When I was up, you would always come around. But when I neeeeeeeded a friend, oh you could never be found! I got a hole, where my heart used to be! I wouldn’t treat a dog, the way you treated me!
Music
Well, it’s been a while since I made some new music. Partly because I kinda got fed up with my setup, but I recently made a few audio upgrades that have got me back in the studio whenever I have time. Here’re a couple of hip hop beats I threw together pretty much over the weekend. One has more of a commercial sound to it, and the other is definitely more street. Have a listen and lemmie know what you think.
I’d put a picture up of the new setup if I could remember where I saved them lol. It’s too dark right now to take new ones.
I don’t have a good title for this one but if I had to name it, I’d call it “Hey! (Mista Ice Cream Man)” Play it…
This one has a little bit of an undgeround feel to it - “Street”: Street
This is LONG overdue. It’s not often I am an instant fan of an artist, especially an R&B artist, but Lyfe Jennings breaks the mold. I first heard him on the Apollo of all places. This thuggish lookin cat walks on stage and sits on a stool with his guitar and starts playing this song and the crowd starts going bananas. It was such an inspiring song and a bold statement of what he believes in. Like he says in his song, he’s not perfect, but he’s made up his mind, and that’s more than I can say about a lot of people.
…that was a couple of years ago. I hadn’t heard about Lyfe until recently I was browsing the iTunes music store and see that Lyfe had a new song out. I was shocked (happily) to find out that he had put out a cd in 2004, which I bought right away and it’s become one of my favorite CDs. If you are ready to hear an artist with style AND a message, buy (not “download” :)) his album Lyfe 268-192. At the very least, visit his website and sample some of his tracks. You won’t be disappointed.
Lyfe Jennings Website
Listen to Made Up My Mind
I was finally pretty relaxed at my piano while playing this song, and it shows. You’d be surprised how much my heart starts racing when I play lol. I have known how to play this whole song for a while now but have rarely been able to play the whole thing without making any major mistakes. Most of the mistakes here are just timing, dynamics, and foot pedal issues, but most people won’t be able to even be able to tell or even care about that 
I hope you enjoy it. I threw it into FruityLoops to add some reverb to make it sound more polished, but other than that, it’s exactly the way I played it. Don’t forget to leave comments for me!
Ok, so it’s not *perfect* yet, but much better already. It’s amazing what a clear head, rested fingers, and a few days rest will do Oh, and of course, let’s not forget the most important - divine intervention lol. It really is a miracle that I’ve learned to play this at all. I hope you enjoy hearing it as much as I love to play it.
No picutre this time. 
I just spent three hours on my piano. I *finally* finished learning the 1st movement of Moonlight Sonata. Now I just have to get it right lol. Here’s a recording of me practicing it. Keep in mind I’ve been at this for 3 hours in a row and my fingers have become pretty much useless.
This is a reminder to everyone to “be the miracle”, as Bruce in Bruce Almighty puts it. This song was done a while ago and inspired by that concept. We always need to rely on God, but more often than not, I think we “wait on God” much too often, when he’s already given us what we need and is waiting patiently for us to act.
If this song had [complete] lyrics, the hook would go something like:
You don’t know it,
you have no idea,
but you are an answer to prayer;
Just let God use you.
Okay, it’s time for me to go to bed
I’m exhausted. 10 more measures of Moonlight Sonata to go. Then I can start all over with the 2nd movement! and ultimately the impossible 3rd movement. Then again, the first movement looked impossible a few months ago.
Anwyay, no picture on this post. But you do get a song.
This is the first song I learned on the piano (that I didn’t write). I actually have a recording of it that I did when I had my first keyboard, and decided to record it again for comparison. I think I’ve made progress… plus this new keyboard is just SO much better
His Name Is Wonderful - New
His Name Is Wonderful - Old
P.S. Isn’t that picture tight?
I’ve got about one more page left and a lot more practice to finish learning this song. For those who are interested, here’s what it sounds like so far. For some reason I start to get excited in the middle of the song and always end up messing up lol. You’ll know what part when you hear it I just learned the last 10 or so last night, so those are pretty shaky as well.
