Ranga believes in talent and style

Anushka NANAYAKKARA

OUTSTANDING music composer Ranga Dassanayaka, who composed a number of innovative beats for the duo Bhatiya and Santhushhas was met recently at his studio "Hit Factory" in Bambalapitiya.

Ranga started studying music with a keyboard and later did a course in sound engineering in the US. He is responsible for making many music compositions for many leading bands and singers today.

Ranga who described himself as a simple, emotional and creative person said that he has kept his own signature combining both oriental and western music.

Following is an interview with Ranga.

Are there any thesis or articles on the effectiveness of using software in music composition done by you?

Not at the moment. But if I get a chance, I might do it.

How to evaluate music composition? Are there any criteria?

Depending on the style and the instruments one use.

What's the difference you see in composing instrumental music?

A. Generally it's based on a thyme. For example rain. To compose such kind of a thyme sound effects can be used.

What made you study sound engineering?

I guess the family background and the interest I had in computers.

What are the subjects you studied of sound engineering?

Fifteen subjects altogether such as audio electronics, circuit construction, editing techniques, music business, microphone design, signal processing etc.

Any future plans to carry on your studies?

Yes, hoping to do my Masters.

What's your ultimate goal in the music industry?

Stepping towards Grammy Awards and to bring fame to our country.

Can synthetic music go parallel with live performances?

It can definitely. But how you handle it is the key point of using for live performances.

What made you to turn into a musician in the first place?

I guess the family back ground.

What are your observations as a music director, with the future music industry?

Presently most artists tend to copy Indian music a lot, while having talents and creativity among us. At the moment Sri Lankan music is kind of a stuck due to the above reason.

Even though our young generation is creative they have very less opportunities to study a subject like sound engineering. Do you have any idea to start an institute?

Yes, I would like to share my knowledge. Hopefully by the beginning of next year to might start an institute.

Your contribution towards the music industry is less now. Any particular reason?

Nothing as such. I have being busy with the advertising work and truly don't want to get hold of this fast moving trend.

Is that true Bhathiya, Santush and Eraj are not in good terms with you? Even after composing popular songs like Wasanthaya, Mal Pan Podak, Mathaka Mandira etc.

Nothing as such. Bhathiya, Santush and I were supposed to start a studio together. But due to some circumstances it did not work out.

Do you think Rap/Hip Hop carries violence more than any other music?

In Rap and Hip Hop you get different versions. Well, it can be taken as a yes and no.

What do you think about the local music media? Do they support the new musicians well enough or can they do better?

Very few media stations are willing to play songs of new artists and unfortunately some of the recording labels control the stations by only promoting their stuff.

Do you have any idea of doing an instrumental CD?

If I start a recording company, definitely I would do it.

What are the awards you have won?

SLIM Awards - Radio Commercial of the year 2003/2004/2005

Abbey Awards - UNFCR - 2005.

Any special tribute to a person?

My family and teacher Claude Fernando

As a final note Ranga shared a secret. He is to tie the knot with Upekha, (fondly known as Upi) in May next year.

Picture by Saman Sri WEDAGE

Derek's secret revealed

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

LAST week I said there will be more secrets - secrets of guitar playing of course - coming your way on this page. Derek Wickremenayake of Wildfire is with In Tune to share a few secrets of guitar playing with you.

Don't forget he is a professional who has mastered his instrument. And more interestingly he does not believe guitar playing as a difficult task.

"Who says guitar playing is difficult? It is easier than you think once you get started the right way," says Derek.

This is what he has to say about playing what looks like much complicated finger gymnastics on the guitar.

"It's like driving your car from home to several places and coming back home. You may use the road you came on. You may take a different road to come back."

"Let's suppose your home is at Maharagama, and if you know the roads well you can come to Maharagama from different routes. You can come via Parliament road, or High Level road or even via Nugegoda road."

What makes guitar playing difficult?

Nothing. It happens when you don't know the road. And also when you don't know how to drive.

Ok. Here's the first secret Derek shared with about the guitar. Let's master the guitar fingerboard also known as the fret board of the guitar.

It's where the incy wincy spider climbs up the spout, I mean it's where your left hand does finger gymnastics on the neck of the guitar.

"Let's know the notes of a guitar fingerboard. Ok, that's just for your reference. When you come to real guitar playing you cannot go through fingerboard charts to find the right notes," Derek shrugged.

Then he revealed the secret. "You have six strings on the guitar from the thickest E6th string to the thinnest E1st in the order E6th, A5th, D4th, G3rd, B2nd, and E1st," he said and drew the above chart.

Then he gave this advice:

At first try to play all the E notes on each string starting from E6th string Open (o means Open string), then A 5th string 7th fret, D4th 2nd fret, G3rd 9th fret, B2nd 5th fret, and E1st open or 12th fret.

Now do the same exercise with your middle finger, ring finger and finally with your small finger (the pinky).

At first try to find the first seven notes of the alphabet then go to the remaining five sharps (#).

Do this for sometime everyday to get accustomed with the guitar. Don't take this guitar secret for granted. Practise. You will master the fingerboard.

Secrets of playing musical scales on guitar, next week.