Almost got something...

I finally did some remedial recording, unfortunately I didn't have time to figure out how to save the cakewalk files as a wave or mp3. I did try to save it as a midi file, but for some reason the files were only 1k each and didn't play anything. hrmmm. Anyway, I played for a little bit and recorded some strumming patterns. No vocals yet, still working on those. When I can figure out how to save it as a .wav or mp3, maybe I'll toss it up here if anyone wants to check it out. It's pretty much vacation time for me, which means I'm leaving the state, and will be away from my guitars for a week!!! No practicing for me for a week, and no updates. I'll still keep trying to think up some lyrics.. who knows, maybe I'll find some crazy inspiration out in Vegas. :)

sweeeet! No, not the band that did Ballroom Blitz

I found out why I couldn't record on my computer... User error. Y'know what happens when you try and use a program you don't know how to use? That's right, it doesn't work correctly. Stupid. Anyway, I've got it working. I didn't get to play enough at home last night to actually record anything, but now I can, and that makes me a bit happier. huzzah! Now I can become famous. Don't worry, I won't forget all the little people. haha the whole two people that have checked this thing.

Sounding off

I'm watching my parents house for the weekend, and Dad's computer is set up to record. :) I'm going to try and give it a whirl. At least try and get enough of the basics down to work on other parts of the song. Should be fun. I'm hoping when I hear it played back, I like it as much as hearing myself play it.

On a side note, I've found a couple bands recently via myspace that I've been getting into quite a bit.

First up is Born To Lose from Texas. They come across as high energy, balls to the walls rock. Pretty good harmonies, nothing fancy with the guitar work, but what they do fits. Occasionally the lead vocals sound a little fake, an accent that's just a little too forced. Overall pretty good though. They get me moving in my chair, and helps the work day go by a little faster. They have one song up on their page for download, unfortunately it's by far my least favorite of the tracks they've got up for your listening pleasure. They list Face to Face as an influence, and I can definitely hear it. It looks like they've been around for a while, forming in 2000. They've got three albums for sale, and a new one coming out in September. When I've got a few bucks kicking around, I'd like to pick up their releases.

Good timings

Much of the same, the bass is still yelling at me from the corner of the room, while I'm playing the strat. Didn't have a ton of time to work on the computer issues to get it so I can record, but I did practice for a few hours. I worked on finger picking a little bit too. For some reason my fingers don't like that so much. I think part of it was my hands were shaking. They usually do, but last night was pretty bad. So I grabbed the pick and tried working on individual strings, alternate picking, stuff like that. Then went back to chord changes and a little left hand drilling. I did get a compliment last Friday about becoming a pretty good rhythm guitar player. That really made my night. I guess my practicing is actually paying off. :) It also means that my timing is pretty good. Considering the comment came from Ed who's a good bassist, with great timing, I was excited.

practice, practice, practice...

Still working on that new song. Also, trying to keep on working with my strumming. I'm getting better, but it'll still be a long time till I'm really fluent. I'm still mostly just working on strumming and barre chords, and the usual major/minor type chords. I want to get those down good before I start trying to work on the diminished, 7ths, suspended, etc.

I haven't touched the bass since Friday night. Even then I played a bit of guitar, while Ed played bass. It was a pretty even night over all though. I really want to get to the point where I can record some stuff. I want to work on a bass line for this tune. I suppose I should work on a name for it too. It needs a lot of work, but I like the basics of what I've got.

I was messing around some and came up with another progression that I'd like to keep working with. Let's hope I can remember it.

60 seconds of fuzzy wuzzy

I started working on a couple new songs yesterday, which means I actually practiced and played guitar for close to four hours off and on. One of the songs I'm actually liking quite a bit.
I fixed a lot of the hissing when trying to record on the computer, but it's still not quiet like it should be. And I still don't have a real recording program installed. I need a new sound card, and video card. I might just need to pick up a cheap gateway or something and then get a good sound card. This computer is fast enough, but something just doesn't seem right with it. Anyway, I can only record up to 60 seconds of "what you hear" right now using the Windows Sound Recorder. Not a very effective way to record. When I can play it nice and smooth, I'll try and record a bit and put it up here. See if anyone else likes it. The other song I started, has an intro, and that's about it so far. Both songs are very different from one another, and I like that. Variety is the spice of life. It also makes me realize I'm not thinking of the same song all the time. My strumming is pretty good, but get's really sloppy when I have to read the lyrics and sing at the same time. Since I'm still learning how to play, I think I overload my brain and can't spend enough synapses on the strumming. I think another part of it, is I get excited because I like the way it sounds, so I end up speeding it up. It's definitely a work in progress.

Help or advice?

I'm in desperate need for new music I like. I've been away from checking out new bands and buying music for wayyyyyy too long. I've taken a step or two in the right direction by going to a few more local punk shows. They seem to be fairly few and far between though. Following link after link from myspace bands provides a couple decent prospects, but takes quite some time to find the good stuff.

I got home fairly late last night, so I didn't have time to plug the bass in and practice. I did play the guitar pretty quiet through the computer, less low-end vibrations to piss off the neighbors at 10-11pm. I need to get better with the six stringed beast too, so it's all good, at least I got some playing in.

I'm trying to practice more of playing with a pick on the bass. I'm horrible with it so far. Also, I'm trying to work on playing while standing up, it's almost like having to learn how to play all over again. I've got a lot of work ahead of me.

I'm going to try harder to get some friends to jam with. Friday nights are great, and I learn a lot. I really want to learn different styles too, like punk, rock, metal, hardcore, funk, etc. Friday nights are good for some old country, doo wop, and more of the mellower genres. We do the occasional Rolling Stones, or classic rock song. Usually those end up with me peddling on the root a lot, since I don't know the real bass line off the top of my head.

I know the drummer for Yesterday's Heroes I figure I'll ask him for some advice and tips when he gets back from tour. My cousin is also a pretty good guitarist/musician, we've been trying to get together for some jamming, but it's tough to find time during the week, and we've both been busy for the weekends lately. Hopefully soon we can get together, I'm sure I can learn a lot from him.
Guitarist/Singer Roach of The Murder has been around the scene for a long time too. I've asked him for some advice a couple times, but he's insanely busy between his stuff with The Murder, and Terrace St., a movie he's working on.

Greedy, greedy, greedy

I'm always wanting more stuff, more guitars, more basses, more amps, different instruments to try and learn. I want to be able to pick up anything with strings, and play it. I really should work on the basses and guitar I've got, but I'm greedy. I'm trying to work out a time line in my head as to when I can get new instruments, or accessories. So far I've got a deal going with myself, I lose 15 more pounds and I'm letting myself buy a bass cab. Keep it off for six months, I'm in the market for a drum kit. I'm still on the fence about going electronic, or acoustic. I'm thinking electronic is the way to go for me, due to the apartment building living. But I can get a cheap drum kit for $300 which is probably more than my playing ability for years. Any thoughts or suggestions on that debate?

Other than that, I know there's more stuff I need/want, like some more microphones, sound card for my computer to do some real recording, an acoustic guitar, probably need to get a new bass head too. The one I'm using now is my Dad's. Same with my guitar amp. Once I'm up to playing level, I'd love to get a pedal steel, or even a resonator guitar, learn the mandolin, banjo, all that stuff. But that's probably years down the road. Oh... Effects pedals, definitely want one of those. See? I'm greedy, I want everything.

For now, it's bass cab, then drums, unless I find a great deal on an acoustic 6-string.

Tuesday night Chats

Tuesday nights open mic night at the Chit Chat, good times. Usually it's the same crew of guys that get up and play. Some are actually pretty good. All can play better than me, but that's not saying much. Each set is about three songs, I think about 15 minutes per band.

The majority of the people that get up there are singer/songwriter acoustic performers. Not really my favorite genre, but some of them are pretty good at what they do. In general, that stuff tends to bore me. It's pretty tough to impress me in a genre that's over populated. A lot of it tends to run together and sound like one another with a different singer. It's sad, but I'm pretty jaded on that whole thing.

What makes it worse is I try and play the same stuff. I'm horrible at it, but it's the easiest stuff to try and write. Pick three or four of your favorite chords, string them together and come up with trite lyrics about love or something else sentimental. Tug on the heart strings type crap. Meh... There's a lot of people who love listening to it, and if it's done real well, I do to. Your local acoustic player tends to lack the spark to make it really stand out. I guess that's why they're doing open mic night and not large venue shows huh?

There's the occasional rock band, some reggae, all sorts of music, but mostly it's the one guy with his guitar. I always have a good time going down there, and it's always free to get in. Hopefully someday you'll come down, join me for a drink, and be able to watch me get up there. If I ever get good enough and can stop myself from shitting my pants before stepping onto a stage. :) Until then, at least join me in the drinking.

New and ... okay just different

Overhaul time! It seems as though this little space on the internet has gotten covered in cobwebs and dust bunnies. Rather than see those two battle it out in the fight of the century, I'm breaking out the Swiffer, and pledging the crap out of this little cork board. I'm swapping directions and dedicating this area as a music domain. Music of all kinds, and all mine. Whether it be stuff I create, watch, or listen to.

I'll be trying to keep this going with all sorts of fun musical interludes. Show reviews, music/lyrics I've written, bands I listen to, or even stuff you'd like to send in for me to review. I'm always looking for new stuff to check out. If you do, drop me a line and I'll let you know where to send the cd, or drop me a line with a link to your myspace, etc.

Hopefully this will keep me motivated and moving forward with my practicing and playing, as the Relatively Low-carb blog has kept me eating better and getting healthier.