Welcome to the first installment of Everything Music Ear Training 101. In this episode, Rick explores the fundamental elements upon which effective ear training is built.

This installment of Everything Music delves into the music production and mixing techniques of Andy Wallace. I examine Wallace's approach to equalization, compression, and effects applied to every instrument group.

This episode delves into the sonic world of Brendan O'Brien, examining the production and mixing techniques that define his distinctive sound. We’ll dissect his recording and mixing approaches, along with practical advice on drum miking. Nu…

In this installment of Everything Music, I'll explore the harmonic progressions that film composer John Williams frequently employs to craft his signature epic soundscapes. This marks the first in a series of episodes dedicated to examining…

A comprehensive understanding of music requires familiarity with the pivotal figures across all its genres. When exploring the origins of melodic and harmonic techniques, it’s illuminating to consider their earliest proponents. Here are fiv…

Here is the first installment of my exploration into the work of Thomas Newman. The original episode, a combined edit of two parts, has been expanded, and I've chosen to release both sections together. In this episode of Everything Music, I…

This installment of Everything Music features Randy Staub discussing his approaches to music production and mixing. We delve into Randy’s philosophy regarding equalization, compression, and effects applied to various instrument groups. Our …

I'm sharing this episode because I frequently receive inquiries about my musical journey, perhaps a consequence of my varied online content. Here, I recount the story of my musical training and the influences that shaped me. For the sake of…

In this installment, we delve into the mixing techniques of Tchad Blake. We'll examine his approach to equalization, compression, and distortion applied to individual drums, the drum bus, and the overall mix. This is the first of two parts …

This episode explores methods for capturing clear guitar tones using a combo amplifier, specifically a Vox AC30. I demonstrate techniques employing two microphones, including both direct and spaced configurations. In this demonstration, a S…

In this installment of Everything Music, I'll explore the melodic and harmonic techniques employed by film composer James Newton Howard to craft his signature epic soundscapes. I'll be examining musical excerpts from his scores for *King Ko…

This installment of Everything Music is titled "John Williams vs. Gustav Holst, or Star Wars vs. The Planets." John Williams drew inspiration from a diverse array of composers, including Wagner, Stravinsky, Richard Strauss, Erich Korngold, …

This discussion originated from a Facebook Live broadcast on December 6, 2016, where I posed the question: "Why Does Music Evoke Emotion?" The inquiry stemmed from a conversation with my children during the ride home from school, a discussi…

A question recently posed by a viewer necessitates a detailed explanation. There isn't a simple answer; understanding income streams for musicians requires exploring the multifaceted ways revenue is generated. These include earnings from pu…

This installment explores the concepts and techniques of film scoring master Howard Shore, the first of a two-part series. Here, I analyze musical cues from the soundtracks of *The Lord of the Rings* and *The Silence of the Lambs*. Shore is…