More About The Beer Brothers

Sounds like classic rock but its actually all fresh tracks. Guitarist Doug Ellman uses zero effects except a wah pedal on one track and heaps of slide.Its all vintage guitars cranked through an old tube amp. Jim Keegan has been playing the same vintage Fender J-bass for a millennium and there are no better drummers around than Ray Williams. The Beer Brothers all sing lead and get into intense close harmony and have distinct separate voices keeping each track new.

The Beer Brothers having been on an extended tour of Florida for over a dozen years tend to write about life in the Sunshine State. From the comedic Boca Homeless to the town of Hollywood and well of course something they are well versed in....BEER!

The band has incredible fun on stage and so does the audience...sincere Ray is made to laugh by not one but 2 resident class clowns Doug and Jim. Depending on the mood of the band, the audience or time and space The Brothers can launch into long improvisations that would satisfy any Jam Band aficionado. Just keep in mind right when you think they are getting serious they will make you laugh!

Acoustic or electric? That is the question!

Are you torn between playing the acoustic or electric guitar? Both of them have their own pros and cons, but it really just depends on the sound you're looking for!

 If you're more of a folk, country or bluegrass fan, you'd probably enjoy the acoustic guitar. Whereas if you're more drawn to metal, or hard rock, the electric guitar is where you'll find your fun! Choosing a guitar that closely represents the music you enjoy gives you an upper hand and you'll probably learn to play faster since you've got music to mimic while you practice.

The acoustic guitar is easy to grab and go and play wherever you are - home, the beach, the bus stop, anywhere! You don't need an amp or any electronic accessories. Keep in mind though, that acoustic guitars tend to be bulkier than electric guitars and can be slightly more difficult to learn.

Electric guitars are great because they offer a great deal of sound diversity with distortion and effects. You can create aggressive sounds that acoustic guitars aren't capable of. Electric guitars are thinner than acoustic guitars and are easy to carry, but if you want to take advantage of all of the sound capabilities you'll need electricity and an amp with you.

If you still aren't sure what you'd like to play, take matters into your own hands and go to your local music store and play both for a while. Maybe you'll find that you naturally gravitate to one over the other. Who knows, maybe you'll be rocking house like The Beer Brothers Band someday! 

What is Your Message?

When writing your own music, you have to think about the message you're trying to convey. Some artists deliver messages of love, some of life, some of fun.

Take The Beer Brothers Band for example. We've been around the block a few times and we tell it like it is. Our music is brutally honest, downright hilarious and when you think we're being serious, think again! We're just here to have fun with a beer in hand laughs in the audience. We mix rock, blues, and on stage improv to give you a show you'll never forget. If convention is what you're here for, you certainly won't find it in our show!

Stop by our site and check out our CD. If you love what you hear and we give you some good laughs, let us know. We'd be thrilled to play at your next event or even just a casual house party. We guarantee you nothing less than a hilariously good time!

And remember, whether your message is silly or serious, stick to something that is meaningful to you!

Anatomy of a Drumset!

There's more to a drumset than a snare and your hi-hat symbol! Get to know this essential instrument and what each part of a drumset is for!

1. Snare Drum - Snare drums are available in shallow or deep designs to create high to low cracking sounds when struck. A cluster of snares (usually curled metal wires) are stretched across the bottom head of the drum and give the snare its distinctive snap-like sound.


2. Bass (or Kick) Drum - The kick drum is a very large drum that creates a very low "thump" sound. In pop music, the bass drum is used to keep time (or the beat) within a song.


3. Bass Drum Pedal - used to strike the bass drum. In more advanced sets, a double bass pedal can be installed to create a more versatile sound.


4. Tom-Toms - these are typically smaller in diameter than the snare, but have not wires strung across the bottom, and are typically longer to create deeper tones. They are usually fitted with adjustable mountings for floor stands on attached to the top of the kick drum. 


5. Floor Tom - A double-headed tom-tom with legs mounted to the side so the drum can stand alone. Floor toms usually have a deeper tone than the typical tom-toms. Floor toms are usually placed on the right side of the set, to the right of the tom-toms.


6. Hi-Hat and Pedal - The hi-hat cymbal rests on a stand to the left of the snare drum and consists of two individual cymbals and a pedal which, when pressed, brings the two symbols together to create a crashing sound. If the hi-hat is struck while the pedal is pressed, a short sound can be created, often to hold the beat of a song on conjunction with the kick drum. A hi-hat stuck when the pedal is released produces a high, sustained sound.


7. Cymbals - Cymbals are made in a variety of shapes and designs and can create several different sounds depending on the needs of the song. They are typically used to accent a traditional beat and add flare to any song. Advanced drumsets can have many cymbals surrounding the drums.

There you have it! The anatomy of a drumset isn't as overwhelming as you'd think! As always, thank you for visiting the Beer Brothers Band Blog! 


Source: DrumSoloArtist

Live at Full Sail University - Part 2

Check out The Beer Brothers Band playing live at Full Sail University!

Live at Full Sail University - Part 1

Check out The Beer Brothers Band playing live at Full Sail University!

How to Use an Audio Mixer

Audio mixers are one of the most commonly used pieces of equipment in live performance and recording. Here are some tips and tricks for using one correctly!

1. Make sure all of your cables (going to and from the mixer) are plugged in properly. 

2. Plan out your inputs. Make sure you know which source is plugged into which specific channel. Once they're plugged in you can alter each source individually.

3. Adjust the level of your signals going into the mixer by adjusting the gain.  

 

4. Keep your levels out of the red. If your signals are in the red, you'll hear distortion in the recording. The further down your levels are (in the negative numbers) the clearer the source will sound. 

5. Learn about all of the mixer's features and take advantage of them. You can create a wide variety of sounds and effects if you know how to use your mixer properly.

Having a good understanding of your mixer can also help you when working with other mixers in the future, especially more advanced mixers. 

As always, The Beer Brothers Band thanks you for checking out our blog! Rock on! 

Source: eHow

Naming Your Songs!

Writing a song can come easily if you're in the zone and have inspiration. The hard part is usually naming the song. How you choose one word or short phrase to sum up everything you sing about in a 3.5 minute song? Here are some suggestions!

1. Give the song a placeholder. For example, Paul McCartney had written a song that was full of meaning but he didn't know what to call. For a while he called it "Ham and Eggs." We know it today as "Yesterday!"

2. Think about the what the song means to you and what led you to write it. Was it a person? A memory? A place? An idea? Try using what inspired you to write in in the first place.

3. Read through your lyrics. There may be a line or word that really stands out to you in the song. 

4. If you like artsy sounding words or phrases, take a line or some specific words from your song and Google them as a phrase. You might get some interesting results!

5. Go for an over the top title that may not even have anything to do with the lyrics in the song. That's a great way to make the song title memorable and may even be the only title on the CD that your audience remembers... just because it was so out there!

There are so many ways to play with song titles and you can see that we've done just that with our track titles! Whatever you choose you to, live it up and rock on!

Making a Setlist

Creating your setlist is about more than rocking your favorite songs. A well designed setlist tells a story and has maximum impact on your audience - keeping them interested and engaged from beginning to end.

Start with something captivating and a song that your audience will already be familiar with. This will get them hyped up and ready to rock with you. There's nothing quite as satisfying as hearing your audience sing your songs back to you!

Continue with intensity and play a few more upbeat songs to keep the groove going. After about four songs, your audience will be tired from rocking and could use a break. Slow it down a bit with a more relaxed groove for the audience to enjoy. At this point, you can feel free to mix it up a bit with new songs, covers or songs that you've never performed live. You've got their attention, so use it to your advantage!

Wrap up your show with a bang, and save one of your most popular tunes for the encore. That's right, finish up the show with your audience wanting more. Audiences live for the encore because they know to expect a song that will send them home humming for the rest of the night.

A setlist isn't an exact art, so don't stress. Like anything, practice makes perfect. Start by created a few different setlists and play through them during practice. Go with whichever version feels right.

Be sure to hand your setlist to a lucky fan at the end of the show, as these are collectors items that any die-hard fan would LOVE to own!

Thanks for stopping by The Beer Brothers Band blog! See you again next week!

Source: Wiser Rocker

Choosing Your Instrument

Once you've decided you want to be a musician, you've got to carefully choose the instrument of your choice. There are many factors that go into this decision. Here are a some tips to help you choose!

1. Expose yourself to many types of instruments and music styles. Go through each family of instruments such as strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion to see if any one instrument stands out to you.

2. Attend local concerts or performance to learn more about how instruments are handled and played, and what kinds of sounds they make.

3. Consider the genre or type of music that is most appealing to you and what kind of instruments are typically used in that genre of music.

4. Think about your physical capabilities. some instruments may be very large and difficult to carry or travel with. Some may require longer fingers, bigger lips or facial dexterity.

5. Visit a professional or a music instructor to analyze your potential. Your instructor will be able to assist you by considering your facial, physical and even personal characteristics.

6. Set a budget for your musical instrument. Some instruments can get very pricey so you'll want to start saving sooner than later if your particular instrument is expensive. And remember, this is an investment in your future, so you want to make sure you purchase a quality instrument that will last you a long time.

7. Experiment with a few different instruments. You may have your eye on one instrument and learn later than playing the instrument can be quite difficult and may not be the one for you. It's better to find out before you spend money on an instrument you may never touch.

8. Think about your lifestyle. If you move frequently or have very little space in your home, a piano may not be the instrument for you. Your instrument should fit seamlessly into your lifestyle without having to make many big changes, aside from practice time, of course!

9. Consider the social aspect of your instrument. Band and orchestral instruments can be played solo or with a large group of other musicians. You can get around easily with portable instruments and can meet up with fellow musicians to play. With a large instrument like a piano, you wouldn't have that luxury.

Remember, this is an investment in you and your skills. Choose the instrument that speaks to you the most and you're guaranteed to enjoy it!

The Beer Brothers Band thanks you for visiting our blog! Come back again soon!

Source: About.com

Tuning A Guitar

One of the first steps in learning to play the guitar is to learn how to tune it. You should try to tune your guitar every time you pick is up, as guitars can tend to go out of tune quickly - whether it is used frequently or sits idly. Tuning your guitar can take several minutes, depending on how familiar you are with the process. Seasoned guitarists can tune a guitar in less than 30 seconds.

One way to tune a guitar is to do so with a piano. Find a low E on the piano and tune your lowest string to that note. Try to match the E on the piano as closely as possible with the octave of your lowest string.

Once you have your lowest string tuned, the rest of the strings should fall into place relatively easily.

Steps to Tuning Your Guitar

1. Make sure your sixth string is in tune.

2. Play the sixth string, fifth fret (A), then tune your open fifth string (A) until it they sound the same.

3. Play the fifth string, fifth fret (D), then tune your open fourth string (D) until they sound the same.

4. Play the fourth string, fifth fret (G), then tune your open third string (G) until they sound the same.

5. Play the third string, fourthfret (B), then tune your open second string (B) until they sound the same.

6. Play the second string, fifth fret (E), then tune your open first string (E) until they sound the same.

Thanks for stopping by The Beer Brothers Band blog! See you next time!

Source: About.com

Recording Studio Tips!

Here are a few good things to know about recording your music in a studio!

• Make sure your guitars and basses are strung with fresh strings, and use a good tuner to make sure you're tuned and ready to go!
• With drums, you may consider putting fresh skins on your snare, toms and kick. If doing so, those will need some tuning as well.
• Singers beware! A number of factors can influence your performance in the studio, including nerves, energy level, alcohol consumption and smoking. Be sure to warm up before getting into the vocal booth and try some vocal exercises to get you started.
  
• Any band member who will be singing, lead or backup vocals, have a copy of your lyrics readily available just in case the words slip your mind.
• Be prepared to try out a few different mics so the studio engineer can find one that compliments your voices and instruments.
  
• Check with the studio engineer for placement of instruments and mics. They do these things all the time and will likely have valuable input.
  
• Most importantly, have fun!
  

The Beer Brothers Band always has a great time when recording in the studio and you will too!

Don't Forget Your Gear!

You've got your gig scheduled, but what gear are you supposed to bring? Be sure to check with every venue prior to your performances as some may provide a certain things, like the sound system, and some may not. You wouldn't want to show up expecting microphones and speakers, only to find out YOU were supposed to bring them!

Here is a short list of things you should definitely bring:

- Each guitarist should have his main guitar and a backup, including the bass plater.

-The drummer needs extra sets of drumsticks, as they can break or jump out of your hands during the show.

-Your sound gear.

-Batteries, just in case you need to tune your instruments with a battery operated tuner.

-Lighting equipment, if needed.

-Extra mics and cables.

-Extension cords.

-Duct tape.

Remember, none of this will do you any good if you don't remember to bring it, so make checklists for each band member and have them check items off as they gather them into one central location.

Once you're at the venue, you're set up and ready to go, all that is left is to rock house like The Beer Brothers Band!

So You've Scored Your First Gig...

You're excited, you're nervous, now what? Here are a few guidelines to follow to keep yourself calm and have a great show!

• It may sound funny, but make sure you know when to arrive. Arrive as early as your venue will allow. This will give you time to set up and maybe have a rehearsal.
  
• Find out if you can come in a day or two in advance to get your equipment set up. This will save you time and stress on the actual day of the event.
• If you are just one of many bands on the bill, remember that showing up late can easily get you removed from the schedule.
• In you are part of a bill of many bands, be sure to be early and waiting in the wings in case you need to go on early.
• Be sure to tell your loyal following when you'll be playing. The show may start at 7pm, but you may not be on until 8:45pm. That is an important detail to share with your fans!
• Prepare a set list! This will help your set(s) run smoothly and you'll always know what's next.
  
• Most importantly, have a good time! Once you're on stage playing, your nerves will calm down and you'll be able to enjoy every moment!

Thanks for checking out The Beer Brothers Band's blog! Stay tuned for more next week!

Source: Cyberfret

The Beer Brothers, Live!

Check out some of these exclusive live pics of the Beer Brothers Band!

Naming Your Band!

So, you've gathered some musicians together to form a band but haven't thought of a name yet. Try following these simple guidelines to come up with your name!

• Consider the names of the bands and musicians you listen to on a regular basis.
• Think about the message you want to deliver with your name and your music.
• Try to avoid names that will offend your listeners.
• Avoid names that are difficult to pronounce.
• Choose a name that is memorable, something people will remember.

The Beer Brothers Band is a perfect example of a name that is simple, yet memorable. It represents unity and a past time many listeners can relate to!

Have fun brainstorming and coming up with a name for your new band!

Writing Your Own Music!

Writing your own music can give a fantastic creative outlet as well as help you share your ideas with your friends, family and more! Here are few great tips for helping you get started on your own music!

• Start with your lyrics. Once you've got a basic idea of what you want to say, think about a melody.
  
• Listen and learn from musicians you already enjoy listening to.
• Have fun! Remember there is no wrong answer in writing your own music. Write what makes you happy!
• Seek opinions from those you care about. Remember that the people closest to you may be biased so seeking impartial opinions can be helpful.
  
• Practice! The more you write, the better you'll become. There's no right way to write, but you'll find your niche in time.

The Beer Brothers Band has been writing and performing for years and have a great time doing it! Visit our site to hear samples of our CD!

Take a Peek Inside the Studio!

Here are few snapshots from inside the Beer Brother's Band recording studio sessions!











Be sure to also check out some of our tunes on the Beer Brothers Band site!

The Beer Brothers Band's First Album Now Available on CD Baby!

The Beer Brothers have been around and have paid their dues...and now have an amazing album to prove it!

If you love Rock music and Jam Bands then this is the album for you!  We are Florida's #1 drinking band!  Just when you think we are getting serious, we turn around and make you laugh!  We leave audiences stunned by our mixture of modern rock, blues and improvisation.  We are loose, but tight on stage - after so many years playing together we defy category and convention!

CLICK HERE to sample the album and buy it!  We recommend you take a listen to track #6 - Boca Homeless!