update us on your musical life

[visa]

I thought it would be nice to actually hear some stuff from people about how your music is coming along. I'll start the ball rolling.

I'm a bass player, I just broke another string a couple of weeks ago. It's frustrating, I'm temporarily using a D string as an A string and it feels and sounds pretty bad. Anybody can lobang me where to get good, cheap, standard bass strings? Normal guage, roundwound. I'm looking for something that isn't too bright or dull, isn't too thick or thin, too bassy or thin. Average la.

I've been trying to learn the drums to be a more all-rounded musician but I've sort of hit a wall. In particular, I struggle with my feet. I'm left handed so I play with my right hand on the snare, which feels fine. My feet get confused though.

I haven't really been listening to any new music. Still watching the same old L'arc~en~Ciel vids on YouTube. I like Fightstar, which is the band of the guy from Busted.

YouTube - Fightstar - We Apologise for Nothing

I'm struggling with writing and singing vocal harmonies, but I think it would be so badass to be able to do it right. Local pairs like Dharma/Bryan, Levan/Don, the Plainsunset duo, etc really hit me hard when they nail their harmonies. I think not enough of us look into this.

Post your thoughts and updates. Music itself. Try to avoid talking about fashion or trends or stuff like that.

 

[SherT]

I'm a guitarist who hears songs in his head everywhere he goes, but is almost always unable to translate them into something tangible.

I am proud of my extensive library of different kinds of music, of which the collecting (and catalogueing, where possible) of is one of my main passions. I go to shows whenever I have free time, which doesn't come around easily these days, and I enjoy watching new or up-and-coming bands take the stage. I detest people who attempt to pigeonhole any band they see into a genre just for the sake of it.

I believe that musicmanship is more than just writing good songs, it's about playing those songs well, and connecting with listeners on a level they can relate to. Even if you earn the right to act like one, there is no room for rockstar attitudes around here. Above all, in my capacity as an audience member, I appreciate honesty in execution, as opposed to senseless theoratically-charged wankery.

That's my story.

 

[Ikiru]

Nothing much really, just practicing the same song for hours by listening to the original track itself. That's all the time I have until the sky goes dark and I'm not allowed to play loud music until tomorrow, lol. No headphones also, so can't use that alternative >_>

Other times I'm reading up SOFT for insights and watching youtube for some pushing force to keep me motivated While I'm not playing, I listen to music to try to pick up the guitar riffs, bass and whatnot in a song.

 

[dir]

=Ikiru

dude, get some headphones

 

[zullio]

visa: ooh.. Fightstar. kinda good band.
----------------------------------------------

Okay, for myself i'm basically just a rythmn guitarist. But nowadays im practicing my lead-playing by learning solos from songs i always listen to. Not going too well, but i just started, so yeah.

Also, i've been playing chords randomly to 'compose' originals for my band. also, i always have song ideas in my head whenever i listen to music on the way to school and back, but when i reach home i tend to forget those ideas already.

 

[visa]

agreed about the headphones-

they're not that expensive, and very worth it!

 

[Ikiru]

dude, get some headphones

Dude, I no money for headphones.
Inexpensive as it may be, by no money, I mean dead broke even to buy lunch and my parents find that purchasing a pair of headphones for me is a waste of money.
But I use my roland cube's power squeeze for awhile until it's like 11pm or something then I stop. By then got headache already by playing loudly in the afternoon.

 

[hecklerkoch]

=Ikiru

Yah, then if they say "just buy any headphones will do lah!" and you will say not nice leh, looks MIC ass cheap, then it becomes a fashion issue, then you can't post anymore here.

Kidding...

If you can't laugh with me, I feel quite sad for you...

Hahahahahaha!!!!

:mrgreen:

ps Hey! I've just used the 'edit' button!

 

[Ikiru]

Any other headphones not dirt cheap also lor, unless you find me one less than 5 bucks and won't render me deaf in 1 month. Kidding, kidding... I'm not that cheapo, but yeah... I'm poor, gotta deal with it.

LOL, btw I won't complain about it not looking nice la, since I'm using it at home, who cares nice or not. Fashion doesn't exist at home for me (or outside anyway, I'm too lazy to look nice). I can wear shrek hairband and mushroom slippers for all I care.

OOps, shouldn't hijack this thread with unrelated stuff, paiseh.

 

[dirtchamber700]

wow interesting thread! since this is like a musical update thread. maybe someone has a solution for a poor soul who has 'writer's block'? it's been a barren wasteland for me for the past 4 mths, i itching to get something good going. a good idea, a good tune...anything!

i write trance melodies, industrial beats, breaks etc. electronica oso!

 

[dirtchamber700]

visa: ooh.. Fightstar. kinda good band.
----------------------------------------------
Also, i've been playing chords randomly to 'compose' originals for my band. also, i always have song ideas in my head whenever i listen to music on the way to school and back, but when i reach home i tend to forget those ideas already.

i record the ideas into my phone using the voice recorder. for me, it's melodies. so i just hum to the phone and later on implement it onto the computer or synth. seems to work for me back then tho.

it seems weird at first, but just give it a shot!

 

[dir]

wow interesting thread! since this is like a musical update thread. maybe someone has a solution for a poor soul who has 'writer's block'? it's been a barren wasteland for me for the past 4 mths, i itching to get something good going. a good idea, a good tune...anything!

i write trance melodies, industrial beats, breaks etc. electronica oso!

there's no quick solution. but the best way is to watch/listen/read art or stuff that inspire you. Watch good movies, read a good book, listen to some new bands. Widen your perspectives and influences, that can only be good for you in the long run. Also picking up a new instrument may help. I find composing music in a really dark room is really good at times.

Since you mention trance and electronica, maybe I can mention a few artists I personally like. trentemoller, Stoneface and Terminal, Danger, Dark by Design, Above & Beyond, Kyau & Albert, Sander van Doorn, Randy Katana, Ricardo Villalobos. Also if you're into dark electropop, try getting The Knife - Silent Shout. It's a great listen.

 

[fgl]

same old, same old for me ....

wanted to do album delayed ....

Retro Groove doing alternate fris at an expatriate club & some other corporate gigs...

Im sessioning for several otehr acts for corporate events & small functions.

I'm getting bored and wanna experiment with a new sound / line up for upcoming competitions...

 

[dirtchamber700]

=dir

thanks dude! will definitely check 'em out! i like S & T too. summerscape radio edit. oooh mannn! haha

well, if this works, i'll post my new stuff o'er here!

 

[hadi]

Hi guys,

Hadi here... I play guitar for my band Knightsfall and Fall of Mirra. I started playing the guitar since poly year 1 (2003). My first even band that I even had was "Exothermica". We played covers of Metallica and I do really miss that band.

Here is the last gig with “Exothermica”

Master of Puppets cover: YouTube - Master Of Puppet -Cover

I would love to have someone to teach me guitar so that I can really have the skills and knowledge on how to play any solos confidently. I listen to all kinds of genre –Metalcore, Heavy metal, Pop, Punk, Hardcore and Top 40s. Bro Paul Danial used to taught me for about 5-6 lesson after which I did not have the cash to continue to learn with him. I do really miss his lesson ALOT. He is very humble and very knowledgeable guy and most importantly he is willing to share.

I used to play the guitar like 3-4 hours each day. Now I’m working as ICT Executive, I could only afford like less than two hours on my guitar.

Currently, I’m saving up to setup a home recording studio and hopefully to get it done by next year. Besides playing the guitar, I love to do recording. I'm still learn the art of audio recording. You may want to listen to my band recording which I posted on myspace - MySpace.com - Fall of Mirra (New song coming soon) - lion city, SG - Metal / Rock / Hardcore - www.myspace.com/fallofmirra.

My band Knightsfall, just found a new singer and we are currently writing new stuffs and hope to go to the studio and record it down real soon. As for my band, Fall of Mirra, we will be having gig on 3rd May @ Music Garage and in the process of recording two new songs.

Thank you for time to read my post

Cheers and God bless us all

 

[serialninja]

i'm dharma, i play guitar and sing with my band west grand boulevard.

lately my band has been on a songwriting roll so we've written a whole lot of new music which we're practising in the hopes of debuting them within the next month or so.

Jude (WGB's bassist), Bryan (WGB's singer) and I have also been practising some music by Protest The Hero (MySpace.com - Protest The Hero- FORTRESS OUT NOW! - Whitby, CA - Metal / Punk / Thrash - www.myspace.com/protestthehero) which is one of our favourite bands. We nailed Bloodmeat at our last band practice, which was exciting for us. Jude and I play guitars and Bryan plays drums. We have a friend Mark P who can play bass for that, so we're hoping to find a singer who can nail the high Protest The Hero sing/scream vocals so that we can complete the song with a full lineup.

personally I've been listening to Escape The Fate, Lovehatehero, Protest The Hero and Kenotia recently. my wakeup alarm every morning is Sequoia Throne by Protest The Hero, which is the next Protest song i want to learn to play.

oh, i also just learnt how to play acoustic versions of Maneater and Promiscuous Girl by Nelly Furtado, i love those songs.

i'd like to find more time to practice guitar, or to record acoustic covers or do electronic stuff for my personal project 28 (MySpace.com - 28 - SG - Electrónica / Trance - www.myspace.com/mister28) but i've been really busy with work so hopefully i have some free time soon!

 

[hadi]

Hey bro dharma, I love protest the hero... can i tryout Bloodmeat .. I love that song and its guitar work....

i'm dharma, i play guitar and sing with my band west grand boulevard.

lately my band has been on a songwriting roll so we've written a whole lot of new music which we're practising in the hopes of debuting them within the next month or so.

Jude (WGB's bassist), Bryan (WGB's singer) and I have also been practising some music by Protest The Hero (MySpace.com - Protest The Hero- FORTRESS OUT NOW! - Whitby, CA - Metal / Punk / Thrash - www.myspace.com/protestthehero) which is one of our favourite bands. We nailed Bloodmeat at our last band practice, which was exciting for us. Jude and I play guitars and Bryan plays drums. We have a friend Mark P who can play bass for that, so we're hoping to find a singer who can nail the high Protest The Hero sing/scream vocals so that we can complete the song with a full lineup.

 

[fgl]

BRO HADI - NICE EATING SIDE BY SIDE WITH u AT SAKURA RESTAURANT DAT DAY :mrgreen:

 

[hadi]

Hey bro fgl,

its really nice to meeting you too.. Wished that we could stay a little longer and chat.Well, its ok.... Soon we shall meet again ya...

Cheers

BRO HADI - NICE EATING SIDE BY SIDE WITH u AT SAKURA RESTAURANT DAT DAY :mrgreen:

 

[theunknown]

i first layed my hands on a guitar when i was 12 or 13. cousin gave me a toyo brand acoustic.
played the first song, master of puppets, until now i cant master it as i play without tabs. stopped
playing when i broke the bridge when hitting to hard on low E string doing
the verse riff. haha

got my electric guitar last oct. first song, again, master of puppets. still cant master.
i wanted to be a vocal/guitarist, either solo like secondhand serenade or james
hetfield of metallica. i find it hard to memorise lyrics and play powerchord at the same
time. needs practicing.

my current band ''hired'' me as their lead guitar/backing voc. the vocalist knew me thru
his sister, who was my band member. rather new to lead guitaring, we play easy songs
first. another friend is asking me to join his band as lead guitar. these situations are rather limiting my
singing, which i enjoy very much.

so far at home, i rather have limited time on my guitar as im schooling and i share a room
with a non-metalhead and non guitarist. so its kinda hard to practise or blast. my problem
is that i keep practicing the same songs doing the same mistakes. i always refuse to look
for tabs, because i'd rather find out the notes myself. haha

and oh yea i soooo need to learn basic theory.