|
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | 1) You see these guitar guys in those "big bands" sitting behind one of those wood-box music stands with the band leaders initials on the front. They all play fancy jazz chords up and down the neck of a hollow body guitar with f-holes. They look very busy but have you ever been able hear what they are playing? Have you ever been able to single out that guitar from the rest of the mix?
On a related note.... In all the time I have been to a WHO concert and seen Daltrey play a acoustic for "Who Are You", I've never been able to pick him out in the mix.
2) What are the origins behind the term "gob-smacked"?
3) Why do all the new technical gizmos that are supposed to make our lives easier, so damn complicated? We never needed the term "user-friendly" until these supposed user friendly programs and gagets came along.
4) Why is it that right after you shake loose some cold hard cash for some non-essential home improvements, something breaks that requires immediate attention and the use of the credit card?
Regards,
Skipkid (aka: Andy Rooney)
L.L.& P. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | 1) I just saw a dixieland jazz band last Thursday. They were great, but yeah, could barely hear the guitarist.
2) Not sure, but Alice In Chains had a song called "God Smack", and later a band came out who had named themselves after that song. Maybe they changed the term to avoid the negative connotation?
3) I agree 100%
4) Murphy's law |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Change in the medication Brad? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | 3) Why do all the new technical gizmos that are supposed to make our lives easier, so damn complicated? We never needed the term "user-friendly" until these supposed user friendly programs and gagets came along.
---------------------
Yes, since we got the computers that were supposed to make this a 'Paper-less Society' everything has to be done and signed in quadruplicate!
Before cell phones, you didn't have to ask, "How do you use this one?" you just picked-up the phone and dialed... (or asked Nadine the operator to put you through)
You didn't have to figure-out how to Program the TV Remote... You just got up and turned the knob!
MTV and VH1 actually Played Music! With No Commercials. (that one is alittle hitek)
You could set the ignition timing on your car by ear with just a 7/16 wrench...
And you car didn't just DIE because your battery had less than 12.5 volts.
It's a Brave New World! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1132
Location: NW Washington State | Originally posted by Slipkid:
1) You see these guitar guys in those "big bands" sitting behind one of those wood-box music stands with the band leaders initials on the front. They all play fancy jazz chords up and down the neck of a hollow body guitar with f-holes. They look very busy but have you ever been able hear what they are playing? Have you ever been able to single out that guitar from the rest of the mix? I once saw Count Basie at Disneyland. Sat on the floor in front of the band. From a few yards away I could hear Freddie Green, but I don't think I could have heard him from across the dance floor.
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 270
Location: Yorkshire, England | 1- Yes I think you're right, never heard much of the guitarists in big bands. On a slightly similar note, we had Burt Bacharach over here doing the `Electric Proms' at the O2 arena in London, he was absolutely amazing- THE star of the event no doubt. Try as I might though, I couldn't see a guitarist in the line-up. (apart from the bass player - the orchestra he used was the BBC Concert Orchestra)
I was never much of a fan of the Who, I'm afraid. They did come up in conversation with a friend - we decided Daltry wasn't a good enough singer for them. (Now take `The Move' - We would be talking!)
2 - Now here's something I might be able to help you out with. `Gob' is slang over here for mouth. (rather a large mouth) I always assumed this came from coal mining terminology, as you find a `gob' or large empty expanse on the coal face after the coal had been cut. (Over here in the UK anyway) Hence, `Gobsmacked' would be akin to being hit (smacked) in the mouth, (perhaps not literally though) or if you like, being `taken aback' or suprised.
I'll leave 3 & 4 to the other members. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | What ever happened to "on" and "off"? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | As we know "gobsmacked" basically means very surprised.
What happens when we get a big surprise?
Our eyes bulge!!
Smack someone in the gob(mouth) and watch their eyes bulge.
AJ |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 489
| Originally posted by Slipkid:
have you ever been able hear what they are playing? Yeah. I played bass in a jazz combo with Jack Byrd (Charlie's brother) for a short time, and the answer is it depends. If it's pure rhythm, it's low end chords in synch with the beat, usually eighth note. Or it could be partials that complement the melody. If it's chord soloing it's way over my head. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2009
Posts: 262
Location: VENISE-EN-QUEBEC CANADA | Hey guy's
to add to OMA
remember 20 years ago the week-end were made to visite uncle and aunt's and coussin and you add youre favorite T.V. show mine was (the beverly hill billy's.)now malls are open 7 day's a week and internet keep's use from the T.V..we even need cell phone to be reach cause were to busy...
how time as change(and is it for the better)
were did the day's of Andy Griffith playing guitar on the porch went. sure wish it stay'd like that
Daniel |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2009
Posts: 130
Location: London, UK | Putting my sound man hat on, you need to understand how mixing the PA works in a medium to large venue. You could have at least 20-30 separate inputs coming into the desk - lead vocals, other main vocals, backing singers, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, keys, bass, several for drums and percussion, etc, etc.
The sound guy has to think in terms of 3 or 4 'layers' of sound - up front, 2nd line, supporting and 'the rest'. These layers are assigned relative volume levels as well as delay/reverb effects to place the sound spatially in the mind of the listener.
A lead vocal or instrumental riff will be promoted to the 1st layer - as soon as that instrument is playing something more supportive it drops back to the 3rd or 4th layer. Similarly if a supporting instrument (say trumpet) gets a little break, he'll be put up a layer for that, then down again.
If you've been behind one of these big desks, you'll find that you could actually mute a load of these channels and the sound for the audience would be less muddy and more enjoyable. In practice that's not politically advisable, but don't expect to hear each musician on stage however much good stuff they're doing, if they're in layer 4 of the mix. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Thanks sypolog and others!
Makes sense.
That "gob-smacked" thing is interesting.
I'm with you flag.... Although I would not want to give up things like the internet, the world needs more front porches.
Check out the action on that guitar pic above.
And we whine an moan about one skinny little shim.
L.L.&P. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3411
Location: GA USA | But the big bands at least recognized the lack of guitar sound. That's why we have resonator guitars.
Wikipedia: Resonator guitars were originally designed to be louder than conventional acoustic guitars which were overwhelmed by horns and percussion instruments in dance orchestras. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1486
Location: Michigan | you will have to forgive :eek: brad :eek: for he is in a state ( michigan ) that just got rid of their snow a couple of weeks ago and then the temp went up to 82 degrees and now it is 40 degrees and time to build an arc because we are under water from all the rain and the grass is growing wild and full of those beautifull yellow dandalions.all this in a few weeks.
at this time of year this happens to michiganders .... :D GWB :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 1565
Location: Indiana | I have a friend who played with many big bands. He calls it "chunk style". It's a subtle addition to the live sound, but noticeable when missing. Really much more of a percussive element. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by Jonmark Stone:
I have a friend who played with many big bands. He calls it "chunk style". It's a subtle addition to the live sound, but noticeable when missing. Really much more of a percussive element. I seem to remember in elementary school music class (when they had that stuff) that our teacher told us that the guitar went in with the Percussion section of the orchestra when classifying instruments. Not with the strings.
Also, is the Saxophone a woodwind instrument related to the clarinet and oboe? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 489
| You got off easy, OMA. I asked about the guitar (way before I played, BTW) and was told very sternly that there was no guitar in a symphony orchestra. No saxes, either IIRC, but yeah, I believe they're woodwinds. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 131
Location: Yalova/Turkey | Saxes are counted as woodwinds because the part which creates the sound (the reed in the mouthpiece)is made from wood... Funny, isn´t it? The rest is plastic and metal... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Why do we so often long for a long forgotten 'better' yesterday when in truth, if you remembered the other details you're NOT recalling, the past sucked a lot more than you choose to remember? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | It's the brain's defense mechanism. "Remember the past only as it gives you pleasure." (Jane Austen) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by fillhixx:
Why do we so often long for a long forgotten 'better' yesterday Because I still can!  |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 283
Location: Portland, OR | The configuration above looks a bit like the '30's and '40's style of jazz trio. Maybe that's what Basie was doing there. One of the best was the Nat (King) Cole Trio. Some very enjoyable and intricate guitar work, if you listen to the old tracks. Done right it's good stuff. |
|
| |
questions and ponders
