4,601 Reply by Roger Guppy

(4 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi Jeff,


Another fine song from you. You really must have been in good books with your dearly beloved for that one (I hope it has not worn off yet). I enjoyed singing it, well done.


Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,602 Reply by Roger Guppy

(5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi bud wiser,


I have just played and sang "Fearless" and I liked your song a lot, although I had to put aside emotion before starting it, and tried to be objective. I did however struggle a little with one chord and I replaced the Am7 in the bridge with Em, this is not a critism I hasten to add, but with no melody line I have to sing as I think it should be but I could not seem to get it right with Am7. I am sorry for the circumstances that led to this songs being written but it is a very good song, well done.


I would dearly love to hear you perfom it so I can sing it as it was intended.



Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,603 Reply by Roger Guppy

(5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Well bud wiser,


That is a real tear jerker, just reading it through brought back memories of my own father who passed on fifteen years ago and a flood of emotion.


I will sing it later and let you know what I think.


Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,604 Reply by Roger Guppy

(3 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

Hi geneseoguitars25,


I would say it depends on how much value you put on your guitar. A hard case gives it far better ptotection but is cumbersome to carry around. A gig bag does not give the same protection but is more convenient and as jimmieandgennies remarked many can be carried as a back pack. I have both an electric and an acoustic, neither cost a fortune, but I would never put either in an soft case. To me the inconvenience of carrying two guitars in cases is far outweighed by my peace of mind knowing they are secure.


At the end of the day though, I think it is down to personal preference.


Roger

Go to forum: Guitars and accessories

4,605 Reply by Roger Guppy

(1 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi James,


I like this song, but I am not going to record it (a big cheer goes up from all the Chordie members).


I have a copy of you singing this song and it is now posted on MySpace at URL:


<a href="http://www.myspace.com/friendsofchordie" target="_blank">http://www.myspace.com/friendsofchordie</a>


So Ladies and Gentlemen I now present to you Mr James McCormick singing his own song "On A Day Like This"


Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,606 Reply by Roger Guppy

(9 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi James,


Unlike Ken I am a waltzy man, gliding round the dance floor with a beautiful young lady in my arms is my idea of heaven. So I liked it.


Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,607 Reply by Roger Guppy

(36 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi badeye,


Sorry, I missed your posting of "Be Yourself" until I saw your reply to James. I, as usual, have 'had a go at it' and I think it shows a lot of promice. The only thing that I felt was lacking was a chorus which would lengthen the song and give a change in melody. Otherwise I thought it was very good indeed.


Well done and keep them coming,


Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,608 Reply by Roger Guppy

(4 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hello Jets/Jeff,


I saw your song "She's Gone" last night and my first thoughts were that I liked the lyrics but I thought that there were too few chord changes to make the melody interesting. How wrong I was, I produced my usual backing track, and than sang and played to it. The lovely combination of chord changes have produced a haunting and moving melody, so appropriate for the lyrics.


I say well done and keep them coming.


Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,609 Reply by Roger Guppy

(3 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi James,


I have just finished singing "Sex and Greed" and I made it in one take, OK not perfect but fine for me to listen to and criticise my performance. The song is good and rather unusual having four different melodies repeated four times, although long it is not monotonous as the melody is not repetitious and the lyrics are interesting.


Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,610 Reply by Roger Guppy

(3 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Hello JohnK3,


At about your age I was sufering from aching joints and I started taking Cod Liver Oil and Glucosomine Sulphate daily and started the day with some simple stretching exercises. As a last resort I also took Ibruprofen when the pain was bad. This worked for me until I moved from the UK to Portugal two years ago now I take nothing, the warmer climate and possibly healthier eating have meant that I am pain free. Yipee!


Roger

Go to forum: Acoustic

4,611 Reply by Roger Guppy

(2 replies, posted in Bands and artists)

Hi usandourguitars,


I have just visited MySpace (had to do it the hard way as your URL is not working) and I very much enjoyed the experience. Good song, good music, good singing well done.


Roger

Go to forum: Bands and artists

4,612 Reply by Roger Guppy

(3 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi James,


I have done my usual with a new song I have a produced a backing track for "Sex and Greed". Do you realise this song is 7 minutes and 32 seconds long? An epic, no less, from you this time sir.


I have run through it a couple of times, quietly singing to the backing, tomorrow I get the guitar out and belt it out. I hope I can get it right on the first take as three or four takes on a song of this length will just tire an old man out.

I have sent Igor out for some throat soothing medicine just in case. <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing">


Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,613 Reply by Roger Guppy

(81 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi everyone,


Someone had to do it so it may as well be me. I have just posted my new little ditty called "Song Writing" on a sepeate thread. If you have not guesssed it is a song about writing a song <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing">  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing">  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing">


Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,614 Topic by Roger Guppy

(1 replies, posted in Songwriting)

After James's answer to my asking how he was able to be so prolific in his songwriting I got to thinking. So much so that that night in the wee small hours I awoke and grabbed the paper and pencil that are forever at my bedside and scribbled down the bones for this silly little song which I think also holds a lot of truth.


Sudden inspiration this one James not structured work, I'm afraid.


Song Writingby Roger Guppy


Intro:




[G][C][F][D]




Verse 1:




It was [G]I who asked the [D]question of [C]James McCor[G]mick,


How [C]is he able to [G]write new songs so [C]good, so well and [D]quick,


As [C]ever he had the [D]answer, he's a [F]very clever [D]chap,


Al[C]though I should have [D]realised I [F]had not thought of [D]that.




Verse 2:




Do not [G]waste your time with [D]the TV is the [C]first thing that he [G]said,


Just [C]make your day more [G]meaningful and [C]productive in[D]stead,


It's [C]so very easy [D]to become a [F]flabby assed bu[D]ffoon,


So [C]sit right down, [D]write some words and [F]put them to a [D]tune.




Chorus:




[Bm]Practice, practice, [F#m]practice is a[G]ll you have to [A]do,


[B#m]Writing songs like [F#m]playing guitar needs [G]repetition [A]too,


[D]Set aside some [A]time each day and [Bm]just write something [F#m]new,



Then [D]very soon it [A]will become se[G]cond nature to [D]you.




Verse 3:




[G]Carry with you a [D]small notebook and a [C]pen or pencil [G]too,


As [C]inspiration [G]for a song can [C]come out of the [D]blue,


[C]Watch and listen and [D]be alert, keep a [F]note of every[D]thing,


[C]Sift and sort un[D]til you find you [F]have something to [D]sing.




Verse 4:




It [G]really is quite [D]easy and it gets [C]easier each [D]time,


[C]Some is good and [G]some is bad and [C]some is simply [D]fine,


[C]Make the effort [D]even when you [F]do not feel like [D]it,


[C]Discipline and [D]self control to keep your [F]mind agile and [D]fit.




Chorus:




[Bm]Practice, practice, [F#m]practice is a[G]ll you have to [A]do,


[B#m]Writing songs like [F#m]playing guitar needs [G]repetition [A]too,


[D]Set aside some [A]time each day and [Bm]just write something [F#m]new,


Then [D]very soon it [A]will become se[G]cond nature to [D]you.



[Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,615 Reply by Roger Guppy

(2 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi Moddish,


I am so glad it is coming together for you.


One word of advise though, before you go on the telly make sure that the legs are strong enough to take your weight <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing">



Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,616 Reply by Roger Guppy

(11 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi James,

I have read your comments about song writing and they make perfect sense, like learning to play a musical instrument or learning anything new it takes time and that  often repeated cliché of practice, practice and even more practice. I think nothing of devoting an hour to practicing my guitar each day but had never thought of applying the same disipline to writing songs. I write only when the inspiration takes me. So lesson learnt, I will put time aside daily for songwriting and hope to improve.

Thanks

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,617 Reply by Roger Guppy

(11 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Oh James,


What have you done? My friend Pete, yes the one that cavorts about on www.bigcharliepotatohead.com and I wrote the song about has seen this. He is convinced that you wrote especially for him and wants to record it. I do have a little grace as he is going away tomorrow until Friday but he has taken the words to learn and it looks like the weekend is judgement day. I should add that Peter's voice ought to carry a government health warning, the last song he recorded for his friends was so bad that they would not accept his CD. He even offered people money to take it but to no avail. Perhaps he should have offered it to airports as a bird scarer, but no it would probably have cracked the runway!


Igor is threatening to leave and I will not suffer this on my own. If it is recorded I will send you a copy James and post in MySpace which will probably cause an international incident. <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing">  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing">  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing">


Seriously this is another fine offering from you James I have no idea how you find the time to write all these songs and hold down a full time job as well.


Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,618 Reply by Roger Guppy

(45 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Hi Tunedeaf,


No bashing from me, in fact I will let you into a little secret as long as you promice not to tell anyone else. I often play F as x33211 and Bm as a xx4432 especially if I am learning a song or I want a quick chord change.


The fact is I learnt to play them that way. I then later had to learn to play them as barre chords and I wished that I had done it properly from the start which was the reason I was advising Rich to learn the barre chord now.


Maybe you and Cytania are right. Rich will certainly be able to play these chords easier this way and if it keeps him playing, then that is good.


Roger

Go to forum: Acoustic

4,619 Reply by Roger Guppy

(45 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Hi Rich


The easy answer is to transpose the song to a different key. Down one semitone and F becomes E, down 2 semitones and Bm becomes Am. However the real answer is to actually learn to play them. Try and find a song that you know that has either one F or one Bm in each verse (or transpose the key until it does) and practice on that.


As you probably realise, it has been written in the forum time and time again, the three key words to learning to play the guitar (or any instument for that matter) are practice, practice and then more practice.


Persevere and you will find it slowly getting easier as your fingers get stronger, more supple and automatically go to the right position.


Good luck


Roger

Go to forum: Acoustic

4,620 Reply by Roger Guppy

(1 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Another one of your classics James. I put a country style waltz backing to this and both Igor and I enjoyed it. Igor liked it that much he even sang the harmony. lol


Roger and Igor

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,621 Reply by Roger Guppy

(4 replies, posted in About Chordie)

Hi Steve,


I am no expert, there are far more qualified people out there, but I do get by recording so I have some practical experience.


Firstly you do not need your powered speaker as your mike would pick from there also but you will need headphones to monitor your input. So basically your mike and instruments are fed to your mixer along with any device for backing tracks and you use your mixer to control your volume levels etc. Connect your mixer to your PC and you should be ready to record. You may need to purchase a lead and adaptor to interface your mixer and PC but that should be fairly straightforward.

You also need to try and control the noise in the environment you record in, dogs barking and children shouting can ruin an otherwise perfect take.


I hope this is for help


Roger

Go to forum: About Chordie

4,622 Reply by Roger Guppy

(1 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi James,


I thought I had replied to this earlier but I must have had a 'senior moment'.


You have done it again another superb song. As you did not state the rhythm for this one I put it to a slow waltz tempo. The romantic songs are always my favourite and I really like this one. I think I will soon be able to perform a whole evening with songs I have hijacked from you and other Chordie songwriters <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing">


Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,623 Reply by Roger Guppy

(3 replies, posted in Songwriting)

So DLC is Donna then,


I have just visited MySpace and come 'hot foot' back to post this.


I really enjoyed "I'll Be With Those Angels" and I will listen to it again and the others later. I told you that I liked it when you first posted it on the forum. I like it even more now I have heard it. Well done.


Just to make it easier for anyone else to locate your site here is the URL:


<a href="http://www.myspace.com/donnaconnis" target="_blank">http://www.myspace.com/donnaconnis</a>


Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,624 Reply by Roger Guppy

(1 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hello James,


This is Igor, Roger is resting after playing  "My House of Cards" six times on the trot to amuse me, so I am replying on his, and my, behalf.


I found a thigh-slapping, foot-stompin, yeehaw style that I have been trying to get him to use for ages and it worked for your song just great. The words are amusing and we have had a grand time this afternoon, thanks to you.


Talk to you again soon


Igor (pp Roger)

Go to forum: Songwriting

4,625 Reply by Roger Guppy

(6 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi Moddish,


I have just played your song and I am also very impressed. Like Ken I omitted playing the A chords. I liked it without the A and not knowing where it is placed, and of course not knowing the melody line, I did as they say in the song and 'I Did It My Way'. <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing"> 


The Am to Em change is a sound that I am particularly fond this is a cracking effort. Well done.


Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting