All my health is failin on me, I'm goin down slow
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12bar.de - the free Blues guitar tutorial All my health is failin on me, I'm goin down slow |
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I tend to practice later in the evening.
Watch some TV with my wife and then retire to the music room. I like to sip a tot of Bushmills Irish whiskey while warming up. It seems to take the ache out of these old fingers. (Jameson and Tullamore Dew also have the same soothing properties). Another tot or two helps while practicing scales and licks. Soon I'm ready to put on a backing track and play a little. With the help of a bit more whiskey I'm soon playing wonderfully. In fact, I'm playing fantastically. I crank up the volume in my headphones. My bends would make a statue weep. E.C. himself would follow me on Twitter in the hopes that I might dole out a morsel of advice (in 140 characters or less).
So I figured it was time for a reality check. I finally recorded myself playing over a backing track. Talk about a wake up call! I sounded terrible!!!! 
But here's the interesting thing. I expected to hear the missed notes, the out-of-tune bends, the off-the-beat notes, etc. - and I heard a lot of them. But very quickly I began to realize that there were other, more important, lessons in the recording. The real lessons were more "performance oriented". Some examples,
- I was cutting off each note which made my playing sound mechanical. Now I'm focusing on continuity between notes, overlapping notes, working the sustain, etc. to make my sound more fluid.
- There were no dynamics or drama. No attack and retreat. No loud and soft. It was like I was practicing scales instead of playing.
- There was little confidence or command of the performance. I've learned I've got to lean into it.
- There was little narrative thread or sense of story. I was playing basic licks, bends, slides, etc. that sounded good but don't constitute a performance. So I downloaded a software tool and I'm working on tabbing out some musical ideas.
These were things I didn't expect to hear (and to learn). So if you're basically a beginner (like I am) and you haven't recorded yourself - then I highly recommend it. Many of the more experienced plays here have recommended it and it paid off for me in more ways than I expected. These lessons look like the next step up for me.
Last edited by JimRR (Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:56:24)
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Great post. I couldn't agree with you more. Keep recording yourself - you will also have sessions that your recording will show you that you can play better than you ever thought you could!
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I've just gotten into recording, mainly because after 30 years playing I've got no decent recordings of me playing. I have to agree it's a big wake up call, you can hear all the mistakes that are usually covered up in live playing! It certainly focuses you, and that can't be a bad thing. Another positive is that it seems to bring the old singing on!
cheers, Zakk
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It's a good sign that you can hear all those things that you can work on. 
Recording is a bit like any exercise - the more you do it the better it gets.
You'll be amazed how suddenly something will go from 
to 
Of course even when becomes more frequent you'll still have the odd day where its not just but also 
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ive been trying to record myself but the recorder on my computer only lasts up to 1min, can anybody recommend a good recording software? ive tryed guitarrig but when i was playing it sounded really distorted and unguitarlike
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rickyc123 wrote:
ive been trying to record myself but the recorder on my computer only lasts up to 1min, can anybody recommend a good recording software? ive tryed guitarrig but when i was playing it sounded really distorted and unguitarlike
http://12bar.de/software.php 
I use audacity...
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i was just looking at that, thanks
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You may also want to take a look at Sony' Acid Express. Only does 10 tracks, but is pretty high-powered for free. http://www.acidplanet.com/downloads/xpress/
12bar - you may want to add this one to your free recording software list. 
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i got audacity, the only thing is i cant hear what im playing through my computer, any ideas what i could do?
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I use a Zoom H4N. It is a handheld four track recorder.
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I've just treated myself to Boss BR600, and am really pleased with it. Theres tons of things it can do, when I eventually figure it out.
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zakk64 wrote:
I've just treated myself to Boss BR600, and am really pleased with it. Theres tons of things it can do, when I eventually figure it out.
i was looking at the smaller handheld version a while ago not sure what its called but that looked quite good but it was over £200 and i just want something cheap and easy for the time being
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I'll get in one more post before this thread wanders off completely into recording gear and recording software.
I had one more "Aha!" moment while recording myself. This may be useful to other beginners.
While playing over a backing track I found I was trying real hard to match the feel, the tempo, the style, the tone of the BT. I was trying so hard to blend that I was becoming one with the BT. With a bit less volume on my guitar I would disappear into the BT. Best case, my playing blended so well that it was totally boring - no value added. The BT was more interesting by itself. I was playing so far under the BT that my playing and the BT reversed roles.
So the lesson is that there has to be some kind of contrast between the BT and my playing.
I don't know what that means yet. Too much "contrast" and you're using the wrong BT.
Maybe they have to complement each other. That sounds better but I don't know what that means either.
I guess it means that you pay attention to that aspect of the music. And you record. And you try out different things. And you listen to see how others handle it.
Any "silver bullet" thoughts on this?
Last edited by JimRR (Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:49:53)
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JimRR wrote:
While playing over a backing track I found I was trying real hard to match the feel, the tempo, the style, the tone of the BT. I was trying so hard to blend that I was becoming one with the BT. With a bit less volume on my guitar I would disappear into the BT. Best case, my playing blended so well that it was totally boring - no value added. The BT was more interesting by itself. I was playing so far under the BT that my playing and the BT reversed roles.
So the lesson is that there has to be some kind of contrast between the BT and my playing.
I don't know what that means yet. Too much "contrast" and you're using the wrong BT.
Maybe they have to complement each other. That sounds better but I don't know what that means either.
I guess it means that you pay attention to that aspect of the music. And you record. And you try out different things. And you listen to see how others handle it.
Any "silver bullet" thoughts on this?
Wish this was a "silver bullet" but it's probably a bit of a blank, as I am very uncertain of what I technically do when I play along with a BT. 
But, for me the best results happen when my lead playing is "in sympathy" with the BT. This can simply be in playing notes at key points in your phrases that are suggested as the notes to be played by the BT, maybe doubling up notes, or a nice harmonic match of notes played by bass or keyboards. Some BTs are for me very special because they influence my playing by often "telling" me what to play.
Note here that my method of playing over a BT is to play the notes I can hear inside my head and it's taken me a long, long time to "get" that. It has its disadvantages in that it is very difficult to repeat something that works well unless you've recorded it and can work out afterwards what you've done, but I love the freedom that living for the moment has brought me.
But the fact that you say your playing blended with the BT suggests you're listening to the musical message of the BT and I think that's totally required for a good solo / improvisation.
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your probably being over hard on yourself, I think were all guilty of that. Ask some friends what they think of it. Also I tend to find that a track "grows on you" something that sounded rubbish at first starts to sound ok after a few listens, well thats my excuse anyway!
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Record all the way thru, mistakes and all, no stopping and starting over....When you have enough tracks then pick out the best from the bunch.
Last edited by bluesinbflat (Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:07:10)
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Thanks for the advice and support guys.
There were some postings a few weeks ago about how intimidating it was to actually start a recording session. Some of the best players here described being fearful of the red button.
When I did my first recording a few days ago I was sure it wouldn't bother me. It was my first recording, I wasn't trying to get something I could post, I didn't expect it to sound good the first time, I was alone in the spare bedroom/music room, etc. What was to be nervous about? Then every time I started to click on "record" I found myself stopping to recheck various settings, to rearrange the cables and cords, to retune the guitar, to adjust the headphones, etc. I was clearing my throat and my palms were sweaty. It was actually funny. I guess it's just a form of stage fright.
VB, "in sympathy" seems like a good way to think about it. I'll keep that in mind as I continue to work.
Zakk64, I think playing a track over and over could be a tricky business. I haven't played my recordings very much partly because it makes me cringe whenever I hear them - and partly because I'm afraid I'll begin to think they are actually pretty good. In the end I have to listen to learn. So I still play them and take mental notes to be sure I get all the lessons I can from them.
Actually, I did some more recording last night. The difference this time was that I played with more awareness of recording and played more "on purpose". The recording came out much better than expected. So I'm encouraged.
Thanks again!
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JimRR wrote:
The difference this time was that I played with more awareness of recording and played more "on purpose". The recording came out much better than expected. So I'm encouraged.
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JimRR wrote:
Thanks for the advice and support guys.
There were some postings a few weeks ago about how intimidating it was to actually start a recording session. Some of the best players here described being fearful of the red button.
When I did my first recording a few days ago I was sure it wouldn't bother me. It was my first recording, I wasn't trying to get something I could post, I didn't expect it to sound good the first time, I was alone in the spare bedroom/music room, etc. What was to be nervous about? Then every time I started to click on "record" I found myself stopping to recheck various settings, to rearrange the cables and cords, to retune the guitar, to adjust the headphones, etc. I was clearing my throat and my palms were sweaty. It was actually funny. I guess it's just a form of stage fright.
i know what you mean, i was like that when i started recording, even though it was just me alone in my room and no one could hear me and considering i normally play with my amp quite loud when theres people in my house and dont think twice
yesterday me and my dad went up to a guitar shop just up the road for a new guitar cable and to match up a template of a strat weve been making and seeing how different it was, anyway i got talking to the owner and i asked if he had a cable with the normal guitar jack on one end and a small line in on the other which he didnt but he had this oldish behringer mixing board which i bought and when i was messing about with it seeing what it could do i decided to record myself all the way though a few songs without stopping, there was a few notes i knew i had played wrong but i also noticed there was bits where i wasnt in time or wasnt bending far enough or bending too far, its a big wake up call when you think you can play something really well but you actually cant
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I did a recording yesterday in Garageband. ((Improvising the ending of While My Guitar Gently Weeps if you are curious) I've got a new simple technique that works well. I have a Roland Micro Cube that I set on clean, then crank the volume up sslightly, and have it face my computer. I use my iSight as a mic, and use the built in effects with Garageband. It took me a while to get a sound that didn't sound too tacky, but I finally managed it.
About the fear of hitting the red button, and the aftermath of recording, I can testify to that. I used to be really fearful of the red button, until I discovered that recording actually helps me to identify my weak spots. Sometimes, I think I'm really good, then I play it back and cringe when I hear what comes blaring out. It's not just the playing that I've identified errors, it's also the tone of my guitar that I critique also. I've also had the reverse happen, I'll just play something that I think is simple and not really something, but then when I play it back, it sounds really powerful and emotional. Has this happened to anybody else besides me? Just curious...
Jack
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StratLover2 wrote:
I did a recording yesterday in Garageband. ((Improvising the ending of While My Guitar Gently Weeps if you are curious) I've got a new simple technique that works well. I have a Roland Micro Cube that I set on clean, then crank the volume up sslightly, and have it face my computer. I use my iSight as a mic, and use the built in effects with Garageband. It took me a while to get a sound that didn't sound too tacky, but I finally managed it.
About the fear of hitting the red button, and the aftermath of recording, I can testify to that. I used to be really fearful of the red button, until I discovered that recording actually helps me to identify my weak spots. Sometimes, I think I'm really good, then I play it back and cringe when I hear what comes blaring out. It's not just the playing that I've identified errors, it's also the tone of my guitar that I critique also. I've also had the reverse happen, I'll just play something that I think is simple and not really something, but then when I play it back, it sounds really powerful and emotional. Has this happened to anybody else besides me? Just curious...
Jack
whats GarageBand like in comparason to Guitar Rig?
ive also noticed about tone aswel, actually last week i was recording but it was basically just a line in from my OD pedal to my computer so i couldnt hear what i sounded like but when i played it back i had a really nice bluesy tone, and now i cant get it back 
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rickyc123 wrote:
whats GarageBand like in comparason to Guitar Rig?
ive also noticed about tone aswel, actually last week i was recording but it was basically just a line in from my OD pedal to my computer so i couldnt hear what i sounded like but when i played it back i had a really nice bluesy tone, and now i cant get it back
I haven't used Guitar Rig, I've only seen pictures though. I think it probably has far less different amp combinations, but I think with the pedals, that may not be too big of a problem unless you're trying to cover a specific tone. They do have a pretty cool Bluesbreaker amp model though.
I have found for my personal tone that the Vibrato Blues model is best, without the vibrato pedal, it has a slightly clean distortion.
For the good tone, I discovered that using the built in Garageband effects with my Roland Cube on the highest tone setting, low gain, and highest volume and facing towards my mic delivered the best sound. Luckily, Garageband has an ability to save specific amp and pedal settings.
I'm looking at getting a better guitar-computer interface and possibly ugrading to Logic Express 9 (http://www.apple.com/logicexpress/), which has more amp and pedal modeling.
Jack
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what kind of effects can you get?
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rickyc123 wrote:
what kind of effects can you get?
Well, off hand, I recall Delay, Chorus, Overdrive, Fuzz, Vibrato, and some really weird effects that I just can't recall at the moment.
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