All Activity

Pale Shelter - Tears For Fears

The singer & guitar player, Mark, is a friend of a very close friend. I’ve heard great things about the band and would go and see them if I still lived down south.

The most troublesome and yet least important thing a band faces. Been there, compromised on that, numerous times. I’m still trying to get someone to use Post Burrito Depression (one of Tony Levin’s spares).

We shall see.

Exactly this 👍

Thanks for the tips. Ill get on to writing out charts for the songs giving me trouble. Next challenge, thinking of a band name we all like.

It seems they are. But the content is solid, they’re not teaching bad habits. The online world is a minefield at the best of times so I wouldn’t take the chance on anyone else.

White Wedding - Billy Idol

Back in the early 70's it was a tuning fork at home. On gigs/shows it was a case of tuning to the keyboard player (back then that could mean a Rhodes Piano, Wurlitzer electric Piano, various Organs, or Uprights & Grands). If no Keys around, unfortunately you were at the mercy of the Guitarist, or two. That could get very interesting! In each individual case, it was usually down to, "Give us a 'G', Dave (or whoever)". I would then tune my open G or a G harmonic to the other Instrument and work down from that.

I See Red - Split Enz

True blue - Madonna

Roland V Bass system and the GK pick-up shop soiled from PMT (Leeds I think, around 2008).

True Colours - Cyndi Lauper

Yes, including a metronome. There are most likely similar units available today.

I have a load of Crimson guitar tools and hosco nut files I did their 3 day fret level/ refret course. I learned lots so can do all my guitars now

direct from JHS (I'm an endorsee)

I never knew the 4000 had a set neck till recently

In my U2 tribute I have written sheets to help me, as we do live versions of the tracks (and many live versions are different with U2) the more I practice them, the more I can visualise the sheets

My Top Tip is to practice the ending (last few bars, or section, or last minute, or however it's structured...). Long enough to be able to retain it, and feel comfortable with it. Once that's acquired, start practicing the preceding section, and continue through with the ending. As you advance, you'll be playing into territory that's more and more familiar. Continue with this until both sections are done. Now start off, again, with the preceding section... Rince and repeat until you've started from the beginning. Choose the length of each of these sections to be within your comfort zone each. Essentially, start from the end and work backwards in chunks. You'll find that, this way, every song ends with you playing a part that you're very comfortable with, so enjoyment increases as the song progresses. This Tip applies in other domains, for actors learning long lines, anyone doing speeches and more still. Try it and see; you may be agreeably surprised.

I'm always surprised that young people seem to know the words to Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) by Edison Lighthouse. It was fairly obscure back in 1970 (ok, 5 weeks at number one, but still...)

I had two cheat sheets taped to the set list Saturday night. My own "shorthand" that I use. One was for the unique non- standard end section of Mr Blue Sky that the bands plays and the other for One Step Beyond. Both are printed on the top quarter of an A4 sheet, cut off and taped to the set list, or back of a monitor. I've done it for years with various songs. After a few gigs they stick. However, Saturday night I had a little moment during the first bridge of Mr Brightside where I completely forgot where to put my fingers. Last non- encore song of the night, played it dozens of times over the years and rehearsed it last week without incident, then I get the "wtf moment". I probably fumbled half a bar but it felt like the world collapsing. I don't think you can mitigate much for brain facts like that. I practise until I don't get stuff wrong but sometimes we glitch.