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07/08/2013The Practice Of Practice by Mat Hammond
It’s been a while since I sat down and had a truly structured practice session. Usually, I just sit and learn a new song, or play an old one just to keep it fresh, or I just start “flobbing around” (that’s a technical term) until something catches my ear and my imagination and then I ... -
07/08/2013Critical Mass by Mat Hammond
“To be honest… you’re $**t”. That was the comment I received recently when I played a guest spot at a small venue in the hopes of securing a gig. Now, this wasn’t some obnoxious patron of the venue sharing their well-considered opinion, but rather it was the self-admittedly “very... -
26/03/2013Undercover by Mat Hammond
Last go around, I talked about song writing and to be honest, it is such a huge subject, I could write a whole book about it… hang on… (note to self… think about writing book on song writing)… ok, where was I? Oh yes… so, this little reach into the mind-box and the forthcoming purge ... -
26/03/2013Words And Music by Mat Hammond
This time out, as the title suggests, I’m going to write about two subjects that are indelibly linked for the songwriter but, while I usually prefer to work both sides simultaneously when creating a new song, I’m going to lay this out in two halves because “a)” it’s difficult to talk... -
26/03/2013It’s About Time by Mat Hammond
Time. It’s the single most powerful force in existence. You can’t escape it. You can’t change it. You can’t even see it. All you can do is to bend to its will and accept the inevitable conclusion that you are its slave. Unless you’re an aspiring musician… or at least... -
23/01/2013Suhr Guthrie ‘Rasmus’ Govan…. Yes Please!
First of all, let me say, I would usually avoid a signature guitar at all costs. It’s not that I don’t like them. In fact I’m rather keen on the J5 Tele and the SRV Strat. I just like my guitars to be my guitars, not someone else’s. This all changed, however, when I took ... -
15/11/2012I Am Not A Whore… Or Am I? by Mat Hammond
They say the first step in any recovery is to admit to yourself that you have a problem. So, in the spirit of being completely open and honest, I will take that first step… I have a problem. I… am… a musician. It all started when I was born and I don’t know if it ... -
15/10/2012Rock And Roll Tape by Mat Hammond
Ok. I’m sitting here trying to come up with a cool and instantly engaging opening line to this week’s tirade and it occurs to me that I might not have prepared myself properly. In fact, if I’m completely honest, I haven’t really given it any thought at all… and until right now, I... -
18/09/2012Check Out The Big Brain On Brad by Mat Hammond
Musicians are smarter than non-musicians. That’s not just my opinion; it is actually a scientifically proven fact. The brain of a person who has learned to play a musical instrument is larger and more active than that of a person who hasn’t. Which is why I continually find it amazing that...
