learn learn learn
hello!!
i hope you can handle today’s incredibly long tutorial! if you are pretty proficient at either guitar or piano, i can save you 13 and a half minutes and tell you this: C, G, F.
but that’s not very fun now, is it?? i got a few complaints that my tutorials didn’t cater to really experienced musicians. the way i see it is, i refuse to exclude anyone. i will not be brief and leave things unexplained just so that the experienced player doesn’t have to wait around. my goal is to bring music into as many people’s lives as possible. i want to make it so easy that people that thought they’d never play an instrument in their life stop for a moment and think… why not? i really think anyone that has a strong desire to play music, can.
for those of you who are simply appreciators of music, that is wonderful too :) in your case, you can disregard all the teaching parts and count all the parts where i sound awkward!
album update:
in the next few days i will be selecting a designer for my album art. it’s been a really crazy process. i spent many weeks trying to decide the feel i wanted… trying to find the right words to describe it and the right images/colors/textures to get it across. then we spent some time looking for designers. then we asked for spec work. now we have to choose one, and i hate choosing things! they are all very talented. as many of you know, emi (my younger sister) was originally going to do the job, but she’s now off being a super star at art school (i am so proud and excited for her) and she hardly has time to do the work she needs to. (then there’s misa, the older sister, who hardly has time to sleep. correction: she DOESN’T have time to sleep. she’s getting a masters in architecture and she is a stud) so anyway, shortly after we get started on the designing, we’ll start building the new website, which i’ve already put a bunch of planning into and i’m very excited about :)
yesterday i had a long thorough meeting with my management regarding all the things we need to accomplish before we can release. WOW. there is a lot to be done. it’s tough being your own record label… no one is going to MAKE things happen but you… or in my case… me. (no one is going to pay for things to happen but me either… ouch) luckily my team is made up of some of the best around, and my family, well you know, they’re kind of the best, and then there’s all of you, and you know how i feel about kinerds :) so i know i’m in a great place, i just gotta keep positive and focused on the task ahead of me.
but wow.
an apology
i know i promised an east coast tour this fall…. *cries a little* but i don’t think it’s going to work out :( i’m pretty much on lockdown until this album is out into the world and in your lovely little (or not so little) hands. it really really makes me sad and i feel like i’ve let you east coasters down, but i promise as soon as i can tour again, i’m going to get myself over to that coast SO fast.
ok, now it’s late… and i’m still typing… and i’m pretty sure i’m sounding weirder by the second, so i’m going to put an end to this.
fin.
<3
kina
oovret: Week 67
Have you made any celebratory plans for your upcoming album release?
not plans as in in-the-calendar plans, but i can guarantee there will be sushi involved. also, definitely planning to have a cd release show in LA, and if i’m lucky, maybe i can make one happen on the east coast too…
How will you be distributing your new album?
i had a long chat about this with my management today. should i go into it? hmm… here’s the thing, if you want to put cds in retail stores it equals tons of money, because you have to make enough cds to put in every major store… in every city… and how many of those cds will actually be purchased there anyway? plus the distribution company will then take a percentage of all digital sales as well (itunes, rhapsody, napster, etc)… but i don’t really NEED them for that stuff. i think the smartest move for me since i don’t have a ton of money laying around, will be to start off selling physicals from my website and at shows, and digitals everywhere they’d usually be, and if there becomes a demand, we’ll look into putting it in stores as well. also, by the time the album releases, i’ll be passing off the job of shipping my merch to a company, that way everyone can get their things in a timely manner :) i will miss writing everyone thank yous though…
What was the last book you finished reading? How was it?
it was called “honey bee” :) it was fascinating and kind of made me wish i had the time and backyard to be a beekeeper and have my own honey!
Do you enjoy listening to “Bela Fleck and the Flecktones”?
haven’t heard enough of them… i’ll do my hw!
What toppings do you like on your frozen yogurt?
strawberries and mochi
OR
coconut, chocolate shavings, and strawberries
OR
strawberries, blueberries, and bananas
OR
tons of everything.
34 Responses to “learn learn learn”
October 28, 2009
hooray kina! nice choice of a tutorial. : )
October 28, 2009
P.S. THIS…. “my goal is to bring music into as many people’s lives as possible. i want to make it so easy that people that thought they’d never play an instrument in their life stop for a moment and think… why not? i really think anyone that has a strong desire to play music, can. ” –I just love!!
This is so music therapy of you. You may not know it, but you would make an awesome music therapist with this optimistic attitude! I just love it.
October 28, 2009
I´m starting to believe we´re never going to hear “favorite word” again, but stars is great too. Love watching you explain your songs. :)
And we´ve all been worried about how much work you have to do. But it just needs to be done. Take care of yourself.
October 28, 2009
thanks kina! so cool to learn the different ways to play C, G and F. hope you get lots of video responses, maybe i’ll partake in that. take care!
erin
October 28, 2009
Oh, and must add: I completely understand the need to give the shipping to a company, but I also silently cry. Your little card is my greatest treasure, and the idea of not getting them anymore… *buries head to a pillow and weeps*
October 28, 2009
strawberries and mochi for sure!
looking forward to the album. man, it must be hard work! just remember, it may be difficult but what an opportunity!
October 28, 2009
Unfortunately I can’t play guitar nor piano but I totally enjoyed watching the video. You are a great teacher :-)
Thanks for the effort.
Offtopic: Thank you so much for adding the 2 covers on thesixtyone. Looks like they are gonna be a HUGE success!
October 28, 2009
Kina dear,
It’s so great to see you again :) Each time I watch a new blog video, I feel as though we are meeting again :) You look great :) As I’ve said before, we love it when you talk :) We get to see your face and hear your voice :)
I actually do have an old piano sitting in the livingroom…ahem, ahem :) From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for working so hard on this video. I know it took so much of your time and effort. You are greatly appreciated :)
Thank you for just being you :) We love you :) As always: take a breath, smile, and think optimistically :)
*heart hands*
October 28, 2009
so great to wake up to another wonderful vid (yes, i woke up at 2pm..)
October 28, 2009
kina thanks for the tutorial lets go to play some guitar and piano now :) i can play strong enough now after many month of training (i know I’m slow but i need to time I’m a left handler hahaha)
good luck to find the good person for designing all the art design of the album,its a big work to do but im sure you’ll find the best .
<3Kina
<3 to the grannis family
all best
cedric
October 28, 2009
Yay! As with Finn, I would have liked to hear more from “favorite word” but perhaps you have future plans for it.
Anyway, this was such a great and adorable video! =D I think I can speak for the rest of us when I say you can never fail to make us smile. I don’t know how to play the guitar nor the piano but still loved to watch. Stars is a great song in both versions and will give the guitar a shot at least for this song. Well, I tend to say a bunch of words as well, so I’ll end it here.
Thank you for all you’ve done, Kina. <3
- Albert
October 28, 2009
Oops, I think I should have just used my user. Oh well.
October 28, 2009
Great tut Kina. You’ve actually just made me want to try to play music again. Have been playing keyboard many years ago, just couldn’t find the motivation. But you have just motivated me to try again – now I just have to get myself a guitar, wonder when that will be?!
- Steffen
October 28, 2009
Kina, wonderful tutorial! I am very tempted to pick up the guitar again and try to play, with my OCD though I would probably not get past playing one note, although it may be worth the effort. I may surprise myself one of these days.
October 28, 2009
You could be a teacher. You bring it so that people get it and it’s really inspiring [and you're funny :) ] And it is sooo good to hear your voice, singing and talking. It’s soothing [no really it is]
Frustrating though.. my guitar is dead [R.I.P. sweet guitar :( ] and my keyboard is at my parents house. And your tutorial makes me wanna play sooo bad now… ah well.
Good luck with the album art and also everything else, byebye :)
October 28, 2009
Kina, I love how you’ve put a smile on my face with your blog, and I haven’t even watched the video yet!
1. I admire the fact you defend your position on how ’simple’ you make tutorials to include everyone regardless of level of proficiency in their playing.
2. I wished I had more time, I would have thrown my hat in and done some spec work for album art. Especially if that meant I got to preview the album and the concept you’re trying to achieve with it. ;)
3. “Honey Bee”? For a moment I thought you were reading a book about me! (inside joke)
October 28, 2009
Kina ~ this is great! You would make a great teacher (though I’m not sure how you’d feel about giving out a bad grade… lol). Your videos have a way of brightening even the darkest of days. I can guarantee you that most, if not all, of the Kinerds will watch this more than once. You could have made a video an hour long just rambling and we’d probably watch it :)
Your music inspires & so do you <3
October 28, 2009
Finally watched it! WOot! I’m gonna try it on the uke, since it’s my weapon of choice. :)
btw – I love reading about your adventures in the process of producing a CD.
btw 2 – Gao is awesome. period.
October 28, 2009
let me also add, seeing Kina in front of a piano is so totally different and i love it! do it more please :)
October 28, 2009
Aaaaahe, you are tickling my heart with those perfectly shaped hands of yours! I think I’m speaking for 100 thousand people. But remember I said that. Okay, I’m going to practice this song. I’m not sure what my voice will do to it, but I’m ready.
October 28, 2009
oh, kina…that quote definitely applies to me. it’s basically what happened when i watched one of the videos last year. I thought to myself “we have a guitar here that nobody uses… why not try?” And now i’m playing guitar, singing and writing.. it’s incredible.
October 28, 2009
Let me just say you look beautiful, it’s kind of strange seeing you in front of the piano though!!! How did u manage to get the shots form above your head? did u get a cameramen? :)
“Anyways”….. great vid.
P.S.
I read the twitt where u were asked about your tutorials …. why they are so explicit! It came from someone that doesn’t yet know and understand the magical world you’ve created ….but he will soon do ..i’m sure!
So keep on making your magic…can’t wait for the album now that we finally know how we shall be able to aquire it! I hope i will have it soon in my not so little hands! :)
Nothing but LOVE and RESPECT!
Alec.
October 29, 2009
oh i normally play this with C G Am F. whoops!
anyways nice vid, and strawberries, mango, and mochi is the way to go! :)
October 29, 2009
Kina. You know what I love about tutorial videos? (Well, one of the many things) It’s so fun to play along with you and know that I’m doing it correctly. And while I’m sitting there playing guitar in front of a computer that you’re ‘inside’, I realise: “Alison (self), remember that time you played guitar with Kina in the sun under the palm trees with a pacific ocean backdrop, TimTams, and a few hand fulls of really really awesome people?” Yeah. :)
You’re wonderful.
October 29, 2009
Dear Kina,
I started playing guitar 4-5 months ago and I try to play all of your songs… it’s a great motivation for me to hear you play and your tutorials help a lot! Thank you so much for posting them.
Looking forward to your CD! Will definetly order it. It’ll have to be shipped to Germany, though – hope it doesn’t take too long to arrive! :)
Thank you for everything, I wish you all the best!
- Juliana
PS: @Alec: I’d also like to know how she manages to film with the camera above her head!
October 29, 2009
Hey Kina how have you been?? Last time i had wrote in we were planning the birth of my first son, now he is 6 months old!!! Crazy how fast time goes, I just want to tell you that you are still amazing! We love everything that you do, we are actually going to use one of your songs for our wedding song!!! There are a few that i have in mind, what r your favorites?? Well keep on keepin on, Thank you!- Ty
October 29, 2009
Ooh, keyboard AND guitar!!! Now we just need a Uke tutorial and the “Kinaverse” would be complete.
October 31, 2009
kina bean -
im sad you won’t be here this fall… we miss you on the east coast so DO come back soon and let’s definitely have a release party too!
October 31, 2009
Hello,
Stumbled on your vids when surfing YouTube for some background music while I write… Like your stuff, and gave me the idea to post something I wrote on YouTube as a video. Not sure if anyone will get to it, but would be cool if even a few poeple read it… so check it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoK2uygXsks
All the best and thanks for the music.
November 2, 2009
Hi Kina and Kination, sorry been gone so long.
You mentioned reading a book about bee keeping and honey, while I’ve got a batch of mead on it’s way to being, well, something much more than honey-sweetened water. Perhaps, when drinkable, I’ll send a bottle your way. Can’t wait for the next album.
*HUGS*
November 2, 2009
i want you to tour the east coast ill go to every show if i dont work =p
November 2, 2009
kina,
I’m totally in love with this song! thanks for the tutorial!
Just uploaded a cover! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TA4LW3EkaM
much love from little Freiburg!
Julia <3
ps. ever thought of touring through Germany? Can’t wait for that!
November 10, 2009
ahh kina i’ve been so busy.. havent been able to watch ur videos!! great like always =]
January 13, 2010
Thanks KG.for this song with piano version. wow what a melody wery well. plz one requst…Kina ,as same as this,plz release more songs with piano version. also i am learning with Yamaha E313.ever love Rajamohamed.
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