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Showing posts from January, 2024

Wired for sound

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Wired for Sound: How Synths Speak the Language of the Heart and Soul The synthesizer is a cold, steel box of circuits and knobs, unless its in the hands of a skilled musician that can transform it into a powerful conduit that invisibly influences emotions and excitement. Forget mere notes and chords, the synth is a sonic pallet for painting soundscapes that resonates deep within. Melody: The Dance of Emotions The rise and fall of a synth line can weave a tapestry of joy, sorrow, and everything in between. A soaring arpeggio mimics the exhilaration of victory, while a melancholic descending scale mirrors the weight of loss. The choice of intervals, the shape of the phrase, the texture of the sound, all become tools that paint upon the emotional fabric of the sound canvas. To sight just a few examples, think of Jean-Michel Jarre's "Oxygène," where the ethereal synth melodies evoke a sense of floating through weightless space. Or Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silenc...

Beyond Adulation

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Beyond Adulation: Why Synthesizer Musicians Crave Phonic Epiphanies, Not Applause... In the fascinating world of electronic music, the synthesizer reigns supreme as a sonic portal to the sound canvas, where sculpting unheard-of timbres, becomes the mission of the aural alchemists, more commonly known as synthesizer musicians. But what drives their fascination? Is it the lure of self-worth and attention, or something deeper, something more raw and soul moving? Let's first dispel a myth by stating that not all synthesizer musicians thrive the spotlight, reveling in the pulsating energy of crowds and the digital adulation of online fans. Indeed, scratch beneath the surface, and you might find a whole different breed of phonic explorers and sonic cartographers, who are often driven purely by a primal urge to discover new aural landscapes. For sound alchemists, synthesizers are not just another instrument; but the Rosetta Stone for deciphering the language of sound itself. Every knob...

Formative years

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I'm not really sure why I'm writing this, who will see it, or even why I'm even bothering to write it, but with time on my hands, I can't think of any reason not to.  So, this my first blog, marks the start of a new adventure, focusing more on the positives I can control in my life,  so please be gentle as we embark on this journey together.  Although perhaps before getting lost in the weeds, I should start by first rewinding a little, to bring you up to speed on the events that brought me to where I am today... Well, my name is Robert F. Sheppard and I share a passion for composing music with my paternal family, despite neither them or I,  having ever pursued this as a career choice.  At an early age, I first became obsessed with playing the drums, having had the opportunity to listen to my elder brother's band, rehersing every Saturday at local venue, close to our then family home in the UK Midlands.  My brothers exhibited musical talents at a very young ...

Soul Symphony

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Welcome to the Symphony of My Soul! Have you ever closed your eyes and let a melody transport you? Where thoughts melt away and emotions swirl, painted by the colors of sound? That's the world I invite you to step into – welcome to my musical blog! This digital space is my instrument, and my words are the notes that dance across the screen. Here, you'll find the echoes of my musical journey, from fumbling first chords to the bittersweet joy of a finished composition. Expect a symphony of experiences: Deep dives into my creative process: Unravel the threads of inspiration, from a forgotten melody humming in the shower to the spark ignited by a poem or a sunset. Honest explorations of an artist's life: We'll navigate the triumphs and tribulations of a musician's path, the moments of doubt and the exhilarating bursts of artistic revelation. Musical musings: Dive into the history and theory that breathe life into melodies, dissect the anatomy of a song, and di...