This lesson is from my Revision3 Show titled ‘Your Weekly Music Lesson with Walt‘. This week we learned ‘how Microphones Work’. To learn more and keep up top date simply follow me on Twitter, join the Mailing List and don’t forget to subscribe to my Revision 3 RSS Feed.

So check out the Video below! Microphones are an example of a transducer. A transducer converts energy from one form to another. So in this example they convert acoustical energy (sound waves) into electrical energy (the audio signal).

Interesting though, is that the microphone literally mimics the human ear.

To do this, microphones have a thin piece of material called a diaphragm, which vibrates when it is struck by sound waves. These vibrations are converted into an electrical current which becomes the audio signal.

Microphone levels, not surprisingly, are actually quite small. They’re leveled in millivolts. The thing is that these levels are so minute, that they need to be amplified. This signal is then transmitted to output devices, which reproduce the original sound wave and reinforce it. Typical output devices for microphones are millivolts. The thing is that these levels are so minute, that they need to be amplified. This signal is then transmitted to output devices, which reproduce the original sound wave and reinforce it. Typical output devices for microphones are power amplifiers, sound mixers, PA systems and audio recorders.

Microphones can be classified by three types of pickup patterns: unidirectional or cardioid, bidirectional or figure 8, omnidirectional or boundary and switchable. I don’t want to get too confused on this, so I’ll just save that for my next post

Creative Commons is the new Copyright. I refer to it as Copyright 2.0

Why is this important, well, because my music is licensed Creative Commons which allows people to use my music, mash it up, and do what they want with it. Here’s the license which allows you to remix, mash-up, do whatever you like. Drop me a line if you do anything with it, I’d love to check it out!

This piece titled “Webcomic Commandos… again” by Orenotter uses my music, and I think this is awesome. Granted, this isn’tthe first remix using my music. The world in changing, technology is bringing us together in ways we would have never dreamed of years ago. Here’s an example of what someone did to my piece ‘Airies’. Pretty cool.

I appreciate all your help. You can purchase my music here. But there’s also the option of getting it for free. Why? Because its difficult getting this music out - so if you like it then please send it out to people you know would appreciate it. Click here to Twitter it out and also Email it to a friend. You can also go to My Pimp Page and PIMP this out on you website I’d appreciate it in this road as a one-man journey with your help.

Thanks to the podcasters, tubers, remixers and bloggers who spread the word about my music. And of course thanks to you for checking out my work and everyone who paid for the music even though you didn’t have to. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at walt@waltribeiro.net

So yesterday iJustine added me on her Linked In profile. I hadn’t commented on her blog in a while and figured I’d say hello. On her latest post she mentioned about Follow Cost which basically judges how annoying your twitter status’ are. Ahhh…. ::Sigh:: the magic of New Media - why does this stuff excite me so much?

My Twitter Handle is @WaltRibeiro, and my FollowCost isn’t too shabby!

So I asked My Twitter followers if they thought I was annoying, and here’s what a few of them had to say:

@ropiko: there aren’t annoying:) they are full of information and passion:)

@secretidcrisis: You aren’t nearly as annoying as many twitterers. Just read the newsletter, it really spoke to things I’ve been thinking. Thx!

@PatrickDunlap: twitterings fun while being bored isn’t it?

@brandywine: I don’t find them annoying. They’re informative and entertaining - nothing wrong with that

@jason_z: Very! Just kidding, I don’t think they are annoying at all. You’d have to be spamming for them to get annoying.

@LeReidy: Nah they are not annoying. I enjoy them. Brandywine’s are extremely annoying though.

@phoenixp3k: Not annoying compared to some Web celebrities I won’t name. I like your tweets (not to ofter, nor to few)

@OperatorError: Well, if you were bad I would have stopped following you

So there it is! Apparently I’m not that bad… yet! but when I start going mobile, and having more news to feed, then hopefully everyone still shows the love.

I love social media, and I must say I’m finding it to be amazing. But, apparently @ChrisBrogan’s is worse than mine His FollowCost was explosive All those peeps that I meet at Podcamps and more are amazing. Whether its the New Media Expo, Blogworld, or just out for some Karaoke. I’m starting to really enjoy Twitter, as well as Seesmic, and more. new Media is amazing to me. I love technology. Also, I’m beginning to utilize all my social networks more, and especially my Mailing List.

So let’s keep in touch, and if I get annoying, then let me know

OK, so yesterday I wrote a post about the Modes in music. Think of the modes as being a simple loaf of bread. Now… cut that loaf into 7 separate slices, and imagine every slice being a mode.

If you combine all the slices (or modes) then you’ll realize they combine to make a whole.

Now think of the entire loaf as being the Major Scale. Still confused? Don’t be, check this out:

Notice how there are 7 modes, and they all ‘Connect’ together in order to create the scale.

The 7 Modes in Music are:

(W-W-H-W-W-W-H) Ionian Mode is the same as the Major Scale. So when you hear somebody sing Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do

(W-H-W-W-W-H-W) Dorian mode is most commonly heard in Celtic music and early American folk songs derived from Irish melodies. Songs written in Dorian mode sound somewhat sad, but not as dark as the Aoelian Scale. Notice how Dorian is the second mode, and therefore starts on the second note in the scale. As a result, it has an unsettling cadence.

(H-W-W-W-H-W-W) Phrygian works well with both Dorian and Aoelian, being as they are all minor scales. Its common for musicians to utilize this mode in order to create a sad feling, but not as dark as the traditional minor (Aeolian) scale.

(W-W-W-H-W-W-H) Lydian mode is an Ionian scale but with the sharp 4th interval. Whenever you hear of ‘dream’ music or ‘flying’ music then you’re probably hearing some type of Lydian, although sometimes the whole tone scale. This is mode is used alot in jazz, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use in in you heavy metal band

(W-W-H-W-W-H-W) Mixolydian is the major scale but with the Flattened Seventh interval. You’ll hear this mode ALOT in blues playing, especially since blues constantly changes keys, and utilizes that b7th interval. play this mode up and down and recognize how it wants to move, and change keys.

(W-H-W-W-H-W-W) Aeolian mode the minor key. The intervals of Aeolian mode creates a very sad, dark feel. So you’re probably thinking.. Wait? There’s a major key AND a minor key? Yep! but understand that playing a C Aoelian is NOT in the same key as playing in C Major. Because think: Aoelian is the sixth scale degree, so A Aoelian is in the same key as C Ionian, because A is the sixth note a C scale (C-D-E-F-G-A)

(H-W-W-H-W-W-W) Locrian mode is a very quirky sounding scale. It’s based off of a diminished scale, where there’s an unsettling tritone involved. To write a song, or a solo in a Locrian scale would be very strange although its been done. truth is, maybe that’s the EXACT sound you’re looking for

So what’s the W and H’s stand for?

W stands for ‘Whole Step’ and H stands for ‘Half Step’. A half step in music is simply going from one note to the next. (Example: C to C# or E to F) A whole step in music is simply jumping two half steps (Example: C to D, or E to F#). So if you look at the Guitar below, then you’ll notice that the notes in music go up A-A#-B-C-C#-D-D#-E-F-F#-G-G#-A

So the way I wrote it out above the picture is in all half steps. To make a whole step, simply skip one note.

thanks guy for everything. Remember, if you need help simply let me know! Also, let’s keep in touch on Twitter, and join the Newsletter for more cool stuff and thoughts.

All my best! Tomorrow I’m writing about the Notes in Music - so look for that!

-Walt

OK well there are two questions here that I get asked alot:

1.) How can I improvise on scales/modes

The best way to simply improvise is to get a Drum Machine, or something that keeps a beat, like a metronome. As you practice, you won’t e dependant on a drummer, or soeone who will have to keep the beat for you.

So in essence, the trick to improvising is “If you keep doing what you’ve always done, then you’ll keep stuck in that same rut you keep getting in.”

OK so here it goes: To work on improvising, simply play different genres of music. I’ve realized that when people begin to hit their ‘peak’ or a ‘writer’s block’ its simply because their stuck inside a box.

So if you play Guitar, then start playing Piano. If your in a folk band, then start taking up Death Metal. If all your songs are in the Key of A, then write one in the Key of C# minor.

Most beginner players usually are stuck on the Pentatonic Scale or another scale spreading over 4 frets. I was, too. So the way I defeated it was I ’stretched’ the guitar. Below is a picture showing every Mode and scale in C major. To simply play in a different key, just slide the scale over to its appropriate notes:

Notice how all the notes and scales literally ‘bleed’ into each other. They connect and create an entire playing area over the instrument.

2.) How can I play certain keys of different modes like “C” Ionian or “D” Ionian.

Playing a mode in different keys is simply finding out the degree of the scale, and then finding out the root. So a C Phygian is in the key of Ab. Because Phygian is the 3rd mode, so the second would be Bb Dorian, which goes down to Ab Ionion.

So whatever key your in, take a minute and think of which modes might work. Here’s the notes on the guitar, referring to only the naturals. Notice there are no sharps and flats:

So remember, when you go to break the mold, you are broadening your musical horizons. And when you know better you do better. Break from the easy way out of doing what you’ve always done. Apply these scales, modes, and more, and watch your playing, song writing, and general understanding blossom.

Any other questions you let me know or feel free to follow me on Twitter where I always update my latest blogs, lessons, etc. And if you want to receive my Newsletters, let me know

Hope this helps - Any questions let me know!

-Walt