Many of you do not know that I am a percussionist, also known as a drummer. But I don’t really need a drum set to create a musical beat. I don’t really need anything other than my voice, aka beat boxing. As John Lennon once said, “I’m an artist, give me a Tuba, I’ll get you something out of it.” Now I am no John Lennon, but what he said should forever ring true.

“A musician does not just play an instrument, he manipulates the frequency of energy waves, developed within the human mind a power to create sound the universe has never heard. It is a magical expression of self.” Adam Faragalli

D Drum Green 5 Piece Set

Remo Heads

D Drum Green 5 Set Image

My goal for this post is to encourage you to think creatively through music. Understand, learning an instrument is no easy feat, achieved by few individuals. Think about it, how many people do you know that call themselves musicans? I am not talking about someone who took piano lessons for two years, or guitar lessons in the six grade. I’m talking about individuals who have spent years mastering their own musical brand.

The irony is that even after decades of playing an instrument, you can never truly master it. Take my father as an example. A man that has played guitar for literally 52 years consistently.  He has played in bands, taught music to others and of course is the president of a successful instrumental and educational brand, World Music Nashville.

To this day, Larry tells me he is always expanding what makes his unique style of playing. I can tell you this, since we started playing together a few years back, both our styles have molded and grown out of just our experiences together.

When you reach a place where you do not stress about the small details in playing, you learn to speak through your instrument. It comes as natural as talking after time. So naturally, playing with others can be a conversation at times worth having, other times its arguing, lol.

No player is going to produce the same musically elements twice, at least not exactly. It is the nuances in your attitude, even the energy of your mental state that can significantly alter your playing style in the moment. Sure you develop traits and characteristics unique to you like special sounds, unique rifts, but that’s just the surface.

And for me, playing the drums has become more than just playing the drums. It’s something that has enriched my life in ways I never would have imagined. It has brought my family closer, added new friends and relationships that would have never been created without the bond of music. And you know what, it is arguably the most fun I have ever had.

I literally meld myself in the drum set. I close my eyes for minutes at a time, get so into the beat that my body and mind are blended together in such a way that I literally feel like I am flying. And when I am done, the sensation of all those neurons that just fired in sequence with your muscles, you literally feel high as a kit. Plus, the beat will continue to play for sometimes days in my mind. Tell me what none narcotic substance could ever top that feeling?

But I am not going to lie to you, it was not always easy. I have my main musical teacher Kyle Jones to thank, my drumming uncle Daniel and of course my father for learning to play. I am still learning but they at least taught me the basics and Kyle Jones took it to THE NEXT LEVEL. If you can find a time to get a lesson (good luck), I recommend you spend some time with him. And by the way, yes he is a caffeine driven madman. Don’t be alarmed if he starts drawing cartoon figures from god only knows where during your lesson. But he is a keeper and an incredible musician to boot.

When he taught me, we played together. He played the guitar and we jammed a bit, then incorporated a lesson into the 30 minute sessions. It was fun and a unique way to learn to get better. Then at the end he jumped on and murdered the set for a few minutes. I recorded every lesson. I have dozens of taped recordings on my hard drive. I listened to them and got better. Practice does make perfect as well. Its all really just muscle memory.

Here is the bottom line, go out and learn to play. Why not? And DONT even think about telling a guy like me that you do not have the time. Bullshit. It is your life, time management is in your control in the 21st century, so use it wisely!

And may you too find joy in playing.

Adam Michael Faragalli

I leave with you with one of my favorite drumming videos. I have learned from each of these drummers something. But my favorite is Number 5, John Bonham baby. Enjoy

Music Room Guitars

Music Room

I am happy to introduce a guest writer Angela Brown from London, an alumni of Oxford. Need more proof that this site attracts visits from all over the world?

Angela contacted me to write an article about financial matters. I though a bit about what may interest my readers. I suggested an article focused around the new Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf and ultimately how these innovations will change the automobile industry, the financial markets and any other thoughts. Here is what she came back with with some  thoughts of mine interjected. May you too find it interesting. In any case, I’m very excited about these electric/hybrid cars and the changes  they may bring. (changes desperately needed)

How Electric Cars May Change the Landscape of the Automobile Industry.

The introduction of the new electric and plug-in cars is definitely going to have a great impact on the whole of the automobile industry, the associated economy and the stock market. For example, Chevrolet’s Volt and Nissan’s Leaf electric car are the most discussed about cars. The city governments too are bringing in the battery chargers and Obama too has promoted the technology.

Nissan Leaf Plug In Charger Picture

Nissan Leaf Interior Picture

Chevy Volt with Chevy Logo

Chevy Volt Interior Picture

Impact of the electric cars

Electric cars can save you money on gasoline. But can they save you money in the big picture? Today’s electric cars are more subsidized and so buyers may be able to get enough tax breaks. For example, the Nissan Leaf – a four-door hatchback car has the base price of around $32,780. However, it is eligible for $7,500 federal tax credit. The Chevy Volt, coming in just over $40,000 also qualifies for this discount. This makes the car cheaper than other vehicles. It is also cheaper than any other electric vehicles in the market. But lets be realistic, $40,000 buys you a nice luxury car from Lexus, Infinity or BMW too. In any case, it is nice to know you may be able to save thousands of dollars from the federal government if you buy an electric car.

According to Mark Duvall, the director of electric transportation for the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the price of gas is $4 a gallon but a plug-in hybrid car can save a person about $15,000 to $18,000 over his life, on the assumption that people drive 1,000 to 1,200 miles per month.

This is a post that has been some time in the making. On the one account, I could say I have suffered from a case of writers block. I have been writing for over three years on just this site alone. On the other hand, offline life has been really demanding. Call it lack of time, lack of energy, lack of inspiration, it really does not matter what you call it, but lets just say I am trying to write again.

With such a demanding life, realized I needed to make a change in my diet. I also wanted to impact my appearance, but my main goal was to have more energy and been all around healthier. So I went on an all encompassing diet plan and workout program. Please understand, this is not a post where I introduce a brand new workout or diet program. No, this is about what has worked for me from what is already been created by nutrition, supplement, and exercise professionals.

For about the past five years, I have remained a very workout centered individual. I actively attended a gym, lifted weights, did cardio, avoided fast food, and related things. In fact, I actually got into lifting weights, put on about 20 pounds of muscle when the time I graduated college. Still, I’m an endomorph, so for me, it is easier to put on muscle, much harder to burn fat and look lean. An endomorph is someone who is genetically prone to store fat easily due to a slow metabolism. Endomorph body types are usually, but not always, large-framed with medium to large joints.

Naturally, especially for those that know me, I love a challenge. When it suddenly struck me that I desired to take my body to the “next level” of fitness, I knew I needed to make some serious changes. That is exactly what this post is all about.

Great video about what the national media  did not report. I live less than two mintues from neighborhoods that are still cleaning up. I hope this in any way can get us more assistance.

-Adam Faragalli (.com)

I would love to hear some creative thoughts and comments about that. I was wondering if you thought this came out a little late?   General tone? Any other related thoughts? And as always, actions speak louder than words Tony, so please don’t give up, you NEED to make this right to survive.

-Adam Faragalli (.com)

Jamey Boiter on Fast Company’s site wrote about how B.P’s mismanagement of core oil fundamentals has ultimately, in my opinion, also sunken the B.Ps brand under a mile of water. If a company cannot fix a hole a mile under water then how can they justify drilling one in the first place.

The following paragraph made me laugh, and then it made me sick. The public continues to hear about the “solutions” but when you place their actual terms (and see B.P’s thought process)- I seriously question their ability to end this diaster. Any doubt that it will go down in history as the worst ocean oil disaster in history? In conclusion, if you own B.P stock, get out while you can! I would wait on the sidelines to see what eventually happens in the long term. B.P could fail just like all their laughable attempts at a solution. The well, MC252, has lead to a disaster that will forever stay in my memory. This travesty also serves as a first rate national crisis failure. I won’t get into politics in this post. However, Obama’s speech yesterday sums it up well, check it out below.

“Strategies to stop the leak are named “Top Kill,” “Top Hat,” “Hot Tap,” “Junk Shot.” They’re using something called “Corexit” as the oil dispersant. We have heard that the explosion was caused by “dead batteries in the dead man’s switch.” What is up with these heinous words being spewed about like oil leaking into the Gulf? Who came up with these names? I know what a “dead man’s switch” is, but given there have been 11 fatalities in this disaster, one would think BP would be more considerate about what they are saying. Or is “spilling” everything just part of their M.O.?

You could certainly argue that names don’t matter–that they can call their fixes Little Bo Peep as long as they do something that actually works. But it’s hard to fathom why BP isn’t branding the possible solutions to this crisis with more positive names that resonate a good outcome, even if it’s only their hope. Where is the crisis management group, and why aren’t they working with the same brand geniuses that brought us the Helios House and the beautiful iconography to at least make us feel a little better about this debacle?

I suspect there is group huddling as we speak, with marketers clicking their gooey, tar-ladened heels together and saying, “There’s no place like home.” Sorry, BP, you’ll be living with what may be the worst man-made environmental disaster in history for a long time.”

May god forgive us for our sins against mother nature.

-Adam Faragalli