rc: Thanks a lot for that! I wish Cake would just let me do them for them and gave me the subject matter to cover. Hahaha! You know, it's weird the way corporate works....they seem to always want this guy with a monotone voice selling their products while thinking people will take them more serious. In all actuality, it's the furthest from the truth in ANY form of teaching or presentation.
When I was in college, we did a test where you were to pick the most boring thing you could think of to do a presentation on. The class would be tested and graded by you to see how you did as a teacher. The key was to be able to keep interest in how you delivered your presentation while actually teaching the class something. Out of all the presentations, people that were "human" that also had a little more humor (within reason) scored the highest and blew the "brainiac" presenters in the dust.
Another prime example. Not really related, but a cool story that sort of has this same recipe involved that I just have to share due to the outcome. Last night, my band was asked to play at a huge casino in P.A. We're a Van Halen tribute act for God sakes, you know that's not gonna go over in a lounge, right? I walk into the place, I see elderly folks hanging out listening to this incredible pop/funk band. I see my band mates in the corner looking the way I felt. Like we just didn't belong here at all. I'm thinking the whole time "wow, as soon as I crank up my amp, kick on my flanger, do a few pinch harm squeals and some dive bombs, they're gonna hold their ears and run for cover...shame too, I love elderly folks...I'd of loved to hug 'em after or at least allow them to punch me out for being too loud." LOL!
We go on, for the first time in my life I'm a little nervous, and it has nothing to do with being nervous about my playing like I usually am. We start to play, we throw all caution to the wind, and the next thing you know, the entire place is loaded with people from all walks of life. People stopped gambling and came in to watch, they hung at the railings, the old folks danced and gave us peace signs, people were ordering drinks and couldn't take their eyes off us to where the bar tender had to wave his hands in front of their faces to get their attention, black folks even came and hung out and rocked with us...it was simply one of the most impressive shows I have ever done.
Would would have thought a Van Halen tribute band would go over so well in a lounge atmosphere on a Sunday night? I was just totally taken aback. The moral of the story? People are sold by something that means something to them no matter what it may be when it's delivered the right way. The standard norm bands that played before and after us were every bit as good or better than we were. But they didn't do it like we did. They didn't grab the people and make them want to stop what they were doing.
They didn't dance and jump all over acting like rock stars...they went through the motions like coporate would want a band like that to act in a casino atmosphere. I was told we were one of the best bands that had ever taken that stage since it opened and the only band that was booked into the normal rotation that night. Total proof that sometimes being proper, isn't the answer. I not only got hugs from the elderly, I made about 100 new friends that night that will definitely see us again. The age ranges were from 21 to a man 89. They sat there from the first note to the last note. Being human as well as being yourself (even though we are a VH tribute, we are ourselves when we do it) can win over anyone. :) Hopefully my vids continue to come off that way. Thanks! :)
mmorgan: Thanks for the bump brother! :)
bob: Transient Monster was a fave of mine until I got the UAD version. I still think Monster is an excellent plug. A few issues with certain transients at times, but I still like it and think it does a nice job. I definitely take the Graham comment as a compliment, he's great at what he does. I don't always agree with his methods, but he's an awesome teacher who has made a difference in the lives of others for the better. Thanks! :)
-Danny