ambient

That’s kind of my point about online streaming events; I probably didn’t express it well. People do seem to have embraced them, they can watch something without having to leave their living room. My department at my university was meant to have had its main event of the calendar last week. It was obviously cancelled, so we organised a mini streamed one. It was done quickly, and listeners were without the huge array of speakers that form a real event, so stereo only. It went down really well though. There’s a guy I know who owns an instrument and equipment distribution company. He posted a link to the same report a few days ago. One of the replies was from a guy who I’ve never met him, but I know his name, he’s quite a well known music writer and journalist. It was his reply that got me thinking about this. He’s of the opinion that opportunities will still be there for bands and artists, they’ll need to adapt to whatever the new normal is though, at the same time, audiences will also need to adapt. There’s a very strong possibility that social distancing is going to be with us for quite a while to come, so whichever part of the whole musicking thing you’re from, you need to accept that what was there before, possibly won’t be back for quite a while to come. It’s probably therefore a good idea to start thinking, well how are we going to carry on doing what we do? Then look at ways that technology will help us, rather than guessing at dates when various things might be relaxed.

They’re talking about having more frequent services I think, with strict limits on the number of passengers, and they’ll probably have to wear masks. I’ve read also that people will be encouraged to continue to work from home, at least where they can. Universities for instance will be running their courses online until at least next year. I don’t think that’s a bad thing tbh. Hundreds of thousands of people spend hours a week travelling to and from work, doing a job they’re quite capable of doing from home. My one sister-in-law works for Lloyds bank from home, that’s the way she’s always done it. There’s a lady I know moved to Turkey two years ago, but continued working for the company based a mile from me, again working online. From what I’m hearing from people who are promoters, and those who organise events, they’re writing off this year totally. It would be nice to think I’m wrong, but you’re maybe a little optimistic about gigs starting again this year.

Original music has been my focus for the last few years, mainly experimental or electronic music. Some events are better attended than others, some are extremely well attended though, with audiences travelling quite a distance.

Hence my use of the word ‘maybe’. I remain optimistic though, that as with other things, this could be a turning point. There’s a meme I’ve seen shared quite a bit, pointing out that for many, many people, it’s music and art that have helped them through the last few months. Sales of books have soared too. It would be nice to think that now people have discovered there’s more to life than endlessly buying tat that they don’t need, and the simple pleasure in a walk in the park, or sitting reading a book, whilst listening to music?

That’s the thing though, there’s a lot less effort required to ‘attend’ a streamed event. It’s something I’ve noticed on social media recently, friends of mine are doing weekly streamed performances, and people are watching. I’ve had more sales via Bandcamp recently, and two new subscribers in the last fortnight. That’s not based on any streamed events of mine; I haven’t done any, but I have been sharing a lot of new stuff that I’ve been recording. Bandcamp have had two days recently where they’ve waived their fees, I believe their website came close to crashing on a couple of occasions. It’s just a thought based on what I’m seeing people are doing.

That’s it, I did say in my post that it was probably more suited to original artists. Maybe this will be a turning point in music, with people more interested in hearing original music? There are some incredibly talented people out there; bands, solo artists, songwriters, composers. They’re there, you just need to look for them.

As few as that? That’s quite a shock, my figure was just a guess. It’s affecting pretty much everything I love; theatre, museums, concerts. All these places have been struggling for years anyway, thanks to cuts in arts funding. I think this will very sadly be the end for many of them.

It doesn’t really make much difference, social distancing will apply to all venues. A place that usually holds 100 people might only be allowed to admit 30, allowing for space around the audience members, toilets, getting served at the bar etc. If they’ve only got a third of the takings, would they bother, or change and do something else?

You can set it so they can donate, I believe you can do it so the viewer has to pay; though making a donation is probably better. If there’s a link to your Bandcamp page too, then that might generate some sales. This all obviously mainly applies to original artists.

There’s a friend of mine organises a weekly jazz club. He’s not booking anyone until next year, he’s not expecting the venue to be allowed to hold events until then People are making a lot of money from what’s going on, I suspect there are property developers rubbing their hands together with glee, at the thought of the various properties they’ll be able to get their hands on at a knockdown price.

He’d make anything sound good 😁.

I’m guessing amp manufacturers are panicking. The guy who told me owns a musical distribution company. I know that electronic music equipment in particular is selling well.

Like someone said to me on Facebook a few days ago. Apparently the sales of instruments are soaring, he said that musicians need to adapt. Lots of people I know are doing streamed gigs, that might be the future for a lot of artists. It’s certainly an avenue to explore until there’s any semblance of normality.

I’ve owned several, normal long scale strings work just fine.

Depends on the crowd and what the pay is. I’ve done a lot with various jazz ensembles, usually on a Sunday lunchtime. They’re usually nice affairs, abc generally pay OK.

They seem to start here. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-7EbQLn6Tr/?igshid=1lzi40qfmurc7

Yeah, it contains just the main parts needed.

My bass is tuned E to C by the way, though it doesn’t really make a difference. Check out Steve’s videos though, they’re on his Instagram page.

Minor 7. All in a row. Again the root is the lowest, then the 7th and the 3rd has dropped a fret so it’s now a minor.

This is my fingering for a dominant 7, the 7th has just dropped down one fret, I’m playing it with my 2nd finger rather than 3rd. Root is still the lowest note, the major 3rd is the highest note still.

Hopefully you can make this out. It’s my voicing for a major chord. The lowest note is the root, then the 7th, I put the 3rd on top which makes it sound clear and open. Bass chords can sound muddy if the notes are too close together. You can move this anywhere, the lowest note like I say is the root.

If you like later I’ll TAB some of the shapes I use? Here’s a very brief video.

Have a look at Steve Lawson’s Instagram page. He’s been doing a series of tuition videos, one of them was based on chords. He taught me a lot of the chord shapes that I use. If you’re playing a 6 string then they shouldn’t be too difficult, certainly not as difficult as on a 4 string. I voice chords quite differently on a 6 than I would on a 4.

It’s fabulous isn’t it? Well worth waiting for.