Any musicians on the forum?

Keesha said:
That’s really cool that you reached out to him. There’s nothing quite like musicians collaborating together and sharing different ideas and styles. That’s also cool that he plays all three saxophones. The soprano and tenor are both Bb instruments where the alto is an Eb. I’ve only just had my 1953 alto refurbished so would like to commit to something that involves others so I push myself more.

My biggest frustration will be computer related. While I can play just about anything, what I don’t know how to do is digital stuff. I have little experience but the results I got with what I did turned out nice.

I don’t have a computer. What I’ve got is an iPhone which has garage band. I used an iPad to do the recordings I did but I took it back. I need to get a computer of some kind and if it’s a simple upload from one computer to another, I can do that. What I did have when I recorded was some microphone software which worked really well. I recorded both sax and vocals. It worked well. I’d like to try it again.

It’s going to take me a while to learn enough digital stuff to be able to join you two but I’d be honoured to. I’ll pm you from here on about it.

I’ll pm you from here on
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"It’s going to take me a while to learn enough digital stuff to be able to join you two but I’d be honoured to." Well actually I wouldn't use both of you on the same song(s). I'm amazed that you've used Garage Band on yout phone. My son has been in talks with my honorary son (HS)...his BFF, about sending us bass tracks. My HS doesn't have Logic or Garage Band. I forgot the name of the program but my son walked him through how to use it. My HS only has a laptop, not a desktop. If there's a way for you to do it, my son would know.

BTW...doesn't matter that you weren't a touring musician. You played in front of people. 😍 You gigged! You entertained folks....awesome!
 

Keesha said:
That’s really cool that you reached out to him. There’s nothing quite like musicians collaborating together and sharing different ideas and styles. That’s also cool that he plays all three saxophones. The soprano and tenor are both Bb instruments where the alto is an Eb. I’ve only just had my 1953 alto refurbished so would like to commit to something that involves others so I push myself more.

My biggest frustration will be computer related. While I can play just about anything, what I don’t know how to do is digital stuff. I have little experience but the results I got with what I did turned out nice.

I don’t have a computer. What I’ve got is an iPhone which has garage band. I used an iPad to do the recordings I did but I took it back. I need to get a computer of some kind and if it’s a simple upload from one computer to another, I can do that. What I did have when I recorded was some microphone software which worked really well. I recorded both sax and vocals. It worked well. I’d like to try it again.

It’s going to take me a while to learn enough digital stuff to be able to join you two but I’d be honoured to. I’ll pm you from here on about it.

I’ll pm you from here on
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You are exactly the kind of musician I am trying to reach in my little corner of the world. Too many people get frustrated by the digital side of the music, and I am full in on this aspect. I want to see people reach new plateaus, even if they don't ever do it professionally. Money is a huge obstacle for those who want to 'shine', lol. My (besides being the studio engineer for mixing/mastering) niche will also be to be a free studio guitarist/bass player for those that want to demo their skills and can't afford studio time, or to even send a beautiful interactive Christmas Card to loved ones. It's all music to me. And for the 'record' (pun intended), when I was a union guitarist, I made $125/hr. Decades ago. That didn't include studio engineer, bassist, drummers, etc.... I may be donating time/effort to a strange niche considering how many people don't have work, or are homeless, but I can't fix everything. I wish I had the resources of Bezos...maybe I could try. But for now, handing a burgeoning singer/musician an edited MP3 of their work will have to do.

I'm in Amarillo now...guitar is one days drive off!!!! When my best friend said "..you're gonna drive 1800 miles to pick this up? I can ship it to you for $60!! Yeah, but I wouldn't be able to hug him and the luthier. They will just have to live with it!
 
Trust me, getting frustrated with the digital side of recording is a huge understatement with ke. I’m wondering if my offer to OneEyedDeva is like biting off more than I can chew at the moment. I have to actually really think about why I want to do this and I think it’s all just from my ego.

I made a promise to myself that in this chapter of my life, I was going to give back more by playing and singing for as many nursing homes as I can and paint for charity from photos taken.

Last year I purchased an iPad but took it back because it kept syncing up with my iphones and causing all kinds of chaos and the amount of time it took for me to learn this stuff was outrageous and to be brutally honest, not all that enjoyable. One thing I did enjoy though , was playing background music to songs I liked. I’d love to create my own music backgrounds library but at the moment I still can’t purchase a computer due to lockdown.

OneEyedDiva! I’ve ‘tried’ to use garage band on my iPhone but it’s too small so got an iPad.
I may have bitten off more than I can chew at the moment. There’s definitely a learning curve to understanding digital recording and I’ll have to figure out if I can do it. Right now I certainly don’t have the equipment to start but hopefully will with some time.
 
Packerjohn said:
I have read many books on musicians over the years and have come to the conclusion that road life is far from glamorous. It's hard work! Another night another town, over and over and over. Guess that is why some "stars" have set up in places like Las Vegas or Branson, Missouri; just to have some sort of more "normal" life.
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So true John. My BFF tours and I used to "envy" her (not jealous envy though). But I learned from her experiences that it can be quite tiring and sometimes aggravating. I used to wish I could be a performing, touring musician but no more.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
So true John. My BFF tours and I used to "envy" her (not jealous envy though). But I learned from her experiences that it can be quite tiring and sometimes aggravating. I used to wish I could be a performing, touring musician but no more.
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It’s not something I’ve ever yearned to do either.
In my opinion, there are more cons than pros but that’s just me. I was happy that the gigs we got were well spaced out. That touring with a group of people was never my cup of tea. I went to many concerts with lots of people but that’s different cause you get to leave. I personally think touring with a group was glorified by the media.
 
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OneEyedDiva said:
So true John. My BFF tours and I used to "envy" her (not jealous envy though). But I learned from her experiences that it can be quite tiring and sometimes aggravating. I used to wish I could be a performing, touring musician but no more.
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I lost my first marriage because of it. She couldn't handle life on the road, but ironically, being a musician is what attracted me to her in the first place. Once I tried to give up the life as a musician, and become an engineer, she couldn't handle the hours I spent in school studying for the degree. I had a choice to make, and she didn't make the cut. Neither did music at the time, but what goes around, comes around. I'm in it for the long haul now, and my current wife wants to learn how to do recording. Looks like I chose correctly the second time around...life is funny that way.
 
There has been a lot of discussion on this thread since I was last around here. I have some serious catching up to do, listening to all the music that has been linked, reading comments, and just getting up to speed in general. Clearly, there are as many approaches to, and styles of music being created, as there are creative folks in this thread. That is great and music is something that can be discussed without all the friction seen in some of the other threads. That is what music is all about - a way of communicating with each other in ways that words alone just can't convey (though lyrics certainly do carry a message, but the music provides the spark to light up those words).

I will probably play something in the next week to post here. I got a free account on soundcloud so I can post a few MP3s. My stuff won't be nearly as intricate or involved as some of what I have heard here so far. For me it is just me and my acoustic guitar. :)

Tony
 
tbeltrans said:
There has been a lot of discussion on this thread since I was last around here. I have some serious catching up to do, listening to all the music that has been linked, reading comments, and just getting up to speed in general. Clearly, there are as many approaches to, and styles of music being created, as there are creative folks in this thread. That is great and music is something that can be discussed without all the friction seen in some of the other threads. That is what music is all about - a way of communicating with each other in ways that words alone just can't convey (though lyrics certainly do carry a message, but the music provides the spark to light up those words).

I will probably play something in the next week to post here. I got a free account on soundcloud so I can post a few MP3s. My stuff won't be nearly as intricate or involved as some of what I have heard here so far. For me it is just me and my acoustic guitar. :)

Tony
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It doesn't get better than that!!!
 
tbeltrans said:
There has been a lot of discussion on this thread since I was last around here. I have some serious catching up to do, listening to all the music that has been linked, reading comments, and just getting up to speed in general. Clearly, there are as many approaches to, and styles of music being created, as there are creative folks in this thread. That is great and music is something that can be discussed without all the friction seen in some of the other threads. That is what music is all about - a way of communicating with each other in ways that words alone just can't convey (though lyrics certainly do carry a message, but the music provides the spark to light up those words).

I will probably play something in the next week to post here. I got a free account on soundcloud so I can post a few MP3s. My stuff won't be nearly as intricate or involved as some of what I have heard here so far. For me it is just me and my acoustic guitar. :)

Tony
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Do you sing too?
I love guitar. It’s probably my favourite instrument. Listening to vocals accompanied by an acoustic guitar is so nice. Simple piano is a close second for me. I appreciate the simplicity of it.
 
Keesha said:
Do you sing too?
I love guitar. It’s probably my favourite instrument. Listening to vocals accompanied by an acoustic guitar is so nice. Simple piano is a close second for me. I appreciate the simplicity of it.
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You hit on the one frustration I have with guitar as my main instrument. When folks see me with a guitar, that is the first question they will ask - do you sing? When they find out I don't, but instead play instrumental fingerstyle, any interest is lost. This is why I play for my own enjoyment.

For some reason, piano players are not expected to sing even though there are fine examples of those who do. It seems perfectly acceptable for a piano player to play instrumental music, but not guitar players except those who play classical guitar.

When arranging pop tunes for solo instrumental acoustic guitar, I can get rid of all the pounding and bellowing and find some really nice melodies to bring out. That is what interests me most. I have discovered many tunes from the 1960s and 1970s, for example, that are actually well written songs once you get rid of all that pounding and bellowing. Older tunes from the early 50s and back from there in time, vocalists were generally much better prepared to sing with pleasing voices. But back then, there were folks who wrote the tunes, others who wrote the music, and then the performers. It was a collaboration of people collectively, each very skilled in an area of making the music come alive.

I have never been interested in singing, and honestly, wish many more who do sing, felt as I do. The human voice is an instrument when used for singing, and so many choose instead to just bellow with no consideration for learning to use their voice in a pleasing way. Mainstream media is full of examples and I can't understand why more people don't express similar sentiment.

There are those who seem to have naturally pleasing voices, but too many who simply don't.

Anyway, no, I don't sing. Now that I know this expectation exists here too, I will probably simply sit this one out. I do appreciate your asking and none of this is directed at you. Instead, I am voicing the frustration I have experienced over the years with this issue. When I played in bands, I played guitar and foot pedal bass with my feet, and others covered singing. In the trio I worked in full time, the band leader spent many weeks into months, teaching the drummer to sing instead of bellowing as so many pop singers do. The drummer turned into quite a decent sounding singer, but it took a lot of well placed effort on his part. The same band leader also taught the drummer how to not pound on the drummers as so much pop music does, but instead to actually play them as an instrument.

Tony
 
tbeltrans said:
You hit on the one frustration I have with guitar as my main instrument. When folks see me with a guitar, that is the first question they will ask - do you sing? When they find out I don't, but instead play instrumental fingerstyle, any interest is lost. This is why I play for my own enjoyment.

For some reason, piano players are not expected to sing even though there are fine examples of those who do. It seems perfectly acceptable for a piano player to play instrumental music, but not guitar players except those who play classical guitar.

When arranging pop tunes for solo instrumental acoustic guitar, I can get rid of all the pounding and bellowing and find some really nice melodies to bring out. That is what interests me most. I have discovered many tunes from the 1960s and 1970s, for example, that are actually well written songs once you get rid of all that pounding and bellowing. Older tunes from the early 50s and back from there in time, vocalists were generally much better prepared to sing with pleasing voices. But back then, there were folks who wrote the tunes, others who wrote the music, and then the performers. It was a collaboration of people collectively, each very skilled in an area of making the music come alive.

I have never been interested in singing, and honestly, wish many more who do sing, felt as I do. The human voice is an instrument when used for singing, and so many choose instead to just bellow with no consideration for learning to use their voice in a pleasing way. Mainstream media is full of examples and I can't understand why more people don't express similar sentiment.

There are those who seem to have naturally pleasing voices, but too many who simply don't.

Anyway, no, I don't sing. Now that I know this expectation exists here too, I will probably simply sit this one out. I do appreciate your asking and none of this is directed at you. Instead, I am voicing the frustration I have experienced over the years with this issue. When I played in bands, I played guitar and foot pedal bass with my feet, and others covered singing. In the trio I worked in full time, the band leader spent many weeks into months, teaching the drummer to sing instead of bellowing as so many pop singers do. The drummer turned into quite a decent sounding singer, but it took a lot of well placed effort on his part. The same band leader also taught the drummer how to not pound on the drummers as so much pop music does, but instead to actually play them as an instrument.

Tony
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Actually I love classical guitar as is. The only reason I asked about vocals also is because I’m a vocalist and I wish I could play guitar to accompany my singing but never learned it. This doesn’t mean I don’t have an appreciation for other types of playing. Classic guitar is impressive. Most people only learn chords on guitar which is perhaps why they choose to sing the melody instead of playing it. Sorry I ignited your musical pet peeve. 😌 I was merely showing interest.
 
Keesha said:
Actually I love classical guitar as is. The only reason I asked about vocals also is because I’m a vocalist and I wish I could play guitar to accompany my singing but never learned it. This doesn’t mean I don’t have an appreciation for other types of playing. Classic guitar is impressive. Most people only learn chords on guitar which is perhaps why they choose to sing the melody instead of playing it. Sorry I ignited your musical pet peeve. 😌 I was merely showing interest.
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Keesha,

You could easily learn enough guitar to accompany yourself. The hardest part in the beginning would probably be developing calluses so your fingertips don't hurt. If you play a nylon string (classical) guitar, that will be much easier on your fingers.

You had no idea this was my musical pet peeve, which is why I tried to make clear in my post that my response wasn't directed at you. Instead, I took the opportunity to express a common frustration among those who do want to perform in this style. It is a common complaint among those who play instrumental guitar. Chet Atkins did well because he usually played and recorded with a band. He made two solo albums and I would not be at all surprised if his only customers for those records were me and a couple of other guitar players. :) Those albums are rarely, if ever, even listed in his discography.

Andres Segovia and some of his students were able to carve out a living in the classical world, but none were ever any sort of competition to mainstream classical music. Classical guitar is a discipline, not much different than the discipline of martial arts where every movement your body makes is very structured and carefully thought out. I just could not make myself do that because, as much as I like music, I do have other things in my life. I did adapt much classical guitar technique though.

Tony
 
tbeltrans said:
Keesha,

You could easily learn enough guitar to accompany yourself. The hardest part in the beginning would probably be developing calluses so your fingertips don't hurt. If you play a nylon string (classical) guitar, that will be much easier on your fingers.

You had no idea this was my musical pet peeve, which is why I tried to make clear in my post that my response wasn't directed at you. Instead, I took the opportunity to express a common frustration among those who do want to perform in this style. It is a common complaint among those who play instrumental guitar. Chet Atkins did well because he usually played and recorded with a band. He made two solo albums and I would not be at all surprised if his only customers for those records were me and a couple of other guitar players. :) Those albums are rarely, if ever, even listed in his discography.

Andres Segovia and some of his students were able to carve out a living in the classical world, but none were ever any sort of competition to mainstream classical music. Classical guitar is a discipline, not much different than the discipline of martial arts where every movement your body makes is very structured and carefully thought out. I just could not make myself do that because, as much as I like music, I do have other things in my life. I did adapt much classical guitar technique though.

Tony
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No worries. I actually didn’t take it personally AND sort of understood where you were coming from. The classical guitarists that I have known, have all been incredibly good players. You have to be in order to play classical.

Plus I don’t think your pet peeve is that unusual.
I’d say a lot of serious instrumentalists aren’t that fond of vocalists. Vocalists get most of the attention in most bands and are often the least formally trained or educated. I’ve heard it from all sides.

I’ve had the privilege of knowing some really good guitar players. I have tried guitar and prefer piano. It’s not as painful and I don’t have to develop calluses in order to play but pianos aren’t as easy to carry around as guitars. Lol
 
Keesha said:
No worries. I actually didn’t take it personally AND sort of understood where you were coming from. The classical guitarists that I have known, have all been incredibly good players. You have to be in order to play classical.

Plus I don’t think your pet peeve is that unusual.
I’d say a lot of serious instrumentalists aren’t that fond of vocalists. Vocalists get most of the attention in most bands and are often the least formally trained or educated. I’ve heard it from all sides.

I’ve had the privilege of knowing some really good guitar players. I have tried guitar and prefer piano. It’s not as painful and I don’t have to develop calluses in order to play but pianos aren’t as easy to carry around as guitars. Lol
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In the past, many of the "old school" jazz players of all instruments played piano. I don't know if that is true today, but wouldn't be surprised. I even have a CD of Stephane Grappelli (the jazz violinist of the Hot Club of France with Django Reinhardt) playing solo piano. The title of the CD is "My Other Love".

The piano is often said to be the "mother of all instruments". Music theory is taught in relation to the piano keyboard. A solo pianist is well received by the general public, where many other instruments simply are not. Though I have taught myself to play piano, the guitar will always be my first instrument. That seems to be typical of instrumentalists whose main instrument is not the piano.

I don't have anything against vocalists, but those whose voices are irritating, I don't care to listen to. All too many pop musicians, especially in rock bands, have terribly raspy voices or simply outright just scream. I don't get it, but obviously a lot of people love that stuff.

Edit: It would be a disservice to those here who have seriously and formally studied an instrument, whether it be the voice, piano, guitar, or whatever instrument of choice for me to imply that I have done that. I taught myself both guitar and piano. Playing professionally as a sideman in a trio or other setting as I have, does not require the kind of skill that, say a world class solo guitar or pianist possesses. I enjoy playing music and learn what I need to know to play the music that pleases me. When I took the job in that trio, I did it because I needed a job and that was what was available at the time. I had the skills necessary for that position, ability to read music and charts, ability to hear, etc. I do the same with piano except that I have made it a point to rely on my ear more than sheet music by choice, though I can read I have not develop the skills to be a sight reader (i.e. read in real time as good sight readers do). I believe that anyone can make music if s/he so chooses. It is a part of being human, and there is no requirement to develop "world class" skills to do so.

Tony
 
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tbeltrans said:
In the past, many of the "old school" jazz players of all instruments played piano. I don't know if that is true today, but wouldn't be surprised. I even have a CD of Stephane Grappelli (the jazz violinist of the Hot Club of France with Django Reinhardt) playing solo piano. The title of the CD is "My Other Love".

The piano is often said to be the "mother of all instruments". Music theory is taught in relation to the piano keyboard. A solo pianist is well received by the general public, where many other instruments simply are not. Though I have taught myself to play piano, the guitar will always be my first instrument. That seems to be typical of instrumentalists whose main instrument is not the piano.

I don't have anything against vocalists, but those whose voices are irritating, I don't care to listen to. All too many pop musicians, especially in rock bands, have terribly raspy voices or simply outright just scream. I don't get it, but obviously a lot of people love that stuff.

Edit: It would be a disservice to those here who have seriously and formally studied an instrument, whether it be the voice, piano, guitar, or whatever instrument of choice for me to imply that I have done that. I taught myself both guitar and piano. Playing professionally as a sideman in a trio or other setting as I have, does not require the kind of skill that, say a world class solo guitar or pianist possesses. I enjoy playing music and learn what I need to know to play the music that pleases me. When I took the job in that trio, I did it because I needed a job and that was what was available at the time. I had the skills necessary for that position, ability to read music and charts, ability to hear, etc. I do the same with piano except that I have made it a point to rely on my ear more than sheet music by choice, though I can read I have not develop the skills to be a sight reader (i.e. read in real time as good sight readers do). I believe that anyone can make music if s/he so chooses. It is a part of being human, and there is no requirement to develop "world class" skills to do so.

Tony
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The piano could definitely be considered the mother of all instruments and a master teacher. It teaches both the treble and bass clefs as well as melodies verses accompaniment. Chords are easily taught on a piano since all the keys in each chord can be seen and heard.

Not all vocalists are good but not all musicians are good which needs to include vocalists. True.

I play for personal enjoyment also but also play for old folks in nursing homes. It gives me enormous pleasure playing for them. They are so grateful and make great audience members.

Site reading : I couldn’t site read for piano either. I might be able to sight read treble clef, which would be the melody but not with the bass clef. No way. Site reading for saxophone I could do but for the last 2 plus years I’m basically improvising everything. I decide on a song I like and pick a key I’d like to play it in and I figure the rest out on my own. It’s far more enjoyable than site reading in my opinion.
 
Paco Dennis said:
WOW!.....I played with a band that toured in a band from Texas. We were a "show" group. The leader had been 2nd chair trumpet in Stan Kenton's Band. We did shows with a dancer/singer/flood lights/a few costume changes each of the 2 sets per night. I had a white tuxedo with New York spats and hat. Ha! We played around there and on the East Coast...Atlantic City's Playboy Club, etc.... Room and board and about $400 a week. I had some offers for studio work and some popular bands, but decided to quit the road and come home where my 2 kids were living. About 2 years before Sheryl Crow became famous I played in a four piece with her. A lot of Frats and Sororities...great $. :) I gave Deke Dickerson a few lessons and he took off running and is still at it. Very unique and gifted guy. He has several songs on Youtube, just search his name to hear. I then moved into an intentional community and gave up the business end.

Exciting about your personal custom...send us picture when you feel like it. :) Great plan for your new studio, too.

Would love hear any stuff you played on.... links?

I am going ask if there is a way to upload mp3 songs to this forum. It would be a fun addition.
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Well, I picked up my guitar, and was delighted to meet, and play with the group. This has been a great trip, and one of many to come. We hit it off, and there are some other cool things in the works, now. It has a fast neck, and is the quickest of my lot so far.

Here is my travel setup, in my room in Boulder (I am on my way back home). I didn't have an amp that was decent for travel, so stopped and picked up the little fender, and a looper pedel. It has headphone jack, so I won't keep the neighbors up. This setup is a blast!
 

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