I’ll let you buy my music…

It’s no problem, really.  If you need a tune, just go to the place where my music is, throw a dollar at the internet, and voila – instant satisfaction.  You can get there by clicking the Music Page link at the top right of the page, or clicking on the Jeff Little @ Speakerheart link in the More ME section to the right, or you can bookmark the actual address – which is http://www.speakerheart.com/jefflittle – so you can come back every day, and shower me with your dollars.  I won’t cry if you do.  Oh – and just for fun, the first 3 people who comment on this post with their name and email get a free download sent to them, courtesy of me.  We’ll see who’s watching.

Billy Preston/Hammond Organ

I was reminded of Billy Preston as I began searching for my Hammond Organ Model # yesterday.  I did a search for his name and found a particularly cool little music video he did for BET – it seems like a sketch comedy show of some sort, perhaps with music interwoven between bits. “Music is a Voice of God” is the song – and I’m thinking about rehearsing it for some Sunday at church.  I was first introduced to Billy Preston’s music with “Nothing From Nothing.”  I LOVE that song!  This guy played a mean organ.  Inspirational.  So I took apart my organ to find the model number hidden behind the back panel.

I found it is a Hammond BC, not a B-3, like I had hoped.  Not that I understand the real difference between the two.  I’m told by Bill Connor of BC Organ & Service that “the vibrato and chorus function differently, the BC has no “percussion”, the preamplifiers are different. The BC may have a “tremulant” control on it which is not found on a B3. It is also possible that your BC has older style keys.

The B3 is more preferable because of public demand.  The features you are missing on your BC are the features that make the B3 desireable.  Generally, if you ran the BC through a Leslie speaker it would be very similar to a B3.“  I also own a Leslie speaker, so I may be in better shape than I thought.  At any rate, I’d like to share a picture of this little treasure with you.  Who knows, maybe one day, I’ll get it repaired to perfection and learn to make that thing sing.

My (Guitar) Hero

I just had to share this.  How do we know it has gone too far?  Real guitar stands used for fake guitars.  Courtesy of Dan Miller, Guitar Hero.  Sick, right?

CCLI, part 5

UPDATE – CCLI received my application and registration materials today.  Their copyright department will verify everything is there, and will notify me by email to welcome me into “the club.”  It’s all very exciting.  More when it happens.

All Play

Which graphic do you prefer?

= 1

= 2

The Book, part 2

The first stage is complete (I think).  All the chords have been developed structurally, and creatively.  The bulk of the material, and, quite honestly, the purpose for the book, is finished.  The beginning and end are next, which will include appendices with some insight into more collegiate concepts of music theory, like the Circle of Fifths.

My friend, Sean, had affirmed what Jen and I had been thinking for this resource… making an accompanying CD that would demonstrate practical application of the material in a contemporary worship setting, possibly including practice song titles, etc.

All in all, this project is coming along very well.  More info as it emerges.

I’m writing a book

That about explains it all.  I plan on self-publishing a book that would give resources to help newcomers join worship teams and do so with potential for success.  This is a fairly lofty goal, but I believe it is necessary.  My friend, Brian Keith, gave me an idea when we played the Rose Bowl together at 7-7-7 last year, and that idea is finally materializing in this book.  Currently, I am connecting with local musicians to evaluate the value, potential, and presentation of this book.  I’m about 20% complete at this point.

Also on the horizon are companion videos that will be available online – demonstrating how to use the resource and some practical tips and tricks that simply cannot be captured properly in print.  Another friend, Daniel Kruger, will likely aid in that portion of this endeavor.  So keep an eye out.  I will keep you posted on the development of this, my first book.

CCLI, part 5

Well, it is official.  I’ve sent my music to CCLI and await my personal Song Owner information packet.  I am really looking forward to searching the largest Christian source for song resources and seeing my stuff there.  My prayer is that God would use these songs to bless our church, and also churches across the country and all over the world… that one of the songs born in me would touch someone in need and remind them of God’s greatness, His love and His plan for them.  I pray these songs would be a reminder to me.  And that God would allow me to complete the entire process, including these next months working on arranging and recording these tunes to distribute here at www.jefflittlemusic.com as digital downloads, but also perhaps a full, physical CD.  I’m relieved that I’ve made this progress and excited about the next steps in this particular journey.

CCLI, part 4

Different news today, ugh. I can send my stuff in now and update later, with audio files, etc. The lady today said just to send my lyrics for now, since that’s all that gets posted initially anyway. I will be able to add audio at any time. So my plan is to send that off this week. (And since I don’t have to send the chord charts or lead sheets, I’ll probably save on postage too!  I win twice.)