The definition of the word fusion is: the merging or blending of two or more things. So when we talk in terms that a certain type of music is fusion, we are actually saying two or more types of music are being composed together to form one sound. This is a diverse form of musical expression that has been around for such a long time. For instance, many don’t recognize it as a fusion sound, but R&B and Rock’n Roll as well as other genres are fusion.

The most popular fusion is jazz fusion music. If you head on over to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_fusion) you’ll learn about jazz rock fusion, which is fusion of jazz and R&B.

The blending of musical sounds can be to the extreme or to the simplest composition.

So if you are a composer as I am, when you compose your next piece, allow yourself to wonder into the creative thought patterns and fusion your way to a song that is so different but yet familiar. Think how different it would sound if you put your drum beat on 2 and 4, then run a bass line on top of that is 6-8 and some augmented 7^th and 13^th’s chords on top of that. Try that and let me know how that works out for you, check this out: if you don’t fuse you might lose.

 Peace to you,

Deryo

In The Beginning (Learning To Play)

I can remember as if it was yesterday, when I picked up my first instrument. It was a trumpet I started learning to play during my elementary school days. The thing I remember most was the exploding desire and amazement of wonder (not to leave out the dreams), because that was the beginning drive for achievement. I often dreamed of playing on stage in front of an audience and getting a great sense of approval for my presentation.

In the beginning as a kid I realized, just like you have to learn to play the instrument, you have to learn to respect the instrument. 

As I look back now, I can see the importance of engaging a learning experience like that. It helps to build character, because of the challenge and the demand for practice. If you’re serious, you learn about dedication and the creating of a core for consistency. So truly I would recommend every child at a young age should find a meaningful desire for learning something, for me it was learning to play a musical instrument and perform my inner feelings.

Still playing and learning,

Deryo

I rose from bed this morning, and thought to myself, another day. Its 6 o’clock now and I am sitting here reflecting on that feeling. Where did it come from? Every day we experience waking up and it has other existences or meanings that derive from the original. First we wake from sleep to the consciousnesses of our day or night. Then we take the next step and attempt to adjust to the events of the prior day. I know the feeling is different for everyone and that’s, because it’s for each person to seek out what is most meaningful in the day’s endeavors. Reflection is the key to progression. When you reflect, step forward in a positive manner to view, and then understand those early morning revelations. After understanding what it is that deserves your complete attention, give it depth and value and support. The support is what gives it character and makes it complete. Now let’s take a slumber brake and start again tomorrow.

I find it a useful tool for relaxation; to create a method that would be tried and true for you each time you need it. My self I’ve developed three easy ways to get to a comfort zone when needed.

My first is exercise (when I can), because it releases a lot of the stress that is in my physical body and it gives you a chance to reach a physiological and psychological space that takes you where you were not before you started.

Secondly, I talk with someone that is able to listen and also express their opinion, which would be reflective of what we are talking about and not just an expression of how they feel.

Third, for me is my best option, because it’s something that I love to do and I’ve done for a very long time and that is song writing. When I sit down at the piano it seems to create a transformation of reality within my presence. It’s like anything you do that involves you to fully concentrate on what you’re doing. Also, for me it opens a door to the wonderment of my mind that releases an endless flow of thought and ideas and the good thing is it doesn’t matter if the ideas are good or bad. It’s all the same, because it’s the act of action more than it is the challenge of being right or wrong. It’s a place each person should attempt to find, because it’s simply finding the way to being you.

Relaxing,

Deryo

Pistachios?

Just yesterday I was thinking about relative associations between the way we live our lives and how life presents itself to you.

Over the last few years I have from time to time purchased and eaten a small bag of pistachios. At the beginning of this year I developed a great desire for pistachios and began to purchase every month when I went to make my monthly groceries and believe me the bag I bought was big enough to last the whole month. You know how large things are at Costco’s.

Anyway, over the last couple of months my desire for the taste of pistachios began to lessen and the last bag I bought lasted me for two months. So today I had a small amount left and I decided to finish them off as a snack. I was sadden to find that the last one from the bag  I ate was no good and left a bad taste in my mouth. The thought that came to my mind was that after all the enjoyment I received from eating them, the last one left me with a bad taste in my mouth. It lead me to believe this was a bad sign, because at this time I had decided to take a brake from them for a while. But, to my surprise right off to my side I saw one last pistachio had fell next to the bowl. I gained hope that it would take this nasty taste from my taste buds. It did, even though the shell wasn’t perfect, but the nut it self was perfect in taste and shape.

The relative association is: even though you may come across a bad path in the road, even though you walked the good mile, don’t give up, because it’s the positive work you do in the present, that in the end proves to be the pavement of your road.

The heat wave here in the Bay Area is going to last for a few more weeks folks. It’s been from the mid-90s to 100 for the last three days for me. What’s really great to know though, is how families make challenging days into great days. Obstacles like these really allow my family to come together and work together to create creative ways for us to stay cool. Making smoothies, eating soft tacos, and pooling all our fans together in one room (rather than just turning the air conditioner on) and enjoying our company, are some of the ways we battled the heat.

Sure we could have each took our individual fans and went in our separate spaces, but unity is so much stronger and in this case cooler.

Anyone else?

Deryo

Songwriting and Pre-Production

In today’s forum of writing songs and getting them ready for the studio, it is important to take advantage of working out your project at home so you can save time and money. Here are a couple of thoughts to help you with this. After recording your composed music, remember to take your time and clean each track. Enlarge the track to make it more visible, then highlight the portions of the track you’re having noise on, use your gain to resolve the volume. Afterwards simply resize the track to its original size, and then consolidate. This should take care of any unwanted sounds.Also make sure your structure is arranged exactly the way you desire.

After laying an arrangement of your vocals, take the time to refine. I think one of the most important ideas I can give you is this: listen to your tracks and formulate your production ideas, because it will save a lot of time and money. Plus it’s very professional to do so. Good luck and always give it your best.

Peace in song,

Deryo

We usually do our best when we have our backs against the wall or when we are being challenged, most of the time it brings out the best in you. But on an everyday basis we can find ourselves doing our best by looking at each moment thoughtfully. Thinking things out is how we usually find the key to establishing a foundation in everything we do daily, because it is that moment of recognition that gives us guidance. It all leads to one thing and that is belief in yourself, so believe in you and it will help you through the day.

Doing my best,

Deryo

Holding On

Sometimes we are faced with problems in our lives, which challenge the truth and core of our belief in ourselves. It may give us worry, which may push us to think that all is lost. But there are simple ways of dealing with this, even if it seems to be unbearable and not understood. It is the simple logic that’s needed to be applied and that is, under no circumstance do you ever stop believing in yourself and the existence of good things to be in your life. Another thing is, to always hold on to the positive things you where taught when you where growing up, because that is where the innocence of goodness first touched you. Positive thinking along with logical thinking can always help make you a winner, because you’re a winner by just believing. So hold on to what is true and good!

Holding on,

Deryo

Communication: Music and Motorcycles

I ask you the question, what is probably the world’s greatest tool that brings the individual into  the broad perspective of the whole when we  attempt to communicate? I’m sure there would be different answers from different individuals. But to me, there is only one tool you can use for broad and general communication; and that is music. It’s the one tool that transcends the great individual divide and creates in our lives, love, beauty and togetherness.  I say this, because music is the one thing where you may not understand the technique, but still enjoy and feel the emotion and see the beauty within you and others.

I can remember a long time ago when my band played at an annual dance for a motorcycle bike club and things began to get out of hand while we were on break. So, I said to the fellows “let’s go back on stage now and start our next set.” As soon as the music started, the potential problems stopped. Think about the times you were sitting or laying down alone at home or even with someone and a certain song or type of music begin to play on the radio or television, or even when someone was passing by and you heard the sound of music or simply a melody. I’m sure that had a positive affect on you, changing your feelings in a positive way, from where they were. Or remember the feelings you had when you where at a large outdoor or indoor concert and you felt that oneness that prevails in such an environment, just close your eyes and remember. Now tell me when was the other time you experienced something like that feeling?

The point I want to make is; music has such a communicating source, that it creates positive thoughts to the individual or to the masses. It doesn’t really make a difference if you hear it in a language you don’t understand, you still develop an understanding for the message, and the message is love, passion, goodness, beauty and truth. Now that’s COMMUNICATION, do you hear me?

Communicating,

Deryo