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The Euphonic Studio buzz...
Lisa Tracy Recording Extended Project
Lisa Tracy, Christian music singer/songwriter
from Marion, has begun the process of recording 60 original songs.
Lisa is going for the "unplugged" sound; many of these songs have been previously recorded with a full band production, but the sound she wants for this work is live and natural. So, we are recording guitar and voice at the same time, in a single take. This would be a time-consuming process for some projects, but Lisa is taking her time preparing for each session and doing it in small pieces. That means her recording time is well spent because she is well rehearsed and ready to play.
We expect this project to continue for several months, and we are accumulating an impressive collection of material. It's possible that we may be adding an occasional violin or banjo track, that remains to be seen. I can hear some opportunities in that area.
Euphonic Studio Supports Miss NE Iowa for State Competition
Last fall I got a phone call with an unusual request; I was asked if I could give violin lessons to a contestant in a beauty contest. I am usually up for anything, so I said "Why not?"
It turns out that my stereotypical image of beauty contest contestants (Carrie Prejean, Sarah Palin) was shattered. My new student, Emily Thompson, is a violinist who began study at age 5, a graduate from Purdue University with a degree in Electrical Engineering, and is one of only a few women employed at Rockwell-Collins in the engineering department.
I helped Emily prepare for competition and she won the crown of Miss NE Iowa this winter. She is now in preparation for Miss Iowa competition; if she wins that she will be in national competition for Miss America.
We are working together on her talent piece, and I am creating the audio backing tracks for it here in the studio. I won't say what we're doing, but I think the judges will be pleasantly surprised by its originality and quality.
The Miss Iowa competition is in June in Des Moines. I have always believed you make your luck, and we're doing that the best we can here!
Euphonic Studio Owner Inducted Into MidAmerica Music Hall of Fame
On September 18,
2010, Bill Niemi, instructor and engineer at Euphonic Studio, was honored
by being inducted into the MidAmerica Music Hall of Fame. Bill
was honored along with bandmates from the band Double Nickels, a
leading edge quartet in the Minneapolis/St. Paul music scene for several
years starting in 1977. The induction ceremony and performance was
held at the Bloomington Hotel ballroom.
We will be putting up a page with photos and videos as time permits. The entire Double Nickels performance was videotaped by a professional videographer so we are looking forward to see how this turns out.
Emma Garwood Wrings Some Extra Change From ABBA
Euphonic Studio enjoyed recording the
voice of Emma Garwood, Mt. Vernon musician/singer who came in to record a
parody version of ABBA's "Money, Money, Money". The lyric rewrite
was for the retirement party of her grandfather, a former financial
planner. You can listen to her version here.
Emma is a very talented and trained singer, having been to Interlochen Center for the Arts summer camps after passing the audition at age 14. She has spent two summers there and hopes to attend Interlochen Academy for her senior year of high school.
The focus of her study has been classical; she loves choral music and opera but enjoys a wide variety of music. She plans to return to Euphonic for some more recording. She makes our job easy as she works with precision and professionalism.
Rattlebox Rocks the Hillcrest Country Club
On Saturday, Nov. 6, Rattlebox took their show to the Hillcrest Country Club and tore the place up (well, not literally). Two Euphonic Studio connections here... Sean Moore, Rattlebox frontman and lead singer, is a bass student here. I provided the PA, recorded, and ran sound for the night. A good time was had by all! Check out the Rattlebox Facebook page! I will have some Rattlebox mp3s up on the site eventually.
Banjo Lessons Now Available
After a couple of years of putzing around with banjo, I've finally got my playing on track with a terrific banjo method by Ross Nickerson. Some beginners may be able to teach themselves out of this book, and if so, great! If not, I will be happy to assist you through the book, which upon completion will put you in a very good place with your banjo playing. Please check out my banjo lessons page for more information.
Short Video Series in Development
I'm starting script development for a series of short instructional videos for my teaching studio.
The subjects of these shorts (1 to 3 minutes each) will be common problems that I have encountered with my students at varying levels of development. The goal is to focus deeply on one subject to help the viewer overcome a specific hurdle.
Topics on the list so far include how to organize a practice session, how to use a metronome, how to use an electronic tuner, guitar exercises for left and right hand development, how to use a mirror for bowing exercises, correct right hand position for banjo, a couple of useful beginning piano exercises, and left hand shapes for guitar chords.
One of my advanced students, Scott Myers, has agreed to assist me in shooting this short films. They'll be available for viewing on the website as they get completed.
If you have any topics you think I might be able to do that would be useful to people, please email your suggestions to bill@euphonic.us. Thanks!
Chase Garrett Records 9 More
This July, Chase Garrett came back to Euphonic to record 9 songs for his demo. He has assembled a studio band in Cincinatti with the help of one of his networked boogie festival friends and will be recording with the band there.
I shot video of this session and it's a lot of fun. Chase is always great to work with as he's a low-maintenance musician. Just give him a freshly tuned Mason & Hamlin grand piano and he takes care of the rest!
Look for the cut "Pine Top Boogie" performed by Chase at the end of my video brochure, which will be on this site's home page shortly.
If you're looking for a comfortable, affordable place to do a demo with top shelf keyboards, please give me a call at 895-8002. You'll be glad you did!
Euphonic Video Brochure
I have been working on shooting & scripting a video brochure to advertise the teaching, recording, and piano tuning businesses here. I am EVER so close to finishing it. I've been remixing some of the tunes I've recorded at Euphonic over the last 30 years and portions of those songs will be interspersed into the video transitions.
Going through these remixes has been especially meaningful to me because it's been a reminder of how many great musicians I've worked with and friends I've made through recording in the last 30 years. I have so much material to choose from, it was really hard to make the decision. Actually, that's the part that's got me held up at this writing. I do know that I will be using all original material except for one very nice piece by G. F. Handel sung by my guitar/piano/recording techniques student Scott Myers, and a Bach unaccompianied 'cello piece played by my dad and recorded at our family's home on Rainy Lake in about 1981.
So here's a nod to Chase, Scott, Kaitlinn, Robert Joe, Mike M., Adam, Gino, Charlie, Bobby, Al, Steve, Grover, Sandy, Jimbo, Joe, Debbie, Kenny, Bruce, and the other dozens of I couldn't list here. You sure made my job of picking what to use into a minor nightmare!
Chase Garrett demo CD - Update
Euphonic was graced by 18 year old Chase
Garrett, an up-and-coming piano star hailing from Iowa City. He was
here on March 3rd and 4th, finishing 3 songs to use for an upcoming promo
for a boogie festival.
Chase is a seemingly endless stream of high-energy blues, boogie, and jazz. The sessions were productive, enjoyable, and Chase & his father Russ left Euphonic with a great acoustic piano CD.
Chase enjoyed the Mason & Hamlin very much. His own piano is a rebuilt Steinway player piano in the grand piano form factor, a piano which I've heard of but never seen. He obtained the instrument from a piano dealer in Cincinatti who organized one of the boogie festivals where Chase performed. He compared my Mason and Hamlin favorably to his Steinway, commenting that the sound is very bright and the bass is commanding and clear.
UPDATE: An email echange with Russ Garrett last week revealed that the CD got off to its intended audience in Ann Arbor. Click HERE for a sample of that session....
At Euphonic, we take pride in providing outstanding value in service. Our atmosphere is relaxed, clean, quiet, and friendly. Artist input to the recording process is welcomed, and 100% customer satisfaction is always our goal. If you are seeking a place to do a demo, audition CD, or even a full-length commercial CD, please call 319.895.8002 to see if Euphonic Studio is the right place for you to work. Our rates are competitive, our keyboards are first class, and you will be happy with your recording!
Chase will be back soon to do a recording focused on integrating bass, drums, and possibly some other instruments as well. We are also discussing the possiblity and logistics of doing a commercial CD.
Associate Membership in PTG approved
I'm happy to report that my application for membership in the Piano Technicians Guild has been approved and I am now an active associate member.
My membership is an Associate membership, which means that I have not yet become a Registered Piano Technician, or RPT. In order to achieve that distinction, I have to pass three exams, which I am preparing to do.
This can work to YOUR ADVANTAGE if you have a piano that needs to be tuned. I am actively seeking pianos to practice on and will tune them at a reduced rate until I become an RPT. Please call me at 895-8002 to schedule a tuning appointment.
The Piano Technicians Guild is a professional association dedicated to providing the customer the highest standards of ethics and quality. Each Guild member benefits from the resources afforded by the Guild; we support each other through training and sharing experience. I consider it an honor, privilege, and responsibility to be an associate member of the Piano Technicians Guild. I am looking forward to becoming a registered technician!
Piano Tuning
I spent several weeks this summer studying piano tuning with the guidance of Harold Marling. I am seeking instruments to practice on so if you would like your piano tuned at a greatly reduced rate please give me a call at 895-8002. I plan to open for business sometime in 2008.
UPDATE: I have an application in to join the Piano Technicians Guild and will update you as my membership is approved.
Lessons, lessons, lessons!
I have opened up more time on my schedule to help you fit your music lesson into your busy schedule. Please call 895-8002 or 329-4527 for availability!
Recording studio news...
I have been busy laying down basic tracks for an album of my jazz favorites as well as revisiting some sketches I made for a concept album two decades back called Brave New World. It's a suite of 3 or 4 pieces of Classical/Rock fusion loosely based on thematic material from Aldous Huxley's dystopian novel of the same name.
Art songs... one of my piano students plans to major in music and has brought in an art song by G. F. Handel to record. This is cool! If you are a singer or chamber musician/group looking for a laid back place to record, please give me a call at 895-8002. I will help you get the sound you're looking for in a relaxing, zero-pressure environment.
For a comprehensive list of current studio projects, please click here which links to the Works In Progress page.
Euphonic All-Stars
We're putting together a list of jazz/funk instrumentals to record for the sheer joy of it. Right now the list is heavily weighted with songs that will feature my Hammond A-100 and Mason & Hamlin grand. This will also be an outlet for me to play guitar and violin, since I'm not doing any of that in my live bands (yet!)
Future material will undoubtedly cover Weather Report, Yellowjackets, Chick Corea, Jimmy Smith, Joey DeFrancesco, Stephan Grapelli and whatever anyone wants to do!
I'm looking for an additional solo musicians... a saxophonist would be great. Any Flora Purim-style vocalists looking for something to do?
Shorty Mountain Ramblers
This bluegrass band is rapidly moving from concept to drawing board.... more later!
Euphonic Studio music
lessons, piano tuning, and digital recording services
Mount Vernon, Iowa
serving Cedar Rapids, Marion, Solon, Mechanicsville, Ely, Springville,
Anamosa, Iowa City and surrounding
area
For information about
music lessons, piano tuning, and digital recording at Euphonic
Studio, call Bill at 319.895.8002 or 319.329.4527