Remember that Monty Python episode?
Well, Last week, in prep for my job with the Topics (my guitar lesson, really) ... I spent hours setting up and tweaking presets in my Line Six JTV Variaxe guitar so I could fill in the right chords in the more difficult arrangements that this keyboard man plays ... it's tough when 2 musicians are playing chords at the same time - it's tricky to decide what range, octave, inversion etc. So, I get some really helpful patches set up that have built in detunings for harder guitar keys, and even a few patches with 4 or five strings only to help me finger the jazz chords that involve lots of string muting. (new for me).
Well, the best laid plans ... When I got to work, the battery in my guitar was dead! Grrrr - I had to use the traditional magnetic pickups and lost all my edits for the night. Whew - what a nightmare at first. Thinking on a fretboard doesn't come second nature to me, unless it's a full chord, solo type arrangement .. totally inappropriate for this band. So, instead of coasting my way into the hearts and ears of our dance crowd (which was a packed house), I had to manually shift a six speed strat to weave in and out of the (small) spaces that the keys left me. Not an easy task, but I simplified my approach, concentrated on my vocals and we had a great night.

Last night .. I was back as a soloist and a HUGE sigh of comfortable relief came over me. I love working with the guys, but I'm the rookie in the band, so it's more work than play. I plan to rehearse a few times before our Valentines Day show so I can enjoy myself instead of sweating red, heart-shaped bullets!

I'm not one to whine about a paying job, but after 40+ years of comfort ... it's weird to have to struggle. Maybe it builds character ... who knows?

Boo, Russ, you'd have been proud of me - no capos, no trick modeled sounds ... just 4 fingers on six strings. (Well, sometimes nine fingers, when I finger picked the right hand)

Thanx for letting me vent. I gotta go practice now!

Hi UD:

I admire "courage under fire" and it's refreshing to see you step way beyond your comfort zone, join a band and twang away with them. Your brain may hurt but you are probably guaranteeing that it functions well, long after most of us are in the nursing home. Bravo!

Dave Rice

Haha, thanx Dave ... it's exhausting, but so much fun. This band packs the floor on every song, and the dancers stand there holding their partners WAITING for the next number. Just like the old days, when musicians were treated like special people instead of "something else" to watch if you're not into the TV. I love these jobs ... there's not a TV on in the room - people are dressed up / they THANK US at the end of the night, and ask when we'll be back. It's very heartwarming. Makes me proud of my profession.

The people are just being kind to their elders...

Yeah, it's a shame you'll never know that feeling again, since you're older than ALL your crowds!

Yep... bad idea to rely on trick electronic stuff on a guitar.

If someone else can play the part without them, it means YOU can play the parts without them! And on any guitar, any amp, any time of the day or night.

Shortcuts usually lead to dead ends...

That's what happened, but it was much harder ... I'm still in a bit over my head with these guys - I don't THINK fretboard the way I do keyboard ... Some things that I know cold on the keys are a real chore to duplicate on guitar. Passing tones, alternate inversions etc. It's a very different scene from playing as a soloist, where I get to fill up all the empty spaces. The guitar parts in this band have to be thinned out and simplified ... making them actually harder to just "wing it." I'm sure they only tolerate me because I sing a third of the songs.

The kb guy is so good - they don't need anyone else, but I'm grateful for the job.

If he's that good, USE him... little point duplicating someone else's effort.

I was in one band that had a superb guitarist. That was the band I discovered that I could do the whole gig on a keytar, with one hand, and only one sound at a time. Because that's all it needed!

Only fill a hole that exists. If there ain't one, don't shovel the SAME stuff into the hole someone else has already filled!

Think like Basie... a few well chosen notes and licks, and everyone thinks you are a genius! (He was, LOL, but at seldom playing much!).

It's great you are getting outside your comfort area. Just don't make it TOO hard!

I had a comfort area once...got outside it...it closed...couldn't get back in, and when I finally did, it was never the same.

Lucky for me.

Ian

Dave, I heard you play guitar briefly when you were here several years ago. The learning curve you have is learning the style/structure used by the other players, not general "wood shedding.

That is going to happen to anyone who joins the band. Just listen to the guys who have played guitar for Forplay... Ritenaur, then Carlton; now Frank. Each had to work out the mix between the "pieces" of chords, or parts they play in relation to the keyboard player. Ask Grusen and he will tell you HE has to adapt to each player, too!

Your comment about not just being able to play power or full barre chords is dead on. Just listen to the "parts" played by Steely Dan" guys.

It'd be GREAT if we could work together for an extended time.
My fondest memories are of my time with Tommy Johnston, a former police judge who tore up a B-3. He was my teacher and 30-years older. As a trio, we owned this pert of the country, society music wise.We got top money and jobs for 10 straight years, until he retired.

When you were here, I immediately thought you and I could do that.

It would be my honor!


Russ

So Russ...are you moving to Fairless Hills, Pa...or are you going to send your Lear jet for Dave on gig night?..

Never was a jet, Frank. It was a King Air, and we sold it for lack of use two years ago. Now, it's just a little Cessna 180...not much of an over the country traveler.

I've been interested in some of your "sage" advice lately, and you remind me of my old long-time partner.

you and I are pretty much on the same page on a lot of issues.


Be well,

Russ

Russ, you could come get Dave easily with the 180, and still have some room for his gear. I flew a 172 for a while and it was a neat plane - a bit hairy in a stiff crosswind while landing, though.

Gary

Gary, capacity for two and arranger equipment is there, it's the
speed that's the problem.

Got used to 200 plus knots, so when I fly, I want to go at least twice as fast as I could in a car or truck.

Just got too much to do, and it's not easy working in a 180 that's being blown around a bit.

Then, there's the increased weather sensitivity as the plane gets smaller.


r.

Yeah, I know about that sensitivity stuff, Russ. That's why I no longer fly and have fun on a slow moving sailboat. I'm no longer in a hurry to do anything.

Gary

Russ could show you some cool jazz chords - I had the privilege of hearing live!

I KNOW lots of those cool chords, my fingers just don't fall into the shapes as quickly.
Sigh ... I feel like a Freshman again, but i AM learning alot!