2012

In 2012 a lot of things happened, as I would expect most people could claim.

However, I won't bore you with details. Besides, I can't remember all of them anyway. I will just note a few of the highlights, good and bad.

At the beginning of 2012, I had my new speakers from the previous 2011 Christmas. I received my Alesis M1 Active MK2 monitors as a present from my parents. You can see them in the picture to the left. I had no where to put them at first, so I just used the top of this dresser for a platform. I started learning how to use them from the community at www.guitarmasterclass.net.

I would soon change my setup with the purchase of a desk. I actually changed it twice. First, I was just trying to be compact. Then I learned from a pro that the brick wall would cause the bass frequencies to sound different on one side. (I was in the added in part of the house.)

My second choice of the setup was much classier, and better for the frequencies - right there facing the corner. You can see the HD video of the room as it looked in the photo the right here.

In February, I conceived the idea for a solo project called Analyzed Within. It would later become a collaboration, a band in the making, with my cousin as the vocalist. You can watch the story in this cool video.

Analyzed Within is basically a Christian Progressive Metal project. I come from different approaches in the metal and hard rock spotlight. I like bands such as, RED, Demon Hunter, Hope For The Dying, Becoming The Archetype, As I Lay Dying, and Days Of Confusion. So you could expect a mixture. We are still waiting to release the single, "Living in the Last Days."

In April, I purchased my first DSLR - a Canon T3i with an 18-55 mm lens. I had problems with it so I had to send it back and get a replacement. Later that year, I would also learn I had purchased too slow of a memory card. So, I would later purchase a $70 card at Bedford's Camera and Video.

In May, my life changed forever and I moved. I started a new chapter in my life.

In July, I went to see Tim Hawkins with my brother. Tim is a Christian comedian and is very funny! You should check him out at www.timhawkins.net.

I have all his DVDs and CDs. "If you can't laugh at yourself, laugh at other people."


For Halloween, I dressed myself in toilet paper and played an original song.


And lastly, for Christmas I covered "Mary, Did You Know?" in my own hard rock style.



And you can find many more details of my 2012 in this blog, and my two YouTube channels, TheFireball100 and Analyzed Within.

Thanks for reading this entry.
-Brandon Burch

3.6 mi. walk

Yep. I walked 3.6 miles this evening. That's really good for me. I don't get out much. I mainly stay in my room and compose music, browse GMC where I take guitar lessons, browse Youtube, practice some guitar, and play computer games. This takes place in my room. So I guess you can say I am bit of a recluse. Have a social life, Brandon. Meh, I'm fine. There's not really a whole lot of people to hang out with. Yeah, there's some, but I just prefer making music. You watch - it'll pay off. I put hours upon hours upon hours in what I do. I'm sure to make my music dreams a reality one of these days, LORD willing.

I walked a long stretch of my neighborhood; nearly the length of the all neighborhood blocks! I clocked my walk in my car afterwards and came up with 3.6 on my odometer. Nice walk I would say. Of course, I walked  with my iPod. Who did I listen to? Sithu Aye.

"Nice day, isn't it, iPod?"
"Sure is, Brandon."
"Can't you keep up with me?"
"Well, considering I am 17x smaller than you...no."
"Just keep playing my music, okay?"


(Sorry, couldn't resist!! xD ...what? Don't you get it? I said I walked with my iPod....it's a..
...never mind.)  ;-)   [hahaha. Very funny, Brandon.]

I just hope I don't regret the long trek in the morning. :/

Brandon

Voice of your guitar

This is a lesson I am practicing on from GMC. I just learned it a few hours ago. I've been practicing almost straight. I am improvising on top of the lesson and using my soul - just playing what comes to mind. It's not spot-free, as I said I am still practicing it. Compare it to the teacher himself, Cosmin Lupu.

Composing with noise

I've been composing a lot lately. Therefore, it has slowed my YouTube video count. I usually come out with one almost every week. It's so hard doing it all by yourself when you know you aren't trained for mixing and mastering. :) But I do the best I can with the help of those at GuitarMasterClass.net (GMC) and my friends and family.

You can sneak a peek at my latest song I composed and still working on. I usually record the bass last now - that's how I saw Skillet do it in a behind the scenes look. So for now I don't have bass. I find myself laying down a bunch of ideas and then finishing them later. I started to redo "A Father's Love" today, but started something different. I have a lot of unfinished projects. haha

Since I've been composing like crazy, this has slowed my practice time considerably...to practically nothing. But I try to just enjoy life as it comes. So much to worry .... no not worry ... I can't believe I typed that - so much to ... endure in life. I couldn't think of a word for that. I guess that's the problem. When a person has "noise" inside of them, it's hard to focus. When you strive to stay dedicated to God and think about your future (find a full time job) it's kinda scary. Sometimes you paste a smile on your face so others don't know you are "noisy" inside. That's my word I use as of late to describe that.

I was talking about practice time because I'm a subscribed member at GMC, and it feels like a waste of money to pay and not use it to the fullest. But I already paid my year's subscription...so I'll just use it when I feel like it. It's hard to learn new things. It's a challenge. If I can't catch on right away, I tend to walk away from it. I don't always, but it's hard not to. I like to play songs that's within my skill, but then that means I won't expand my musical vocabulary or skill itself.

Gosh, this was gonna be a short post...but look how it turned out. haha

I added a poll at the bottom. What do you enjoy reading the most on this blog? You might feed the fish if you wish. They get kinda hungry since this blog isn't that popular. Tell your friends about this blog if you enjoy it. Thank you. :)