Possible musical epiphany?

[fingertalkin]

I was playing "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" the other day and I totally "heard" a "rock" version of the song in my head. I usually can't hear stuff like that.

 

I often wonder how people pull stuff off like that. There are numerous versions of the song "Umbrella" that I really like but could never have come up with myself.

 

I even came up with a way to end a few songs at practice last night that were totally cool and everyone really dug. We always have had tight endings, though to me some of them didn't really work. It also made it easier on a few songs to keep playing them depending on crowd response.

 

I am somewhat proud of myself

[Paul K]

I am somewhat proud of myself

 

As you should be.

 

Changing styles: I have a propensity to funkify any Beatles tune I play. Drummers dig it, the rest of the players usually don't.

[Mr. Bizarro]

Enjoy that breakthrough.

 

I have a funky little groove I like to play for a warmup, and one rehearsal the drummer started in with a swing beat. I joined him and we had ourselves a nice little swing jam. I was expecting a disaster, but I adapted pretty easily. It's a fun thing to do.

[Slinky P]

My bass teacher has a drum machine. We played Coltrane's Impressions to the jazz beat. Then we had fun we played it to the rock beat and the euro-poptastic beat entitled "Dutch Trance"

Anyway congrat on your breakthrough. It's a useful skill to have. Bring the tune up at the next band rehearsal you guys have.

[jeremy c]

Good work.

 

It's very difficult to "hear" a song in a different arrangement than one in which you have originally heard it.

 

For that reason, I give written music to people who play my original songs. If I made a midi demo, they would probably duplicate what I did and I don't want that. I want what they can bring to the songs.

 

For the same reason, if someone has music for their song that I am going to play, I'd rather not hear their demo before I come up with my part.

 

If you are not in a cover band and you are going to play a cover song, you should bring an original point of view to the song.

 

One of the best examples of that I know is Earth Wind and Fire's version of Got To Get You Into My Life.

 

Anyway, that's enough about me. Now I'll let you talk about me.

 

I'd like to hear your version of Grapevine. That song of course has several classic versions: Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Creedence Clearwater Revival. It's time for a new version.

 

Since I play a lot of gigs in the wine country, I play that song very often. I can play it in my sleep (and sometimes I have).

[fingertalkin]

I have only heard the Marvin Gaye and the Gladys Knight versions of the song. I play the Gladys Knight version.

 

It is kind of weird, I usually add a Motown style to the songs we do. Not making a song like that rock. Well, as much as you can in a rock setting.

 

The Motown, R&B and Soul music of the early years really feels good under my hands. I can remember back to when I was a kid (like 8-10) I was really into Joan Jett, Motley Crue, Ah-Ha, and the Eagles. Actually "I love R&R" and "Smokin' in the Boys Room" were my first records. The little single versions. My sister had the Ah-Ha album and my dad had the rest. I was the best dang air drummer you would have ever seen.

 

Then I hit a big hip hop phase when I first heard Biz Markie and NWA. I got into everything hip hop. I love the grooves. Later I got back into rock. Now I like most everything. Now that I have listened to so much music, I realized that most of hip hop has been sampled from tunes that I really enjoy playing and listening to.

 

I wish I had picked up a bass back when I was younger. Oh well, better late than never.

[kenfxj]

...It's time for a new version...

One of my four or five favorite songs of all time. I would also love to hear your version. See if it can unseat Marvin's as my favorite.

[fingertalkin]

Well, let me talk the band into doing it and we'll record it. I'm thinking that Marvin is safe.

[picker]

Creedence Clearwater Revival did a great bluesy version of "Grapevine", but I agree, it's time for a new one. Put it together and let us here it. I'd like ti hear how your vision plays.

[jlrush]

Good move ft.

Yes, bring us a recording if you can swing it, er, mo-jam it, er, rock it.

[Tom Capasso]

I love the Creedence version, and the Gladys Knight version.

By all means - put something together for yourself (and us).

 

And after you do that, dig up a song by Electric Light Orchestra called "Showdown".

 

Tom