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| June 11, 2009 |
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| In This Issue |  |
Just My Thoughts: What is an expert?
What's New? REL's Remixes page is live. New email host; have you confirmed yet?
Other Stuff: Development for the SCR Audio Vault website has begun.
Wisdom From The Grind: Yes will come; keep asking for what you want!
(Please add info@scr-entertainment.com to your whitelist or address book in your email program, so that you have no trouble receiving future issues!)
| Just My Thoughts | |
I jokingly call my boy Kevin “The Guru”, not because he is one, but because on occasion he knows some things I don’t in areas I don’t spend much time paying attention to. For instance, he’s a Chicago Bears fan and I love the Minnesota Vikings. I know very little about the Bears from year to year, but in my mind they always suck. This is not a statement of fact; it’s my emotional response as a result of being a Vikings fan. All throughout the football season we both make predictions about wins and losses. He is generally more correct than I am, but at times I’m very guru-like. We occasionally bet chicken wings, or, if the game has more meaning relative to division standings or playoffs, a steak dinner will be on the line. (I lost a trip to Las Vegas once, although I have yet to pay up; soon Kev!) On some Sundays during football season we speak 10 to 15 times on the phone, depending on what’s taking place on the TV screen. During these games, I will say something moments before the commentator does or I will call a play before the coach does. When this happens, I’m recognizing a basic understanding about the game and / or the situation. However, sometimes it happens so often that I find myself asking “why does he (the commentator or coach) have that job instead of me?” Maybe I’m an expert, too. After all, I’ve been watching football for nearly 20 years. I’ve played on teams before, practiced and learned the latest catch phrases and I’m quick witted. Besides all of that, I’m really great at stating the obvious or choosing the next best move just like they are! I have been trained by practice; man, I’m an expert! Not! So, where is this coming from? Well, I’ve been reading and thinking about some of the information that has come at me lately. Maybe it’s just me, but I increasingly notice a lack of new or original thought. Take self-help books for instance; I have read at least 30 in my life and all of the fundamental principles to a healthy functional life are very clear to me and it all comes down to this: take 100% responsibility for your life! Man, I’m an expert! Probably not. Recently I happened to see a blog from a guy who was explaining how to connect equipment in a home studio. Having both put a few studios together and consulted with others on how to connect equipment in both home and pro studio environments I do, at the very least, have an idea of how it’s done. My issue was not with his instructions (he was clearly no expert) but with the forum which hosted this particular blog and called him an expert. Because of my own experience with audio equipment set-up, I could see gaping holes in the explanation that this so-called expert was giving. There is quite a difference between repeating something you’ve heard and conveying something you know. Now back to Kevin. For as long as I have known him he has worked with at-risk youth. He is paid well and he is great at what he does; but, does that make him an expert? Maybe. The term expert is thrown around too easily and too often without proof. A body of work and time say more about an individual than any title one is given. So what is an expert? For me, the simple answer is this; an expert is someone with a body of work, demonstrating skill and longevity in their chosen craft with no need to call themselves an expert. Just my thoughts. -REL |
What is an expert? Hmmm. I’ve seen these two definitions: | What's New? | |
** Make sure you click on the link in the confirmation email (sent Tuesday afternoon) from the new host. **
If you don't opt in, you won't continue to receive the newsletter unless you sign in again at the website. If you haven't seen the confirmation email, let Rick know at Rick@SCR-Entertainment.com
The REL's Remixes page is up. New remixes will be added this month.
Here is a breakdown of the 5 most recent beats added to the site:
- Jazzy Funk - East Coast
- In The Hole - Club Flavor
- West Coast Funk - West Coast
- Symphony Funk - West Coast
- The Intro - Other Flavor
| Other Stuff | |
You will be able to purchase all of the previous albums plus the new upcoming works. As a bonus, there will even be some unreleased gems. I will be putting up the first four track recordings created in the late 1980’s to show you where, creatively, I’ve come from.
Along with the new site, I will begin to delve into sharing my production techniques and the tools I use in The Garden.
The SCR Entertainment website has been progressing very slowly due to redesign issues; but, it’s coming.
Big shout to Thorbjorn in Norway; I see you!
Halla!
| Wisdom From The Grind | |
These questions are directed at the dreamers in any industry. Are you prepared to persist after hearing “no” to a deeply personal question? What about after hearing “no” twice? OK, how about hearing “no” to the same question five times?
If you are prepared to persist in the face of this opposition, then I believe one of three things is true about you:
- You don’t need to read further because nothing I’m about to say will help you; you already get it.
- You are being unrealistically optimistic while having no experience with deeply felt emotional rejection pertaining to your dreams; if you keep reading you will likely get something useful.
- You are in touch with the experience of your dream meeting someone else’s reality, and however uncomfortable, you know your dreams require persistence to move past “no” to get to “yes”; this article can be used as fuel for your journey.
The Foundation
The Two Thirds TheoryPeople that we interact with tend to fall into one of three categories with respect to how they perceive and react to you.
The First Third
Even on your best day, when your swagger is bangin at 100% and everything about you is hot on full blast, there will still be those who don’t feel you. You can’t positively affect everyone.
This has nothing to do with you; some people are just predisposed to respond more favorably to a person with different traits; someone who is taller, has darker (or lighter) skin, or has more muscles, etc. These will be the people in your life that tell you that you don't have what it takes or that "you can't" live your dream.
And, at the other end of the spectrum . . .
The Second Third
On your worst day, when you shouldn't have gotten out of bed or may not feel very good about yourself or what you’re doing in life, there will be those who see you as the hottest or most necessary person in sight.
In their eyes, you can do no wrong. Again, this is not about you; these people are predisposed to respond favorably to someone like you because of whatever you represent, how you create, or talk, or walk, etc. These are the people that love everything you do no matter what.
And, at the center of it all . . .
The Final Third
The third group is made up of individuals who will really experience you and will appreciate the true uniqueness that shows up in whatever you do, whether it be your artistry, your essence or your true swagger. These people respond because they feel you; they can't not appreciate you and what you have to offer. These are the people that love what you do because of who you really are, not because of what you do.
What does this all mean? Trust your own ideas and do what you believe in and not rely on the approval of others to pursue your dream. No means no for them, not for you. It's estimated that there are over 7 billion people on the planet. Two thirds of them will respond favorably to you and your music if you would only give them the chance. God has blessed you with a gift, but it's up to you to develop and present it to the world.
The Method
Do your best work!Whether its lyrics, a complete song, or some other form of creative endeavor, do your best work now. When you bring your all to the creative process then it truly is the best work you can do right now.
My twelfth album is better than my first because of many factors; I had better equipment at my disposal, I had a better understanding of production techniques, greater confidence in my arranging skills, more proficiency in my musicianship and a fluid command of the studio environment to be more creative and less technical during studio sessions. I do my best work now!
Know that doing your best work now gives you two amazingly important things:
- You get something finished that is presentable to others which represents your current best work.
- You gain knowledge and experience through doing, which adds value to the next piece of work you complete.
The Resolve
Finding the “yes”!So, through the foundational belief that you can’t fail because:
- Success in getting to “yes” is in the numbers, not in how good you think you are or even how good you actually are, because two thirds of 7 billion people want to say “yes” to you; they just need to know you exist and know what you have to offer.
- Your best work now is good enough to get a “yes” now. Just reference all of the songs and artists you think suck; things on radio and TV which cause you to ask “how in the hell . . .?” They all found at least one “yes” through persisting past “no”.
I am still amazed by people who won’t ask for what they want. I’ve been asking Russell Simmons lately to connect me with a few people. He hasn’t responded yet and I’m not bothered by his lack of response, but I’m going to keep asking. I don’t even know him yet, but I will. In the meantime, I will contact his friends, and friends of friends through MySpace, Twitter and Global Grind. Oh yes, in the new industry, with tenacity you can get to anyone!
He will say yes to my request one day, but until then, I keep it moving. I’m asking for lots of “yeses”, and not from just one individual in one area; you may want to consider doing the same. (I was going to say “should”, but I hate that word.)
As a result of the question asking, a few things have happened; some people who would never have known me are now asking me questions about what I do and are checking to see who I am. Some are buying beats or talking about upcoming projects they want me to work on. I want $1.5 million to produce the next album for . . . Think I ain’t asking? Really?!? Believe it!
Understand and be prepared to hear “no” often. “No, I don’t want your song.” “No, I don’t like you.” “No, you’re not what we are looking for.” “No, you don’t have enough experience.” “No, and stop asking!” The best, brightest and most successful have heard it and didn’t let it stop them from seeking “yes” instead.
Know this: without any arrogance, understand that your artistry is desired by many and will be paid for handsomely at the right time. Your mission is to make it available and to find those who desire to say “yes” to you. “No” can only stop those who don’t believe that the “yes” can be found.
Or, as said differently by Dr. Wayne Dyer, “if you believe you can or you believe you can’t, you’re right about that!”
If you don’t believe, stop now! Finding “yes” is not about if, it’s about when!
Wisdom from the grind: yes will come; keep asking for what you want!
| Featured Project | |
I am making some good progress on my first solo album "Spoken". This album will be a mix of all the musical flavors I love; spoken word, rap, neo-soul and lounge / down tempo tracks.
I'm an artist doing what artists do; creating art. Of course its hip hop, and my hip hop roots will be felt. I've already begun production, so as things develop I will share them with you. I have added three more tracks to the project. The total track number has again changed. At this point I’m considering 15. This will mark album number 13.
| Quote Of The Week | |
"Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage which a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men to win them."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson; 1803 – 1882, American essayist, philosopher and poet
| About Roger E Lear | |
He has built his career as a full time music producer by providing excellent quality music production and song writing services. You can learn more about REL at BanginBeatsByREL.com/About REL.
You can also find REL online at:
| Twitter: Twitter.com/RELTheProducer |
MySpace: MySpace.com/REL_42
MySpace: MySpace.com/RELCreations
MySpace: MySpace.com/SmoothComposition
Facebook: Facebook.com/Roger E Lear