Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

[misterwhizzy]

Not just sosomething, but everyone involved in the Riff Off, you rule.

I think I've learned more in the past three months listening, critiquing, talking, and playing than I have since I started playing about 12 years ago. This competition has really been a way to grow as a player, even though I haven't participated as a contestant yet.

I had no idea so much went into recording. I had no idea until I started recording a couple months ago how many notes I was missing. I didn't realize my timing (and apparently some of the drummers I've played with) was so inconsistent. I didn't realize that playing what I thought was exactly the same phrase twice in a row could end up sounding so different.

I've heard people talk about how "this amp will really make you notice your mistakes" or "the clarity leaves you nothing to hide behind." The whole recording process and the quality of competitors who hang out here put those two items to shame.

Basically a big thanks to all the guys who participate and especially to Keith for putting the competition first every week. It's been a great idea, and it's been executed brilliantly.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

+1

i have learned much about the importance of editing of ideas and about the pitfalls of failing to edit ... something as simple as leaving out a single note in a phrase can open up space and let the rhythmic component mature ... in listening to other licks i would think to myself man, that is so close to being dead on! ... even after i sent in my round 2 lick this month i thought of a way to make it better that i wish i wouldve thought of before i sent it in ... licks can be like wine - they sometimes need time to breathe

and about patience required and the pitfalls of failure to be patient ... i just flat out gave up out of frustration on the tone for my last lick ... i know some guys thought it was gnarly and it would probably have its place in some genres .. but i hated it and just decided to throw caution to the wind and see if it came out happenin ... i think i was too worried about trying to be different / 'harder' / better than round 1 (cause i think i wouldnt have made it thru with another clean funky lick/tone) that i overthought the whole thing

i'm tkaing this month off ... but i do hope to be back in future months

rock on

t4d

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

A recording is definitely an unforgiving mistress, but you've got to keep in mind that what works for the song is what's best. You can tab out a drum track in MIDI and it will be as mechanical as a metronome, but will have no feeling. Most drum machines and drum sample software like BFD2 have presets and settings that simulate the human aspects of slight time drifting - a little fast, a little slow, not so mechanical.

 

[Tor]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

Yup. Love the challenge I've gotten through the Riff Off. It has kicked my butt into recording more stuff.

And yeah, it is revealing! I was never quite content with anything I came up with performance-wise. But what a great way to learn how to improve!

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

I love it a lot, and it had a great impact on me. My ears got more critical, and it drove me to practice again. Even I have very little time, I like to participate, vote and comment.

 

[ex-250]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

i love the riff off. i was in the first one, and because of/since that, it forced me to really work on coming up with original ideas and material, which is honestly something i had never done or cared much to do before. so it made a huge jump creatively for me.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

And yeah, it is revealing! I was never quite content with anything I came up with performance-wise. But what a great way to learn how to improve!

I was recording one of my entries and I told my brother (a professional musician who has been in the studio a lot lately) that I was having problems with my computer keeping a steady tempo. "Really? Really? Recording shows all your flaws..." is what he told me. I know I'm the opposite of a precise player, though.

Again, I'm so glad I entered, I could have easily sat around and not done anything, instead I wrote 7 riffs and and got some feedback on them!

 

[Redmist]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

I really got to get may ass back into one of the Tourneys - It forces me to strum a new riff or two and be more critical knowing that they are going to be judged (in the loosest possible sense, of course!)
Far too much on in March to do this one, but April should be good.

 

[Redmist]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

Have at it lads!

I'm guessing everyone in this thread is in?

 

[Redmist]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

my computer keeping a steady tempo. "Really? Really? Recording shows all your flaws..." is what he told me. I

Rock needs a bit of emotion, man - timing is very mathmatical.
Even the notes hate conformin' an all.

The inner Core rules dude.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

Rock needs a bit of emotion, man - timing is very mathmatical.
Even the notes hate conformin' an all.

Core rules dude.

Hmm... overall tempo breathing is OK, not locking into a beat isn't.

 

[Redmist]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

I

you in this one?

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

I

you in this one?

No work is crazy, I'm actually glad I got bounced in round two of February, I've been travelling a ton starting that week.

 

[Redmist]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

Same here.

Think I just joined this one
It's all good

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

Wohooo!! Hell yess!

 

[Redmist]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

:beerchug:
Not sure yet if Keith needs my entry to make up the numbers, but chances are he will :headbang::headbang::headbang:

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

:headbang:

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

:beerchug:
Not sure yet if Keith needs my entry to make up the numbers, but chances are he will :headbang::headbang::headbang:

Probably will.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Sosomething + Riff Off = Awesome

Wow, missed this thread!

Thanks, Whizz - but Keith definitely deserves the credit! Compared to his contributions, mine add up to somebody saying "HAY WOULDN'T IT BE COOL IF SOMEBODY DID SOMETHING COOL?!?!?!"



I know I've been both really surprised and really impressed with the level of talent on this forum. There are some really good riffologists on here!