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Post by GAJ52 on May 15, 2010 18:31:29 GMT
Gentlemen
Many thanks for your help.
If I listen to a piece of music I can normally play the melody (one finger) on a keyboard practically without any mistakes so I assume I must have some pitch recognition ability. My problem is doing the same with a guitar over 6 strings, I can never remember which fret to press when changing strings, its not logical like a keyboard. I have often read within guitar tutorials to learn specific scales if you want to play Blues, Jazz etc so your fingers get used to a certain pattern over the fretboard but I don't know if this would also apply to the Shads 'melodic' style of music.
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on May 14, 2010 8:01:01 GMT
I have touched on this subject some time ago in another post but can’t find it.
Can anyone give me any advice on learning to play melodic ‘Shadows’ style guitar. I can read tablature and have learnt a few of the easier Shadows tunes, but each tune seems to takes forever to learn. Have any of the members got any tips on learning particular scales or any other idea that would allow me to learn to play melodic style guitar a lot quicker. I am not interested in playing any other guitar style so learning the hundreds of different scales would be a waste of time.
Apart from lots practice I just feel I’m missing something very obvious !!
Many thanks
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Jan 15, 2010 14:55:09 GMT
Thanks for the info Charlie Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Jan 14, 2010 22:56:47 GMT
Hi Charlie
I normally play via my Q2 then a Tonelab LE to a mixer/monitor speakers or computer. I would like to keep the Vox AC15 / 30 tone of the Tonelab but play through my EFTP Acetone amp. Do I just put all the Acetone tone knobs to the 12 o/c position to neutralize the sound so all I get is the amplification.
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Dec 11, 2009 19:16:13 GMT
Charlie
Thanks for the link, the program works fine.
I wasn't sure the updated patches were loaded into the Q2 at first as the process is so quick, the patch name in the Q2 just flashes very briefly, but I did try a before and after sound check on each patch and there was a noticeable difference in sound, plus 0-14 and 0-15 are now Gonzales and FBI respectively.
Regards, Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Dec 11, 2009 14:22:18 GMT
Hi
Can anybody recommend a free downloadable sysex dump utility to transfer Charlies new Q2 echoes to the Q2. I do have Cubase Studio 5 but I can't see how to import the update files. I'm looking for something easy to use and bullet proof.
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Dec 10, 2009 10:42:13 GMT
Gentlemen
Thanks once again for your help on this subject.
Having read your answers I am finally able to apply basic chords within the key to a melody, something in the past which has just been a mystery. More complex chords hopefully will come later as I gain more experience in writing my own music, but from what I have learnt above I feel much more confident.
Thank you
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Nov 24, 2009 10:01:15 GMT
Charlie,
Thanks for the very detailed answer, I appreciate your time. This has now given me a big kick up the backside to brush up on my chord theory before asking any more stupid questions.
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Nov 24, 2009 9:49:19 GMT
Charlie I don't think I explained the problem properly, sorry about that. Within the sequencer the backing track (track 1) is a stereo track and plays with a normal stereo output. The lead I record into track 2 is a mono input, so I can freely move the sound left or right with pan, but this does not seem to blend the lead part into the BT. I read somewhere, I think on the World Wide Shadows site that Abbey Road Studios developed a technique where they copied John Lennons voice to another track and panned the two tracks both left and right with one track delayed by about 10ms. Apparently this can be done these days using a stereo delay VST to blend the lead into the BT mix. I was just wondering if anyone uses this technique to create their sound files and could give us a few tips. Hi Gary Using a stereo output is a good idea . I play my guitar through a Q2 via the 'effect' send and return of a Tonelab LE, the tonelab has stereo outputs. I think I will try that and see if I can improve the mix Regards, Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Nov 23, 2009 20:17:31 GMT
When I try recording with a BT (normally UB Hank) to a computer sequencer, in my case Cubase Studio 5, but could be any sequencer, the lead sound doesn't appear to sit properly within the mix but appears separate as if its two separate recordings playing - which technically it is.
Over at World Wide Shadows Music, Wim has created an tutorial on Cubase where he says the placement of the sound can be accomplished by using a stereo delay effect with the lead and using reverb to place the sound forwards or backwards in the mix.
Just wondering if anyone has any advice on this subject i.e. VST's etc. to produce a proper mix.
BTW I'm using proper studio monitors not computer speakers.
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Nov 23, 2009 19:41:41 GMT
Gentlemen
Many thanks for your comments on this subject.
I think one of my biggest faults is laziness, I've always relied on sheet music or books to play either the lead or rhythm. Also I have never played with other musicians so I have not had the chance to learn from others - this is where this forum is so great, at least I can ask competent musicians their advice.
I do have all the UB Hank tabs, so I will have a look at that, taking on board all what I have learnt from this post, and try to work out why certain chords have been used in the music. Incidentally is the Diminished chord of the scale ever used, this seems to be a bit of an odd ball ?
Thanks again, Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Nov 23, 2009 11:04:17 GMT
Hi Jim
I did what you said with the song in question over the weekend and it came up with various chord sequences for the same tune. What I'm trying to do with this post is learn from the very talented members of this forum to allow myself to work out chords without relying on others or sheet music. My dream is to be able to compose my own music not just copy other peoples.
Cheers
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Nov 23, 2009 10:54:26 GMT
Hi Grip
Thanks, your right I didn't make that very clear.
Its applying a rhythm guitar to a single line melody, what chords does the rhythm guitarist play, its like you would see in a lead sheet. I can play a melody fairly easily on guitar or keyboard but when it comes to finding chords to go with that melody I'm rubbish.
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Nov 23, 2009 10:27:16 GMT
Hi
Can anyone offer me some hints and tips on adding chords to a melody. This is one of my biggest stumbling blocks with music, for some reason its like trying to look through a brick wall, I just need some help in moving a few of the bricks.
Charlie was kind enough to help me out with some chords yesterday and he achieved in 5 mins something that took me all weekend, and I still failed.
I am aware you need to find out the key of the song and mainly use the chords in that key, sounds simple but I still have problems applying suitable chords.
Many thanks
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Nov 19, 2009 17:17:04 GMT
Not being very adventurous I tend to use the patches Charlie suggested in the guide that came with my Q2 (original). I was reading Charlies notes on the 1998 Upgrade package and discovered some very nice echos in this group - 1.62 as Charlie says is a very good general echo.
This got me wondering if other members have favourite echo's they tend to use for general, non Shadows specific songs. I'm referring to the original Q2 (Q20) patches.
I must learn to experiment more
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Nov 1, 2009 0:47:07 GMT
Tony
Many thanks email in the post !!
Lars
Thanks for your help but I don't have the Shadows version. I heard Gary Taylor playing it on the TVS website, very nice arrangement.
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Oct 31, 2009 23:07:03 GMT
Hi Guys
Does anybody know where I could get a backing track to Londonerry Air/Danny Boy. I have tried a couple of midi files but they are not very good quality and would prefer a decent audio BT.
Thanks
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Oct 22, 2009 19:14:22 GMT
Having recently imported the UB Hank backing track 'Theme for Young Lovers' into Cubase Studio 5, I thought I would try and find out the tempo and align the bars and beats lines up with the audio file. The tempo turned out to be 130.76 BPM and all the beats lined up perfectly with the drum track.
I then thought I would try and load a Shads recording of this tune into the same project so I could compare the two. I used the recording from their Life Story album. Having lined up the first bar, the end bar was slightly longer by about half a beat so I had to shorten the file by this amount. Once completed it lined up perfectly and when played together you could hardly here a difference.
This got me thinking how the Shadows recorded their songs because it was note perfect following a one tempo. Unless Brian's drumming was time perfect to the millisecond they must have used a click track or metronome during the recording. Just wondering if anyone has any inside information on this.
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Aug 31, 2009 8:42:38 GMT
Hi Alan
I am very impressed with the sound the French gentleman Gerabriel gets from his guitars and found out he uses Ernie Ball 12 -56's so I (naively) had these strings professionally fitted to my Fender Strat - big mistake. The sound is very disappointing compared to my Newtone 10 - 46's I had before, I was expecting a magical improvement in tone, and now trying to bend the string to the intro of Apache is extremely hard. I have also lost some sustain (see my post in the technical section 'Guitar Lacks Sustain').
On my experience in fitting thicker strings I would say don't, on the other hand I may have just been unlucky and my playing style suits thinner strings.
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Aug 21, 2009 9:14:17 GMT
Gentlemen Many thanks for the great ideas offered to my query. I have taken Ian's advice and 're-ripped' my UB Hank backings to my hard drive using the wav format instead of mp3's. Unfortunately the software I used (Sonicstage) does not have a means to normalise during ripping so I tried the VolBal program suggested by Graeme and it works very well - thanks Graeme This program initially checks the 'loudness' of each track and shows this on a bar graph type display. I was surprised how much more volume Diamonds had (disc 4) compared to Apache or Wonderful Land (disc 1), the finished result was excellent, now all play with a nice balanced volume. Thats another problem solved thanks to the very helpful members of this forum Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Aug 19, 2009 11:44:12 GMT
Hi All
This may sound a strange subject but I have a few problems playing UB Hank backing tracks. I have copied them to my computer hard drive in high quality MP3 format and play them via Windows Media Player or a Sony program called Sonicstage (similar to WMP) through monitor speakers. The trouble is if I play UB Hank1 the backings are at a certain volume but if I play a track from UB Hank 4, Diamonds for example, the backing is a lot louder and I have to either turn it down or increase the volume of my guitar rig. This is not a great problem I admit but it got me wondering how other people play their backing tracks.
Can anyone suggest any software that I could copy these files to, so they play in a 'playlist' (of the tunes I know) and also pre-adjust the volume so they all play at the same level.
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Jul 21, 2009 22:48:33 GMT
Hi Charlie
Yes I saw your post regarding udgrading the older Q2 echo's towards the end of the year - not sure how you can improve on the original ones but I'm sure its going to be worth waiting for. It seems many years since I was in your lounge while you programmed my Q2 for me and by the end of year the internal backup battery must fail - they can't go on for ever !!
I seem to recall you made a modification for copyright purposes to the midi ports on the original units does this mean we cannot save the patches to a computer in case the backup battery fails.
Thanks for your continued support Charlie its much appreciated.
Regards
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Jul 21, 2009 18:57:28 GMT
Having just bought a Tonelab LE (see my other posts) I am still playing around with various settings to use with my Q2 EFTP echo's. I normally use the echo's suggested by Charlie in the Patch list that came with the unit.
As there are so many echo's I was wondering if anyone has some favourite patches for 'general' Shadows style music. I'm refering to the original Q2 patches not Charlies later ones.
Many thanks
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Jul 3, 2009 18:40:13 GMT
Hi Barry & Alex
Many thanks for giving your views on this unit its most appreciated. I was hoping to get a few more comments to make my mind up one way or the other, but looking at other posts on this site it looks reasonably popular so I took the plunge and bought one on the well known auction site today for £185. I'm hoping delivery will only be a few days - fingers crossed.
AS I have a Q2 with Charlie's echoes can anyone give me any tips on setting the Tonelab up with the Q2 and any basic settings so I get a fairly good AC15/30 sound . I won't be using an amp just straight into a computer for recording into Cubase.
Thanks again
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Jun 30, 2009 10:46:20 GMT
Hi Gentlemen
I have been reading the threads on this forum regarding amp simulation, and my attention was drawn towards the Vox Tonelab. In the past have I spent a lot of money trying to get as near to Hanks sound as possible, as I'm sure we all have. So far my equipment list includes a Burns Drifter with Kinman pickups, Jap Marvin Signature Fender, Q2 with original EFTP, G7.1ut with EFTP and a Session Acetone amp.
It may be just lack of expertise setting up EQ etc, although I do use the settings recommended that came with the equipment, but I still cannot get the sound I'm after. There are many sound files on various Shadows websites that produce a sound I would be very happy with, especially Gerebriel (GG). Although I have perfect echoes with Charlies EFTP I think I may be lacking a AC15/AC30 tone. As I just record to computer and not play live, the Tonelab looked very interesting played in front of my Q2.
Now I am retired, finances are limited and I don't want to waste any money on something that will make no difference, as I think I did with the G7.1ut as its not mentioned very often on this and other sites.
Would the Tonelab LE at £299 be a worthwhile investment !!
Many thanks
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Dec 19, 2008 22:07:29 GMT
Just thought of another one, I bought 16 tracks of Beatles tab and backing tracks a few years ago from Total Accuracy, I think they are now called Lick Library www.licklibrary.com/Hope I'm not telling you stuff you already know Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Dec 19, 2008 21:20:49 GMT
Hi Kipper
Steve Gibb has done most of the UB Hank tabs, I have just tried to get a link to his website but it seems down at the moment.
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Dec 17, 2008 1:33:22 GMT
Thanks Charlie I'll try and get some
Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Dec 16, 2008 23:43:08 GMT
I'm stripping down and cleaning an old Tokia Strat that I've had for about 25 years. Its got a rosewood neck with no finish, just bare wood and as you can imagine its pretty grubby after that period of time. Any idea what I could clean it with without damaging the wood or frets BTW ten out of ten for the new Xmas banner, someones been busy Glen
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Post by GAJ52 on Dec 14, 2008 15:27:06 GMT
Hi Charlie Many thanks for all your hard work tidying up the forum, it did seem to be getting a bit out of hand with all the sections being added. On my recent post about the G7 and Q2 I had to toss a coin to decide which section to put it in Regards Glen
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