Riffs!
The Daily News
1 What a week!
2 I want to thank Chris and Gabriel for the awesome Riff Challenge that has gone on for six days. What has become magic to me is the amount of talent that has joined in. You should expect more people joining next week. Sensational fun!
3 The universe is expanding. I took my guitars out of the garbage (not the garage, the garbage!) and tuned a few of them. For the record, I didn't really toss them in the garbage; I just wanted to toss them in the garbage because everyone who has posted a riff plays way better than I do.
4 I haven't worked too many songs since last Spring. I did grab some beat-up song books and thought I might try to throw something out there if people don't mind laughing at an old fool. I love the Riff Challenge.
5 It's a bit like watching a super band come together. Some of the most talented people I know have joined in.
6 I began referring to the Riff Challenge participants as The Midnighters. I hate naming bands. I feel like I'm on the Gilmore Girls whenever I do that.
7 I used to think of band names though. Most guitar players do. What I found years ago was this: most band names are already bands. Let's see if I'm right. I'm going to call my new band Plate of Spaghetti.
8 I will now Google Plate of Spaghetti rock band. Ready? If there is a band called Plate of Spaghetti, I will post their pic below.
9 Okay, so this is where my theory falls apart. There is no rock band called Plate of Spaghetti. My search did find this, however, and I think it a fun coincidence. It's hard to see, but it says MIDNIGHT SPAGHETTI & THE CHOCOLATE G-STRINGS.
10 Haha! I said The Midnighters, and howz 'bout that?
11 Is Heidi in the house?
12 I just realized that I mixed up band names for song names. I'm certain most song names have been taken. Band names, not so sure.
13 Let's test THAT theory. I will Google a song called Cupcakes on the Moon. Let's see what happens <wheels spinning>:
14 Annnnnnnd...another fail. Not epic, but a fail. Let's try again. It's like playing a high-paying slot machine.
15 Perhaps if we try a less crazy name. Let's try a love song title: Why'd You Hang Up On Me? Guarantee it is taken. Ready? Go:
16 We have a winner! This is a rap song called WYHUOM, off a debut album by a band called The Uncluded. It's pretty funny!
17 Anyway, I'm clearly rusty in terms of writing songs. I wrote some a few years ago, but teaching took up most of my time. When summer hits, I practice a bunch of songs for Tahoe. I generally try to get too fancy with fingerpicking and all and then I forget what I practiced. Sometimes it hits. Overall I get stage fright. If you know me, you know this.
18 Those who can't. I'm telling you.
19 I also don't do riffs. My fingers get jumbled and hit the wrong strings. When I have the time, I can fake it through because I can sing. Paul McCartney once said that he often would miss notes, but that audiences wouldn't notice. He also said that he got scared before performances.
20 He said that people's minds fill in sounds that aren't out there, so if you are a tad shaky on a song, play it quietly on the guitar. That's one reason I [me] use omni-directional mics rather than going straight through an amp when I play acoustic. I'd hear way fewer mistakes. Paul also said this:
21 He said, Fi ouy nac daer siht, neht kcilc ekil...
22
23 Sir Paul said no such thing.
24 Anyway, I've said more than I wished.
25 Whatevs.
26 No matter where I head, I'll try to work on something and maybe share. We'll see. I'd love doing it.
27 Anyway, thanks again guys, and gals! Facebook was nothing short of a blast all week. And as I write, more posts happen. I have trouble keeping up!
28 Great stuff.
29 Moving On, Part One: I'm making my way to the Bay Area, but won't make it to San Jo. I'm dying to get down and visit, but duty calls. My sister Gayle celebrates her birthday, so goin' to a party.
30 It'll still be fun. It's nice to live so close to where I lived and grew up.
31 Moving On, Part Two: I spend much of my time these days jumping from house to house. I'm the mule. I pick stuff up at the stores, make runs for vegetables and creamer, and do whatever is needed for the babies. I've been so busy that I sidestep my neighbors. I'm guessing they think I'm pretty stand-offish, which is pretty true. I believe in good fences.
32 Yesterday I had a moment when I hopped out of my car and caught my across-the-street neighbor's eyes. He is this elderly Asian guy who was outside raking his leaves. He had stopped the same time I hopped out of the car and our eyes locked.
33 I had two options: I could do that thing where you pretend not to see someone and move swiftly away, or you could say "Hi," introduce yourself and shake hands.
34 I said, "I'm Bud. How are you?" At first he stared down at my hand, then he looked up and smiled. "My name is Rick. I'm from San Francisco."
35 I loved it. "I was born in San Francisco," I said. "St. Luke's!" Right after I said it I remembered about the maniac on the roof a few days ago. I let it roll down my back.
36 "I know St. Luke's. I'm 81 years old," he said. The guy looked way younger. "You look great," I said.
37 "This is a nice neighborhood. Maybe we could all have a barbecue some time!" he replied.
38 I told him about Caitlin's twins, and we laughed. Just then my next-door neighbor backed out and waved to both of us.
39 I didn't realize how unneighborly I have been. I've been so busy going from house to house that I don't want to take the time to talk to people.
40 We all got back to what we were doing. I enjoyed opening my trunk and taking my guitar out. I jumped over to my house to pick up some documents, but I also fully intended to check Facebook for more of the Riff Challenges.
41 I warmed up on a few old tunes that I won't name. It felt good, but I'm still frazzled and nervous.
42 I think I'll enjoy going on a mini-outing. Cabin fever can frazzle you.
43 I can't tell you what that does to my hairdo.
44 Bleh.
45 I have lots to do today and this weekend. I hope I can keep hopping on Facebook and watching those riff videos. It's art at its finest.
46 I recorded a song last night, but I don't like how I look in the video. My first attempt was so bad I couldn't believe how horrid it could be.
47 Fortunately I have a mini-studio in my office at home and took the time last night to set it up.
48 I amped my acoustic with an omni-directional mic and threw in some reverb, because I like how it sounds. John Lennon loved reverb, because he felt his voice was inferior to Paul's. Howzbout that for some trivia.
49 Overall I liked my choice of song; I just can't stand the way my face looks these days. Worn out comes to mind.
50 One-eye-wide open would be another.
51 We'll see.
52 Gottago.
53 Thanks for listening.
54 Have a GREAT weekend.
55 See you again.
56 Peace.
45 I have lots to do today and this weekend. I hope I can keep hopping on Facebook and watching those riff videos. It's art at its finest.
46 I recorded a song last night, but I don't like how I look in the video. My first attempt was so bad I couldn't believe how horrid it could be.
47 Fortunately I have a mini-studio in my office at home and took the time last night to set it up.
48 I amped my acoustic with an omni-directional mic and threw in some reverb, because I like how it sounds. John Lennon loved reverb, because he felt his voice was inferior to Paul's. Howzbout that for some trivia.
49 Overall I liked my choice of song; I just can't stand the way my face looks these days. Worn out comes to mind.
50 One-eye-wide open would be another.
51 We'll see.
52 Gottago.
53 Thanks for listening.
54 Have a GREAT weekend.
55 See you again.
56 Peace.
~H~
fin.
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