Yesterday we had band practice. We were working on one of my songs that we're adding to the set. As we went through it, my bandmates, Tom and Ron, made some great suggestions — including a very different approach to…
Getting Better is Sometimes Hard to See
One of the frustrating things about learning music is that progress can sometimes be almost invisible.
I practice every day.
I work on the same difficult passage.
I mess it up.
I mess it up again.
And after a week,…
Making Time for the Guitar
Making Time for the Guitar
Everybody's busy. Job or no job, we all have a time crunch. What I've learned is that discipline and structure make the difference — setting aside time to practice, and being intentional about what I…
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New Song Sunday - Snow in My Hair
This weeks New Song Sunday is dedicated to the hope that we have a great ski season this year. We have the promise of a big El Nino and the forcasts look good for New Mexico.
Skiing has been a…
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Making music is hard
The other day I posted about how music can be humbling. Yesterday I got a big dose of it.
I had a lesson, and I really struggled with a fingerpicking pattern. I just haven't been able to get it consistently.…
Every New Song is Humbling
Being a song writer is pretty cool. But, every New Song Is Humbling.
One of the things I love about music is that there is always another song to learn.
One of the things I hate about music is that…
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September Is Off to a Great Start
September has started with a bang. We just booked a gig on September 19 at Kaktus Brewery in Bernalillo, from 6 to 9 — a great venue, and we're looking forward to it.
That's on top of our regular Monday…
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This weeks New Song Sunday - Like a Horse to the Barn
This weeks New Song Sunday is a rough recording of a song I am working on - Like a Horse to the Barn. It's a song about coming home.
I don't travel a lot any more, but when I do…
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Learning Music One Repetition at a Time
I have had no formal training in music theory. To me, it can feel like learning a foreign language—and one that definitely does not come naturally.
That means learning to play the guitar well enough that other people might actually…
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🎶 What a Night at Anthony’s Soul Cafe! 🎶
The Mike Chastaine Band — Tom Gentry, Ron Tintner, and Mike Chastaine — had a fantastic night at Anthony’s Soul Cafe this past Monday!
We mixed up a fun blend of favorite covers and original songs, adding our own unique…
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