|
|
Post by cunningr on May 26, 2014 7:18:17 GMT -6
Well here is my first shot at recording anything. I used no backing track, and added some drum loops from Garage Band. Set up for recording is Guitar Carvin with Humbuckers, to Line 6 Pocket Pod set to Tube Pre Amp Clean sound, to Mac Pro Recorded using Garage Band. soundcloud.com/alabama-blues/texas-rythm-take-one-5-26-14-2Please post your feedback, I think my have rushed the tempo. Thanks for constructive comments. |
|
|
|
Post by Phil on May 26, 2014 9:41:17 GMT -6
Rich,
Nice tone, but I think you've got a timing issue. Here's what I think is happening (and I could be wrong)- the drums are way too fast for the tune you're playing. I tried to listen to just the drums and tap the beats - I come up with about 120 bpm. Concentrating on what you're playing and trying to ignore the drums (that's not easy for me)I count something around 85-90 bpm. I may be way off base on these counts, but there is definitely a disconnect between the tempo you are playing and the tempo of the drums.
I know I had some serious issues the 1st time I tried playing with a backing track, and I'm sure most people here had similar problems. I recommend that you record one of the studies from BYCU. Play along with the full track until you're comfortable with it and then take a crack at playing with just the backing track. I think you'll find that more beneficial than trying to freestyle it at this point.
Another tip would be to tap your foot and count out loud. I think what you're playing in this tune are 8th note triplets. So count 1-and-a, 2-and-a, 3-and-a, 4-and-a, on each beat. Foot tap on the numbers. You'll have to do this very slowly at 1st to get the hang of it, but you will immediately see where you are hesitating and where you are rushing it.
Hope this helps. And like I said, I'm no expert and I'm not trying to sound like a know-it-all.
Phil
|
|
|
|
Post by bluesbruce on May 26, 2014 9:52:36 GMT -6
cunningr,
Congratulations on getting you first recording done! That's a feat to be proud of, and now your playing and your recording will only get better and better. You did rush the tempo, and it sounds like your guitar and your drum loops are playing at different tempos.
I would suggest you go to Garageband, set the tempo to 118 (that's the recorded tempo for Texas Rock) and turn on the metronome. Play along with the metronome, then record along with it. You can then turn it off, and it won't be in your recording. If you need to, you can start at a slower tempo, then work your way up to 118.
Like I said, it only gets better from here. I certainly want to encourage you to continue on and share your progress with us.
Bruce
|
|
|
|
Post by bluesbruce on May 26, 2014 10:03:04 GMT -6
Oops, I think Phil and I were posting at the same time. I don't mean any slight to Phil, but I got my book out to check to be sure. Texas Rock is in a straight eight rhythm (this is a typical rock rhythm), NOT a swing (or triplet rhythm). The count for a measure of this is "one and two and three and four and", all evenly spaced. I don't think JG discusses swing rhythm until lesson 3 or 4.
Bruce
|
|
|
|
Post by jack1982 on May 26, 2014 10:24:29 GMT -6
Cunningr, that's a very nice job for your first try at recording yourself! Nice guitar sound too. I agree with what Phil and Bruce said, the drums and your playing are at two different tempos. Maybe just download the backing tracks and play along with them as they're all at the correct tempo. Or if you want to use your drum machine, as Bruce said, set the tempo at 118 for this song. I'd also choose a simpler, more straightforward "boom chick boom chick" rhythm; that drum rhythm you're using sounds like it has some odd syncopation to it that would make it difficult to play this song along with it even if it were at the right tempo. Most importantly though, practice along with the CD concentrating on playing the notes at exactly the same time as John. It sounds like you can play fast enough, and you're playing the notes cleanly, but you just need to work on the timing - that's your assignment for this week.  Overall you're off to a good start, congratulations! Looking forward to hearing more of your stuff in the future. |
|
|
|
Post by cunningr on May 26, 2014 10:30:49 GMT -6
Thanks , yeh this more a straight rhythm, drums are probably off. I added the drums after I laid the guitar track. Thanks for the tip I played with the metronome a couple of times but didn't like it in the recording, now that I know you remove it I will give it another go. I am right on beat with the practice track when I practice the tune. I will work on the timing some some always been a problem for me. Thanks. I am stuck on lesson 2, can't pop into the chords as fluid as I like.
|
|
|
|
Post by Phil on May 26, 2014 11:46:45 GMT -6
Oops, I think Phil and I were posting at the same time. I don't mean any slight to Phil, but I got my book out to check to be sure. Texas Rock is in a straight eight rhythm (this is a typical rock rhythm), NOT a swing (or triplet rhythm). The count for a measure of this is "one and two and three and four and", all evenly spaced. I don't think JG discusses swing rhythm until lesson 3 or 4. Bruce Boy, do I feel stupid right now. I didn't know this was Texas rock, which of course is in straight time. I do believe that I covered my a$$ by saying I'm no expert.  And I sure proved that. Rich, download the backing tracks. They're well worth the 10 bucks. And don't take any other advice from me.  Phil |
|
|
|
Post by cunningr on May 26, 2014 16:00:17 GMT -6
Thanks for the comments, planning on buying the backing tracks. Today was the first time I used garage band and tried to record something. I put the drum track in as an afterthought. I did go back and practice with the cd, I get the timing better along with the cd. Anyway going to give her another go, Ii think I got it good enough to move on. I started lesson 2, I have the runs down pretty good but have trouble popping into the chords as well as I need too.
Phil did you check out an epi while you were on vacation?
|
|
|
|
Post by bluesbruce on May 26, 2014 16:21:10 GMT -6
Rich,
First off, DO take advice from Phil - if you've heard some of his recordings, you know he's got some insight to offer! Secondly, you can also drag the CD track from BYCU right into a Garageband track and record right along with it. Then just mute the BYCU track in Garageband if you want. In the long run, though, playing with a backing track without the recording is a skill you want to develop. It will come with time and practice. I certainly want to encourage you to keep recording and posting AND I want to encourage Phil (and all others) to post their input on the forum - that's how we can all learn from this.
Bruce
|
|
|
|
Post by TommyD on May 26, 2014 17:25:28 GMT -6
Cunningr,
It's good to hear about someone using Garageband. Hopefully I'll be using it soon, so I may have program specific questions for you. I really think that recording ourselves and being nit picky about our performance is one of the keys to playing better.
|
|
|
|
Post by cunningr on May 27, 2014 3:21:11 GMT -6
Hopefully by the time you start using Garageband I'll have a better understanding of how to use it. I set up with the Pocket Pod, but there are some videos that show a straight computer to guitar set up. In the software they have pedals and equalizers you can add in after the fact, so I am still messing with that function to find a tone a like.
Yeh I think the recording is going to be key at becoming better, I played the track to my office and they were surprised I played so well, and all I here is a beginner, and the timing being off a bit.
|
|
|
|
Post by Phil on May 27, 2014 16:27:24 GMT -6
Phil did you check out an epi while you were on vacation? Yeah, I checked one out at Guitar Center in Austin, TX. I really liked the way it felt and played. They had a cherry colored one, and I have to tell you that it was absolutely beautiful. Pictures don't do it justice. Unfortunately, due to unexpected expenses I've incurred on this trip I'll have to put off buying one for a while. I also tried an Alvarez Parlor guitar. When I buy an acoustic it's definitely going be one of those. Phil |
|
And I sure proved that. 
