How to Prevent Guitar Track from getting Exhausting/Boring

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Ah, The Ventures. Now there's a tune. I can't stand fret-boring-wankery but the old boys new how to do it in style.

*I doubt that mic on the stage is for the sound, it's probably for a singer of another band or act that they were backing. The actual sound mics are probably hanging above the stage.
 
Mr Clean said:
Ah, The Ventures. Now there's a tune. I can't stand fret-boring-wankery but the old boys new how to do it in style.

*I doubt that mic on the stage is for the sound, it's probably for a singer of another band or act that they were backing. The actual sound mics are probably hanging above the stage.
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If you look close, the mic looks to be 9-10 foot high. From what I could tell.
 
From the front it does, but from the side shot a little way in to the video it looks at head height with the band and a typical style vocal mic for that era. Also, the video is cutting off the front of the stage, to my eye anyway, so you can't quite see the base of the mic stand.
 
Mr Clean said:
From the front it does, but from the side shot a little way in to the video it looks at head height with the band and a typical style vocal mic for that era. Also, the video is cutting off the front of the stage, to my eye anyway, so you can't quite see the base of the mic stand.
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In the same vain:

Now that is a well rehearsed band.
 
That's awesome.

This is my prefered type of guitar wankery.....

 
jonny deep said:
Isn't Born in the USA a protest song about the Vietnam War? I don't know the lyrics, s'just what I've heard?
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Yeh, that could be right. I think it was more about the hardship US service men suffered when they got home, rather than a protest against the war itself...but what do I know? I don't dispute the unfairness of that situation at all, obviously. But I just question Bruce's use of symbolism with the American flag. That war was nothing to go flying the American flag about, no matter what way you look at it.
 
Mr Clean said:
Ah, The Ventures. Now there's a tune. I can't stand fret-boring-wankery but the old boys new how to do it in style.

*I doubt that mic on the stage is for the sound, it's probably for a singer of another band or act that they were backing. The actual sound mics are probably hanging above the stage.
Click to expand...

The Ventures. Walk, Don't Run. That was one my first albums ever (if not my very first). It was especially cool because I didn't buy it--my dad gave it to me. And he gave it to me out of his personal collection. That was our first musical "connection."
 
Traditionally, the rhytmg guitar part is mixed way down, almost inaudible, once the lead guitar or vocal comes in. Bring it back up a little for the chorus or to back a guitar solo. Otherwise it shouldn't be consciously heard.
 
Traditionally, the rhythm guitar part is mixed way down, so it's almost inaudible, once the lead guitar or vocal comes in. Bring it back up a little for the chorus or to back a guitar solo. Otherwise it shouldn't be consciously heard.
 
There may be no problem in the playing, but in the arrangement or production

Hi there - I've been playing rhythm a long time, electric and acoustic both (50 years). I'd say that your problem is more in your perception, and it's always difficult to be objective with your own music.
I'd say turn that track down, or find a way to spice up the part (slight emphasis, pauses, dropping out at times) so it's fun for you. Or heartwarming, or whatever. But recording guitars is usually multi-layered, with riffs or hooks added on other tracks, and the background being steady as can be, so it doesn't distract the ear. Does any of that help? Have fun, Charlie
PS - if you want exhausting and thankless, try rockabilly rhythm parts...
 
fritsthegirl said:
Yeh, that could be right. I think it was more about the hardship US service men suffered when they got home, rather than a protest against the war itself...but what do I know? I don't dispute the unfairness of that situation at all, obviously. But I just question Bruce's use of symbolism with the American flag. That war was nothing to go flying the American flag about, no matter what way you look at it.
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Hey trish, I think the song's intended to be narrated from the point of view of the vietnam vet character rather than Bruce himself - and the Born in the USA lines are more a bitter refrain from that character than a flag-waving fistpump. I always think of it like that last scene in The Deer Hunter if you've seen it when the vets come back all fucked up and scarred and sing 'God Bless America' in the bar. I know Bruce turned down advertising offers from the likes of Chrysler and denounced Reagan when he wanted to harness it for those kind of nationalist purposes.

There's an acoustic demo of it that he did before the album that's much closer in spirit to what I think the song's meant to be about - and I think you might actually quite like it: Born In The USA Acoustic

In fact right before this big bombastic 80s overproduced stuff he did a great album right at the other end of the spectrum. It's called Nebraska and was done at home with just a four track, acoustic guitar, harmonica and some reverb/echo effects. I don't know if you're already aware of it, but again it's certainly worth listening to at least once as it may change your perception of Springsteen a little. I know you liked the harmonica on one of my songs a while ago and I think the title track has some of the best captured/played harmonica I've heard - great tone, playing and a nice reverb balance. I'd recommend maybe giving that song and 'State Trooper' off the album a play on youtube and seeing what you think. You may still hate it all mind, but... :)
 
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help with recording

Along the same lines how do I get my drums to sound better? I want to sound like that guy from Led Zeppelin. I know I play just like him because my girlfriend goes to every gig and has told me that.

ShorfB
 
robgreen said:
In fact right before this big bombastic 80s overproduced stuff he did a great album right at the other end of the spectrum. It's called Nebraska and was done at home with just a four track, acoustic guitar, harmonica and some reverb/echo effects.
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I listened to Nebraska and I just thought it highlighted that, at a stripped down level, Spruce Springbean isn't that much of a songwriter, or wasn't at that time, anyway - it bored me silly. His other "stripped back" album, Ghost of Tom Joad, I thought was much better - I even bought that one.
 
What can help those songs, is to use the first take of the strummed track, as a foundation track, help build the other tracks, such as vocals drums or bass. then when they seem to dance, now try playing essentially the same chord progression, only leave some space here and there, let the rhythm follow the progression and eventually your effort will yield a pretty catchy tune
 
robgreen said:
Hey trish, I think the song's intended to be narrated from the point of view of the vietnam vet character rather than Bruce himself - and the Born in the USA lines are more a bitter refrain from that character than a flag-waving fistpump. I always think of it like that last scene in The Deer Hunter if you've seen it when the vets come back all fucked up and scarred and sing 'God Bless America' in the bar. I know Bruce turned down advertising offers from the likes of Chrysler and denounced Reagan when he wanted to harness it for those kind of nationalist purposes.

There's an acoustic demo of it that he did before the album that's much closer in spirit to what I think the song's meant to be about - and I think you might actually quite like it: Born In The USA Acoustic

In fact right before this big bombastic 80s overproduced stuff he did a great album right at the other end of the spectrum. It's called Nebraska and was done at home with just a four track, acoustic guitar, harmonica and some reverb/echo effects. I don't know if you're already aware of it, but again it's certainly worth listening to at least once as it may change your perception of Springsteen a little. I know you liked the harmonica on one of my songs a while ago and I think the title track has some of the best captured/played harmonica I've heard - great tone, playing and a nice reverb balance. I'd recommend maybe giving that song and 'State Trooper' off the album a play on youtube and seeing what you think. You may still hate it all mind, but... :)
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I suspected I might be being a bit dumb about this whole Born in the USA thing. My bad. You and Jonny are right, I'll let go of the hatred now, Bruce is alright.

I quite like that track Nebraska, that harmonica is the best thing about it and indeed amazin'. His voice is actually alright when it's all chilled out like & not shouting.

I might have a listen to the album Armi mentions as well now.

Remember that funny thread a while back, where someone kept lauding Bruce for his doubled vocals? :D
 
That's no reason to stop hating ole Springneck. I saw him at Glastonbury and it was dull, dull, dull - it was all right near the start and at the end when he played the hits, it's just the middle hour and a half that spoiled it!
 
That said, I do like the Bob Seger sessions album he did. I don't think I've listened to another full album of his.
 
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