I vaguely recall there being at least a few other musicians around RVF, so come out and chat about what you're playing, what you've learned, where you're playing, all that good shit. Tips/help and advice can go here, too.

To get the ball rolling, I just started learning Mark's parts in Blackbird by Alter Bridge on guitar. About halfway through at the moment, just gotta learn the second clean part and the solo.

Rig Rundown:
Guitars - Gibson SG Standard, Gibson Firebird, cheap rip-off Les Paul
Amp - Scarlett Screamer 70, Jet City JCA100, Orange 4x12
Effects - tube screamer, big muff, harmony pedal, Crybaby wah, phase, and tuner.

I keep it pretty simple stupid, less shit that could go wrong. The band I'm in usually play out once or twice a month.

My rig rundown:

Guitars:
Schecter C-1 Classic. Thing is sexy as hell. I had green strings on it for a while, which made it 100x better


ESP EC100. One of my first guitars. I still play it at home, and occasionally take it to gigs where I need additional tunings


Fender Strat w/ Floyd Rose bridge. Love this thing, but if I got another I'd definitely go with a standard bridge.


I also have a couple of other project guitars laying around. Including this one


Amps:
At home, I use my old, slightly broken Roland Cube 60, but my main amp is a Bugera 333XL combo.


For live shows with my current band, I quite often borrow my buddy's Fender Frontman, 'cause it suits the rock sound really well.


In terms of effects, with my current band, I quite often skip out on them to keep things easier, but I have used my Vox wah, a Boss Digital Delay, and various distortion/gain pedals.

I guess I could be in for this.

I have a custom-build seven string electric and a custom made classical guitar. I also have a a few other electrics and whatnot. I write orchestral music which has been performed by various people, and I write more contemporary songs as well. I was at one point making my living writing music before I decided I wanted to be "Rich as ****."

For electric guitarists, I'd seriously suggest you all get a basic grip on how classical guitarists play their instruments - get a cheap nylon string and hammer out some simple tunes. The posture and finger-dexterity benefits you get far outweigh the amount of work you put in.

Because this is a game forum, I figure I'll do some girl-friendly guitar talk: Don't think Yngwie Style songs are going to impress girls. I used to knock out Vai's Tender Surrender, but it wasn't nearly as effective as something like this:






Also in terms of impressing people, use Rasguedo (hard strum where you basically flick the strings) when you're playing acoustic chords every so often. It is a simple trick and people think it's cool.

What's some good advice on getting gigs at local bars with a band? What do they expect when you approach them with the offer?

Quote: (10-03-2012 07:34 AM)RandalGraves Wrote:  

What's some good advice on getting gigs at local bars with a band? What do they expect when you approach them with the offer?

In the most basic form, the answer is:

Don't be really bad, and bring loads of people to spend money at the bar.

Quote: (10-03-2012 07:34 AM)RandalGraves Wrote:  

What's some good advice on getting gigs at local bars with a band? What do they expect when you approach them with the offer?

Depends whether you're looking to play your own songs or just a bunch of covers. A lot of pubs, etc, like to have acts that can play out a bunch of covers that people will sing along to on the weekends. These often pay reasonably as well, if you manage to secure a regular gig at a decent place. These type of places usually look for a reasonably experienced band that can knock out at least a few 30-45 minute sets. If you're looking to play your own songs in front of crowds, though, be prepared to be playing shows in shitty places on weeknights with small crowds, often for free, until you build up a decent following. Once you have this following, it's not a bad idea to invest in a manager, as they'll start pulling you gigs that will earn you money, and usually in front of bigger crowds. When you're starting out, whatever you want to play, just get in contact with as many people and places as possible, and remember, nothing compares to a good show, so make sure you're well practiced and tight with your band. Good luck, and happy gigging

And, like Kitsune said, bring a lot of friends in the beginning. If they enjoy your show, they'll bring their friends, and seeing tons of people at your shows is ultimately more impressive for the others at your show, and they'll be more likely to remember your show.

My equipment:

Fender Squier Affinity Series - my old guitar



Epiphone ES-339 Pro


Peavey Bandit 112


Giannini Trovador 1 - belonged to my mother in the early 70s

(similar image)




This setup is pretty much all that I need. Unfortunately, it's very hard to switch equipments here in Brazil, as prices go through the roof.

However, I've lately been considering an exchange between my Peavey and a Fender Mustang II. Does anyone here own one?

Quote: (10-03-2012 07:34 AM)RandalGraves Wrote:  

What's some good advice on getting gigs at local bars with a band? What do they expect when you approach them with the offer?

The best way to get gigs is to network with other bands/musicians. Get involved in your local music scene and jump on with an established band. In most cases everybody helps everybody. Also, make sure you jam your asses off. Play your songs until you're sick of playing them, then play them more. Now record a cheap demo and send emails to clubs.

Not sure if everyone one is wanting to out themselves or whatever but we should link to our bands as well. Here's mine:

https://www.facebook.com/Hossferatu

I have a Martin acoustic and an Epiphone Les Paul electric with a Jet City amp. Right now I've been learning some Brazilian songs. I pretty much learn just generic songs. Whatever gets the panties off the quickest.

Currently looking for a vocal coach to help get my singing skills up to a level where I would be confident enough to perform.

I need to start learning more covers, my problem is every time I sit down with the guitar I start writing songs even though I really need to improve my guitar skills and knowledge to be able to write better songs.

I play an acoustic electric Martin DXME.

if there's one thing I know about musicians, is that this thread is gonna get all Guitar Center circle jerk real quick. I'm all about it

Me I've got a 1970s green Orlando hollow body, a new-ish Fender Strat.

Mostly classically trained though, I was gonna do that for a living actually until cooking called. Got a '95 German Vasquez and my prize piece: a 1968 Contreras. If there's one thing that I own that I'm extremely protective of, it's that guitar. Brazilian rosewood throughout, I forget what kind of top. Sounds like angels singing when you play it. Also have a cheap flamenco guitar to take to the beach.

I play shit like this:















That last one is me playing Sound quality is shit but that was like 5 years ago and I was bored.

Dude - nice playing. I'm envious of your skills. At some point, I'm going to take classical lessons. I can finger pick well. Given that, how difficult will classical guitar be for me?
I'm mainly a blues/blues rocker (the usual suspects - Hendrix, Clapton, Vaughn, Allmans). Fender strat, carvin solidbody with humbuckers, through a Peavey Classic 60 tube amp. Fulltone overdrive.

Thing with classical is it's a discipline. You don't go into classical with a blues or rock background; you go into classical from square one. Why? Because to play classical well it's REALLY small details they don't cover in blues or rock; hand posture, body posture. Think of it like

Classical:Rock
Ballet:Hip Hop

I've taught tons of dudes who've played guitar for 5 years, 10 years, they have so many bad habits to break. Can you learn pieces like Asturias or Romanza without taking on the hardcore classical discipline? Yeah, but to other guitarists it shows.

All I'm sayin is, if you're gonna go classical, do it right. Check out Aaron Shearer's instruction books, it's a good start. Learn the Segovia scales. After that it's the Giuliani right hand exercises and the Pujol left hand exercises. Use a metronome. Be hyperaware of bad habits and do your best to slow down and change them. Splurge on the occasional private lesson.

I'd say you can start picking up dope classical songs after a year or two of daily practice. Stuff like the Bach piece above, Asturias, Sor's Etude 17, maybe a tremolo piece (recuerdos de la alhambra)

Dude - thanks for the information and advice.

Quote: (10-03-2012 12:25 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  

Mostly classically trained though, I was gonna do that for a living actually until cooking called. Got a '95 German Vasquez and my prize piece: a 1968 Contreras.

Finally, someone with some real training. Classical = guitar. The rest is warm-up.

Nice guitars, too, by the way.

Quote: (10-03-2012 01:41 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  

Thing with classical is it's a discipline. You don't go into classical with a blues or rock background; you go into classical from square one. Why? Because to play classical well it's REALLY small details they don't cover in blues or rock; hand posture, body posture. Think of it like

Classical:Rock
Ballet:Hip Hop

I've taught tons of dudes who've played guitar for 5 years, 10 years, they have so many bad habits to break. Can you learn pieces like Asturias or Romanza without taking on the hardcore classical discipline? Yeah, but to other guitarists it shows.

All I'm sayin is, if you're gonna go classical, do it right. Check out Aaron Shearer's instruction books, it's a good start. Learn the Segovia scales. After that it's the Giuliani right hand exercises and the Pujol left hand exercises. Use a metronome. Be hyperaware of bad habits and do your best to slow down and change them. Splurge on the occasional private lesson.

I'd say you can start picking up dope classical songs after a year or two of daily practice. Stuff like the Bach piece above, Asturias, Sor's Etude 17, maybe a tremolo piece (recuerdos de la alhambra)

I'm with you, but I'd honestly suggest anyone wanting to learn classical guitar get some lessons with a real decent teacher. People don't really recognise their mistakes/postural problems until they're an ingrained habit.

I'd also suggest starting with William Leavitt's Modern Method for Guitar Vols. I-III for reading music. It is a good base to start from.

Quote: (10-03-2012 10:03 AM)rationalize_this Wrote:  

I have a Martin acoustic and an Epiphone Les Paul electric with a Jet City amp. Right now I've been learning some Brazilian songs. I pretty much learn just generic songs. Whatever gets the panties off the quickest.

I've been thinking about learning a few songs purely for their panty moistening value. Experimented a bit with this one




But I've only managed to get 3somes out of it. I'm looking at more full scale orgies spontaneously busting out.

I want to try this one





I need to get the singing happening as well.

Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Gold Top (Cherry Sunburst) + Marshall amp (bad call, should've done Vox). Practice at home, Green Day all the way.

When I have time and money, I will take some classes, especially singing - my voice really sucks lol

PRS.....Mesa Boogie...12 string Yamaha..12 string Fender..6 string Martin..a couple of cheap but great Spanish Guitars...I had a lot of great guitars...all stolen though...damn..I don´t play much anymore..kind of lost the feeling..don´t know why..

Any jazz guys round here? Bop fanatics?

Quote: (10-04-2012 02:28 PM)Ramon Zarate Wrote:  

Any jazz guys round here? Bop fanatics?

Sure!

Although lately I've been enjoy gypsy jazz the most.

The master






Great exchange






Amazing how it's all about listening to the other guy(s) and feeling the moment.

Quote: (10-05-2012 01:56 AM)Ringo Wrote:  

Great exchange


Amazing how it's all about listening to the other guy(s) and feeling the moment.

I remember when one of the couch surfers we had jammed with me for a bit. Shit was great, guy really knew what he was doing and how to play with someone else. At that point I'd pretty much been ignoring my guitar and drinking instead for like 6 months, so I couldn't keep up, but it was awesome nonetheless.

Bought a used nylon guitar 2 weeks ago, a great luthier piece, and I'm very excited to be back to classical, where I started a years ago and which I stupidly neglected for a long time.

Quote: (10-03-2012 01:41 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  

All I'm sayin is, if you're gonna go classical, do it right. Check out Aaron Shearer's instruction books, it's a good start. Learn the Segovia scales. After that it's the Giuliani right hand exercises and the Pujol left hand exercises. Use a metronome. Be hyperaware of bad habits and do your best to slow down and change them. Splurge on the occasional private lesson.

Thanks for the advice, great tips!

To get the rust off, this is one of the songs I'm studying right now, from the great Paulinho Nogueira:

I went/am on a one year/two year travel trip now.

not bringing a guitar was a big mistake.

I though it was going to be a big hassle.

I did bring my di** though. And I'm just as passionate about my music. Mistake!