Back to basics blues jam Part one

[Highway Star]

What I'm looking for here are people who, like me, want to improve their blues playing. I'm putting up a very basic BT which is 4 minutes long and splits niceley into 4 sections, 24 bars a section. What I want you to do is download it and play over it loads of times, in fact play on it until you are happy with what you have before you ask for a place in the jam. I'll work out who goes where and post names later and we can do as many rounds as you like! In fact you can have more than one shot if you've had an eraly go, hear someone elses effort and want a second bash!

I expect to get Blues players in here but also, I'd like players of Shred, acoustic, soft rock, whammy specialists etc. etc. all to get out of their "comfort zone" and have a shot at some trad style blues! Easy yeah? Possibly, possibly not! I also would like a Pro or two (Er... Paul??, Graham?? er please??... do me a favour here guys..) to take a shot to inspire the masses and show that simple blues can be uplifting and inspiring! I want feeling in there and my theory is, if a shredder practices the blues then I reckon he'll end up a better all round player! (possibly). Players of all abilities are welcome but I'd really like it if some of the newer members and those who, like me, are a bit daunted by some of the stars of the sites awesome ability, to go for it and join in rather than just listen. I also want some of you pro, semi pro or just damned talented guys to take a listen to the efforts of the guys nearer the start of their learning curves and pass on a few pearls of wisdom!

The main idea is to get all of us involved in assisting us all to improve!

Don't want much do I!! LOL Please give it a go though guys.

Farl

[ZappaFan]

Great Idea Farley :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

[joebaxi2]

ill second that zappa , fair play to ya farl ,good on ya

[Rick]

very good idea!

[bigdoug]

great idea Farl, count me in

[bluesgeek]

Put me down for that one please Farl, listening to it now :) my kind of blues ;)

[Viscolex]

could i have a go too please? :)

[bwdavis99]

I'm interested as well

[Highway Star]

Nice one guys, I'll sort out a running order later, gives you a bit of time to "polish up" your performances! Anyone fancy kiking it off? anyone fancy being later in the mix?

Farl

[Stempy]

Fit me in somewhere please Farl.

[bluesgeek]

Nice one guys, I'll sort out a running order later, gives you a bit of time to "polish up" your performances! Anyone fancy kiking it off? anyone fancy being later in the mix?

Farl

I don't mind kicking it off, I've got a couple of hours free and I'm warmed up by band practice tonight :D

[Highway Star]

I don't mind kicking it off, I've got a couple of hours free and I'm warmed up by band practice tonight :D

Just got in!! OK, go for it! I'll post the rest in an hour or so!!

Farl

[Highway Star]

Bugger!! Just realised that bluesgeek lives in upsidedown land where the clocks are all fast!! Anyway, it'll give others the chance to get real good!!

Part 1

1st Bluesgeek
2nd Big D
3rd Joebaxi
4th BWDavis99

That can be on this thread. Good luck guys and lets hope for plenty of comments, help, pointers etc.

Part 2

1st Visco
2nd Farl
3rd Stempy
4th Zappa (if thats OK Zapp?)

I'll start a new thread so Visco can take it away.

Nice one guys, lets hope for some more participants! I'm thinking of Six, Zuesse, mjknowles, Zane, Guitarpima, Stew, Zombo, Ini, Graham, Sille, Paul Strathead, Kirk, John Nation, Mike Rowe, Junkala, stevedak, Rick - both of you! LOL, Leezor, Scali, Flashriffs, Canyon carver, charli69, doc, Dude, mart77, MuRpH, Petrucci's shadow , Rob Lee , vaibajez, wolfie, steve bee , wally53 and loads more!! (please... and sorry if I missed anyone...)

About 57 seconds of play guys, you can do that for me can't you?? Think of it as an early birthday pressie for me! LOL This could be the biggest jam in 6SH history with a bit of help from you guys!

Farl

[Guitarpima]

Count me in for a spot.

[zeusse]

But didn't my Gary Moore noodle count as me reflecting my mellow bluesy side......LOL Ok put me in I do need more work in this area

[Highway Star]

But didn't my Gary Moore noodle count as me reflecting my mellow bluesy side......LOL Ok put me in I do need more work in this area

I've been in and out!! Havn't heard it yet but I will and... I'll count you in on part three!!

Cheers,

Farl

[Highway Star]

Count me in for a spot.

Thanks GP, I'll start a part 3 then!!

Farl

[Highway Star]

But didn't my Gary Moore noodle count as me reflecting my mellow bluesy side......LOL Ok put me in I do need more work in this area

Just listened and yes, very mellow and moody!! This one is a bit faster though!! LOL

Farl

[Six]

Nice one guys, lets hope for some more participants! I'm thinking of Six, Zuesse, mjknowles, Zane, Guitarpima, Stew, Zombo, Ini, Graham, Sille, Paul Strathead, Kirk, John Nation, Mike Rowe, Junkala, stevedak, Rick - both of you! LOL, Leezor, Scali, Flashriffs, Canyon carver, charli69, doc, Dude, mart77, MuRpH, Petrucci's shadow , Rob Lee , vaibajez, wolfie, steve bee , wally53 and loads more!! (please... and sorry if I missed anyone...)

About 57 seconds of play guys, you can do that for me can't you?? Think of it as an early birthday pressie for me! LOL This could be the biggest jam in 6SH history with a bit of help from you guys!
Farl

How could I possibly deny you when you ask so nicely... be warned though, I'm crap at blues.

[Highway Star]

How could I possibly deny you when you ask so nicely... be warned though, I'm crap at blues.

All the more reason to have a go and... you are not alone! I'm shoddy at blues as well but I figure this will help us all a little bit.

Thanks Phil, Jam no. 3 part 3 for you then!

Farl

[Highway Star]

Here you go guys, not entirely happy with it but I'm probably just being picky :(

Wel... this is how I see it. This jam is all about learning, no rush so, if you are not happy then take another bash and post it when you are. I really don't mind how long it takes.

To my ears it was a nice Gary Moore sounding piece. I picked up on a couple of hesitant notes but it had a nice, "smoke filled Friday night bar" feel to it and personally, I would have been happy to post it but honestly mate, if you are not happy then take another shot.

It does prove my theory though, plain drum and bass is just really like a plain canvas. You've got to do all of the colouring with your fingers! Not as easy as it first apears!

Cheers for what (in my opinion) is a great start!

Farl

[bluesgeek]

Thanks for the kind words but I just wasn't happy, mostly with the tone for some reason it just didn't sit right for me and I've muted my rhythm track as it sort of detracted too much.... I've had another bash (as attached) which I'm pleased with :lol:

[Highway Star]

Thanks for the kind words but I just wasn't happy, mostly with the tone for some reason it just didn't sit right for me and I've muted my rhythm track as it sort of detracted too much.... I've had another bash (as attached) which I'm pleased with :lol:

Nice light touch! and, I'm still stuck in that smokey Blues bar!! Now that you're happy then I'm happy! The cleaner tone does sound better BTW and really suits the BT! So.... we are away! Big D is next on stage!

Cheers,

Farl

[zeusse]

Hey Bluesgeek that was a mucho fabulous take it did remind me of a smokey bar but then everything does now that I quit smoking.......Day 2 and struggling but holding:arrrgh:

[bigdoug]

ok I'm on the case, great start bluesgeek :thumb:

[bluesgeek]

Cheers guys :) Going to quitting again myself shortly Eric, I know it can be a PITA :( Hold on in there...

[bigdoug]

ok my bits done I have emailed Zap the file so it will appear on here soon (I hope). I tried to keep it funky(oh er missus) and I used a lot of double stops to try and fill the track a little. Hope you guys like it.:smile:

[ZappaFan]

ok my bits done I have emailed Zap the file so it will appear on here soon (I hope). I tried to keep it funky(oh er missus) and I used a lot of double stops to try and fill the track a little. Hope you guys like it.:smile:

Will upload it when get home this evening. Sorry for the delay but I dont have access to my home email from work.

[doc]

can i still get in on this???i think i could have a go???

[ZappaFan]

Sorry for the delay, been a hectic one , here is Bigdougs bit for this one.

[zeusse]

Hey doc I think we got a spot on the #3 one I'll put you down you get the last spot ok

[bigdoug]

ok thats joebaxi next then bwdavis99

[joebaxi2]

ok gents ill be on it today /tom morning , if a havent thrown me self of a bridge with nicoteen withdrawel !!!!lol

[Highway Star]

Hell,Big D! I was expecting clean and we got Dirty!! Nice job there! Pinched harmonics as well! Jeez man! What's next!

Farl

[Andyboy]

Sooper dooper

Pinch Harms Big D woo hoo

Well done liked it, very slick chaps

Andy

[joebaxi2]

ok here we go , im gona call my bit , the no smoking blues !! ermm doesnt quite fit does it ? lol bit of less is more ???

[bigdoug]

hey joe (wait a minute that would make a good song title) that was great, nice fuzz to the tone and great phrasing, welldone :thumb:

[Highway Star]

JB mate, you must be well chuffed with the way things are going! Great tone, phrasing! Getting better by the week matey!

Farl

[Guitarpima]

Great job so far guys. great tone and some nice bluesy licks going on.

[bwdavis99]

I may be a few days posting mine up, I've just won a bid on ebay for a pod xt live $275.00 US dollars. Can't wait to get that and give it a go

[zeusse]

Great stuff JB had lots of feel to it matey.....and just curious does second hand smoke count as cheating I got stuck in smokey room today and man was it killing me....omg! but I held strong.

Barry's gettin cool gear ohhh yeah your not gonna leave the house for awhile after that thing arrives...your sucked in now..LOL

[bwdavis99]

Pod XT has been shipped usps should be here in another day or two (tapping foot impatiently)

[bwdavis99]

Well it's in Atlanta should be at my door any day now

[bwdavis99]

Well it's here, I've got the sore fingers to prove it. I gotta get recording with it sorted out and I'll be ready. I'm thinking I'll continue to use audicity. Gearbox and Riffworks don't sound like there are fully functual

[zeusse]

congrats dude it only gets better now

[bigdoug]

bump...what's the hold up Barry, you must have found a cool tone by now :grin:

[bwdavis99]

Sorry guys, just changed jobs and have had a lot on my plate; back in the HVAC business and it got hot early so we've been slammed. Barely had time to touch the new addition. It's justing sitting there tempting me. I have to download audacity tonight and I'll try to spend some time on it. Motherboard crashed a few weeks back and they had to wipe my hard drive.

[bwdavis99]

Okay, I'm confused, how do you guys using the xt live connect and record, I connected with the USB and can't figure out how to record it in Audacity, tried going direct to the sound card and that didn't seem to work either

[ZappaFan]

can anyone help Barry out here, c'mon you techie XT owners

[Blue]

Have you downloaded and installed drivers for the XT Live from Line 6? If so then in Audacity if you go to Edit/Preferences you should get a dialog box that lets you select the Line6 device as your recording and playback device.

When connected by USB the POD will act as a soundcard so you can only monitor through headphones or speakers connected to the POD. You won't hear anything through your PC soundcard.

[bwdavis99]

Thanks Blue

[bwdavis99]

I think this is the right file

[Highway Star]

I think this is the right file

It is indeed!! I'm real pleased that you got things working. The back to basics thing was always about a full integration of all styles, abilities etc all coming together to "have a go" whether it was in their comfort zone or not. There have been a few surprises along the way for people that have found out that Blues is not quite as easy as they first though!

As for your playing.... The first 12 bar pattern is certainly good for timing and to get into the grove of the tune, being constructive, I think that the timing was close but slipped a tad at 3:10, the second 12 bars showed that your improvisation is coming on, I liked the basic tone and there were a couple of nice runs, I think again that timing is the key though, work on that and play a bit more relaxed and I think you will see great changes. Did you feel any tension when you hit that dreaded record button??

Anyway Barry, well done mate, I'm well chuffed that you finished it of and finally got your recording gear sorted!!

Farl

[bigdoug]

yeah well done Barry, I can have closure on this one now :grin:

[bwdavis99]

It is indeed!! I'm real pleased that you got things working. The back to basics thing was always about a full integration of all styles, abilities etc all coming together to "have a go" whether it was in their comfort zone or not. There have been a few surprises along the way for people that have found out that Blues is not quite as easy as they first though!

As for your playing.... The first 12 bar pattern is certainly good for timing and to get into the grove of the tune, being constructive, I think that the timing was close but slipped a tad at 3:10, the second 12 bars showed that your improvisation is coming on, I liked the basic tone and there were a couple of nice runs, I think again that timing is the key though, work on that and play a bit more relaxed and I think you will see great changes. Did you feel any tension when you hit that dreaded record button??

Anyway Barry, well done mate, I'm well chuffed that you finished it of and finally got your recording gear sorted!!

Farl

Yeah someone should invent a recording system that you don't have to turn on or even know it's there. It makes me want to think about what I'm playing and that just compounds the struggle I already have with timing from playing for years with just an acoustic and no track

[Neil G40]

Could somebody tell me what key this is in please?

Thanks

Neil

[Highway Star]

Could somebody tell me what key this is in please?

Thanks

Neil

It's a std 12 bar blues progression in A so, A, D and E. You can pinch the bare BT from the start of the thread. Post up a bit if you like. Start a new thread and people will join in or just take the BT for practice.

Cheers

Farl

[Neil G40]

I thought it was but when I tried recording a rhythm track over the top of it it just didn't sound right. I'm beginning to wonder if its a latency problem thats moving it slightly out of sync and making it sound strange to my ears, I'm using a guitarport and tracktion by the way.

Neil

[Highway Star]

I use Guitarport but recored wit Adobe Audition. Not tried tracktion so I'm afraid I cant help there although I'm sure that others will be adle to help out. How does it sound on the guitarport when you use the player and take it straight from your had drive??

Farl

[zeusse]

Well we have liftoff Barry tone sounds great and other than what Farl said you just have to figure out how to get the levels right I had to crank my speakers to hear that but don't worry I had the same problem when I first started recording with my GNX....its a learning curve:-D

[Blue]

I thought it was but when I tried recording a rhythm track over the top of it it just didn't sound right. I'm beginning to wonder if its a latency problem thats moving it slightly out of sync and making it sound strange to my ears, I'm using a guitarport and tracktion by the way.

Neil

When you select the Guitarport in Tracktion just check what latency is set to. It sometimes defaults to a high value. Depending on your PC you should try setting it to less than 512 samples.

[Neil G40]

I got it sorted in the end, turned out to be the guitar that was slightly out of tune (probably needs some new strings).

I just need to do a lot of practice now get get something sounding half decent.

[Highway Star]

I got it sorted in the end, turned out to be the guitar that was slightly out of tune (probably needs some new strings).

I just need to do a lot of practice now get get something sounding half decent.

Nice one! Look forward to hearing something from you soon!!

Farl

[bwdavis99]

Well we have liftoff Barry tone sounds great and other than what Farl said you just have to figure out how to get the levels right I had to crank my speakers to hear that but don't worry I had the same problem when I first started recording with my GNX....its a learning curve:-D

Wise words Oh God of thunder, It is a world of difference from playing live with no one to scream "your to loud" or "turn it up"

[zeusse]

Wise words Oh God of thunder, It is a world of difference from playing live with no one to scream "your to loud" or "turn it up"Now they will be envious of your tone:grin: