Yikes, what did I get myself into?

**sunvalleylaw** · February 2nd, 2011, 10:48 PM

Ok, tomorrow night is the night. It was postponed one week. I have used the time that I have had do play along with the songs we discussed. I have been trying to find some phrases that fit the songs. Some of the songs I have some lines kind of down (some of that Sun May Shine song I linked the vid to for example), some I know where I want to play and which tones I want to focus on, and some are still a little bit hunt and peck. Into the Mystic for some reason is not comfortable yet.

But be that as it may, I am going to play through the songs again now (finally have some time tonight), and just go in and have fun. Listen a lot, less is more, etc. Brian says they may be bringing out some songs they have not even played in a long time from their old catalog, so there will be some just plain listening going on. Anyway, just wanted to check in on it! Here I go!

**Brian Krashpad** · February 2nd, 2011, 11:07 PM

Break a leg!

**sunvalleylaw** · February 3rd, 2011, 11:22 PM

I think it went pretty well! I got asked back for next week, so that is good. I had a lot of fun, so that was good too. They liked my tones, both Hag and strat. But I think the Hag fits the vibe better overall for most of the songs. I got some good smiles for my improv on some of the songs that I had not heard, and my prep on their Sun May Shine song worked out well. On a few of the songs, I am just going to have to study and learn the key lines. The Van Morrison songs especially, and on Wish You Were Here. On those songs, the parts I thought I might play are covered by others, and they need me to play the recognizable lead lines.

Bottom line, it was a blast!

The improv on the fly and the study of the required lines are going to really help me take a few steps up on my playing too. A bunch of motivation just flowed in the door!

Spudman*** · February 3rd, 2011, 11:35 PM

That all sounds great. I'm glad you came away encouraged and excited to do more. That's a good thing.

**SuperSwede** · February 4th, 2011, 02:44 AM

Originally Posted by Spudman

That all sounds great. I'm glad you came away encouraged and excited to do more. That's a good thing.

+1

**Lev** · February 4th, 2011, 03:04 AM

Nothing improves your playing like jamming and bouncing ideas of other musicians. Glad it's working out for you SVL!

**Brian Krashpad** · February 4th, 2011, 06:22 AM

Bosstastic!

**oldguy** · February 4th, 2011, 06:27 AM

That sounds great! Keep us updated on how it goes (a pic or clip never hurts, either....

............).

**R_of_G** · February 4th, 2011, 07:44 AM

Good for you Steve! Glad you enjoyed it and are embracing the opportunity.

**sunvalleylaw** · February 4th, 2011, 07:23 PM

Thanks guys. Hey R_of_G, how did your performance go?

**R_of_G** · February 5th, 2011, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by sunvalleylaw

Thanks guys. Hey R_of_G, how did your performance go?

Mine is not until the 26th, three weeks from today.

**sunvalleylaw** · February 5th, 2011, 08:47 AM

As I wrote, I was thinking that it wasn't quite here yet. Keep me posted! Your gig sounds interesting and like a fun project.

**Jimi75** · February 5th, 2011, 08:49 AM

I missed to wish you luck for the first session, but I was convinced
That you were gonna leave a good impression on these guys.
Great to hear all went well. Congratz svl!

**sunvalleylaw** · February 10th, 2011, 01:08 PM

Night two tonight. The keyboard player who could not make it last week is coming this time I think.

**sunvalleylaw** · February 11th, 2011, 12:14 AM

Went pretty well again! I made progress on some of the songs, got introduced to some others, and got along fine with the keys guy. They asked me if I could come next week, so we'll just keep it rolling!

**sunvalleylaw** · February 13th, 2011, 11:12 PM

I have been practicing, and listening, and playing along with the initial songs we have jammed on from the attached set list. This list was what they have played out at some cafe type gigs, and with some changes, what I might play out with them if it works out.

A very fun exercise. As a number of the songs are not typical blues sounding pieces, I have been forced to explore more major tonalities. Also, some of the original tunes do not have simple chord structures such as regular blues and rock songs, so again I can't just camp out in the minor pentatonic of whatever key the song is in.

One technique I have been trying is using the pentatonic shapes, which I have learned up and down the fretboard, but shifting so that I can use the major pentatonic shape. I learned this from some tutorials I found in iTunes. You just shift the standard shape we all think about so that the normal root note is on the right, and not the left. So then it is the note that extends 4 frets above the lowest note in the pattern on the low E string. Then I can expand the pentatonic shapes from there. Obviously you have to remember that the roots are in different places than when you are playing this shape as a minor pattern.

This is easier for me at this point than knowing the full major scales, though I am trying to learn those too. Also, I think it is more flexible for me as it is simple shape based so it gives me a map, but doesn't lock me in as much, and I can experiment and find other tones I can use, such as chord tones that are not in the basic shape.

Ideally, I could just have the fretboard be my canvas and find notes by ear, but being a mid life newbie, having a road map to get started helps. Anyone else use this approach or try this?

**Pickngrin** · February 14th, 2011, 08:50 AM

Very cool, Steve. It sounds like a great opportunity and a good reason to venture out into some new fretboard territory. Keep us posted!

**R_of_G** · February 14th, 2011, 11:54 AM

Very cool to see "Green is the Colour" on that setlist. Nice to know some cover bands realize that Pink Floyd has more albums than the "super-classic" ones. "Green is the Colour" is a beautiful song that can be jammed out endlessly.

Jipes*** · February 16th, 2011, 04:13 AM

Great for you SVL just go for it I^'m sure you'll fit in just fine, relax and enjoy the music !

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