CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-06-19 19:45:22 (14 comments, 11 reshares, 30 +1s)

Definitions of some musical styles

I don't concern myself with these categories any more, but many do: Too meta for me. ;-)

2013-06-18 15:34:46 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 25 +1s)

I'm up on my roof this morning painting my house.

I shot a quick series of photos, shoved my phone back into my pocket and resumed work. It's a nice view, so why not?

I was then gifted this lovely panorama by +Google. I can't even see where the images were stitched together!

In the distance, you can see the Napa river, Marin county, and if you look very closely, the Golden Gate Bridge.

Ok...back to painting...what can you see from your roof?

#AutoAwesome

2013-06-13 17:51:49 (5 comments, 7 reshares, 12 +1s)

Artist is an overused word. Joni Mitchell is an artist. In this wonderful full-length interview, she proves it...again. Even her casual conversation sounds like a carefully crafted poem.

2013-06-12 05:24:08 (4 comments, 5 reshares, 46 +1s)

Hmmm...Huh?

Psychic Cancels Event, Blames “Unforeseen Circumstances”


http://entertainment.uk.msn.com/trending-blog/psychic-derek-acorah-cancels-event-due-to-unforeseen-circumstances

2013-06-12 07:47:07 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 28 +1s)

iOS7 looks familiar alright. But it doesn't look like +Android to me.

#iOS7  

2013-06-11 19:49:58 (8 comments, 10 reshares, 51 +1s)

As a music geek, I adore hearing previously unheard isolated classic audio tracks. Here is Eric Clapton’s Isolated Guitar Track From the Classic Beatles Song, ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ (1968)

"George Harrison of the Beatles was an accomplished guitar player with a distinctive soloing style. So you might think that with a song as personal and guitar-centric as “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” he would do his own playing. In fact, the song features guitar playing by Eric Clapton.

It was recorded on September 6, 1968, during the acrimonious White Album sessions. Harrison had been struggling off and on for over a month to get the song right. He first tried it with his own playing on a Gibson J-200 guitar along with an overdubbed harmonium. He later experimented by running the guitar solo backwards. Nothing seemed to work. So finally Harrison asked his friendClapton f... more »

2013-06-09 21:57:23 (7 comments, 9 reshares, 93 +1s)

Today we celebrate the birthday of the late great Les Paul. We love you and miss you Les. Happy Birthday.

Les' influence on music, technology and culture cannot be overstated.
(Don't know Les? Get hip: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Paul)

I've watched Les' biography at least 10 times over the past few years and I intend to watch it again today. So great! Les Paul - Chasing Sound http://www.hulu.com/watch/91100

2013-06-08 20:23:05 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 14 +1s)

LittleBigFund.org is live! Make a big impact to little charities
Check it out and donate now here: http://bit.ly/ZqJerh

The time has finally come! LittleBigFund.org is live and open for business! We're featuring three amazing #LGBT  organizations this month on a site that I know you'll love. Go read their stories, donate to create a big fund together, and then vote on which organization you think is most deserving of the fund. The one with the most votes receives the fund and you make a huge impact with only a few bucks. Crowdfunding and storytelling mix to enable charitable passions.

We've vetted these nonprofits, worked with them directly to tell their story, and will return a story back to you, our donors, with how the organization who received the fund used it. Your reward is knowing that you made a difference, not a tote bag. We facilitate the process.I... more »

2013-06-06 15:44:21 (19 comments, 1 reshares, 34 +1s)

The Internet forgets nothing.

In the mid/ late 90s, I played in an electronic sci-fi themed band. We played various functions up and down Silicon Valley for every tech firm that you've ever heard of, many of which are no longer around.

Funk guitar, ominous synth textures and scorching solos were my primary gamut of sound. Fun times.

#AutoAwesome #ThrowbackThursday

2013-06-05 20:53:40 (10 comments, 15 reshares, 62 +1s)

Great chair for guitarists here.

2013-06-05 04:22:03 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 21 +1s)

Abstract Composition of Guitars in Digital Collage

#art   #abstractart   #digitalart   #collage   #digitalmanipulation   #Corel   #paintnet   #filterforge  

2013-06-04 01:44:13 (4 comments, 2 reshares, 28 +1s)

USDA OKs musical instruments for travel under Lacey Act

If you're a musician traveling with a vintage guitar, you have one less thing to worry about. Of course, commercial airlines will still likely trash your guitar, but the surviving pieces are yours to keep.

Since a major amendment to the century-old Lacey Act was passed in 2008, vintage instruments as well as newer ones made from old stockpiles of exotic woods have come under increased scrutiny by customs officials when musicians enter or re-enter the U.S. with those instruments.

http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-76126291/

2013-06-02 20:14:31 (9 comments, 7 reshares, 53 +1s)

You don't need to be a brain surgeon to realize that If you can't find time to practice, you're not trying hard enough

This man plays the guitar during his own brain surgery! That's dedication.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2330182/Incredible-video-shows-patient-playing-guitar-doctors-live-streamed-operation.html

2013-06-02 16:16:20 (8 comments, 18 reshares, 54 +1s)

11 Facts About Music Education

We all want what's best for our kids. Music is a miracle that human-kind somehow discovered that can help them realize thier full potential.

1. Children who study music tend to have larger vocabularies and more advanced reading skills than their peers who do not participate in music lessons.

2. Studying music primes the brain to comprehend speech in a noisy background.

Children with learning disabilities or dyslexia who tend to lose focus with more noise could benefit greatly from music lessons.

3. Research shows that music is to the brain as physical exercise is to the human body. Music tones the brain for auditory fitness and allows it to decipher between tone and pitch.

4. Children who study a musical instrument are more likely to excel in all of their studies, work better in teams, have enhanced... more »

2013-06-01 21:11:21 (25 comments, 0 reshares, 41 +1s)

I love you internet.

Bach's Little Fugue in Gm on Guitar by Rob Michael

2013-06-01 00:51:25 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 18 +1s)

The LittleBigFund launches tomorrow!

It's been a long time coming, but tomorrow at 11am PT my nonprofit +The LittleBigFund will go live. We're not spending money on marketing, or ads, or anything else. Our launch is all about you guys. In fact, our entire process is about you you. You nominate the nonprofits you think we should feature. You donate what you can to create a big fund. You decide which organization receives it. In fact, the reason LBF exists at all is because I've seen what amazingly good people you all are.

I'm extremely excited about tomorrow and though my expectations are reasonable, I hope you guys surprise me. Trust me when I say that we've done our very best to make LittleBigFund.org surprises you when it goes live tomorrow.

What does #LittleBigFund  actually do?
Glad you asked. The LittleBigFund, a nonprofito... more »

2013-05-30 17:16:36 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Happy birthday +Amanda Blain. Today is your day.

2013-05-29 03:03:01 (14 comments, 2 reshares, 19 +1s)

EARTHQUAKE!



...not really...

#AutoAwesome

2013-05-28 19:46:02 (21 comments, 3 reshares, 49 +1s)

Cool axe. Must be exhausting to play.

2013-05-28 17:22:24 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 24 +1s)

A light rain can change your perspective on everything

I love the rain (a little bit at a time anyway). Here is the view from my driveway this morning looking out over the Napa River in northern California. 

Are you working today? You might give a listen to my take on The Rain Song. I tried to arrange this piece such that the familiar elements of the tune remain in-tact, yet there are interesting/ fun/ dramatic deviations that, while interesting, hopefully won't prove distracting.

Notice how the energy follows that of a gentle storm arriving, hitting and then passing.

You're invited to listen and share this tune with someone you care about. http://store.atmosmusic.com/track/the-rain-song-2

2013-05-27 20:15:00 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

If, for some reason, I begin to feel cynical about things, this playlist reminds me that it's all good.

My first entry into this playlist is a documentary of one of my musical heros: Keith Jarrett. 

I'll bet you dig it.

#CertifiedAwesome  

2013-05-26 15:33:46 (8 comments, 6 reshares, 25 +1s)

Sometimes a trombone is just a trombone

This awesome version of Stan Kenton's "Peanut Vendor" will keep you humming this melody for a couple of hours today.

Dig it.

2013-05-25 06:08:25 (1 comments, 4 reshares, 15 +1s)

All the hip people already know who Wayne Shorter is, but the rest of us want to hear his story.

Help fund the making of this fabulous documentary on a true american icon: Mr. Wayne Shorter. (www.pledgemusic.com/wayneshorter)

CALL TO ACTION BY MARCUS MILLER FOR WAYNE SHORTER:ZERO GRAVITY

2013-05-25 02:05:14 (41 comments, 2 reshares, 46 +1s)

In effort to escape the monopoly that +Comcast has on internet access, does it seem too drastic to move to another state just for +Google Fiber?

I'm seriously considering it.

2013-05-19 18:31:35 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 28 +1s)

One of my favorite audio sources anywhere on the web is +SoundCloud

I think this is Chick Corea's soundcloud page and it's awesome if you're a Chick fan like me.

2013-05-17 21:06:51 (4 comments, 5 reshares, 65 +1s)

TGIF. Now get to work!

2013-05-17 20:55:15 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 27 +1s)

A feature called Auto-Awesome better really cool. I think +Google+ pulled it off!

Have you tried it yet?

#AutoAwesome  

2013-05-18 20:31:46 (9 comments, 1 reshares, 22 +1s)

Why yes, if you enable **All Access* in the +Google Play store, you *can* listen to +Rob Michael & The Atmos Trio albums for free (US only) for next 30 days.*

Seems pretty hip to me!

Outside the US? No worries.You're invited to listen to your heart's content as well. http://store.atmosmusic.com/

#AllAccess

2013-05-15 19:42:08 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Hey +Larry Page, FYI: I know a great jazz guitarist who would Love to hang at Burningman with you. (Call me) ;-)

#IO13

2013-05-15 19:17:59 (2 comments, 3 reshares, 59 +1s)

Wow.

Google is upgrading the entire internet today.

#IO13

2013-05-13 22:38:13 (4 comments, 6 reshares, 26 +1s)

Yo Kanye, I’m really happy for you, Imma let you finish but +Chris Hadfield  has the best video of all time.

Space Oddity

2013-05-13 20:57:04 (5 comments, 2 reshares, 32 +1s)

Rebel

2013-05-13 17:39:56 (6 comments, 4 reshares, 33 +1s)

The saddest 404 error ever?

2013-05-13 17:22:14 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 8 +1s)

This post-bop BLOWOUT is a test share via the new SoundCloud app.

Translucent (feat. Rob Michael) by RayRiendeau

It takes a sharp ear, but can you identify the classic jazz tune that is the basis of this song?

2013-05-11 21:43:14 (6 comments, 14 reshares, 57 +1s)

Public Service Announcement

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. Don't forget it.

Hi Mom. ;-)

#MothersDay

2013-05-10 23:39:17 (4 comments, 5 reshares, 11 +1s)

We Need Your Support, Just 9 Days Left!

Help us get as much attention as possible for the close to a hundred Artists that will be involved worldwide. +Artists In The Plus provides free promotion to hundreds of musicians across the world. With endorsed Artists in the United States, Europe, England, Australia, Canada, South America, and more. Click the link below to help us with Radio, Internet, and Print Advertising for the event. We even have some Thank You gifts for your donation. You can donate and get all the details on +Indiegogo, at the following link. http://igg.me/at/artistsinplus

#music   #artistsintheplus    #musicwednesday   #aitp   #aitpendorsed   #aitpmusicfestival   #indiegogo  

2013-05-10 17:33:40 (338 comments, 670 reshares, 1734 +1s)

Whenever a student complains to me that playing the guitar is difficult, I show them this video. We never have that conversation again.

Do you have two arms and ten fingers? You're more than qualified to play guitar. C'mon over. http://www.atmosmusic.com/wordpress/online-guitar-lessons/

Tony Melendez plays "Let It Be" on South Padre Island

2013-05-09 16:25:09 (27 comments, 6 reshares, 42 +1s)

True or false?

2013-05-09 05:23:43 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 12 +1s)

Time to teach (and time to learn).

Just finished writing curriculum for my music classes this week.

Thanks +Google Drive for making my life easier.

2013-05-08 19:06:53 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 16 +1s)

It has always been the Patrons of the Arts that have made the most significant impact on perpetuating art all around us.

You needn't be a pope, king or other member of aristocracy to fully fund the building of a theater or commission a symphony.

You can become a Patron with just $1.00 (or more if you want). 

You now have the opportunity to fund the art that matter most to you. In return, you get exclusive access to the artist and their work, the making of said art and the chance to involve yourself in making art of your own.

I believe in this model and that's why I'm asking you to go to http://www.patreon.com/RobMichael and sign on to the level of patronage that suits you best.

It's a quick, easy and direct way to perpetuate the art that you love. I'm always making music and you can make certain that keepshappe... more »

2013-05-07 22:25:54 (12 comments, 7 reshares, 25 +1s)

As cool as other "crowdfunding platforms" are, I think I may have found my new favorite in http://www.patreon.com.

Created by +Jack Conte, this site is for artists who are prolific and are constanlty releaseing new content (like single songs, videos or lessons) vs putting all their energy into one giant project like a novel, movie or an album.

"Patrons" can subscrible to the content and decide how much they would like  to pay for each piece of content. 

I like it and will be offering new music. videos and lessons by way of patronage through this site soon!

What do you think? Do you dig it?

2013-05-04 18:17:57 (8 comments, 11 reshares, 37 +1s)

Sometimes (oftentimes?), the Good News and the Bad News are one-in-the-same.

Tldr; Persuing a music carreeer via a TV game show is like calling the purchase of lottery tickets the plan for your financial future.

“When I think about kids watching a TV show like American Idol or The Voice, then they think, ‘Oh, OK, that’s how you become a musician, you stand in line for eight fucking hours with 800 people at a convention center and… then you sing your heart out for someone and then they tell you it’s not fuckin’ good enough.’ Can you imagine?” he implores. “It’s destroying the next generation of musicians! Musicians should go to a yard sale and buy and old fucking drum set and get in their garage and just suck. And get their friends to come in and they’ll suck, too. And then they’ll fucking start playing and they’ll have the best time they’ve ever hadin their lives and then all... more »

2013-05-03 21:25:58 (17 comments, 6 reshares, 31 +1s)

I'm not dead yet.

Neither is concert pianist James Rhodes. who implores us to: 'Find what you love and let it kill you'

Do you spend your time on what's truly important to you? Or are you chasing something that doesn't really exist?

"The government is cutting music programmes in schools and slashing Arts grants as gleefully as a morbidly American kid in Baskin Robbins. So if only to stick it to the man, isn't it worth fighting back in some small way? So write your damn book. Learn a Chopin prelude, get all Jackson Pollock with the kids, spend a few hours writing a Haiku. Do it because it counts even without the fanfare, the money, the fame and Heat photo-shoots that all our children now think they're now entitled to because Harry Styles has done it."
... more »

2013-05-03 18:32:04 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 32 +1s)

Happy Birthday to the Godfather of Soul James Brown.

You're still Super-Bad!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Brown

2013-05-03 17:42:28 (10 comments, 2 reshares, 19 +1s)

Happy Birthday +Ayoub Khote. Today is your day.

Have a Very Introspective Birthday - Rob Michael -

#HappyBirthdayAyoub

2013-05-01 19:47:13 (17 comments, 3 reshares, 13 +1s)

According To MN State Auditors, Success In The Music Biz Means Signing With A Major Label; Touring is just a vacation. Music? That is a hobby.

Wow.

goo.gl/DFakL

ht: +Zoe Keating 

2013-04-30 21:21:28 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

From the +CD Baby Editor's Pick list is the album Bliss Attack by my friend +Matt Venuti

This features some music that I recorded with Matt near the turn of the century while weilding my Synth-equipped Strat playing funk grooves within a World/ Fusion soundscape.

You can dance if you want.

 http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mattvenuti6

2013-04-30 18:29:16 (18 comments, 10 reshares, 37 +1s)

No Jazz Playing Please

#Jazzday

2013-04-30 15:32:49 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 25 +1s)

Today is International Jazz Day.

I honestly didn't know there was any such thing...and in Turkey no less. I'll take it.

They got some hip mofos in Istanbul.

http://jazzday.com/

#Jazzday

2013-04-29 16:52:43 (7 comments, 9 reshares, 57 +1s)

The Musician's Theory of Relativity: E=Fb

Disclaimer: There are times when I write Fb (B# too).