Blues backing in A

Jim · #1 April 15th, 2006

Here is a (somewhat long) blues backing track in A that my friend and I recorded a few weeks ago. It's a little less than 8 minutes long and is very simple in structure and has just a bass and guitar playing it. I hope you enjoy playing over it - I know I did (my take will follow this post).

Jim

Jim · #2 April 15th, 2006

Here's my first take over this backing.

I hope the volume is balanced OK - this is my first recording with my EC Strat, and so the settings I had from when I posted with my Les Paul weren't any good and I had to experiment all over again.

It ain't perfect, but I hope I pass the audition....

Jim

Jim · #3 April 16th, 2006

And here's my 2nd take(s) over the backing.

These have no effects outside the Strat - it's pure EC Strat tone, so the volume of the guitar is thereby also lowered in the mix a bit.

Happy Easter all!

Jim

Jim · #4 April 17th, 2006

I wish I could edit posts here after the 30 minute limit, or whatever it is, and remove my takes on this BT.

The more I listen, the worse they sound, and I feel bad now for inflicting them on anyone. Far too many off-by-one mistakes for one thing, and bad timing. In fact, the more I listen, I would probably invert the order - with the first take not even being on here, and the 3rd take being first (even though it probably shouldn't be up either).

I was really excited about getting something up with the strat, and I don't know why my playing sounded OK to me right after I did it, whereas in retrospect I realize it's nowhere near ready for primetime. In a way it was good practice for me for playing under "stress", because if I'm recording and I tell myself I'm going to put up the result no matter what, then I have the greatest amount of pressure on myself, and I play at my worst - and when I play again without recording I've usually improved somewhat from learning from my mistakes. But that's a catch-22 isn't it? Because I also want to post music here that you all will enjoy - and me too!

So, if you're going to listen, probably 3rd should come first (the one with ZERO listens!) but in the future I will let what I play at least stay on my computer for a night's sleep to see how it sounds the next day before posting it.

Jim

coldethyl · #5 April 17th, 2006

Don't sweat it Jim!
Your contribution was given with the best of intentions. I for one, look forward to your next musical offers.

Keep your chin up!

Neil

Jim · #6 April 17th, 2006

Thanks Neil - your post is most appreciated.

It's all a learning experience...

Jim

nocat · #7 April 17th, 2006

I love the tone you are getting... IMO, you are trying to play too many notes... Try to
slow it down a bit, throw a few sustained bends in there... Think in terms of a singer... What
phrases would a singer use in this or that section... Also try to build a melody.

What I try to do is imagine some nonsense lyrics, and play the notes I would sing. This helps
me to come up with some semblance of a melody line...!!!

Please Jim, don't take this as negative criticism... It's just an effort on my part to try
and help a fellow musician... You have the dexterity in your fingers to be able to pull
off some amazing stuff... I can hear it...!!!

Cheers
Ben

allthumbs · #8 April 17th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by nocat

I love the tone you are getting... IMO, you are trying to play too many notes... Try to
slow it down a bit, throw a few sustained bends in there... Think in terms of a singer... What
phrases would a singer use in this or that section... Also try to build a melody.

What I try to do is imagine some nonsense lyrics, and play the notes I would sing. This helps
me to come up with some semblance of a melody line...!!!

Please Jim, don't take this as negative criticism... It's just an effort on my part to try
and help a fellow musician... You have the dexterity in your fingers to be able to pull
off some amazing stuff... I can hear it...!!!

Cheers
Ben

+1

Jim · #9 April 17th, 2006

Thank you Ben!

Heck no, I don't take it as negative criticism at all. I'm here not only to share, but also to take...

... to learn, and what you're suggesting is very much on point. I did better at playing melodically in the slower Blues in G thing I did - but maybe when the tempo gets a little faster, I feel the need to play faster as well, which can work against me.

I agree - the solo I play should be able to be sung, and it should be melodic - bottom line - which I heard clearly this morning when I realized I wasn't doing that at all. I don't know why it wasn't clear to me on Saturday or even Sunday - THAT bothers me more than anything. I've spent my life composing and listening to music, and here I am not listening to myself... Speed without beauty is empty.

I am very happy you liked the tone, I was happy with that part of it, and perhaps that blinded me to the other parts of the playing. Thanks again - I truly appreciate your CONSTRUCTIVE input and I have learned from this, so it's worth it.

Jim

P.S. and thank you for your concurrence allthumbs - I see we posted at the same time. +2 including me!