I've been playing guitar for about 30 years now, too. I mostly played blues guitar for fun and did a few grungey recording projects with a friend, but a few years ago I discovered Hawaiian slack key guitar and got myself a 12-string guitar. Since then I've formed a trio with some friends and we've been playing small gigs around town for a while now. We started out playing instrumental Hawaiian music only, now we also play jazz, blues, Latin and acoustic rock songs.
I've written a bunch of songs over the years, a few of them with a friend who can sing, but most of my tunes remain instrumentals. Every year in December I put out a CD of instrumental guitar music for friends and family- I try to include a few original songs (or partially original), some blues and
Hawaiian songs.

I find that exploring open guitar tunings is the best way to write new material. I started out with open G and open D, then I explored the Hawaiian slack key tunings next. After that, I learned John Fahey's tunings and a bunch of his songs. Right now I'm working on a demo with our band in a studio, as well as working on a solo album of Jimmy Page tunes played on a 12 string or dobro. Each time I learn a new Page tune in an open tuning, I find myself instantly coming up with new ideas for my own songs.

Another thing I recommend is to keep a guitar, notebook, pen and a recording device handy at all
times. You'll want to capture new song ideas and riffs when you start improvising in the new open tunings. This is how Page came up with Kashmir- by improvising and recording riffs in DADGAD tuning, then combining them in patterns to form the framework of the song. Plant added the lyics later.
Try out these tunings: DADGAD (Kashmir, Black Mountainside), DADGBD (Going to California), DGDGBD (When the Levee Breaks, Travelling Riverside Blues), DGCGCD (Rain Song). Another cool one is CACGCE, the tuning for Bron-Yr-Aur. I really like playing in this tuning!

[Edited on 1/22/2015 by peachlovingman]

I did the band thing a bit in my youth and tried again a few years ago. I find it amazing how band politics can creep into the most fun-centered aspirations. I got tired of being the gung-ho one and split off with the singer to do an acoustic duo ( http://www.museumofoddities.com/ ). We have been gigging around central Florida for the last 3 years with an eclectic song list of 120 tunes or so (we add a new one every gig) along with quite a bit of improvisation.

I also set up a modest DAW last year, and that has been fun. I seem to lack the discipline and/or confidence for fully-structured tunes (especially with lyrics), but I have been having a blast with creating music that start out of improvisations like this mellow one or this more upbeat tune.

Always looking for keys or bass who might want to collaborate online. I should also mention www.songcrafters.org, which is a small online community of musicians. It is super positive/upbeat and survives on commenting on others' music. Karma comes full circle, and you get feedback on your own. Zero trolls there, which is practically unheard of on the net.

Peace.

Blooby

[Edited on 1/23/2015 by Blooby]

I've been playing guitar for about 30 years now, too. I mostly played blues guitar for fun and did a few grungey recording projects with a friend, but a few years ago I discovered Hawaiian slack key guitar and got myself a 12-string guitar. Since then I've formed a trio with some friends and we've been playing small gigs around town for a while now. We started out playing instrumental Hawaiian music only, now we also play jazz, blues, Latin and acoustic rock songs.
I've written a bunch of songs over the years, a few of them with a friend who can sing, but most of my tunes remain instrumentals. Every year in December I put out a CD of instrumental guitar music for friends and family- I try to include a few original songs (or partially original), some blues and
Hawaiian songs.

I find that exploring open guitar tunings is the best way to write new material. I started out with open G and open D, then I explored the Hawaiian slack key tunings next. After that, I learned John Fahey's tunings and a bunch of his songs. Right now I'm working on a demo with our band in a studio, as well as working on a solo album of Jimmy Page tunes played on a 12 string or dobro. Each time I learn a new Page tune in an open tuning, I find myself instantly coming up with new ideas for my own songs.

Another thing I recommend is to keep a guitar, notebook, pen and a recording device handy at all
times. You'll want to capture new song ideas and riffs when you start improvising in the new open tunings. This is how Page came up with Kashmir- by improvising and recording riffs in DADGAD tuning, then combining them in patterns to form the framework of the song. Plant added the lyics later.
Try out these tunings: DADGAD (Kashmir, Black Mountainside), DADGBD (Going to California), DGDGBD (When the Levee Breaks, Travelling Riverside Blues), DGCGCD (Rain Song). Another cool one is CACGCE, the tuning for Bron-Yr-Aur. I really like playing in this tuning!

[Edited on 1/22/2015 by peachlovingman]

You are right...Page does alot of different tunings.

Sounds cool about your project with the 12 string and dobro on his stuff!!!

Scott
I strongly suggest that you and anyone else who plays to record. So cheap to do it on your computer. There are many free studio downloads or others that are fairly cheap. Add a simple interface through your USB and record direct if volume is a factor. Depending on what you already own, a couple of hundred bucks and you will have unlimited tracks to create your very own Sgt. Peppers.

Hours of fun and far easier than many believe. It also is a great tool for guitar skills. If you do not have something already then run, do not walk. Best gift that a player can get himself. Besides another Les Paul that is. 😉

Those tuning sound interesting. I've only played with open E and Open G and it really does make you think differently. They're fun because of the different tensions the notes have that creates a very different timbre....

I played with a guy originally from Africa who was self taught. He had all of his own tunings and all these weird chord patterns that he created but he could play anything. Amazing. It is like a whole new instrument. So confusing to watch him.

Scott
I strongly suggest that you and anyone else who plays to record. So cheap to do it on your computer. There are many free studio downloads or others that are fairly cheap. Add a simple interface through your USB and record direct if volume is a factor. Depending on what you already own, a couple of hundred bucks and you will have unlimited tracks to create your very own Sgt. Peppers.

Hours of fun and far easier than many believe. It also is a great tool for guitar skills. If you do not have something already then run, do not walk. Best gift that a player can get himself. Besides another Les Paul that is. 😉

Thanks!! I have kinda looked that way a little bit. Seems kinda overwhelming with all the choices and etc. I am just dangerous enough to get on the internet and naviagte this site!!!
My brother in law is a local musician here in Indy and does studio recording. That can get pricey.
So like you said, I think the home computer route is the way to go.

While I have a DAW setup and love it, I also am a huge fan of the small all-in-one units (even if they seem to be going the way of the dinosaur). Sure , they have deep menus, and there's ample opportunity to go nuts, but on the surface, they operate like an old cassette player.

Blooby

I do not like computer based recording...I recently started using a TEAC 32 track all in one, love it.

They are cheap now, a few hundy.

Has faders. I like faders.

I like faders too.

But for many people, they already have a computer. Already know how to use a mouse and click save so they are already on their way.

Scott
Most units that interface with your computer will have some software anyway. Put in a disc and install, plug in interface with USB, plug in guitar or mic just as you would in an amp. Within a few minutes, you will be recording. Sure it might take a while to figure things out and you will get better in time. I can help you through much of it in just a PM or ten.

But you will have a billion tracks at your fingertips. Capabilities that Dowd and Martin could only dream of. It inspires you to play more as it is a boost in the enjoyment level so improvement becomes obvious to your ears. By the time you lay down the 40th guitar track on your masterpiece, you will be smiling.

The one thing that I do not miss about my old tape days is cutting tape. 😛

Someone close to me is a recording pro who worked at Capricorn in the late seventies. Later when he was in Rochester he did a pro demo for my then country band.

Did the tape splice to our amazement.

Two vocal track, doubled = 4
bass 1
organ 1
piano 1
drum machine for reference 1
drum track actually hitting 1
tambourine 1
electric guitar 1
acoustic guitar 1

12 total.

This is what I used for a recent demo of How Sweet It is, Jerry band style.

only 20 unused tracks.

Computer recording is the standard now but I be too old schooly. I practice the parts before recording.

[Edited on 1/24/2015 by aiq]

Any method used is fun. I have a collection of different machines from over the years.

I like the computer as not everything is for a song. Because of the available recording space, it is valuable for lessons and learning. Have taught a bunch of friends harmony that way. Using a track for each possible note. Then they can bring up the various notes together. Really helps open up the concept.

Most important though is that it is so much fun for any level.

i recently hooked up again with guys i played with 30+ years ago. we did some recording of original stuff this last summer and it was a blast! it got my creative juices flowing again in a way that i haven't had in 20 years. one of the tunes we did is on this months relix magazine sampler. i've been putting a small home studio together again - man it's a long way from my old tascam.

Thanks for posting the pic of the Tascam, Beck. That brings back a lot of great memories. I need to get off my lazy butt and learn to record with today's technology.

i recently hooked up again with guys i played with 30+ years ago. we did some recording of original stuff this last summer and it was a blast! it got my creative juices flowing again in a way that i haven't had in 20 years. one of the tunes we did is on this months relix magazine sampler. i've been putting a small home studio together again - man it's a long way from my old tascam.

I had that unit or one very similar. Years before that I had a Teac A2340SX reel to reel which was quite a nice piece of equipment at the time. Still have it but haven't used in years. Then I started recording with computer software. Couple years ago picked up a Tascam DP-008EX small digital recorder because it's simple to use for scratch tracks & is portable.

But, there's nothing better than going to a recording studio and laying tracks. Just being able to play and let someone else do the engineering is a luxury.

That image of the cassette recorder took me down memory lane. I had a Portastudio for years. It's nutty to think what you can pull off in a corner of a house these days.

@becksbolero, congrats on the Relix disc. How did that come about, and what's the band name?

Blooby

That image of the cassette recorder took me down memory lane. I had a Portastudio for years. It's nutty to think what you can pull off in a corner of a house these days.

@becksbolero, congrats on the Relix disc. How did that come about, and what's the band name?

Blooby

thanks blooby, the bands name is soul chatter. we have the song right before gov't mule on the disc. as far as how it came about i'm truthfully not sure. i believe we were selected through a submission from reverbnation.

I do some music. I love the recording / mixing process. My stuff can be found at www.timcwalker.com