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DarrinPA
Silver Member
USA
221 Posts |
 Posted - 05/14/2007 : 06:57:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Bob
Nahhh --- We'll never get the witnesses...
Best line. [I'm saying this because of the video->] It's funny because until a month ago I never had to sight read before, I'd just learn stuff ahead of time like most musicians. Now that I play for my church I'm terrible, I can't play while reading notes at all. If they'd just allow me to shred the whole time it would be all good.  |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2007 : 12:11:17
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Hi DarrinPA
Here's a little secret.
When you don't know the chords-music, or what the hell your supposed to be playing?
Just keep time by strumming on some (palm muted) dead strings,
Don't strum too loud, just keep time,
Smile & pretend, it's part of the actual song.
Don't forget to act like your having a great time.
Got me out of trouble many times.
If you do it right, it can really sound great.
Another secret about dead strings.
It's a great way to help out a drummer, who may be drifting off time a little bit.
The dead strings, really cut through a band-mix. (really).
I won't have many secrets left, if I keep giving them away at this rate. 
It's all about showmanship & the ability to throw in some bluff. 
Not to mention helping out a drummer friend.
Regards Dr. Bob |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2007 : 12:22:47
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I have used that scratching-the-strings many times, very good when playing with schooled musicians that try to play jazz by sight reading.
As I always say, one chord is enough, use two if you want to make it a little complicated, but three that´s a symphony…
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2007 : 13:28:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Goran
I have used that scratching-the-strings many times, very good when playing with schooled musicians that try to play jazz by sight reading.
As I always say, one chord is enough, use two if you want to make it a little complicated, but three that´s a symphony…
My son just told me, that the Technical term for it is:
Racking the Strings.
Regards Dr. Bob |
Edited by - Dr. Bob on 05/14/2007 13:29:30 |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2007 : 19:24:48
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the edge of U2 has been doing it for years listen to the start of vertigo or anything off the first five albums.....and a lot of reggae artists..i.e peter tosh,bob marley.....very effective and Dr Bob is right it really cuts through the mix and of course it a get out of jail card when someones drunken aunt or uncle wants to sing something of engelbert humperdink's debut album and you haven't got a clue whats going on......... |
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DarrinPA
Silver Member
USA
221 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2007 : 06:21:05
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| Thanks, I'll have to try that Dr.Bob. What I've been doing lately is just rolling back the volume with my little finger, which I rest on the volume knob anyways. But the percussive sound would be better, I play ska/reggae so it shouldn't be any problem for me. Plus now people will stop complaining that my guitar signal is going soft, they balme the people in charge of the mixer, really it's just me. |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2007 : 09:01:52
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quote:
Originally posted by DarrinPA
Thanks, I'll have to try that Dr.Bob. What I've been doing lately is just rolling back the volume with my little finger, which I rest on the volume knob anyways. But the percussive sound would be better, I play ska/reggae so it shouldn't be any problem for me. Plus now people will stop complaining that my guitar signal is going soft, they balme the people in charge of the mixer, really it's just me.
Hi DarrinPA & guys
Don't forget that the dead string (racking) & a wah pedal, can sound really cool.
Moderate to fast wah, for that 70's shaft type sound.
Pedal in a fixed position for different tones of the sound.
Slow sweep while strumming dead, can be a great intro - outro - or break in a song.
I have used the last method, on a few songs over the years. 
Regards Dr. Bob |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2007 : 09:28:18
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This topic started asking if Dr Bob ever slept… and has meandered to scratching strings when you don´t know a tune… fascinating to say the least…
One thing I often do when not knowing the chords, remember more than three I can´t handle in one song, is to turn on some heavy distortion and other pedals and slamming the guitar everywhere, making a hell of noise typical of free form jazz or psychedelia. Some get very impressed of this and some thinks that I´m a beginner or drunk… But it is fun for sure
Talking about drunk..
I remember one time in the 80´s that I was really drunk and had a rehearsal with my band, I tried to play the tunes as supposed, it didn´t work, I tried play bottleneck guitar, it didn´t work.
Then I tried to make a lot of noises in the school of Jimi Hendrix, banging the guitar against the amp. My friends did however stop me fast, luckily enough as I had a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Special at this rehearsal. Then I grabbed my bottleneck guitar and really smashed it up, this was a cheapo guitar… The whole thing was recorded, the total demolition of the guitar took about 20 minutes, the whole band jammed along with my exercises. Of course I had my amp on full tilt when doing it.
This recording is very funny to hear now that I´m older and wiser… The song is called "Crazy horse" on the tape-box... a nod to Neil Young...
That´s the only time I have done a Hendrix/Townsend in my life.
Anyone else ever crushing a guitar???
I can recommend it, it´s very nice to have done it once in a lifetime, like the big boys…
But use an inexpensive guitar…
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Edited by - Goran on 05/15/2007 09:52:50 |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2007 : 10:31:04
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Great story Goran
and to think you still have it on tape... wow, what a great memory.
I nearly crushed my only acoustic once, when I fell asleep playing it, while lying on the bed.
I roiled over fast asleep & heard a creak, lucky the bed was softer than the wood on my acoustic.
Not to mention that I was a few kilos-pounds lighter, in those days.
Did you guys catch, the clever recovery, back to the original topic of this thread.
You should digitize it, & post it up to one of those, free music sites.
Regards Dr. Bob |
Edited by - Dr. Bob on 05/15/2007 10:32:15 |
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starr36
Platinum Member
Canada
1172 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2007 : 23:55:55
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... back to original post by Goran.
there really is only one answer. there is THREE Dr. Bobs sharing 1 i.d. |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2007 : 09:11:51
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quote:
Originally posted by starr36
... back to original post by Goran.
there really is only one answer. there is THREE Dr. Bobs sharing 1 i.d.
Hi starr36
Close oh, so very close.
Regards Dr. Bob
Regards Dr. Bob
Regards Dr. Bob
Sorry couldn't help it, with that last subtle joke.
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2007 : 15:39:35
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Triple personalities perhaps. 
I'm me.. No, I'm me.. heh |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2007 : 16:06:41
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quote:
Originally posted by DeFrag
Triple personalities perhaps.
I'm me.. No, I'm me.. heh
Hi DeFrag
We sorted this problem out years ago, it's:
Me - Myself & I
See!! simple, no arguments..
Regards Dr. Bob |
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Topic |
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Do you sleep Dr Bob???
