Saturday, 13 August 2011

Video blog: Early arrangement in progress - an insight?!

Sometimes I hear a song on the radio that I think "that'd fingerstyle nicely" and then it gets stuck in my head, and then I have to have a crack at it. Someone mentioned (could be an urban myth) that they'd like to see an arrangement in progress. I remembered that after I'd already done a bit of ground work - listened to the song a few times again, had the chords sussed, ripped open a midi to see what was going on inside it, realised it would work better if I transposed it up a semitone...about an hour of that occassionally with guitar in had but mostly listening, and then I had a crack at playing it. Then half an hour later I flicked on the video.

I don't recommend anyone watch it, I almost didn't want to put it up - but I noticed looking back something about how I work - I just kinda freestyle on a song for a while, in chords, searching for the sound. Stopping and replaying bits here and there that I didn't quite get right, listening, and then getting it smoother next time through. Nothing written down yet (probably will write something down next week), just an organic/fluid exploration.

Sorry about the video production values, I just threw it on and pressed record...kids are playing in the background (I set up painting for two of them, one came past and put their hand in front of the camera being a wise guy...you might notice the deleted section :)).

Anyway, I quite liked the feel of this one, so I suspect I will complete this one! Nineties song! (I didn't give up on music in the Eighties, contrary to my covers list...)

on

10 comments:

  1. Anonymous14 August 2011 at 17:50

    Very nice! Love the right hand work! Very skilled, almost like an art of its own.

    Kris

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  2. JAW14 August 2011 at 18:04

    Thanks Kris, I'm increasingly convinced fingerstyle is nine parts right hand one part left hand...although I'm starting to think I'm coming off as repetitive in style, but the sound feels hollow if I'm not constantly rapping little flicks as I go. Maybe I just tone them down - Naudo keeps them minimum unless they are required...hmm, well I know what I mean :)

    Honest though - how far did you make it through - about 30 seconds, halfway, or to the bitter end? It's probably worth getting to at least 1:10 because the chorus came reasonably easy and I quite liked it. But I'm not sure I should post junk like this again - I've listened back, and euw, _learning_!

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  3. Anonymous15 August 2011 at 13:12

    When will you leave your wife and job so we can have new videos daily?

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  4. JAW15 August 2011 at 15:03

    Ha, comedy. Surely you wouldn't want to see me daily? And don't call me Shirley.

    Kel Valleau would do a much better job of keeping you at least weekly video'ed...mix him in with say Justin Sandercoe and a coupla other guys and you should be able to get a daily dose of guitar lessons and talk. I'm quite attached to my wife and kids...the job, well, making videos isn't quite ready to replace it income-wise.

    But I'll take that as a huge "your videos rock JAW!" - thanks mate!

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  5. Anonymous15 August 2011 at 17:16

    Hi Jaw,

    I actually watched the whole thing. I haven't been playing guitar as long as you have so it all actually seemed pretty good to me.

    I like the parts where you seemed you were struggling. It gives US 'mere mortals' a beacon of hope. Just kidding! But its nice to see how an arrangement sounds like before its completely perfected.

    Keep up the great work,
    Kris

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  6. Anonymous17 August 2011 at 03:16

    Super stuff, thanks Jaw. And also a big thanks for all the tabs you have done, these have been a great help.

    Cheers

    Nick (UK)

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  7. JAW17 August 2011 at 15:10

    No worries Nick, glad it's all working out for you. But, you know what I'm going to say next - record a video of a song you've done and upload it to youtube, send me the link! It's good for you :)

    JAW

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  8. Anonymous19 August 2011 at 02:55

    Well you might not think its that great, but I've been studying your work for half a year (canon mostly) and its pretty damn good allready :) Keep up the good work, I'd love to see the tab and vid on youtube sometime :)

    Melvin

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  9. Anonymous20 August 2011 at 18:51

    Ha- I don't think I'm quite ready to post a vid yet JAW, this world has enough problems without me adding to them!

    Nick (UK)

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  10. JAW22 August 2011 at 08:39

    ...just as long as you post at some stage in the future Nick. You won't realise how much the act of recording a video and posting it improves your playing until you've done it. (It's virtually the same as playing to an audience. Hmm. Pun. Me funny.)

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