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Post by bluesbruce on Mar 21, 2014 10:14:36 GMT -6
Well, I finally got this video project completed for the first lesson in Jazzin' The Blues. I'm actually more interested in technical feedback on the video and recording than on the playing in the lesson. I realize that I muffed the lead part (didn't realize how badly until I watched the video! - would have re-recorded if I'd known). Stuff I see right off the bat - (1) need to get some kind of backdrop to get rid of the "busy" shelves behind me (probably a cheap black tablecloth clipped to top shelf), (2) lighting looks kind of harsh - probably need to turn overhead lights off, move my lights back some or use some type of diffuser, (3) Maybe change shirt and/or use different guitar for rhythm and lead parts, (4) would sound better to have maybe a drum or drum and bass backing track, (5) need to spend some time getting better guitar tone selections. I'd really appreciate any feedback. This was a fun project, and I'll make some more. I expect to be on a learning curve with the first several videos. Having made this one, I know I can make a second one in way less time than this one took and probably do a better job of it! For those who don't have this book, the lessons are presented with both a rhythm and a lead part. The lessons are just one chorus through. I elected to play the rhythm part thru twice, recording the lead over the second chorus. Bruce  |
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JohnG
Full Member
Posts: 193
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Post by JohnG on Mar 21, 2014 13:48:00 GMT -6
Hi Bruce,
I liked the rhythm part - very clean and steady, great tone. And yes, some flubs on the lead part - keep working on it at tempo and with backing or metronome.
I also like the production. What equipment and software did you use? I'm often asked to do some kind of videos and I wonder if that would be good enough. I tend to think so. Anyway, I like it.
Thanks for the post.
JG
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Post by bluesbruce on Mar 21, 2014 16:41:28 GMT -6
Hey thanks for the kind words, John. I knew I flubbed the lead part, but I'm away from home and couldn't re-record it, and wanted to get the video completed, so posted it "as is". I didn't think I had messed up so badly until I watched it... anyway, I thought it was a nice recovery to keep pushing on! LOL.
The video was recorded on an iPhone 5S. The audio was recorded on an iMac using a Line 6 UX2 for input, and Logic 9 was the software used for the recording (you could do the same thing with Garageband). I saved the audio as an mp3, then sent it to my Macbook (a laptop). I downloaded the video from my iPhone into the laptop via USB. I then used iMovie on my Macbook to put it all together (the audio mp3 plus two videos (one for rhythm, one for lead)).
I can give you more details if needed. I'm sure you can do the same thing on a Windoze computer, just have to use analogous software.
Again, thanks for the comments. I'm more than happy to help you out if you need more info or guidance.
Bruce : )
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Post by Phil on Mar 21, 2014 18:26:42 GMT -6
Bruce, The quality of the video and audio is very good. I agree with the critique you gave yourself. I don't know anything about lighting, but what you said about a black background may solve the harsh lighting problem without taking any other measures or spending any money. It's hard to believe you did this with an iPhone! So, with iMovie you were able to sync the video and audio? Could you elaborate a little about that? I don't own an 'i' anything, so I'll have to discover the Windows equivalents. Any additional details would be appreciated. One more thing - you might want to do a split screen or put the 2nd guitar in a corner rather than kind of in the middle of everything. I thought I was seeing double at first.  Phil |
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Post by TommyD on Mar 21, 2014 20:15:21 GMT -6
Hi Bruce,
I don't know that you need a black background, but a less busy back ground would put more emphasis on you. I'm a newspaper photographer and have found that any color background can work well if you have dimmer light on the background than the main subject. A gray or any other neutral color will work well, just don't light it. Keep the light on you. Also, move your main light source so that it is not shining up at you. That can sometimes create an eerie effect. Having your light come from the side is good, but keep it higher and it will look more natural.
The Jazzin' The Blues book is great. I've been working on it and really enjoying it.
Keep up the good work. One of these days I may feel brave/confident enough to post something of myself playing.
Tom
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Post by bluesbruce on Mar 21, 2014 23:17:10 GMT -6
Phil and Tommy D, thanks for your input. This newest iPhone has HD video capability. You could, of course, use any type of video recorder that you have (that will download video to your computer). In Windoze, Adobe Premiere Elements is the usual "go to" video software. I think it is less than a hundred dollars. You would do the audio in whatever DAW program you're using. When you download video from your video camera, it will contain rather poor quality audio. The video programs allow you to use other audio - for which you use your own recording from your recording program (this will be a much better audio quality). The trick is to sync these up, which you do by looking at the audio sound waves. You can find "matching points" to line these two up, then you silence the video recorder sound. I've found some good video samples that I can post links to if anyone would like.
When I put it on split screen, I ended up with my hands off the edge of the screen on both sides! It'll be another thing to play around with for sure. Appreciate the input about background and lighting - just the kind of input I'm looking for. I actually had two lights at approximately 45 degree angles, one to each side, but also had the overhead lights on and the window shade open (it was during daytime). I definitely need to play with lighting some, too. I think setting the lights higher would definitely help.
Tommy, I also like the sound of Jazzin' the Blues. Hope to post some more of these. I don't think I've set the bar very high, so I'd encourage you to post something from it.
Bruce
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Post by grampalerxst on Mar 22, 2014 3:37:24 GMT -6
Well, I finally got this video project completed for the first lesson in Jazzin' The Blues. I'm actually more interested in technical feedback on the video and recording than on the playing in the lesson... ...I'd really appreciate any feedback. ... Bruce Well, the audio and video are fine insofar as they clearly convey your performance of the piece. None of the things you mentioned, backdrop, lighting, whatever, did I find distracting or diminishing. But I was just looking at it as a guitar nerd checking out someone else's playing. I thought getting two vids synched up of you performing both parts was pretty cool. |
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Post by bluesbruce on Mar 22, 2014 9:42:04 GMT -6
Thanks, Tbone.
Grampa, thanks for the input. It really wasn't that hard to do, but it probably would have been easier to do one of the lessons that has just one part for my first video (then I would have only had one video clip and one audio clip to coordinate in iMovie).
Do you guys think a "trailer" with info about equipment used, settings, etc. would be of any use - especially as the intended audience will be "guitar nerds checking out someone else's playing". Just a thought...
Again, I really appreciate everyone's input. I know there were several BYCU videos on Youtube, but I didn't find any from Jazzin' the Blues. My intent (along with improving my playing) was to make some...
Bruce
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