| So, you've been listening to hip hop and rap and | | | | money and bought a red fretless yamaha bass. I don't |
| watching BET and MTV and you realize that none of | | | | know why in the heck I thought I needed a fretless |
| what those clowns are doing seems like it's very hard. | | | | bass but it sounded silky smooth and playing was all I |
| I have to agree with you there. It's not hard if you learn | | | | wanted to do. I started out learning with my hands, not |
| how to do it, but you're not going to be able to make | | | | a mouse. And everyone develops a bond with their |
| your own beats until you learn how to do it. | | | | equipment that allows them to personalize their music |
| At this point in your career as a soon to be | | | | and creative style. That's why I think you should have |
| triple-platinum, Grammy award winning, record label | | | | real equipment. Twisting knobs and tapping buttons will |
| owning hip hop producer, you have some tough | | | | get you in to the feeling aspect of the music, which is |
| decisions to make. Should you buy a drum machine or | | | | why we all want to make music anyway, right? We |
| get some software to make your own beats? I mean, | | | | love the way great music makes us feel! |
| you've already got a computer right? You're probably | | | | But software is so versatile. Even cheap software |
| not reading this from a hip hop newsletter. | | | | can do a lot. And you can experiment and tweak and |
| Here's the thing, equipment costs money. And while I | | | | filter and add more and change things instantly. But |
| think owning actual hands-on equipment is the way to | | | | you're stuck at your computer. That's the down side. I |
| go in terms of learning more faster, I also think that you | | | | could take my laptop outside and sit in my backyard |
| should start making your own beats and learning the | | | | and click out some cool beats right now. But it's much |
| ropes fast as you can if you're serious. So let's break | | | | more fun to go play guitar outside. And it's much more |
| it down a little so you can see where I'm coming from. | | | | fun to make my beats on the computer at my desk |
| Having your first bit of musical equipment is an | | | | with the speakers cranked up. And I can have a song |
| awesome feeling. Most musicians can tell you the first | | | | laid out in minutes and start mixing it just as fast. |
| piece they ever owned. I mowed lawns and saved | | | | There's power in that flexibility. |