Lights by Ellie Goulding Tutorial

Hey guys! Was finally able to upload the Ellie Goulding 'Lights' tutorial, hope it's not too confusing, I explained it and left a bit of room for creative input on your part so you can improvise a bit but hopefully that doesn't make it too confusing. It's a bit longer as I explain the details and the main chords,

Piano tutorial of 'Lights' by Ellie Goulding

Update you soon,

K.A.M

xox

Tip of the Week #3

Hey guys so it's THAT time of the week, this week's tip is about vocal performance, and that is as simple as WARM UP! You must warm up. If you don't (and this often happens in the morning) then it can be difficult to control your breath and the length and timbre of the notes you sing. Warm ups can be done as scales (Google search) or they can be done by singing through a few parts, gently of a number of songs in different keys. But regardless of how you do it, take at least 20 minutes to warm up before playing, remember your vocal chords are muscles and just like an athlete they require training! Happy playing ^_^

K.A.M

xox

Artist #2 Ellie Goulding -'Lights'

Here's my cover:

'Lights' by Ellie Goulding

Tutorial will be posted soon! Enjoy ^_^

K.A.M

xox

Exams are over! Yusss!

Hello my lovelies, exams are over and I have SLAVED over my weekend for you just to have this cover and tutorial done in time, plus another TWO this week in order to make our quote for 4 artists for our month of the 'POP' genre. Who will the other two be? 

You shall wait and find out, anyway I am editing videos now and will be up by tonight! A cover and tutorial of our artist of the week (last week). Now, unfortunately my CD has disappeared so I can't Vlog about her just yet :( I will do though when I find it! I'll keep you posted.

Cover- Ellie Goulding Week #2

 K.A.M

xox

Study Freak Out!

OK So before anyone freaks out and thinks I have disappeard, I haven't! Its exam time atm, and I hoped to fit in my Ellie Goulding song last week, but couldn't :(

Instead, I will fit it in this week for ya. Tomorrow is my last exam and then I am back onto it!

REALLY excited so keep up and I will talk to you soon, it's so freaking freezing too atm in my room my fingers are like ice as I type, I'm in slo mo... hopefully I don't freeze to death playing for y'all ^_^ 

KK Last exam, ALMOST DONE!

Oh, and for those of you who don't know, Vanessa C. just released her own video clip for 'Hear the Bells'

It's just lovely, all old video clips of her dancing and childhood footage <3

Something to entertain you for now...

 

K.A.M

xox

Pop - Artist #2

Hey guys!

Okay so time for an announcement of which artist I will cover this week...

She is a talented songwriter and singer, from the UK and I am a huge fan. I have her album 'Lights'

Ellie Goulding!

Okay, so the album lights is not brand new but I have to mix it up a bit, and plus she has some AWESOME other songs on her album which I will do a more detailed review of, including 'The Writer' and 'Your Biggest Mistake' They are like electronic candy for your ears! 

Bet you can't guess what song of hers I will do ^_^ 

As usual there will be a cover & tutorial, and I would love to do some more of her songs in the future.

You should ALSO definitely check out her beautiful rendition of the song 'Black and Gold'

I hated the original, but this is just beautiful. One of my favs <3

'Ellie Goulding - Black and Gold'

Talk soon! xox

K.A.M

Tip of the Week #2

Hey guys! So this week's tip is Little Finger Training!

The little finger, or your pinky finger is the one that often lags behind the rest and can make your playing sloppy and reduce your ability to play faster. The solution? Practice your scales!

Or, play songs with intricate arpeggios and most importantly OCTAVES! These will give your little finger more strength and agility. 

Have fun practicing! ^_^

K.A.M

xox

Links!

Tumblr: www.katherineannmarie.tumblr.com

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John Mayer - Born and Raised Album Review

Okay, so I have been listening to J.M's album now for about  a week on repeat... I have played through a couple of songs that I really like, and at this stage I'm not sure which song to cover! 

At first 'Something like Olivia' was the song I really fell in love with, the beat is awesome, and the lyrics are so very John. In terms of the 'country' feel to his new music, I can understand the many objections to it, as I don't really think it's him either. Most likely the pressures of the commercial record industry and their expectations has led him to try different things and adopt different 'vibes' for his music over time. But underneath the random layers of harmonica and organ synth, the songs have a soul that is uniquely and genuinely his, and that's what still makes his music beautiful. Songs like 'Face to Call Home' resonated with me so much, likewise 'Born and Raised' was very profound, reminded me very much of 'Don't Stop this Train' and 'The Heart of Life'. 

His song, 'The Age of Worry' also has echoes of his song 'Belief' from Continuum, it has a lovely lull, and this album he has really refined his craft. Lyrics are succinct, and cohesive, all sections of the song have a lot of thought and unlike his first two albums, every song has a unique vibe with a strong sense of clarity. Each song is different from the next, and like a great smorgasbord of thoughts and feelings he captures many elements within this album. It really is like a life narrative and it deserves a number of listens to appreciate all his songs.

I am still working on 'Whiskey, Whiskey, Whiskey' 'Speak for Me' and 'Shadow Days' as I feel they are a little diluted in terms of 'Soul' but I think it is just lost in translation. I don't approve of the production (although the vocals are superb in this album) but you can still hear John shine through, and who knows- the country theme might grow on me! ^_^

COMPETITION! Okay so I was thinking of doing a competition but then I realized most of you live overseas :\ 

So, I will have a think about this and get back to you when I have an idea!

Hope you all are liking the new songs/covers/vlog/ideas!

Definitely gonna do a cover of one of this soon. Listen. To. John. Mayer's. Album.

K.A.M

xox

Vlog #2 Weekly Update

Vlog #2 - Marina & the Diamonds

xox 

K.A.M