I know it has been awhile since I've "officially" updated this blog. I am currently hard at work with writing, recording, cutting, and putting together "Memories", the upcoming album. I've also been trying to put together a 2010 release of "Unknown" featuring songs with and from Cynthia Begeman.
Meanwhile, check out some of the songs that may or may not end up making it onto "Memories". There's a lot of new material, some old material, and some old material mixed in with new material. Haha. Head over to my YouTube account to see what I've been working on!
Thanks for everything!
James

Nothing (James Taylor, Jr & Cynthia Begeman)



My song "Nothing".

1st version
Vocals: James Taylor, Jr.
Album: "Do You Understand" (2007)

2nd version
Vocals: Cynthia Begeman
Album: "Unknown" (2008)

Written and produced by James Taylor, Jr. (2nd version, additional production by Cynthia Begeman)

Cynthia can be found at:
http://www.myspace.com/cynthiasmusicmail
https://twitter.com/CynthiaBegeman

James can be found at:
http://jamestaylorjrmusic.blogspot.com/
http://myspace.com/jamestaylorjrmusic
http://twitter.com/james_taylor_jr
http://youtube.com/tjamesk
http://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Taylor-Jr/365626631239?ref=ts


Keep an eye out for "Memories", the next album by James Taylor, Jr., Spring/Summer 2010!

VOICE

I know it's been awhile since I've posted. SORRY!

So today's post is about the VOICE. This is my MUSIC BLOG. If you want to talk about music, let's talk about music education. Today, I taught my first voice lesson. It was an amazing experience watching and HEARING someone change in about an hour. I hope the gentleman takes a lot with him, and I can't wait to work with him again. He's a pretty good student. He works really hard. Sometimes that can be bad, so let's hope his application of what he learned today be positive, uplifting, and not weighing on his mind. Haha.

My student and I had a barrier, however. He knew nothing of music theory. Not Do-Re-Me, A-B-C, 1-3-5, nuthin'! He understood the concept of a chord, but didn't understand how it was constructed. He grasped concepts when I explained them, but of course it took explaining! That is okay, however. He is excited and willing to learn. He will be auditioning for the Music Therapy program and Eastern Michigan University (a great college, if I might say so) very soon. And he sings/plays in a band that was recently formed.

See, that's what I'm doing. I am helping people who just want to improve upon something they're already passionate about. Whether they're performers or karaoke singers.

Here's my ad on craiglist:

Wanna impress at Karaoke or improve your Vocals?

Want to impress your friends at Karaoke? Performing or competing? Do you sing pop or contemporary style music (dance, r&b, other non-classical forms)?

I am a student at EMU finishing up my MEDIA degree with a minor in MUSIC, Vocal performance. I am also a pop singer/vocalist. I've learned how to take what I learn in classical performance and apply it to contemporary musical forms. It's not that hard! And I want to help you!

Instrumentalists and non-instrumentalists are welcome. Sessions will average to about $20, at an hour to an hour and a half. Anything more, or less, is negotiable, including "outings" (open mics, karaoke, showcases, etc).

Classical training includes: Private lessons with Lindsay Kesselman (EMU), Glenda Kirkland (EMU), Karen Nevins (Lincoln HS)
Under the Choral direction of: Trey Jacobs (EMU), Karen Nevins (Lincoln HS), Cecile Settle (CCHS, Princeton, KY)
Recognized as part of MI's ALL STATE HONORS CHORUS 2004, currently performing in EMU's Chamber Choir.

Pop performance... 21 out of my 23 years.

If this sounds like it's for you, please contact me. We'll both have fun, and we'll both learn a lot! (Need group direction? Email me, and we'll talk).

Visit http://youtube.com/tjamesk for some of my previous performances.

And remember, it's not always about perfection: it's about giving it your all (and having fun, too)!