Influences and Acknowledgments
Musical Influences
I have many influences that inform my musical choices. My primary influences are from the late 80s hair metal scene, including such bands as Dokken, Van Halen, RATT, Queensryche, Van Halen, Iron Maiden, Whitesnake, Winger, and Scorpions. Eventually I got into Metallica and Megadeth, as well as Trans-Siberian Orchestra. A lot of my guitar perspectives come from those bands.
George Lynch, one time guitarist for Dokken, is my favorite guitar player. For bass, I remember deciding to start learning the instrument when I saw KISS on the Creatures of the Night tour; I thought the instrument was cool. I remember learning how to play by playing along with MTV back when it actually had music videos, and my first song was Stranger in a Strange Land by Iron Maiden. That said, I think my favorite rock bass player might be Eddie Jackson of Queensryche.
It’s not all massive guitars though. I was always fond of Meat Loaf and Elton John, of Player and Dan Fogelberg, of Victor Whooten, and so many others. The two best concerts I ever saw were put on by Neal Diamond and Barry Manilow. Quality, engaging music will always find a way on to my playlist. I take in everything I can, and then use that to create the soundtrack playing in my head.
Today I Learned
One can only imagine the difference in skill level if we had had all the YouTube resources we have now back when I had started playing. Luckily we have them now, and I want to thank several YouTubers who have shaped my understanding of musical technique and have had a direct influence on my writing and the various techniques I’ve chosen to incorporate. These are people who I watch regularly, subscribe to, and occasionally become a patreon member. They have enhanced my knowledge more than they will ever know. The common takeaway: their ability to explain things simply and clearly.
Jake Lizzio – Signals Music Studio
Jake was the first to really get me to understand modes of scales and to understand some of the things I was doing by ear but didn’t really comprehend. I watched a lot of his content when working on my first release, with one song, The Dance, a direct result of his influence. He challenged his listeners to construct something in Locrian mode, a mode considered unusable for popular music due to its dissonance. I took up that challenge; The Dance is in the key of F, but its tonal center is E. I got around this restriction by focusing the track on bass rather than on chords, and I think it worked out ok. I sent a link to Jake and he responded with kind and constructive criticism and an agreement that Locrian worked out ok.
There are few things as enjoyable as watching the tangible excitement of Charles encountering something new and unexpected. His analyses have helped shape my ability to compose for piano even though I don’t really play the instrument.
My affinity for composite meter and odd time signatures began with David’s teachings. He is thorough, straightforward, easy to understand, and brings clarity to music theory in a way that’s always engaging.
Emma Taylor – Love To Learn Drums
Emma has changed how I think about programming for my drum parts, adding depth and the occasional non-linear thought process, and impacting my choice of drum during fills and syncopation. My use of tom and bass drum has changed a lot due to their teachings.
This channel has directly influenced how I put together chord progressions, in particular when I started working on my concerto. They showcase a wide range of influences and an easy to follow teaching style that has expanded how I think about chord substitution, changes of key, and extended chords.
Be welcome and true.
Robert Hope 