Bass-ically Speaking

Friday Free Jam #10

Am.  In.  Pain. 

Need.  To.  Jam.

Top 5 Spooky Halloween Songs

1)  Spooky by Atlanta Rhythm Section (Classics IV did the original, but I like ARS's version - Almost the same guys, anyway.)
2)  Monster Mash by Bobby "Boris" Pickett (Cliche', I know.)
3)  Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon  (Ditto.  Oh, well.)
4)  Marie Laveau by Bobby Bare  (Betchya didn't see that one comin'!) 
5)  The End - The Doors  (Not so much halloween, but it's way creepy!)

Last Day to Vote!
Meanwhile, I cast my BlogNet Awards vote for Badass Drumming.  (Register, leave a comment as your vote and, if your comment is chosen as best, win a cash prize.)  Right now, he and I are tied for first place, but I'd like to see him get this one.  If you don't mind taking a moment, it'd be a nice Treat and a cool Trick to put him over the top.

Trick-or-Treat!
Will be home, handing out toys tonight. (Hey! There's a grateful parent out there somewhere.)

And I have a gig tomorrow.  After the week I've had, that should be very therapeutic.  Hopefully, I'll be back to posting on a regular bass-is after that!

Meanwhile, I'll spare you the typical Thriller clip (M.J. is waaaayy too scary!) and offer this one instead.  It's GREAT for today so don't skip it!

Trick-or-Treat, y'all!

Friday Free Jam #9

What is it about Fridays of late!?!  Ugh!  I guess the week just whups my butt.  I'm so ready for . . . Well, my family is here; sister,  her 3y/o twins, BIL, and my Alzheimer's mom.  So, more whuppin' for me this weekend!

You know what?  I just need a little Free Jam! That always makes me feel better.

Firstly, I was nominated for Best Music Blog in the Blognet Awards.  You can go here to vote for me.  I'm sure there are other good blogs to vote for in other categories as well, so take a minute to give a blogger a little applause.  (See?  I'm feeling better already!!)  When you vote and leave a comment, you can be entered into a "Best Comment" content and be eligible for cash prizes.  Seriously.  That would rock so hard!

Here's someone's Top Ten Sing-Along Guitar Songs.  I'm like, what?  Kum-bah-ya time!  OK, I'll go there.

Here's MY Top Ten Guitar Songs. (Not in any particular order. Not necessarily sing-along.  Subject to change at any moment.   Void where prohibited by bad taste.)

1)   Losing My Religion - REM
2)  Where the Streets Have No Name - U2
3)  Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
4)  Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton
5)  Telegraph Road - Dire Straits
6)  Crazy On You - Heart  (That intro!)
7)  Classical Gas - Chet Atkins (And others)
8)  Europa - Santana
9)  I Can See for Miles - The Who
10)  Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin (Don't.  You don't want to go there with me.)

  I thought this was fun.

It's called a Wordle. It's sort of like a word cloud, but with more options.  Gracias a AgentOrange.

Lastly, here's a little gas that doesn't cost a fortune to put in your tank.

So, what are YOU jammin' on this weekend?

Rehearsals - Take 2

It's tough, learning a song you've never heard before.  Or, if you're in a classic rock band, one you haven't heard in the past 30 years.  Is there a chorus between the first two verses?   Does the guitar solo's progression follow a verse or a chorus?  Both?  What're those weird chords in the bridge?  Where are the stop and the extra measures?   How will the band end the song cleanly?

This is not something easily done on the fly.

In my own band experiences, here is what I have found to work best.

When we bring in a new song, the person who suggested the song is responsible for providing the band with a recording.  If it's an original, they can at least give us some sort of scratch track with at least a guitar or keyboard and some vocals.  If it's a cover, we need the version done by the preferred artist's cover.  

That person is also responsible for providing a chord chart of some sort.  This usually looks like a lyric sheet with the chords suspended over the words on which the changes occur.   This is not "sheet music" that is used in orchestral ensembles or anything - it's simply an easy notation tool that allows the musician to follow the mapping of the song without having to turn a bunch of pages.  If a musician needs a notation tool that is more specific to their instrument's part, they'll have to come up with that themselves.  (ie. sheet music or guitar tablature)

It really is unreasonable to expect to call out a song, for example Santana's Europa, and have the band nail the thing on the fly. Unless you're Santana, I guess.  True, there are some tunes that are pretty much genre-specific standards that any experienced musician should know (and have probably grown to hate playing repeatdly over time).  We need to assume, however, that our experiences, no matter how vast or limited, are going to differ from our bandmates' and to understand that our repertoires may vary considerably.

As much as I advocate the use of these tools for learning purposes, I feel equally strongly that musicians should wean themselves away from them as quickly as possible.  If we get locked into "what it does on the CD" we stifle the band's creative ability to personalize the song and do it in a fresh, new way.  Following the original recording is the easiest way and there's nothing wrong with that.  But it's oppressive to have to play every song note-for-note. 

Likewise, using the chord charts.  Watching a band perform with their noses glued to the pages isn't as engaging as the connection a band makes with the audience through eye contact.  And it looks very amateurish for the band's attention to be focused on their music stands.  If your band is comprised of amateurs, then it is totally understandable and forgivable to use the notebook crutch.   When you're ready to take it to the next level, make the extra effort to learn your songs.  I've been in bands that do both.  Right now I'm in one band that uses notebooks and one in which a few people use notebooks and the others don't.  These are amateur/hobby-level bands. My daughter's band - 15 & 16 y/o girls, do not use any sort of notation while on stage.  (Is the ability to memorize greater in the young?)

If you're joining an established band, you may be on your own, coming up with recordings to work from, chord sheets, etc.  Find out the band's preferences for performing with our without chord sheets to look at.  Find out how quickly they expect you to master their repertoire;  will you know in advance of rehearsals what will be worked on the next time the band comes together? Then do your homework!

The stakes are a lot higher for professional, A-list musicians picking up casuals or club dates.  They have to play whatever they are told without the benefit of rehearsals or time to learn the songs.  They have to be ready to fill audience requests, regardless of how long it's been since they last heard that song.   They are often called to play a wedding reception or corporate party with musicians they've never even played with before and never even meet until the gig itself.

And, they are expected to nail the songs every time.  Or they'll soon find themselves out of work.

The irony is that, although the demands are tough, and although these guys do get more gigs than amateurs, those gigs don't pay any better than those of the musicians at the hobby level reading off their chord charts.

That's about how much our efforts are appreciated. And still we rock on!

What methods have your band(s) used to learn new songs?  Does yours use any type of notation during performances?  Do you have tips for learning songs quickly?

Do tell!

Rehearsals - Take 1

Unless you have endless days and nights to sacrifice for band rehearsals, every minute the band is together has to count.  Since I attended the School of Hard Knocks long enough to have gathered several post-graduate degrees, I'll stand as the self-appointed rehearsal expert.   Just think; you are fortunate enough to sit at my blog's  feet and take in all this lofty wisdom, thereby avoiding the pitfalls that can befall an idiot like me one as experienced as myself.

You're welcome.  You can write to my fan club for those autographed photos and send money to my agent.

Song Selection
Selecting cover material can be a real headache.  Everyone has their favorite songs.  Everyone should get the opportunity to contribute to the song list.  Not everyone is going to be happy with their bandmates' preferences. 

The best selection method I've experienced to date is the Master List Elimination Process. 

Each member brings 10 songs they would like to do to the table.  The band's leader (please tell me you have a leader...it can be the guy whose house you rehearse in, or the frontman...somebody, okay?)  compiles all the songs onto one sheet, mixing them up a little so members aren't always certain who submitted what.  (That way the drummer doesn't leave a song on the list just to avoid upsetting the bassist or something. It's never good to have your rhythm section planning each others' assassinations, right?)

The compiled list of song titles is passed around the table a pre-determined number of times.  So, if there are five members in the band, you'll start out with 50 songs.  Let's say the goal is to whittle the list to 20 songs.  You need to nuke 30 titles, so send the list around 6 times.  (Woah. That was a lot of math.  ouch.)

Each time the list goes around the table, each person crosses off one song.  If they're smart, it will be the song they would most hate to play. You may need to fill your drummer in on this little tidbit.

When everyone's done, the most hated songs will be off the list, so it is safe to assume only the favorites and those that nobody really minds playing all that much are still standing.

The band starts learning those songs.

Now, somebody's favorite song in the whole world may end up crossed off the list during this process.  That's too bad.  Sorry.  There is another member of the band that absolutely does not want to play that song.  A band is a team and must work together on every song played.  Their efforts will only sound as good as the sum of the whole.  A person who does not enjoy a song is not likely to put forth their best effort towards the playing of that song.  The song goes.

I've never met anyone who quit a band over one song, but I have heard of it happening.  To that I would say, "Best wishes starting a band for the express purpose of playing that particular song, man."  Can you imagine?  The House of the Rising Sun Band or something.  The Lion Sleeps Tonight Band.  I'm sure they'd be very memorable.

Once the band is fairly solid playing those 20 songs (less than 2 sets, really), it's time to start the process over again.  If your favorite song got crossed off last time, it's okay to add it  in again.  Maybe it's not that folks really hate it as much as it just didn't make the top 20 cut last time. 

If, however, a song is cut three times via this process, it's out for good.  That prevents stuff like Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head from getting on thrash metal bands' set lists, right?

And that's what has worked best for me in the song selection process.

By the way, if you're joining an established band that's been gigging out for a while, you're pretty much stuck with their existing song list.  You may be able to add a title or two along the way, but you better be okay with what they're playing before joining their band.

Does your band have a different system for selecting songs that works well for you?  I'd love to hear about it!

 

Friday Free Jam #8

Please!  Somebody!  Say this week is over.  Puh-leeeeeeze!!!

It is?  It's over?  Cool.  Time to Jam!

This week's TOP 5 ON FRIDAY:

Top 5 albums that put a spring in your step

Spring?  It's autumn.  But I'll play anyway.

1)  Essential Santana
2)  The Essential Heart
3)  The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble
4)   Essential Willie Nelson   and
5)  Essential Barry Manilow  (Hah!  As if...)
5)  Yes 90125

Hey all you music lovers and musician types!!!!  What is YOUR debut album!?!?

Your Debut Album

1 - Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.
2 - Go to Random quotations: http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.
If you want to do this again, you'll hit refresh to generate new quotes, because clicking the quotes link again will just give you the same quotes over and over again.
3 - Go to flickr's "explore the last seven days" http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.
Put it all together, that's your debut album!!

Okay, so mine is: 
Danehill  "The Mad are Sane"

Well, I like it!!!  Do you like it?  Would you buy the album?  It says I'm sane, so I'll let you know as soon as it's released.  Okay.  I admit it. . .  

I'm crazy.  Just like YOU!!! 

Don't forget to tell me your band name and the title of your debut album before you. . . Have a great weekend!  (And let me know if you post it with the pic.  I'd love to see it!)

Pat That Guitar

 Elixir is losing our lead guitarist. 

It's a bummer because we all love the guy and he really rocks.  Health problems and family issues are catching up with him, however.  We're going to miss Jerry.  Sux to be lead guitarless.

So, I called another lead guitarist, I know.  Pat.  He was interested.  Came out for an audition-type thing last week with Jerry there to check him out.  Played our gig with us Saturday night.  Again, with Jerry there.  Everyone likes him.  He's in.

Pat's sort of a strange lead guitarist, though.  I've played with him before in another band and I sort of noticed these things then.

• He gets along with everyone. 
• Is very helpful around the studio in a handyman-ish kind of way.
• Doesn't seem to have that big ego thing. 
• Can listen to a song he's never heard before one time then nail it.
• Rarely imposes an opinion, even when asked.
• Doesn't keep his amp jacked up too loud after being asked a dozen times to turn down (actually, I've never known a time when there was a need to ask Pat to turn down). 
• Can sing. 
• And write songs.
• Doesn't fiddle with his gear all the time while everyone's standing there waiting for him to start the next song. (Except for tonight when his reverb wasn't working right.  That's the first time I've seen him hold things up.  Ever.)
• Owns a lot of cool lighting stuff.
• And a smoke machine.
• That he doesn't mind hauling to gigs and setting up by himself while the rest of the band sets up the sound.
• Is pretty much willing to play whatever song everyone else wants to play.
• He'll even sing a song he doesn't really like all that much. 
• Well, at least he'll try.

I'm like, that's not the lead guitar player personality profile.  The guy is so stinkin' humble, I'm beginning to question if he can really play guitar.  Maybe he's just faking it. I see his fingers moving on the frets, but that doesn't mean anything.  Maybe he really has something playing out of his amp that he controls via the guitar fretboard.  Okay, that's called playing guitar.  Hmmm... Something's just not right and I can't figure it out.

I guess Pat's only got one real flaw that I can think of.  It's nothing that an audience would probably pick up on. It's not anything that affects our collective ability to make music.  It's something that I'm not even sure the rest of the band has noticed yet.  I'll share this with you, but don't say anything to Pat - I don't want to embarrass him or anything, right?

He doesn't laugh at my jokes.

Seriously. 

Do you think maybe he's like, GuitarSavant or something?

Oh, well.  Doug is still there.   (Hi, Doug!)

A Tale of Two Carols

I may have to cry.   Look at this!!!!

Susie from Pencil Drawings Sketch Art drew it for me.  Isn't it awesome? Nobody's ever drawn me before...besides me, that is.

So!  Do you recognize the people in the drawing? Who are they?  I'll give you a hint:  They're both named Carol, which means "song of joy" and one of them is me. That was two hints.

And so, without further ado, today's blog post!  (No, that was not the post; I am never that brief and you know it.  Now hush!)

The name of this post is....[insert drumroll for me here, please, Drummergirl Jan]

13 Ways I Am Like Carol Kaye*

1)  I do hate to state the obvious, but we're both named Carol.  Which, in case you didn't know, means Song of Joy.  Wait!  You knew that already.  Okay, moving along...

2)  We both play electric bass, a phrase Carol coined.  Not me, her.   Okay, that's obvious, too.

3)  We're both girls.

3)  We both come from musical parents.  Her mom played piano, her dad played trombone;  my mom sang opera and my dad played the radio, but he played Country-Western music.  Does that still count?  Okay, good!

4)  We're both moms.  Her kids are grown and mine are still in the process.  But we're both moms.

5)  We've both been married twice.  There's a difference here, though.  Neither of her marriages lasted, but both of mine have.  

....Moving along VERY quickly....

6)  We both played guitar before we started playing bass.

7)  We both learned guitar as teenagers.

---How'm I doing so far?  It's starting to get a little more challenging now.

8)  We both wear glasses!  I know it's obvious, but it's a good one and I'm keeping it!

9)  Uh...we're both American citizens.  (C'mon!  It's getting tough.)

10)  We both like jazz and rock.  Actually we both like jazz and rock as our first two music choices, although in reverse order of each other.

11)  We both share the same opinions about our toxic society and the health care industry.  And I've got the emails to prove it.

12)  We're both women.  Obviously!  (I kno, I know.  Cut me some slack.)

13)  That's all I can think of.  Maybe you know of one that I missed?

Susie, I love the drawing!  And I know Carol Kaye will, too.  I love how you linked us together in that esoteric, artsy-fartsy way, sort of connecting us without having to point it out in a list.  You do good work, girl!  Thank you so much!  I'll let you know what Carol Kaye says when I send it to her.

Hey, readers!  Y'all should ask her.  Maybe Susie will draw you, too!  (And remind her to draw the Wilson Sisters while you're at it.) 

So, if Susie were to draw the classic rock artist of your choice, who would it be?

*My interview series with Carol Kaye begins here.

If you did a Thursday 13, feel free to leave a link and your comment!

A Very Handy Pick Pocket

My dear friend and long-time blog buddy, Blest, made something for me that I'm really excited about! 

If you play guitar, I really need your opinion.

First, since most of you are relatively new readers - it's a brand new blog, so duh! - you don't know that I'm a complete and total bracelet freak.  I wear multiple bracelets on each wrist whenever I leave the house.  If I forget my bracelets, I always realize it before I leave my neighborhood and use my friend, Misty's, driveway to turn around and go back.  For me, it's like going out without shoes or something.  I mean, if you left the house without your pants, how long do you think it would take you to realize it?  Okay, so that's me with bracelets.  Naked!

Different bracelets every day, for the most part.  I do have two that never leave my left wrist, but the rest I change out.  I have a drawer full of bracelets.  All kinds.  Mostly those stretchy kinds with beads and metal and bling-ish stuff.

Feel free to add me to your Christmas shopping list.  You definitely know what to put in my stocking, right?

So, Blest makes jewelry.  And guess what?

NO!  She didn't make me a bracelet.  Hah!  I knew you were going to think that, though.  But you're close.  Really close.

She made me a guitar pick holder.  Check it out!

Can you see the pick in the little holder? 

Okay, okay, here's another shot...

 NOW can you see it?   Cool, huh?   It's made of that soft, deer skin feeling leather- I'm talking WAY soft - and closes with two snaps in the back.  I wore it out and about today and it felt like wearing a watch, which I don't wear, but it's almost like a bracelet so it felt natural for me. 

What I can't figure out, though, is how girlfriend knew the exact size of my wrist.   I'm one of those big girls with really small wrists.  She fit it to me perfectly and I never sent her any measurements or anything.  (We live 8 hours apart and have never met in person.  We're just 'Net friends.)

I don't use picks with bass, (PLEASE don't tell Carol Kaye!)  but I think I'm going to wear it anyway.  I'll take it to rehearsal to see what the guitards think. 

If you play guitar, I'd like to hear what you think, too.  Does this look like something you might use to keep an extra pick at the ready?  Or maybe just wear because it's way cool?  What would you think about having more than one of those little pick pockets on the wrist band?  do you think the stiff pick would be uncomfortable at the narrow sides of the wrist? 

I sort of like mine the way it is...just kicking around ideas.

You can contact Blest through her blog if you'd like to see additional photos or ask questions.  She gifted mine to me so I don't know how much she sells them for, but you can ask.   She's super nice! 

Thanks for the Pick Pocket, Blest!  I love it!

Wait! Before you click her link, I'd like your opinions here as well.  Seriously.

What do you think?  Does it make me look fat?

UPDATE:  Blest is such a doll!  She's giving 10% off on the Pick Pockets if you tell her I sent you.  Click here for her Etsy site.  (Pssst...What's an Etsy?)

Saturday Spotlight #9

I have a few folks on which I'd like to shine today's spotlight. 

First, my September Top Dropper.  Who also happens to be uber smart in the blog department.  And he presents his blogging tips and advice in a way that even I can understand.  Usually.  (And I happen to think he's absolutely adorable.  I mean, look at that face!)

I'm only doing one Top Dropper this month, because this blog's only been up for 10 days.  Next month, watch out!

Next, My new Blog Bud, Chili.  Chili has two blogs that are very closely related.  I like them both.  Even though I usually shine the spotlight on musician blogs rather than music blogs, I'm making an exception.

 
Rock & Roll Classics basically spotlights classic rock. Both the artists and the music.  This week, Chili not only posted about Tom (I'm crazy about him) Petty, but he also turned me on to the late 60's/early 70's classic rock band, Glass Harp.  Never heard of them.  But they're awesome!

Classic Video Jukebox is similar to its sister site, but also includes some YouTube-ish vids for our classic rock pleasure.  This week's features inluded Badfinger, America and Creedence.  My only beef with CVJ is it's white on black and my old classic eyes are beginning to rebel against that combination.

I seriously love me some classic rock!

Lastly, the winner of the KGB Band t-shirt is....(drum roll-ish sound effects, please)...

Clark!  (AKA Coark.)  From Clark's Picks.  Who wants the t-shirt so much, he entered twice.  (Only one entry per person, man.  What size t-shirt?)

So!  What're y'all doing this weekend?  Anything musical?

Friday Free Jam #7

We be Jammin' today!

Don't forget: Leave a comment here for a chance to win a KGB Band t-shirt.  Hey! I've seen some of you on YouTube and in pics on your blogs.  You need a new t-shirt, man!

Top 5 Songs With Really Long Titles
No way!  This is too hard.  I can't believe I'm saying this, but I now wish I knew something about country music 'cause I bet there are a lot of stupid long song titles in country. 

That's all I've got to say about that.  Here we go...

1)  In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly (Is that long?  Do I need to go longer?)
2)  Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? by Chiacago  (Is that one better?  I'll try another.)
3)  I'm Just a Singer in a Rock & Roll Band.  (How'm I doing?)
4)  Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd.  (Okay, that one's not that long, but it's stuck in my head, so I'm keeping it in the hope that typing it will clear it out!)
5)  You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go by Bob Dylan (That one's pretty long, y'gotta admit.)

Okay, Smart One!  You try it.  What's the longest one you can come up with?  And no fair doing medley stuff like I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home.  That's supposed to be two song titles.  Go!

READER'S CHOICE

A local radio station posted their listener's choice for Top 50  Rock Songs ever.  (As in EVER!!)  It's a good list, but not the top 50 EVER.   No way!

So, I think I'm going to do my own reader's poll.  Start with that same list, take off 5 songs and add 5 of your own. Which would you remove and which ones do you think would be better choices?  Just for fun!

(It's not working. Shine On You Crazy Diamond is still going...)

And a little jam.  So something else can get stuck in my head.

That's it!  Leave me a really long song title and Rock On!