51

(179 replies, posted in Recording)

I don't go out much.



It's very remote where I live and maybe that's a good thing...



I mean, children running away screaming can get to a guy after a bit.



I saw a Rottweiller the other day, snarling and slavvering; it was all the owner could do to hold this thing back it was straining so hard on the lead.



I like dogs.




I thought I would go over and pet the pup.




I put my hand out, it bared its' teath, took one look at me, rolled over and played dead.





I don't go out much!


http://freakysdomain.com/freakysdomain/images/fugly.jpg

52

(1 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Hey Gtx!

Glad you've got a guitar! cool

s it still a Crafter? What was the model you wanted and what is the model you've got?

And pictures! Where are the pictures? Ya can't do this to a guy!

Good on yer, Gtx! Keep us posted! cool

53

(12 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Hey Pcoulter31 and welcome to Chordie! cool

Hey Zguitar!

Em chord very easy - all strings open except A/5th string 2nd fret and D/4th string 2nd fret. Strum everything!

If you are playing a G chord you leave the finger that's pressing on the 5th string at the 2nd fret where it is and bring a finger underneath that one to press the 4th string at 2nd fret. Practice that change.

When you play a C chord there is one finger ready in place to play the Em. Practice all these changes to the Em

Practice. Practice some more. Practice even more and gradually you WILL get gooder (Splan da Kenny cool ).

Don't shy from the things that are hard. The hard bits aren't preventing you from learning/holding your flow, NOT learning them will prevent your learning/flow -

But then Elvis confessed in later years to only knowing 3 chords!

Chons da in whichever route you take and good on yer for finding Chordie and posting! Look forward to more!

54

(7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Ha Vic!

My tus an Howelsedhes!

Fantastic advice from Ken and Bud, Mark it well is to be wise!

Now to capo - Dullness. Do you have a Capo that can squeeze the strings hard enough? I have a Keyser like this.

http://www.kysermusical.com/product_image.php?imageid=19

because it changes quickly, it squeezes hard enough, it looks cool and it has a lifetime garauntee!!!! cool

Try placing the capo nearer the fret or further from it - do you get a better sound when you do this with what you've got? Are the strings just dull because they need changing?

To the chords getting higher - YES! they do, BUT if you have a piece with some great chords and runs you can find a key that is slap bang in the middle of your best singing range, be that Eb, A# - whatever is good for you and with the capo you can do that with keys with simple chords you know like C - G, Am, C, F; G - G, Em, C, D; etc.

Check out this link courtesy of the venerable Flatpicker 55! This is just C and G (and some DAMMNED fancy left and right hand work) but look where N.B.'s Capo is - is he screeching or singing comfortably?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Krey-_0-TA

Can you down tune? Yes of course you can, but you have to be careful how low you go for 2 reasons - less tension can alter negatively the vibration of the string resulting in loss of tone and volume, also the guitar is usually designed and supplied to function at its' best in Concert Tuning - A = 440Hz; if you change the stresses you may need to have the guitar Set-Up to cope with the different tension - the Truss-Rod adjusted and/or the Topnut or Bridge raised or lowered.

I was thinking also that if you are thinking of changing the tuning for different songs mid-gig you will be making problems for yourself unless you are able to interact with your audience at the same time as tuning - like this amazing guy can:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3nv4vdASBQ

Whatever you decide to do, Buena Suerte ha Chons Da!

I'm sure it'll go fine for you if you relax and enjoy as was said before my rambling.

Oh! Final thoughts: Sort out a set list. Make sure you have everything you could play at that event written down in some sort of order you intend to play in - get requests from bride, groom, best man, etc, etc,.

Also, if you need a music stand (especially if your books enable you to play requests) take it, they are accepted!

Oh, and enjoy yo.... oh yeah, been said!

                     big_smile

55

(7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Hey Vicswitchblade and welcome to Chordie! cool

Don't tune your guitar down! When people do this they only go down 1 or 2 semitones (1 or 2 frets) and tuning back will be a nightmare in the middle of a gig. Use a capo and experiment with different places on the fretbpard to get the desired results (a capo means you can play the chords you're used to playing but change the key - thus how easy it is to sing).

Backing tracks can be bought or you can find some free ones but the quality varies. If you are going to take your laptop it is worth getting them as MIDI files so you can change the key and take out any instruments/voices you don't want which you can't with audio.

The only other advice is: think about what you're playing; as it's a wedding love songs and danceable rock n roll will go down well, songs about suicide, divorce and how my baby left me won't.

Hop this gives you a start towards the answer you're after. Don't be afraid to get back and ask more questions or clarification of answers given.

You've come to the right place mate! cool

Hope your gig goes brilliantly for you ans all concerned!

Chons da!!!

56

(21 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Ha Selso soaz!

Pennblodh demedhyans lowen! smile

Keslowena! cool

57

(13 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Hey Washburnblues! cool (How can you have the blues if you play a Washburn? big_smile )

Dunlops all the way!

Thin reds (.5) for strumming only.
Orange (.6) for strumming with a bit of individual note picking (or I have to compete my strumming against lots of noise.)
Yellow (.7) for lots of individual note picking and a little strumming.
And Stubbies as thick as a house for fast jazz.
Fingers when I forget or drop my pick.
Then sometimes I throw these rules out 'cause I can be a contrary bugger!

(By the way, my fingernails are Jim Dunlop issue as well! big_smile )

Hey Gil!

Another good 'un! cool

Minor point: round about 2:08 "..us instead of himmmmmm," try sustaining the vowel instead of the consonant i.e. "...us instead of hiiiiiiiiiiiiim" - just for future reference, don't change this!

Please don't think this is a major crit - it's really gilding the lily, you're already doing a fantastic job, it's only that vowels have more sustain volume where consonants' "hum" can become lost in the accompaniment.

Fantastic stuff and ignore my comments rather than be put off or (God forbid) give up! You are an inspiration to many.

Did I ask you about your recording rig? If I did please could you remind me where the response is, if I didn't please could you tell us what your set up is - you're getting such good results with it!!

Splann da!

Hey Gil (And Good Buddies)! cool

Watch out Virtual Zeppelin, there's some (not quite so) new kids on the block ready to take your crown.

Another cracker! Didn't know this CSN one, (Southern Cross is in my playlist) so thanks for introducing it to me!

I look forward to your postings and don't think I've been let down yet - keep going, guy! You're doing fantastically!!!! cool

Chons da!



PS: Check out this Virtual Zep track if you haven't already:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va58l51ltw0

PPS: Did you see my Martin Simpson postings?

60

(4 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Forfar 5 - Fife are 4

             big_smile

61

(16 replies, posted in Poems)

Thieves have stolen the toilets from the local police station. A spokesperson said they have nothing to go on!

We are sorry for the interruption to our usual posting.

An important BIOS algorythm has been diagnosed with a particularly virulent combination of H1N1, SARS and Nipple Twistitis with the result that this thread has contracted Randomness from another thread!

Normal service will be resumed as soon as people stop looking at computer screens through eyelids and refrain from typing wearing boxing gloves.



Hey Unhhuh! cool

Like your writing!

63

(12 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Ha Selso soaz!

All the above is brilliant advice! I would add - take a second before beginning your first song to think of the tempo, don't just jump in. I make this this mistake loads and end up playing 3 1/2 minute songs in 1 minute 20 dead! big_smile

Remember that the audience has got to hear, but play to the sound you're making rather than the audience or yourself.

Break a leg mate and let us know how it went! cool

Chons da!!!

64

(16 replies, posted in Poems)

I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous!

Sing in a group in church - a choir a good voice!

65

(3 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Hey Lino Pangilinan (and daughter) and welcome to Chordie! cool

For two instruments to play together and sound interesting/complex/involved there are two secrets 1: play different things (e.g. if it were two guitars, a simples way would be to have one guitar playing open chords and the other playing barre chords.)

2: Don't play at the same time e.g if one instrument is playing on the on-beat, have the other play on the off-beat. This works exceptionally well with two different sounds like guitar and bass or piano and cello or guitar and beat box!

I'm a little bit at a loss as to what to suggest, as Doug was above, (hey Doug!) because I'm not 100% sure of what you mean by beat box; is it a portable stereo that plays CDs/Tapes/MP3s or is it a drum machine with or without bass facilities?

If it's the latter, a lot of old Rock 'n' Roll works well. Summertime Blues is simples as it's F, Bb and C (can move it to G, C and D if the F and Bb are too hard) C'mon Everybody E, A & B.

The great thing about the above 2 is that there are plenty of places where the guitar stops leaving only Vox and Drums - keeps it interesting/involving.

Hope this helps, if not get back with more info and details and someone will have the answer that's right for YOU.

Great to have you aboard and don't be afraid to jump in! smile

Chons da! cool

Ha Zurf soaz!

Will dressing up like that protect me from Trojan and Worm viruses?

67

(4 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Plymouth Argyle, anyone?

                big_smile

Hey Holder23! cool

See! You get good advice from even gooder people (or should that be good people give you even gooder advice?)

Couple o' tips from me:

When one strums, one usually plays the Bass notes of the chord first - WHEN FORMING CHORDS, START WITH THE BASS NOTES OF THE CHORD - you can still be forming the chord while you begin to strum.

With practice, and as muscle memory developes, you'll find that forming the chord is part of the rhythm of a song; your fingers get quicker and gooder at making the chord and it happens in the off beat/a natural break in strumming.

Some great answers above! cool

Chons da!

69

(26 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Dew genough why (God be with you,) Lena.

70

(79 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

http://www.greenfieldguitars.com/common/sitemedia//c7_lg_01.jpg

Hey Elliotg! cool

How 'bout:

La Bamba/Twist and Shout" (Basically the same) C, F, G.

James - "Sit Down" F, Bb, C.

Clapton - "Wonderful Tonight" G, D, C, D, for the riff and an Em thrown in here and there.

"So Lonely" - The Police and Marley's "No Woman No Cry" are both C, G, Am, F.

When I think of more I'll get back!

Chons da! cool

72

(21 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Hey Bimmam! cool

Firstly, is it just how your vox sounds to you or are you having difficulty combining singing and playing?

If it is the former, then yes, singing lessons may help you get much more out of your vox! "Your" underlined because if you really can't sing, nothing will turn you into the next Pavarotti - PROBABLY! BUT, singing lessons will enable you to get the most out of what you've got.

If it is combining singing and playing and having difficulty with this, the only thing you can do is practice; practice and follow a couple of steps - when you perform a song, you usually start playing the guitar before you sing; when you sing try to hold both the rhythm of the song and the true melody with your vox and follow this with the guitar. The reasoning behind this is that most people's ears tune into the vox and will follow lyrics as long as they are sung true and in rhythm; once the performance of the lyrics is mastered, it stands as a guide for the accompanyment (the greatest accompanyists follow what the vocalist is doing anyway!)

To this end, it serves to spend time practicing lyrics unaccompanied.

I hope this answers your questions or gets you on the way to the answers you require. If you need more info, please get back and someone will be able to help!

Chons da! smile

Zurf wrote:

But hey, at least we're not socialists, right? 

- Zurf

lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol

74

(5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey Phill!

Listening as I write this - IT'S GREAT FUN! big_smile cool big_smile

Would you mind if I covered this for my Monday night acoustic gig?
I'd give you full credit as writer and hand out some links to your soundclick page!

Great playing, your vox is superb and it's an excellent recording - as usual!

Brilliant! Splann da! Good on yer!

                    cool

75

(6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

I think I found a photo of the Balloon!


http://geekologie.com/2007/04/darth-vader-balloon.jpg