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Post by Cruachan on Apr 14, 2017 14:55:58 GMT
Hi Folks, I've been reading a few posts lately implying a somewhat negative view concerning the recent fall off in Forum posting. Some have attributed this to feelings of boredom as we hear and play tunes that have become all too familiar. I would argue that this is not necessarily the case and that the explanation, in fact, lies elsewhere. We have become distracted and understandably so. There have been a few posts in recent weeks that have shocked us to the core while giving us cause to pause as we are forced to contemplate the fragility of our own existence, both as individuals and as a group of aspirational musicians. It's an inescapable fact that, with the passage of time, eventually there comes a philosophical acknowledgement of what might lie ahead for each and everyone of us as we each approach our twilight years. This is perhaps an inevitability that needs to be faced head on. Allowing such morose thoughts as may arise to control our lives can be unhelpful, unproductive and potentially quite destructive. Instead, what is needed is a much more pragmatic and sanguine approach. 'What goes around comes around'. This forum and all its participants are shining beacons of the proper use of a particular type of digital communication. We share an interest and hobby based around our passion for a particular genre of instrumental music which attracted huge popularity several decades ago. Our respectful exchanges of views and analyses serve to highlight the unique nature of this site and the music which, like their so-called 'Classical' equivalents, appears to be showing every sign of lasting in perpetuity. We are, in effect, becoming part of history and it remains our responsibility to ensure that any visitors to these pages will feel inspired to keep the flag flying! Musical fads come and go and much of it is ephemeral in nature and certainly without much substance. However, it's very nature is what the younger generations find so relevant and appealing during the search for their identities. In time, however, this usually changes as the yearning for something of a more musical nature gradually supervenes. Many of us will know this to be true which is why I believe there will always be a place for those unforgettable tunes and evocative sounds as created by artists like Hank B. Marvin, The Shadows and certain of their contemporaries who shared occupancy of that memorable era of music. Getting bored? Then why not create your own unique interpretations of those melodies we have all come to know and love. While it can be a wonderful challenge to recreate familiar sounds as heard all those decades ago, there is nothing in the rule book that says we shouldn't allow ourselves to go off piste now and again to keep things fresh and a joy to play. I meet once every week or two with a friend who shares my interests in learning to play electric guitar. We try to vary the 'Set' (including the introduction of new tunes) each time, but two things never change: 1) We always warm up with a brief little ditty whose origins still remain a mystery, but has become our 'signature' melody and I have entitled it 'Dance Of The Trolls'. Each time we try to play it a little differently and this now happens with a degree of spontenaity that we both find very pleasing and satisfying. 2) We continue our chosen 'Set of the evening' with 'Apache'. I confess I've never mastered playing the gallop section at 'full speed' because, and for whatever reason, my alternate picking stroke just won't allow it. However, and quite by chance, I discovered that I could play it perfectly well by slowing down the tempo of the tune. Now we routinely play 'Apache' at varying slower tempos and, actually, it usually sounds pretty good! Different, yes, but as relevant as the original version because we find it allows much more in the way of expressive interventions while continuing to deliver ample pleasure and satisfaction  So, really there can be no justification for any negativity. Most of us spend enough time honing our modest skills as guitar players to get bored. For the rest, I suggest musical innovation might be the key without feeling the need for slavish adherence to any particular style or musical genre. We have all the tools to make it happen, including the peerless and magnificent 'Hall & Collins Signature Echo' unit which provides so many sonic opportunities hitherto held at a tantalising distance from our grasp. Maybe we need a fresh topic to help rekindle our enthusiasms. Something along the lines of 'How you go about learning and, more importantly, remembering a tune', perhaps? Learning a tune is one thing, but how frustrating to come back to it a few months, or even weeks, later only to find you have to reinvent the wheel all over again! Any takers? Regards, Mike |
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Post by ha2he on Apr 14, 2017 15:59:41 GMT
Hi Charlie & Friends,
Mike, what a superbly thought out and well written piece.
Personally lack of time is an issue, with other commitments and researching a new venture for us (Myself & My Wife).
Definitely not boredom or lack of interest. When I do find time lack of practice and the 'I'm sure I knew that one' I find frustrating, but it makes me more determined.
In turn I then play for longer trying to regain the little bit of guitar player in me, which, in turn gives me pleasure and a sense of achievement.
Then life comes back to remind me of other things, and so the circle starts again.
Excellent site, well run with great people always willing to lend a helping hand or words of advice.
Regards,
Tim.
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Post by bazmusicman on Apr 14, 2017 17:33:10 GMT
Nice one Mike, you have hit the 'nail on the head'. Yes we all love The Shadows, but as you said we all like to go 'off piste' a little bit with different styles etc. But I/we all come back to our roots.
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Post by Charlie Hall on Apr 14, 2017 18:53:13 GMT
Hi Mike,
Excellent post. As for learning and remembering tunes/songs, I have been going through that recently as I have joined another band playing classic rock material. I find that listening many times to a song I have to learn is the best way to get it in your head before beginning to play or sing it. Not just listening in one session either, multiple sessions over a number of days seems to work best for me.
Regards,
Charlie
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Post by ha2he on Apr 14, 2017 20:50:51 GMT
Hi Charlie, Like you, if I learn to play a new number, I usually have it well and truly in my head anyway before I start. All of what I (attempt) to play I am already familiar with, rarely I will hear something on the radio and think I will give that a go, however, a good few years ago this caught my attention, I really liked it and set about learning it. Still like it now. 4 Non BlondesIt's strange how sometimes tunes just fall into place and other times I really struggle. Charlie, nice to know you have joined a new band. Classic rock, I usually think 'Alright now' and similar or have I got that wrong? Regards, Tim. |
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Post by Charlie Hall on Apr 14, 2017 21:20:46 GMT
Hi Tim,
I have played Alright Now a very long time ago, not too keen on it now but you've got the right idea.
The 4 Non Blondes number is apparently not the original.
This is our current list, the running order is not set yet. Still some work to do before we're ready to go out but it's getting there.
Let me know if you don't know the original artists for any of these.
Regards,
Charlie
Old Time Rock And Roll
Out Of Time
All Day And All Of The Night - You Really Got Me
You're No Good
I Can Hear The Grass Grow
Hold Back The Night
Unchain My Heart
Don't Bring Me Down
California Man
Get Ready
Queen Of Hearts
Back In The Night
Rock N' Me
Here Without You
Listen To The Music
Planet Of Women
Big Swell
Story In Your Eyes
Good Ol' Boy
You've Lost That Loving Feeling
That'll Be The Day
I Hear You Knocking
Twisting The Night Away
The Price Of Love
The Letter
Nutbush City Limits
Baby Come Back
Hang On To Yourself
Long Train Running
2468 Motorway
Feel Like Making Love
Gimme All Your lovin'
Drift Away
To Love Somebody
End Of The Line
Keep On Loving You
You Got It
Let's Hang On
Sweet Home Alabama
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Post by ha2he on Apr 14, 2017 21:47:55 GMT
Hi Charlie,
I'll look into the 4 non blondes, I thought it was theirs.
A very familiar set list Charlie, I guess that's why it's called classic, one that seems a surprise is 'End Of The Line' I remember this being a Bryan Ferry number,
I feel I must have that wrong.... or have I?
I know most of the titles but maybe not all of the artists.
On closer reading... what a good set, very varied, ZZ and Buddy, excellent.
Any plans for gigs or just putting it all together for now?
Good luck and best wishes.
Regards,
Tim.
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Post by Charlie Hall on Apr 14, 2017 22:51:15 GMT
Hi Tim,
Thanks. End Of The Line is by The Travelling Wilburys. We are doing the Bryan Ferry version of The Price Of Love. We do plan to do gigs but we're not quite ready yet.
Regards,
Charlie
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Post by ha2he on Apr 14, 2017 23:48:32 GMT
Hi Charlie, Not familiar wth the TW version of End Of The Line, I couldn't see the Bryan Ferry version sitting in easily. I will go over the list and see if I can remember the orininal artists, some are obvious, less obvious very often is the original writer I'm quite amazed sometimes by the original writers, I saw on here earlier Charlie Chaplin, he has penned a few familiar tunes that would surprise many if they knew. Regards, Tim. |
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Post by kipper on Apr 15, 2017 8:14:17 GMT
end of the line traveling wilburys great track, its what they were all about. which was enjoying the music and playing together. great band. peter
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Post by ha2he on Apr 15, 2017 11:07:27 GMT
Of course I know The TW version... Doh!
Excellent song and what a brilliant collaboration that was!
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Post by George Lewis on Apr 16, 2017 4:28:32 GMT
Hi Tim, ..... This is our current list, the running order is not set yet. Still some work to do before we're ready to go out but it's getting there. ..... Regards, Charlie Hi Charlie, Great that you're almost back in the saddle. Do you take requests yet ?? How about Crazy Little Thing Called Love. by Queen and of course .. Move It. by The Shadows ex-singer. Regards George |
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Post by George Lewis on Apr 16, 2017 5:21:53 GMT
Hi Folks, ............. Maybe we need a fresh topic to help rekindle our enthusiasms. Something along the lines of 'How you go about learning and, more importantly, remembering a tune', perhaps? Learning a tune is one thing, but how frustrating to come back to it a few months, or even weeks, later only to find you have to reinvent the wheel all over again! Any takers? Regards, Mike Hi Mike, Nice post with some very good points. I have teamed up with an ex-drummer neighbour who sings and also accompanies me with brushes on a snare drum. We mostly visit Retirement villages, Nursing Homes, various Seniors type Clubs and occasionally Saturday Markets and the Local RSL (returned servicemen) club. I have a working repertoire of about 70 instrumental tunes including 20 that Hank and The Shads never did, and quite a few of Hank's modern tunes. Also around 50 vocals, where I fool around with chords or bits and pieces, occasionally in a similar key to the tune ! We use a cheap Android 10" tablet for the MP3 BT's and for some of the vocals I have a cut down memory jogger chord chart embedded as "artwork" in the MP3 files. This is usually enough to keep me occupied wondering where I am in the tune but no one seems to notice ! We don't of course play all those tunes each time, but it takes a lot of practice to keep the instros up to performance standard. To help when coming back to tunes not played for a while, I sometimes make simple tabs for some of the tricky bits but my aim (for the last 5 yrs !) is to make closeup video recordings as it takes less effort than tabs and is much easier to see where and how it was played. That's the aim anyway. I add new tunes or revisit rarely played ones from time to time. Not so bad if it's a cover, but quite a lot of effort if it's an adaptation of an old standard to give the melodic guitar treatment. I find it helps when learning the melody, to do it in sections and start again when a mistake is made because mistakes repeated over and over are very difficult to get rid of. Unless of course you say it's Jazz ! Once I'm comfortable with the basic melody, I sometimes experiment with slight variations. Occasionally some mistakes turn out to be really good variations ! In general, my philosophy is that since I'm fortunate to be able to "borrow" the composer's creativity, I try to be faithful to his intent with the actual melody with variations only once the melody is established. Especially since the composer is/was a much better musician than me !! The arrangement of a tune is a different question though and much more open. Regards George |
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Post by colin on Apr 16, 2017 11:23:34 GMT
Hi
I am so happy with all these new opinions from you all , with regarding the music we like ..and play.it has been my concern for a long time that the emphasis of topics on this site has always been around shads music, echoes, amps, gossip, etc ... what size plectrum hank uses, did he have heavier strings when playing burns guitars, and yes I know this site was founded on all this, and for all us followers.
but its a breath of fresh air, when we start to play MUSIC of another kind, and can express our feelings and likes of other artists.
I belong the shads club up at Scarborough, and attend it every month, and like other clubs ,I take along my guitar and with other members ,get the chance to play whatever you have to offer, be it live or along to backing tracks...but after all my years of playing,I am now the one who plays everything other than shads stuff, and I am so grateful to people like Roger Allcock, Roger Paulson, and others who constantly give us a taste of other music , some of it completely unknown. to learn and play. At our club, I try and play at least 2 new numbers every time , and all members are excited as to what they will hear next, it gives me so much pleasure to entertain them with something new. And yes I have been there, done it, played Apache, Wonderful Land, Theme for Young Lovers, hundreds of times, but the very word MUSIC is the best medicine on the planet, whatever it is , and however its interpreted, on guitar or drums, it is priceless.
Colin
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Post by kipper on Apr 16, 2017 21:39:56 GMT
Hi I am so happy with all these new opinions from you all , with regarding the music we like ..and play.it has been my concern for a long time that the emphasis of topics on this site has always been around shads music, echoes, amps, gossip, etc ... what size plectrum hank uses, did he have heavier strings when playing burns guitars, and yes I know this site was founded on all this, and for all us followers. but its a breath of fresh air, when we start to play MUSIC of another kind, and can express our feelings and likes of other artists. I belong the shads club up at Scarborough, and attend it every month, and like other clubs ,I take along my guitar and with other members ,get the chance to play whatever you have to offer, be it live or along to backing tracks...but after all my years of playing,I am now the one who plays everything other than shads stuff, and I am so grateful to people like Roger Allcock, Roger Paulson, and others who constantly give us a taste of other music , some of it completely unknown. to learn and play. At our club, I try and play at least 2 new numbers every time , and all members are excited as to what they will hear next, it gives me so much pleasure to entertain them with something new. And yes I have been there, done it, played Apache, Wonderful Land, Theme for Young Lovers, hundreds of times, but the very word MUSIC is the best medicine on the planet, whatever it is , and however its interpreted, on guitar or drums, it is priceless. Colin hi Collin this site was never founded solely on the shadows, and what size plectrum hank uses. Charlie has always wanted this to be an open forum on all kinds of music and equipment amps guitars artists ect. unless I misunderstood all the years I have been a member, it has never been a shadows or hank marvin site. peter |
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Geza
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Post by Geza on Apr 17, 2017 12:23:23 GMT
Hi Mike and everybody else reading this thread, I think I can provide you with a few reasons why some or more folks here assume that this forum is mainly for fans of the Shadows sound: Many of us ended up in this forum by either recommendation by either a friend, or member on another forum, or by Google (currently this forum comes up on the 5th place when you search for the words "shadows" AND "sound") while or when we were searching for more tech info on the Shadows sound. Once you're here, you realize that you'll have a chance to get the best advice when it comes to the sound of the Shadows since Charlie is here too (furthermore this is his forum, branded by his name and its name) Oh, I almost forgot another venue of ending up on this forum, - the way I did about 10 years ago - by being kicked out of other Shadows music related forums It happened so long time ago that I almost forgot how I ended up here: if I recall I got an email from Charlie after I got kicked out of a forum (or maybe I wasn't kicked out? I cannot recall), but the owner of a forum deleted a whole thread of mine that I started about the overheating problem of the Magicstomp saying that there was nothing wrong with the Magicstomp and I was just trying to bad mouth that excellent Yamaha instrument, and I just felt that his censorship was just so unjustified, so then Charlie sent me an email inviting me here saying that here all aspects of technical issues or problems are welcome!) Anyway, I think I got side tracked a bit here, going back the main subject of this thread, more than 90% of the tech talks, sound files and videos are Shadows related. Especially because in the early ages of this forum, only a few had the know-how of "the sound" and all the folks who were thirsty of knowledge on this subject in those days got so drunk when they realized, that finally they've found the fountain of "the sound" that I'm sure in some cases they went overboard and just who knows, maybe a few guys even got divorced for totally forgetting that they were married. Maybe Charlie could add a "NON SHADOWS Music or Sound" board in the main menu where those folks who play other than Shadows tunes could exchange expertise and information. If the title of the board would remain the same starting with "Non" then this board would end up listed right under "General" which is a good place to get it noticed soon. I think it would be a good experiment and then we could all see how much demand there is for such a board on this forum. I would also add a "NON SHADOWS Sound Files" section, so that they won't mix with music made in the Shadows style, and who knows, maybe a Technical support section would be also a good idea to assist those who are looking for not shadows music related technical problems. George: "We use a cheap Android 10" tablet for the MP3 BT's and for some of the vocals I have a cut down memory jogger chord chart embedded as "artwork" in the MP3 files. This is usually enough to keep me occupied wondering where I am in the tune but no one seems to notice !" Would you please, share the name of the MP3 player application or the method of embedding images in MP3 files? Are you talking about some mp3 player that can associate MP3 files with JPG files and display them each with their own associated mp3 files? Geza |
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Post by George Lewis on Apr 17, 2017 13:22:49 GMT
Hi Mike and everybody else reading this thread, George: "We use a cheap Android 10" tablet for the MP3 BT's and for some of the vocals I have a cut down memory jogger chord chart embedded as "artwork" in the MP3 files. This is usually enough to keep me occupied wondering where I am in the tune but no one seems to notice !" Would you please, share the name of the MP3 player application or the method of embedding images in MP3 files? Are you talking about some mp3 player that can associate MP3 files with JPG files and display them each with their own associated mp3 files? Geza Hi Geza, On the Android tablet and backup android phone I use an audio player called Poweramp. After testing quite a lot of apps it continues to be the one that does everything I require .. though no scrolling lyrics which would be nice but not a deal breaker. The chord chart is created as an 800x600 Jpg file using a PC Windows program called Irfanview, though any program able to create a text type jpg, gif or png file could do the job. The chord chart is then embedded into the MP3 file itself as artwork using another PC Windows program called MP3Tag An excellent little program. Poweramp is configured to read embedded artwork from the MP3 file itself rather than a separate additional external jpg file. Hope that makes sense. Regards George |
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Post by Cruachan on Apr 17, 2017 13:34:36 GMT
Hi,
Without doubt, you folks truly are a welcome breath of fresh air! Thanks for all your interesting and inspirational posts. It's great to gain some insight into your lives, including those musical interests extending far beyond the core reason for this website. What is so unique about these forums is the sense we have of having become part of an extended family. As such, and perhaps inevitably, there will always be those fluctuations of mood, those occasional squabbles followed by the makings up, the genuine camaraderie shown between individuals, the humour and the willingness to empathise with those going through distressing periods of misfortune. Underlying it all is that feeling of goodwill, a desire to share our experiences and be helpful with a passion which brings us back here time and time again.
I'm proud to feel I am part of this family.
There will always be occasional periods of quiet and relative inactivity, never to be misconstrued as boredom or lacking of interest.
Regards,
Mike
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Post by colin on Apr 17, 2017 16:41:37 GMT
Hi
some great ideas and response, lets hope it develops, and in reply to peter, I must have been on a different site for the last 10yrs
cheers
Colin
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Geza
Member
Posts: 88
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Post by Geza on Apr 17, 2017 21:01:31 GMT
Hi George,
thanks for that really useful info, I just learned something new today!
Regards,
Geza
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Post by George Lewis on Apr 17, 2017 22:41:59 GMT
Hi Geza, Here are screenshots of the tablet Playlist and an individual tune. As you can see the artwork is very easy to read.  ...  Regards George |
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Post by kipper on Apr 18, 2017 17:12:51 GMT
Hi some great ideas and response, lets hope it develops, and in reply to peter, I must have been on a different site for the last 10yrs cheers Colin don't quiet understand what your saying colin. this forum was never based solely on hank marvin or the shadows I can clearly remember Charlie saying it was about all guitars amps ect and music. perhaps Charlie can clear that up. no wish to offend here just get the detail right. peter |
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Geza
Member
Posts: 88
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Post by Geza on Apr 18, 2017 20:16:54 GMT
Hi Geza, Here are screenshots of the tablet Playlist and an individual tune. As you can see the artwork is very easy to read. Regards George Hi George, thank you for the screenshots, indeed it is. Regards, Geza |
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Post by Charlie Hall on Apr 19, 2017 9:07:27 GMT
Hi Peter,
Yes, that's correct, I started this site with the aim of appealing to guitarists of all styles.
Regards,
Charlie
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Post by kipper on Apr 19, 2017 15:07:34 GMT
Hi Peter, Yes, that's correct, I started this site with the aim of appealing to guitarists of all styles. Regards, Charlie thanks Charlie thought old age had caught up with me at last. maybe life in the old dog yet. peter |
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