COVID-19 - How's everyone doing? Anyone playing more music?

That is the power of Abbey Roads Chambers! The spouse snagged me that for Christmas, and it's just the best. Really helps create a lot of space.

If there's one downside, it's that the Stone Room simulation doesn't have more options. I know it's all about Studio 2, but come on--the Stone Room at Olympic has WAY more character!

it sounds pretty realistic, maybe not as itneresting as drums recorded in an acual space, even a shittier space, but it definitely has that 60s 'speakers in a chamber with room mics" sound that can be ahrd to do really well without access to EMI or Ocean Way

May I just weigh in on you guys? Those two pieces you sent were...fantastic! @jimmarchi1, @soulsash, I am no expert at synths (or music in general), nor do I know how to play them or anything. Jim's song had this hectic vibe to it, and those octave synth pulses (can you even call it like that) reminded me of something Bloc Partyish, such as that ending in "Ratchet". Very nice, expecting nice, salty and edgy political commentary on that one. I enjoyed Soulsash's tune as well, I like the minimalistic vibe to it - it sounds very relaxed and kudos for the drums, especially the ride cymbal - I don't know why I'm saying this, but it sounds so wonderful at certain parts.

Since everybody is sharing something, hm - I might share two of pieces I did way back, as all of my equipment is still in Slovenia. One of them is a cover of a song called "Ostajem Sa Vragom Kojeg Bolje Znam" (I Am Staying with the Devil, whom I Know Better) by Croatian artist Tibor. I managed to somehow transcribe all the guitar parts and create a somewhat decent cover.

Ostajem sa vragom

And there is another composition called "The Games of Sun and Moon". I did this on a cheap Strat knockoff in 3AM, so there must have been plenty of mistakes. I don't have a pedalboard, so I did this via Guitar Rig. The input jack was falling off the Strat, so I did this before it teared off completely from the guitar.

The Games of Sun and Moon

I don't often share my covers/ideas because of an instant self-deprecation episode, but here - I still have balls after all! :))))

May I just weigh in on you guys? Those two pieces you sent were...fantastic! @jimmarchi1, @soulsash, I am no expert at synths (or music in general), nor do I know how to play them or anything. Jim's song had this hectic vibe to it, and those octave synth pulses (can you even call it like that) reminded me of something Bloc Partyish, such as that ending in "Ratchet". Very nice, expecting nice, salty and edgy political commentary on that one. I enjoyed Soulsash's tune as well, I like the minimalistic vibe to it - it sounds very relaxed and kudos for the drums, especially the ride cymbal - I don't know why I'm saying this, but it sounds so wonderful at certain parts.

1 thanks. 2 Solusah's tune is really well mixedmixed ina somewhat unconventionalway.

Since everybody is sharing something, hm - I might share two of pieces I did way back, as all of my equipment is still in Slovenia. One of them is a cover Ostajem sa vragom

2 thumbs up

got a gligli mod prophet..... sequentialcircuits go!

Thanks much on the compliments! I was going for minimalistic and laid back, seems I did a decent job of getting that.

As to the unconventional mix, I took a page from Syd Barrett's style and the way his music was mixed down, used the mixing itself as part of the effect chain. It gives it a slightly darker overall feel, but it really brings out the space aspect of it. And since it's MIDI, you have to create that space yourself with trickery!

Kkolar, your tracks are great. I really like the vibe of the first one, reminds me a lot of PoiSoN FLoWeRZ! Doom is For the Children, which is one of (if not) the best beats ever sampled. The second one you linked the opening of it has a very Floydian feel to it, and I'm all about me some Pink Floyd (like I said, my mixing was inspired heavily by Syd Barrett), so I'm totally onboard with that cut. Both are really solid cuts!

youkicked syd'sass

youkicked syd'sass

Now that's a compliment and a half. He's a musician I've aspired to be like (ya know, minius the whole going crazy bit) for a very long time. His style really informed my tastes over the years. Gateway to Yes, ELP, King Crimson, and all the other great prog acts we know and love.

I don't really love prog rock, but you clearly do... King Crimson rules, but are they really prog?

anyway I leave you with this: https://youtu.be/Af8ltlcZNi0

I don't really love prog rock, but you clearly do... King Crimson rules, but are they really prog?

anyway I leave you with this: https://youtu.be/Af8ltlcZNi0

Roger Dean IS the greatest artist... I relate to that clip so hard. Like, the first time I dropped [redacted] may have been at a Manson concert (it hit me right as the first drum beat in the Beautiful People started), but the first time I UNDERSTOOD it was listenting to Yes' Tales from Topographic Oceans.

Ancient Giants was just... Bliss. And yeah, Bill's drumming is insane. It's not Neil Peart's insane (Neil Peart stands alone), but it's crazy.

"this is your birthright!"

So serious question. Is there anything in the vein of JustinGuitar or just a really good YouTube series that teaches piano? Due to lockdown I'm a bit poorer than I'd like, but I'm also itching to actually maybe learn to play piano this go 'round, more'n just the handful of stuff I know on it.

I REALLY need to work with hand independancy, as I feel that'd probably set me up with being able to play at least like a uh... Camp...fire... pianist?

Anyway. Yeah. Would like to learn. Need structure. ADHD is a bitch. Structure helps.

if you want to learn right try using the best kid's book out there, John Thompson's "Teaching little fingers how to play"

an adult will speed through it but will come out with decent handposition. I never learned properly though I've been playing for years and going through my son's copy so I'm prepared to help him with HIS lessons has made ME a better player. After doing the kiddie book real fast and feeling confident that your hands will be in the best places to play efficiently a good book to try is Hanson's "the virtuoso pianist"... my dad turned me onto this one and the "flying fingers exercise" nature will appeal to a guitarist.

I would check youtube to see if anyone's done guided isntruction videos using these books before looking for anything else.

I will look into those. May help me learn to read music as well. You'd think after 20+ years of playing, I'd know how to sight read. I mean, I know what the notes are, I just can't read and play at the same time.

Also downloaded that "5 Day Workbook" thing from Piano in 21 Days. Gonna give 'er. Might as well. If I can learn just enough to start making music on it, and keep my hands disconnected, then the rest will follow--that's how I learned guitar.

yeah, if you can't site read a little then start withthe kiddie book, it'll walk you right through the basics connecting your fingers to the lines and spaces.

new old music... my 1st session with Trash Godz, improvised live. I'm Keys. Bass is M. Ethyl Glycol, Jordo on electroic drums, Aliester sound manipulation, grain table and circuit bent stuff, Steve Psylk guitar. Mixed by yours truly from the live recording at the start of quarantine. Video by Lord Aleister.

https://youtu.be/eFVK4rSwlGQ

Well. I did it. I ordered a 2004 MiM Fender Fretless Jazz Bass (also in Midnight Wine). Should be here in a few days. Super exicted about it.

I've wanted a Jazz Bass since I started playing. And having a fretless pop up in the colour I wanted is nothing short of amazing.

What this means is I can start work on my song inspired by a comment on a YouTube musician I follow's Instagram--some tosspot made the totally original comment to her about "Hey Mary, let's get Married!" (what with her name being "Mary") So that popped a while song out of the Void and yeah.

Fully formed, down to what instruments I need on it.

Super excited. Can't wait!

nice!

PS I dated a girl named Mary Berry in high school. Around 1996 or 7. You can't make that up.

as far as I know someone eventually married Mary Berry but then she was no longer a Berry assuming she took his name in the time honored sexist tradition. So Mary is no longer a Berry is she?

I wonder if they're any relation to the Elevator Lady?

Some people will get that joke. Most will not. Those that do will smile and nod, thinking it quite high-brow, and be like "This dude is my guy."

.everyone still healthy and safe?