|
Post by stacknymint on Apr 15, 2008 23:09:48 GMT -4
Hey guys, just layed down some crappy recordings of what I've been working on since this past September. I used Audacity and a Radio Shack mic so it sounds pretty raw to say the least. www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=497179The pieces are "Un Dia De Noviembre", and 2 studies from "Etudes Simples", numbers 1 and 6 by the famous Cuban classical guitarist/composer Leo Brouwer. Then there is "Mysterious Habitats" by Dusan Bogdanovic. This is just a spacy piece, and due to the ostinato through out the song, the seperation of vocies can be kinda tricky. The last one is the famous Bouree in e minor by Bach. The Brouwer 6 and Bach are out of practice because I played those last semester and haven't messed with em much. Check em out and lemme know what you think! Stack
|
|
|
Post by Mr. G. on Apr 16, 2008 11:01:29 GMT -4
Good stuff Stack! My favorites were "Mysterious Habitats" and "Brouwer VI". I don't suppose you would happen to have some tab for either of these would you?
|
|
Rustee
Full Member
pima practitioner
Posts: 214
|
Post by Rustee on Apr 16, 2008 20:54:00 GMT -4
Yep, nice job dude! I have heard a few of those before. And the sound isn't bad at all really...sounds more natural than my recordings. I've only briefly tried to set up a mic as opposed to the onboard pup, but I've yet to be satisfied with the results. I don't have a mic stand either, which makes things a bit more difficult. But if I could get that kinda sound I might put forth more effort.
|
|
|
Post by stacknymint on Apr 16, 2008 21:42:35 GMT -4
Thanks guys.
Eric I don't have a tab for either, but once summer rolls around I would be happy to work on that for you. Brouwer VI especially will be easy to tab. Mysterious Habitats will take a bit more work though.
|
|
|
Post by stacknymint on Apr 16, 2008 21:46:38 GMT -4
PS-Rustee, all I can say is "nails." Its taken a lot of work and messing around with my nails to get my tone, and its still not great. However, its really improved a lot with the help of my teacher. Hes let me in on some of his secrets and such. If you ever wanna take the plunge and go all out with the nails lemme know. I may be able to offer some advice.
Your tone is gorgeous though with whatever you're using now. If you didn't wanna change, I wouldn't blame you.
|
|
Rustee
Full Member
pima practitioner
Posts: 214
|
Post by Rustee on Apr 16, 2008 21:55:12 GMT -4
Well actually, I did take the plunge (mostly) a few months ago...ima all have nails (with nice results btw), but I can't seem to get my thumbnail right. The tone always comes out too abrasive. I know the general goal is to file them in a way that facilitates striking the string with nail and flesh almost simultaneously...I dunno, but I think I keep getting too much nail. How do you shape yours?
|
|
|
Post by stacknymint on Apr 16, 2008 23:20:16 GMT -4
The thumb is my longest nail. (Bear in mind, everyone's hands and nails are different, so I'm sure you'l have to mess with it more.) Mine needs to be fairly rounded without much slope just due to the way my thumb strikes the string.
Basically the main thing is how you're going to strike the string. Some guys use hitch-hiker thumb which gives you a very clicky and abrasive tone. My teacher recommends that you keep a totally relaxed thumb so it eliminates click and darkens your tone. This is not an easy thing to get down because your thumb naturally wants to extend when you play, just due to tension and what not. Even so, my thumb relaxed still has some hitch-hikerness to it. Other's naturally bend the other way. All that aside, some people have shorter or longer nails depending on how high the flesh rides up on the whites of your nails. I'd say the thumb calls for more than any of the others if you want to be able to darken that tone. Right now I've got a fake nail on my thumb cuz I busted my real one a few days back.
Anyways, all I would recommend is just messing around with your thumb nail. Personally, I can't play without it. It totally messes up my entire hand position if I don't have it. Just try different shapes and different ways of striking it and see what gives you the most consistent tone with the other fingers. Your hands will be different than anyone elses, so it will definitely take some experimentation.
|
|
|
Post by stacknymint on Apr 16, 2008 23:23:36 GMT -4
One more thing to add....
When I empty my pockets I have: Micro-mesh (very fine sand paper that can be purchased at stringsbymail.com), a diamond card which is meant for filing metal (an emory board will work too though, the diamond card is just solid and a more efficient design), Krazy Glue, an emory board, nail clippers, fake nail glue. So if you do have the time and desire to get the nails right, think about some other accessories. All of those make a difference.
|
|
Rustee
Full Member
pima practitioner
Posts: 214
|
Post by Rustee on Apr 17, 2008 0:48:53 GMT -4
Thanks. I might experiment some more at some point, but I guess I'm content with just thumb flesh for now though.
And yeah, I have 4 grades of emory boards to file and smooth them down. Those work pretty well on their own, but true, the consensus is the super fine paper is the best for the final step, so I finish with my 1500 grit paper wrapped around my file. You can also get those papers at most auto parts stores (as they're used in finishing paint jobs). They sometimes carry up to 2500 or 3000 grit.
|
|
|
Post by stacknymint on Apr 17, 2008 7:19:21 GMT -4
Yeah, those will do the job. I've got 3200, 4000, 6000, and 12000. Those mose definitely get a pretty nice finish. I didn't start using really fine stuff until recently though, and my nails were fine. From what I've been told though, it can take some time to figure the nails out. I'd say my i and m are both pretty good. My a tends to be a little bright (or a lot at times) and my thumb is one big mass of confusion at this point. Guess I'll just keep messing around...
|
|
|
Post by Mr. G. on Apr 17, 2008 9:23:22 GMT -4
Wow Stack, ever thought about getting a job at a nail salon? j/k
|
|
|
Post by Tonja Renee on Apr 17, 2008 11:30:38 GMT -4
lmao! It is pretty weird seeing guys talk about growing nails and nail care. But I guess its ok as long as its for the sake of the music.
|
|
|
Post by stacknymint on Apr 17, 2008 22:59:34 GMT -4
Wow Stack, ever thought about getting a job at a nail salon? j/k I betcha I could give a meen manicure...Always something to fall back on. ;D
|
|