The guitar? The Bass? The Tuba? Does anyone here play the synth? I DO!
Drums
When I was young, I used to play piano, violin, clarinet, bass clarinet, trumpet, cornet, synthesizer, jews' harp, flute, and sax.
Nowadays I play piano, guitar, flute, and drums. More drums than anything else: congas, dholak, djembe, doira, dumbek, frame drum, rebana, tabla, tambourine. I'm all about the skins.
What gear do you use as well? I have a novation x station 49.
Guitar and or Bass for thirty some odd years. Some Drums, Keyboards, Flute, Trombone
Stratocaster, Firebird - A few acoustic Guitars
I play guitar also, but I never got good playing the damn instrument. Spent alot of money for nothing. Fender J5 telecaster.
I can play, well enough for a line check quite a few. But really? I have an Acou-Electric Korean Vintage Guitar - a unique shade of blue-green- with a Fender Telecaster pickup, run through a DigiTech emulator, through a Crate Amp.
Started on vocals and guitar, Epiphone SG that I don't play as much as I used to (long nails).
Switched to bass once that band ended, fender jazz ...mmmmmmmm through a laney RB9 > laney 4x10 and a marshall 15inch sub. Bass EQ and a big muff.
Now I'm on the drums on a borrowed yamaha stage custom with zildjian cymbals. Drums were always my first passion.. and the first instrument I've learned left handed (refused to compromise on that one).
Drums = awesome. :laugh:
guitar
bass
keyboard
Does the radio count? ??? :laugh:
Janet
Maybe if I started practicing again... *sigh*
Nice one Janet. A bone that I pick with instrument manufacturers is that they charge too much for an instrument that actually plays well. It seems anything under a 1000 US, wont play or sound good. That and the parts start to deteriorate. My J5, with in 2 months the saddles became rusted and paper weights. If one plays a gibson les paul, the difference can be heard and felt. I suppose it weeds out the ones who want to play the instrument from the ones who bought it just cause the people they are currently associating them selves with did. ESP I say is taking the lead in fair priced guitars. The Japanese have taken yet another industry away! :icon_biggrin: It's a damn shame ESP's navigator series arent sold here. Well alot of their great guitars arent sold here also! http://www.espguitars.co.jp/ (http://www.espguitars.co.jp/)
Guitar
Bass
Drums
Mosty Guitar. Mostly electric. Mostly with a pick. Mostly on a JCM800 or Plexi or equivalent.
I used to be able to play the saxophone, clarinet, and flute pretty well. I haven't picked one up in close to 10 years though =(.
I am bad at guitar and some others...
guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, uke, dulcimer... some piano, and hand percussion
we need to have a Band of Susan's
Z
I think good instruments have always been expensive. Be glad you don't play a concert grand. But good guitars are ever harder to make as the stock of wood to choose from gets worse all the time, which is why so many pros like the stuff from the late 50s and early 60 before it was all overproduced and when good wood was still around.
Wouldnt have thought that Tekla. and Zythyra, thats a great idea. A susan's band! :icon_headfones:
Quote from: Zythyra on February 03, 2009, 10:59:57 PM
guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, uke, dulcimer... some piano, and hand percussion
Z
Ooo a one woman bluegrass band =D.
Now, guitar and piano, and I sing -- I love choral music. Although every time a conductor says, "Okay, men please stand" ... :-\ I really wish I could just sing alto. Of course, tenors are always in demand, so at least I have that going for me. I started on violin when I was very little, but I gave it up before high school. I wish I hadn't, and I intend to start taking lessons again in the next couple years. I played clarinet too for a while, though I didn't like it nearly as much as the others.
Quote from: tekla on February 03, 2009, 11:05:43 PM
I think good instruments have always been expensive. Be glad you don't play a concert grand. But good guitars are ever harder to make as the stock of wood to choose from gets worse all the time, which is why so many pros like the stuff from the late 50s and early 60 before it was all overproduced and when good wood was still around.
Well, when I have a $150,000.00 to spare for a '59 strat I'll find out what the difference is. Until then, I'll settle for a $2,600.00 Fender Custom Shop Relic. But I'm really an LP player. Got any '60s LPs with a the slim 60s neck you wanna get rid of?
Quote from: klodefm42 on February 03, 2009, 10:46:36 PM
A bone that I pick with instrument manufacturers is that they charge too much for an instrument that actually plays well. It seems anything under a 1000 US, wont play or sound good. That and the parts start to deteriorate.
There's simple solution to that problem. Use a time machine to go into the past and buy your instrument then. I got my guitar in 1973 for $125 and it's still in great shape. The label says it's a Hoehner, but it's really a Fender second that got sold under a cheap brand. The only reason it's a second is some flaws in the finish. And the Hoehner people put cheap plastic tuning pegs on it. I wouldn't consider taking less than $2000 for it today.
Quote from: Zythyra on February 03, 2009, 10:59:57 PM
we need to have a Band of Susan's
Is that anything like a gaggle of geese?
Well any halfway decent guitar tech (or even someone with basic mechanical ability) can change those pegs out, and its not just the cheep plastic, but the lack of holding ability that cheep tuning pegs tend to slip more than good ones.
I do know that, but that would mean I'd have to learn to tune it all over again. I've got it down to an art, and I don't like having to change.
Quote from: Jen on February 03, 2009, 11:31:10 PM
Quote from: Zythyra on February 03, 2009, 10:59:57 PM
guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, uke, dulcimer... some piano, and hand percussion
Z
Ooo a one woman bluegrass band =D.
... with a baritone voice ;)
Quote from: Lisbeth on February 04, 2009, 12:12:36 PM
I do know that, but that would mean I'd have to learn to tune it all over again. I've got it down to an art, and I don't like having to change.
;D
This is going to be a fun band!
Z
Quote from: Zythyra on February 04, 2009, 12:16:25 PM
This is going to be a fun band!
Z
It's only going to be fun if I start practicing again.
Quote from: Lisbeth on February 04, 2009, 12:26:01 PM
Quote from: Zythyra on February 04, 2009, 12:16:25 PM
This is going to be a fun band!
Z
It's only going to be fun if I start practicing again.
Z is a good bandleader
<says in best old school piano teacher European accent> you vill practissssse!
Z
This tread has inspired me to monkey about with my guitars again :laugh: When I was young practicing was like a second full time job. Work - eat - practice - eat - (gig)work - sleep and then do it all again
if I start practicing again
Practice is over-rated. Lets work on bad haircuts, even worse clothes and lots and lots of good press first.
I like wearing holy blue jeans - Playing rock music is like a religious experience for me :laugh: >:-) :laugh:
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Quote
Ooo a one woman bluegrass band =D.
... with a baritone voice ;)
When I used to live in Atlanta I used to go to The Red Light Cafe a couple nights every month to listen to live Bluegrass. Something I definitely miss. American roots music has this essential charm about it I find totally endearing.
Good to hear that this thread has gotten you back to the guitar. Does anyone else here play the synth :icon_rockon: ! Fender really has dropped the ball. I know this guy who bought a Jim Tele. At first glance it seems like an awesome tele! Specially those who enjoy to play heavier rock. He told me that the guitar, even tho it was pricey, it wasnt built in the US. That and it came with a lot of flaws. The fret ends sticking out for example. He fixed these problems. You think for a guitar at that price range it would have come better assembled. As for synths, how about that new Korg micro xl. It even has pcm waveforms..PIANO! Alot of other neat features as well. But its so damn small. :icon_bumdance-nerd:
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For a good basic shred instrument I'd suggest that Dean makes some pretty good axes. And a synth? What century are you in? Its a NORD interface all the way with people who get paid to play these days.
I've used syth.s on and off since the '80s. Mostly for composition purposes. I've used old relics like Prophet 5, Prophet 600, various Rolands and Kurzweils. Right now I have an el cheapo Yamaha. It suits my purposes for the moment. It's basically my Bass and Drums machine although I'll use some of the other sounds as well. I also use it to practice my piano playing. (helps me relax). I guess what I'm saying is get something touch sensitive with at least 76 keys so you can split the board. And of coarse other features are good to have as well such as sliders and knobs so you can tweak and/or dial in your sound. Nord is the hot item right now. Never cared much for Korg. And there are plenty of others to choose from
I unpack and set up a Kurzweil from time to time, and a B-3 and Fender Rhodes too, they are unique, but the pros are all on the Nord stuff where they can get the interface with ProTools.
How about them VST instruments. Virginia Maria, what Rolands did you use? Did you ever play a Jupiter 8 or 6? or Juno 60?
I've used the Roland Juno 60 and Juno 106 and the Jupiter 6 and D-50 and U-20. I've seen the VST series and have heard both good and bad comments about them. But have not used any of those. I've always liked the Roland products mostly for the sound quality. Most of those synths. belonged to a friend of mine. I've also bought and sold some of them for myself. Bought them because I liked them....Sold them because I was in a tight spot and needed cash :icon_frown:
I have a Fender Stratocaster and an Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top that I play. I also have a couple of nice acoustic guitars.
None of them have stock electronics. I custom wire guitars for fun.
Quote from: MMarieN on February 04, 2009, 10:41:16 PM
I have a Fender Stratocaster and an Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top that I play. I also have a couple of nice acoustic guitars.
None of them have stock electronics. I custom guitars for fun.
I like to Hot Rod guitars also :icon_cool:
Thats pretty rad Virginia Marie. Do you think it was dumb to place a regular humbucker pickup in an active pickup set. Like converting it. I had that done to a fernades guitar I once had and the result was so awful. The sustainer is still a nice feature tho.
I don't play anythign anymore, sort of a regret that I don't. :(
my main instruments (i.e ones I was pretty darn good at):
trumpet, french horn and other brass instruments, piano, guitar
other instruments I played at one time or another in a performance of some kind (i.e. I was decent enough to make music and not noise):
sax, flute, cello, bass
other instruments I have owned/played over time: (i.e. maybe I didn't suck, but no where near what I would call good):
set drums, oboe, marching band percussion (tenor and snare) and pit instruments.
I picked up an acoustic guitar a couple years ago for $20 and really wanted to start playing again, but by the time I was getting my groove back I broke the e string and have been too lazy to go get new strings, lol. I used to own a strat and a charvel model 4, i loved that guitar and was forced to sell it way too cheap. my favorite trumpet was a really old getzen severenson model cira the 1960's. it was my uncles and he passed it down to me. I've never played a trumpet that had faster valve action than that horn.
yea, I'm a recovering band geek and music major.
I tend to do my tweaking on the tone and volume pots. Adding push-pull pots so I can split the coil or coil tap. I tried EMG active pups for awhile and immediately went back to my stock pups or Seymour Duncans or DiMarzios or a combo there of.
Does anyone have recordings? audio? of them selves playings? Dont it suck that analogs synthesizers have become so pricey. I think vst's are awesome. Theres this thing called the vmachine. Its a box which you can load up vst's which is sweet cause one can have a variety of synth's in one box! http://www.smproaudio.com/english/products/v-machines/v-machine.html (http://www.smproaudio.com/english/products/v-machines/v-machine.html) So I take it that no one here has played a navigator series guitar and or bass. I play to take my j5 into a shop and get it set up properly. Virginia, my J5 wont play in tune properly. It stays in tune sort of okay but in some plays it sounds out of tune. Could it be the fret board?
Quote from: tekla on February 04, 2009, 04:25:36 PM
if I start practicing again
Practice is over-rated. Lets work on bad haircuts, even worse clothes and lots and lots of good press first.
Silly me, I've been going about this music career all wrong... actually learning to play my instruments! :o :laugh:
Quote from: Jen on February 04, 2009, 04:53:08 PM
Quote
Quote
Ooo a one woman bluegrass band =D.
... with a baritone voice ;)
When I used to live in Atlanta I used to go to The Red Light Cafe a couple nights every month to listen to live Bluegrass. Something I definitely miss. American roots music has this essential charm about it I find totally endearing.
What I love about it is that it's real. You can't hide behind effects or volume... what you hear is what someone actually played. It peaks form the heart.
Z
Silly me, I've been going about this music career all wrong... actually learning to play my instruments!
Doesn't that thought occur to you just about every other time you hear the current 'big thing'?
I often have thought that if you know more than three chords, your pretty much over qualified.
And hey, I've heard some pretty slick and commercial bluegrass over the years. I'm not even sure about the 'roots' deal as it is largely a creation of the 1930s.
You actually learn to play your inst.s? What an odd bird :laugh:
I'd love to get my hands on a Moog analog synth. But, there's this little spot of bother called "rent."
From the limited searching I've done so far, it looks like the microKORG XL is only about $500. While that's still too much for me right now, that's a lot more affordable than a Mini Moog.
There is a well known female artist - and I'm not going to use her name - that when we were setting her up and told to pull out the guitars one of my coworkers said 'they are not really guitars, more like six string tamborines.'
Ouch.
And hey Shades, how do think I feel when I have to pull out and walk around with some $3,000 keyboard?
Quote from: tekla on February 05, 2009, 01:03:07 PM
And hey Shades, how do think I feel when I have to pull out and walk around with some $3,000 keyboard?
If it were me, I'd be pretty damned nervous at first. Then, a potentially bigger problem would be that I'd get used to it. It seems that in getting used to it could lead to getting complacent.
KlodeFM - I suppose it could be the fret board. But if the tuners are good, I would suspect the intonation settings at the bridge.
Quote from: klodefm42 on February 05, 2009, 12:19:12 AM
Does anyone have recordings? audio? of them selves playings? ..........
eek! Do I have no shame? This is the last thing I recorded over a year ago... my computer soundcard stopped working and I haven't fixed it yet *more shame*. I did this simple track just to test out my new big muff pedal, which surprised me.. ten million times better than my old proco rat.
http://www.upload-mp3.com/pfiles/57539/bigmuffer160.mp3 (http://www.upload-mp3.com/pfiles/57539/bigmuffer160.mp3)
Great track! what did you use for the drums? A live drummer or a vst like bfd?
I like it too. But it sounds like one of my old songs from 20 yr.s ago
Quote from: klodefm42 on February 05, 2009, 11:11:37 PM
Great track! what did you use for the drums? A live drummer or a vst like bfd?
Nah just fruity loops with upgraded drum samples that I recorded straight into cakewalk sonar.. you can hear the latency drag everything out of time towards the end.. yay >_> Will be recording live drums very soon though.
edit: hehhe! Yes this also marks an end of an era for me... everything from now on will be less formulated and more experimental!
Everything has been an experiment for me.
hey virginia, do you have photos of your gear? And for songs, I tend to go with Reason. I sort of with the sequencer it came with was polyphonic, and the arpeggiator was more tweakable.
Quote from: tekla on February 05, 2009, 12:44:24 PM
And hey, I've heard some pretty slick and commercial bluegrass over the years. I'm not even sure about the 'roots' deal as it is largely a creation of the 1930s.
.... which was a result of people like Alan Lomax going all over the country and paying people ten dollars to sing into his can.
Old-time music (not really heard anymore is the roots of '30's "roots" which is the roots of country which is part of the roots of rock; spirituals are the roots of gospel which are the roots of Motown which are the roots of rap and hip-hop. The roots go down deep. You'll never dig them out completely.
Music lovers owe so much to Alan Lomax, and his daddy John that it's almost a debt that can never be repaid.
Quote from: tekla on February 05, 2009, 12:44:24 PM
Silly me, I've been going about this music career all wrong... actually learning to play my instruments!
Doesn't that thought occur to you just about every other time you hear the current 'big thing'?
I haven't listened to anything currently popular in a long time. And I don't miss it.
Quote
I often have thought that if you know more than three chords, your pretty much over qualified.
Yep, that's pretty much the way it is.
Actually though, some of my favorite music doesn't use any more than three chords... I particularly love songs that only use one chord....
Z
I've come to the almost tragic conclusion after years of hearing the 'next big thing' before they became that 'thing' that the more I hate them, the bigger they are going to be, the more I like them, the faster the road to total obscurity.
Quote from: tekla on February 06, 2009, 07:19:33 PM
I've come to the almost tragic conclusion after years of hearing the 'next big thing' before they became that 'thing' that the more I hate them, the bigger they are going to be, the more I like them, the faster the road to total obscurity.
Hate me Tekla. Hate me more with every day. Then hate me more than that :laugh: >:-) :laugh:
I ought to get bands to pay me to hate them. Last band I really hated was Panic! At the Disco. Hell, I even hated their name. Lot of good that did me. Nice guys though, I did like all of them. On the other hand, I think that on any given night the best band playing anywhere in the US is Gov't Mule, with Warren Hanes, and they can't sell much more than a thousand tix a night in major markets.
has anyone here ever used a fairlight or a synclavia? Well when I was a teenager..well alot of bands I liked then I pretty much hate now. specially the stuff from the early 90's.
The NORD stuff has replaced the Fairlights and I haven't seen a synclavia for years, ok, a decade or more now.
The only one I can remember with a Fairlight is Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran. But his wealthy parents bought that for him along with his musical carrier. I guess they got a good return on their investment
Whoa, I had no Idea about that Nick Rhodes story. Jeeze, he must have come from serious cash!
Not serious money, but pretty good, I think his 'rents owned a toy store.
Bought their kid some good toys.....
Seems to me a Fairlight went for around 7K at the time
The new one is only $28,000 (yes, that's right). But that's studio stuff, no one is going to take a $28K keyboard and toss it into the back of a semi no matter how good the road cases are.
Oh, they've only quadrupled in price?
Hey how about them openlabs super workstations? http://www.openlabs.com (http://www.openlabs.com)
Wasn't Herbie Hancock also a Fairlight player?
Herbie Hancock was - and is - A Player. He could make a toy piano sound better than most people sound on a Bösendorfer concert grand. Even Rockit was way ahead of his time. But listen to the original version of Watermellon Man done on solo piano, just as awesome as the version on Headhunters, which is still about one of the best jazz fusion records ever done.
So yeah, back in the day almost every studio, or at least SIR, had a Fairlight.
Quote from: klodefm42 on February 05, 2009, 12:19:12 AM
Does anyone have recordings? audio? of them selves playings?
http://www.myspace.com/hotshackett (http://www.myspace.com/hotshackett)
;D
I play guitar, ukulele and sing. I've got a US Strat, Les Paul ripoff, Ibanez AW-80, Maton EM325 and a Greg Bennet ukulele.
I've been gigging for a few years, solo since the band died in 2007 but I've just started performing under my new name so it's sort of like starting again I guess...haven't played any straight bars as Sally yet, could be interesting :-\
I suppose I should admit to a custom Bass Guitar and an lovely Briarwood Acoustic... ;)
They are not really the problem though....Its the 2kw sound rig and DMX lighting system filling my garage... ::)
Chrissty
Heh, that's always the downer about having a decent collection - the space. I live with two other musos in a tiny house, people space is only a secondary concern after the bass rigs/amps/guitars/keyboards/P.A etc are accommodated.
Quote from: Imadique on February 14, 2009, 04:52:02 AM
Heh, that's always the downer about having a decent collection - the space. I live with two other musos in a tiny house, people space is only a secondary concern after the bass rigs/amps/guitars/keyboards/P.A etc are accommodated.
......and the big ->-bleeped-<- amps aren't as cosy to snuggle up with as those old glowing valves! ;D
It's true, but we have both trans and non trans amps here and they all get along in peace and harmony (though the non trans are definitely favoured :-X)
Well at least my "Par-cans" come in handy in the morning if the toaster breaks down. ;D
I'm about to move into a smaller place, and I need to put a PA system, drum set, 2x12 Bass guitar rig, 4x12 guitar rig, 2x12 guitar rig, guitar preamp rack, pedal board, recording desk, synchronizer, 8 guitars, 4 guitar combos, and 3 or 4 boxes of miscellaneous cables and effects into storage. Anyone wanna just borrow it for a while? I need to make room for the pool table.
Quote from: glendagladwitch on February 14, 2009, 11:31:27 AM
I'm about to move into a smaller place, and I need to put a PA system, drum set, 2x12 Bass guitar rig, 4x12 guitar rig, 2x12 guitar rig, guitar preamp rack, pedal board, recording desk, synchronizer, 8 guitars, 4 guitar combos, and 3 or 4 boxes of miscellaneous cables and effects into storage. Anyone wanna just borrow it for a while? I need to make room for the pool table.
I could make use of the 2x12 Guitar rig and pedal board and maybe the miscellaneous cables and effects :laugh:
Quote from: glendagladwitch on February 14, 2009, 11:31:27 AM
I'm about to move into a smaller place, and I need to put a PA system, drum set, 2x12 Bass guitar rig, 4x12 guitar rig, 2x12 guitar rig, guitar preamp rack, pedal board, recording desk, synchronizer, 8 guitars, 4 guitar combos, and 3 or 4 boxes of miscellaneous cables and effects into storage. Anyone wanna just borrow it for a while? I need to make room for the pool table.
I'm just beginning to wonder if we should get Tekla to arrange a "Susan's Rock Festival"?
...there would be no shortage of gear between us! ;)
So is there anywhere in the world that allows one to marry their drum set? ...just wondering ..? ! :P
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg101.imageshack.us%2Fimg101%2F72%2Fimage017kh3.jpg&hash=e603b32edbfe6af7335ea2826cbc7dfda5b991df)
Our group needs a drummer :laugh:
I play trumpet, and piano. I'm trying to learn guitar, but it's really frickin' hard! :icon_eek: so many notes... and I'm left-handed so that doesn't help either.
Think of the guitar fretboard as a piano keyboard. Same notes, just placed a little different. I play southpaw do to injuries. I find it a blessing :laugh:
Quote from: glendagladwitch on February 14, 2009, 11:31:27 AM
I'm about to move into a smaller place, and I need to put a PA system, drum set, 2x12 Bass guitar rig, 4x12 guitar rig, 2x12 guitar rig, guitar preamp rack, pedal board, recording desk, synchronizer, 8 guitars, 4 guitar combos, and 3 or 4 boxes of miscellaneous cables and effects into storage. Anyone wanna just borrow it for a while? I need to make room for the pool table.
Well since I dunno where you are located, it would be kind of hard. And what kind of PA equipment? I am already thinning out the guitar herd some, and I am bursting at the seams with guitar processors, pedals, and boards, but I could always stand to beef up my PA. It sounds awesome right now, but I am only at 8,000 watts.
Oh, btw, besides, guitar I do play uke and mandolin. Plus, some woodwind stuff, especially clarinet, and am learning the Irish tin whistle.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi
I need a PA too. I sold most of my stuff off years ago. But have received new inspiration lately from many directions. Maybe it's time to put a new thing together :laugh:
Our group needs a drummer
If we're doing any sort of Rock or R&B, or Electric blues, you bet the band on it. The best rock bands have the best drummers, and at that, its all about the snare drum. The metal kids try to cover that with the double foot pedal at the speed of light deal, but it never works.
You can get around a marginal singer if they have enough stage presence and charisma, guitar players are a dime a dozen (walk into any Guitar Center and find out), keyboards tend to be 'color' instuments most of the time, and heck, there are lots of so-so bass players, but you got to have the drummer.
Everyone hates them. In most bands the drummer is more obnoxious then the rest of the band combined. But they are driving the train. That's why they are in the center, higher (I'm thinking riser here, but other ways too) than everyone else. It's the vortex.
People tend to focus on the singer/songwriter, largely because they are emoting all over the place, and 'speaking to you' and the lead guitar is pryotechnics, but list off the best rock band, and what you really have is a list of the great drummers. It is, at base level, Rhythm and Blues, and there is a reason that Rhythm comes first in that line up.
However, its the songwriter who makes all the money in the long run.
Quote from: tekla on February 15, 2009, 10:24:49 AM
However, its the songwriter who makes all the money in the long run.
More often than not it's the record company that makes all the money, not the songwriter or musicians.
Z
Quote from: tekla on February 15, 2009, 10:24:49 AM
However, its the songwriter who makes all the money in the long run.
Only if they're terrible though...
I dont know, unless the band uses a drum machine. The one who makes the most money is the one who knows how to play the game. Band to have signed a horrible deal- DEVO. Love that band so much. they may be philosophical intellectuals but they sure as hell didn't know business. Now theres even college courses for that!
I agree with the drummer point.
A boring drummer can make everything else in the band sound boring.
And an imaginative drum beat is almost always overshadowed by an interesting guitar riff in my eyes. Even when they're working together and become equal!!
Top 10 drummers:
Cale Parks - aloha
Tony Hajjar - sparta
John Lever - the chameleons
Janet Weiss - sleater-kinney
Jimmy Chamberlin - the smashing pumpkins
Robin Jones - the aliens
Dominic Howard - muse
Orri Páll Dýrason - sigur rós
Steve Shelley - sonic youth
Tali White - lucksmiths/guild league
A good example of an interesting drum beat that can turn a basic song into something more is the cranes song jewel. It becomes the focal of the song and feels like it adds a whole new layer.
the alto saxophone is my main instrument. i also play soprano sax, flute, keyboards, guitar, recorder, and bass.
So, We've just about have a full band. Which of you is the best drummer?
Could you imagine if we got all this talent together?
Tekla would be one busy stage tech.
Quote from: Monique Martinez on February 15, 2009, 06:33:38 PM
Tali White - lucksmiths/guild league
That gives you away as being Australian ;)
I wish the Guild League were more prolific.
Quote from: Imadique on February 16, 2009, 07:15:14 AM
That gives you away as being Australian ;)
I wish the Guild League were more prolific.
They just released a new album very late last year.. 'speak up'. It's slowly growing on me... :P
Guitar and not that well!
Have two, a beautiful 1970 Yamaha Classical and a Gibson Melody Maker which I almost never play (used to worship Joan Jett!) ;D
Yet another guitar player checking in. I'm decent with it, and know my way around a djembe fairly well too. I miss noodling around on bass guitar, but it was taking up space and rarely being used so it went away.
I've been wanting to get a beginners electronic set up with a keyboard and sampler for some time, but anyway you slice it that's going to expensive. I might just drop back into bass again instead.
Oddly, or not - being good, and being good in a band are two different things. I know several people who are very good players, but they can't work in that group deal. And, there are a lot of people who are just so-so, who work very well in a band, they find that space where they fit and fill it.
I remember when Utube was first on, and one of the deals was that a lot of people were posting vids of them playing. A lot of kids sitting on the bed in their room and just shreadding. We were all sitting around the catering area (the common backstage room) watching a few of these wonderkids and one of the band guys from that night (some medium range metal band type) said something to the effect that, its a long way from playing one song well on your bed to playing it well in front of a thousand people for 90 minutes. I think they are two very different skills.
And, in a way, the current technology that makes recording so easy has not helped, more people are working on laying down tracks, then on jammin in the garage and it shows often. Their CDs sound great, but the stage performance somehow is lacking.
And, of course the record company makes money, heck its possible to have a gold record and still owe the record company money - it's happened more than once. Record companies started to sell a product, the artists were only a means to that end.
However, a lot of the people who were very successful paid attention to both words in the notion of 'music business.' That the music is important, but so is the business, and in a lot of ways, the business is a lot harder than the music. For the life of me, I've never understood where people need the best equipment, but settle for their best friend as a manager, or 'my brother is a lawyer' type deal. The most successful bands have - not the best music, but the best business staff.
Quote from: tekla on February 20, 2009, 10:13:09 AMAnd, of course the record company makes money, heck its possible to have a gold record and still owe the record company money - it's happened more than once. Record companies started to sell a product, the artists were only a means to that end.
Here's an article, The Problem With Music by Steve Albini, which accurately details how this happens.
http://www.negativland.com/albini.html (http://www.negativland.com/albini.html)
Yeah, that's famous, its almost a bit of gospel for people I know, but what's odd is that he is not talking about isolated examples, but a huge pile of bands to the point where it has become standard operating policy.
Tom Morello also wrote a good piece on this. He was a famous rock star with RATM and everyone in his hometown was astounded to find out he was dirt broke from having to repay the record company for recording the album.
It's unlikely that he actually had to "repay" the record company money out of his pocket, more likely that RATM spent all of their advance and then realised they were working for free until it was fully recouped, along with any other loans the company may have given them.
I wondered why the billboard top 100 artist with the gold album that I used to take guitar lessons from drove an old beater car. He was selling his memorabilia, like a one of a kind guitar made especially for him for a promotion, on ebay just to get by.
I play the clarinet and the piano. And the keyboard too, but that doesn't really count since it's a piano, but in non-piano form. if I could play another instrument, I'd play the acoustic guitar or the violin.
guitar, some bass, and some synth as well.
I play guitar.
And I would love to learn to play drums and bass guitar.
Singing (alto) - 12 years
Piano - 11 years
Pipe Organ - 3 1/2 years
Guitar (acoustic, Jay Ju) - 1 1/2 years
...........................................
radio since forever!!!! (it TOTALLY counts ;D)
Keep Rocking!!!!
-s
I've played percussion since I was 12 (so about 15 years), but I lack the coordination to play set...???
I sing though. I'm a better singer than I will ever be musician. I'd love to learn to play an upright bass (psychobilly style). Then I can be in a psychobilly band!
I was asked on Thurs. night to play some tunes for a mixed group of elderly folks and college students. Mostly college students. I was reluctant at first. Much to my surprise they all loved it :laugh:
I play guitar, although I'm probably a better technician than I am a musician. I like tinkering and I like working with high-performance equipment of all kinds, and electric guitars (and amps) fit into that niche quite nicely.
I recently finished assembling one of those Saga electric guitar kits (the PRS-style one). It's ended up being a really sweet player, although I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who doesn't have some basic woodworking skills (I had to plug-and-re-drill the factory misaligned bridge and tailpiece mounting holes). I also upgraded the tuners, pickups, pots and just about everything else too, so ultimately it really wasn't a bargain-basement do-it-yourself project. It has, however, been a great tool for learning about electric guitar wiring and setup though. :)
Quote from: KYLYKaHYT on April 05, 2009, 08:30:42 AM
I play guitar, although I'm probably a better technician than I am a musician. I like tinkering and I like working with high-performance equipment of all kinds, and electric guitars (and amps) fit into that niche quite nicely.
Sounds pretty sweet! How'd you go from musician to techie?
-Shannon
Quote from: Unconditional Acceptance on April 05, 2009, 11:35:40 AM
Sounds pretty sweet! How'd you go from musician to techie?
Actually, I didn't. I'm really not even a musician, per se, I'm just a technically adept person who happens to also be fascinated with music and musical instruments. Artistically, I've always worked primarily with visual media.
Saxophone and piano. I also sing, but not necessarily well.
I play the bassoon.
I also play piano because I'm a music major, and I play clarinet on the side.. (or I'm "relearning" it anyways.) I also love the saxophone, but I do not have one that works.
I'd love to get my hands on a Moog like this:
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmachines.hyperreal.org%2Fmanufacturers%2FMoog%2FModular%2Fimages%2Fmoog.55.jpg&hash=4574019a99076f6da1bf28bff0b986dd0213c041)
I play drums.. primarily Djembe, but I love to play kit, too. I also play a little synth, and I've been making my own electronica for a while (mindless self promotion http://www.myspace.com/stevethellama (http://www.myspace.com/stevethellama)).
I'm teaching myself guitar. Which I find difficult to do since the fret board is pretty big in comparison to my hand.
Actually I have very small hands. In some ways it can be an advantage to playing guitar. The hardest thing to deal with is short, stubby fingers.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi
Quote from: Kristi on May 28, 2009, 10:06:20 AM
Actually I have very small hands. In some ways it can be an advantage to playing guitar. The hardest thing to deal with is short, stubby fingers.
not me.. I have rather large long-fingered hands.
Quote from: Fer on May 28, 2009, 06:25:05 AMand I'm teaching myself guitar. Which I find difficult to do since the fret board is pretty big in comparison to my hand.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fen%2Fthumb%2Fb%2Fb7%2FCapo_on_white1.png%2F180px-Capo_on_white1.png&hash=cdfef4c51e707a10c39d1ec2294f1c3fdd5e216e)
Nice capo. Great for changing keys to play in but doesn't have much to do with finger size :laugh:
But some co.s do make 1/2 and 3/4 scale guitars for those with smaller hands :)
It makes you play higher on the fretboard, where the spaces between frets are smaller?
The frets are closer together, but the fretboard gets wider. The capo is designed for key changes. This song's in A the next is in E and so on
As long as you don't tangle with the capo di tutti capi. :police:
Quote from: Hypatia on May 29, 2009, 02:14:37 AM
As long as you don't tangle with the capo di tutti capi. :police:
ROFL
Virginia giggles and rides her guitar about like a rocket powered broom stick :laugh: >:-) :laugh:
I can play (in order of skill)
Bass <3
Guitar
Synth
Piano
Drums
I'm kinda woeful at the last two though...
I play guitar first and foremost. I've been in bands most of my life and love making sounds!
I also can fake my way through the piano/keyboard... I know chords, scales and the like, I just lack technique. I would GLADLY play keyboards in a band though, the palette of sound is sooo vast... I just think it's a blast to play. Oh and I also recently got a meodica, good times.
I've got a keyboard of my own and I play it sometimes when I'm feeling moody. I never really wanted to play in a band, I just play to for my own benefit. :icon_shakefist:
Quote from: Kara on June 15, 2009, 04:01:17 PM
I've got a keyboard of my own and I play it sometimes when I'm feeling moody. I never really wanted to play in a band, I just play to for my own benefit. :icon_shakefist:
i hear ya, that's how I've been for awhile now, but I really enjoy collaboration as well :)
Sorry -- I missed this before...
Quote from: Hypatia on May 29, 2009, 02:04:30 AM
It makes you play higher on the fretboard, where the spaces between frets are smaller?
Precisely. I know a woman who plays lead guitar in a bluegrass band; she capos up at least four frets on pretty much every song -- because her hands are small, so she doesn't have to stretch to play a chord.
Quote from: Virginia Marie on May 29, 2009, 02:09:45 AM
The frets are closer together, but the fretboard gets wider. The capo is designed for key changes. This song's in A the next is in E and so on
???
I've never seen a fretboard that gets wider by any appreciable amount -- mine goes from about 1 3/8" at the nut to 1 7/8" at the bridge. If I capo up a major third (four frets), the difference in width isn't noticeable, but the distance between the first four frets drops from 5" to 4". As for keys -- either sing a major third higher, or play notes a major third or fourth lower -- so /E-A-B7-E-/ is played as though it is /C-F-G7-C-/ (for instance). If that's not convenient, you can capo up a fourth, or a tritone, or a fifth. One of those should work for just about any song. If a song is in A, capo by five frets and play as though it's in E; if it's in E, capo by four and play as though it's in C. ;)
Well OK, admittedly I have large hands with skinny fingers and I tune way down from the normal E tuning and I use my capo for what it is designed for. But what's so wrong about buying a guitar that is made to accommodate a smaller hand size?
Quote from: Virginia Marie on June 16, 2009, 12:15:35 AM
Well OK, admittedly I have large hands with skinny fingers and I tune way down from the normal E tuning and I use my capo for what it is designed for. But what's so wrong about buying a guitar that is made to accommodate a smaller hand size?
There's nothing at all wrong with it because it just makes the guitar a more accessible instrument. When I first started learning guitar I used my dad's to practice on, and had difficulty because his is a full size guitar. Mine is a 3/4 size to fit my hands, and it makes everything smoother. ;D
I play a little guitar..finally broke enough nails that I gave up and cut them all off which means I'll prolly go back to practicing.
Alvarez Artist acoustic/electric in blue fusion
Fender Pink Paisley Stratocaster
Line 6 Spider III 120 amp
Quote from: Virginia Marie on June 16, 2009, 12:15:35 AM
Well OK, admittedly I have large hands with skinny fingers and I tune way down from the normal E tuning and I use my capo for what it is designed for. But what's so wrong about buying a guitar that is made to accommodate a smaller hand size?
Wait -- you have
large hands and you
like to capo up? You tune
down so that you
have to capo up?
Okay, now I'm
reeeaaalllly confused! Seriously, if you like the frets closer together, why don't you get a smaller guitar? I'm happy with mine as it is. If the strings are too close on the smaller guitar, you can always replace the nut, but if you have slender fingers, that wouldn't usually be a problem. So, yes, what you said leaves me
very confused!
I like to use my capo to ... capo ... bar the strings on my guitar ... I thought that's what I said ... is there something else that it's designed for? A sex toy, perhaps? It doesn't really work as a nipple clamp, don't even bother trying! As for my friend -- she's happy with that big dreadnought sound. She doesn't want a smaller guitar.
As previously mentioned....I use the capo for changing the key that I'm playing in ;)
I hate barre chords and avoid them if I can. So, my capo gets a lot of use, too.
Quote from: Virginia Marie on June 16, 2009, 12:15:35 AM
Well OK, admittedly I have large hands with skinny fingers and I tune way down from the normal E tuning and I use my capo for what it is designed for. But what's so wrong about buying a guitar that is made to accommodate a smaller hand size?
Some Epiphone and Gibson models have narrower necks, 1 and 5/8 at the nut instead of the typical 1 and 11/16. My hands aren't very big, however I prefer slightly wider necks, 1 and 3/4. It all comes down to personal taste and what feels good to play.
Z
Quote from: Shades O'Grey on June 16, 2009, 03:40:46 PM
I hate barre chords and avoid them if I can. So, my capo gets a lot of use, too.
Rule #1: Capos are for sissies.
Rule #2: I am a sissy!
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi
Quote from: Kristi on June 21, 2009, 03:57:58 PM
Rule #1: Capos are for sissies.
Rule #2: I am a sissy!
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi
A jazz song generally sounds better using closed position chords but a bluegrass or folk song sounds better with the sound of open chords. If both songs were to be played in Bb, I'd play the jazz tune in Bb position, the folk song in G with capo on the 3rd fret. Whatever works for the song.
I'm proudly a sissy (taking it back from those who called me one when I was a kid) ;D
Z
Quote from: Zythyra on June 21, 2009, 04:15:41 PM
A jazz song generally sounds better using closed position chords but a bluegrass or folk song sounds better with the sound of open chords. If both songs were to be played in Bb, I'd play the jazz tune in Bb position, the folk song in G with capo on the 3rd fret. Whatever works for the song.
I'm proudly a sissy (taking it back from those who called me one when I was a kid) ;D
Z
Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!!
That's what I was trying to say, more or less (well less, really, because I'm not all that good a guitarist), but couldn't quite phrase it like that. The only thing I'd add is that "what works for the song" might depend on who is playing it.
I play piano and Brazilian percussion and am a composer and arranger. I have a 10-piece jazz/samba band here in Rio de Janeiro.
My friend Stephanie, whom I mentioned when I first joined, is a wonderful jazz singer. I would love to post a couple of links. Can I post links here?
Quote from: Alyssa M. on June 21, 2009, 04:28:59 PM
Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!!
That's what I was trying to say, more or less (well less, really, because I'm not all that good a guitarist), but couldn't quite phrase it like that. The only thing I'd add is that "what works for the song" might depend on who is playing it.
Thanks! That's why I get paid the big bucks for playing guitar :laugh:
Z
Quote from: Shades O'Grey on June 16, 2009, 03:40:46 PM
I hate barre chords and avoid them if I can. So, my capo gets a lot of use, too.
I can kinda see where you're coming from there, but after I actually got good at barre chords they became a lot more fun and I tend to use them more often.