General Music Chat

I thought it might fun and useful for us to share some tips..be they music/theory related, equipment tips, recording advice/tricks, best way to change strings, how to score gigs, place an ad looking for musicians, etc, etc.

I'll kick things off... after recently listening to a BM member's "cool jazz tune".... the first thing that jumped out at me was the decidedly non "jazz" keyboard bassline. Don't get me wrong....keyboardists can absolutely KILL playing "bass" w their left hand or w their feet....

But here's the deal.....whether you're playing on a bass or a keyboard.....DON'T start every chord change on the damn root of the chord! And worse still... don't just play a 1 3 5 3 ad nauseum.....there is NOTHING jazz like about that. This is something that I also will judiciously try to incorporate walking a bass when playing blues too.

It IS a good idea to start a chord change's first beat with a CHORD tone but it shouldn't always be the root. And when walking a bass line, try to land the chord tones on beats 1 and 3.

Next....

However noble this might be, the complexities of what you are stating requires a video of you performing the right way and the wrong way. I just recently picked up a 4K 62” TV so the video must be of the highest quality and you need to perform in a black bow tie Tuxedo to give the video credibility.



Thanks in advance.

I had posted something about various minor scales but it seems to have hit the bit bucket...
Harmonic, Melodic and Natural.

Talbot

When uploading files to Soundcloud, don't use MP3's if you have full res files available- WAV, AIC, FLAC. Also don't put much compression on your master tracks for SC files.
SC uses its own compression algorithm to compress to MP3 (even if you already are in MP3 format) and that combined with the compression on the file already can really screw up the sound.

Also: people steal files from SC all the time, so don't leave music up there for too long if you anticipate selling it via streaming anywhere.

I thought it might fun and useful for us to share some tips..be they music/theory related, equipment tips, recording advice/tricks, best way to change strings, how to score gigs, place an ad looking for musicians, etc, etc.

I'll kick things off... after recently listening to a BM member's "cool jazz tune".... the first thing that jumped out at me was the decidedly non "jazz" keyboard bassline. Don't get me wrong....keyboardists can absolutely KILL playing "bass" w their left hand or w their feet....

But here's the deal.....whether you're playing on a bass or a keyboard.....DON'T start every chord change on the damn root of the chord! And worse still... don't just play a 1 3 5 3 ad nauseum.....there is NOTHING jazz like about that. This is something that I also will judiciously try to incorporate walking a bass when playing blues too.

It IS a good idea to start a chord change's first beat with a CHORD tone but it shouldn't always be the root. And when walking a bass line, try to land the chord tones on beats 1 and 3.

Next....

Now that made sense to me... not that I have a cool Jazz tune but nonetheless will give it a try on that lil piece I started.

Also: people steal files from SC all the time, so don't leave music up there for too long if you anticipate selling it via streaming anywhere.

Mike
When you say steal... what are they doing with the song... is there a way to know your pocket has been picked?
I've heard others say this as well it's like there's some Chinese underground black Market music streaming service...
Never understood it.

Learn to tune your instrument by ear.
First, use an electronic tuner (clip-on or pedal, I don't really trust phone aps that use the phone mic to pickup the sound) to tune the open strings. No excuse not to have one. Reverb.com often has clip-on tuners on sale for $3 including shipping. Once you tune the strings open, then you need to retune based on your ear. Guitar frets are a compromise (unless you have a fan fret neck), so some notes are going to be a little sharp, some a little flat. Play a C major chord, play a D major chord. You'll be adjusting the B string for sure - it and the G string are the usual 'out of tune' culprits. If you're playing bar chords up the neck, retune based on those chords.

If you are recording, tune the strings based on the chords you'll be playing for that song. Retune between takes.

Also: people steal files from SC all the time, so don't leave music up there for too long if you anticipate selling it via streaming anywhere.

Mike
When you say steal... what are they doing with the song... is there a way to know your pocket has been picked?
I've heard others say this as well it's like there's some Chinese underground black Market music streaming service...
Never understood it.

They capture the audio (record it - so it doesn't matter if you have your SC song set to 'no download'), then put it on Asian sites to either stream or sell.
I found a bunch of my demos and even the 1/2 hour radio show I was on (I have that loaded on SC) up for sale.

Mike you're not suppose to be able to read the pic I posted... it's trolling a troll.

Also: people steal files from SC all the time, so don't leave music up there for too long if you anticipate selling it via streaming anywhere.

Mike
When you say steal... what are they doing with the song... is there a way to know your pocket has been picked?
I've heard others say this as well it's like there's some Chinese underground black Market music streaming service...
Never understood it.

They capture the audio (record it - so it doesn't matter if you have your SC song set to 'no download'), then put it on Asian sites to either stream or sell.
I found a bunch of my demos and even the 1/2 hour radio show I was on (I have that loaded on SC) up for sale.

I would find it kind of flattering if someone thought my music was worth stealing... There is no protection for your music on the web. Once you post it if someone wants they'll get it...
Hell they can take all my tunes and I'll send them more in a barrel if they want...

Given my current status as a baby daddy and not a musician, in the words of Gene Simmons, "when it rains, wear a rain coat"

There is no protection for your music on the web. Once you post it if someone wants they'll get it...

You're right, but SC just seems to be more targeted than other places.

here's a cool and super easy open tuning to mess with....

you only change one string......drop your D string one half step to C# ...this now leaves your gtr tuned...

E A C# G B E which is an A7add9 chord.

you get the advantage of an open tuned chord, but because you've only changed one string (by 1/2 step/one fret) you don't have to "learn a new language" as all your other strings yield the notes you're familiar with.

it's a pretty cool tuning for slide work and promises hours of good clean fun!