The Power of Youth

The Power of Youth

I know, another story about the abilities of young people. Yawn…
Well, being a teacher I’m surrounded by it all day sometimes 7 days a week. Kids, children, little ones, young adults, students, ect. They all share one thing in common…boundless energy and a constant need for affirmation and attention. Not a day goes by that I walk into my high school job with plans of getting caught up on work. However, not a day goes by that my work takes a back seat to the needs of students who are after one thing: guidance from me on how to make a way in this world and to find a way to learn how to get there themselves.

Admittedly, I become very impatient with students at least a dozen or more times a day. I then become remorseful remembering that they are looking for guidance and answers to the multitude of dilemma’s they face. I remind myself constantly that they are (no matter how big, strong, or mature) still children that are unprepared for the dangers, issues, and requirements of a world run by adults who, unfortunately, don’t have all the answers. In fact, I don’t think many adults even know the questions.

I could blab on and on about this subject telling story after story, but why don’t we just end with this: Take a day where you really listen to what the young people around you are saying. Really hear them, don’t blow them off. If they ask give them advice. If they are about to make a mistake be hard on them and tell them the real end result if they are going down that wrong path. Also make sure to tell them that you will always be there for them as best as you can…after all, life is busy for everyone. Finally, and most importantly, tell them how you care and then you may discover that they can handle everything else. They just wanted to know that you were there…

Mark

An Open Letter to YouTube/Google

Dear YouTube/Google,
In recent weeks and months I've noticed an alarming amount of my friends leaving your site. At first I attributed it to the channel changes only. Did I agree with them? Well yes and no. I'm not one to make waves unless things are really bad. I knew that eventually all would see that you were really trying to shape up the look of YouTube do to it's incredible success. There can be no doubt that it has permeated all areas of society throughout most of the world.
I totally agree with that. I am a public school teacher and I use YouTube daily in my guitar classes. Actually, I can't imagine not having it now. It was always risky to pull up pages on the site that had questionable content on it. One can scoff at such things and pass them off like they don't matter however, I am still teaching children and they and their parents have a right to know that they won'tbe tainted with anything objectionable. So I applaud you for moving towards becoming a professional operation not colored with content that tends to lower it's value and seriousness.

The new changes you are instituting now have sent many people to other sites. However, I've read what you are trying to do and once again, I give you the benefit of the doubt that you know what you are doing. In the long run you want a successful and efficient system. I will change over to the new look in a few days and follow your advice about how to run it efficiently.

Now, on the the major problem you have. The amount of hatred, deceit, sabotage, and greed on your site is at the most alarming level I've ever seen. I fear that you have lost control of your ability to police your operation. You must get this under control as soon as possible. At least 50 percent of the channels I deal with now have locked people out from commenting or voting thumbs up or down. It was never like this even a year ago. You have random trolls running throughout your system with absolutely no fear of getting caught by you.

My question to you is simple. Why would you risk this incredible empire by letting your security system so open? Why do you grant channels with no system of check and balance to at least cut down on those who would find joy in decimating others? This issue will not go away and in fact is getting worse.

One other issue is the thumbs up/down controls. Many are frustrated by random people who hit thumbs down just to spread their hatred in small but effective ways. Please consider removing the option of thumbs down. An easier method would be just a thumb up. We are all intelligent enough to figure out that if a video has 100 views and there are 90 thumbs up, it's probably okay. The amount of incredibly talented people who have disabled the thumb option is stunning. Remember that these people do generate income for you. We are okay with you making money as long as we feel you care for us.

Allow me to return to the issue of alternative sites. Let's be honest, these alternative sites are nice, but they are basically copies of YouTube 15 months ago. I look at them and realize that you were right in changing to a more conservative style. I myself have opened accounts with three other sites but to me honest, I only go to one semi-regularly and don't even have the desire to visit the other two. We all know, as well as you, that you are really the only game in town for those of us who are serious about posting content. However, do not let that give you a license to become comfortable. Real people are leaving your system and if things stay the same more will. Remember, MySpace was once a large organization and they are trying to rebuild after a disastrous crash.

I've put a lot of time into YouTube and I will not go away so easily. I will however consider it if things continue and safety remains a major concern. If that is not taken care of then I will join the others. It will hurt but nothing is worth that kind of hassle.

Please don't allow YouTube to fail. It can surely happen to you if the people feel you don't care about their safety. Therefore, I implore you to move quickly on this issue so that you can continue to grow. My desire is to help not to criticize.

My Bio

My Bio

Mark's career in music began with the guitar in 1982. Starting later in life, there was a long road ahead. He taught himself theory and technique and continued to wait for opportunity to come. in 1999, after a 13 year stint as a goldsmith Mark decided to pursue a degree in Music Education.

Upon graduating from Seton Hill University in 2003, Mark accepted a position in Sterling, Virginia with Loudoun County Public Schools. He was appointed director of the guitar department at River Bend Middle School in Sterling, Virginia and within two years built the program to over two hundred and twenty five seventh and eighth grade guitar students. During that time, Mark also taught after-school strings directing students in violin, viola, and cello education and performance.

In 2005, Mark was recognized by then Virginia Governor, Mark Warner, for teaching excellence. In his seven years at River Bend Middle School Mark was awarded Teacher of the Year twice and was runner up another two times. In 2010, Mark moved up to the high school level directing the guitar program at Broad Run High School in Ashburn, Virginia. Mark has more than doubled enrollment at Broad Run High School in Ashburn and is employed full-time there. In his tenth year of teaching, Mark has found a home at Broad Run and describes it as his dream position.

Mark also owns and operates his own performance school, StudioRock of Northern Virginia located in Sterling, Virginia.Teaching all styles and approaches to music education and performance, StudioRock is an outgrowth of Mark's love of learning, teaching, and performing.

Mark's plans for the future remain consistent with his philosophy of teaching: to use creativity, spontaneity, new ideas, and tried and true teaching methodology to prepare his students for a lifetime of musical enjoyment. He uses the unlimited daily opportunities available to increase his own knowledge and to move closer towards teaching excellence.

Specialties: Music director, guitar director/instructor, guitar lecturer and advisor, studio musician.
Music theory/history instructor, band/solo coach, audio recording, video editing.

                                       "Phrasing for Guitarists"
                                        The Intermediate Level


This is an initial discussion/lesson on phrasing for guitarists.

This video will be followed by a series of short videos dealing with all the various methods of expressive guitar soloing.

Each will be detailed and will contain no bells or whistles. Just plain talk and examples.

                                       "Mozart's Modern Revenge"


Notes on Mozart's Modern Revenge
ALL INSTRUMENTS, EDITING, AND PRODUCTION BY MrCampy123
RECORDED AT STUDIOROCK OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA

EQUIPMENT:
Yamaha Keyboard midi into Protools 9
Paul Gilbert PGM 150 Electric Guitar
Fender Mustang III Amplifier USB into Reaper Software


*ALL PIANO PARTS WERE SLIGHTLY PLANNED OUT USING THE HARMONIC MINOR SCALE. I CREATED THREE TRACKS OF PIANO AND MIXED THEM TOGETHER AS I AM NOT A PIANO PLAYER:)
*ALL GUITAR PARTS WERE IMPROVISED. I CREATED TWO TRACKS AND WENT FOR IT. 
*I USED THE CREATIVE PROCESS, WHICH I RECOMMEND HIGHLY. 

My love of music history knows no bounds. I could talk about the connection between ancient, renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic, impressionism, 20th century, jazz, blues, rock, pop, metal, folk, county, world, latin, all day long. The ties between what we do now and what was done in the past are strongly rooted in Beethoven. Therefore, they are rooted in Mozart, Haydn, Bach, Palestrina, and on and on. The realization of this will open your mind to the wonder of music. The wonder of it's creative potential and it's effect on the human race for thousands of years. All serious musicians owe it to themselves to begin a serious study of the phenomenon. 
Your future creative output depends on your dedication to learn where what we do today came from. To not is to jeopardize your enjoyment and production of your inner composer. The fascination with music history for me has been in my mind since I was around 16. It came full force around 25 and has never wavered. 

I hope you find my work on this short piece thought provoking. I attempted to use the guitar as the emotions of Mozart. A genius who was never appreciated, taken for granted, and used by many. A man who cared only to create music that never stopping burning in his brain. The guitar cries out for recognition, a recognition that he never could attain due to typical ivory tower thinking by those who haven't a creative bone in their body. Unfortunately, this thinking remains with us today. Conservatives, who would not dare to attempt anything new, strive to hold back our youth who possess amazing creative skills. Skills that threaten those in powerful positions in the world of music. However, some of us understand, and we will fight for the rights of our young musicians who hold the key to the future. 

PHOTO CREDITS:

Mozart Statue
© Dragoneye http://www.stockfreeimages.comv
Vienna Concert House
© Photoinsel http://www.stockfreeimages.com
Girl and Violin
© Yarko12  http://www.stockfreeimages.com
Piano with Wine, Candle, and Music
© Kingvald http://www.stockfreeimages.com/
Girl with Guitar
© Domencolja http://www.stockfreeimages.com
ALL OTHER PHOTOS AND THE LIVE VIDEO ARE FROM MY PERSONAL COLLECTION. 

                                      "Concerto for a Dream"


Romantic Period music is known for it's powerful expression of emotion revolving around one's innermost thoughts, feelings, and dreams. Romantic music surely exudes the emotion of love, however, it can also express feelings of hate, and the fear of, and obsession with, death. Not only that but many subjects were open to interpretation by Romantic composers such as:

 • Far off lands
 • The distant past
 • Dreams
 • Night and Moonlight
 • Rivers, lakes and forests
 • Nature and the seasons
 • The joy and pain of love
 • Fairy tales
 • The supernatural

   Having studied Romantic Period music extensively in graduate school, I felt it time to take a try at writing a bit of it myself. The inspiration came from the irony of life and it's many challenges.

   The sound of the string quartet gives you an idea of how expressive and "big" the music was. It was the perfect setting for the electric guitar with it's own ability to paint feelings and emotions with notes. 

   Hopefully, you will hear in this work a whole range of emotions. As you do, marvel at music's ability to speak for us when we are unable to find the words.

"Southern Palms"

                                           "Southern Palms"


Southern Palms - Original song by Mark Campayno (USA)
All music composed by Mark J. Campayno
Guitars and Piano performed by Mark J. Campayno
Recorded at StudioRock of Northern Virginia (studiorocknova.com) STERLING, VA

MUSIC RECORED ON FENDER AND IBANEZ GUITARS AND AN
ENSONIC SYNTHESIZER.
DRUMS AND BASS WERE CREATED
WITH SOFTWARE ON A MAC IPAD.
ALL MELODIES WERE CREATED BY ME USING NO COPYRIGHTED MUSIC

THE STORY OF THE "SOUTHERN PALM" COMPOSITION

After three years a trip to visit my father and stepmom was in order. I knew going into this trip that a piece of music would come out of it. Well it didn't take long and the writing process began on the flight down to Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood Airport. I had the germination of an idea by the time the plane landed. The bass riff and percussion were sketched out. From there it was really a waiting game for inspiration.

I knew it would be Latin-based as that's my go to musical style.  Being in South Florida certainly contributes to that inevitability with it's culture, climate, and overall vibe. Going outside to say goodbye to my stepbrother, his wife, and a friend of theirs prompted me to look up. Then I saw them, the two Guard Palms (my name for them) shooting far above the house. It had to be a Palm Tree themed composition.

I spent the next 4 days writing in spurts and taking many pictures of the incredible variety of palm trees that are literally everywhere. On the flight home, I touch up the rhythm section and piano/guitar scratch tracks. A long day and a half later it is now uploaded safe and sound.

The chord progression came to me the second day. It had to be fairly jazzy as I wanted the melodies to be very strong and not as typically Latin. The basic C Minor progression was fine but I felt a need to spice it up a bit with the always workable VI-V movement. From there, it was easy. Come up with a melodic sketch on guitar. One thing I cannot leave out is the blues influence in this piece. At it's core, this work revolves around a basic I-IV-V blues chord progression. There's a bit more to it than that but I thought I should mention that as a foundational element of the work.

Little did I know that a little thing called a piano solo was needed. Me being not patient at all was not going to wait and have someone come over to do it once I got back. I decided to do it myself. After at least two hours I had a workable solo. After some cleanup and touch up I left it be. It has a charm with it's out of phase rhythm and "curious" , at times, note choices :)

The guitar solos were improvised along with the piano solo. I used two guitars for opposing sounds. It's pretty clear with the differences in timbre between them. It's nearly impossible to not identify a Strat. The Ibanez would have done better had I had it loaded with 10 gauge strings instead of 9's. Another lesson learned on my part.

All in all, I'd say I'm as happy as I've ever been with the results. With every video, with every improvisation, and every upload, I  learn more and more. As musicians, the learning never stops. The frustration and angst never go away, but the feeling of accomplishment makes all the pain go away!