Rudi

pedalsteelpaul, In your example, most people would stick to Gmaj (modal). There is no reason not to change scale along with the chord changes though (I do it a lot). Personally, I would ditch the pentatonic scale idea and go for a G mixolydian scale (mode really). This is a regular major scale but with a flattened 7th. Sounds sweet for a country type tune. http://gosk.com/scales/mixolydian-scale-for-guitar.php If playing the G mixolydian mode seems awkward, just play a regular Cmajor scale instead. This will produce all the right notes for G mixolydian.

You can do that and more with digital keys. I guess its just a personal preference, but by eliminating picking you lose a large amount of stylistic range (and individuality). IMO, more than you gain by the tap. Thats why I thought of a piano, a move from the guitar such as this example points to keys. One or both of us are misunderstanding something here. I had asked: How can dampening at the nut affect the following: B string is fretted and held at 3rd fret (D) hammer on is at 5th fret (E), tap is introduced at 7th fret (F#) ?

I gather thats the stick then. Why doesnt he just get a piano? How about the dampening question Mike? regards Rudi

Im no expert but Im sure Prometheus has it right. Compression maximises volume by cutting peaks & so maximising quieter parts. Also, some engineers still shift track volumes around to the same end. For example, a piano intro may be loud, but when the rest of the band kick in, its volume is reduced to support vocals and balance with the other instruments better. Im told that compression is why most tv adds sound louder than the programs. I used to think is was deliberate.

Thanks John, Well my acoustic is a plain old box without pickups. The mic cable is as far from the power cables as it can get. Ive never heard of a a signal conditioner, so I'll google it. I've decided to source a double shielded mic cable anyway.

Thank you Mike. I dont understand everything you explain, but I gather that a chapman stick isnt a coldsore remedy right? Nails: I cant compromise my nail length, nor can I risk damage by using them for tapping. Fingerstyle is vital to my playing. I will try the edge of my thumb though.The circular motion you describe is what I meant by the pull-off motion. I know what you mean by string vibration either side of the finger, but surely dampening the fretboard wont make any difference. Shouldnt the dampening occur at the bridge end? (If so I dont have big enough socks). I guess all I anticipate about tapping is just to try it out in the odd solo. I dont get to listen to the heavy guys much but all tech is interesting and there to be used. regards Rudi

Hi, TapperMike & all, I have been playing for 42 years and dont understand most of the tech here. Being self taught, I didnt learn these terms. The last technique I ever mastered was to pick every single note (no hammer-ons/pull offs etc). I believe Wes Montgomery advocated this. I think it may be called 'speed picking' in todays tongue. It informs a lot of my live playing these days. I cant tap. I met a guy who was demonstarting guitar techniques last year (on a cruise, would you believe!) He said that tap was easy. I tried what he showed and yes it was easy. I tried it using the first joint of my index finger (not the tip). Now, I used to think that tapping was a limited technique and not worth acquiring, but this guy used it sparingly and never on an open string. So I am now enlightened, but find without this mans example I am no longer able to do it. NOTE: I cannot use my fingers to tap, because I have long nails (for fingerpicking of course), so have to use either a pick or else knuckles. I think the problem may be this. A standard pull-off entails a tiny sideways motion (in the direction of the fret) before release, not enough to slur, but enough to ping the string & get it to vibrate. This doesnt happen with the pick or knuckles. I think it worked on the cruise guy's rig because he had a lot of gain applied. I prefer to use gain moderately. So am I wasting my time here or am I still missing something? Rudi

Hi TOR, Im not sure I am able to phase invert with my set up. I understand the principle (just). Is there a cheap (free?) bit of software that can do this. I have Power Sound Editor, but have never tried using it for music. This puzzled me. Are you blending two separate recordings? I could never double a performance this way.

Ive read this with a great deal of interest. I have a very similar problem right now. I have been trying to record an acoustic guitar. The recording has been spoiled by a low rumbling. It actually sounds like gusting wind, sometimes rising, sometimes falling. I can actually see it rise and fall on the meter! I have tried using the mic in another room to the recorder (no change). I have used different inputs, altered mic proximity / input sensitivity (no change). I never solved the problem and wasted half a day trying to overcome it. At the moment I am actually using a solid body electric with an acoustic simulation patch. This is ok, but I really need the better sound quality of an actual acoustic instrument. I wonder if the mic cable is the cause? I bought it with the mic (a Rodes NT2-A used with phantom power). They had no double shielded cables in stock at the time. I thought I would check with you SS'ers before ordering a new cable.

Ok. I am in the market for a new synth. I have checked out a few specs, models & youtube demos. I want the most natural orchestral sounds I can find, particularly string (cello etc) sounds. I dont use a PC for recording. I have about £650-£750 to spend. Most of the Rolands sound too rich & sweetened. I dont really want to spend a lot of time trying to edit out effects. Im wondering about the Korg X50, or maybe a Yamaha? Any thoughts?

I dont know. The TV is on right now. My partner Jan is watching. I am ignoring it as usual. Same goes for most commercial radio. I only have an untidy phone. I can play a bit of ragtime. Is that ready for a comeback yet?

That is great Bernd. I enjoyed it v much.

Just managed to find some more Gibson Triangluars (I dont think they are in production). I bought a dozen.

You got pretty good advice already. Acoustic guitars are great to lay foundations with. You're going to feel pretty tense while you learn to play. It wont always be like that. One day you will feel relaxed when you play. One day you will fret the strings just firmly enough (and no more). Sore fingers will become a thing of the past (until you play a 3 hour gig or something). If you do get a little sore, it will pass quickly. When? dunno how much you practice. Dont worry about it. Never hurry towards the next stage of learning. Dont just drill exercises, have some fun. Figure out how to make the nicest sounds by changing picking technique, by moving the picking hand over the sound hole, or nearer to the bridge. Try something unconventional now and then. Good luck.

good to SEE this demonstrated. My book calls these lip trills. Its pretty cold at present, so that should help..... bbbbrrrrrrrrrr.rrrr..rrrr..rrrr

1. Do you sing, play an instrument or instruments? What instruments? Guitar, a little keys, even less violin When did you start playing? 1970 Did you teach yourself? yep 2. Are you in a band or bands? yep What is the name of the band? BLOWN OUT What do you play? guitar What other instruments are in the band? Alto sax, baritone sax, keyboard, drums, bass, singer. Do you have a band website? yep. but its fallen over from neglect. its blownoutband.co.uk 3. Do you write songs? yep Do you write lyrics, music or both? both (not for the band though) Do you have a writing partner? sometimes, not often 4. Do you record your music? yep Do you use a home studio? If so what gear do you use? Boss1600cd Do you use a recording studio? yep (not regular though) Do you have music available on the web? if so where? 5. What other roles do you perform in the music business? none 6. Are you a tech head? nope 7. What country do you live in? England (except when Im abroad) 8. What are your ambitions? find my muses again. Learn to sing properly. 9. Do you draw/paint/write stories/computer art/dance or other creative pursuit? draw, stories, some poems. What are your pastimes? music has always been the principle love affair. cooking, walking. 10. What would you like to get out of Songstuff? All the stuff I never did before. Learn more studio tips for sure. I think that covers the main musical things! Phew!

Hi to all those friends I have lost touch with, and hello to all you newer songstuffers. Absence was unavoidable (work clamped down on personal PC use). I still cant be here a lot, but would love to spend a bit of time here again. Hmm... new decor, new articles, what else? lets have a look.... Rudi

Runaway Boys - Stray Cats

Good Morning Britain - Aztec Camera

Taxman - The Beatles (tax = toll)

make certain the mic is muted during the interval !

walking blues - Robert Johnson

Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf artist 'Snap"!

Hanging on the Telephone - Blondie

Red House - Jimi H Experience (+Mitch Mitchell) (Hiya TuneSmith }