The Steel Guitar Forum

These aren't really too polished (actually, just quick-n-dirty one takes), but thought I'd post to see if anyone thinks this even works or not. I'm trying to put together a repertoire of things I can play with just my tricone and acoustic (strung up with nut raiser for lap playing). I want to keep things to just lap style, although, I may have a third guitar for regular playing, too. My aim is small happy hour joints, coffee house type things. I have a lot of stuff with vocals, too, and everything from old John Lennon stuff to Dylan to even a Hendrix tune.

I'm loathe to use any type of backing tracks, if I can help it. I've done that for little parties and events in the past, but it's just not nearly as satisfying as playing it all live, warts 'n all. That said, I'm not opposed to getting and learning to use a looper, since everything is still created 'on the fly' with those. My guitarist does a solo thing with his Boomerang, and to very good effect (i.e., just like spice, a little goes a long way, and less is more).

These two new ones are "Hula Blues" and "Magnetic Isles." The other stuff is old, and I keep forgetting to take it down.

http://www.garageband.com/artist/kanekila

Thanks for listening and for your feedback.

TJW

Quite impressive for what you called, "Quick and dirty one-takes." The rhythym on, "Magnetic Isles," needs to be steadier. It never really gets established. But I think you're definitely onto something for doing lap style coffee house solos. And I think you could sell a CD of that stuff. It'll sound GREAT polished up. Kind of like a classical guitarist.

Thanks, Ed. Yes, you're right about Magnetic Isles. I was using a 'free-tempo' rubato style of playing on that, but it loses quite a bit in the translation of not being in front of people while playing it (lots of 'body english').

I appreciate you're feedback, though. I've always been a fan of those who can just make an instrument by itself make great music, even without accompaniment (or providing its own).

Thanks for the 'classical guitarist' reference. I don't fancy myself as such, but I like that style, so maybe that's where some of that feel is coming from(?)

Mahalo,
TJW

translation.......body english......there is a thread in MUSIC, I think, that talks some about the difference between live performance and recording. You might be interested. It's called,"If you were producing your own CD," or something like that.

Todd are you in GBDGBD?

I love these arrangements Todd. I've done a few myself on tricone and I'm amazed at the variety of tone that can be obtained from the instrument. I love the rubato effect you've created with Magnetic Isle. One of the advantages with playing solo is that you're not restricted by tempo.

Todd-- love the Travis picking on "Hula Blues"!! Works very well with that tune. "Magnetic Isles" is another good choice-- maybe it needs more focus but I 'm sure it'll shape up nicely. That's a Jeff Au Hoy tune as I recall-- I think he did most of it on the high 4 strings, tuned lo-hi E G# C# E. How did you tune the tricone for that one?

You must be stoked about the solo thing. I'm sure you'll bring it off very well. The looping strategy definitely sounds promising. Keep us tuned as you get it all up and running.

Sorry not to let you know sooner, but I've been enjoying your CDs!

--Steve

AJ Azure wrote:Todd are you in GBDGBD?

Hey guys -- thank you for the great comments and feedback! I appreciate it very much.

AJ and Stephan -- I'm using a D6/Bm tuning. Basically, open D, but with the two A strings tuned to B, so it's (l-h) D-B-D-F#-B-D. Really, the overall sonority of it is Bm, but those three D strings can bring it back to D major (without the fith, of course), when you pluck the right strings.

I've been mostly a C6 (CEGACE) player for a long time, but I've really been getting into the G tuning and it's variations (DGDGBD, GBDF#BD, DGDF#AD, DGDF#BD, DADF#AD, DADFAD, etc). I used to miss certain strings, and not having that major 2nd, but I'm really getting used to it now, and really liking it. I like being able to pick up any guitar, and retune it to play it lap style with a bar. In fact, now, I try to carry a bar, picks, and nut-raiser all in a small pouch with me, so I have them in case the need arises.

I was using DGEGBD but, the low was getting buried under my two guitar players and bass player so i just settled on GBEGBD (for now any way

The problem is that i actually comp jazz gypsy style rhythm, etc, so i need a full enough sound and yet enough accessibility to scales and arpeggios for soloing,melody playing an sight reading.

GBDF#BD looks interesting too.