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Alan Emslie’s Home Security System

Fraser Hillis October 10, 2019 Music Fan Comments are off
A home surveillance camera

When you get to be famous, you can no longer live your life like you used to. You can’t just go outside and get some coffee. If you want coffee, you need to dress up nicely, so that you don’t look ridiculous when they take your photo. After certain level of fame, you also need to worry about security at all times. You need bodyguards and people to look out for you and your home needs to be protected.

That is why I wanted to write an article about Alan Emslie’s home security system. It uses state-of-the-art surveillance cameras, as well as motion detectors and many other things that we will get into. No one is breaking into his home, without his knowing about it and being able to stop it.

A home surveillance camera

The most important part of home a security system like the one Alan Emslie has are the security cameras. They keep watch over everything. Now, a lot of people will have someone monitoring the room, but that is not necessarily required.

If you combine the cameras with motion detectors and perhaps other detectors like heat sensors and you have everything connected to your smart phone and receive alerts, you would be alerted whenever one of the sensors goes off. Then you can view the camera feeds from your phone to see what is going on.

That way you only monitor everything when there is a need to monitor it and not otherwise. When there is a need, you see everything you need to see.

Furthermore, the cameras, of course, are always recording. So if you do miss something, there is still a video record of it. And if you see something, you know that it is also being recorded, in case you need to contact the police and give them evidence.

In addition to their primary function, security cameras also work well as a deterrent. A burglar or intruder will see them and decide not to break into your house and go elsewhere instead. They will choose a house that is not protected by cameras.

For this reason, you can actually get a bunch of fake security cameras, too. It is a good idea to mix a lot of fake ones in with some real ones. The real ones cover all the important points, and the fake ones act as additional deterrence. This makes them a very budget friendly way to add extra security.

There are many other budget friendly tricks like this as well. For example, you could get a fake TV. This is basically a little LED light fixture that randomly flashes different lights in different colors, to mimic the look of a TV from the outside.

You basically point it towards a window where the curtains are drawn and if someone is looking at that window from outside, it looks just like someone is watching TV indoors. You just need to make sure that the device is not visible from outside. That is why you want to draw the curtains and ideally do it on a second floor window where people can’t just look in. They see the lights and decide to go elsewhere, where there is no one home.

Another thing you want to do for extra security, is get a guard dog or two. Of course, Alan Emslie has some dogs. These dogs have better hearing than any sensor and will always alert you when someone is coming near. That way you can then check on your video cameras on your phone again.

If you are not home, you can also have a pet monitor that alerts you when your dogs are barking. That way you know the dogs are barking at something, and you can check on your phone. even from a remote location. what they are barking at.

Finally you definitely want to get a video doorbell. This is like a peephole, but it uses video. That means nobody can look through your peephole in the other direction, which is possible with a regular door peephole.

A video doorbell

Furthermore, you can monitor your door remotely. You get an alert when someone approaches your door, thanks to a motion sensor, and then you can check out who it is. In cases where it is someone like a delivery person, you could even talk to them and let them know to leave your package around back, instead of leaving it on the front porch.

All the security measures are probably overkill for the average person, but if you ever become famous like Alan Emslie, you may want to do the same, in terms of security. Famous singers famous drummers, etc. all need to protect their homes. Even if you are just a regular person but you have a lot of valuables, like an extensive vinyl record player collection, you would want to do what you can to protect your home, so that nobody can steal your vinyl records.

What Do Singing Lessons And A Turntable Have To Do With Each Other?

Fraser Hillis March 11, 2018 Music Fan, Musician Comments are off
microphone for singing

microphone for singingAfter writing about Alan Emslie as a singing drummer and talking about several other famous singing drummers recently, I decided to take up singing. I know I’m not a drummer, but I’m not trying to be a singing drummer. I just want to be better at singing so that I can sound great when I go to karaoke with my friends. To that end I found myself a vocal coach and am now taking singing classes.

Around the same time, I bought myself a turntable record player. This was also spurred on by my little blog here. A while ago (I can’t remember how long, but I’m pretty sure it’s been quite a while) I wrote about listening to Alan Emslie’s music on vinyl, instead of on other media.

Since then I’ve read a lot of articles about how vinyl makes many records sound better and I also got to hear a lot of vinyl records at my friends’ houses. That spurred me to finally get my own turntable. I didn’t spend too much on it, but I did spend at least $1000. Let’s just leave it at that.

listening to musicBasically, after doing my research, I didn’t think a record player that costs less than that would be very good. It wouldn’t give me what I want, which is to listen to my favorite albums the way they were truly meant to be listened to. I want the record player to give me that full vinyl sound and to not get in the way. I don’t want a cheap player that will cause some sound to get lost.

Now we get to the title of this post. What do these two things, purchasing a record player and the beginning of singing lessons, have to do with each other. Why did I decide to make a post about the two of them?

The truth is, I wanted to write about both, but it didn’t seem like I could cover either of them enough to really fill one post. So I thought they should both be put together so that I could get you up-to-date and not have to do so with two different articles.

On top of that, both my getting into singing and my buying a record player does signify me getting much more serious with music in general. I’ve always been a music fan and I have this blog, but I have never really tried to get into music as much myself. Now I really want to turn myself into musician. And I also want to be a music enthusiast. Not just someone who likes it and listens to it, but someone who really appreciates it. And to do that, I really believe you need to have a vinyl record player.

These two new changes in my life are both going to lead me closer to what I believe is my destiny: to be a musician and to be a lover of music. Music is my life and even though so far I haven’t been able to spend much of my life on music, mainly due to a really busy work schedule, I have sworn to make more time for it.

I’m cutting out other things like watching TV, etc. and I’m going to focus every bit of my non-work hours on music. That means I’m going to study my singing and get better, I’m going to continue writing this blog and I want to listen to as many records as I can. And I mean really listen to them, so that I really appreciate the music I’m hearing. That is what it’s all about.

Who Is Alan Emslie?

Fraser Hillis March 27, 2017 Music Fan 2 Comments
drums like alan emslie uses

Alan Emslie is a Scottish percussionist who has lent his drumming to a number of rock endeavors and albums. He has made quite a name for himself as a drummer and not just a drummer from Scotland.

drums like alan emslie uses

Music is in his blood. His parents were a BBC producer and a piano teacher. They gave birth to him in 1969.

Growing up, he was influenced by Canadian rock band Rush and also by several classical composers. Music like this is what awakened his love for music and it is the reason he became a professional musician later in life.

He first trained classically as a percussionist, but he did not like it. He says the main thing he learned was that the music industry can be horrible. It did not kill his passion for music, but it did kill his passion for doing it as a profession.

It is perhaps this that led them to be a freelance musician for most of his life. He has worked for orchestras all over Europe and has toured worldwide performing in countries like the US, Canada, Japan, Scandinavian countries, China, France, and of course, Scotland.

He has done hundreds of classical recordings, but is also played drums on some pop and rock albums. Even recorded three solo albums that were called ‘Emotive Bay’, ‘Driven Heavy’ and ‘Dark Matter.’

He continues to work as a drummer for a lot of different bands and artists. But these days, he is also taking up the electric guitar. A large part of the reason for that was his early love for Rush. He is now mainly a composer, who composes both modern works and classical music concerts. He records them as well.

He lives today in Scotland with his wife and his daughter and he also has a dog for companionship and security. The dog works with an expensive system of surveillance cameras and motion detectors to ensure Alan end his family are kept safe. He still spends most of his free time making music and he still does it as a freelancer. That is one of the great things about him.

He did not like what he saw in the music industry, so he decided to work outside of it. Well, not really outside of it, but more to the side of it. He dips in and out of the music industry as he pleases, all the while maintaining his freedom. And isn’t this what most people in any job would like to do?

The best thing you can do is listen to some of his albums. The three solo albums he made are a great start. After that, listen to some of the bands, like the John Irvine band, to whom he lent his drumming. Apart from that, there so many more that you can’t even name them all, but some of my favorites are Portishead and Goldfrapp. These are the bands I like a lot and he has worked with them.

Alan Emslie is a great musician. He is not well known and he doesn’t seek the spotlight, but he continues to turn out great music. These are the kind of musicians I like. They’re not popular because some TV program or radio show says they are, which is usually a result of a lot of money being paid to them, but he is popular in his own way. And every bit of popularity has is a direct result of his talent and his hard work and not any kind of industry manipulation. That is how it should be and that is why I am a huge Alan Emslie fan.

Why You Need To Enjoy Alan Emslie’s Music On Vinyl

Fraser Hillis March 16, 2017 Music Fan Comments are off
great turntable for Alan Emslie's music

You have found yourself on this website, so I assume you’re in Alan Emslie fan. As a fan, I’m sure you own every single album he has ever put out. I certainly do. Moreover, I’m sure you own every one of those albums on vinyl. You kind of have to, right?

That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve been considering updating your collection. Maybe you’ve been thinking about getting his albums on CD or just downloading them in a digital format. I say, there is no need. Why do this?

You’ve already got the albums on vinyl and it doesn’t get better than that. Besides, all of the best modern record players, even the cheap ones, even the cheap turntables that cost less than $200, have the ability to record from vinyl records to MP3 or WAV or some other digital format.

great turntable for Alan Emslie's music

You have already paid for the vinyl; you don’t need to pay for another format. You can simply transfer it. Turn it into whatever format you want.

As for CDs, I do think you can skip this format. Unless you have a CD player in your car or there is some other location where CDs are the only method of listening to music. If that is the case, then it makes sense to get CDs. Otherwise, just stick to digital files. If they are high quality files, and they should be if you are recording them yourself, they sound the same as a CD and they are much more convenient.

The main point, though, is that you can’t beat vinyl records when it comes to music. This is especially true for artists like Alan Emslie. His music screams out to be played on vinyl. You want the needle in the stylus to pick up every nuance of his sound. You want that cartridge to transmit it all perfectly through the record player out the phono output and into your receiver and speakers. You want nothing to get lost.

I definitely recommend getting a high-quality record player, but even the cheap ones are great. You can find wonderful ones for under $200. You could even find good ones for under $100, but they won’t have all of the features you probably want and need. Their sound is usually substandard, too.

I would stick to the sub-$200 range if you are just starting out and you can not yet afford an expensive player. If you can, go ahead and splurge and pay over $1000. This is where you get the really beautiful and high-quality players. And this is what Alan Emslie’s music deserves. Let’s be honest.

This Scottish percussionist has put so much of himself and his soul into his albums throughout the years, put absolutely everything into every last one of them. You want to do his efforts justice and you want to honor them, by only listening to them in the best format possible.

I understand if you can’t yet afford such a high-quality turntable. In that case, it makes sense to get the cheaper one, because at least you are trying and you’re doing what you can. And I know that eventually you will upgrade and listen to Alan’s music the way it was meant to be listened to.

So for now, just get whatever turntable record player you can afford. Most likely, that will be in the under $200 range. Then eventually, you can upgrade to one of those thousand dollar plus record players that completely isolate you from the environment and transport you to a different world. That is the way to enjoy Elmslie’s music on vinyl.

In this case they transport you to Alan Emslie’s magical world. The take you on a trip to the Scottish Highlands and whisk you away over the mountains and the lakes and the forests and the grasslands. This is a great stress relief and excellent for your mental health. It doesn’t get any better than that. Trust me.

Top 7 Health Benefits of Playing Music

Fraser Hillis March 02, 2017 Hymn, Music Fan, Musician 2 Comments

Playing music is becoming more and more popular for people of different ages, and it’s no wonder, since it has so many advantages. It is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself, right up there with gardening, even if it is just indoor gardening under indoor plant lights. And those advantages are open to anyone who wants to learn or improve. There is nothing preventing a child, an adolescent or an older person from getting some musical practice.

How Music Benefits Your Health

There are many ways music benefits your health, and many of them involve your brain’s abilities. It’s really amazing how much playing music from time-to-time can help you and also prevent some diseases. Even listening to music can help you in some ways, but playing it yourself is always better.

Here are some ways music can benefit your health:

  1. Improves memory.
    Studies show that playing an instrument regularly has many benefits for your memory. And if you start as a kid, it’s even better, since you get those tenfold.
  2. Keeps you sharp.
    Some instruments are complicated, like the oboe, and take a lot of knowledge to learn to play well. But in general, playing affects your thinking in a positive way, and if you play every day, the risk of some diseases is greatly reduced.
  3. Relieves stress.
    This one is a massive point nowadays. Our tempo of life is crazy; all the stress and worrying brings up many health issues and can throw a spanner in the works of the human body’s systems. Fortunately, playing music can act as a “chill pill” and gives you an opportunity to relax and learn something at the same time. Another good way to reduce stress is to reduce things you need to worry about. To that end, get yourself some kind of security devices to protect your home. The peace of mind from feeling secure will reduce stress more than anything.
  4. Boosts your respiratory system.
    It’s quite common for musicians to have strong lungs and a good respiratory system in general. There are many exercises for breathing and correct techniques you’ll have to learn if you’re playing often and are serious about improving.
  5. Helps with Alzheimer’s.
    This is very important for sick people, as studies show that listening to and even playing music (though not the long and exhausting practices) helps a lot.
  6. Regulates your mood-swings.
    Mood-swings come from stress and can ruin your social life, your family, your career and the inner-peace with yourself. Science tells us there’s no need to go to the doctor and take medication; mood-swings can be dealt with on a different level. Music will help you relax, find enjoyment the process and stop those mood-swings.
  7. Coordination benefits.
    There are many people who have bad coordination and suffer greatly from it. Dancing helps with that, and doing crafts too, but music can also save you from the inconvenience and helps get your moves right.

What Instrument Should You Play?

This is the first question people usually ask when they think about playing music. And indeed, you have many options to choose from. It really all just depends on yourself. There is no need to do anything if you don’t feel like it, or think it would be uncomfortable for you. So, think of your desires first. There are many different styles of music, so who knows, maybe you’ll find you’re into folk and get yourself an accordion or a banjo. But if you really have the will to it, there is nothing that can stop you on your way.

Plus, who says you have to limit yourself to just one? You can be a world class drummer like Emslie and a great vocalist at the same time. Or you can do the Trent Reznor thing and just handle everything yourself.

Conclusion

There are many benefits of playing an instrument, which can be crucial for some people with specific diseases and health problems. Music is also a good therapy for many, just like riding a horse or swimming with dolphins. Music cures and heals us, and now it’s all proved.

How to Learn to Play Guitar: 7 Simple Steps

Fraser Hillis March 02, 2017 Hymn, Music Fan, Musician Comments are off

Playing guitar is probably the option people think of most when wanting to learn an instrument. It doesn’t take nearly as much time, it’s quite popular, and you can find a lot of like-minded people through playing guitar. Of course, there are a lot of tips and tricks for it. Even though acquiring an instrument can hurt your wallet, after that almost everything is free, so you can run on pure enthusiasm. However, making a decision to play is one thing; you’ll also have to know where to start and what to begin with.

Your Short Guide to a Guitar

Before you actually set your wheels in motion, it’s good to have a short overview of the whole process and see what your steps should be in order to become an expert.

  1. Learn the guitar.
    It’s quite important to learn about your guitar. Don’t be afraid to pick it up, look at it carefully, touch it, and try the strings. Learn what each part is called and try to remember the names. This should be your first step, as you can’t go further without it.
  2. Learn your posture.
    Posture matters. The way you hold the instrument, and the way you touch the strings and place your hands is crucial. It’s quite important to learn to do it the proper way in the very beginning, as this will make the further steps much easier.
  3. Practice and touch the strings.
    Do some basic moves and feel the instrument and the way it sounds. This is actually the first time you’re trying, so it can be quite a memorable moment.
  4. Learn your chords.
    Take some time to learn the chords and make sure you don’t forget these. Practice often and the constant repetition should make it easier to remember those things.
  5. Try going cleaner.
    Your first sounds probably won’t be very good or clean, so it’s important to polish them. Use some techniques you can find on the web and be patient, it may not come easy at first.
  6. Feel the pain.
    The tips of your fingers will hurt a lot at first, that’s no secret. But remember, this is the pain of learning, and you’ll get used to it.
  7. Continue practicing.
    It’s all about the moves and the practice, so make sure you spare some time daily to play your guitar. After some time, you’ll see how easy it is.

А Few Tricks You Should Know

  • It’s all about reps.
    Most of the sounds you’ll make at first will sound nasty. It will take about 10 hours to master some moves and be comfortable, which is really not many. The more you do, the better you’ll get; it’s that simple.
  • Press down firmly.
    To make the sound better, you’ll need to press the strings down firmly, but don’t go too hard. Spend some time to find the balance.
  • It will be weird.
    Don’t panic. The sounds will be weird, your hands will hurt, and the moves will feel wrong and awkward, but it’s supposed to be this way. What seems so unusual now will be much better after a few days.

Conclusion

The best part about playing the guitar is it doesn’t require you to be someone special and to have some secret talent. Anyone can learn quite easily, it’s no oboe or a piano. If you try, you’ll see your efforts pay off. Then, one day, you will become so famous you will need a super high-quality security system for your home, just to keep away all the stalkers.

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