How GFSA can hone your skills

PeteM

I've got a feeling that many members ignore the Weekly Challenge threads and don't even read them. Maybe the noobees are intimidated and maybe some of the semi-pro and pro musicians see them as a waste of time. (pure assumption on my part)

However, what these challenges have done for me is enormous... they have:

Forced me to enter into a creative zone
Expanded my musical arrangement thinking
Pushed me into experiencing new genres of music
Encouraged me to perfect the technical aspects of guitar playing
Helped me to explore new sounds/tones from my guitar
Broadend my knowledge of recording...

And all of the above have been met due to the discipline of having to meet a deadline... the creative person's curse. ?

The pieces I have written for the challenges have far from been a waste of time. I have worked on four of them a bit more, arranging them for my band, Cloud 9, and we play them regularly at our gigs... one of them, Django Jive, is our signature tune. 8)

So, I encourage all members, who have a recording capability to enter the Weekly Challenges... they are an invaluable tool to hone your writing, playing and recording skills and to broaden your outlook.

Tonedef

Maybe weekly is a bit of a short rotation time for the noobs? I know it would take me much longer to beat something out than it would for someone who's more experienced.

PeteM

Tonedef wrote: Maybe weekly is a bit of a short rotation time for the noobs? I know it would take me much longer to beat something out than it would for someone who's more experienced.

We call them the Weekly Challenges, but the current format is about three weeks... no excuses now.

Squonk

+1 Pete

I never had any original songs to perform live, and when I did my first open Mic last year. Both of the songs were original and one of them I borrowed from 3 of my competition entries. Aptly titled 'The Grand Parade of Sleepless Hamsters"

When I finally did my first real Gig. I played 5 songs that all originated from the competition entries!

It's also amazing how creative you can be when given the opportunity!

Good Stuff

DonovanB

I have used my challenge entries to get accepted to sell stock audio on popular websites. no money yet but it's an open door.

PeteM

Donovan Banks wrote: I have used my challenge entries to get accepted to sell stock audio on popular websites. no money yet but it's an open door.

Tell us more about this concept please Don... where to post your work etc... if you don't mind sharing.

costafonix

I am going to enter the next one Pete.... no more excuses....... ?

StephenG

I have absolutely no idea how to record the guitar at home..

i have read countless threads on this site and each one is as confusing as the next with with regards to what basic set up you need to start recording for these challenges.. :-\

singemonkey

It's the recording capacity that's the issue for me. Until I get a new desktop.

raithza

StephenG wrote: I have absolutely no idea how to record the guitar at home..

i have read countless threads on this site and each one is as confusing as the next with with regards to what basic set up you need to start recording for these challenges.. :-\

Well, let's start with what equipment you have? There are different ways of going about it.

StephenG

raithza wrote:
StephenG wrote: I have absolutely no idea how to record the guitar at home..

i have read countless threads on this site and each one is as confusing as the next with with regards to what basic set up you need to start recording for these challenges.. :-\
Well, let's start with what equipment you have? There are different ways of going about it.

i have a guitar

and i have a computer....

getting them to mix seems to be the issue here..

PeteM

StephenG wrote: I have absolutely no idea how to record the guitar at home..

i have read countless threads on this site and each one is as confusing as the next with with regards to what basic set up you need to start recording for these challenges.. :-\

There are better computer fundis than me regarding this... so I'll pass no comment.

Tonedef

raithza wrote: Well, let's start with what equipment you have?

Me too! me too!

Got an Athlon X3 2.9Ghz, 2GB of ram, plenty of hard drive space (Like 50GB free or something), Realtek HD on-board sound. I got a behringer mixing unit (which would probably not bee too useful seeing as I can only play one instrument at a time ?).

Have cables and jacks to connect GT6 output to line or mic in on Realtek HD.

Have WinXP pro, Audacity, GP5 and OpenMPT (which I figured I'd use to do percussion with). My mate has a percussion unit which may come in handy.

Kalcium

I have a Behringer guitar link interface on its way, ordered it from take2 like middle of feb, so it'll still be a while in coming, until then i dont know if I will enter, but i definitely look forward to entering once its here! ? PS Pete varsity is getting hectic hence why I haven't been at the open mics, but I haven't forgotten about you guys ? promise

evolucian

I agree with Pete that it has enormous advantages. Like Squonk and Pete added as well is that it gives you material. It definitely forces creativity... and in a good way. Inspiration is not something to wait for... its cool when it comes but you have to write anyway to find maybe another inspirational thing happening.

Now that you have 3 weeks (puke) to do your track.. there really is no time excuse anymore. Doing it in a day is so much better anyway, as it leaves you six other days in the week to create six more tracks... and being a minute or more it really is not asking much. I know I haven't participated in many (being a depro bastard has no advantages) but i do intend on participating in more.

And for those who would like it in a week (in order to push your creativity) we can do it in my thread. But then again, its pointless being the only one participating in that one, lol (aside from Rene's one contribution... and he had flu, kudos for that).

Its all good and well practicing to be better... but if you cant do it in a song... its truly pointless.

Just my penny's worth

PeteM

evolucian wrote:
Now that you have 3 weeks (puke) to do your track.. there really is no time excuse anymore.

Naaah... 2 weeks to do the track... one week of voting.

Tonedef

??? Eh? 23rd is three weeks hence.

PeteM

Tonedef wrote: ??? Eh? 23rd is three weeks hence.

You're right... my bad. Seems Rene added another week in there.

Tonedef

Phew! ?

tentop

There's nothing simpler than the Pod Studio GX. Plug into computer. Plug guitar into Pod. Record. The end. Oh you also have tons of amps and effects. And it comes with recording and drum software.

http://more.take2.co.za/moreusa-line-6-pod-studio-gx-b001ehwd0i.html