Music was born to be shared; to touch the hearts of the people who play and enjoy it. When we listen to a piece of music, we probably don’t think about how important the collaborative effort made by each different musician is, but focus on the how the music comes together. Playing in a group, and creating music together, is another very enjoyable form of social interaction.
The combination of several musicians or instrumentalists, who form a musical group is commonly referred to as a “combo, ensemble or musical ensemble or band”. Regardless of the style played, any combo could include vocals, drums, guitar, and bass. Often other instruments come into the mix too, and often certain instrument combos are used to play certain musical styles.
At Shine, the members of a band learn to create a relaxed musical environment with each other in which everyone contributes something. The main objective of a combo, we would say then, is to learn to play in a group, recognising the other instruments that are played in addition to your own, and always having fun. It is very important to know the role of each member of the group. Over time the musicians will create and consolidate a repertoire of themes in various musical styles.
Whether you are beginning to understand the instrument you are studying or if you have a little more musical experience, participating in a combo will always help enhance your skills, apply the acquired knowledge such as technique, reading music, musical memory and improvisation, and learn to work in a team.
Shine School of Music has vast experience in teaching various musical instruments to people of all ages and musical levels. The group classes, and especially the Combos, are coordinated by our teacher David Marroquín, who throughout his musical career has collaborated in various international orchestras. Today he offers us an exclusive interview about his musical origins and tells us about the peculiarities of studying in a combo.
David studied classical bass in Mexico, and later completed his specialisation in Jazz at the Conservatorio del Liceo de Barcelona. If you want to know more details about one of our most talented teachers, keep reading below:
What was the first thing that got you interested in music?
At home when I was little, together with my brothers and cousins at family gatherings on Sundays we played “shows”. We would take rackets or baseball bats like guitars and put together a drum set with boxes and stuffed animals. The children “played” and the cousins danced to the rhythm of the hits of the time.
Who inspired you to make music? Any famous musician you admire?
My parents. My mother played the piano. And my father played guitar and sang. When I was about 7 years old together with my older brother we were part of the children’s choir of the church. A few years later I showed interest in drums and my parents were able to sign me up for classes. At the age of 13 I discovered bass and… “I saw the light” hehe.
Musicians I admire… J.S. Bach among the classics.
If we’re talking about bassists… James Jamerson, the bassist for Motown Records.
Where does your passion for bass come from? And with whom did you study this instrument?
At school together with some friends we formed a band of which I was the drummer. We had no bass player. There was another friend who also played drums and I thought I could switch to bass “for the good of the band.” At first I didn’t like it at all, it seemed like a “simple and boring” instrument. But before long I fell in love with the instrument.
I studied electric bass with Carlos González, Azael Escobedo, Alejandro Reynoso, and Hernán González. Great musicians from my hometown (Monterrey, Mexico). And classic double bass with Boyko Nonov.
In Barcelona I studied with Jordi Ruiz and master classes with Garry Willis.
What is the musical style that you enjoy the most?
For Listening … various styles.
For Playing … what I enjoy the most is funk, soul, contemporary gospel, and Latin jazz.
What do you think is the great advantage of creating group music?
Well, it’s usually more fun. It’s a different form of social interaction. New friendships can be created. It’s motivating.
Where can we enjoy good presentations of small bands or jazz combos in Barcelona (and in Spain)?
Places like the Jamboree, Milano Jazz Club, Big Bang, Robardors, Marula Café, Soda Bar, Sinestesia, Harlem.
How would you define the Combos courses that are created at the Shine School of Music?
For most of the students who join the combo it is the first time that they play in a group and it is normal for them to feel insecure. First, the student has to be relaxed, without pressure, without fear of making mistakes. You try to create this atmosphere. Choose music that is to everyone’s taste, and not too complicated. This will depend on the level of the members of course. The goal in the end is to have fun. In English the word “play” is used to describe both playing a game and playing an instrument. When I play an instrument, I like to think that I am really going to play and have fun.
How important is learning to play in a group for anyone who plays an instrument?
Playing in a group reinforces learning. It is motivating. It helps build your confidence as well as confidence as a group. It is where you can “get out” what you have been practicing and trying to internalise alone, and then free yourself and enjoy playing. Try new things. Learn to listen and respect the other members of the group.
What positive experiences does the Combo class generate, taking into account that the students have not been playing together for a long time?
Teamwork and sense of accomplishment. A song is chosen. Students generally go to their instrument class (if that is the case) and teachers help them learn their part. Then for the next kind of combo, the song or piece begins to be assembled. The support and help of the instrument teachers make the ensemble easier.
Any advice or tips for those who want to enter the world of music, and be part of a Combo?
To be part of a combo, to play and have fun, it is first necessary to invest time in learning an instrument to the level that allows you to start playing with more people. Have a little patience and avoid frustrations. Enjoy the learning process. When you play with your first band you will see that it has been worth it.
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Go ahead and sign up for your favorite instrument classes or a group class here:
I have been making music since I was very young, and as it often happens, my entry was purely incidental since my parents decided that maybe it was good to do it. From there, little by little I became hooked, when I realised the great power that music to express sensations and feelings.
Who inspired you to make music?
During my life I have been inspired by many diverse artists, from Bach, Schumann, Mark Knopfler, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Django Reinhardt, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Frank Zappa, Mr. Bungle, Lachenmann and Scelsi, to mention only a few… One of the incredible things about art is that there are always new artists to discover, each one opens new worlds to you and redirects your way of feeling, thinking and your speech.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
It is difficult to classify what I do, since I change styles and interests quite frequently. Right now I am immersed in Jazz Manouche, a style whose main figure and founder was Django Reinhardt. The history of this guitarist is exciting, since due to an accident he had to change his way of playing, and consequently created a new jazz trend.
What is your creative process like?
The creative process is a topic that I could go on about for ever, since it is the result of who each person is and what they like, and therefore, it also changes over time. Right now I think that to create in an honest way, it is vital to unleash the music that one intuitively wants to listen / sing / express. The brain is often fickle and many times, the best ideas appear at the most unexpected moment, so it’s great to always have a tape recorder on hand!
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
That choice is very tricky, but it would certainly be a privilege to work alongside Jacob Collier, since he has a very broad understanding of music.
If you could open a show for any artist who would it be?
Since I am currently immersed in Jazz Manouche, it would be great to open a show for any of the great musicians work in the style today, musicians like Sebastien Giniaux, Adrien Moignard, Antoine Boyer or the band Les Doigtes de l’Homme.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Of course I sing! The first thing that comes to mind! We all know that everyone sounds good in the shower, and when I shower you are as likely to hear Sabina as Elton John or something akin to John Coltrane
What has been your favourite venue to perform in?
The concerts I enjoy the most are those where I am focused and present in the music, it can be quite a journey. The worst thing that can happen to you at a concert is having your head everywhere except the music you are playing.
Where is the place would you most like to perform?
Anywhere there is a good public!
Which famous musicians do you admire?
I have already mentioned some of my references in previous questions, the truth is that if I had to mention them all, they would not fit on this page!
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
The best advice has been to remind me of my great luck in making music and being able to teach it, since it is something that fulfils me and connects me with others.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
The Internet has impacted all aspects of our lives, music undoubtedly one of them. It has changed the way in which we make it, share it and consume it.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
If I could change something, it would be to boost and facilitate live music. It is incredible to see how in other countries people listen to live music much more frequently, regardless of whether they know it previously or not. Here in Spain people have become accustomed to paying little or not paying for live music (except for the concerts of the great stars, where the price is very inflated), so let’s say that the musician’s salary is affected by profound inequality . It is not only about having places to play, but it is also necessary to foster curiosity, the desire to discover new forms of art and artists, and undergo an experience of discovery, where you may not know where you will end up! This, which was more common before, is being lost in the present, where entertainment is encouraged as a form of escape, not as a channel for discovery.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for lockdown?
I would be giving face-to-face classes with my students (although we are using distance learning (skype/zoom etc) a lot, and it works quite well). I miss them! I am also sure that I would be jamming and playing in the sun with my musician friends.
If you are a musician, and you have the space at home, it may be a fun project to design and create a home studio. Somewhere dedicated just to your music. A place that inspires you to practice and play. If you don’t have the space at home, perhaps some of these ideas can be applied to other parts of your home decoration! We all could use a little bit of music in our lives!
All Important Acoustics
Different textures covering the walls and ceiling of your home studio help to absorb and break up the sound waves, giving you a better auditory experience! Experiment with the acoustics! Go all out with these grass walls from Design Milk.
You could even get yourself your own custom Vocal booth, or try your hand at building one yourself!
Or you can try different kinds of padding to achieve better sound and protect both your family and neighbours when you “rock out!” It doesn’t have to be ugly, check out this stylishly upholstered door.
And have a look at this useful setup, explaining where to place your acoustic boards to improve the sound in your studio. You can find acoustic foam boards at your local hardware stores like Leroy Merlin or even have them delivered on Amazon.
Setup Tricks
These drum machines and keyboards have been cleverly placed on an IKEA Stolmen Shelf. A good and inexpensive solution to storing and using your equipment.
You can even try your hand at some wood work and create a guitar or string instrument rack with a few pieces of wood.
Decorate with Music
Experiment with this DIY hack of bending and altering the shape of vintage vinyl records. The possibilities are endless! From Shelves to lamps. Just using boiling water or by placing the vinyl in the oven, bend the vinyl as desired!
Storage shelves for musical odds and ends, or even a book or magazine rack!
You could paint a music themed mural on the wall or put up music wallpaper or a vinyl decal like this one!
Or keep it classical with these framed music note sheets. Print out your favourite musical piece or song and decorate your home.
Or if you feel up to it, create a piece of furniture out of old instruments or like this light fixture, out of old drum sticks. Perhaps keep an eye out at vintage and second hand stores for old musical items you could repurpose. And now you know what to do if you accidentally break a stick as you are thrashing away your most complicated metal track!
Online learning, with live lessons, like those offered at Shine for many years, has recently grown in popularity due to the current world situation and the need to stay at home due to Covid-19. However this way of learning has great benefits, from the economic, to the flexibility and continuity of classes from anywhere in the world, even if you are not confined or sheltering in your home!
When we take classes from our homes it doesn’t matter what the weather is like outside or if traffic to get to our school is jam packed. Attending a class is as easy as switching on a button, sitting down with a cup of coffee or tea, and getting started with your teacher! Just sit back and enjoy a lesson from the comfort of home. Now there is no excuse for being lazy! And what a joy to laugh and smile with a familiar face while enjoying your favourite hobby!
The current disruptions of the Corona Virus don’t have to break your usual way of life, you can continue lessons unhindered with online classes. Being able to carry on with our normal routine means that our situation at home is more stable, which can help alleviate undue stress or anxiety. No complications, no hassle, just an internet connection, and you are ready to go, and this means that you can stay safe both physically and mentally!
Perhaps you are only discovering the benefits of online learning now, during the “shelter at home” movements, but Shine has been touting the benefits of online study for almost a decade. Ask any of our long-time online students; having the flexibility to continue lessons after a work transfer or move, mean that we can maintain our musical progress. A number of our students came to Barcelona to study an intensive course, and now continue their lessons from their homes, extending and advancing their studies. We continue to cultivate our teacher-student connection. No need to hunt for new teachers or lessons. Online lessons have just made our life easier!
Online classes can be more intensive and focused. Classes through platforms such as Skype, Zoom, among others, create a space of full attention. Without the distractions that may happen in a school environment, because of this students often see great and rapid advances in learning.
Distance means nothing! No matter what country in the world we live or where we move, we can continue taking classes with the teacher we like from anywhere. Classes are not only a source of knowledge for many students but also an enjoyable way to pass the time, and learning online means that you can continue with your hobby from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows a continuity that would not be possible in any other way. Many students take advantage of virtual classes so as not to lose any headway in their studies, when traveling for work or long vacations.
Further benefits to online study include better time management. Many people these days have busy schedules, filled with work requirements, or family life and extra-murals. We tend to rush about and often find little time to practice our instrument. With an online lesson, you don’t have to use your time to move from one place to another. Rather you can make time for practice or being well rested for your class. So much time and energy can be saved, and undoubtedly, the efficiency created by e-learning provides greater comfort and a better quality of life.
Economically speaking, money can be saved on transport, and perhaps these savings can be put towards buying a dreamt of instrument or indeed investing in further learning. Often online lessons are also cheaper for many people, as rates for classes are more competitive.
If you haven’t experienced music lessons online, now may be a good time to encourage yourself to try. Take advantage of the advances in technology to improve your quality of life, manage our own time, save money, and be able to continue with your favourite teacher from anywhere on the planet at any time of the year.
We invite you to try this wonderful experience of learning an instrument from the comfort of your home.
And who said music is also in quarantine? Not us, that’s for sure! The impossibility of visiting concert venues, clubs and cultural centers during confinement will not prevent you from running out of music with so many offers to recreate a concert from home, right in your living room, or even bedroom!
Since Covid-19 became a global pandemic earlier this year, we have had to learn to deal with avoiding interpersonal contact as much as possible and staying home so as not to expose ourselves and others to possible infections. How long will this confinement situation last? What will life be like later? These and many other questions do not yet have specific answers. But what is clear is that we are not alone in this. Music has also come into our lives to save us in difficult times like those we are experiencing. Music is there, always ready to calm us and remind us how lucky we are to have our favourite album to accompany us when we read a book, or have a cup of tea, or just sit and reflect from the balcony.
Perhaps this need to be connected via sound has made the various live music events on social networks so important for all kinds of audiences. And so, without further ado, we present below a summary of the best spaces that have garnered great attention online for their digital concerts:
#Amazon en casa Fest has emerged to raise funds to alleviate the situation of those affected by Covid-19 by organising concerts, with the support of its platforms Amazon Music and Prime Video. You can find the songs of the artists participating in this project in the “Family Music” playlist on Amazon Music, available free to Amazon customers. And if you want to participate in the donation project visit the website: www.amazon.es/cruzroja.
Together at home is another project where musicians give us their voices and talent through live performances from their social networks, such as Chris Martin singing hits from his band Coldplay, or Pink showing us how in addition to singing wonderfully she is learning to play the piano during quarantine. You can access all the performances from YouTube on Global Citizen.
Interactive concerts for the family, including the little ones, such as the Potato Omelette Band, every Thursday at 7pm through personal profiles on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
#YoMeQuedoenCasaFestival is a project launched by Warner Records since March that offers digital concerts by various artists. YoMeQuedoEnCasaFestival – Oficial
Cuarentena Fest, a kind of online appointment between artists and the public from home, which has a very varied program. Since March 16, they have begun to organise streaming performances scheduled between 21:00 and 22:00 in Spain. More than thirty artists come together from their homes to sing for life and hope. All you have to do to get access is connect to the artists YouTube channel or go directly to the concert schedule at: Cuarentena Fest. Instagram: #CuarentenaFestMX del 13 al 15 de abril
For Rock lovers the group Radiohead announced live performances from their YouTube channel. Their first performance on April 9 was with the Live From A Tent In Dublin concert (October 2000) with songs from the album Kid A, one of their most successful albums.
On April 18 you can enjoy the concert dedicated to the work of health personnel, called One World: #TogetherAtHome and sponsored by the World Health Organization and Global Citizen. This event will feature the participation of renowned international figures in today’s music industry, such as Lady Gaga, Elton John and Paul McCartney.
Live events producer Live Nation offers us the opportunity to access live concerts from home with the Live From Home prooject that contains a schedule of concerts by artists from around the world, where music, stories and more are also shared.
Conciertos en casa is another attractive option that works as an electronic music calendar for streaming. You just have to subscribe and you will get the concert program every day.
Jazz fans will have the opportunity to access free streaming performances from home via the Montreux Jazz Festival website. Just follow the instructions, enter a code and you will see everything that is available. Musical performances by Ray Charles, Wu-Tang Clan, Johnny Cash, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, Deep Purple, Carlos Santana, and many others are included.
As you can see, during quarantine you have no reason to get bored. Just connect to one of the above links and enjoy musical at home. Remember that keeping a positive mind and filling every moment of the day with good music will help you to pass this difficult stage; and you will see how in the end everything will be ok! Check out our article on how music can change your mood!
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