Saturday, August 29, 2009

Music makes the people come together...

For all of my friends who play piano, you have to check out this site: http://www.pianofiles.com/.
I stumbled upon this site when searching for some Natalie Merchant music online. I have had to resort to finding music online because of the complete and absolute tyranny that is the sheet music business. Most music stores will not allow customers to sample music in order to prevent people from copying it and returning it - which seems to make sense. However, what ends up happening to the end user, the customer, is that every music purchase is in it's own way a leap of faith. I have pretty decent sight reading abilities because I have had 15 years of conservatory music instruction and I am still constantly disappointed. Either the melody line isn't written in the music (meaning that it is true accompaniment music), or it is and you don't want that, or the music is too easy, or not in the key you want (which can be transposed but again, you need a fairly in depth understanding of music theory to do that). I have purchased music books looking for a single song for upwards of 50$, only to find out it wasn't what I wanted. And, of course, you can't return it.
The internet has been somewhat better in that you can search individual titles, as opposed to artists, and purchase a single song. The downside of this is that you don't even get to see the music, so you really have no idea what you are buying. I recently purchased a couple of songs from the Pride & Prejudice soundtrack that ended up being pretty, but far too easy. Luckily, they only set me back about 14$ each.
Pianofiles is a site that allows users to share music in pdf files. The music isn't available online for download for obvious copyright reasons, but members can arrange privately to send music to each other via email. FOR FREE. I have met pianists from all over the world, and I share music I have whenever I can. We can also share opinions, comments and suggestions. I usually receive music that I am looking for in about a week, which is comparable to internet purchasing.
Do I feel badly about the copyright issues? Hell no. I feel the same way about it as I do about downloading electronic music files. If artists find that they can't compete because people are sharing their music, they need to change the way they do business. Or go home. It's really that simple. I purchased the new Killers CD because I really liked them as a band and want to make sure that I am supporting them financially. What reward did I get for my purchase? Eight watered-down songs in addition to their single - which is the only decent song on the whole CD - and 4 photos of the band that my kid could have taken. I thought to myself: what is preventing me from downloading your music? As a customer, the product is shoddy. Whereas my new Rise Against CD was a treasure-trove of discovery. The artwork on the jacket is incredible. There is a small bio on all of the band members (the Killers CD didn't even have their names in it), recommended reading and recommended sites to visit. 50 Cent includes a DVD in his CD with a music video on it. Gwen Steffani's solo CD has passwords for her website so that fans can see exclusive interviews, concert footage, and pictures. Now people, that is thinking. I will buy her CD because she is delivering value. I have brand loyalty just as much as the next guy - I always buy Canadian artists to support our undervalued music industry - but dammit you have to earn it. Marilyn Manson once said in an interview that file sharing has allowed him to access customers he may not have had previously because they can sample the music, decide if they like it, and then purchase it. For artists who don't get radio play, file sharing is essential.
Downloading free music isn't easy or convenient. Anyone who has tried to load a free song into itunes can tell you this. File sharing of sheet music is also not convenient - you have to rely upon the mercy of a stranger in the same predicament to scan and send their music to you. I think the fact that file sharing exists is a consumer response to markets that are not meeting their customer's needs. Hell, sometimes I think they aren't even trying. Wanna know how Britney Spears makes her money? Ringtones. 1$ per ringtone adds up pretty quick... Whatever anyone wants to say about the quality of her music, she is selling.
I was recently treated to a soapbox argument about the issue of file sharing in our country and all I could think was: where else in business can a company bemoan their lack of sales by blaming the customer and then actually try to take legal action against the very people who they hope to purchase their product?

I guess those who cannot do - preach.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Paint

I have a love/hate relationship with paint. I usually begin any renovation project with gusto, pouring over paint samples and design magazines, only to find my enthusiasm flagging by the time I am finished the first coat on the first wall. I love choosing paint colours, and if I may say so myself, I am really good at it. I can match undertones well - that is the secret. For example, the first time I painted my living room I choose the colour 'Egyptian' which is a deep earthy brown colour. You would think that it would be too dark and somber, but it isn't at all. The room gets a lot of light and the carpet is a light beige, so it works. I painted the ceiling mauve to compliment the brown because there is a mauve undertone in 'Egyptian'. The effect is cool in that you really cannot tell that my ceiling is purple - it looks white. I chose 'Americana' for my bathroom because it was such a vibrant shade of blue and then paired it with a massive gold gilt framed mirror over the sink and brushed nickel faucets. For the TV room, I was inspired by a Manhattan pied-a-terre concept: exposed brick, clean lines, modern furniture with a more masculine feel to it. I chose a deep chocolate brown for the end walls and a slate grey for the sides and paired it with rich chocolate leather couches. I felt a tiny burst of pride when I heard the cable guy's impressed whistle as Rob showed him the room. Ok ok, he was most likely whistling about the audio-visual equipment, but in my mind it was over my awesome paint job.

'Haze' is my favorite colour for paint that you want to be able to ignore. My bedroom is painted in this colour and so is my office. The colour resembles coffee with too much milk in it. But it's really soothing and matches well with almost any decor.

I gave my sister Kate deep red walls in her bedroom (that we immediately began calling her 'boudoir') which really set off the mahogany fireplace and dark wood mouldings of the room. We chose a crushed velvet bedspread and about a million throw pillows with heavy wine coloured curtains to finish off the room. The red walls were tough - anyone who has attempted this colour knows it is a faux amis. I burst into tears after the first coat dried because it resembled strongly the colour of Campbell's Tomato Soup. Grey primer was the secret to that room - or any room where you want to make the colour deep and bold. I have done textured walls also. The only thing I will say about that is that you better love love love that wall, because there is no way that you are getting that shit off. Plus it is super difficult to work with and you have to be so precise.

So here I am painting my living room again. This time, I am dropping the ceiling by painting the crown moulding and the ceiling the same shade. I chose an off-white with dove grey undertones to it to give an 'antiqued' feel to the room. I am painting the walls a moss green colour called 'Promenade.' Rob blanched at this colour choice, but is remaining cautiously optimistic. Granted, I had to recite the litany of paint jobs I have done in my life to remind him that really I am very good at this and he should just trust me; in the end he has agreed to leave me to it. Sure, I have made mistakes in the past. I painted the guest room downstairs yellow thinking it would open up a dreary basement room. This was before I knew that yellow is the colour of repressed rage. It looked like an asylum. I picked the lightest shade of blush pink for the kitchen which was really a rookie mistake. Unless you are painting a nursery, pink should never be used inside your home. It looked like the walls were hosed down with Pepto Bismol.

Vis-a-vis the living room, I am at the point where I am tired of painting which is bad because there is a lot more to do. I am sick of paint pans, and tape, and washing brushes. I am systematically dislocating my rotater cuff with all this repetitive motion and my hands are chapped from too much washing. My neck hurts from looking up all the time.

But I am still excited about the colour choices, I think I have picked a real winner this time. I will keep you posted...