2/5/8

[Lord of Oats]

I am equally baffled by those who say "I could never do that."

people that won't try new things are douchebags

[The Weakest Suit]

Also, Niv. I'm a huge fan of bass playing lead vocalists.

i thought for sure you'd have a emoticon of kip winger headbanging next to this statement.

[Paco Del Stinko]

I squandered my artistic talents for rock and roll in high school. I've always been more interested in making music than in practicing, so I've taken a slow, bumpy road to get 'here', but for me, making music is almost the same as being hunched over the sketchbook. Doodles, studies, finished works both successful and flawed, colors or shades of grey. Occasionally an escape, but mostly scratching an itch.

[Lord of Oats]

I've always been more interested in making music than in practicing

then how did you get so damn good at your instruments?

don't get me wrong; i've been trying to invent practice-free music for years

but look where it's gotten me

[Paco Del Stinko]

so I've taken a slow, bumpy road to get 'here'

That's nice of you to say, Oatsy. Thank you. But I am kind of dumb, which is ok, I've accepted that, and am an example of learning over the long haul with a shit-ton of trial and error. I don't mind being a caveman with a crayon.

You've got some talent so just keep at it. Accept that there's always someone better, but try and do your best. Or something like that.

[roymond]

making music is almost the same as being hunched over the sketchbook. Doodles, studies, finished works both successful and flawed, colors or shades of grey. Occasionally an escape, but mostly scratching an itch.

Well stated. I never practice anymore. Haven't for perhaps 15 years, so whatever happens at this point is residual and I feel exactly as you do about the music making process. It is painting with sound, spontaneous and with varying degrees of success.

[Lord of Oats]

so if i sit and beat the hell out of my guitar long enough i'll slowly turn into you?

it doesn't show in too many of my tunes, but man do i love a good rocking

it's clear from yours that you know how to rock, above anything else i can think of

i think rocking is instinctive, so i think you've always had the rock in you, regardless of what you might have to say on the topic

i just long for the day when my solos sound like the golden phrases that fall from your fingertips

maybe you haven't always had that ability, precisely

if you're telling me i can acheive this with the exact same method i've been using all along, and enough patience, i think you just made my day

[edit: jeez roymond, don't you sure like to play 'follow oats around and knock his posts out of context by typing faster than him'?]

[Paco Del Stinko]

My, it's almost time for a group hug here!

so if i sit and beat the hell out of my guitar long enough i'll slowly turn into you?

Nope. But you'll turn into you, and that's even better. For you, that is.

[Rabid Garfunkel]

How does a person beat those types of odds?

You don't. You make your own odds, and your own rules.

Yeah, that was a cheesy answer, but dude! If you approach it like it's Cerebrus and all you've got is a boy sprout pocketknife to get you past that guardian to the gates o' heck, it's gonna be that much harder from the very beginning.

Make your music as best you can. Get people to listen. Someone's gonna say "Hey, I dig that." And they'll have something to contribute, or they'll know someone who can and wants to get on the bus.

Of course, my band's flirting with a(nother) meltdown right now, so who'm I to give advice, eh?

caveman with a crayon

I like that.

[erin.]

Hey guys...isn't it ALL practice?

Adding to Niv's comments about being a singer...
It's tough out there!
It can be really frustrating as a singer to have fantastic ideas, and then not feel that you can properly express them, as you are just "the singer". The alchemy of collaboration can be an amazing thing, but can also be incredibly challenging.
I would suggest being as descriptive and communicative as possible with your ideas and expectations, so that your group effort has more definition. Some times just getting folks to talk about what they want to do is the tricky part. Once everyone is (mostly) on the same page you will have to deal with individual egos....but if you can get past that part...it can be awesome to have your imaginings realized!!!

Stick to your vision, and other folks will want to share it with you.

[roymond]

It can be really frustrating as a singer to have fantastic ideas, and then not feel that you can properly express them, as you are just "the singer". The alchemy of collaboration can be an amazing thing, but can also be incredibly challenging.

So, are we talking about being "the singer" or the lyricist/singer/songwriter? Bono, Ian Anderson, Jon Anderson and others (even ones who aren't dinosaurs) hold their own. Otherwise, yeah "the singer" will need to have mega ego to survive.

[Hoblit]

I am equally baffled by those who say "I could never do that."

people that won't try new things are douchebags

Yes, I'm a douchebag because I won't ever jump out of an airplane 'for fun'.

/out of context

[obscurity]

[edit: jeez roymond, don't you sure like to play 'follow oats around and knock his posts out of context by typing faster than him'?]

You could always just learn how to quote like the rest of us :p

[Spud]

I have pretty terrible gas today for some reasons. I am farting like a motherfarter. What the hell.

But at least they're dry farts, so they don't sound like wet ass.

Isn't this what blogs are for? Geesh.

[fluffy]

I was simply responding to blue, Spud.