JoeyBones
I hear you man. I've been playing for about 4 yrs know, but I've only really improved over the last year. Also anyone can read a brochure or a review on a website (I have to admit I was guilty of this) and make comments to sound knowledgable, but you need to know the fundamentals to make educated comments. There's no subsititute for experience.
My buddy ran into a guy playing guitar on campus and this guy was going on about gear and stuff. So my buddy asked him if he'd ever tried out the Orange combo amps and the guy was like "What those little 15W practice amps ..."
I find myself trying to dig deeper into the background and workings of equipment knowdays. Not that I get all the technical stuff, but it does promote curiosity.
kayDUB
JoeyBones wrote
I guess it depends on whether your job is to imitate (Most of the time in a church band) or innovate. There's nothing wrong with either, but it does become a problem when you have to follow the leader and the leader is more of a dictator. We're lucky enough to have a pretty open minded group and our guys get to experiment a lot. I guess our leadership sees the value in innovation.
I vote innovate!!! ?
speaking of boss, I feel like kicking myself! I was working on my pedal board on sat, and STUPID me didn't remove my pedals before drilling.... ? needless to say the drill slipped and damaged a pedal.... its not too bad, but i can't believe I did that! worst thing is its not my pedal... ?
Francis Viviers wrote
And when you dont know what your talking about, you must rather shut up than say something stupid.
+1. Funny how some people always have to know everything. I once went into a (unnamed) music shop and was looking at turntables; I can't remember exactly what the sales person said but it was rediculous! I used to DJ, so I knew what he said wasn't even close to the truth! rather tell me you don't know...
cain
Bones thats a good thing, the more you know the better. Knowledge is power, its the same with music and guitars, people just tend to forget it
JoeyBones
kayDUB, try to sell the guy who's pedal it is the "scratches add character line". He's probably still gonna mad at you, but it might soften the blow. My MT2 looks like a birds been pecking away at it for years but I love it, so it stays.
kayDUB
@Joey... Yeah, I dunno tho! I dig the "scratches add character", but does that really count for drilling a pedal??? :? Think I'll just keep it forever and get him another pedal!
AlanRatcliffe
We've all been on the receiving end of someone with an opinion who doesn't know an F-hole from his A-hole, but is in a position of power. However, I'm gonna play devil's advocate (incongruous when talking praise music, but you get the gist) here.
As musical director, it's his job to look at the arrangements and mix and get what works best. As an instrumentalist, you naturally focus on your instrument, but not on the music as a whole (and in most cases it's impossible to do this from stage anyway). One of the first things I found when recording guitars is how rarely "great" guitar tones that sound good from the players' perspective work in an arrangement. Usually when you get a great sound in the mix, it's disappointing when solo'd. The important thing is how it works in context. At the end of the day, he is the musical director and he presumably has a vision (or should that be "audion"?) for the music, and as an effective band member, you must do everything you can to try to facilitate that vision. You might even be surprised at the results.
If he is a crap director, the truth will out, it will show at the end of the day and you'll be in a better position to take advantage of the situation when an opportunity arises. (he goes on leave sometime doesn't he?). Otherwise, when the time is right, a better opportunity will present itself and you will find that your experience will smooth the way for the change.
Also, try look at it this way: In this kind of situation, you are, in effect, a "hired hand" (regardless of the fact that you may not be getting paid ?), so it is your job to follow his direction, regardless of whether you agree with it or not. Consider it a learning experience that pushes you in a direction you would not usually take yourself. At the very least you'll start building a rep as someone who does what's asked and fits in.
...as to the TS-808 story: It is a great overdrive pedal, but is voiced for more of an upfront lead sound, with plenty of midrange punch. Perhaps what the director wants is something that blends in better for accompaniment work or with a smoother, less intrusive lead sound.
...and all this from someone who was thrown out of the army band for going against the director's wishes by: dancing on stage; doing (bad) Hendrix-type solos in country and sakkie-sakkie numbers; and most importantly, for putting together an alternate version of the band that went down better with a festival audience than his band. In my defence - I HAD to be there, so wanted to have some fun with it.
JoeyBones
Too true Allan. I sometimes hate my buddys tone, but he's been playing live for years and knows how to get the right tone in the mix. And as far as following the Director, it's sometimes hard to understand their logic, but I guess they have the bigger picture in mind.
cain
Alan thats the thing, when the band jams, he my sound is great and he loves it, then when i play on my own before hand he sais the sound sucks. But as i stated it is aimed at the "mixing" in with the band. The other thing is, then i use my drive pedal, and he complains there isnt enough "balls" which is why you use a FAT high gain distortion ... Ag in the end, i know he just doesnt like me, and it shows ( Even when we are at other church things ). I think some of the guys already hit the nail, its prolly jealousy and unfortunately its a very common thing amongst guitarist. Most guys on this group is very helpfull, but with most guitarists, they always try to break each other off to make themselves look better.
One day when im an awesome and respected guitarist, we will see who has the last laugh ?
JoeyBones
Francis Viviers wrote
One day when im an awesome and respected guitarist, we will see who has the last laugh ?
I think that's the day you have to show the most humility. Rather set a good example than repeat others mistakes.
cain
Hehe yeah, i dont mean to get cocky and arrogant. But then he will notice that you cant just judge people ?
JoeyBones
I'm just messing with you. We've all come a long way in our ministry. I think we're getting to the point where the sound guys actually listen to us.
dirkv
Wow, your church sounds amazing, i should visit there sometime ?
But seriously, we all need to be humble especially as musicians cos musicians have such a bad rap for being egotistical.
Learning never ends
cain
Dirk the irony in the matter is, that theres usually more politics and drama around in churches that other places lol
JoeyBones
dirkv wrote
Wow, your church sounds amazing, i should visit there sometime ?
But seriously, we all need to be humble especially as musicians cos musicians have such a bad rap for being egotistical.
Learning never ends
Wow sarcasm, from a guy who leads praise and worship in children's church ... We only allow sane people who can control themsleves on stage in the main band ;D
cain
Hahaha
dirkv
ok Firstly, Francis, i fully agree with you on that. and it irritates the life out of me, i mean we are doing this for the kingdom and not for a grammy.
Secondly to you Mr. JoeyBones, you dry people in the main band would never be able to cope with pace of Childrens Church Praise and Worship.
Don't knock it if you haven't tried it ?
JoeyBones
I tried it, it hurt, I'll stick to big lazy church Praise and Worship ... ?
dirkv
LOL! did you pull a muscle, dude to be honest i would lead praise and worship anywhere else but in Childrens Church, the kids are just so honest in their worship.
But each to their own i guess
kayDUB
Children's church P&W ROCKS!!
JoeyBones
dirkv wrote
LOL! did you pull a muscle, dude to be honest i would lead praise and worship anywhere else but in Childrens Church, the kids are just so honest in their worship.
But each to their own i guess
I know what you mean. Some sundays I feel like throwing fireworks into the congregation.
BTW I've been working on the jumping and playing guitar thing. It's a lot harder than you and chris make it look.
