General Music Chat

Good Luck Mike, it could just be a network opportunity, so give em hell!

Any chance to play with others is good!
Funny thing is I am already working on a Beatles project with 3 friends - we are playing at a benefit show (Beatles theme) at a local coffeehouse in June where proceeds go to helping the local school music programs.
Last year we were the 'big closing act', but this year Greg Hawkes (The Cars) and his uke band are upstaging us! (That's ok by me!)

gnmnc

The sit on your ass statement wasnt pointed at you, but at the thread in general, for others who might read it. Many seem to feel that all they have to do is say they are the greatest and people will just give them offers, I learned a long time ago that that wasnt so.

Touchy arent we?

A little humble pie on your part might serve you well, saying you can sing and play anything, and most people you meet cant keep up, thats pretty heavy, but I guess it is what it is. Most people who I have met who make those claims ussually cant back it off and come off as a poser to me, but thats just my take on it.

Good Luck and just keep on looking,, or if your area doesnt serve you in the way you want, then move somewhere that does.

+1

I only started playing live a year ago - doing open mics and shows, I've gotten to know *alot* of really talented and connected musicians. The more people you put yourself in front of, the more opportunities become available. It really is about getting out there.

I guess it depends on how serious you are about playing, if you are serious go to places that people are actually playing and get to know them, they know the people that play.

Theres a town east of my hometown and a guy was complaining about what you are saying, he said there is no where to play, when I was marketing my band I had found almost 50 places that had live music, most I wasnt interested in, he didnt understand what i was saying, thought he could sit on his ass at home, post here and there that he was serious about , but he never went and even checked out any places with music, he just wasnt serious enough.

If your serious get out there and mingle with folks that are doing it.

I ran into my old friend the other day, he was still bitching about it, this is almost 5 years after I gave him a list of live music joints within 30 minutes of his house, he said he went to a couple but didnt like em for one reason or the other, hes not serious is all I can see in it, cause thru my discovery of those places and meeting musician I get people getting in touch out of the blue all the time looking for a guitar player, you are only get as much out of it, as you are willing to put into it.

The serious players arent sitting at home waiting on an email they are out there playing somewhere. find them

Come out to LA Woodstock, we got your players. 10,000 guitarists who can shred like nobody's business. Phenomenal technical skills of the drummers, bass players and lead singers too. Players who have spent years in the closet perfecting Steve Vai, Satch, EVH, SRV, Gatton and others. It's a giant cutting contest out here.

Finding players who really listen and react to each other in a musical way is a lot harder to come by in LA. We got em, but you gotta dig deep. You gotta be willing to go down a road you have never been before just to see what comes. When you find these guys you won't be wowed by the awesome technique. You will be taken away to a musical place you have never imagined.

Come to LA Woodstock. Let's see what you really got.

Come to LA Woodstock. Let's see what you really got

Aw dude, you just don`t know! My cousin has worked at the Musicians Institute out there for many years. He is now heading up the outreach thing that they have goin` on. He has sent an invite or two.....with warnings...LOL. Not knockin` L.A. but the south is where its at. Its where it started and its where it`ll end. Just apparently not in my neck of the woods.

About your comments about the shredding, technical, etc.etc. I have moved past that or at least I hope. I`ve been thru those stages, studying artists, their licks, etc. I locked myself in a room for 3 years on Stevie alone. And yes I`ve played metal, in all its forms, rock the same, along with country, R&B, Soul, and Blues of all types and jazz but though it developed me into who I am and was well needed, when it comes to becoming an artist, it means nothing. I hope everyone reads this....To become an artist it`s not the speed, style, technic, nor any physical attribute. When you take your instrument and play it and you mentally effect the people, when they tell you that they could feel the song, when you see them closing there eyes or bending their necks, when you can touch them with your song whether singing, playing or both,...THEN you have became an artist. Instead of people saying, wow he sounds like XXXX, having them tell others that they sound like you,..THEN you are accomplished. There are millions of players and some very good ones I might add but without the soul they are only empty vessels, starting from nothing and ending at nothing. That`s what separates the artists from the players. Mark it down in your little black book, carve it into stone my friend because these are the real things that all of those shredders, headbangers, chicken pickers, etc. normally lack. They get so caught up in their technicalities that they complete lose focus of what should be their directive. TO BECOME THEMSELVES. To use the knowledge that they have gathered through the years to apply their souls, their heartbreaks, their happiness, sadness, etc. onto their instruments and convey this out to their listeners. To learn the importance of the silent parts, and how so valuable dynamics are within music. To get away from a me, me, me attitude and be open, to avoid competing and begin building, to share their thoughts, to listen and learn. I`ve cut many heads in my day but I`m past that also,.unless I ever have a shot at Kenny Wayne Shephard that is,..I`ve jammed out in 7 states, with hundreds of players, I am no rookie my west coast friend. I know that a move is all thats needed but again, that`s not the question or complaint or whatever you would like to call it. My curiosity is why there are soooo many musicians on this website alone who will absolutely not play, along with the effort that it takes to get even 2 people on the same page at a session or tricks in finding musicians in ones local area. I appreciate the invite and I`ve enjoyed the answers and thank all contributors. CYA and "KEEP THE FUNK ALIVE!!"

Champagne and Refer

Woodstock I agree with a lot of what you say,
but didn't see any music up on your player. By
putting up music you allow others to ascertain
what they believe your skill level to be, (and I
like to hear screaming guitars).

LA's not all it's cracked up to be. I didn't know Johnny7
could count to 10,000, (as a musician I practice counting
to 4, over and over).

If I knew you was any good (no music on player), I'd
say come on over and play in one of my rooms. I'm
ate up with the music, and in a position to do something
about it. I think K-Mo said it, it all comes down to a talent
level, the more talent you got, the more talent you'll
share with everyone around me.

I'm serious Woodstock I record 4-5 days a week, more
but in the summer it tales me a 1 1/2 days to mow.
Bring your stuff, let's play, if your coming from Ms,
stop by and pick JW and his stuff up on rhe way, sh*t
maybe will pay Fisherman Bob and RGmix to come down
and round it out. lol

Put some music up brother.

Woody I dont think I bashed you in any sense of the word, I just stated my opinion of what I think when someone makes statements like you did, if you can back it all up, great.

You Da Man!

I hope everyone reads this....To become an artist it`s not the speed, style, technic, nor any physical attribute. When you take your instrument and play it and you mentally effect the people, when they tell you that they could feel the song, when you see them closing there eyes or bending their necks, when you can touch them with your song whether singing, playing or both,...THEN you have became an artist. Instead of people saying, wow he sounds like XXXX, having them tell others that they sound like you,..THEN you are accomplished.

Damn Fn straight WoodStock...This is dead-nuts on... You forgot one thing... tho Add this to the list: When other guitarists start perfecting their skills on your work..

I work as a guitar player/singer. I am around musicians all day almost everyday. My search in my area is to get as many musicians as possible together to play. My boss records what he can and tries to put people together. Its like a fight against karaoke. I`m not like desperate for members for myself alone. I don`t get a spark out of some kind of competition. I just have been running hard trying to find players. I guess my initial comments suggested a personal query. In fact, looks like it does. I don`t know about the, what you think about my playing guitar thing. Guitar is secondary to vocals actually. In other words, I don`t play 15 minute solos, I don`t shred, I don`t tap, or rarely do I tap, my overdrive is only to fattin` up the tone, in fact, I would say that when sitting in on a ZZ Top cover or something similar would be the highest my overdrive is ever used. I don`t use much delay at all, if any, no enormous amounts of any effects other than my normal gig,..A Fender 212 Tube amp, an American Fat Strat, Wha Pedal, TS 808 Tube Screamer, an Octavia, Univibe, and RT-20 Rotary pedal. I have no interest in being an individual within a band but a member of a band. There are millions of players out there. I`ve met quite a few. As stated, I`m not the best, there is no such thing. I have played for money for many years in many states. In fact, I have a month off at present.
I posted some old samples my boss emailed me ..., still don`t know why. They`re basically demos, samples, doodling, warm-ups, etc. Bad mic drops, busted diaphragms etc. so the sound quality sucks on all of them hence the titles, "Dropped" I am checking tomorrow to see if I can post one of our new singles. I posted a live cut but they made me remove it due to copyright infringement. Don`t know why cause even though I`ve not seen a dime and I WAS the guitar player regardless who the bank pays but anyway...Maybe I`ll be around your locality this year or next. I hope to be in New Orleans in about 2 months, then in the Fort Walton area. I will post it on my page if and when we head back out and who I`m with or if it`s us. A new name, new band, new everything except me and the drummer. Much love to another brother. Get it right and most importantly..."Keep The Funk Alive!"

I'm now the newest (and 6th) member of 'Instant Karma'! We went over songs for close to 2 hours last night. I need to do some homework, of course, as the rest of the guys all have been in Beatles tribute bands before.
Rehearsals are once a week, so I will still be looking for an acoustic partner(s) for other stuff. Can't do originals in a tribute band!

That's great Mike! I assume you're doing acoustic guitar and vocals?

That's great Mike! I assume you're doing acoustic guitar and vocals?

Background vocals as needed - everyone in the band sings and there are no Beatles songs needing that many harmonies! Last night the lead singer quickly heard what I could sing for some songs and said, 'ok, you sing that part, and I'll sing THIS OTHER part instead.'
Electric and acoustic guitars and keyboards, all as needed. One guitarist is strictly electric (he's got a great sounding 12-string Rickenbacker among other guitars) and the other guitarist plays acoustic, electric and keys as well.
I brought my 72 Tele last night, next week I'll bring 6-string acoustic and an electric (either the Tele or my Epi Dot semi-hollow). As I need all my stuff for home recording, have to decide what to bring each week - I don't have two of everything to be able to leave it all at the practice space!