Finding the groove

  • Thread starter Thread starter WhiteStrat
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WhiteStrat

WhiteStrat

Don't stare at the eye.
For months I've been working on musical projects for other folks. After finally coming up for some air, I wanna sit down and get back to where it all started: a dude playing a guitar. Problem is--there's nothing there. I'm stale and the more I play the more I suck!

A little light bulb comes on: I need to play to some cool tracks. And I've got everything it takes to make those tracks--so I start building. Some drums, some bass, some rhythm guits, maybe some keys. Alas! Two problems: 1) I've just spent all my creative juice (& time!) building a backing track; 2) the resulting track doesn't push me much...because it's all me! It's too predictable, too "the same."

Another light bulb! A really smart guy (yeah, that was me) once said that the best way to grow your chops was to play along with something (or someone) new--something you wouldn't write. Since it's not predictable, you're much more likely to stretch.

Eureka! As counterintuitive as it seemed, I skipped over all the gear in my studio and bought some backing tracks off the 'net. I'm not schilling for anyone, so I won't say where (unless you ask) but I love 'em. Tons of styles, and they all include versions with really smoking leads. You listen to that, get some ideas, then add your own lead to the version without the solo.

I'm having a blast just playing some guitar. Here's what I've done with a couple of 'em tonight. This is just two out of the 15 or so I got. Lot's of 'em are funky/hard rock/fusion tracks, but these two are more laid back.

Just thought I'd share the idea in case anyone's in a rut...

Clean strat--sorta funky

Sappy saturated ballad
 
When I get in a rut it's because my focus is becoming too narrow. I was really running out of good ideas and getting tired of recording not too long ago, but I got some new music that is a departure from what I usually listen to and now I have lots of great ideas. So yeah, I pretty much agree with you.
 
Greg_L said:
I enjoy writing and playing the same song over and over.
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Yeah, but that one song's getting pretty damn good by now, isn't it? :D

Mine wasn't going anywhere--so I needed a jumpstart!
 
WhiteStrat said:
...bought some backing tracks off the 'net. I'm not schilling for anyone, so I won't say where (unless you ask)...
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OK...I'm asking...where and how much/song? :)


I too have the tools to make my own backing tracks, but yeah, that takes time...and I would rather practice/jam to stuff other people did, just for the "freshness" of it.

I've downloaded lots of FREE backing tracks...though for every 20, I might find 2-3 that are decent. Many are recorded very poorly, that they actually take AWAY my inspiration when jamming with them! :D
 
miroslav said:
OK...I'm asking...where and how much/song? :)


I too have the tools to make my own backing tracks, but yeah, that takes time...and I would rather practice/jam to stuff other people did, just for the "freshness" of it.

I've downloaded lots of FREE backing tracks...though for every 20, I might find 2-3 that are decent. Many are recorded very poorly, that they actually take AWAY my inspiration when jamming with them! :D
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http://www.jamtrackcentral.com/

It's hard for me to give you prices because they're all in British pounds, and there are singles to sets. I spent about 50 USD the other night and got tons of goodies.

A lot of their offerings are built around the "guest" lead guitarist--which can be cool if you also wanna pick up some style/technique tips since they include a version with the lead guitarist.

The two I'm playing on in the OP are from different sets, BTW.
 
Cool!
I'll check it out.
I need some new stuff to jam to, as I tend to play alone a lot.

Do they give you enough of a "preview" on the website so you can decide if the songs/styles are to your liking?

Oh...when you say "guest" guitarist...do you get the full verison without ANY prerecorded leads...or is this where you trade-off with the prerecorded leads
...or do you mean that they give you BOTH versions of each song?

THANKS!
 
miroslav said:
Cool!
I'll check it out.
I need some new stuff to jam to, as I tend to play alone a lot.

Do they give you enough of a "preview" on the website so you can decide if the songs/styles are to your liking?

Oh...when you say "guest" guitarist...do you get the full verison without ANY prerecorded leads...or is this where you trade-off with the prerecorded leads
...or do you mean that they give you BOTH versions of each song?

THANKS!
Click to expand...

Yep, the previews are plenty good to make an informed decision. And yep again, you get both versions--with the lead, and completely without. You also get a transcription. Some have just audio, but some have video of the guest lead guitarist. I don't read music, so I appreciate the video--lets me see what position and pattern he's playing, transitions, etc. (Then of course I don't come close, but hey, I learn a little.)

Check out the free downloads tab--there's a number of whole "packets" from each of the series. You'll get a lead version, no lead version, and the sheet music. I did a couple of those before I bought.
 
WhiteStrat said:
Check out the free downloads tab--there's a number of whole "packets" from each of the series. You'll get a lead version, no lead version, and the sheet music. I did a couple of those before I bought.
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Downloading as I type this... :)

I'm not into the shred stuff...but I'm downloading some of the Blues and Jazz tracks.

Thanks again.
I needed a "lift" for my jams....was getting tired of playing to the same few songs! :D
 
Can I record my cat singing vocals to sappy saturated ballad? Can we name the band Pledge Drive? How do you feel about white pants?
 
WhiteStrat said:
Yes, yes, and only if they're form fitting.
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:eek::eek::eek:


















Nice wanking around Strat!..Those form fitting white pants may give ya a little extra sustain...if they're tight enough, it could turn into full throttle feedback!:D
 
I've been in a rut myself for awhile now.My motivation for my recording project has really gotten sucked dry from my job.Unfortunately my plant closed up last march.I've been lucky enough to keep my job by transfering to another plant location but i had to take 2nd shift.

Since i don't get home til midnight recording gets put off til the weekend.I've had to work a lot of mandatory saturdays since june and come sunday i don't feel like doing nothing but watching the idiot box.Most of the songs i'm recording are songs i've written and previously recorded over the past few years with my old drum machine.

When i first recorded them is was just to get something down while i was looking for a band.Since changing jobs,working 2nd shift,and having to pull saturdays,having the time for a band isn't there.Ive been using the beta monkey drum loops and they've really breathed new life into my older tunes so that's helped some with the motivation.

I just need to get the drum loops put together for a few more tunes,record some scratch tracks,make sure i'm happy with the drums and finally record my guitar and bass tracks for real.I have no clue whether i'll get someone to do some vocals.I have no lyrics for any of my tunes.I may just try and do some instrumentals.

I just wanna get this project done.Then i'll move on and hopefully be motivated enough to write some fresh new tunes.I've always written my tunes then added the drums from the old drum machine.These beta loops have some really kicking drumwork and i'm looking forward to working with the beats and getting some killer riffs going on.
 
Nice way to get your swing back.
A small investment if it brings you back to fresh ideas & enthusiasm to play, write & record.
 
rayc said:
Nice way to get your swing back.
A small investment if it brings you back to fresh ideas & enthusiasm to play, write & record.
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Exactly. I can spend that much on yet another pedal that stokes me for a week then blends in with the other gadget. (Yeah, I'm pathetic that way.) A little $$ for actual musical motivation--I'll take it!
 
mcmetal said:
Since i don't get home til midnight....
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I've done some of my better work from midnight to 4:00AM! :D
(assuming there's no one around to disturb.)

I'm not much of a morning person...but hey, midnight isn't so late...if you get up at 9:00AM, you probably have a good 5 hours recording time, especially if everyone else has left to building to do thier daytime gigs.



WhiteStrat said:
A little $$ for actual musical motivation--I'll take it!
Click to expand...

So I downloaded about 6 of the freebies (two ended up being corrupt files)...the four I jammed to last night were all very well done tracks. Some of the better jam tracks I've come across.
I'm going to download a few more of the freebies today, and if they are all as good, I'll probably buy into one or two of the "packs".
 
miroslav said:
I've done some of my better work from midnight to 4:00AM! :D
(assuming there's no one around to disturb.)

I'm not much of a morning person...but hey, midnight isn't so late...if you get up at 9:00AM, you probably have a good 5 hours recording time, especially if everyone else has left to building to do thier daytime gigs.
Click to expand...
I'm more of a night owl myself and can get a lot done during the early morning hours.Playing at a low volume and putting loops together can be done quietly enough.

My problem is that once i get started it's all consuming.Before i know it six hours went by,i'm tired and hungry and i can't flip a switch and turn it off in my head when it's time to sleep.Even after a couple beers i'll lay awake for hours with ideas streaming through my mind.
 
Yep, Backingtracks are probably a very good way out of a rut...
I now realize I haven't had time to be in a rut for a couple of years. :cool::D

Bands, projects and whatnot. A dozen gigs in a year, one or two albums (Actually a poor record-deal on one of them) and a couple of sideprojects.

This has NOT improved my playing in any way... quite the opposite.
Just kept me too busy to fret about it.

But I'm lucky in the way that people send me tracks, and I then find my stuff in there by ear.. So that's a lot like backingtracks.
 
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