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Topic: When YOU're playing what do you think about? |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 14 Sep 2014 5:01 pm |
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When you're playing a great instrumental or doing some exceptionally fine back-up for this vocalist or that one.......
WHAT? are you thinking about?
Do you guys REALLY worry about or even think about whether the melody is going to be played using this diminished chord, that augmented chord, this triad or that favorite suspended 13th? Do you really care what the name of the note is on this or that fret........?
Don't you really just play what the melody dictates so that you're playing will sound really nice while presenting a tune the audience can hum.....if they choose to? Isn't it the bassman and rhythm guitar players responsibility to give you that chordal tone? |
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Larry Lorows
From:
Zephyrhills,Florida, USA
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Posted 14 Sep 2014 5:32 pm
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The older I get, it's hard just to remember what key I'm in, and the chords,& that's no joke. I used to be able to smoke a cigarette, have a drink, and watch the girls go by.
My wife took care of the girl watching, my heart attack took care of my smoking, and I just don't drink much any more.
_________________
U12 Williams keyless 400
Vegas 400, Nashville 112, Line 6 pod xt |
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Larry Lorows
From:
Zephyrhills,Florida, USA
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Posted 14 Sep 2014 5:33 pm
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The older I get, it's hard just to remember what key I'm in, and the chords,& that's no joke. I used to be able to smoke a cigarette, have a drink, and watch the girls go by.
My wife took care of the girl watching, my heart attack took care of my smoking, and I just don't drink much any more.
_________________
U12 Williams keyless 400
Vegas 400, Nashville 112, Line 6 pod xt |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 14 Sep 2014 6:30 pm
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If it is with a band that we do the song at every gig, I usually don't think about what I am playing. It is kind of like being on autopilot. But if it is a song I am not real familiar with, I will usually try to play something based on the melody of the song. Since the melody can be played at several places, I think of where I want to start. I decide on what fret, what pedals, what strings, etc... And there are times when I play solos that are not based on the melody. That takes a lot more thought to make sure I play something appropriate. Then I have to take a half hour break because brain over heated.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 14 Sep 2014 6:32 pm
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Oh... I also check out the ladies. 
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 14 Sep 2014 6:56 pm
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| When I'm playing I think about bacon sandwiches, dripping with lard, covered in ketchup. In fact, since I've been on this terrible diet I've lost 40 lbs. and think of little else than the food I would like to eat but can't. |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 14 Sep 2014 6:58 pm
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| Larry Lorows wrote: |
| The older I get, it's hard just to remember what key I'm in... |
In fact, it's also hard to remember whether you've already clicked on the "SUBMIT", too.  |
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Henry Matthews
From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
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Posted 14 Sep 2014 8:54 pm
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I'm confused, are you supposed to think when you play? 
_________________
Henry Matthews
D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes. |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Christopher Woitach
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 14 Sep 2014 9:46 pm
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What's wrong with thinking about how the melody you're improvising fits with the chords? Why are you so against that? It makes absolutely no sense to me to avoid caring about the harmony you're playing over.
_________________
Christopher Woitach
cw@affmusic.com
www.affmusic.com |
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Bud Angelotti
From:
Larryville, NJ, USA
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Posted 14 Sep 2014 10:44 pm
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| Quote: |
Do you guys REALLY worry about or even think about whether the melody is going to be played using this diminished chord, that augmented chord, this triad or that favorite suspended 13th? Do you really care what the name of the note is on this or that fret........?
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You said it Ray. The voice of REAL experience.
Personally, when I'm focused, I try to keep it to about 3 things.
#1 Just making a "pleasing" sound.
#2 The ladies
#3 Iceland's role in WWII
I'm serious.
My objective is to go to another dimension mentally, and sound & music is the vehical.
I don't think many of the listeners care much about this diminished chord, that augmented chord either.
They just want to have fun.
Of course if some players want or need to think about this diminished chord, or that augmented chord
more power to 'em. 
_________________
Just 'cause I look stupid, don't mean I'm not. |
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Savell
From:
Slocomb, AL
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Posted 14 Sep 2014 11:27 pm
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I can't remember playing a great instrumental.
Thought I would once. What was I thinking?
There's my trouble, come to think of it. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 15 Sep 2014 3:55 am Re: When YOU're playing what do you think about?
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| Ray Montee wrote: |
Do you guys REALLY worry about or even think about whether the melody is going to be played using this diminished chord, that augmented chord, this triad or that favorite suspended 13th? Do you really care what the name of the note is on this or that fret........? |
Yes and yes.
| Ray Montee wrote: |
Don't you really just play what the melody dictates so that you're playing will sound really nice while presenting a tune the audience can hum.....if they choose to? Isn't it the bassman and rhythm guitar players responsibility to give you that chordal tone? |
No and no.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 15 Sep 2014 5:23 am Re: When YOU're playing what do you think about?
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| Mike Neer wrote: |
| Ray Montee wrote: |
Do you guys REALLY worry about or even think about whether the melody is going to be played using this diminished chord, that augmented chord, this triad or that favorite suspended 13th? Do you really care what the name of the note is on this or that fret........? |
Yes and yes.
| Ray Montee wrote: |
Don't you really just play what the melody dictates so that you're playing will sound really nice while presenting a tune the audience can hum.....if they choose to? Isn't it the bassman and rhythm guitar players responsibility to give you that chordal tone? |
No and no. |
I am with Mike on this. It is very important to be aware of the harmony and my place within it. Also I keep rhythm And feel in mind. If the band is not together I avoid playing rhythm so as not to further confuse the sound. Or if things are grooving I may play a rhythmic backup in unison with another player to help the ensemble. I play close attention to the drummer's and singers phrasing and try to act as a bridge between them.
I also listen for register. It is important to be aware of how high or low the sounds are in the ensemble. Then I can choose to play above, below or in the same range depending on what the song needs.
I do my best to "hear" what I am playing before I play it. If I find myself chasing chords during a song I get in trouble usually.
I also think about structure. If my big moment is during the second chorus then that means lay out in the verse before. Or if the story of the song is wrapped up in the 3rd verse I may lay out in order to not distract from the narrative.
My brain is going full blast while I am playing but it doesn't feel like thinking really. It is more like staying aware of my options and the meaning of those options while music pours out of my heart.
Btw: I do my best to leave plenty of room in my brain to pay attention to the good looking women dancing by and wonder if I left my laundry in the dryer.
_________________
Bob |
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Patrick Strain
From:
Binghamton/Gilbertsville, NY
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Posted 15 Sep 2014 7:01 am
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I'm not much of a player, but the parts I play are simple. I'm usually thinking about singing. I find it much harder to play steel and sing than to play six-string and sing.
_________________
Sierra Crown D-10 8+4, Sierra S-10 3+4, Carter D-10 8+7, Carter Starter 3+ a lot of engineering problems |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 15 Sep 2014 7:33 am
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When I'm at my best, I'm thinking ahead. I have issued instructions to my body on what to play in real time, and I'm actually a few beats ahead of that in my mind. This advance planning makes better solos, in my opinion.
When I'm at my worst, the music is ahead of me and I'm struggling to catch up. I can stay in key (almost always) but the solo makes little musical sense, no tension and release, barely in touch with the chord progression.
_________________
-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
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Doug Palmer
From:
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 15 Sep 2014 7:48 am Thinking & Playing
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A Mind reader went to hear a band. While they were playing he read each players mind. The guitar player was thinking, "There's a good crowd tonight, we should make good money". The Drummer was thinking, "Man what a lot of hot chicks. I should get lucky tonight". The Steel Player was thinking, " What am I doing playing with these Bozos. They can't even play an augmented chord." The Bass player was thinking, " C G C G C G."
_________________
Emmons D-10, ST-10,LD-10 III, NV-112,Fender Deluxe Reverb. Authorized wholesale dealer musicorp.com! |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 15 Sep 2014 8:01 am
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I actually concentrate on the physical aspects of playing. Mostly trying to intonate correctly, sometimes on which strings to pick.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 15 Sep 2014 9:21 am
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| chicks! |
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Dean Rimmer
From:
texas
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Posted 15 Sep 2014 11:11 am
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| the existential dilemma |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 15 Sep 2014 11:28 am
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The ultimate question of Life, the Universe and Everything: to which we know the answer is 42.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Herb Steiner
From:
Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064
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Posted 15 Sep 2014 1:15 pm
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I'm singing the song, with my guitar but as close to emotionally lyrical as I can get. I'd actually like to be Sinatra.
Also, a good deal of what Bob Hoffnar said about being aware of your musical surroundings and acting appropriately. Especially correct about laying out, if possible, before you either solo or fill. Occupying the aural space previous with even a subtle pad previous to your entry will lessen its impact.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?
Last edited by Herb Steiner on 15 Sep 2014 1:33 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Robert Dominick
From:
Bradenton, FL
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Posted 15 Sep 2014 1:18 pm
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| I'm with Richard on this one! |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 15 Sep 2014 3:45 pm
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| No clue. I zone out. Never play the same song twice the same way, except for required signature licks. It's as if another sub-conscious part of my brain takes over. |
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