She is a self described acoustic pop singer-songwriter from Hemet, CA. She’s been writing songs since she was just 14 years old, and now at 16 she’s finished recording her first cd entitled “Honesty”, set to be released in April.

I came across her video introducing each song from her new album and I was impressed with her professionalism and and the quality of her music.

Recently, I had an opportunity to interview Beth to find out more about her and her music:

1. What or who first inspired you to learn how to play the guitar? What was your first guitar and what guitar do you play now?

When I first started playing the guitar I was probably about 13, I didn’t have one of my own so I used my grampas old Yamaha, and after that I played with my brothers. I don’t remember a specific time where I decided I wanted to play the guitar, I just slowly learned on my own.

But now that I am really into it my biggest inspirations are Ingrid Michaelson, and Taylor Swift. I think it’s cool how they can use simple chords and patterns and still have great songs. My first guitar was a birthday present from my mom and dad when I turned 15, I picked it out at guitar center.

I didn’t really know much about guitars or anything, so I picked it out basically because it looked cool. Haha, I named it “Rose” because it is red, and the neck is made out of Rosewood. I still play him for performances, and for important songs I write. I just recently got another guitar for Christmas, I named him “Randi” I like to name all my instruments. Rose is a Laguna, and Randi is a Ibanez.

2. How do you approach songwriting? Do you try and work something out with the guitar or piano or is it a melody in your head?

Well, It all depends on what inspires the song. I usually have lyrics in my head before I start the song, then I mess with chords and see if the sound matches the feeling of the song. It all depends on what I am trying to say, but it’s mostly always the lyrics first.

3. I thought that your video for “Daniel’s Song” was very creative using black and white footage and the lyric flip cards. How was it put together and did it require much in the way of shoots and editing?

Recording “Daniel’s song” was very fun. I got the idea from the cards because of the lyrics in the song “…This is you, you’re a wordless song..” I thought it would be cool to not speak in the music video and just use the cards. My dad actually helped me out with the cards, he said that he once saw the cards idea in a Bob Dylan video.

We recorded it in my neighborhood right up the street from Daniel’s house. He was going to
be in the video but he was sick. The videos we make are just for fun, we don’t take them to seriously. So not much editing is being put into them as of right now, maybe in the near future we will start thinking about that.

Video for Daniel’s Song …

4. If you could work with any artist that’s influenced you, who would it be and why?
I am greatly inspired by the Beatles. To work with Sir Paul McCartney would be amazing. He is one of my biggest inspirations as a songwriter and musician. I feel as if his music is very honest, and he really enjoyed writing. I think it would be fun to write or work with someone that not only enjoys his work, but also loves it.

5. From your bio, I read that you were inspired by artists like Tracey Chapman and the Beatles, did you start learning their songs on guitar at first?

Well, learning songs on the guitar was always hard for me because I mostly taught myself. But I have worked with guitar players for short periods of time, and the first fingerpicking song I learned was “Blackbird” by the Beatles. Although I didn’t learn much of there songs at first I was always listening to them.

6. Did you always have the support of your family and friends to make your own music? Were you always determined to make it happen or was there a moment in your life when you thought , “wow, people think I’m pretty good, I can do this”?

Well, I wasn’t always into music as much as I am now. I mean, It has always been in my life, but I fell in love with music when I was about 15. I used to play basketball, and was very much into that. Then one day I had a collapse and after trips to the doctor we found out I have a blood condition and could no longer play anymore. That completely broke my heart, since I had been playing since I was 5 years old. So after I lost basketball I kind of put everything into music, and of course my family and friends supported me. So I think after the loss of basketball, music took that empty spot.

After writing for a couple months (writing an average of one song a day) I started to realize that I really enjoyed it, and it started to come natural, I think my friends started realizing that as well, because they would always ask me to play them new songs I had written.

7. What’s your understanding of music theory? Chords, keys, etc. Is it part of playing or do you strictly play by ear and what sounds good to you?

Last year started taking piano lessons, and in each piano lesson, there is a 30 min time of music theory. So I am now learning theory. But I don’t always follow the “Rules” my cd Honesty was written by ear. (I don’t even know some of the names of the chords I used)

8. Your album “Honesty” comes out in April, which is a great thing all by itself. What’s next for you Beth? What would you like to do or accomplish in the near future? (music-related or not)

In the near future I want to show people who I am as an artist, and a person. Hopefully play as many shows as I can, and just enjoy life. When people watch me perform I want them to forget about there problems, and just have fun. Even if it’s just for one hour. To me that’s what music is, an escape from reality. If an artist can make problems disappear by playing a song. Then I think they are doing there job as an artist. At least that’s what I want to do. As long as there is one person listening, I will continue to write, and perform.

For more information about Beth and her music, visit:
BethMJimenez.com
YouTube
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