Monthly Recording Challenge 65 - "Couldn't Stand The Weather"

[UncleHammy]

This month's theme is courtesy of @Oldjock

Theme:  Couldn't Stand The Weather

Description:   I would like to suggest the theme for the February challenge be "the weather". Any song  with heat, cold, wind, storms or the heroic struggles of people dealing with the weather. 

Deadline: 11:59 PM PST  February 28, 2019

1. @WATSON43 - "Here Comes the Sun"

------------------< RULES >-------------------------
SUBMITTING: To complete the challenge, record an eligible song and reply to this thread with your your direct-linked or embedded track (Soundcloud's great) before the end of the month.

GUITAR REQUIREMENT: You must play at least one real guitar track heard in the mix.

GEAR: All content must be recorded with your home studio equipment. You may use BIAB or loops as long as you play the majority of the song with your real guitar. This is a guitar playing challenge not a sampling/recording challenge so keep that in mind.

TIME: A recording made at any time before the entry deadline counts, but do not enter a recording in more than one challenge.

ONE ENTRY per person or collaboration. But, I doubt anybody will complain if you want to share another on-theme track too.

NEXT THEME: The person to choose next month's theme will be chosen randomly from those who complete this challenge. 
-----------------------------------------------------

Have fun, try something new, and give us something to listen to!

Edited February 9, 2019 by UncleHammy

[WATSON43]

I think this one meets the criteria since it talks about "a long cold lonely winter".  I can relate to that, given the cold weather we had last week here in the Midwest.

 

[NeilES335]

@WATSON43 terrific recording Kevin? . Just getting into recording myself so Im finding out how hard it can be to get a "clean, error free" take. Congrats.

[IanD]

@WATSON43 An excellent and enjoyable recording - as I've come to expect from you. Really great work, keep 'em coming.

Ian

[IanD]

50 minutes ago, NeilES335 said:

@WATSON43 terrific recording Kevin? . Just getting into recording myself so Im finding out how hard it can be to get a "clean, error free" take. Congrats.

Neil,

I watched a fascinating UK TV documentary series recently on the way the music industry has evolved technologically. One episode was on vocal recording. A very well-known and respected female singer (unfortunately, I can't remember who) said one of her biggest lessons was that a perfect single take is almost impossible, only a very few exceptional people in the world can deliver them. As a result, ALL professional recording sessions record multiple takes and compile (comp) them into a great recording. She said she used to put pressure on herself to achieve that one perfect take and it ruined her performance. Now, she accepts that she's very unlikely to achieve it so she simply gives each take her best shot, knowing it won't be perfect, and she trusts the engineer/producer to comp to a great recording. Her studio performances improved dramatically when she took away that pressure.

If you're starting out in recording, ask yourself about the purpose of each recording. If I'm recording myself to assess my ability/progress, say to deliver a song live, then I'll record the whole thing on my portable Zoom recorder (or even on my iPad), listen and review, learn and practice and repeat. If I'm trying to make the best recording that I can of a song, then I'll likely do a multi-track recording in Logic and will comp the best bits of various takes on each track. It's fairly easy to do in Logic when you know how, but I have no experience of Reaper.

Just some thoughts for you to digest.

Ian

[Oldjock]

Well played Kevin, great tempo.

Henk

[NeilES335]

10 hours ago, IanD said:

Neil,

I watched a fascinating UK TV documentary series recently on the way the music industry has evolved technologically. One episode was on vocal recording. A very well-known and respected female singer (unfortunately, I can't remember who) said one of her biggest lessons was that a perfect single take is almost impossible, only a very few exceptional people in the world can deliver them. As a result, ALL professional recording sessions record multiple takes and compile (comp) them into a great recording. She said she used to put pressure on herself to achieve that one perfect take and it ruined her performance. Now, she accepts that she's very unlikely to achieve it so she simply gives each take her best shot, knowing it won't be perfect, and she trusts the engineer/producer to comp to a great recording. Her studio performances improved dramatically when she took away that pressure.

If you're starting out in recording, ask yourself about the purpose of each recording. If I'm recording myself to assess my ability/progress, say to deliver a song live, then I'll record the whole thing on my portable Zoom recorder (or even on my iPad), listen and review, learn and practice and repeat. If I'm trying to make the best recording that I can of a song, then I'll likely do a multi-track recording in Logic and will comp the best bits of various takes on each track. It's fairly easy to do in Logic when you know how, but I have no experience of Reaper.

Just some thoughts for you to digest.

Ian

Some great observation and comments @IanD thank you.

[WATSON43]

Thanks @NeilES335, @IanD AND @Oldjock.

Neil, I share your pain regarding the difficulty of recording a clean take.  I can play a song cleanly in practice dozens of times, but it's a whole different story when the microphone is in front of me.  

[matonanjin]

@WATSON43, really enjoyable. 

[NeilES335]

2 hours ago, WATSON43 said:

Thanks @NeilES335, @IanD AND @Oldjock.

Neil, I share your pain regarding the difficulty of recording a clean take.  I can play a song cleanly in practice dozens of times, but it's a whole different story when the microphone is in front of me.  

@WATSON43  Kevin; Unless you happen to hit a lucky streak performing a song you know really well, on a recording you want to keep/mix/post etc. then I think the only real way to do it is as @IanD says, do several "takes"  of the various parts (ie; rhythm guitar, lead guitar, vocal) and create the entire song from the best tracks.

[UncleHammy]

@WATSON43 great job.  Great way to kick off the month.  Thanks for sharing.

 

[Randy120]

Well played @WATSON43

[Wim VD1]

On 2/7/2019 at 7:25 PM, WATSON43 said:

Thanks @NeilES335, @IanD AND @Oldjock.

Neil, I share your pain regarding the difficulty of recording a clean take.  I can play a song cleanly in practice dozens of times, but it's a whole different story when the microphone is in front of me.  

Another great one, @WATSON43.

In the past I also got nervous just by pressing the record button in Garageband. But I must say it has improved. Now I just do several takes of a song and select the best one, or I cut and paste the best parts of different recordings into a final track.

Wim.

[Old Guy]

@WATSON43 that was really awesome. Your touch on the guitar is amazing. Well played, sir!

[Old Guy]

On 2/7/2019 at 12:34 AM, NeilES335 said:

@WATSON43 terrific recording Kevin? . Just getting into recording myself so Im finding out how hard it can be to get a "clean, error free" take. Congrats.

I've been recording myself for a decade and still have this issue. Don't get too hung up on that. Just play and record. You can spend an inordinate amount of time trying to get that take juuuuust right, and it will drive you nuts!

I recently did that video of the Suhr Eclipse pedal. I've played "Mary Had a Little Lamb" for YEARS. Used to play it in a band, and could play the song blindfolded. The night I recorded it for the video, no matter what I did, I just couldn't get it right. The one that ended up on the video was my 15th take, I think. I had to let it go and just put out what I had. I still hate how it sounds, but it reminds me that sometimes, letting go is what's in order.

Just play and record! That's the fun!

[Nutty 1]

I have been attempting to play guitar and sing at the same time. Cor, it is really difficult! There are lots af mistakes here but it is as good as I  an do now.

 I am also learning to use my new Scarlett Focusrite with a Boss Ve2 Vocal Harmonist pedal.

This is "Purple Rain" by Prince. RIP Prince ? 

 

Edited February 16, 2019 by Nutty 1

[Eracer_Team-DougH]

@WATSON43 really like the added harmonics 

@Nutty 1 all part of the process of recording ourselves, yes singing and playing is difficult. 

[IanD]

@Nutty 1  Mandy, yes it is really hard... to start with, but gets easier. This is great, that you've made that start and that you're brave enough to let us see your progress and support you on your journey. Keep at it, and you will get there. It looks like you're really enjoying yourself and that is key. 

Yes, there are mistakes here... but also lots of positives, and it really is a great song! As you say, it documents where you are right now. So, keep going, you're doing great.

My main advice would be to choose an easy song that you love... you did that, then practice the strumming without the singing until you can do it almost without thinking, then introduce the singing gradually. Works for me.

Ian

 

[Nutty 1]

@Eracer_Team-DougH it has taken me a while to do these baby steps!?

@IanD Thank you for your encouragement and advice, I will keep at it!?

[gotto]

Kevin this is a remarkable recording , brilliantly performed. Such a talent....

Nicely done as well Nutty. Your growth,confidence and progress are quite evident as a player and singer . I enjoyed this interpretation of a Prince classic.

Ian’s commentary on recording is spot on. Not only does this apply to recording but translates to performance as well. It is quite challenging to play (and sing) flawlessly in every instance, in every outing.  The musicians I have played with comment about this routinely but our goals are always to attempt our best efforts and accept our shortcomings and mistakes with both joyfulness and humor. We all do this for fun here. 

Greg

[NeilES335]

29 minutes ago, gotto said:

Kevin this is a remarkable recording , brilliantly performed. Such a talent....

Nicely done as well Nutty. Your growth,confidence and progress are quite evident as a player and singer . I enjoyed this interpretation of a Prince classic.

Ian’s commentary on recording is spot on. Not only does this apply to recording but translates to performance as well. It is quite challenging to play (and sing) flawlessly in every instance, in every outing.  The musicians I have played with comment about this routinely but our goals are always to attempt our best efforts and accept our shortcomings and mistakes with both joyfulness and humor. We all do this for fun here. 

Greg

Ditto on @IanD Ian's remarks...What is it about the human psyche that allows us to perform a song perfectly in practice, but allows us to fall apart when we press "record" ?  A great? mystery!

 

[matonanjin]

1 hour ago, NeilES335 said:

What is it about the human psyche that allows us to perform a song perfectly in practice, but allows us to fall apart when we press "record" ?  A great? mystery!

 

When  you figure this out we will make a lot of money, Neil!    I say "we" because I offer to be your manager??

[Nutty 1]

15 hours ago, gotto said:

Nicely done as well Nutty. Your growth,confidence and progress are quite evident as a player and singer . I enjoyed this interpretation of a Prince classic.

Thank you Greg for your kind words and encouragement. They mean a lot to me, as does those from @IanD. My guitar learning is much hampered by my osteoarthritis and trigger finger but hopefully they will become less severe soon when my cancer medication stops. Here's hoping! 

Thank you also to everyone who gave me likes.?

Edited February 19, 2019 by Nutty 1

[Wim VD1]

On 2/16/2019 at 6:43 PM, Nutty 1 said:

I have been attempting to play guitar and sing at the same time. Cor, it is really difficult! There are lots af mistakes here but it is as good as I  an do now.

 I am also learning to use my new Scarlett Focusrite with a Boss Ve2 Vocal Harmonist pedal.

This is "Purple Rain" by Prince. RIP Prince ? 

 

Well done, @Nutty 1.

I really like the sound of both your guitar and your voice.

Wim.

[Nutty 1]

11 hours ago, Wim VD1 said:

Well done, @Nutty 1.

I really like the sound of both your guitar and your voice.

Wim.

Thank you @Wim VD1, your kind comment is much appreciated.