Battle Studies: Mid Action Report

[ImmortalSix]

http://johnmayer.com/battlestudies/

2 March 2009: A Video

Took a break from setting up the studio space and jammed a bit. There's something I love about playing with just drums, because it gives me the harmonic freedom to go wherever I like. And whenever Steve and I see each other and there's a drum kit and a guitar rig around, this is how we say hello to one another. For the playas: I'm using a '52 Tele through a Fender Princeton. No pedals.

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Battle Studies: Mid Action Report

http://johnmayer.com/battlestudies/?post=21

ON CONSCIOUS COMPOSITION

One of the focal points of my approach to songwriting these days is something I've come to refer to as "conscious composition".

Conscious composition is composing not only chord changes, say for instance a 4-chord progression in a pop or rock setting, but also thoughtfully writing the lyrics and melody line above it. It's the exact opposite of "get in a room and jam." Sure, I could pull together a drummer, a bass player, an organ and a trio of background singers, but without the time spent investigating lyrics, ideas, note selection, etc, all I'm going to have (at best) is a groove that underscores nothing but very basic ideas. Even if I'm able to turn it into something sophisticated, that's still because I was thinking back on a past moment in my songwriting that was fully conscious, except I'll remember it as having come up with it "on the spot"... When there aren't enough of these conscious moments of songwriting to draw from, the creative energy of making music is lost.

Even going into the studio with a guitar and a microphone and singing and strumming until I get something worthwhile isn't conscious enough, because my mind still knows that there's somebody engineering the recording session and my performance brain will take over and make sure I don't sing or play anything embarrassing. The work has to be done alone and ahead of time.

Undoing self-consciousness and bridging into creative consciousness has been and still is a very daunting process. There's nothing new about the template; guy puts everything he has into making music, music rewards guy with everything he has, guy forgets how to make music like he used to. But there is a way to use all that music has given me to dig even deeper than I have before. I'm glad that I've had as many years playing guitar under my belt as I did before I became successful, and I'm glad I have the resources to do whatever it takes to stay focused in that place I know so well.

It's easier to end the day early and go to dinner, but it gets nothing accomplished in the way of answering the question "and why are you taking up space here on Earth again?"

I'm not saying I won't someday go through musical menopause, it's just not going to happen yet. It's being a conscious composer that's going to keep me relevant, and it's refraining from believing that I can jam for 2 months and make a record that's going to return the favor that success has given to me.

[rashayritto]

Re: Battle Studies: Mid Action Report

mayer gets a lot of crap from players or men in general. im not interested in what ive heard from him thus far but i REALLY want him to put out a record that wins me over. he's very talented im sure

[donnievaz]

Re: Battle Studies: Mid Action Report

Wow. Now you know how I feel when I post news no one gives a crap about.

Thanks for posting that though. Its good to see a very successful guy give tips like stuff like that.

Thats why I haven't put him in the Dave Matthews Category.

Just out of curiosity, what exactly is "the Dave Matthews Category"? Not lookin' for a fight (I don't care that much about DMB), genuinely curious.

[wickedmartini]

Re: Battle Studies: Mid Action Report

Ironically, I have been enjoying some of the Mayer Battle Studies material. There's definitely some substance there.

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Battle Studies: Mid Action Report

http://johnmayer.com/battlestudies/#/30

Stitched Up - Slight Return

VIDEO

We're nearing the home stretch on building the studio. The staff is here working full time and the energy is really starting to fill the house.
Even though the recording console is still being assembled, Steve and I had to take advantage of the tools of our trade being around us.
It feels GREAT to lose time and space by getting into a groove and staying there.

This is a jam on the chord progression to "Stitched Up." I decided to pick up my 8-string guitar and remembered that I had written the changes on it, so it came naturally to play it with Steve, who also played on the track. If you have a laptop you may want to plug headphones/speakers in, because the low stuff feels really good...

Sooooooon.......

JM

As the finishing touches are being put on the studio, Steve and I get back into the groove. This is the guitar I wrote the Stitched Up groove on. I'm playing a Novax 8 string guitar (bass and guitar on the same instrument) through a Fulltone Tremolo, Way Huge Aquapuss and into a Dumble Overdrive Reverb. Alessandro 2x12 Celestion gold speaker cab.

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Battle Studies: Mid Action Report

This thread's not about John Mayer, it's about "Battle Studies."

-Hunter

[Tor]

Re: Battle Studies: Mid Action Report

high school prep junk.

Wait, is a large particular audience decisive for the perceived quality of the DMB's music itself?


Thanks for the heads-up, Hunter. Interesting read..

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Battle Studies: Mid Action Report

http://johnmayer.com/battlestudies/#/31

Here is the first in a series...
The scope and quality of these videos will grow and get better as the album and the recording process does.

This experience is amazing; to take an idea from inception and watch it grow into a reality is beyond inspiring.

Hope you enjoy...

JM