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Blues solo in D

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(@citizennoir)
Posts: 1247
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Topic starter
 

Hi :D

Well, I'm still working on getting my recordings to sound reasonable.

I have the volume a little louder than my first recording - Sorry Neighbors :P

I was struggling with the tone of the rhythm guitar though.
The backing track is pretty sloppy, as it wasn't really intended as the actual backing track,
more of a - gee, maybe I should see if it sounds any better on tape.... NOPE! :evil:

I decided to throw a bit of a solo over it, I mean after all, I have talked a lot about the blues.

This again is my White Strat.
It's weak pups and fast decaying maple board make it ideal for this kind of phrasing.
Gives the impression that I'm squeezing all that I can out of it.
It's also a very clean sounding guitar.
I like to call it - Polite.

Hope you enjoy it,

Ken

http://soundclick.com/kenmccann

"The man who has begun to live more seriously within
begins to live more simply without"
-Ernest Hemingway

"A genuine individual is an outright nuisance in a factory"
-Orson Welles

 
Posted : 17/10/2007 4:08 pm
 Nuno
(@nuno)
Posts: 3995
Famed Member
 

Hi Ken! :D

I was on "holidays". I needed... I need some days far from GN and from writting posts. Man, you made me return! :D

First, congratulations on your playing, for this blues and also for Lonely Luna. And thank you very much for sharing. I never said it before but I'd want to hear you playing your white Strat. Finally I do it. Thanks! :wink:

Recording isn't easy. As you know I record some of my exercises from time to time for comparing them to my "current" level. You've increased the volume from the first recording but you will have to check some other alternative positions for the mic and also to play with the software options. Don't consider it as a boring task, it is part of the game.

I get back to my "holidays"! 8)

PM if you need something.

Thanks again.

 
Posted : 17/10/2007 9:23 pm
(@citizennoir)
Posts: 1247
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Topic starter
 

Hi Ken! :D

I was on "holidays". I needed... I need some days far from GN and from writting posts. Man, you made me return! :D
I'd want to hear you playing your white Strat. Finally I do it. Thanks! :wink:

Hi Nuno :D

While I am flattered, I apologize for wrenching you away from a much needed holiday :wink:

Thank you so much for your praise.
I'm glad you enjoyed them.

I've gone back over the solo, and fattened it up since the original post.
It sounds a bit closer to 'reality' now.
Used an 'old school' technique :wink:

I also tried to re-do the backing track....
Just can not get the sound I want.
I also tried to do just a 'bass' part instead, something to build a rhythm part with....
Disastrous!!!!

I'll keep working on it.
I'm one of those awful perfectionists types :twisted:

Thankx for the offer of assistance 8)
I just may take you up on it my friend :wink:

Enjoy your holidays :D

Ken

"The man who has begun to live more seriously within
begins to live more simply without"
-Ernest Hemingway

"A genuine individual is an outright nuisance in a factory"
-Orson Welles

 
Posted : 18/10/2007 4:58 pm
 cnev
(@cnev)
Posts: 4459
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Personally the solo sounds "too" clean and has a very sterile sound to it. I think it needs some overdrive.

"It's all about stickin it to the man!"
It's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll!

 
Posted : 18/10/2007 5:54 pm
(@citizennoir)
Posts: 1247
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Topic starter
 

Personally the solo sounds "too" clean and has a very sterile sound to it. I think it needs some overdrive.

Hey :D

Thankx for the listen, and for the input 8)

I pulled it up and played with different distortions....
It did add a certain appeal to it, though it also took something away from it.

It sounded fuller, and more rounded for sure... as well as adding a touch more 'power' to it.
Only, I kinda like the constricted almost labored sound that it has.
It has a tension to it that's taken away with the distortion.

And it sorta robs the 'Southside Chicago' Blues Club type tone.

I hear what your sayin' though.
The thing is.... I don't have a guitar amp.
I'm playin' through a rather inexpensive stereo system with a 5 watt/5 inch speaker LOL.

That's why I'm havin' such a hard time with my rhythm sound.

Picture it with a bass and some drums, that'd probably make it sound a little better :roll:

Ken :wink:

"The man who has begun to live more seriously within
begins to live more simply without"
-Ernest Hemingway

"A genuine individual is an outright nuisance in a factory"
-Orson Welles

 
Posted : 18/10/2007 8:49 pm
 cnev
(@cnev)
Posts: 4459
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I think that explains it. You need a good tube amp to get some real tone. I didn't comment on the playing cuz that was fine. But the guitar tone to me was kinda flat.

"It's all about stickin it to the man!"
It's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll!

 
Posted : 19/10/2007 11:11 am
(@ignar-hillstrom)
Posts: 5349
Illustrious Member
 

I *loved* the lead tone. It's nasty, mean and in your face. Sure, cowbow wankers like SRV and such use their buttery silky tones but that's not blues but marmelade. And if I wanted marmelade I'd make myself a sandwhich, blues is nothing like a sandwhich at all. You don't put marmelade in your ears for example.

 
Posted : 19/10/2007 11:17 am
(@smokehouse)
Posts: 525
Honorable Member
 

Give me 30mins of this and my harp and i am one happy smoke 8) 8)

:WHO INVENTED WORK SHOULD COME BACK AND FINISH THE JOB OFF: http://www.soundclick.com/bartin

 
Posted : 19/10/2007 11:38 am
 cnev
(@cnev)
Posts: 4459
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I tried getting the marmalade out of my ears but it felt good so I left it in. Anyway personally I wouldn't describe the sound as mean and nasty, although when I relistened it did sound fuller. I'm not sure if Zen did another mix or not.

It still sounds a little shallow and piercing to me. Of course my opinion means absolutely nothing. The playing is great though. I'd like to hear some tone similar to Roy Buchanan I'm not sure if he's considered the buttery silky type though.

Bass and drums would add alot.

"It's all about stickin it to the man!"
It's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll!

 
Posted : 19/10/2007 12:10 pm
(@slejhamer)
Posts: 3221
Famed Member
 

The thing is.... I don't have a guitar amp.

Jeez man, I'd thought you'd be cranking through an Orange head and a 4x12 cab! :wink:

(Mmmmm, Orange marmalade ... )

"Everybody got to elevate from the norm."

 
Posted : 19/10/2007 12:34 pm
(@citizennoir)
Posts: 1247
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Topic starter
 

I think that explains it. You need a good tube amp to get some real tone.

I agree.
Right now though, I'd settle for a bad solid state amp!!!!

I have a little Gorilla practice amp that I keep at my parents house for when I go down there.
Just playin' around up here at my place, the stereo always seemed 'okay'....
There is a HUGE difference when I play through that little practice amp though - even that is a significant improvement.

I just might have to bring that up here if I'm going to be recording.
It's got a much tighter sound.... The stereo sounds..... Loose or something....?
I'm sure someone like Ric could explain why playing thru stereo systems is not the best for guitar sound.

It hasn't bothered me too much, as I'm just lazy enough to grab my acoustic most of the time anyway :?

Ken

"The man who has begun to live more seriously within
begins to live more simply without"
-Ernest Hemingway

"A genuine individual is an outright nuisance in a factory"
-Orson Welles

 
Posted : 19/10/2007 1:37 pm
(@citizennoir)
Posts: 1247
Noble Member
Topic starter
 

I *loved* the lead tone. It's nasty, mean and in your face. Sure, cowbow wankers like SRV and such use their buttery silky tones but that's not blues but marmelade. And if I wanted marmelade I'd make myself a sandwhich, blues is nothing like a sandwhich at all. You don't put marmelade in your ears for example.

Wow!!!!
Thankx for that.

I (think :D ) I know what you're sayin'.
Though, I'm sure I've never heard it put quite that way 8)

This, along with your explination of your 'almost' backwards track are priceless!!!!
You have no Idea how much respect I have for you!

I did sorta think that the tone was a bit 'in your face'.... It's right out there in front, kinda naked with no place to hide.

Funny you should mention orange in conjunction with the blues.
Long ago, I wanted to name my blues band - The Orange Jubilee Blues Band....
After my propensity for Orange Jubilee Mad Dog 20/20!

Unfortunately, drinking a couple bottles of that had a tendency to make ME mean, nasty, and in your face... instead of my blues tone :twisted:

Oh well,

ThankX again Ignar :D

Ken

"The man who has begun to live more seriously within
begins to live more simply without"
-Ernest Hemingway

"A genuine individual is an outright nuisance in a factory"
-Orson Welles

 
Posted : 19/10/2007 1:50 pm
(@citizennoir)
Posts: 1247
Noble Member
Topic starter
 

Give me 30mins of this and my harp and i am one happy smoke 8) 8)

Hi Smoke :D

ThankX for the listen 8)

If you really like it, I would LOVE to hear you lay down some harp on it.
I don't think I could sustain a 1/2 hour of soloing though :shock:
I'd be happy to hear you for 1/2 an hour though!!!! :D

Let me straighten out some things with recording, get my little practice amp up here for a proper sounding rhythm,
and figure out how to use a drum program....
Maybe sometime in early November....????

This rhythm is something that I worked out EARLY on.... Back when I was 19 or so.
It's a progression that I snatched from Elmore James, minus the slide, though I did add that 1/2 step thing in there.
Still, I never put any words to it.
If we could come up with something suitable, it would be too cool if your daughter, or even your granddaughter would sing
on it!
Maybe we could actually turn this into something :D

Just an Idea.
Let me know,

Ken

"The man who has begun to live more seriously within
begins to live more simply without"
-Ernest Hemingway

"A genuine individual is an outright nuisance in a factory"
-Orson Welles

 
Posted : 19/10/2007 2:05 pm
(@citizennoir)
Posts: 1247
Noble Member
Topic starter
 

I tried getting the marmalade out of my ears but it felt good so I left it in. Anyway personally I wouldn't describe the sound as mean and nasty, although when I relistened it did sound fuller. I'm not sure if Zen did another mix or not.

It still sounds a little shallow and piercing to me. Of course my opinion means absolutely nothing. The playing is great though. I'd like to hear some tone similar to Roy Buchanan I'm not sure if he's considered the buttery silky type though.

Bass and drums would add alot.

Hi :D

I did go back to execute an old school trick that I always wanted to try ( :twisted: ), and fattened up the tone a bit.

I do agree that it sounds a bit piercing though.
I don't know where the 'pan' controls are in Kristal yet (if any?)....
I did however download Acid Xpress last night (whole new can of worms there :roll: ).
It has a nice pan feature.
And after puting this piece in there, I panned it hard right and it sounded sooooo much better.
Made it even fuller, more even, and took A LOT of the harshness out of it.

I think what Ignar is saying is something along the lines of;
When I went back and added some distortion after your first post, it made it much smoother....
Too smooth actually.
It connected the dots so to speak.
Which is the actual beauty of this particular style - That sense of desperation from the notes dying out so soon.
All the space and lonliness that the personification of the protagonist as 'the solo' has to 'fight' against.
Like he's constantly pushing back the darkness that keeps creeping in, while clawing his way to some sorta light in his life....
only to end on a bittersweet note.
(Wow - Kinda sounds like the premise for a cool Ingmar Bergman flick 8) )

That's how I see it anyway :wink:

I'm now working on trying to figure out how to piece together a drum track - :x :x :x :x
Frustrating for sure - Fun?... Absolutely!

Thankx again for your input 8)

Ken

"The man who has begun to live more seriously within
begins to live more simply without"
-Ernest Hemingway

"A genuine individual is an outright nuisance in a factory"
-Orson Welles

 
Posted : 19/10/2007 2:30 pm
(@citizennoir)
Posts: 1247
Noble Member
Topic starter
 

The thing is.... I don't have a guitar amp.

Jeez man, I'd thought you'd be cranking through an Orange head and a 4x12 cab! :wink:

(Mmmmm, Orange marmalade ... )

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Good to hear from you Mitch! :D

You hit the nail on the head there!
That was the amp I originally wanted - A 1970 Orange slant cab 1/2 stack 8)

Back in the late 80's/early 90's, they were practically giving those away.
Orange wasn't in business any more, so all there were was old vintage 70's ones.
Man they were BEAT!!!!
Though on any given day, you could pick up a head and 4x12 cab for $100 - $150!!!!

The heads all needed service though, and the cabs were rickety and usually were missing the original speakers.
So - I held out for a 'good' one :roll:

I still don't have one.
And they're worth a small fortune now :cry:

Just to think that I could be playing a REAL vintage and original 56 Goldtop thru a vintage '70 Orange 1/2 stack right
now that would've cost me all of $600.00 back in the early 90's..... :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Oh well :mrgreen:

Ken

"The man who has begun to live more seriously within
begins to live more simply without"
-Ernest Hemingway

"A genuine individual is an outright nuisance in a factory"
-Orson Welles

 
Posted : 19/10/2007 3:16 pm