Dad3353

Here is my contribution to the August 2020 Basschat Composition Challenge, inspired by a picture chosen by the previous winner: Xgsjx..! What's going on in the mind of a cat..? Dunno, so here's my rendition of their thought processes, with all their mystery. Three Philharmonik clarinets, s'all, with no effects nor 'spit'n'polish. Plain'n'simple. Disclaimer : this piece does not have any semblance of a Disco beat, and is declared totally unsuitable as Electronic Dance Music. You have been warned. Thanks for listening, if you already have; if you're about to, enjoy.

This is part of the problem, I feel, when folks, in all innocence, pass it on to more vulnerable folks without even knowing they're infected and infectious. It's not themselves that will bear the consequences, but those who pick it up from them. Still, anything's better than feeling like a fool wearing a mask, I suppose.

The idea of this protection is not really for oneself, but to avoid passing the bug on to someone fragile, unwittingly. The bloke's doing it right; respect and kudos are due, not brickbats.

Isn't that all the better reason for rehearsing, to keep the flame (and chops...) alive..? To some, rehearsals are just as important, musically, as gigs (it's certainly our case; we don't 'play out'..!). Feeling grumpy this morning, are we..?

Electrically there's no difference, but jack leads would probably be more robust. Assuming they'll be plugged in and stay there, it's worth getting good quality stuff, without going to the ridiculous extremes of 'snake oil' cables.

It's very good. ... I SAID 'IT'S VERY GOOD'... ... OI..! TAKE THE HEADSET OFF WHEN TYPING..! I SAID 'IT'S VERY GOOD..! ...

We've been here before. Here's a part of the AIM take on this ... We’re currently on Stage Three. “This means that we are now supporting musicians, dancers and actors, and the technical and operational teams that support performing arts production, to safely resume training, rehearsals and recorded performances where organisations wish and are able to,” the guidance says. Rehearsals and performances with no audiences can resume in England (check guidance for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in case there’s variation), as long as artists, organisations and venues are COVID-secure and adhering to the latest general work guidance on coronavirus, including with appropriate risk assessments carried out. And performances with socially-distanced audiences can take place outdoors. For rehearsals, indoors, with no audience, there's no question of 'pro' or not, as long as conditions are satisfactory. The 'Pro' part concerns those playing in public, earning their living. Hope this helps.

All that can be done is to open the door(s...) and use a big ventilator in the doorway, blowing out. Not ideal, but it's all there is, I'd say.

The Maestro will confirm or deny, but I'd guess it's the bars with the notes in brackets (99, 107..?). I may be completely wrong, of course.

Now let me guess... Your site stats will go soaring again over the week-end, right..? ... Nice, clean, transcription; Well Done. You wouldn't fancy doing the drums now, I don't suppose..? No..? Thought not. ... Only kiddin', I'd do 'em myself.

T'would be good to know what Tuner he uses..! ...

Good evening, TK , and ... Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

If you're sure of the Hosco tuner holes, I'd go for that one, then, and pocket the price difference. They have a good enough reputation, I'd suggest, to reckon that the quality and playability are on a par with the MIM stuff. Our Eldest is a luthier, so we don't buy-in necks, so no more experience than that; sorry.

ood afternoon, Simon, and ... Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share. (I'm slightly disappointed, though; I read the title as being an introduction from Clark Kent. )

The Fender neck comes with fitted nut and satin finish. I don't know about any difference in postage costs, but would need checking, too. Other than that, I doubt that there's much in it, really.

No, no, I'm not trying to find excuses for this singer; simply working out where the problem lies, the better to fix it. Most of the ambiguity (to me...) has been elucidated now. If the bloke isn't up to the assignment, maybe it's an 'opportunity' opening for another singer/songwriter to have a go..? Are there any such folks on hand, or in the 'phone book..? Bringing one in for an audition would certainly send a clear message to the present singer, no..?

No, we're quite definitely on different wavelengths, here. To me, composition of lyrics is a 'dark art', and un-earthing singable melodies even more foreign. Our singer, for instance, sings very well indeed, over a range of styles. Ask him to come up with an original song, be it lyrics or, lyrics supplied, a decent line, and there's nothing. Singing is one thing, composing songs is quite another, and lyrics another still. If the fellow was signed up to do all of this, and has done in the past, I see your point, but even then, sometimes the well runs dry. I can't think of many singer/songwriters with prolific quality output (OK, there's Joni Mitchell, and a few more...) but they're a rare breed, I say. What does he say to a basic chord sequence and a hint as to style..? 'Nuffin' comin'' or 'Give me a day or so'..?

@AndyTravis : Then don't give him 'great riffs'. Give him hollow shells for him to fill.

To be fair, and aware that I'm treading on eggshell here, the most recent file you posted was ... (how to say it..?) something less than inspirational. There's nothing technically wrong with the recording side (balance between instruments, decent-enough sounds...), but there's an art, as well as a craft, in composing, and, as with panning for gold, much dross for little in the way of nuggets. To me, there's far too much going on in the bass line to be able to sit back and add much 'worth'. The song seems to be already fully fleshed, with capable, but bland, guitar work (no, no; it's not bad, but it doesn't bite at all. Sit down; I've not finished...). May I suggest a different approach, by sending out simply acoustic guitar versions of the skeletal structure you envisage; enough to get an idea of the style, but no more..? No bass line, maybe no drums, just the 'unplugged' basics..? As for chord progressions: you're doubtless well aware of the classic 'four chord song' syndrome, or the old 'camp-fire' cowboy stuff. Chord progressions can be a derivative of the basics, adding 'internal' melody, or colouring with extensions beyond 7ths. I'd suggest comparing some well-known 'standards' from the Real Book with their 'vanilla' versions, to see how past masters have used chord substitutions, or filled out one-chord passages with altered chords. Try, as a starter, playing four bars of G Major, then compare to one bar each of G Major, GMaj7, GMaj6, GMaj7. Follow that with four G Minor bars, then one bar each of G Minor, Gmin7, GMin6, GMin7. Tame stuff, certainly, but using arpeggios, or string skipping, rather than strumming, there's a whole world of emotions to be generated from chords. There's a site full of Vanilla versions of Standards; they're worth perusal, I'd suggest. (Vanilla Jazz Songs ...) I'll stop now; I don't want to give the impression that you've got it wrong; you've a much better track record than mine. There are other tactics to be tried, however, and it's not up to you to do all the creation hard work (unless you're Burt Bacharach or similar...). Hope this helps.

Been unwrapped at some point..? Arrived tuned..? Someone's been playing it for four months..!

I'd like to see a rational explanation as to why playing in an Aeolian mode, and so the self-same notes and frequencies as a Major scale, changes things so much. ...

My contribution (Disclaimer : I'm a drummer...) ...

Ah, but did it cost 6€40..?