9/27/08

Power vs. Brilliance

Once must take care to maintain the delicate yet strong power of brilliance in music which is so power oriented such as rock. If a massive and agressive song is to be complete it usually should have a more brilliant chorus or bridge to give the listener a sense of relief and sophistry. Without this one will usually end up with what older folks or rock and metal opponents call "just screaming, strumming and banging drums." Likewise you will hear breif moments of power in old brilliance driven classical music such as Mozart.

9/22/08

Instruments Borrowed

Recently a friend of mine allowed me to borrow several instruments including an Epiphone Les Paul, a strange looking bass and a hollow-body electric mandolin. I need to get new strings for most of these, and I will probably do so today before updating this post.

I re-stringed the guitar and it sound quite similiar to mine. The bass works nicely and I've done some recording with it.

9/20/08

Encountered a Problem

While finishing up my rough drafts for the Renegade Express album, I came to realize that singing slow and peaceful songs is terribly difficult to sound good on. I gained much confidence by practicing and listening to the recordings but it still is a challenge. I will continue to combat this.

9/19/08

A Memo On Rythm


A few things have come to my understanding on the subject of rythm. The first is that speeds should generally be fairly slow. A thrash kind of beat is acceptable here and there, now and again, but the majority of one's beats should be slow and fat. Another thing is that it should fluctuate over long verses and evolve throughout the movement. The listener must be made to yearn and reach out for every next beat in eager anticipation.

Debut




Welcome to The Rock Papers friend. I hope whoever finds this documentation will be able to find it useful or inspiring as they browse my discoveries on every aspect of that music called rock. As of yet my rescources are limited as I venture out into this great wilderness.

Renegade Express Album

I have worked hard to produce rough drafts of my forthcoming album. Truly the only obstacles now is my singing in which I have much confidence yet to gain as well as money. The Album will have a diverse feel and will have about six songs. The official name of my solo career entity shall be Renegade Express.

A Memo On Power

There are several ways to get a powerful sound. Firstly be sure that the bass is deep and loud. In addition palm muting adds a punchy kind of heavy sound. This can be used in precise sequences of bursts with bass drum kicks for a pleasing result. Harmonics can also add nice cadence thus furthering the cause. With combinations of bass, kick drums, palm muting, pull aways, and harmonics, one can always find an hard and innovative riff.

Thunderbird IV


In my search for a bass guitar I have turned my attention to the Thunderbird IV. The original Gibson model is a bass guitar with unique pickups designed for a punchy, fat sound and the bass in general seems to be designed for Rock. The downside is that it is somewhat unwieldy and hard to play fancy things on, but Rock bass is easier than, say, funk bass. Unfortunately it's about $2500. Alas there is hope, for Epiphone builds a model of slightly lower quality for only $300 and the biggest factor in the price difference is just visual. For now I have my eyes set on the Epiphone Thunderbird IV.

Rag-Tag Band

After much trial and tribulation I have at last succeded in organizing a band. The fellow bandmates are certainly at low skill levels and (i'm afraid) quite likely to shirk off commitments. I am however quite happy to report that we will begin practices today. I have a guitarist and a drummer but unfortunately I have yet to gain a bass guitar or a soul to play it live.(I could do it in studio.) To further illistrate the modesty of our current conditions, it should aslo be noted that our bass drum sounds like kicking an empty washing machine.