macmanmatty

when you are doing 90%+ it yourself that a whole lot of work and time. So far I have done everything myself except the ceiling drywall and some of the outer walls which me and friends did together and painting which my dad did because I cant paint (more paint on the floor than the wall i'm painting and more paint on me than either of the other two).

Here are some updates on the studio progress. There are 4 rooms a 210 sq. ft. "L" shaped tracking / control room 35 sq. ft isolation booth 90 sq. ft tracking / bedroom 16 sq. ft bathroom. The walls are double frame MSM system with 1/2" durock and r-13 fiberglass on the outside and r-13 fiberglass and then 1/2" osb 3/8" plywood and then 5/8" drywall. The ceiling is vinyl tile and tar paper along with 1/2" particle board then 3/4" oak flooring then 3/4" foam board with green glue and r-19 fiberglass in between the joists and then RC-8 resilient channel to decouple the ceiling from the floor above then 3/8" plywood and then 3/4" oak plywood. All of the audio outlets are are one phase and are isolated ground and the common ground outlets, ventilation fans, and lights are on the other. the 240 v mini-split ac will share both phases however. All rooms other than the bathroom bathroom have audio connections xlr and trs and trs headphone connections. the main console is a soundcraft gb-32 32 channel mixer. here are some pics of the the progress half way finished 3/4 of the way finished Almost done

if you record the classical music yourself then your friend would be right , as long as it's not under copyright which most of it is not under copyright. But you cannot use some one else's recording as that would be copyright infringement on their recording unless you pay them and get a license

I use GHS and D'addario strings on my steel string guitars. MAINLY GHS phospher bronze in a light gauge (.56-.11). The GHS sound bright and are not to slippery. I used to use martins until had several packs of them stored in a small plastic storage container with the lid on in the their special anti-rust packaging you guessed it ... RUST!!! They were only there for less than 1.5 years, so no more martins for me. MY round neck resonator is tuned C2 G2 C3 E3 G3 D4 i use only D' addario strings on that because they are only the string manufacturer who makes individual strings over a .60 gauge (they make up to a .70) and My C2 string requires a .66 gauge to have proper tension and not be floppy. My custom set for that is .66, .47, .36 .30, .24, .16

Thanks for all of the replies sorry to start the theory argument I didn't mean to. I guess my mind is making me prefer those keys. I keep singing in them so why would it not? I will try to make my mind like key of A though sure would make my mandolin and violin happier!!

Thanks for the reply rudi Actually, The keys of A#, B#, D#, E# and G# don't actually exist and neither does Fb. If A key has a double sharp or flat in it it does not exist (no F##'s or C##'s or Bbb's). It can have the notes B#, E#, Cb and Fb though. There are 12 natural C the 4 sharp keys G, A, D, E, The four flat keys , F, Bb, Ab, Eb, and the three enharmonic keys B/ Cb, C#/ Db, and F#/ Gb The D# scale D#, E# F##, G#, A#, B#, C## D# The Eb scale Eb F G Ab Bb C D Eb Much nicer notation!!

By G capo 1 I mean using Chords for the Key of G with the capo on the first fret to make key of Ab a flat key which sounds MUCH better than G shaped chords on the 2nd fret to Make Key of A a sharp key Same for C shaped chords on frets 1 and 2 Db sounds better than D. I also sing better in key of Ab as opposed to A and key of Db as opposed to D.

Myself as well as My karaoke instructor and most people in the audience and some people I have played for agreed I sing better in flat keys. My vocal range is about G3- B5 Although key of A is in my range I sing better in Ab although B is my range I sing better in Bb and C I sing better in Cb. These keys also sound brighter sharper and clearer when I play in them (the guitar, banjo, dobro, mandolin, lap steel or bass parts). G capo 1 sound much better to me than G capo 2. Capo 1 sounds bright sharp and clear, I sing wonderful in it. G capo 2 sounds dark, dull, and muddy I sing decent in it. Same for C capo 1 or C capo 2 any ideas as to why?

If he's getting letters back then he's more then likely NOT sending out unsolicited demos (probably calling and asking first or emailing) as those go directly from the mailbox to the dumpster and no reply of any kind is given. If you are writing songs you think artists other than you would record then yes send to publishing companies otherwise no, it is a waste of time a money.

.009's?? Damn I play finger style on my acoustic/ electric with low action and those are waaaaaaaaaay to light for me I use on my standard tuned guitars I use a .54 to a .11 set on my roundneck dobro tuned CGCEGD I use a .66 to a .16 custom set.

I own the following stringed instruments 7 acoustic steel guitars 2 nylon classical guitars 2 roundneck resonator guitars AKA dobros 2 banjos 1 lap steel 1 acoustic bass guitar 1 mandolin

I use it all the time I number all of my progressions with I II III IV V VI VII but you need to understand theory to use it. If you don't that the II III VI chords it any major key are minor and the when you see a II III or a VI number you should play a minor II III VI. Then this is not the system for you until learn more theory. Like a I V I II7 V7 I IV I I II V7 I I VI IV I V I Progression in key of G Major would be G D G A7 D7 G C G G Am D7 G G Em C G D7 G The number of the chords in the scale are ALWAYS in roman numerals and the variations of the chords 7th sus2 add2 sus4 add4 6th, Minor, Major, diminshed, 13th, ECT. are always written using decimal numbers and letters. The first A would be major because when you see as 7 you assume that the 7th is flat and the third is of major the scale even though A is minor in key of G a 7 dictates a major chord. The second is minor as well as the sixth because A and E are both naturally minor chords in the key of G major.

I do not have any of my songs as I am building a recording studio and will have very good versions recorded in a couple of months. I have some old recordings of me playing and singing what i wrote but that was before I figured that I needed to vastly improve my singing, mainly enunciation of certain words (the ones that started with the letters A-Z) and the vocal instructor at the bars on friday at 7pm was infinitely cheaper than the 150 an hour for the vocal lessons I got quoted. Now thanks to the karaoke host at the bar err... I mean vocal instructor I have improved my singing ten fold. Sing like me not Dwight Yoakam!! That story was NOT a joke and a VERY cheap way to learn to sing (all karaoke host can sing and most can and are willing to teach you how!!). You have good fingerpicking skills are you classically trained? I noticed you use your pinky and very few people use all four fingers and thumb that often. Your playing is really good and so are the two originals you posted. It's nice to hear happy songs! I fingerpick with mainly my thumb and index and middle finger and sometimes use my ring finger mainly on round neck dobro. I have written 1000's of songs 100's of which I'd give at a b grade or higher to. But one of the c grades or lower could be the next "unchained melody", but I'd never know as I never liked "unchained melody"! Where are you located from the live oak and red bay trees in your movies your probably near me in In NorthWest Florida 45 min east of Panama City.

My main talent is writing songs. I write the americana genre (Alt country / classic country/ bluegrass / folk/ blues/ a little southern rock). I do not have any recordings demos posted online yet (did but took them down) as I am the process of building a professional quality recording studio. I can play VERY well (studio musician well) the following instruments Guitar (fingerpicked /fingerstyle), Banjo (scruggs style), Dobro (both square neck and round neck also fingerpicked) and steel guitar, and can also play mandolin and bass (not as good as the others though). I can somewhat sing with a voice somewhere between Steve Earle and Dwight Yoakam and have writing style somewhere between Dwight Yoakam and John Prine. as Dwight put it "Here's a sad song I wrote.. Oh wait their all sad here's another sad song I wrote". That's me. I would really like to make it as songwriter but my question is with my instrumental abilities and that fact that I can sing (not the best voice or range but have lots of emotion and can sing in key) with the current state of the music industry should I try to pitch my songs to other artists / singers or just sing myself? Which would be more profitable? I know of the future demise of the industry will there even be any demand for writers anymore or will they all be forced to lean to sing and play and become the artist themselves? Would forming a duo or trio be a better state than going solo? I have gigged numerous times and know now that is where the bulk of the money that the recording artist makes comes from. I was thinking that maybe a trio or duo would better for this as the fans could hear the same instruments played the same way / style as on the album. I don't want to have a full band because just like any other business I don't want employees aka "Band Members" that are costing more than their making me, which seems to be the case with most 4-6 member band these days. They that fail to realize that if they cut the one instrument and that useless drummer the remaining 3-4 members would have more money in their pockets and possibly be able to play smaller venues that pay just as well. But this all boils down to one question is their more money in someone else singing your song and is their anyone who would want to because they are not writing their own or are already using their own writing friends / house writers from the label? Or if you have playing and singing talent just record them yourself and get out and play them every night???

I agree with you kel so many of my songs have been written by what drunks do what drunks say how drunks interact with things both real and imaginary

not a mental person? I'll let you know that my mind is far from normal and I have 6 bartenders that say so. Although I think one is trying to hit on me!!!

Not a song but this a piece I wrote on choosing the right mental health provider How to pick the right metal health advisor. With so many options out there for care providers when your mind your mind is not right you have a lot to consider maybe this piece will help some in the decision making process. Patient: I tried to get a record deal in Nashville but was turned down now I'm severely depressed what should i do? psychologist: You need talk about your depression and set lesser goals to achieve and then work to bigger ones. For $75 an hour we can talk about this for 4 times a week, and you problems should be solved. psychiatrist: You are bipolar take 600mg of these 5 medications and come back to my office in 2 weeks for another 75$ appointment to let me know how you are doing. Please me tell if you have any of these symptoms high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, extremely high feelings, extremely low feelings, extreme thirst, ECT. Bartender: You've been to Nashville???!!! and play guitar??!! Are you free this friday? Do you want a gig ? Best Advice: BARTENDER!!! Patient:There are monsters living under my bed and at night I think there coming to get me do I need help? psychologist: Yes, You should talk to me 5 times a week about these monsters at 80$ an hour. If you do not face them they will not go away. psychiatrist: YES!!!!, But I can't give it to you, You are in an EXTREME state of psychosis and need to be committed immediately. I'm dialing 911 now!!! Bartender: No, All you need is a hack saw. If you cut the legs off of your bed the monsters can no longer live under there. Best Advice: BARTENDER!!!! Patient:The The Foreman on my construction job is rude and lazy which makes me very angry and I want to punch the days lights out of him and throw him in the dumpster is that a good idea? psychologist: No, You have hard feelings for your boss and need to find out why I will help you talk about your ill-placed feelings for this boss of yours an make you not direct your anger at him come to me 6 hours a week for 85$ and hour. Also one hour is almost up. psychiatrist: NO!!!, You are bipolar take 800mg of these 8 medications and come back to my office in 2 weeks for another 75$ appointment to let me know how you are doing. Please tell me if you have any of these symptoms high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, extremely high feelings, extremely low feelings, extreme thirst, ECT. Also I have this form about liability I need you sign before I write the prescriptions. Bartender: No, You should never hit your boss that is assult, just get drunk and blow up his car. I have shots 5$ each buy 4 get one free. the dynamite is in the back. I think he just pulled in, His truck is green right? Best Advice: BARTENDER!!!! Patient:My My wife just left me and I have sad feelings and wish I could die. I still lover her though. psychologist: You are morning the loss of your love and need to find out why you still love her I will help you talk about your mixed feelings for your love and move on with your life come to me 7 hours a week for 90$ an hour. Your hour is up that will be 90$. I take cash, Credit, Check, Paypal, Silver or Gold. psychiatrist: You are bipolar and have extreme lows right now take 2000mg of these 10 medications and come back in a 2 weeks for another 75$ appointment to let me know how you are doing. Please tell me if you have any of these symptoms high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, extremely high feelings, extremely low feelings, extreme thirst, ECT. DO NOT DRINK ON THIS MEDICATION!!!!!! Bartender: whoever said alcohol was a depressant was a lier and a communist. You need to get real drunk and forget about it. I'll give my special heartbreaker deal, t two shots for $5 each and the third one is on the house. Say isn't the sheriff looking for your foreman's truck? Best Advice: BARTENDER!!! So you can see if you have any mental health issues screw the psychologists and psychiatrists just get drunk and vista a bartender. You feel will much better , keep your sanity, and have a lot more money in the end!!

i don't play for hand outs but I don't have problems with politely asking for them. I believe get all you can from your gigs / songs.

Yes I get paid anywhere from around 100-200$ a night. I usually don't play unless i'm paid something. some places I play for free because the owners are friends and the place is close and the tips are good (100+ a night) Yes I put out a tip jar yes people put money into it. I usually get anywhere from 25-150$ in tips. But I live in a tourist destination that is laid back a rural on the coast of Florida. People come here fro the local scene (and the beaches). They are here on vacation and expect to spend money. Tips are only real good during the summer months though. Also I'm VERY bewildered by the fact that you have played pubs, clubs, bars, schools, church halls, weddings, beer festivals, outdoor events, dancehalls, hotels, theaters, public, private, charity, sponsored, free, fee, and much more and have never gotten a single tip in 30 years? What town do you live in? Mr. Burnes' mansion from the simpsons perhaps?

Here is my progress so far my hard working crew (composed of me, myself and I) have torn down the chain link cat enclosure and nothing is left but 2x4's on 2ft centers. I took down the false ceiling (stapled up 3/8" plywood does not come off easy!!) that was 22" below the bottom of the house. When I get done with that ceiling construction they will be 9.5 ft tall instead of 8ft tall. will update as I progress before now

May I ask why Durock as opposed to 1/2 dry wall - if I remember correctly the price was pretty steep for the same surface area, although things have probably changed since then. Durock is m ore expensive but it is heavier and more weather proof plus in the future if I need more db of isolation I can just motor some cement blocks to it.

I don't know about his condition, But I play by math and music theory. If I'm playing in key of G major I know that the G major scale is G A B C D E F# G and a G major chord is composed of the first third and fifth of that scale or G B D the most common added notes to that chord are A and C or the 2nd and 4th. Sometimes you may use a 6th or the E note. I also know that root 4th and 5th chords of the G Major scale or G C D are major and the 2nd 3rd and 6th chords are minor or A B E and the Em chord is the relative minor of the G Major chord. The 7th F# is dimished in the G major scale. Now when I go to a C Major chord the 4th in G major scale I know that the C major scale is C D E F G A B C and a C major chord is composed of the first third and fifth of that scale or C E G the most common added notes to that chord in key of G major are D and A or the 2nd and 6th. I may also use a 7th or a B note. When I go to a D chord 5th in key of G major the D major scale is D E F# G A B C# D and a D major chord is composed of the first third and fifth of that scale or D F# A the most common added notes to that chord are G and E or the 2nd and 4th. Sometimes you may use a 6th or the B note. When I go to a E minor chord the relative minor of G major chord I know that the E minor scale is E F# G A B C D E and a E minor chord is composed of the first third and fifth of that scale or E G B the most common added notes to that chord are A and D or the 4th and 7th. Sometimes you may use a 2nd or the F# note. When I go to a B minor chord I know that the B minor scale is B C# D E F# G A and a B minor chord is composed of the first third and fifth of that scale or B D F# the most common added notes to that chord are A and E or the 4th and 7th. Sometimes you may use a 2nd or the C# note. When I go to a A minor chord I know that the A minor scale is A B C D E F G and a A minor chord is composed of the first third and fifth of that scale or A C E the most common added notes to that chord are B D and G or the 4th and 2nd and 7th. All this goes in my head the first three seconds of playing. I know what I'm doing but because my ear is tin I play entirely by math, logic, scales, chord theory and music theory. It's not that I can't hear the notes, it's that every thing I hear is different, no two notes sound the same even though they are the same note. A 440 hz , 220 hz, 110 hz, 55 hz waves are all A notes but my ears / brain wouldn't know that. They are just 4 different sounds unless they are played 2 different instruments then they would be 8 different sounds. or 12 sounds for three instruments even if they are all guitars. So I have to play my math because if I played by what my ears hear I would get lost pretty quick. But my unique condition does make me better mixer as I can hear the different sounds and make them blend like no one else can.

I have posted at johnsayers forum and have made many modifications to my design based on the advice there.

When Was The Last Time You Were Actually In A Music Store? do pawn shops count?

How did you figure out my gigging scam??