Guitar only likes parts that're complex in theory

[spade2you]

I agree that you always have to do what's good for the song, but on the other hand, there was a time when difficult music was really appreciated by the public, and bands like the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Return To Forever were doing arenas and stadiums. Maybe not headlining them, but they were totally respected and people bought their albums in large numbers.

Not that I don't love simple pop and rock songs, but it kind of makes me sad to see so many people try to discourage the adventuresome spirit in the kids coming up today. Listen, the music business as we know it is on its last legs, and trying to dumb your music down to please record company morons who never touched an instrument in their lives is no longer necessary to establish a career. I don't know why anyone would even bother to kiss ass in this day and age.

That isn't to say I think dumbed down music sucks or you shouldn't play it...but if a dude is getting a little "too advanced" so what? Have fun. That's what writing your own music is about. And don't fight him too hard on it, either. Until proven otherwise, he might be onto something that catches on. I'm sure a lot of pop music fans thought Les Claypool was a moron until Primus started catching on, too.

(This post isn't specifically addressed to you, mills...just a general rant )

Well put.

My guitarist just wrote a verse in 7/8. I haven't messed around with odd time signatures since I had hair and wore Dream Theater and Rush t-shirts. One could complain, but I guess I'm going to be relearning how to play in 7/8 timing.

 

[DWBass]

How many times do you think Jack Bruce was told that he played too many notes?? Pushing the envelope is not for the timid.

I wish there was more support for players who want to explore new territory. I get sick of hearing "the role of the bass player is ..." "serve the song" "less is more" and a host of other tired cliches meant to keep bass players in a little box.

We need more people saying "try something different" "take a chance" "create a sonic landscape" and some new cliches.

Here's my issue with that. If the majority of the band members say you're playing too many notes.....you're playing too many notes. And if you have an issue with that, it means you are being selfish and are playing for yourself and not what the band wants. We just fired a drummer for this very reason! He completely ignored our protests and took things lightly. Now, he's still bitching and moaning and doesn't understand why we fired him! We work and play as a band. Not a handful of individuals doing what they want to fulfill their own needs! Sorry, not the band I wanna be in.

 

[JimmyM]

Here's my issue with that. If the majority of the band members say you're playing too many notes.....you're playing too many notes. And if you have an issue with that, it means you are being selfish and are playing for yourself and not what the band wants. We just fired a drummer for this very reason! He completely ignored our protests and took things lightly. Now, he's still bitching and moaning and doesn't understand why we fired him! We work and play as a band. Not a handful of individuals doing what they want to fulfill their own needs! Sorry, not the band I wanna be in.

What if you're the writer of the song? Jack Bruce wrote almost every song Cream played. I agree with your premise sort of, but being the writer means that you call the shots IMHO.

 

[obimark]

What if you're the writer of the song? Jack Bruce wrote almost every song Cream played. I agree with your premise sort of, but being the writer means that you call the shots IMHO.

Jack Bruce had one important thing going - He never lost his groove, even on his busiest line (crossroads) not once does he lose the groove.

And I would say, Jack really was not that busy, he was very expressive. Some of his lines are actually fairly simple and unless I am vastly mistaken the majority of Cream songs are in.... good old 4/4.

 

[DWBass]

What if you're the writer of the song? Jack Bruce wrote almost every song Cream played. I agree with your premise sort of, but being the writer means that you call the shots IMHO.

In that case....it is what it is! Some folks like busy playing. I don't! Funny, I've written many songs and not one has a busy bassline. Stems from my studio days when I still lived in NY. Stuff you can get away with when playing live don't translate well on recordings.

 

[bumperbass]

I don't like "busy playing" either! I am not into bass solos. I am there to fulfill a basic purpose, and we all know what that is. There are times when you might be able to put more into a song than the recording has, as long as it's not overdone. Some extra notes are required in certain songs because ya know, we're live and trying to compete with a cover that's (most of the time) over-produced and over-overdubbed.

 

[DBCrocky]

If your entire band is telling you that you're playing too many notes, fire that band and hire a new one.

 

[smcfarland1337]

Oh the Math Rock 'phase'.
I have been off and on with that since 9th grade (way out of high school now).
It's fun, but it gets to a point where you're like 'wow, I wrote this awkward passage just for the sake of it being awkward. This isn't as fun and catchy as I thought it'd be, oh well.'

And that's when you realize that Math Rock, like most things, is only good in moderation.

 

[groooooove]

Yeah, many musicians go through that phase. Most of the time, the music is never as interesting as they think it is. And I say that as someone who can enjoy some complex - even atonal - music.

But for every John Cage and Arnold Schoenberg, there are a billion people writing overly complex, pretentious stuff that only appeals to the composer's ego.

there are great composers, then there are electric guitarists who call themselves composers.

they're usually the same person that'll tell someone upon meeting them that they're famous. like Russell brand says, fame is something that means nothing when you've got to tell someone that you have it.

anyway your guitarist will hopefully start to understand context one day. a french augmented 6th chord is a great tool but works just as well in a pop song as a screwdriver does to change a car tire.

 

[The Sloth]

Surely some of you realize that the use of odd time signatures doesn't automatically mean the music has to wind up ugly, or unfit for public display. There are simply certain things that can never be stated in 4/4 time, a lot of things. Why limit yourself because there's a chance you'll lose a hot girl's interest for a minute?