Your single favorite Driver's Ed class OR panel...

[tedsingingfox]

OK, that's not fair...Having been to SO many of both, we are all allowed to list a favorite and a runner up...Me? Most Favorite...Ronan Chris Murphy's Driver's Ed class about "Better Arrangement Choices for Better Demos". And it surprises me a bit to say that, considering I have ZERO skills, where production and recording is concerned, and NO WAY of recording at home. But when I'm working in the studio, I basically make all the final decisions about the tracks, the arrangements, the mix, and I leave the final mastering to my engineer. This clarified for me the fact that I actually DO hear and see the "sonic landscape" that exists between the monitors/speakers there at the mixing boards.Runner up...ANY class taught by Robin Frederick (did I spell her last name correctly?). I've now sat through 4 of them (between my two Rallys), and they are always worth it. THIS year, my personal fave was the one she gave in the BIG room. I spoke to SO MANY people later during the weekend that said that was the smartest, most concise hour about songwriting and "insider" tips they have ever sat through. I couldn't agree more. I can hardly wait to unpack my suitcase and start reading her book.Anybody else? Let's hear 'em.Ted

[rfrey]

The last couple of Rally's I've been to, the Jason Blume sessions have had the most impact on me. This year it was the Melody Master class. Jason has such a great presentation that really hits home with me. I took a completely different approach to songwriting after last year and I felt I improved my skills as a result.Rich

[adrienne]

I'd agree with Rich. I attended 2 of Jason's classes and they were the most impactful for me. I felt like they were the final pieces I needed to get to the next level in my songwriting. I was disappointed that I couldn't attend any of Steve Seskin's classes as they always conflicted with something. I'm hoping he'll be back next year.

[tedsingingfox]

Steve is there -in one capacity or another- EVERY year, so don't you worry. And his classes are a MUST. He's so smart and so humble, and so human.How interesting that both of y'all picked Jason's classes, as I have YET to beat the crowds and actually make it INTO one of his classes. And that's in TWO years of trying...Apparently, I like talking with other Rally attendees too much during the in-between times to be bothered to make the effort to get there early enough to get an actual SEAT/chair for one of his presentations. (NO more sitting on the floors in crowded classes. I'm getting FAR too old for that.) That's going to have to change.OK, I'm already starting my "to do" list for next year...

[cameron]

Steve Seskin's "Rewriting" class was the bomb for me. Jason's classes are great too, but I've already attended a couple of them in Nashville so wanted to try someone else this time. I'm going on the Texas Songwriter's Cruise in February and Steve and Jason are the teachers there too. Can't wait!!The last panel ("Looking for Hits") was exciting too, but damn I wish they'd picked one of my tunes! The reaction of the crowd alone would tell you if you if you have a hit or a dud.Cam

[twilsbach]

I'm with Ted. Robin's class is definitely the favorite from this year. Caught both the big one, and the Sunday afternoon one in the theatre.

[allends]

I played hooky from a lot of classes in favor of hanging out at panels and with fellow Dots in the lounge. I had a laid-back time and enjoyed myself immensely, but I did manage to squeeze in this little gem of a class:Spirituality for Songwriters with Dan KimpelDan was a real corn-ball of a guy but he sure did pack a wallop of a warm and uplifting message with his presentation. I can't repeat what was said intelligently because I was too intent to soak up the vibe than memorize anything. I would recommend reading his book though! How sweet it is!Oh but wait! I do remember something: a quote from Maya Angelou. Something like "No one will remember anything you said, or anything you did, but they will remember how you made them feel".If only I could live up to that wisdom!Warmly,Allen

[jazzstan]

Nov 11, 2008, 6:38pm, tedsingingfox wrote:Me? Most Favorite...Ronan Chris Murphy's Driver's Ed class about "Better Arrangement Choices for Better Demos". ...TedI'm with Ted on this one. Ronan showed exactly how to apply the KISS method. I had read in a recent audio magazine about not recording so hot, which along with Ronan's ideas, I put in to practice, and holey moley, in doing the mixing, rather than chasing down and automating out the bad peaks, I could actually pay attention to the important stuff (arrangement, EQ, balance and pan, etc). At the end bumping the volume up a notch and putting it a little compression was no big deal. But his point on arranging for the mix, is what I'd say is being more Mark Rothko than Jackson Pollock in the sonic landscape (not that either of them ever painted an landscape .. ha ha ha)

[trentoliphant]

I really liked the Jason Blume class (yes I sat on the floor about 4 feet away from Jason) I heard so many good things about Steve Sisken's classes - I'll definitely get to them next year. I also really liked Ronan Chris Murphy's class about "Better Arrangement Choices for Better Demos". I realized that I was making many of the mistakes he was talking about.Trent

[sgs4u]

That frikkin corn-ball of a guy (Dan Kimpel) loves music sooo much. And I had the audacity to want NOT, to like him. I was ready to walk out, and then the mush ball that I am, he had me in tears within minutes, talking about his deep appreciation of music, with the examples he threw at us. I was sitting there trying to act all tough like I was gonna bolt, and then the tears just started squirting out. So I had to stay, even tho I was sitting between 2 big guys, way too close for comfort. And then it happened another 5 times . I was both embarrassed and thankful that this corn-ball elicited both of those reactions from me at the same time. He's a truly gifted entertainer, and he does it with seminars. Here's his book, just buy it. Electrify the Soul - http://www.lulu.com/content/3494587and I think I'm gonna hafta make a chorus outta that Maya Angelou quote, whadaya think Al? Nov 11, 2008, 9:12pm, allends wrote:I played hooky from a lot of classes in favor of hanging out at panels and with fellow Dots in the lounge. I had a laid-back time and enjoyed myself immensely, but I did manage to squeeze in this little gem of a class:Spirituality for Songwriters with Dan KimpelDan was a real corn-ball of a guy but he sure did pack a wallop of a warm and uplifting message with his presentation. I can't repeat what was said intelligently because I was too intent to soak up the vibe than memorize anything. I would recommend reading his book though! How sweet it is!Oh but wait! I do remember something: a quote from Maya Angelou. Something like "No one will remember anything you said, or anything you did, but they will remember how you made them feel".If only I could live up to that wisdom!Warmly,Allen