Thanks Danny.

You did teach us a lot that will always be invaluable to us (if I may be so bold as to speak for the others) and to me personally.

Old55

craigb

Old55

bapu


Whatever it is Pedro wants The CHB to play them. See he always says "forget about the notes". Those things prolly won't make any notes. Do you see strings?

Notes?  What are they?  

Those little yellow sticky things that I use to write things to myself like "Remember to read all the new Bapu posts in the morning!"

Stuff like that.

You write things on slices of American cheese?  

Yeah, doesn't everyone?

craigb

Old55

craigb

Old55

bapu


Whatever it is Pedro wants The CHB to play them. See he always says "forget about the notes". Those things prolly won't make any notes. Do you see strings?

Notes?  What are they?  

Those little yellow sticky things that I use to write things to myself like "Remember to read all the new Bapu posts in the morning!"

Stuff like that.

You write things on slices of American cheese?  

Yeah, doesn't everyone?

I used to, but I kept eating the notes.  

Old55

craigb

Old55

craigb

Old55

bapu


Whatever it is Pedro wants The CHB to play them. See he always says "forget about the notes". Those things prolly won't make any notes. Do you see strings?

Notes?  What are they?  

Those little yellow sticky things that I use to write things to myself like "Remember to read all the new Bapu posts in the morning!"

Stuff like that.

You write things on slices of American cheese?  

Yeah, doesn't everyone?

I used to, but I kept eating the notes.  

Ya.  Maybe I should start leaving my notes on apples then?  Healthier?

Danny Danzi

Moshkiae


Hi,

My being a "producer" would be hard for you guys ... in general, the ideas and comments that I have, fit details in "rehearsal", and you guys tend to look at the comments I make -- comparing them to a finished product. That defeats the purpose of using these ideas and moments and coming up with something new and fresh, instead of rehashed!

The only thing I would do, likely, but also would undo the next piece, is probably tie in the loose ends better, so that the transitions from point a to point b, to a chorus and back, are more seamless and defined differently. For example, in most rock music, it is simply a chord change, or an instrument change ... and all you have to do is use that instrument in the background, and then give it the foreground, so that what would normaly be thought of as a melody. or harmony, is all of a sudden a main theme, and then things could revert back, via the same process, or similar or different ... to continue the piece.  This is just about all that George Martin did for the Beatles ... help make pop music sound stronger and better composed than a simple rock/pop song with a very simplistic concept for a start, middle and end! But the majority of rock/pop music composers can only see/hear their own instrument and not adjust to the idea of more than one instrument illustrate their journey at all! Some think that "keyboards" are replacing this idea, but they are not ... it's another person, and sometimes what comes out of it is not even helpful to the whole piece ... it's isolated and not related to the piece!

I would also, probably double layer Grant/ Strummy or both and have them together instead of separate. The different styles can be matched to make the piece more valuable ... however, the ability to do this, a la Eric/Duane if you don't mind the example ... has more to do with the ... GOT IT ... when it happens, than it does when you are playing or rehearsing ... some moments have magic ... and you can be a part of that ... but you have to have an ear for that "moment" and know how to help bring it about! My "directing" is more about trying to get those moments to come together than anything else, but some folks have a tendency to think that I am changing their musical tastes and knowledge ... and that is not the issue.

So yeah ... I'm glad to see Bapu actually suggest something completely different and not throw up ... that air guitar will have a kind of lazer for strings ... and where/what you do with your whole hand, not just fingers, is what would define the sound in it! So, the number of strings in it, could be many ... not just 6 ... because these do not need to be wound at all!

Personal preference ... whammy bar is a must so we can bend and mis-shape things even more!

Not sure how serious you're being here or if there is an inside punch line...but having been in the CHB for a short time, a producer would be the worst thing for them. The reason being, the CHB is all about fun and "we are what we are, moments of greatness, clams and experimentation."
 
As soon as you try to uniform or push the guys in a direction that they are not confortable with, it brings on an element known as "work" and "this is no longer as fun". I tried to bring some producer type stuff to the table as well as suggesting other things. Needless to say, my suggestions were not things that were welcomed with open arms mostly due to stylistic preferences or because it made things more like work than fun. This isn't a bad thing nor is it a bust on the band...hear me out before you jump to any conclusions. :)
 
When you got a bunch of guys that just love to put out music because they love each other and the vibe they create, sometimes a producer isn't the best bet. They don't claim to be perfect and they don't want to be perfect or more musical, less musical, more technical, less technical, more commercial or less commercial...they just do what they do and enjoy the outcome regardless of what anyone thinks. That's pretty commendable and DOES remove a lot of stress from the entire process. Sometimes producers have a vision. That vision may transform a member or several members into something they are not for a particular song. Sometimes band members embrace this, other times it's like running a motor without oil.
 
This band is all about fun and "this is us, like it or...simply don't." I personally would have loved to work with them and push them to other levels having been given the chance, but unfortunately it wasn't in the cards and they are fine just doing what they do. I think the only way a producer would work is if the guys had a shot at really making money to where this was no longer a fun hobby to them. And from what I know of them, they'd not be interested in that aspect of it anyway....so..."self produced" works for me as it gives them their own style and allows them to have fun without any stress at all. :)
 
-Danny

You pretty much got it there Danny :)
 
We're all serious about the CHB but it has to be fun too. And althoug I've never met any of them in person, I consider all of the former and todays CHB members as good friends.
 
 

Danny Dan
As soon as you try to uniform or push the guys in a direction that they are not confortable with, it brings on an element known as "work" and "this is no longer as fun". I tried to bring some producer type stuff to the table as well as suggesting other things. ...

I rest my case!


I even stated it .... that most of my suggestions fit a lot better in rehearsal, than they did in a finished work. 


It's a shame, and sad, that you think that rehearsal is boring and not fun, when in theater, film, and also music, at least with the 2 bands I have lived with, it was just fine and enjoyable and they had no issue fooling around and learning new bits and pieces!


I guess that's what happens with "professionals" ... they think they are in the million dollar studio and you are there for 15 seconds, and pray for fame? At least I didn't make that claim and did not think that I could make masters of you all, or idiots ... 


So much for good clean fun! I appreciated the humor and the suggestion.  You know the sad part? .. your comments remind me of my days in Brazil with some American tourists walking by and calling us, the kids in the streets ... rats! Yeah ... it was a lot of fun!

Oh, btw ... this thread was about me being the producer, not you!

Looks like a vacuum cleaner.

MoshkiaeIt's a shame, and sad, that you think that rehearsal is boring and not fun, when in theater, film, and also music, at least with the 2 bands I have lived with, it was just fine and enjoyable and they had no issue fooling around and learning new bits and pieces!

 
Since you've quoted me, I take it as you might have thought *I* was against rehearsal and it being boring and not fun? If that's the case, I assure you it's not true at all. Maybe you misunderstood my post? I was trying to say the CHB isn't worried about that part of it as some of the elements a producer may bring to their table would alter them in a way that they may not feel comfortable with.
 
As for me, I'm such a rehearsal nut I'm meticulous with pre-production and performances. My last album was recorded 4 times before we actually settled on what we wanted. LOL! So rest assured, I'm with you on all that stuff....I just don't feel the CHB wants to take it that seriously because at times it CAN and DOES remove the fun factor as well as their natural knack for doing things "off the cuff" which means..."spur of the moment" and "it is what it is." 

I guess that's what happens with "professionals" ... they think they are in the million dollar studio and you are there for 15 seconds, and pray for fame? At least I didn't make that claim and did not think that I could make masters of you all, or idiots ...

 
I didn't make that claim either LOL! I like to consider myself a professional though....but I work long and hard and still pray for a good outcome. :)

So much for good clean fun! I appreciated the humor and the suggestion. You know the sad part? .. your comments remind me of my days in Brazil with some American tourists walking by and calling us, the kids in the streets ... rats! Yeah ... it was a lot of fun!

 
I hope you don't mean my comments? I'm a little lost in some of your post. It sounds like at times you're talking to me, other times...referencing someone else perhaps? But only I was quoted so I have nothing else to go on. I'd never call anyone a rat and then consider it fun "for the sake of". If I ever called someone a rat or any other name, they deserved it. What country they are from, race or religion they are matters not. I don't see colors, I see people. When a person is a rat or anything else to me, they earned that title. Not sure what you're comment was in regards to, but you totally lost me there.

Oh, btw ... this thread was about me being the producer, not you!

 
I understand that. However, there is no need to take offense. I only chimed in because I had actual experience with the band because I was literally IN the band. My point in chiming is was to explain that the CHB is what it is because it DOESN'T have a producer. Even someone doing it for fun....you go against their grain. They aren't serious enough to play by any type of rules other than the ones they create for themselves.
 
When I say "aren't serious enough" I mean on a professional in a "let's sell songs and try to be rock-stars" kind of way. They are serious about having fun. At the end of the day, if all the guys can high-five each other after a song is finished, that's the only producer they need. If one or two of them aren't down with something, they voice their opinion and fix it.
 
They have lives and other things they do...music is important to them but not to the point of having a producer in the mix is all I'm trying to say. When the fun and spontaneity stops, so will the CHB. You can't tame what was meant to be wild...and their brand of "wild" seems to be acceptable to them as well as the majority of those who enjoy their music. :)
 
-Danny

danny danzi
They are serious about having fun. At the end of the day, if all the guys can high-five each other after a song is finished, that's the only producer they need. If one or two of them aren't down with something, they voice their opinion and fix it.

 
No worries there.
 
There is a bit of an issue here that you touched on accidentally, and it is that the folks here, I THINK, are holding on to a hope/prayer/desire/dream that they can be a bit more than a professional out there, and actually make a buck to buy a better guitar or a fridge ... I can relate to that ... and I would love it as much as you would or anyone else would.
 
But the fear side of things, that one might consider, or believe that it will take away from your "professionalism" ... which it never will, and in the end, only adds to your learning ... assuming you do not think that "learning" means that you can not miss a note only, or mis-judge a beat and timing here and there ... something that is more often than not so miniscule that 99% of the audience can't hear it or understand it anyway!
 
But you know the strangest thing? ... I am not a "musician" per se, but have written poems for 3 major artists, and even though they have not recorded it, I'm happy that they have at least replied and appreciated their comments ... sometimes, the whole thing and idea, is NOT about ... one thing ... there are others involved ... and I tend to bring those out a lot, much to the chagrin of some folks in the CHB that every now and then take this attitude of ... burt weenie diggers ... and it gets boring after a while!
 
The worst part for them? ... check it out ... time and again ... is when they "start a joke" ... they don't like it when someone else joins in and adds to it ... specially a foreigner ... notice how on the air guitar thing, folks like you did not even went after the laser/hand/finger thing, which would be a lot more fun of a discussion, and instead took the whole of it personally! Or, perhaps, you did not give a damn, because you were set on taking it personally and defend a group of folks that does not need the defense, since I am not attacking them and NEVER would, and they know it ... but some of them don't like the oddball suggestions that they don't get! It's not my problem they can't "get it"!
 
Yes, it is a two way street ... and if I sounded bad, my apologies, and none of it was meant as bad ... but I can't help wonder why some folks think it is bad ... and instead ... don't ask ... what did you mean by this ... nope ... you just automatically assumed that I was suggesting that the CHB was just another high school reunion!  Well, I can tell you that at the very least I have an appreciation for people that have not yet learned music and went out and created it ... instead of bs'ing their way around here! And my only work, is always a comparative study of the artistic efforts in different disciplines and how you can do things in areas where ... those folks tied to a DAW and notes/staff, obviously can not!
 
Let's say that I think that you can do more than paint by numbers! And you don't believe me!