ChuckC
Danny Danzi
Chuck: Thanks man! I'd like to hear your version of Last Dance...that's a cool tune! I hear ya on the shred stuff. Believe it or not, I swear I actually feel the same way. The good thing about growing up in the 80's for me was there was some definite skill in those players. But it got to be more of a sport than a weapon. When it starts sounding like a dude running scales like he's practicing in his room without any feel, direction and the lack of a story line, well, I can appreciate some of the techniques that go on, but to me it sounds like mindless wankage. I do that from time to time...I admit it. But I always do my best to do something with melodic value. You know... a beginning, a middle, a climax and an end type solo. If it fits the song, I'll open up a bit. If it doesn't, I won't even think about it.
The other thing that I think you did good on by avoiding that technical stuff is, you can spend a lifetime honing your chops to do the shred thing. Seriously man....it can easily become a drug once you get into it. Then what happens is, you become this robot that can play some cool leads, but you become a one-trick-pony that also may struggle to write tunes. I used to know guys that were so sick with shred that they couldn't even play rhythm or write a single riff. They would just solo over backing tracks. They'd make you go "wow" but after 10 minutes, it's like..."ok, you play lead good dude...what else can you do?" That's one thing quite a few shredders lack that you don't....the ability to write a song...and write a song with a hook that people can relate to. If I had to choose between insane tech and writing good songs, of course I'd choose to have a bit of both...but if it were one of the other, good songs would win hands down for me. Thanks again brother. :)
I completely agree, and I have met several of these guys along the way that couldn't play rythem enough to earn themselves a spot in the band. Thanks for the props on my songwritting Danny. Ya know it's funny.... Over this past winter I had every plan to take both guitar lessons to learn some theory to become more well rounded, and some classes with a vocal coach because I am sure there are some bad habits I have aquired. I got so busy and spent every spare moment trying not to suck as an engineer so that the record would be sound good that I never had time to do either of them. MAybe next year when business slows down again I will get to tackle those and check them off the list of things I really need to do.
Totally with ya brother. Just remember one thing...if you ever do decide to learn theory or take those vocal lessons, make sure that you just take from it what you feel you need without going over-board. You have something man just the way you are. Fresh, original yet with a hint of your influences. That's a good thing. When you start learning the theory and other stuff, it can sometimes really alter you. Granted, the extra stuff you pick up can make you 1000 times better than you are now...but they key is to keep that dirt you have under your fingernails. Theory and all that goes with it sometimes automatically makes you polish yourself.
Sometimes that polish is the death of you. Can you picture Nirvanna being theory monsters? I think the band would have tanked. Cobain just doing what he did while going with his emotions....inspired a generation...like him or hate him. You've heard of George Lynch right? Dude was great...until he graduated from GIT. I can't listen to him for 10 seconds now. What was once heart, soul, feeling and off the cuff experimental brilliance has now turned into "I went to GIT, hear my new scales that I still can't play very well that I really shouldn't be playing live just yet". He's so into the tech thing he's become robotic, stale and actually sloppy because he's attempting to play over his means. So if you tackle that stuff brother, take the good from it...challenge yourself a bit, but keep that heart and feel you got going on. Theory and vocal lessons can help...but it can actually hurt too if you aren't careful.
Don't take any of this the wrong way....I'm not trying to talk you out of it. I'm just saying at THIS stage in your life, you have achieved an identity in your songwriting that takes years for some people. "That sound" is where it's at. Ever buy a piece of gear for your business or whatever....it worked great forever...you read something that mentions how you can upgrade it and make it do something better....you do the upgrade, and the thing never works the same way again? I can't tell you how many times I've had that happen.
As a matter of fact, I had a vocal coach one time that was an awesome singer. When I finally started to cop the techniques he was showing me, my voice started to change in a way I wasn't happy with. Sometimes our natural ability is better than anything we can be taught. Then again, with the right teacher and you learning the right things to further help you with what you already know, and you can be way better off. It's finding that right happy medium that may take some time. Just be careful if you go down that road. The last thing you want (though it would be cool!) is for you to write a song for you band, got to sing, and you sound like Steve Perry from Journey! Hahahaha! I personally would welcome something like that for my music...but for yours...I dunno man...lol! :) Could you picture your guys lookin at you and saying..."dude, what the heck is wrong with you?!" And you reply "I dunno guys, I'm singing properly now and this beautiful thing is coming out that I can't stop!"
That's actually another myth....meaning...I was taught when I took my lessons that "when you learn how to sing properly, you can simulate a damaged trachea and add in all the rasp you want". Pff...maybe for them or other people....dude, I was singing so clean, I couldn't even scream like Rob Halford anymore. As a matter of fact, to this day I can't sing like that anymore yet my normal voice minus the falsetto is higher than ever. The good thing is, I probably saved my voice from being fried. Too much improper singing and you could mess up your pipes for life. So I'm kinda glad I can't do the Halford thing anymore. But I do miss it from time to time. I still can't simulate rasp either...unless I smoke a Newport or something. Singing proper just stopped me from doing anything out of character. I think the reason was because I had a really hard time learning the vocal techniques. Once I found a happy medium of me and what I was being taught, then everything opened up just right. You'll see if you ever try it...like I say though, just be careful....if you come back sounding like Barry Manilow, I'm coming after you! Hahahahahaha! :)
-Danny