Here is the video:

Here are the steps I took to make this video:

1. I recorded (video and audio) against the green screen.

2. I then took the audio and ran it into my Max/MSP patch and recorded the echo and granular synthesis.

3. I then combined the original audio and the processed audio in Cubase.

4. I added the audio to the video. Here is a short video of what the video looks like at this stage:

5. Using the video software, Magix, I deleted the color green (Chroma key) and added some videos I downloaded (for free!) from Stock Footage for Free.

This was rather time intensive (3 hours), particularly for making a video with cheesy backgrounds. Since this was my first time using a green screen I can expect the next one to go a little quicker (I hope!).

Here are some things I learned:

1. I need a more powerful computer (don’t we all). My computer was having a hard time when I was editing in Magix.

2. More light to illuminate the green screen.

3. I need a bigger space. I need to be farther away from the green screen so that it doesn’t bleed onto me (just look at the edges of my arms and head).

Here are a few pictures of my setup:

-Rob

scores, tabs, and mp3s available at http://www.robertlunncomposer.com

Here are a couple of my favorite videos:

-Rob

scores, tabs, and mp3s available at http://www.robertlunncomposer.com

Thank you soooo much for making the Pro-Arté EJ46′s. It feels as though my life is now complete.

Love always,

Rob

I finally found a set of strings that sound great on my Ramirez. It only took me about 10 different brands and about $120 to find them, but at least I found them.

For many years my favorite guitar strings were the D’Addario J-31′s.

The problem with the J-31′s is that the treble strings are noisy when recording. Since I’ve been making my CDs, I have not been using these strings. I was unable to find strings I liked until the EJ46′s. Thankfully, the EJ46′s have a clear nylon and are not noisy. I will probably keep the J-31′s on my Alverez because I do love their sound.

Here is a video of me playing my arrangement of House of the Rising Sun using the Pro-Arté EJ46′s.

-Rob

scores, tabs, and mp3s available at http://www.robertlunncomposer.com

A year and some change ago I made this arrangement of Amazing Grace:

If I had to pick, Amazing Grace would be my favorite hymn followed by The Old Rugged Cross. I made an arrangement of that hymn a couple days ago and made this recording last night:

The Old Rugged Cross_test

It’s a bit rough but it should give you an idea of the arrangement. I recorded it using my zoom h2. It was warm last night so I recorded this with my windows open, so if you listen really closely you can hear a car go by every now and then.

I am hoping to learn this well enough to make a video by the weekend. I recently ordered a green screen that should arrive by the end of the week. I’m looking forward to making my first video with that.

-Rob

scores, tabs, and mp3s available at http://www.robertlunncomposer.com

Just having some fun using Cubase. I recorded myself talking (and singing) seven times and put them all together.

Here are the seven voices:
#1 Just got fired from his job
#2 Bringing his son to his first Dodgers game
#3 Dating the most beautiful woman in the world
#4 Dog just passed away the night before
#5 Very slow talker due to drugs he is on to relieve back pain
#6 Very excited about attending The Ohio State University in the fall
#7 Singer trying to get the attention of the audience

Stop Talking!!!!

-Rob

scores, tabs and mp3s available at http://www.robertlunncomposer.com

For those that don’t know the piece, here it is as a guitar piece performed by Ana Vidovic:

-Rob

scores, tabs, and mp3s available at http://www.robertlunncomposer.com

-Rob

scores, tabs and mp3s available at http://www.robertlunncomposer.com

In this way I am “seeing” the forest first, before the trees.

An example would be a piece I composed last Monday (5/7/2012). It started out as an improv, and then I notated the score. Here is the original improv: Improv_may_5_2012

You can download the score here: untitled_guitar_piece

I inserted time markers to help you follow along. As you can see, the sections are there, but I am improvising the details. The next step for me is to input it into Finale where I will have to make decisions about the details. My guess is this piece will become one of the pieces in my Red Guitar Suite. This piece has already had its premier: I composed this last Monday and performed it for a group of high school kids on Wednesday. I still have to figure out a title. For me, that is the hardest part.

-Rob

scores, tabs and mp3s available at http://www.robertlunncomposer.com

While cleaning this past weekend I came across a book that was very important to me 15 years ago. It is If You Want To Write by Brenda Ueland. The subtitle states, “a book about art, independence and spirit.”

Originally written for writers, this is a great book for all artists. The basic premise of this book is that everybody is unique and has something important to say. Most artists get in the way of themselves, creating art that is pretentious, square, and boring. Here are a few quotes:

“Know that you have talent, are original and have something important to say.”

“Write freely, recklessly.”

“Try to discover your true, honest, untheoretical self.”

“Don’t be afraid of yourself when you write. Don’t check-rein yourself. If you are afraid of being sentimental, say, for heaven’s sale be as sentimental as you can or feel like being!”

And why write? “Because there is nothing that makes people so generous, joyful, lively, bold and compassionate.”

This book helped me go from writing music to impress others, to writing music that impresses me, regardless of whether other people like it (although I am happy when other people like my music).

Now, time to check my amp…

-Rob

scores, tabs, and mp3s available at http://www.robertlunncomposer.com

The beginning of #6 sounds like:

Enjoy!

Rob

scores, tabs, and mp3s available at http://www.robertlunncomposer.com