Recording and Guitar Hero

New Computer is here, recording software is working and there doesn't appear to be any latency.....so once I can figure out the drum loops I will start recording and hopefully have something worth listening to (doubtful, but possible). It's amazing what you can do with a halfway decent computer and the right tools. After getting past a nasty case of the flu which kept me on my ass through Christmas day, I have finally been able to mess around with it. Even MommaMusky said that the first attempts sounded pretty good. The only problem I'm running into is synching the drums with the riffs or rhythms that I have come up with.

The software has a pretty good website that has several active members who seem to be very helpful, so I will definately go that route when needed. Of course, I am heading into a very busy time of year at work (how can it get any busier than it currently is? ).

The kids got Guitar Hero II for Christmas. We spent about 3 hours playing today. My younger son kicks ass, even the older son admits that he is the weaker of the two. Anyways, MommaMusky and I started playing, she on Easy and me on Medium. Then the kids came down and started playing on Expert and taunting me for playing medium. I tried to kick it up to the hard level and that became a bit of a disaster. The game is pretty fun, but I think I will stick with the real thing. It is fun the watch them wail away, but I wish they would put that energy into their real instruments.......younger one plays piano, older one plays drums. They both will start their lessons again after the new year. Me and the older boy can make a hell of a racket in the basement with him on the drums.

Shit, I have to go back to work tomorrow.....uggh. I'm going to have to buy a lottery ticket.

It's Christmas time and I can't stop spending...

Of course it's all on me. I decided that I need to start playing my Peavey 5150 amp more. It's got great tone, but is loud as hell. But since we put in the semi-sound proof (more like sound dampening) room in the basement I can now play it again without getting yelled at. The only thing I don't like about the 5150 is that the built in reverb sucks ass.

So the spending started with a new Electro-Harmonix Reverb pedal. Then I decided I didn't like my recording software, so I bought Guitar Tracks III software for the computer. Then I decided I need a Chromatic Pedal Tuner because it was really a pain in the ass to unplug my guitar and plug them into another tuner (yes I'm lazy). Then after reading the software book, realized I probably needed a better computer. So on to the Dell website to check out there Scratch and Dent stock and I should have a new computer in a couple of days.

I'm thinking it might be time to go shopping for MommaMusky. I wonder if she needs a new Les Paul or maybe a new GPS Fish Finder for the boat? Both would be excellent gifts. Hmm, I probably shouldn't be cheap...I should just get her both, won't she be surprised?

Winter is here

With 12 inches of snow on the ground and the boat being winterized it's time to focus on Guitar playing for the next few months. In my last lesson, Jason and I got into a conversation regarding what I though I needed to take my playing to the next level (whatever that may be). Most of my lessons don't actually include much playing, more theoretical discussion etc.

After a quick discussion on a few technical issues (alternate picking etc.) we started talking about playing out live etc. It's fairly obvious that I really need to start playing with others either just jamming or in a band setting. So how does a 39 year old guy go about finding others to play with? Other musicians (and I use the word lightly) who are at the same level? Obviously I have no interest in jamming with some 14 year old, unless it is my kid. But he has a broken wrist and is sidelined.

So now my dilemma is how do I find someone to jam with.........I've got guys at the guitar shop looking for comparable players to hook me up with. I hope they can find somebody.