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  • V8

  • Post #2
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The 12/8 shuffle is the low hanging fruit in this competition.

After watching this video, I realized that when learning a shuffle - I never had to think about it ,kinda came naturally. Probably because I did listen to a bucketload of blues before ever trying to play a shuffle.

Whats weird was I only really had to think about when I jammed with a drummer (he was learning his craft), and he couldn't play his 4/4 beats over bluesy kak I was jamming. So we had to stop and figure out why, AFter a little tinkering and playing around with a few drum loops - was a shuffle feel which he picked up super quick and all was well.

Our secret sauce was "La Grange" (still is!), to lock into something that we could both play around with the shuffle 'percentage'.

So all that to say - for me, it's a feel thing rather than X% of shuffle swing. If I'm ever lost, I just aim at emphasizing the "and" in the 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and count.

And playing over a shuffle drum loops can help loads!

Enjoy!

    20 days later

    So I did this little project tonight.

    Very tired, so I decided to do something jazzy (or not exactly in key).

    Was done on a 5-8 rhythm to a self tapped drum track.

    Was more fun than expected though xD

    So far I've tried 3/4 (Waltz-y?, Nothing Else Matters is apparently in 3/4?) and 5/4 (Take Five).

    And I thought I had banked a shuffle (12/8)....but when I checked the drum loop that I'm using off my Zoom B2, it was 4/4 🤦 Though I'm 99% sure what I composed is a shuffle, I just gotta get some drums to suit.

    Bloody useful challenge...if bloody challenging. Got me thinking, which is (for me) the best part.

    Composing outside of the comfort zone of 4/4 & 12/8 will take a investing of time, playing something is possible but composing freely seems to need a lot more time?

    Anywhoo, how's everyone coming along?

    That's awesome @RCVN.
    I put together a skeleton of something pretty cool in 5/4 a little while ago, that's I've been hoping to complete but between an absolutely crazy month at work and the run up to a stage show I just haven't had time to work on it again. I was hoping to do some recording now but my neighbour's alarm has been going off all afternoon 🤦‍♂️
    I have rehearsals all evening and then we're recording the show all weekend so I'm running out of time.

    RCVN So I did this little project tonight.

    Great track!
    Which equipment did you use for recording the guitar?

    Yeti we're recording the show all weekend

    So, the recording equipment is set up all weekend, maybe you can manage a little side-trip to record your challenge track while the others have a cigarette break 😆
    Would be a pity to miss your 5/4 track, I also recorded in 5/4.

    V8 how's everyone coming along?

    Yesterday I finished the recording, so today comes the hard part: Mixing 🤣

          Meticus So, the recording equipment is set up all weekend, maybe you can manage a little side-trip to record your challenge track while the others have a cigarette break 😆

          🤣 Not a bad idea. Unfortunately they finished the music recording last week. This weekend is for the acting and dancing.

          I did get a chance to put something down last night so I will be entering something... it just won't be very polished.

            Here is my entry...

            Since I bought my first e-guitar 3 months ago I focused on the guitar this time. But it wouldn't be a Meticus track if there wasn't something with bagpipes, but I could resist tootling until the last part of the track 🤣

            The powerchords were ok, challenge was to get fast with the pick for the melody since I only played melodies with just my fingers on my acoustic guitars so far. At the beginning I got faster quickly but at 135 bpm there seemed to come no further progress. But it was enough to keep the track under 3 minutes 😃

            The track is in 5/4, equipment:

            • Ibanez GRX70QA-TRB GIO
            • Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
            • AmpLion Free
            • Cakewalk DAW

            And here the SoundCloud link for the playlist:

            And here's my entry. It's a lazy, 5/4 take on Summer Time from Porgy & Bess.
            I'd have loved to have a little more time to do a second take of the solos and vocals and refine the final mix a little... but that'll have to wait for another challenge.

            Well done lads.

            I concede defeat on this one. On the plus side.. i did figure out why my tune wasnt sounding tight in 6/8.. its because it sounds right in 4/4 🙄😶

            • V8 likes this.
            • V8 replied to this.

              Meticus Great track!
              Which equipment did you use for recording the guitar?

              Hi @Meticus,

              Guitar - I plugged my direct line out from my Katana mk1 100w into the rec in on my audio interface (Behringer UMC-22).

              Bass - Direct in to the UMC 22

              Drums - MT Power Drum Plugin

                guidothepimmp i did figure out why my tune wasnt sounding tight in 6/8.. its because it sounds right in 4/4 🙄😶

                Would have liked to hear a 6/8! As usual, my best effort was the day after the deadline. 🤦

                You and I can have a best of the rest mini comp, in 4/4 😆

                  Dang. Sorry I missed the d/line to vote on this one, really. Was a close call.

                  Well done all y'all, fine entries every one.
                  dh|

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