Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences and relates them to topics of importance to building.
This BM explores a boutique project of creating a small home recording studio.
In earlier blogs, I’ve discussed the music modules, systems, and patterns—chords, key structures, theory, that support a deeper understanding of music and make creating new pieces easier. I’ve also written about building a music studio over many years, providing a space to record solo or with friends (link to blog post).
To this day, I struggle to find time for regular recording. Grandkids, family, and business commitments often get in the way. When months pass between sessions, which is typical, it takes real focus just to remember how to set up the hardware and navigate the software before I even pick up the guitar, drums, or keyboard. It can be frustrating and disrupt the joy of creating music.
Thankfully, from time to time, I get the chance to play and record, either solo or with others. Some sessions are messy but fun; others find a groove and produce satisfying music. The images below capture a few sessions, each with very different energies and outcomes.
Photo 1 & 5: Back in 1979, my senior year of college, I was an exchange student in Versailles, France. The program allowed extensive travel. The three people pictured were partners in a VW van we purchased in front of the American Express building in Paris. During our first travel break, we pulled up to a gas station, and the sliding rear door fell off its tracks into the fuel pumps. That afternoon was spent in a Belgium junkyard scavenging parts to repair it. Later, in Luxembourg, we had a jam session in a park overlooking the city, with me on guitar and Rob and Jay on vocals. On a future adventure, Jay (in the light blue sweater) accidentally ran over my guitar, ending my busking career for that year.
Photos 2 & 4: These are from a summer 2017 recording session with my brother during a family gathering in Michigan. I loaded my car with instruments and equipment, setting up a temporary studio on the screened porch of our VRBO. Rick and I spent 2–3 hours, four days in a row, attempting to record clean tracks of 15 songs we had each written. Family members joined at times, turning the sessions into extended jam sessions. We learned a lot, had fun, but were ultimately not successful in producing polished recordings.
Photo 4: This is from a recent charity gig at Fitzgerald’s in Berwyn. I joined another board member, Steve, and two other musicians to play for the Foundation of Hearing and Resources, where I’ve served as Chair and continue on the Board. We performed four cover songs and two originals—one from Steves.
For me, creating and executing music is analogous to designing and executing building projects. Finding the right patterns, partners, and timing makes all the difference.
Photo 1: Steve, Rob & Jay in Luxembourg
Photo 2: Michigan Screen Porch Studio
Photo 3: Recording in Michigan w/ Steve & Rick
Photo 4-:FHSR Gig at FitzGerald’s
Photo 5: Belgium Junkyard Fall 1979