General Music Chat

a new tune, technique, learning a new instrument or piece of recording equipment, increasing your chord vocab????

like many on here i play a few instruments and so i always have a running list of things i'm "working on"...usually technique type stuff and keeping my meager chops somewhat up.

my new project is learning some traditional fiddle tunes on mando. Mere Mortals (the bluegrass band i play w) has recently acquired a very fine fiddler. i do believe she knows and can capably play EVERY fiddle tune and bluegrass song known to man.

so, it's pretty much been her playing the correct melody and then it's me soloing over the changes ...which is ok but let's face it, that's NOT the same as "knowing the tune" if you can't actually play the melody.

i've been working w this very excellent book "Fiddle Tunes For Flatpickers: Mandolin" and right now i'm working on a medley of a cpl tunes (hmmm. d'ya need three to make a medley?). i pretty much have Old Joe Clark and Sailor's Hornpipe under my fingers and committed to my feeble memory. i'm looking forward to springing the "medley" on the gang.

so, what are you knuckleheads working on?

1) working up four sets with the new classic rock band (we have three sets so far), probably start working in a month or so.

2) working on alternate tuning and capo acoustic tunes

3) The Farleys are winding down the performance schedule for the year, preparing to record new tunes in January. We recorded a DVD Friday night at our Halloween party, it turned out pretty good but needs some work before it's viewable.

1) working up four sets with the new classic rock band (we have three sets so far), probably start working in a month or so.

2) working on alternate tuning and capo acoustic tunes

3) The Farleys are winding down the performance schedule for the year, preparing to record new tunes in January. We recorded a DVD Friday night at our Halloween party, it turned out pretty good but needs some work before it's viewable.

So Jimmy did you find a Mullet wig? Did you go as a dumbass redneck from Texas? I know you meant that as an insult. It was some funny sh!t though!

Nah I ended up going as Slash. Pretty easy costume, just a big curly wig, a top hat, leather coat and shades but it worked.

Mixing down my latest tune.

Instant Karma rehearsals, working on our 3rd set of tunes, I've also been putting quick videos together for our web site. Band practice cancelled tonight because of the storm.

Regular perusing of the local gigs listed on Reverbnation, as part of my continuing search for a compadre for an acoustic duo. No responses from teh Guitar Center ad I posted last week. No new CL responses.

Hardcore project : Asteroid Suicide Cult

Writing music in my notebook as usual, but not for that.

Played an open mic the other night.
The one guy called me an artistic version of "Seth Rogan".
I almost puked......

I was waiting for him to make some comment about Pineapple Express.

But that's ok-ay since that asshole got up and basically ass fuct that Johnny Cash tune, "I've been everywhere".

After that I couldn't do much but giggle..lol

Even my buddy that tends to like everyone's music wanted to smack him after he was done. THEN he wanted to know how it was.

I was like, "are you going to tell him or should I do it" with an evil grin.

I've been working on economy picking with a metronome all year, and will start learning new diatonic chord voicings very soon. also started my home recording 'career' a couple months ago, i recorded about a dozen songs. and i am now upgrading my front end for better quality recordings. i racked up a couple ART Pro Channel II's for pre's/dynamics/eq, and i'm gonna pick up an Apogee Duet II in Nov. for much better converters. and i've also started making videos for some of my songs.

I'm working on two projects right now. I'm writing and recording some metal with some friends and also writing and recording some country/bluegrass stuff. I'm falling in love with the 8 string guitar and just ordered a new Ibanez RGA8QM 8 string. I'm also saving my pennies for a new Axe-Fx II amp modeler, preamp, effects processor.

I'm working on two projects right now. I'm writing and recording some metal with some friends and also writing and recording some country/bluegrass stuff. I'm falling in love with the 8 string guitar and just ordered a new Ibanez RGA8QM 8 string. I'm also saving my pennies for a new Axe-Fx II amp modeler, preamp, effects processor.

ah..the traditional bluegrass 8 string gtr. hehehe. that's not how BILL did it!
as you probably know a lot of grassers have a stick up their butts about doing things "the traditional way". we've had a few different bassists go thru MERE MORTALS but maybe my fave is the guy who's playing w us now...he plays the "traditional bluegrass 6 fretless bass". but he plays appropriate stuff at the right volume w/o a lot of fills and silliness. works for me.

Hell Im just working these days, regular job, our singer got hernia so we are off til he address's that, had to cancel our fall gigs, kinda sucks, but it is what it is.

Ive been listening to a lot of prog rock, and have been thinking of taking a lot of bits and pieces Ive had in my mind and putting together some tunes in the prog format, but I havent really laid it out yet, but I find myself thinking about taking scraps of music and putting them together, kinda gets me thru the days, when I get frustrated with work and stuff.

Ive been working 10-15 hours a day for the last 60 days and have a couple of weeks to go, so hopefully when I get this job finished I can get back to playing my guitar.

I have been playing in two bands. I have also been writing and recording in my home studio. I have posted new songs on my player here. Check them out if you get a chance. Oh and I have been having loads of fun with Jimmy!

Working on increasing my lead guitar ability personally.
The band is working on recording and a music video.
Working on the studio ( physical plant ) as well as developing our knowledge of the recording equipment we have available.
Working sets for Saturdays Jericho March gig and the "hymn set" we will be doing for the nursing home next month.

I'm sure I've left out something.

Well, I'm always working on my right hand. (Alright all you pervy old guys--let's just leave that one alone shall we?) LOL. To be more specific--I mean things like alternating pizz, slap, thumb with palm muting, etc.

I'm also working on John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" and different ways of navigating those changes and soloing over them. Whew, that song just kicks me in the butt! Every day I pick a few standards from the Real Book to play through and to try to memorize. Oh yeah, and sight reading is something I try to work on at least a little bit with every practice session.

Oh, and tone is another thing....when people are nice enough to compliment me on my sound I always try to be gracious, muster a big smile, and give them a hearty "thanks", but I'm rarely if ever happy with my tone. As they say "It's the journey, not getting there".

Working on speed with a metronome. I would like to get up to 180 bpms with alternate picking 16th notes. So far, I am maintaining 160 bpms comfortably.