Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

I've been recording tracks for songs, again. I seem to do this in spurts, then I'll spend a few weeks practicing and developing songs.
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When I'm ready to record again, I just record whatever song I'd most like to hear 'for real.' What I mean by "for real'' is, - with my ears. I can hear whole songs in my mind, all the time.
I'll usually hear the guitar, the bass, and several 'sung harmonies' in my head, long before a song is ever recorded. I hear each part separately; as a kid, I always thought everyone could do this . . .
I suspect that many musicians do this . . . some folks call it playing by ear.
I ALWAYS have music flowing through my head; and it's often music which I've never heard before. Time permitting, I will often pick up my guitar to record it.
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I go through musical stages of what kinds of music I currently like to hear. Lately, I've fallen in love with the human voice and 4 and 5 part harmonies. It's almost a forgotten art, nowadays; we're lucky to hear 2-3 voices, and usually the harmonies are basic . . .
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In my teens and twenties I could sing pretty good; then my attention went to the guitar, which allowed me to produce unusual chords.
As I stopped singing, my voice grew rusty w/non-use.
I started singing again a few years back, and I'm regaining my voice. Thus I've been recording more harmonies, lately.
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Also - in an unrelated topic - I feel a change coming in my music - a new direction.
I'm not exactly sure which direction, yet, but I can 'feel' it, in my head - it's like a physical presence. Some new musical understanding is growing inside of my head, again.
This has happened before.
Like a pond-lily in the spring, I'm expecting something new to surface within 2 - 3 weeks.
Have you experienced any of this?

I have always had music in my head especially lyrics, but at times full songs.
I gave up trying to create, and simply allow myself to catch what is fleeting through as best I can.
Being new to being a practicing musician, it can be frustrating not being able to transfer what is in my head to my fingers.
The most etherial experince is when it transfers through my bandmates.
Mental tilapia I guess. Sounds kinda fishy dont it.

Yeah, I always have had music running through my head. Even when listening to music, I hear other parts that aren't there.

Sans - learn more chords, and you'll be able to find songs easier.
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Yeah, ratsass- I always hear harmonies.
I go to bed at night with songs in myself - I sometimes dream aurally instead of visually . . .
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but - w/o REM sleep, it's kinda tiring . . .

Good advice Alan. Thanks!
Of late I have been more focused on the lead aspects of playing, soloing and playing note progressions vs working on my rhythm skills.
I think when I get my current composition completed I'll switch gears again towards improving my rhythm skills.

Sans - you wouldn't believe how much that brand-new chords can teach you about song composition.
Get a chart or a book. Try them all.
- and mark the ones you like.
You can probably dinger 100 brand new chords in an hour . . .
Go back every day - and play the ones you marked.
You don't even need a rhythm . . . just listen to the chords . . .
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Most of them will sound crummy - untill you realize where and when to use them . . .

Most of the odder chords I've learned, I learned in context with other ppl's stuff. That got me interested in using them in my own songs.

Some of the weirdest were from ppl I was playing music with & not out of books, though.

Jamming with ppl who are a lot better than you will advance your playing more than anything else I've tried, sans (esp if, like me, you don't get knowledge out of books easily). I've been playing chords I don't even have names for for years, this way, & it helps with the writing.

Sometimes, though, simple is simply best, when it comes to chords...

Thanks guys, I actually do have some chord / theory books, and a large (for my poor old eyes) Chord poster I have used.
I have done this type of practice some before, but being psychotic and all I get really bored with it pretty quick and just end up doodling.
Was going to get my practice space here in the house better organised today (too hot out in the shop) but my freakin back is out again.
Damn I bet I didnt sleep two hours last night.
My bone crackin friend opens up at 0900 so I'll run by there before picking my boy up from two-a-days.

Sans - I used a chord poster, when I was learning, too.
I outgrew it pretty rapidy - you've already exhausted your interest in yours, too, I suspect.
I bought a book with well over 1000 chord charts, written by an expert, Ted Green.
If you're looking for a new sounding "A," for example - he has several hundred listed . . .
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Your chord chart can't mention more than a dozen or two, and then - only the most basic ones. And - you probably hate half of them, eh?
You need brand new territory . . .

AMEN !
The book I have is PROGRESSIVE GUITAR CHORDS
By BRANDON TURNER and BRENTON WHITE
It lists a butt load of open and bar chords listed in all six root forms.
I will probably use this one, when I can hold up my LP without crying in pain.

philbymon,
I think the best thing about learning a new chord from a fellow guitarist is that you'll invariably get a few other chords 'attached' to the new chord.
. . . and a rhythm to go with it.
Knowing which chords work well with a new chord is half the trick . . .

Yeah, RM, I think it's seeing the chord in context that makes it so much better than a chord chart. You're quite right.

I've learned the application of several this way, most notably the flat fifth & augmented chords, as well as others that I can't seem to name. Fooling around with chords is fun, & it's how I write, when I write.

I often hear music in my head, and when I go to play it, I find that it's rarely composed of common chords.
If I play it with any of the 40-50 most common chords - it sounds wrong.

Tis hard to know where to start.

RM i know what you mean "With my ears". I'm stuck again because what I want I cannot play without a lot of practising. I hear lots of stuff going on in what I'm trying (badly) to do. But I am getting there now.

Funny isn't it? I mean we are all natives from different places but we all search for something musically, and we all know its critical to our persona.

Muso's are a really odd breed indeed.