New Song: Into the Danger Zone

I welcome thee to the danger zone . . . or my latest song: Into the Danger Zone!

How to Write Your First Song, Part 1: the Basics of Chords (and Some Music Theory)

I began my foray into writing original songs less than a year ago. In this relatively short time, I have learned a LOT about songwriting and music in general. Though I am a classically-trained musician (which sounds very pretentious, though I guess it is), I didn't really know a lot about the structure of pop music, chords, etc. In trying to write songs, I have done lots of research and learning. From this learning, I present to you part one of this newly-created series that features some essential information and tips on writing your first song.

Ballad of the Crystal Ponies Cover + a Mini Update!

Fact #1: this is my first cover of a song actually from the show!
Fact #2: I know it's been forever; I feel like I say that pretty much every time I upload. Before the summer started, I was like "Yes I am going to record and upload so much during the summer!" and then I never did. It didn't help that I wasn't living at home half the time. Oops.

Anyway, now that I've gotten some excuses out, on to some more interesting things!

5 Tips on How to Play Viola Better

The viola is a beautiful instrument; I, more than most, should know that. After all, I have been playing viola for four years. Of course, four years isn't that long, especially compared to some people, and though I am by no means a master of my instrument, I do consider myself capable enough to give some tips to beginners.

In fact, even if you have been playing viola for quite a while, you may find some of the following advice helpful to you. And don't feel left out, my fellow orca dorks! As an added bonus, some of these tricks can be not just applied to viola, but to all string instruments in general. But anyway, without further ado, here are five tips to play viola (or any string instrument) better!

Over the years that I've been playing - or rather, studying, which sounds quite a bit fancier - the viola, I have picked up some helpful tips, many of which are from my private lesson teacher, the principal violist of a professional orchestra in my state. I hope he doesn't mind that I share some of this advice with all of you. Also, feel free to leave a comment below for an further explanation of any of the points or for a definition of a music term or phrase.

Welcome to ViolaMao Meowsings!

Hello, everypony! I am ViolaMao, a brony who happens to upload music on my YouTube channel. Feel free to check out my videos. Above, you'll see my OC, Viola, crappily drawn by none other than me. On an unrelated note, I'll probably get her redrawn by someone who is actually good at art. Though I am not well-known by any means, if by chance you've listened to any of my songs, it would probably be either be Perfection or my cover of Jeff Burgess's song "I Will Always Miss Us (feat. EileMonty)".

On this blog, you'll find various posts about me and my music, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, the brony community, me ranting and raving about attempting to write and produce original songs, and my journey through bronydom. I might even post something that's helpful to you - who knows? I guess you'll just have to stick around and continue reading ViolaMao Meowsings!

And if you are just dying to know more about me, you can take a look at this blog's about page or my Blogger profile, with a snippet in the sidebar and my complete profile here.

On a bit of an unrelated note, blogs are super fun to make, no sarcasm intended. Uh, both of those statements sounded super sarcastic. Oops. That wasn't my intent.