Friday, January 31, 2014
Sunday, January 19, 2014
I Love My Guitar
No, not the piece of wood and metal, but what it allows me to do.
My guitar is a good friend. It explores with me. It takes me places I have not been. Revisits the places I enjoy.
But each time I glance at it, I smile. It is a comfort to me. Knowing what comes from it, how it frees a part of me that normally lives inside.
People that bring out parts of your personality, revel in it with you...Best friends, right?
Well, this qualifies, even though it is an inanimate piece of stuff, a tool.
Friends sit with me, do for me, want to spend time in my company without a second thought.
I haven't heard my guitar wondering what it was going to do for the next few years. It seems content to hang out.
It also challenges me in ways most people will not. It is work to push people in the right direction. Be a motivator for someones betterment. And what's funny is I think it is me criticizing and critiquing.
It ain't easy.
I do for it as well. I bought it new springs and a steel tremolo block from Callaham.
Raw Vintage Springs
Callaham Trem Block
And then the big switcheroo.
The almost too good to be true Villex passive mid boost.
It does not have a name yet. And I don't know why. Most of my guitars get named fairly quickly. There is usually just some aspect that stands out and makes naming easy.
This one seems to be, "Pal."
--------
Being sick throws everyone off, but for a musician or someone that breathes music, having a clogged ear is a nightmare.
I wonder what illness throws a carpenter?
My guitar is a good friend. It explores with me. It takes me places I have not been. Revisits the places I enjoy.
But each time I glance at it, I smile. It is a comfort to me. Knowing what comes from it, how it frees a part of me that normally lives inside.
People that bring out parts of your personality, revel in it with you...Best friends, right?
Well, this qualifies, even though it is an inanimate piece of stuff, a tool.
Friends sit with me, do for me, want to spend time in my company without a second thought.
I haven't heard my guitar wondering what it was going to do for the next few years. It seems content to hang out.
It ain't easy.
I do for it as well. I bought it new springs and a steel tremolo block from Callaham.
Raw Vintage Springs
Callaham Trem Block
And then the big switcheroo.
The almost too good to be true Villex passive mid boost.
It does not have a name yet. And I don't know why. Most of my guitars get named fairly quickly. There is usually just some aspect that stands out and makes naming easy.
This one seems to be, "Pal."
--------
Being sick throws everyone off, but for a musician or someone that breathes music, having a clogged ear is a nightmare.
I wonder what illness throws a carpenter?
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Fake It Until You Make It Part Deux
Tips for appearing to know what you are doing.
1. Stop looking at the neck. I seek out someone in the audience to make eye contact..."He's playing to me!" Or close your eyes altogether.
2. Dress the part. Punk means no shirt and tie. By the same token, unless you are in a dirt band, dress up a bit. Looking good adds, does not take away.
3. If you fvck up big time, laugh.
4. Talk to the audience while tuning. Good anecdote time, especially if it segues into the next song.
5. "I meant to do that." is part of your repertoire. Be a cat.
6. Don't blow through people after you leave the stage. Many of not most come for the meet and greet afterwards.
7. Sloppy drunk or high is bad, mkay? A nice buzz is great. Enhances your interactions. Falling asleep on stage is really bad.
8. As part of #7 - eat before you drink before you go onstage. No burritos, nice and light but enough to mitigate what lies ahead.
9. If you introduce me to your mom with the words, "You two have a lot in common," you are so off the list.
10. Share with anyone in the venue that has a direct impact on your sound - sound guy, lighting, the girl bringing you drinks...all of them.
11. Really, stop looking at the neck.
1. Stop looking at the neck. I seek out someone in the audience to make eye contact..."He's playing to me!" Or close your eyes altogether.
2. Dress the part. Punk means no shirt and tie. By the same token, unless you are in a dirt band, dress up a bit. Looking good adds, does not take away.
3. If you fvck up big time, laugh.
4. Talk to the audience while tuning. Good anecdote time, especially if it segues into the next song.
5. "I meant to do that." is part of your repertoire. Be a cat.
6. Don't blow through people after you leave the stage. Many of not most come for the meet and greet afterwards.
7. Sloppy drunk or high is bad, mkay? A nice buzz is great. Enhances your interactions. Falling asleep on stage is really bad.
8. As part of #7 - eat before you drink before you go onstage. No burritos, nice and light but enough to mitigate what lies ahead.
9. If you introduce me to your mom with the words, "You two have a lot in common," you are so off the list.
10. Share with anyone in the venue that has a direct impact on your sound - sound guy, lighting, the girl bringing you drinks...all of them.
11. Really, stop looking at the neck.
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