KVR Audio

the_nihilist · Post by **the_nihilist** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:20 am

So, I had a guitarist and bassist over to jam with today... this was the first time I've ever jammed with someone, and it was a pretty enlightening experience.

First of all, the vibe felt tremendous... completely different from sitting down in front of the sequencer. Everything had a really laid back feel, that just sounded really neat in context... I was messing around with some simple chord progressions, the guitar player was playing some interesting stuff, and the bassist was putting together a pretty nice groove.

The downside, though, is that my keyboard skills utterly and completely suck. I've used the sequencer as a crutch for far too long, and well... I really, really need to practice. I may know alot of theory, but not being able to actually use any of it because you can't play it just really sucks.

Anyways, I've resolved to dedicate myself more to practicing... I feel like if I can start playing more complicated (than triad) chord progressions consistently, I'll be able to do something that sounds less amateurish.

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:31 am

I'd just give up on jams, who wants anyone else interfering anyway!?!

WoJ · Post by **WoJ** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:32 am

Noo! You'll end up playing jaaath for all eternity!

So did the The Beatles use complicated chords...?

WoJ

glurgle · Post by **glurgle** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:07 am

I'm in agreeance with the original post here. Playing with other musicians is hard, and a pain in the ass, and really brings your focus to your own playing skills (or lack thereof) but there really isn't anything else that makes me feel that connected to another human being that won't get me run out of town if I do it in public (though that's a risk with my music too sometimes

). Of course, this can swing the other way into extreme awkwardness when it's obviously not working and everybody is trying to grin and bear it.

Muff Wiggler · Post by **Muff Wiggler** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:13 am

omg i find it so much easier than sitting in front of a sequencer trying to get inspired!

WoJ · Post by **WoJ** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:21 am

Nothing beats being in a band, have none of you ever seen spinal tap!

WoJ

G&L_player · Post by **G&L_player** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:26 am

It's not one or the other (i.e. tracking; gigging); it's one AND the other.

Hink · Post by **Hink** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:33 am

my only problem with bands is sometimes drummers screw me up...it's hard to find drummers that don't let me lead them. I've been working with sequencers and drum machines so long I've become accustom to metronomes and strict timing.

I tend to play fast, when I get pumped up I can take off. With drum machines I know that when I go faster the tempo stays the same. With too many live drummers I run into the problem where when I get pumped up and take off, they do to...leaving me flustered because the tempo has changed...a good human metronome is tough to find, but a killer fast drummer isn't as hard to find, and fun as it may be I need the structure...

G&L_player · Post by **G&L_player** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:40 am

Hink wrote:a good human metronome is tough to find,

Isn't the ideal to have everyone involved possess the correct semblence of timing? Ergo, one checks the other?

keyman_sam · Post by **keyman_sam** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:42 am

I love jamming with others - but only if i have a LOT of keyboard parts to play. Like when i was in high school(in india i mean). I lead my band and it was a lot of fun.

I miss that.

No amount of seq. can give you that pleasure.

Hink · Post by **Hink** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:57 am

G&L_player wrote:
Hink wrote:a good human metronome is tough to find,
Isn't the ideal to have everyone involved possess the correct semblence of timing? Ergo, one checks the other?

I'm not sure I see your point, should I not speed up? If he stays in time I won't be out of time...if I have to pull back on the reigns to put him back in check....well I call that flustered...besides it is the rhythm sections job to hold the rhythm...if the drummer is not up to it, it can hardly be my responsibility except to say "I'm sorry but...."

too me you just said that I don't have any semblance of timing, or don't take responsibility for holding up my end...but as I said drum machines and sequencers have spoiled me...I'm use to consistency...so I must have a semblance of timing and I must be fairly disciplined or it wouldn't phase me.

If the drummer speeds up it's also tough for a bass player to bring him back, though the bass player would have more of the role to do so than the guitarist.

Perhaps I just have the mis-fortune of not finding good drummers, I had one for years and we had a good thing going for a long time in the 80's...a lot has changed since then, but since I have gone through a few drummers (and a lot of jam nights) and finally gave up. Life was too busy for a band anyhow and doing it myself served me better...

Muzik 4 Machines · Post by **Muzik 4 Machines** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:06 am

i_was_so_used_to_sequencer_i_had_ALL_the_band_play_to_the_clic_track_live
works_wonder,_especially_to_help_some_remember_CHANGES;)

John Vulich · Post by **John Vulich** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:11 am

BONES wrote:I'd just give up on jams, who wants anyone else interfering anyway!?!

Both are fun. Why limit yourself to one approach. I jam with some of my buddies, one of which owns a nearby recording studio, every now and then. I prefer working on my own but it's a nice change of pace to do something different every now and then. I have certainly gained a different perspective by playing with others and feel like I've been able to incorporate some of that experience into my solo work.

Hink · Post by **Hink** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:15 am

yeah my gauge has become "what is his attitude towards the click track"...mind you I didn't say if they could work with a click track...face it, the biggest population of wannabes is drummers...everyone is an air drummer...I kinda really look the rock and roller type, and having sold many of the people in my community their gear I am known by my love of music.

As a result someone always wants to introduce me to someone, often drummers. I have found that when chatting up a drummer a good question is "how do you feel about working with a click track?" The reaction (not just verbal) says a lot...but again these days that's very low on my list of priorities...

foosnark · Post by **foosnark** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:20 am

Topic: playing with real musicians is hard

Didn't we just do the "are we real musicians?" thread? 'cause playing with yourself is really easy.