Bilbo

I wish I had learned piano at a young age instead of guitar. It is much more logical and gives you access to so much music. As I try to develop my composing abilities, the potential of the instrument as a means to and end is increasingly evident. I love the idea of being a self contained musician as most of my frustrations over the years have realted to the ability, willingness or availability of other musicians. The idea of being Keith Jarrett or Paul Bley and just doing my thing on my own is, on occasion, very attractive!!

Silver Machine - Hawkwind

Tracy W was Kenny Kirkland's other half.

I just like listening to music and don't really care what the format is. I mostly listen to downloads becasue I have an e-music account and get 50 downloads a month for £18. THat pace of new music seems to meet my needs and I rarely buy anything elxe on top of that. If I do get a CD, I copy it inot itunes anyway so I can listen on my ipod.

I know what I [i]want[/i] to do but will need to find some other musicians to make it happen as I cannot play any of the instruments involved to the required level. Mmmmm?

It doesn't matter. Just look for one that works for you. The weight of the bow is the issue, not the length. Try this site for advice. http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product/2014-BOWS_DOUBLE_BASS_BOW_CHOICES_A_BUYER_S_GUIDE.html

I can lock this thread, you know....

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1408636955' post='2532116'] Pics of Fenders and their clones have the same effect on me..! Sadowsky..? Encore..? Fender..? All the same to me..! [size=4] [/size] [/quote] Agreed - this one looks great, this one looks, errr, great!! Can't see it myself!

I took to it because it was the easiest instrument on which you could teach yourself.

As I said on my Soundcloud page, the piece wot I wrote was 'inspired by' the image. I was thinking about Salome's dance and didn't really get as far as dealing with the fact that she wanted John's head on a platter! I got the idea for the theme, which WAS inspired by the image, but the rest kind of rose out of the idea itself rather as some thematic development thing rather than as a 'soundtrack' to the image. Still, I appreciate the positive feedback, even if it doesn't get the votes.

I did one of these camps earlier this year (near Southend). Never again. All seemed pretty pointless - we didn't want to be there and they didn't want to watch us.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1409144123' post='2536771'] I don't know anything about Gary Willis [/quote] I just know his videos are on youtube (not seen Prestia on there - but, then again, I haven't looked )

I have to say that I absolutely respect any artist who refuses to rely on their old hits. Any fan of Kate Bush knows that her approach to her art is based on a very personal concept of integrity and is not led by the idea of 'giving the people what they want'. Jazz artist who continually regurgitate their old hits are given pretty short shrift and playing the solos 'as on the record' woudl see them laughed out of a theatre. I believe you should expect what the artist is prepared to give. If you want the hits, play the cd.

Nah. I played yours 27 times.

6 participants, 5 spectators. It's like a PCC election!

Look up Gary Willis's right hand technique (it will be on youtube). You will find what you need in there.

For me the real beef is geography. People in larger population centres can get other players around them and make great music. When you live in the sticks, you can't play a lot of the music you woudl like to because the players are not htere. I work regularly in a duo with a Brazilian guy. We would love to put together something more substantial with full-on Brazilian percussionist but there just aren't any for hundreds of miles. Mostly the same with Jazz. One good drummer leaves the area and it immediately compromises everything you want to do. So move to the city? Yeah - and spend your whole life making the rent and living in s sh*tty area surrounded by concrete. Tough breaks and I live with the choices I have made but wouldn't it be nice if the people you wanted to play with were nearby?

These acts are generally embarassing and the only way it will stop is if people wake up to the fact and tell them. IN the meantime, money (or the lack of it) talks. It is interesing that 'Live' now means tapes and 'Bands' now means as many vocalists as you like but no-one that can actually play anything

Lowdown got my vote. Interesting ideas nicely articulated.

Thanks for the pointers, guys. Will check them out. Not heard of freezing tracks!!

I have this IT problem where the mix I finish in Cubase doesn't transfer in it's entirety when I do an audio mix. Some does but not all of it. So what you hear is an approximation of my mix

Here's mine for this month https://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/salome

Gotta be Pharrell.

I have learned a lot about the recording process this time. For instance, I had an awful crackling sound that I assumed was the PC no being able to handle the amount of processing required to allow for the number of VSTs I was using but, after some fiddling, I relaised that I was using the same VST effect on too many channels so, as soon as I turned them off, the noise stopped. I added them again one by one and then used alternatives to achieve the same reverb and echo effects and achieved my intended end without the noise. That is just one example. Got much better levels this time, learned a bit more about Miroslav Philharmonik etc. Brilliant fun. The composition is coming together ok but I always have this trouble with getting VSTs to sound organic and it all sounds a bit 'sequenced'. I guess that's the nature of it.

Totally agree. And not Sheehan chops, GROOVE chops!!