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| A site dedicated to not only my own music, but how to build your own studio, record and promote your music.Plenty of do it yourself ideas that I've put into practice by simply doing as opposed to thinkng. Once you start, you'll wonder why you waited so long... |
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| Last Sunday, our neighbours had a group of friends to visit. I was,as usual in the studio. Late afternoon it was time to have a break and say hello to everyone. I was introduced to Grant Macphee. Now Grant has worked and does work with some of the most talented people in the world. Currently he and his wife are with KD LANG. Grant was more than gracious, a gentle soul with intelligent eyes and a laid back manner.Of course Howard, my neighbour and friend said, "why don't you show Grant the studio" Ohh hell! The place was an absolute mess, as I am building two new rooms under the house. Anyway, that didn't matter and of course as usual I was full of questions. It's rare to get the opportunity to talk with people who are not only a source of inspiration but kind an affable. My first question was about Keith Richards. Nothing to do with his personal life as it's constantly splashed all over the place. Hardly an insight and not of interest to me. I watch a small selection of dvd's that do inspire and drive me on. One is "Keith Richards and The Expensive Winos" (great name) Live at the Hollywood Palladium Dec 1988. The reason this is a favourite is the feeling of strength. By that I mean Keith seems to have found himself. Simply an observation, the way he carries himself is generous and shares his love of music within a band of guys that are clearly secure as musicians. It's been a long rd for Richards as we've been witness to many of his struggles. The inspiration and message that shines through is a powerful message to anyone coming face to face with a personal crisis. Be it illness, loss, any one of life's challenges. What I see is a man who has dug deep and re built himself. Finding his place and working toward being comfortable in his own skin. For me, this is music. Sharing the joy and bond that separates a generous band/performer from the rest. The great thrill I get from performing is a simple glance, brief glimpse of sparkle in a fellow players eyes. It's beyond description as it personifies the feeling that urges me to play as it did a s a boy. Each member is in a world of their own and at the same time finely tuned into what is going on within the music. The wry smiles, the cheeky walk of the bass player all give off one message. A good time. No grandstanding, no nonsense playing . I have specific memories of such times with different people. It's those memories, eye contact as watching everyone around you while playing is so important as there are times when you feel a little off colour, just not on the mark. If you have around you people who are with you, their actions as in a wink or a gesture, moving into your space on stage and lifting you to another level and out of yourself. You're in the right place. Next time you see a live performance, see what interaction is, if any is going on. I mentioned Jane Gower and her performance with The Nuremberg Orchestra some months ago. Jane, being a Classical Bassoon Soloist as is any guest in any place, vulnerable. A good performance is guaranteed as the work is done and honed constantly. A great performance is drawn from fellow musicians. I watched as Jane's eyes glanced about as she found what she needed. The Bass player (I'll have to double check as to her name) is. I was gone, what a beautiful player. She was ready for Jane's glance and with that she simply offered what as musicians and people one would think comes freely. The look and warmth of encouragement and self confidence helped lift the whole performance to a level that allowed Jane to feel more at home and less alone. If you can imagine tromping around the globe as a Soloist-is fine, it's the spirit you find within those who support you that allows you to continue. Without which you would be a s the word tells us. A soloist, alone, though upon the stage surrounded by players, just as Keith or any of us walking down the street.. with several thousand people, having paid to see you at your best. The conductor is in place and takes care of everyone, it's the simple glance or smile which welcomes you into the orchestra, band, dinner.. whatever. This is the time you are given to breath and let the music do it's thing. To reach new heights as opposed to night after night playing the same notes. When those same note come to life through the performer, you've got a night to remember. So, my question to Grant was this..do you feel KR has found his place and is in fact a happy man? Grant's quiet and knowing voice still echos in my head..."Those guys are having a ball". Few and far between are such moments in life, let alone the stage. I move on as each and everyone of you, for without a glance, a smile or kind gesture...life means little. To all of you in this huge band, orchestra, trio...on earth. My hope is you have people around you with a smile to give and in turn a place to share. Cheers | ||
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| For more years than I care remember volume has been a part of my life. As a drummer it's one of the most influential characteristics regarding your performance and musical dynamics. As crowds became larger and a wage allowed a little something extra, like a Thousand Watt Guitar Amp, volume became enemy number one. Performing constantly in different venues around the country, each night was different. Acoustics could either make or break your night. As I started playing the drums around the age of 12. There was no thought of what was to come. It got to the stage where I could not hear my drums live. Wedged between a couple of Marshal 400 watt amps, A huge Bass amp.. Plus a fold back box screaming at either your left or right ear, is not my idea of a night out, let alone playing. The most difficult thing was singing and actually hearing my own voice, let alone the other band members. It became impossible as most nights the volume would always increase to that of a large Jet taking off. I leant to pitch from the front of house PA Boxes, as there was no way I could hear my voice or drums in my position. To understand the many idiosyncracities of some drummers, prone to self combust or totally become unmanageable. One only need sit at the kit with the band wailing. The Amps sit at ear level, as the drummer is sitting, not only is it painful, it doesn't make for good dynamic performance. What happenes is you really play by your senses. Eye contact being the most important. On many occasions, if I hadn't counted a song in, I couldn't hear the count or the instrument so I watched the back of a head, a foot or arse wiggling to a very unusual rhythm. Some people play in time, many don't as they have never sat and worked on time and timing. You can imagine the state of mind you find yourself in as your nerves are on high alert all the time with the heat of maybe 40 par cans burning into your skull. For a time, the added feature of a drum riser was a blessing. I remember the guys saying.. "Mate, They'll be able to see you now!" They were right as my drum riser got higher and higher. If I'd had wheels and a remote, I would have been all over the shop! The difference was incredible and a smile returned to an otherwise twisted and angry little drummer. Ultimately the whole thing became more a performance enhancer and added more theatre to the look. The sound, well, that's in the hands of your front of house man, as most of the time you have no idea. Thirty five years later, fifty percent hearing loss, a twitch and a more than jumpy nervous system, I was introduced to a pair of Shure Isolating Earphones. Praise Be the Lord! As I record most of the time hearing is to say the least, important. I had been getting severe pain in my left ear when playing the drums, as this ear is closest to your Snare Drum. Each time I came down on the snare.. Whack and shocking pain down my left side. I'm happy to say, those days have gone. I can hear very clearly without any of the acoustic sound from the kit interfering and can keep the headphone level at a reasonable level without the sound being recorded or bleeding into the track. Most importantly, when I am doing a vocal, I don't get any backing track spill on to the Vocal track as the volume I need using Open Headphones had become ridiculous. Thanks Steve!!! Steve and Alex from Wicked Digital turned me on to these beauties and I haven't looked back. They are excellent for listening to any sound source and with a little patience, as they tend to fall out of your ears if you don't read the instructions re a good fit. Bass response is very dynamic as is the higher frequencies. If you have an iPod or whatever, I highly recommend you try a pair of these as you don't want to damage your ears, let alone develop the notorious .. Drummers Syndrome... that can lead to SELF COMBUSTING or DESTROYING the rest of the bands equipment in one foul swoop. Ahhh ... the pleasure of hurling Amplifiers and Bass bins to their death ... purely in respect to legendary gear smashers and TV throwers from high places.. "THE WHO".... and please refrain from replying ... the What? For it may be your very last utterance... So if your drummer is a little, shall I say, TOUCHY!!!! Don't dismay. Simply walk away and leave he or she in peace and quiet for five minutes, return with a glass of water, a towel, perhaps a light snack and pray, they don't tip the lot over you... Everything will be fine. If you have a happy drummer. You have a happy Band. Cheers to all Iain | ||
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