't know what I would do without being a guitar player there is no nothing else I would rather be doing I love it and I always will and whenever I listen to music I want be just like them I want to be known and want to be successful in it and by listening to music its all I want to be doing is just playing music its great way to express yourself and to have fun and learn and experiment too.

Its not something I like to talk about because its annoys me that it happen and wish I did more but I hated school and the reason for that is because I was bullied throughout to the point where I didn't even go to high school not one day and people in group b talk about how the did music at high school whereas I never got the chance .. When I did go to school I actually disliked music a lot which to me now think about it is a bit crazy it wasn't  the music its self I didn't like . I disliked it because of the people that I was with  at the time .They used to make fun of me when we had to do things and when your bullied in general it really knocks your confidence it really does it and it did mine .

Also at school at least where I went in music you wouldn't learn the guitar or the drums it would be a key board or a tambourine or a recorder and to me that wasn't interesting . Because of my school experience when I got to college I had no confidence and I didn't have the grades to go onto music that's what I wanted to do when I first started college because I didn't turn up to school I had poor grades when it come to exams and stuff so I had to work that much harder I told myself when I got to college I would work hard and I would go in and never take time off only when I really need to which would be because I have health problems .

So I had to go onto preforming arts I had to do something I didn't like for 2 years that course helped me it gave me chance to get my grades up and also it helped me gain more confidence because we would have to do musicals and performances in the theatre it front of college people and peoples family . But by doing that it helped with these things but even though I was playing guitar still at home it made me miss it and made me even more like I really want to do music  The more I couldn't do it at the time the more I wanted it  and eventually I got there I passed my maths and English and got onto this course in September as level 3 year 1 . I wouldn't of even played the guitar in front of people but by doing  performing  arts which I really didn't want to do but it did  help me I see that now .

I've always wanted to be in a band and I was put in one first week of starting but things didn't go the way I wanted them too they messed about and kept changing the songs every week nearly ever day if I'm being honest and I had enough of it so I left that band and went and worked with someone else that my teacher at the time put me with  and I am working with them now on these new gig too.

Its frustrating sometimes because you have different goals as others and when you feel like your the only one putting the effort in all the time and getting none in return it just doesn't work for a band to work in my opinion you need to be with people that have similar goals and wants similar things as you so that you can work together and make it happen . It took me two years to get onto this course with a lot of hard work and patience and I feel like some people are not grateful for the opportunity when I went to go onto this course I didn't have the grades but this year course was changed slightly and the grade requirements were changed so people that didn't have a grade 4 in maths or English were still allowed on where as before they weren't so my point is they got onto this course straight away when I couldn't and some I feel like are not grateful for the that when they should be .

The only other person in my family that likes guitars is my dads brother but he never learnt how to play it properly I know more then him and am more qualified then him my parents are like music and told me when they were growing up they listen to music all the time and followed the charts my dad worked in a music shop for a bit they have never took an interest in actually playing an instrument I know some people get there inspiration from their family or got into it because of their family I didn't . 

The bands I like are black veil brides which I have made a separate page about explaining  about them and how the influence me they are one of my favourite and want and band like them .

Another band I like is against the current I listened to them because my sister kept going on about them I didn't know who they were or why she liked them so I listened to them and learnt a song on guitar which was strangers again by against the current  I wouldn't class them as fully rock as some of the songs do have some rock sounding elements but they have electronic computer type instruments in their music for example like logic pro where you have instruments on there that's probably what they used for some of it in their song as there is only 3 members of the band what is a women who is the singer and two men one drums and guitar or bass .Their songs are written by the singer mostly and are about relationships some are and again I think are relatable song /topic for most people .

When I was growing up my parents would listen to disc in the car my dad  would play  the drifters ,Whitney Houston ,Amy winehouse things like that which is is songs that I don't mind but wouldn't personally chose my self they are not really into the music I listen to and my parents say that music was better in the their days then it is today which I could agree with to certain point .My sister likes and  listens to against the current ,one ok rock ,chase Atlantic people like that etc .

 Where as I like and will listen to any type of music but its mainly rock that I like to play and listen to you bands like motionless in white they are similar to black veil brides some of their songs have screamy vocals which is something I don't like as I cant understand the what they are singing about and I like to listen to the music but also the lyrics as lyrics are relatable for people . Just found this band recently sleeping with the sirens they songs I like the sound of. Another band is one ok rock which is another band my sister listened to and I heard which then I looked up some more of their songs .

A bit about Against the current :

They are an American pop rock band they formed in Poughkeepsie ,New York in 2011 .

The members of the band are Chrissy Costanza the main vocalist and songwriter of the band  ,guitarist/singer Dan Gow and drummer Will Ferri .They built up a following on YouTube by doing covers of songs and then eventually made their own songs . Their songs are catchy ,melody upbeat songs with Chrissy strong vocals they fell more on the pop side of things but like I said some of their songs have elements of rock sounds to me .

what is pop rock?

It is an intersection of mainstream pop music with rock music which is often driven by drums and guitars . The term pop can refer to all sorts of popular music such as hip-hop ,country ,R&B,bubblegum pop ,jangle pop ,folk,.

The 4 main characteristics of pop rock:

1. Focus on song writing some rock styles like prog and heavy metal might emphasize instruments where as pop rock artists like to focus on heavily on the song form and hooks.

2.Concise song form most of pop rock songs are short enough to receive airplay on FM radio and in pop focused streaming playlists .

3. High quality lead vocals pop rock music most of the time  features sung  melodies often by highly accomplished singers .This stands in contrast of some indie rock and punk rock groups that do not focus on the singer as much .

4.Driven by guitars and drums electric guitars ,electric bass, and a drum kit are the standards instruments in rock music. Some bands also feature keyboards too. These instruments feature in most pop rock songs .

Songs I like of the group :

Strangers again this songs is about being in a realization that you don't want to be in a relationship anymore Chrissy wrote these and it talks about distancing herself from the person and hoping to become 'just strangers again 'she touches on the feeling of being trapped in something she doesn't want to be in . This is more on the pop then rock side of the way it sounds .

I feel like people can relate to that even if there situations is not about a relationship someone that  being feeling stuck in a certain situation feeling trapped like she said the song feels personal to her and I like the music these one and how the instruments are used.

Weapon which has some rock sounding elements it they were the guitars and drums are played .The song is about her mental health battle that she has had for years and she said the song is so personal too her she explains about the about the video goes with the lyrics which is good and I like that because it gives the vision to see and understand it more . There are quite a few people out there that have mental health and I know what it feels like because I have anxiety and people can relate to this song about it .

That wont save us which again to me as some rock sounding elements .The song is about the singer personal live and business and they had a lot of anger and frustration and wanted to have a lot of energy in the song .

About motionless in white :

Their hometown is Scranton Pennsylvania and their culture is mostly known for perfectly mundane but the band is gothic metalcore by blending the raw metalcore with dramatic atmospherics of goth metal and industrial the band has a dark and moody kind of sound. The band was formed in 2005 with band members of Chris cerulli vocalist ,Angelo parente drums, mike Costanza guitarist, and frank Palumbo bassist they became a band in high school and was later added a pianist who is josh balz . But the guitarist and bassist left and the band was then joined by Ryan sitkowski and rocky Olson then later on the piano player left and to fill in the gap was Marie Christine Allard .

I have already explained what metalcore is in my other blog about bvb band so a few of there songs I like is voices which is was inspired by his personal conversations with people who are apart of the lqbt  community and about their feelings and struggles they face and there lighting in the video throughout is sequenced like a pride flag which I never noticed to me this song I just like it by the way it sounds I don't relate to the lyrics as i am not apart of the lqbt community .But this  song is a relatable topic for some people a lot more people of today are apart of the lgbt community .

Werewolf which is a song I was going to pick to use for the horror themed gig we are doing these week but decided not to as it had a lot of fast 16th note picking in it .I like the music video to these and the band wanted to create something iconic that felt like that had a lot of good songs but they don't have an  iconic song and this song was to create something that hadn't never been heard before its very Michael Jackson and muse inspired which are two very different but similar artists in their opinion . Too me its very different and I like it . It would of defiantly fit the horror theme and the music video would of too if you wanted to take things out of it if we were doing this song but we are not .

Another life which is a song about Chris and Gia break up before the production of the album this song is again I like the music video to these its very dark and throughout  watching the video you can tell the story behind the song or at least some of the meaning of the song.

One ok rock 

About them :

They are a Japanese rock band . There are 4 members in total so the vocalist and guitarist and also the leader is Yamashita Toru who goes by the stage name Toru  he created the band when he was a teenager he was a member of hip hop dance group heads with Ryota who is his childhood friend he came up with the idea of the band when he was fired from his job another member of the band he would follow around until agreed to join the band . Hes a fan of Avril Lavigne and linkin park. That's maybe where he gets some of his song inspirations from .

In the early days of the band he would send long messages to his band members before they did live shows  so it would boost their confidence  he said he owes a lot to the band as he has experiences hardships and happiness due to the band . I like that he created his own band and he took the leader role and has took that reasonability and he cares and seems really good friends with them all and the fact that he would send a long message to his other members to make them more confident is something I know if I was in a band like them would really appreciate .

The drummer of the band is kaki Tomoya and goes by the stage name Tomoya he was originally a drummer for their indie albums before formally joining them in 2007 .He actually wanted to be a baseball player when he was younger  so what made him to music I'm not so sure on . The main vocalist of the band is Moriuchi Takahiro but changed his name legally to Morita Takahiro and goes by the stage name taka . He used to look at the floor when he was singer but this band one ok rock gave him the confidence to not do that anymore  . Things are so much better and easier when you are comfortable around the people you are working with and the fact that they gave him the confidence to not do it anymore or not do it as much is really good .He can also play guitar ,drums and piano  he also is a fan of linkin park .He considers one ok rock as his family and says that they have saved him.

The bassist of the band is kohama Ryota and goes by the stage name Ryota and plays bass guitar and back up vocalist . He is a childhood friend of Toru . He didn't listen to rock until Toru invited him into the band . He and Toru talked about forming the band together on the rooftop where they lived I think it was . He didn't have an interest in playing the bass until he listened to the red hot chilli peppers bass player flea . In the early years of being in the band he used to very quiet and Toru would push him to talk more on their walks home . He wants to be in the band forever . In the beginning he broke down because he felt like he didn't belong in the band . He had two weeks to learn the bass before they went to the studio for the first time. He describes himself as doing everything till the end if he starts it from the beginning .

If I was going to relate myself to one of these 4 band members it would be Ryota because I know what it feels like to be quiet and be shy and not talk so I love how Toru the leader is great friends with them all and gave him that little push to speak more and when he said he wants to in the band forever if I was in a band with people like that I would probably say and want  the same thing . When he said in the beginning  he broke down because he thought he didn't belong that's  something that I have  felt before so I can resonate with that and I'm glad he has found his people .When he only had two weeks for learning the bass guitar I don't think I could do that with the guitar I would be too stressed so good for him for doing that .If I had to learn what I learnt from my guitar lesson in two weeks that would of been too much so don't know how he did that so good for him  .When he describes himself as doing things till the end I have this saying in my head if I have started something I will finish it and I do believe that .

Songs I like of there's and what they are about :

I like stand out fit in which is about the stand out part means to break the rules and be yourself and the fit in part is for you to be like others who followed the rules and now this person choses not to follow the rules and decided to change things up even the rules . I feel like I can resonate with the song if you try to fit with everybody you might end up losing who you truly  are and become un happy but if you stand out people judge you for it so for what I have said before this song I really like .

Another one I like is save yourself which is about taking care of yourself from the pain of love and it encourages the listener to trust themselves and their own fate and not to rely on anyone else even if the feel tempted to do that and when the chorus repeats itself of saving yourself in order to do protect from the potential pain of heartbreak don't necessary have to a romantic connections and it encourages the listen to be brave and remain true to themselves and take their own path in life. I really like the music video to this too as it has light and dark elements to it and the way the video is it showing the message of what the song is really about..

Wasted night which is about advising to not waste your time and you should enjoy your life in the video there is shown a burst of boldness and this energy that empowers the singer and makes it seem he is undefeatable  and sees this in others too  don't worry about tomorrow so much just focus on the now and in the moment and again I like the music video to this it shows people having fun in the moment and I like the lightening elements that's in it there's rain in it too it adds something to it and looks fun to be in and apart of  .

Sleeping with sirens just found them listened to a few of there songs already I like them add them to music to listen too.

About them :

They are an American post-hardcore band they are a rock band that started in Florida Orlando in 2009 .

The current members are kellin Quinn who's is the vocalist and keyboardist ,Jack Fowler lead guitarist, Nick Martin rhythm guitarist ,Justin Hills  bassist  and backing vocals ,Matty Best on drums .

I put bands in like black veil brides as I was curious to see if there was any that are similar as they are my favourite band and found this band I like the sound of there songs and the vocalist voice has a high range to me is voice sounds high sometimes which some male singers cant do too high so found that interesting . 

So here's some songs that I have listened to do far and like .

How it feels to be lost and its about the vocalist kellin quinin founded himself struggling with depression and anxiety during the bands hectic touring schedule for their 2017 album they did .The singer wanted to write these to open up about the feelings of despair that he had the title of the track describes when had that feeling of depression and he felt he was on his own and had to deal with it by himself .

The singer said that anxiety and depression can make you feel lost .The goal of making these song was to help people understand that just because you feel like your by yourself you don't necessarily have to be .Lots of people feel that way he wanted these record to help people and give words to people who cant how they are feeling .

I like how they are a rock band but they didn't make the music instruments heavy sounding as that would of took away the meaning of the song I think as it the song has a strong meaning and is trying to get a message across to the listeners so and as I look back at the video when he said that he felt like he had do it alone that is shown in the video he is by himself he's outside in this place but with no one else so that represent some of the song we can not only hear about it but we can see it too .   

Agree to disagree really like this song to me the lyrics show that even though its saying you should care a little more abut what people think but we should care about what makes us happy and in the lyrics its says you think your better then me and you don't like what you see I think its best we agree to disagree like even though you don't like the way I look or something I like it and we you don't agree I do type of situation .Really like the lyrics to this song and like how it sounds i'd say so far this is my favourite from what I heard so far of their work .

What guitars do I use and why?

I use les Paul guitars when I first started playing guitar I started off with a brown one that was not to expensive don't remember the name of it I still got it in my bedroom somewhere just don't use anymore as I use les Paul . My first les Paul guitar was custom pro white and gold electric guitar I got it because I said to my parents I wanted one that's more quality and a bit more expensive so we looked for one and came across les Paul and then looked up colours and my dad found that one and I got it for Christmas I liked the feel and the body ,shape and sound of them so I had another one and I have a total of 4 now . I have tried other guitars my guitar teacher has different types of ones so i tried some of his out and they were fenders and others i just didn't like the shape or the feel I like the les Pauls for the feel of the neck and they are comfortable for me to play. I have been told that they are also a very good for that rock sound which is good for someone like me who likes rock music and likes playing rock and also that's what we mainly play at college also but when i do my guitar grades not all the song I do can be rock or are rock so in that way the I need another guitar that gives off another sound .

I have seen some guitar that are called Paul smith and the are perfect for when you want a rock sound or you want to do something that isn't work they have a bit off both of what your looking for so i do want one of those but haven't got round to getting one and also they are more expensive as well .

I play electric guitar as I'm not an acoustic kind of girl I just like the sound of electric I don't mind electric acoustic that I would have ago and play but if its not electric then no I just don't really like the sound that's all I can say about that again I think its because of the music we listen to influence us so that's probably why I don't like the sound as much as the electric because the music I like and listen to is not acoustic guitar sounding .To me it really wouldn't sound right if you wanted to move over from and electric an acoustic something to me would probably sound off and not quite right about it .

Overall in general I love music and wouldn't want or see myself doing something else .I love playing the guitar and will continue on my journey of my guitar grades . I really like the gig side of it and enjoy doing and getting peoples feedback on it as its interesting to see what people think and will say about it. . I can't wait to see what happens in the future and see where I am in 5 to 10 years time and what opportunities have come along with it . Hope to have a successful job/career in it and maybe be someone's inspiration one day to pick up the guitar or do music I would love that knowing that I have encouraged someone else to pursue their dreams or hopes for doing music. I would also love to meet the bands I listen to even work with them that would be amazing and I probably wouldn't believe it if it happened . But that's more of a dream then a reality I know that. I hope to make more solos in the future and make them even better then I have already been doing .

I would love to make my own music too and would hope to explore that in the near future because doing covers of songs is great but I would also really love to go and make and do my own music sometime. I guess I have already started in some way as I make my own solo stuff and add some of the original in to it so its half made by me and half made by the one who made it in the first place.

That's all I really have to say so hope you enjoyed reading these long page.