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Category: music

Thadd Presley’s Songwriter Handbook

Posted on by Thadd Presley

I have written a songwriter’s companion. It’s a short, comprehensive collection of modes and how they come together for each note. I uncovered — I daren’t say discovered — what I call a Musical Matrix while writing out the modes for each Note. I was designing an easy go-to chart of parallel modes, so I could create better chords using modal interchange.

I’m excited to share the musical collection because I’m sure it will help other’s like me, at a similar level, begin to write with chords they had yet realized would work. Not only does it make new chords possible, but it makes finding a lead scale easy to find as well.

I haven’t got a fancy name for the book and I’m not charging anything for it because I’m sure this “Musical Matrix” I have uncovered is not new. However, it is very helpful. If I must create a title it could be:

“Notes, Their Modes, and the Matrix of Music”

or, even better

“Notes, Their Modes, and The Sigils of Music Unsealed”

Music From a Dark Scale

Posted on by Thadd Presley

This is a new song written in a dark, minor key. In fact, it is the saddest key I could arrange with my limited skills. So, I wanted to share it with everyone and get a bit of feedback.

This is a one minute excerpt. Please feel free to be honest. It’s the only way I can grow and find other’s to work with.

Also, if you like this piano piece and would like me to write something for you. I have jobs listed on fiverr.com for both piano and strings

https://www.fiverr.com/thaddpresley/compose-piano-for-you

Surah Yasin Over Celtic Music

Posted on by Thadd Presley

 

“Surah Yaseen with Bagpipes”

AKA

“The Baghdad Pipes”

 

 

I promised everyone something amazing yesterday. A song that would surprise you and maybe even make you a bit upset. I don’t know unsettled or mad. However, I want you to just listen to the mixing of these cultures.

The name of this song is “Yasin” and the music behind it is Celtic.

If this upsets you, I’m sorry. I am also a kind of musical purist too, but I know beauty when I hear it. This proves to me a million times over that cultures would work together if they only had a real chance without religion and politics. Music can indeed bring people together.

I’m not going to claim that I am the first to put these two styles together, but I haven’t heard of anything like this yet.

Baghdad Pipes or Baghpipes

 

I came up with this by listening to choir music for Christmas and then “Surah Yasin” came on and I wanted to change it because it was not “my” music, but the more I listened the more I thought the voice sounded like a baghpipe. (<— misspelled on accident , but I’m keeping it.)  Of course, I didn’t know what the lyrics, but I just listened to the sounds of his voice and I knew I heard an amazing style of World Music.  Turns out, I like this baghpipe sound and am listening to it still.

 

 

Balance by Tragedy Theory

Posted on by Thadd Presley

This is the second video I made for the band Tragedy Theory.

Balance

by Tragedy Theory

 

 

Lyrics to:

Balance

Misused, Abuse
So Controlled and consumed
By now, you found out
You take away from me

I’ve found, my place
Inside is where I stay
Hope is gone for me
Leave me to bleed

Where is the balance
in this hell
Tearing away from me
Now

Breaking away once again
I’ve found, I’ve found
The End

This torture, this pain
Is driving me insane
I know it sure shows
But I can’t let go

Where is the balance
in this hell
Tearing away from me
Now

Breaking away once again
I’ve found, I’ve found
The End

Social Disease

Posted on by Thadd Presley

Social Disease

by Tragedy Theory

This is the third video I’m posting as a reminder to the times and a thanksgiving to the people and venues that made being in a band so amazing and rewarding. I will forever be grateful for the “living in the NOW” moments music brings. I have often felt possessed when performing on stage and also while practicing.

This song was recorded by Tragedy Theory in 2009 at Brimstone Records in Tennessee. Allen Owens sings and Dan McCray plays lead guitar. Eddie Hamby on drums and myself on bass.

Enjoy.

Mark Afraid to Fly

Posted on by Thadd Presley

Over the years I have played bass for a couple bands. Sad to admit they never went anywhere under my leadership, but I’m not giving up on music. I am taking a new approach to the entire idea of performing art. As you might can tell from my writing, or if you’ve heard any of my music as of yet, I have a lot I want to say about our place in the universe and our position in the spirit world. I come at the questions I have through faith and fiction because it takes a little both to bridge the gap I so often find between one mind and the next.

I have also made a couple videos, which is not really something I do well. However, I think they have something to say and I’m going to post them over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Why?

Because I am thankful for my creativity. I am thankful for my place in this universe and my place in the spirit world. I am thankful for my friends and former band mates. I’m really thankful that I get to be in bands and play shows and make videos. I’m thankful I have something to say, no matter how many people read it or see it or hear it.

So, this is Minor Nine. The Song is “Mark Afraid to Fly.” Rex Green sings and plays guitar. He also wrote the song. Robert Ruddick is on lead guitar and Matt Fahey is the drummer. I am on bass and I made the video.

Mark Afraid to Fly”

Minor Nine

Writing Music

Posted on by Thadd Presley

This is a piano, trumpet, flute, and bass arrangement I wrote yesterday. It’s not amazing, but it’s a major step on my road of reading and writing music. I want to share it so I can break the ice between me and the world of composing music. I am very new at writing music. I’ve always been a bass player and lyrics writer. So, I’m a bit nervous about sharing this. However, I’m doing it and I hope you like what you hear.

P.S. It sounds much better if you listen with earphones.

F# composition