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The Letter


uncle fester

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Hi All - The kids had a half day, so figured we'd hang out - but they're all absolute MORONs, so instead I hung out in the basement with the chickens and put this together ('The Letter' Box Tops cover). As an aside - I started to learn to play this for my folks as something they knew... so I played it for them, they replied 'never heard of it - can't you learn something by the Supremes'... I think it's an oldie but a goody, maybe it will conjure up a memory or two for some of you.

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXHUjUyaDZQ&feature=youtu.be

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Good stuff Bill..Nicely done. I was waiting for those chickens to break into the "Chicken Dance"..LOL Thanks

 

Thank you for listening! The chickens are fun, only inside until they're a little bigger - the outside ones come to the corner and hang out when I'm playing... if I break into Freebird, they start swaying back and forth :).

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Certainly different. Love your guitar and thanks for sharing this different take. It take guts to throw it out there, but that's how We all get better. The first few times I shared stuff, I was pitchy, whiny, and I got great advice from several on the board.

 

By the way, you wouldn't know it but behind many of the membership handles are real deal genuine professional musicians... albums and everything. It's neat to get their take and advice.

Our journeys are all different... mine included. But nowhere in my journey is any delusion of my hobby being anything above something I love to do for me. Keep on truckin

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Well, Billroy, I liked the idea of it....the verses come across a slightly Ramone type cool sneer version of a Lou Reed poison pen piece.

 

But something went awry in the middle part....you need another idea and I’m thinking to give a blast of the first bridge chord and sustain it all the way through the messy bits and sing that bit higher or even do a shout/talk sing bit over the one held chord, repeat it for the next line then come back on the fifth chord...da da da da dah...then back to your verses.... probably easier to play it than talk about it. But you know, hit the chord and hold then talk: “well she wrote me a letter, blah blah blah” then another held chord and the next line and hit hard on the chord for “anyway-ah-ah-ah....”....back to verse. How’s that?

 

And the chickens seemed to like it, but the saying is to never work with children or animals....it can backfire and you become the “Laugh-In” joke.

 

 

BluesKing777.

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Thanks TS / BK - appreciate the listen and feedback.

 

I think one take-away is matching the tone to the words, I hear the sneer as well - but it's supposed to be a song about going to see your baby again, a good thing - so got to work on that. Yes BK - the middle is tough, for some reason the progression of chords (GCFCG)... and hitting the 'FCG' correct is tough for me (freakin' F chord, gets me every time) will try your suggestion and a couple other things see what I can work out.

 

TS - pitchy / whiny... just listened to 'Basket Case' again, and have a hard time believing Pitchy and Whiny was ever used to describe you... maybe sensitive and harmonious :)

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Not a tune I’ve heard. I enjoyed listening to it. As some said it does take courage to post tunes. I admire that and that you are playing out at open mics putting yourself out there. Something I could never get the courage to do. Keep it up!

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Ah hell

 

I'll say it

 

Bill , that's pretty awful

 

Sorry BBG, but the best thing about the bottom is only one way to go... I liked it

 

 

Sal, unfortunately I don’t know that tune. I must admit my portfolio of songs don’t go that deep 😆

 

Kieth, I love the song - probably more from memories of where I first heard it, but here's the

on you tube. And playing out, what's the worst that can happen, someone say's it's pretty awful :)
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Don't be discouraged by some of the comments. It's important for you to know how your stuff comes across to others. You love what you do and you have guts! I'm traveling down the same road as you, and my advice would be to give yourself credit for the things you do well, while at the same time acknowledge your weaknesses and focus on them. Like Sal said, some of the members here are real pros, so there is substantial experience behind the advice given.

 

Learning to judge my own stuff has probably been the most important factor in my own development. That is also a skill that will come with practice. So listening back at yourself, over and over, looking for weaknesses is a good way to practice, at least it has been for me. I have posted many, many poor song attempts here asking for the weaknesses to be pointed out and have always been given good advice how to correct them. There have also been a some nasty comments along the way, some really mean and heartbreaking, but I don't let that bother me. It's only fuel for the fire.

 

Keep at it and keep posting!

 

Lars

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So I added a few of the famous horn riffs ala guitar to spice it up:

 

 

 

 

BluesKing777.

 

BK - Just Awesome!

 

Don't be discouraged by some of the comments. It's important for you to know how your stuff comes across to others.

 

Learning to judge my own stuff has probably been the most important factor in my own development. That is also a skill that will come with practice. So listening back at yourself, over and over, looking for weaknesses is a good way to practice, at least it has been for me.

 

 

Thanks Lars and True 'Dat. Need to develop the skill of judging my own stuff, will try repeat listening.

 

To all - thanks for the listens and the comments... I'll progress.

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