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Post subject: Re: I'm a terrible lead guitarist
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 6:24 pm
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53magnatone wrote:
Up until I was 11, Rock and Roll had really no place in my home. It was strictly classical.

Nor I. I started music lessons at the age of 9, learned and played a mix of classical and popular pieces. Opera was always around the house. Saw my first at age 7. Long story about the pop music influences in my family, but my genes run deep.

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Post subject: Re: I'm a terrible lead guitarist
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 6:28 pm
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But since I grew up in France until 11, it was not a large intro to the devilish music from those weird people in the new colony :wink: :lol:

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Post subject: Re: I'm a terrible lead guitarist
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 7:21 pm
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53magnatone wrote:
Up until I was 11, Rock and Roll had really no place in my home. It was strictly classical. Thought at the time that was cruel but in hindsight, I am thankful to have been immersed in a far ranging variety of music.
Yes I was also part of a choir but was never that comfortable in being a singer. Takes more of an extrovert personality versus introvert. There are exceptions, but becoming Michael DeBarres was never one of my aspirations... :lol:


That's kind of funny really. I actually got the "best of both worlds" growing up. My father was a huge classical fan...I got exposed to LOTS of Beethoven, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, etc...and I actually liked most of it (although I could have done without the Mario Lanza...). Granted, in all fairness I should probably add that a great deal of my classical tastes came from the likes of Bugs Bunny and Charlie Brown as much as they did from Dad, LOL! Mom on the other hand, was mostly into 50's rock when I was younger...lots of Elvis, Bill Haley and Chuck Berry from that side of the isle (not to mention a bit of Roy Clark). My older brother of course listened to a lot of stuff like The Beach Boys, Frankie Valie and stuff like that and my grandmother was actually into blue grass...I got exposed to a pretty interesting mix.

Interestingly enough as I got older...I dunno...both of my folks popped a couple of microchips. Somewhere in my late teens/early 20's, Dad got turned on to country BIG time...somehow he jumped from Pavarotti to Waylon Jennings, Willy Nelson and horror of horrors, Box Car Willie. Mom on the other hand ended up going opera...that one aria from Aida STILL makes my head throb with pain, LOL!


I can honestly say that I do have fond memories of Beethoven's 5th and 9th cranked up on Dad's old RCA...I always liked Ludwig Von nearly as much as I liked Elvis. In any case, while I may not have always appreciated all of it, I consider myself quite fortunate to have been exposed to such a truly wide variety of music.


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Post subject: Re: I'm a terrible lead guitarist
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 9:05 pm
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I was uplifting to learn that the piano had other possibilities beyond Liszt. I had discovered Lewis, Richards, and Domino. The icing on the cake was to learn that my uncle was a co-writer of 'Blueberry Hill'.

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Post subject: Re: I'm a terrible lead guitarist
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 10:52 pm
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Good advice from all, and I agree with the former advising to learn other genres, even if it is simply to listen and to digest the nuances available.

In my neck of the woods, some years ago, many of the very best, mostly unsung, Canadian and American musicians, from the Jazz and big band venues, took a hiatus from their regular jobs, only to get back to the basics, and to exchange ideas, and to get back their mojo.

This was a common practice for these guys and gals, because even though they were either in touring bands or house bands (such as hotels, casinos, and orchestras), they were savvy enough to realize that something was different, and their music had become so routine that their playing either suffered, became stagnant, or simply lost that edge, This group, amongst others, was recruited and rotated into the military NORAD band.

Not only did this serve a purpose, but this gang moonlighted in the symphony orchestra, the Jazz bands, and the rock community. It was not only good for the community, but the musicians got their groove back. (It should be noted that all NORAD musicians did not fit into this category, however.)

An associate of mine was the first violinist of that same symphony, later to be involved with the Vancouver Youth orchestra. His idea of R&R was to take his violin and jam with jazz musicians after hours.

I heard a story, although I cannot personally verify it, that Bo Diddley's son walked in to his dad's business expecting to make his mark in helping to run the family business.

Bo then questioned him about classical, jazz, and other genres that varied from what his son was used to. When his son admitted that he knew nothing about those things, Bo said to get out of his space, and to forget about the family business dealings until he brushed up on the various genres. :wink:

I think that not listening to other genres at an early age is the reason why the majority of classical vocalists who try to sing rock always sound like classical vocalists. The reverse is also true. IMO

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Post subject: Re: I'm a terrible lead guitarist
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 11:50 am
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https://myspace.com/stevenjamesheath69/music/songs
Ah! I think I've done it.
Well if I have, like I said this not blues/rock, not even guitar music in the pure sense, I composed these even though it was all done on a Fender Strat using synth modules and a C Lab Creator back in the early 90's. I could actually dub 64 tracks with that but rarely got beyond 16, I even did the drums and then it was recorded for Panama up in Newcastle UK.
But for the original post which is what this is about, I did for a while get bored playing the same old guitar driven songs and got disillusioned with it all and I just want to show that there are ways of getting around that by turning your attention to something else. Other styles of music.
So I hope this helps in some way.
Rhumba

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Post subject: Re: I'm a terrible lead guitarist
Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 11:36 pm
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Rhumba wrote:
https://myspace.com/stevenjamesheath69/music/songs
Ah! I think I've done it.
Well if I have, like I said this not blues/rock, not even guitar music in the pure sense, I composed these even though it was all done on a Fender Strat using synth modules and a C Lab Creator back in the early 90's. I could actually dub 64 tracks with that but rarely got beyond 16, I even did the drums and then it was recorded for Panama up in Newcastle UK.
But for the original post which is what this is about, I did for a while get bored playing the same old guitar driven songs and got disillusioned with it all and I just want to show that there are ways of getting around that by turning your attention to something else. Other styles of music.
So I hope this helps in some way.
Rhumba


That sounded good! I was expecting an overly-digitized sound that kind of reminded me of some instrument sounds - the usual synth stuff. This sounded clean and pure but not in a digital way.

BTW. Sorry to read about your Mom and Dad. My Dad is in the process of moving into Assisted Living. Seems like was just a few years ago that he quit touring. Not ready to lose Mom or Dad either one yet.


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Post subject: Re: I'm a terrible lead guitarist
Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 1:00 am
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fenderfan wrote:
Rhumba wrote:
https://myspace.com/stevenjamesheath69/music/songs
Ah! I think I've done it.
Well if I have, like I said this not blues/rock, not even guitar music in the pure sense, I composed these even though it was all done on a Fender Strat using synth modules and a C Lab Creator back in the early 90's. I could actually dub 64 tracks with that but rarely got beyond 16, I even did the drums and then it was recorded for Panama up in Newcastle UK.
But for the original post which is what this is about, I did for a while get bored playing the same old guitar driven songs and got disillusioned with it all and I just want to show that there are ways of getting around that by turning your attention to something else. Other styles of music.
So I hope this helps in some way.
Rhumba


That sounded good! I was expecting an overly-digitized sound that kind of reminded me of some instrument sounds - the usual synth stuff. This sounded clean and pure but not in a digital way.

BTW. Sorry to read about your Mom and Dad. My Dad is in the process of moving into Assisted Living. Seems like was just a few years ago that he quit touring. Not ready to lose Mom or Dad either one yet.


Thanks for the comments fenderfan.
Back in the day i.e. 1983 they invented the midi system and that became a songwriters dream because you could get a synth pickup fixed to your guitar and first of all run it through a guitar synth module. I used a Korg Z3 and from there connect it to any module using midi cables, even a keyboard if you wanted and use the sounds from there.
I used samplers, which meant/means they contained actual sound samples from instruments, like for instance tenor sax, flute. piano, string ensemble, vocal choir, etc, etc. Play one note and you have the actual sound, move that note around up and down the fretboard, throw in some chords and you have a tune.
I had around 6 or so of these modules that had hundreds of sounds and like I said linked them through the midi system into the C Lab sequencer which gave me up to 64 tracks that I could play around with. Because there were many times when certain instruments needed duplicating and harmonies would come into play.
For instance in ' High Fliers ' we have a lead sax backed by a brass section that needed blending together and this could take hours of work. ( That tune was actually written for a aircraft display team ) my publisher would give me a list of subjects to compose ditties for with time lengths, like very rarely I could do anything that lasted beyond 2 and a half minutes and varied from drama to travel and so on. They could never be over melodic because they could never distract from the visual they were backing up, so that had to become an art in itself. I don't know what gear they use these days, it must be incredible and make the gear I used look positively ancient.
So all in all it got me back interested in guitar again and in a nutshell got me back to playing blues/rock with a renewed interest and drive again. It's just one way that I chose to get around the wall that we all hit now and again.
Thanks for listening.
Rhumba

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Post subject: Re: I'm a terrible lead guitarist
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 12:00 pm
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Rhumba, MrSolarcoaster (SBLS myspace username) is friends with you on myspace. Myspace once was the cyber space and about 5 years ago everything changed, I don't know what happened. :?

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Post subject: Re: I'm a terrible lead guitarist
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 1:09 pm
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Solid Body Love Songs wrote:
Rhumba, MrSolarcoaster (SBLS myspace username) is friends with you on myspace. Myspace once was the cyber space and about 5 years ago everything changed, I don't know what happened. :?


Hi SBLS, I remember MrSolarcoaster, a cool band. Yes I agree my space was the place to be but I can't make sense of it anymore, it's difficult to do anything now.
I had a difficult time getting those tunes down in the post higher up the board. I know what you mean man things have got bad over there.

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Post subject: Re: I'm a terrible lead guitarist
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 9:05 am
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ZZDoc wrote:
mhowell wrote:
Maybe I should go back to drinking and drugs.

It didn't work for Eric Clapton. Try a different approach. Marry a woman from Ohio! :idea: :lol:

i married a woman from ohio- didn't help a bit :lol:


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Post subject: Re: I'm a terrible lead guitarist
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 9:15 am
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on a serious note- I have been playing for over 50 years, and I am not a great lead player by any means.

when I was in my first band back in 1966 (age 12), I was playing mainly rythym. I really studied different rythym styles with help from my teacher, and I really enjoy that part in a band. when I gig these days, I still play rythym. we have a great lead player, and the guys in the band like my style.

what I love about guitar is that you can take it as far as you want. you can be happy playing a few chords and singing with friends, you can make a career of it, or anything in between. its all about having fun.


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Post subject: Re: I'm a terrible lead guitarist
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 4:21 pm
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When I was 17 there was this kid who moved to our town in Canada from Germany. He could make a guitar sing like none of us teenagers. Classical Gas had just been released on the radio and within two to three weeks he pretty much mastered it by ear. But, he was never satisfied and we never had the opportunity of seeing him perform this on stage. He's probably still practicing. :lol:

Later in my career, I had the job of a producer and director for commercials, dramas, music shows, and more. Sometimes, I needed up to 6 takes of a performance, usually less, seldom more. Sometimes, it was for the performer, sometimes for the crew, but when necessary I would ask, "One more just for me."

I believe it was Stan Jacobson (producer/director of TV variety like CHER, Smothers Brothers, and more) who told us that 3 takes were plenty. He said one of them is likely to be good enough if everyone is doing their job. More takes may work, but there is a better chance that there will be more unusable material, and it only leads to mediocrity. I know one thing though. My experience tells me that taking a break between takes when the performance isn't working out is the best medicine.

The bottom line is not to be too hard on yourself. You're probably better than you think and others will support that. Whatever the case, don't beat yourself up, practice or otherwise. It doesn't always work in your favour. Everyone is different, so enjoy your differences and capitalize on them. The others have offered great direction to follow.

On a side note: Rhumba and fender fan, I know your difficulty with aging parents. For those who are new to this increasing care for elders, perhaps, this may ease some concern.

I have a 93 year old mother halfway across the country, and a 94 year old with dimensia and recently in a wheelchair in a nursing home (she lived with us for the previous 14 years). The best thing you could do to help them is to learn everything about their condition, and how to handle their mental as well as physical needs. The more you understand and know the easier you will find it. Use whatever support you have available for both info and care, and don't burn yourself out because that won't help your parent in the end. Give your parent times to socialize, if possible, without you (this should be encouraged). It's hard to be sure. Stagger the times you visit and try not to give a time for the next visit, when and if possible; your parent may get confused or expect scheduled visits that may be problematic at times. I see my mother-in-law (my buddy) most days, but we are applying the Bambi approach like you would a child, but not to the same extreme. Participate with them when events occur, and make them feel like their new place is their home. 15 years after my father's passing, I still think of my Dad . . . And that's good. Hope I've helped a bit. Best of everything.

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Post subject: Re: I'm a terrible lead guitarist
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 5:03 pm
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I just ran across this inadvertently, and, considering lead guitar and synths were mentioned, I thought you might like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3VgdpU2nEw :shock:

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Post subject: Re: I'm a terrible lead guitarist
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 1:35 am
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Fender Strat Brat wrote:
When I was 17 there was this kid who moved to our town in Canada from Germany. He could make a guitar sing like none of us teenagers. Classical Gas had just been released on the radio and within two to three weeks he pretty much mastered it by ear. But, he was never satisfied and we never had the opportunity of seeing him perform this on stage. He's probably still practicing. :lol:

Later in my career, I had the job of a producer and director for commercials, dramas, music shows, and more. Sometimes, I needed up to 6 takes of a performance, usually less, seldom more. Sometimes, it was for the performer, sometimes for the crew, but when necessary I would ask, "One more just for me."

I believe it was Stan Jacobson (producer/director of TV variety like CHER, Smothers Brothers, and more) who told us that 3 takes were plenty. He said one of them is likely to be good enough if everyone is doing their job. More takes may work, but there is a better chance that there will be more unusable material, and it only leads to mediocrity. I know one thing though. My experience tells me that taking a break between takes when the performance isn't working out is the best medicine.

The bottom line is not to be too hard on yourself. You're probably better than you think and others will support that. Whatever the case, don't beat yourself up, practice or otherwise. It doesn't always work in your favour. Everyone is different, so enjoy your differences and capitalize on them. The others have offered great direction to follow.

On a side note: Rhumba and fender fan, I know your difficulty with aging parents. For those who are new to this increasing care for elders, perhaps, this may ease some concern.

I have a 93 year old mother halfway across the country, and a 94 year old with dimensia and recently in a wheelchair in a nursing home (she lived with us for the previous 14 years). The best thing you could do to help them is to learn everything about their condition, and how to handle their mental as well as physical needs. The more you understand and know the easier you will find it. Use whatever support you have available for both info and care, and don't burn yourself out because that won't help your parent in the end. Give your parent times to socialize, if possible, without you (this should be encouraged). It's hard to be sure. Stagger the times you visit and try not to give a time for the next visit, when and if possible; your parent may get confused or expect scheduled visits that may be problematic at times. I see my mother-in-law (my buddy) most days, but we are applying the Bambi approach like you would a child, but not to the same extreme. Participate with them when events occur, and make them feel like their new place is their home. 15 years after my father's passing, I still think of my Dad . . . And that's good. Hope I've helped a bit. Best of everything.


Thanks Fender Strat Brat. That was very helpful, heartfelt and needed, I agree with everything you say, I'm glad there are people out there who understand what we go through. In the UK there is of late a lot of help and funding being directed to dementia sufferers and not before time.
Thanks again, cheers mate.
Oh and thanks for the youtube clip, brings back a lot of memories of my time with that kind of thing. :D

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