The Second Apocalypse

Miscellaneous Chatter => General Misc. => Topic started by: BeardFisher-King on January 27, 2018, 04:32:42 pm

Title: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: BeardFisher-King on January 27, 2018, 04:32:42 pm
I am starting this thread for anyone who wants to delve a little deeper into the aesthetics and/or the "Tekne" of the music in which he/she is interested. "Tekne" talk could range from the tech of musical instruments (love the Moog synthesizer!) to virtuosity to music theory.

I'm a very inactive amateur pianist these days, but I still have some  vestigial chops. I think my ear is improving, simply due to the fact that I listen to so much music. Right now, I'm listening to a compilation of Mozart piano concertos pretty steadily and I'm gaining an appreciation for the brilliance of the classical formal structure. Three movements; fast-slow-fast; each movement states a theme, develops it, then returns to it. That's a wild oversimplification, of course, and there are other formal structures (suite based on dance forms, e.g.). But one always knows where one is and where one is going. Timeless music.
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: Madness on January 28, 2018, 04:31:11 pm
Not sure I could keep up with such a conversation anymore but...

- I started with piano for a year and a half, got skilled enough to play limited recitals at 9.
- Did violin for a year at 10-11, played a bunch of concerts with the other students under my teacher.
- Did various orchestral percussion camps for a couple summers.
- A different instrument/section almost every semester I was enrolled in high school: percussion, trombone, alto-sax, flute, trumpet, violin again.
- Tried to re-up on the violin in my second year of university and did a full year elective credit but didn't stick with it thereafter.
- Took four years of private electric bass lessons throughout as well.

I pretty much was imbued with the Baroque period when I was a kid.
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: BeardFisher-King on January 29, 2018, 12:22:21 am
I don't want to give the impression that some level of technical accomplishment is necessary to participate in the conversation. Deep end, shallow end; just jump in!

Although, if it somehow gets to Three Pound Blog level of difficulty....I'd be rummaging around for my old music theory texts: "As Fux in 'Counterpoint' declares....". No, no, no....let's just talk music!

I'm thinking the thread could be more leisurely than the "Obligatory Music Thread". More long-form posts. That allows the OMT to be a home for quick recommendations (emphasizing the "now").
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: TLEILAXU on January 29, 2018, 03:41:00 am
I play guitar. I'm really bad at it, but slowly improving. I have no songs yet, only a couple of riffs I need to stitch together.
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: BeardFisher-King on January 29, 2018, 04:19:42 am
I play guitar. I'm really bad at it, but slowly improving. I have no songs yet, only a couple of riffs I need to stitch together.
Are you playing acoustic guitar, or electric? Either way, stick with it. Listen to other guitarists. Copy from the good, steal from the best, then make it your own.

Stitching riffs together....ahhh, that's where the shit gets interesting! (Sometimes that's where the shit hits the fan, but hey, that's showbiz!)
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: TLEILAXU on January 29, 2018, 04:43:36 am
I play guitar. I'm really bad at it, but slowly improving. I have no songs yet, only a couple of riffs I need to stitch together.
Are you playing acoustic guitar, or electric? Either way, stick with it. Listen to other guitarists. Copy from the good, steal from the best, then make it your own.

Stitching riffs together....ahhh, that's where the shit gets interesting! (Sometimes that's where the shit hits the fan, but hey, that's showbiz!)
I have one of each, but I suppose your question is whether I play with fingers or a pick. I play with a plectre, because metal  8). I try to practice every day for at least 30 minutes. The dream would be to get good enough and have enough material to release an EP or something a year or two from now.
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: BeardFisher-King on January 29, 2018, 11:18:31 am
I play guitar. I'm really bad at it, but slowly improving. I have no songs yet, only a couple of riffs I need to stitch together.
Are you playing acoustic guitar, or electric? Either way, stick with it. Listen to other guitarists. Copy from the good, steal from the best, then make it your own.

Stitching riffs together....ahhh, that's where the shit gets interesting! (Sometimes that's where the shit hits the fan, but hey, that's showbiz!)
I have one of each, but I suppose your question is whether I play with fingers or a pick. I play with a plectre, because metal  8). I try to practice every day for at least 30 minutes. The dream would be to get good enough and have enough material to release an EP or something a year or two from now.
Does a guitarist gain speed and accuracy of attack by using a pick?

As a keyboardist, I've always been fascinated by the guitar. The multiple ways of playing the same pitch is so foreign to a pianist.

Live the dream!
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: TLEILAXU on January 29, 2018, 01:49:50 pm
I play guitar. I'm really bad at it, but slowly improving. I have no songs yet, only a couple of riffs I need to stitch together.
Are you playing acoustic guitar, or electric? Either way, stick with it. Listen to other guitarists. Copy from the good, steal from the best, then make it your own.

Stitching riffs together....ahhh, that's where the shit gets interesting! (Sometimes that's where the shit hits the fan, but hey, that's showbiz!)
I have one of each, but I suppose your question is whether I play with fingers or a pick. I play with a plectre, because metal  8). I try to practice every day for at least 30 minutes. The dream would be to get good enough and have enough material to release an EP or something a year or two from now.
Does a guitarist gain speed and accuracy of attack by using a pick?

As a keyboardist, I've always been fascinated by the guitar. The multiple ways of playing the same pitch is so foreign to a pianist.

Live the dream!
You certainly gain speed! Other than that, it just unlocks a different set of options and it's easier to learn. Can't really tremolo pick sweet chords with fingers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO1VL09nWrU
For me the thing that stands out most when comparing piano and guitar is sustain of tones. One of my favorite things in music is "evil" arpeggios with minor seconds and they sound quite different on piano and guitar. More of a screechy sound on guitar.
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: BeardFisher-King on January 29, 2018, 04:21:16 pm
I play guitar. I'm really bad at it, but slowly improving. I have no songs yet, only a couple of riffs I need to stitch together.
Are you playing acoustic guitar, or electric? Either way, stick with it. Listen to other guitarists. Copy from the good, steal from the best, then make it your own.

Stitching riffs together....ahhh, that's where the shit gets interesting! (Sometimes that's where the shit hits the fan, but hey, that's showbiz!)
I have one of each, but I suppose your question is whether I play with fingers or a pick. I play with a plectre, because metal  8). I try to practice every day for at least 30 minutes. The dream would be to get good enough and have enough material to release an EP or something a year or two from now.
Does a guitarist gain speed and accuracy of attack by using a pick?

As a keyboardist, I've always been fascinated by the guitar. The multiple ways of playing the same pitch is so foreign to a pianist.

Live the dream!
You certainly gain speed! Other than that, it just unlocks a different set of options and it's easier to learn. Can't really tremolo pick sweet chords with fingers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO1VL09nWrU
For me the thing that stands out most when comparing piano and guitar is sustain of tones. One of my favorite things in music is "evil" arpeggios with minor seconds and they sound quite different on piano and guitar. More of a screechy sound on guitar.
I'm guessing that the enhanced sustain of an amplified guitar tone makes those minor seconds really squeal, compared to a piano (even with the sustain pedal engaged). How far do you take those arpeggios? One octave? Two?
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: BeardFisher-King on February 07, 2018, 04:47:40 am
Two new arrivals from across the water landed chez BFK last week.

1. A box set of "Bruford: 1977-1980". My favorite jazz-rock fusion band (with an English twist).

2. English electric guitarist Steve Hackett's latest live concert DVD, "Wuthering Heights; Live In Birmingham". I've got about 5 of these concerts in my collection. He goes from strength to strength; excellent band, excellent music!
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: TLEILAXU on February 07, 2018, 09:46:50 pm
I play guitar. I'm really bad at it, but slowly improving. I have no songs yet, only a couple of riffs I need to stitch together.
Are you playing acoustic guitar, or electric? Either way, stick with it. Listen to other guitarists. Copy from the good, steal from the best, then make it your own.

Stitching riffs together....ahhh, that's where the shit gets interesting! (Sometimes that's where the shit hits the fan, but hey, that's showbiz!)
I have one of each, but I suppose your question is whether I play with fingers or a pick. I play with a plectre, because metal  8). I try to practice every day for at least 30 minutes. The dream would be to get good enough and have enough material to release an EP or something a year or two from now.
Does a guitarist gain speed and accuracy of attack by using a pick?

As a keyboardist, I've always been fascinated by the guitar. The multiple ways of playing the same pitch is so foreign to a pianist.

Live the dream!
You certainly gain speed! Other than that, it just unlocks a different set of options and it's easier to learn. Can't really tremolo pick sweet chords with fingers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO1VL09nWrU
For me the thing that stands out most when comparing piano and guitar is sustain of tones. One of my favorite things in music is "evil" arpeggios with minor seconds and they sound quite different on piano and guitar. More of a screechy sound on guitar.
I'm guessing that the enhanced sustain of an amplified guitar tone makes those minor seconds really squeal, compared to a piano (even with the sustain pedal engaged). How far do you take those arpeggios? One octave? Two?
Not sure, I guess one or two. Was referring to riffs like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFOnMjo6N6c&t=4m11s
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: BeardFisher-King on February 08, 2018, 03:23:29 am
I play guitar. I'm really bad at it, but slowly improving. I have no songs yet, only a couple of riffs I need to stitch together.
Are you playing acoustic guitar, or electric? Either way, stick with it. Listen to other guitarists. Copy from the good, steal from the best, then make it your own.

Stitching riffs together....ahhh, that's where the shit gets interesting! (Sometimes that's where the shit hits the fan, but hey, that's showbiz!)
I have one of each, but I suppose your question is whether I play with fingers or a pick. I play with a plectre, because metal  8). I try to practice every day for at least 30 minutes. The dream would be to get good enough and have enough material to release an EP or something a year or two from now.
Does a guitarist gain speed and accuracy of attack by using a pick?

As a keyboardist, I've always been fascinated by the guitar. The multiple ways of playing the same pitch is so foreign to a pianist.

Live the dream!
You certainly gain speed! Other than that, it just unlocks a different set of options and it's easier to learn. Can't really tremolo pick sweet chords with fingers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO1VL09nWrU
For me the thing that stands out most when comparing piano and guitar is sustain of tones. One of my favorite things in music is "evil" arpeggios with minor seconds and they sound quite different on piano and guitar. More of a screechy sound on guitar.
I'm guessing that the enhanced sustain of an amplified guitar tone makes those minor seconds really squeal, compared to a piano (even with the sustain pedal engaged). How far do you take those arpeggios? One octave? Two?
Not sure, I guess one or two. Was referring to riffs like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFOnMjo6N6c&t=4m11s
Got the idea now. I'd imagine that you could execute those minor seconds on adjacent strings to really make an evil sound. Get both notes sustaining......whew!
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: TLEILAXU on March 01, 2018, 12:04:06 am
This miight be one for you BFK. There are many versions of the Cherubic Hymn/Cherubikon/Kheruvimskaya Pesn etc., but thisi is easiily the best one I've found, and II had to spend liike 2 hours searchiing for it to put ini my new classiical playlisit since youtube deleted my old account https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdaI4ksLl1Y
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: BeardFisher-King on March 01, 2018, 04:00:23 am
This miight be one for you BFK. There are many versions of the Cherubic Hymn/Cherubikon/Kheruvimskaya Pesn etc., but thisi is easiily the best one I've found, and II had to spend liike 2 hours searchiing for it to put ini my new classiical playlisit since youtube deleted my old account https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdaI4ksLl1Y
That is the nicest gift, Tleilaxu....that is extremely cool of you to share that with me. Russian Orthodox (?), a vocal group from Belarus. Wow, that is beautiful!

In return, here's a motet from the Roman Catholic tradition: "Sicut Cervus", by Palestrina, sung by the Cambridge Singers. Our church choir* sings it regularly.

https://youtu.be/0yd5EE0hAB8

*btw, I just rejoined the choir!
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: Wilshire on March 01, 2018, 07:16:55 pm
love choral music, especially when its in any language I can't understand - so anything that's not english.
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: TLEILAXU on March 01, 2018, 07:29:27 pm
This miight be one for you BFK. There are many versions of the Cherubic Hymn/Cherubikon/Kheruvimskaya Pesn etc., but thisi is easiily the best one I've found, and II had to spend liike 2 hours searchiing for it to put ini my new classiical playlisit since youtube deleted my old account https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdaI4ksLl1Y
That is the nicest gift, Tleilaxu....that is extremely cool of you to share that with me. Russian Orthodox (?), a vocal group from Belarus. Wow, that is beautiful!

In return, here's a motet from the Roman Catholic tradition: "Sicut Cervus", by Palestrina, sung by the Cambridge Singers. Our church choir* sings it regularly.

https://youtu.be/0yd5EE0hAB8

*btw, I just rejoined the choir!
Thanks. I envy people with the abiility to sinig.
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: BeardFisher-King on March 01, 2018, 07:58:22 pm
This miight be one for you BFK. There are many versions of the Cherubic Hymn/Cherubikon/Kheruvimskaya Pesn etc., but thisi is easiily the best one I've found, and II had to spend liike 2 hours searchiing for it to put ini my new classiical playlisit since youtube deleted my old account https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdaI4ksLl1Y
That is the nicest gift, Tleilaxu....that is extremely cool of you to share that with me. Russian Orthodox (?), a vocal group from Belarus. Wow, that is beautiful!

In return, here's a motet from the Roman Catholic tradition: "Sicut Cervus", by Palestrina, sung by the Cambridge Singers. Our church choir* sings it regularly.

https://youtu.be/0yd5EE0hAB8

*btw, I just rejoined the choir!
Thanks. I envy people with the abiility to sinig.
Believe me, Tleilaxu, so do I.... ;)
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: TLEILAXU on March 08, 2018, 10:39:03 pm
Do you guys create any music? I have a soundcloud with a couple of short embarassing pieces here https://soundcloud.com/cyclohexane-1
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: BeardFisher-King on March 09, 2018, 12:34:57 am
I don't have any music online, but I produced a self-financed CD about 13 years ago. A handful of small-combo tracks added to some solo piano improvisations.
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: BeardFisher-King on March 09, 2018, 12:38:26 am
Do you guys create any music? I have a soundcloud with a couple of short embarassing pieces here https://soundcloud.com/cyclohexane-1
Nice stuff, Tleilaxu! Yours are just the cyclohexane-1 tracks, correct? About three? When I played them, soundcloud just kept on playing tracks.

You do love those minor seconds, brother!  :)
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: TLEILAXU on March 09, 2018, 01:21:51 am
I don't have any music online, but I produced a self-financed CD about 13 years ago. A handful of small-combo tracks added to some solo piano improvisations.
You should put that up somewhere!

Do you guys create any music? I have a soundcloud with a couple of short embarassing pieces here https://soundcloud.com/cyclohexane-1
Nice stuff, Tleilaxu! Yours are just the cyclohexane-1 tracks, correct? About three? When I played them, soundcloud just kept on playing tracks.

You do love those minor seconds, brother!  :)
Yes and yes, they are fantastic.
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: BeardFisher-King on July 11, 2018, 04:29:05 pm
https://youtu.be/PeWQbJy_aSE

This is a live performance of "MacArthur Park" by The Neal Morse Band from Morsefest 2015. I raved about the studio recording in the Obligatory Music thread,  and this live version is equally spectacular. I might have to get myself to one of these Morsefest events....
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: BeardFisher-King on July 11, 2018, 04:39:26 pm
In other news....ol' BFK is rejoining the STL music scene as a pub performer! He debuts on Saturday, July 21 at a venerable establishment called Failoni's ("Leave the gun; take the cannolis!"). It's been mostly fun rehearsing the music; fortunately, we had a particularly successful rehearsal last night. We added a Billy Joel tune ("Captain Jack"), a pair of Little Feat tunes ("Willin'" and "Dixie Chicken") and some Beatles songs ("Mean Mr. Mustard", "Polythene Pam", "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window"). More to come, including set lists and maybe some photos.
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: BeardFisher-King on July 11, 2018, 08:58:52 pm
Oh, and in the "Needs Work" category, a classic from Supertramp ("Bloody Well Right"). Next rehearsal will determine whether or not it makes the set list for Gig #1. Here's a link to the song:

https://youtu.be/BoIy6OU0aMs

Note the piano intro. BFK gets high marks on feel/attitude, but he still has a stretch of road ahead with regards to mastering the actual NOTES. Right now, I'm at 40%. There's a rapid descending passage that might be .... beyond me. Thank God for YouTube tutorials!
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: BeardFisher-King on July 20, 2018, 03:25:09 am
First gig with my new band in 2 days. It's been about 8 years since I've been in a band....never thought that I'd saddle up again. Good friends, good times. Cheers!
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: BeardFisher-King on December 23, 2019, 06:07:37 am
Well ....

It turns out that I was, sadly, too old for the grind of performing in a bar band. It is truly a young man's game. Also, while some of the gigs were fun, the sad truth was that the music-making didn't click at all for me. I was the square peg getting pounded into someone else's round hole. "Don't play so loud, do this differently ... " I think I lasted about one calendar year, from Aug. 2018 to Aug. 2019. Fortunately, the parting of ways was very amicable, which with me is usually not the case. Perhaps in future posts I may draft my memoirs as a third-rate (at least from a professional perspective) musician. Looking back, there are some great stories.

Stay tuned!
Title: Re: BFK's Music Corner
Post by: H on December 23, 2019, 02:45:57 pm
Sorry to hear that the band life didn't work out for you.  The collaborative process is tough too.  Good luck with your next step though!