Blues in Am ... have a go at an overdub!

Kirk Lorange · #1 February 27th, 2006

Here is a backing track that re-surfaced at the PlaneTalk Forum recently. Allthumbs found it and it's a great one to play over. It's in Am, and it's a pretty standard minor blues progression.

The chord progression is:

| Am - - - | Dm - - - | Am - - - | - - - - |
| Dm - - - | - - - - | Am - - - | - - - - |
| Em - - - | FM7 - Dm Em | Am - - - | - - - - |

It's in 4/4 time; the long notes from the bass are the 1's of each bar if you're wondering how to count it out ... if you want to count it out.

The backing track is attached, and below is my steel string acoustic track I played this afternoon. This tune sounds great on electric too, a la BB King, but there are countless ways to play to it. I know a couple of PlaneTalkers have already done some versions (James, Peter ..?) so hopefully they'll post them too.

Don't be shy! Let's hear some and maybe we can kick off a whole overdubbing 'add-a-track' thing here. This is obviously not for beginners who bought their first guitar last week, but even if you just dabble in improvisation or building solos more methodically, this is a great way to get feedback and make progress.

modalthinking · #2 February 27th, 2006

Here is my take

allthumbs · #3 February 27th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by modalthinking

Here is my take

Well done modelthinking. The lead could be a touch more back in the mix though.

modalthinking · #4 February 27th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by allthumbs

Well done modelthinking. The lead could be a touch more back in the mix though.

Thx for the reply

Mixing is hard I have to learn it, I think this one is a better mix

aarona36 · #5 February 27th, 2006

Wow, those are some tough acts to follow. Great job kirk and modelthinking

, i enjoyed both or your takes. I figured it was time i gave this a shot, i really dont have any experiance with backing tracks, i would like to get better at this, so critisizm is very welcome. I played through it a couple times to get a feel for it and recorded a couple takes. I think this is probably the best one, but no where near the quality of kirk or modelthinking's. But guitar for begnniners right?

When i tried to think about the chord progression i would get messed up so i was tring to kindof follow by ear. In my experiance my ear isnt too good so let me know if im all over the place.

. Also hope the mix is alright, it sounded good till i would export it then i would listen and i could barely hear myself, i tried a couple times this is the best i got, now it might be too loud?

Thanks kirk i had a good time with it, think its time to order plane talk though, i start a new job today so ill no longer be broke, it will be nice to have a couple bucks to invest in my guitar playing, getting a mic too!!

.

Thanks for a listen,

Aaron

joehere1 · #6 February 27th, 2006

awsome job guys i thought they all sounded great

allthumbs · #7 February 27th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by aarona36

Wow, those are some tough acts to follow. Great job kirk and modelthinking

, i enjoyed both or your takes. I figured it was time i gave this a shot, i really dont have any experiance with backing tracks, i would like to get better at this, so critisizm is very welcome. I played through it a couple times to get a feel for it and recorded a couple takes. I think this is probably the best one, but no where near the quality of kirk or modelthinking's. But guitar for begnniners right?

When i tried to think about the chord progression i would get messed up so i was tring to kindof follow by ear. In my experiance my ear isnt too good so let me know if im all over the place.

. Also hope the mix is alright, it sounded good till i would export it then i would listen and i could barely hear myself, i tried a couple times this is the best i got, now it might be too loud?

Thanks kirk i had a good time with it, think its time to order plane talk though, i start a new job today so ill no longer be broke, it will be nice to have a couple bucks to invest in my guitar playing, getting a mic too!!

.

Thanks for a listen,

Aaron

You started to cook around the 1:10 mark. A couple of clangers but, that's the nature of improv. You are going to be amazed at the difference in your playing after a month or 2 of P.T. Save this take and repost it along with your new take after you have had P.T. for a while. You had some nice melodic ideas in there. You just need the knowledge on how to flesh them out. Good first try.

aarona36 · #8 February 27th, 2006

Thanks for listening allthumbs, I just ordered plane talk and looking forward to getting started with it. Ill take your advise and post another take in a month or two.

Thanks again,
Aaron

modalthinking · #9 February 27th, 2006

Good job Aaron!

Cant wait till you post your second take with PT method

I decided to post my second attempt using the PT method, for my first take i was thinking about Blues scale and Aeolian scale and it made me think the whole time while improvising while using the PT method for my 2nd take I felt like i was free and playing without thinking where to go and such, the chords lead me the way, it was awesome

nowhere-man · #10 February 27th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by modalthinking

it was awesome

You said it!!: It is awesome. Guitar for beginners and WAY beyond.
You must have known your way around the neck pretty well even before PT though didn't you? As a rank beginner I feel like an impostor, posting here, but that was very inspiring.
In fact well done to all the takes.

nocat · #11 February 27th, 2006

Tough act to follow, in deed...

You guys did a fantastic job...

Here is my take.

I tried to keep it simple and melodic. (BB style)
It seemed what the song called for...!!!

AmTrack

Julian · #12 February 27th, 2006

Great job everyone.

I was wondering, if I only order the Plane Talk DVD, will it be confusing as opposed to reading the book first? My attention span lately has been short to nothing and though I'm sure its a very well written and entertaining book if I could get the same knowledge visually it would be great.

,Thanks
Julian

Kirk Lorange · #13 February 27th, 2006

Very well done modalthinking ... I like both takes, but I can certainly hear the chords being outlined in the second take, and that always sounds stronger to my ear. Excellent! My only comment would be to maybe bring the effects down a bit so that we can hear the melody better ... it's a little bit shrouded in reverb and distortion to really appreciate it properly.

Aaron, that's a very good stab at it, you didn't stray off course, if anything you were just a little tentative. I also hear that you were throwing some chords in there too, which is neat; keeps the ear interested and also keeps the lines on track especially if you play off the shapes. The main thing is that you did have a go ...

I've sent you the download instructions, thanks for the order! Don't forget to join the PlaneTalkers Forum now ... there's a heap of relevant stuff in there.

I'm pleased that this add-a-track idea is bearing fruit ... we might dedicate a new forum to these projects ... Clancy!!!!

strtblstr · #14 February 27th, 2006

I didn't listen to anybodys until I finished so I wouldn't be influenced by anybody.

nocat · #15 February 27th, 2006

Awesome strblstr, you gave the tune a completely different feel...!!! nice tone also...!!!

I did the same thing... Didn't listen 'till I was done with mine... Amazing how we can have such different perspectives interpreting
the same piece of music...!!!