#Frail Autumn,, #GarageBand,, #Lyrics, #meanderings, #music, #Retirement Projects, #songwriting

Trials and what to do’s. Bass Guitar is needed.

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The Bare Bones.
A Silhouette of Mirror.
Photograph by Gray Summers.

Recently, the idea of getting back to bare bones of songs is playing around in the mind. Listening to a lot of other artists’ songs currently where the premise is simply a guitar and a voice. But they are a million miles away from my naivety when playing guitar and singing.

Sun goes down

However. Something came to mind. Listening again to the Devendra Banhart album called ‘Mala’? Suddenly the Lightbulb moment went on. There are beautiful little Bass guitar melodic inclusions that are inherent in the songs.

I never play a Bass Guitar foundation at all anymore. And ….. I was always actually a Bass player first and foremost back in my band years of the 1970/early80s years.

I need to go back to my roots and play the main part first and foremost by playing my bass guitar in simple riff melody captures. And build on that premise!

I built this one up ages ago by putting down the Bass Guitar first on top of the drums.

It would be good now to find a sound of simplicity. Yet unique. I do like the vibe of ‘And so the story goes’ below. Tonight, I found myself singing a low bass line melody to add to the song. I will probably re-record this one soon and build up from a bass riff on a simple drum percussive beat.

And so the story goes.

Messing about with this tonight too. Just a trial song. Acoustic and poor keyboard playing skills. But I’m beginning to realise, with lots of new songs, that acoustic guitars, played alongside electric echo swirling riffs, could be a nice Frail Autumn pursuit.

Give Me Something Real.

🍁🍂

16 thoughts on “Trials and what to do’s. Bass Guitar is needed.”

    1. Cheers Shep. What happens with a bass guitar ‘at base’ foundation, is that I find myself playing differently on six string guitar. I kind of fill space in totality when playing without the bass premise. If I am totally in the capture of a song melody, then yes, guitar is paused for dramatic effects. But, I don’t write ballad type songs. It’s usually when I sing a tune from another’s song. Nilsson always makes me pause and play differently when ai sing his songs. Strangely, it is the ones that I feel a massive emotional connection to. I can’t fake playing nicely to certain songs. You kind of dive deeply into them. I wonder if you feel the same when playing certain harp pieces.

      I listen to harp players who play those beautiful empty spaced haunting soulful tunes. Giving a wonderful harmonious ‘hang’ when you wait for the their next expression of sound. I reckon it’s because life’s breathing is involved. And breathing keeps us alive. And so, when listening to such technique, it captures and involves our own life’s basics. You listen in a synergetic way. Sorry for the word salad Shep. Just poured a third, but two finger measure, at 01.15.

      Cheers and gentle hand claps in return. All the best. 🙏🏽

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    1. Cheers Sheila. I’ve been listening to more sounds that are very different from my normal listens. Back to listening to vinyl records too. So anything new I try to buy as a vinyl album. Bands like Beach House, Mazzy Star, Cigarettes after Sex, Her’s, and other similar sounds. So trying to find my own laid back vibe presently. Does need to be found still to be honest.

      I do have a head full of new tunes Sheila. Many are like Tangled Webs though. Songs are getting a bit mixed up. So many small ideas to finished songs. I really need to get my act together. My fave two songs at the moment are Ultimately One by One and Where in the World. The thing is, a serious focus is required though. But life outside of music at the moment is very tiring.

      You mention Angie and she has lots to think about currently. She has 11 staff and it is coming close to Christmas. She says it will be nice to retire from it all now. Long days are the norm. So early next year, she can sort it out and retire ……. fingers crossed.

      I like those lyrics you mention here. A very difficult thing to achieve presently are the lyrics. My brain is fuddled. This is where I would love a muse or collaboration with someone. Someone with a lyrical skill that I can share ideas with. But hey ho. Flying solo still!

      All the best Sheila. Interestingly, I just spotted one of your shorts with a massive amount of number visits. Brilliant for you. You are cracking the algorithm it seems. Well done you. 🙏🏽🍁🍂

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  3. I am not familiar with any of those bands or songs, Gray, but I will look for Ultimately One by One and Where in the World tomorrow and give a listen. I love it when you mention new music! That is so good for our brains! Though, you are right, sometimes we get muddled by too much rambling around in our minds. Quite the conundrum!

    I wish I could get you and Richard together re: lyrics, etc. but his mood hasn’t yet seemed opened to it, and as you have told me before, live and in person is really better for writing and jamming. But I can dream! I would still love to visit Wales one day. At this point, it feels far away.

    Yes, Angie has a lot to consider and plan for when it comes to making the move/retiring from the shop. 11 employees! Wow! And I am sure she wants to ensure her finances are in good order too. Sadly, I thought my financial situation was good when I retired, but nope! I mean, I still have savings and own one piece of land that I could sell, but I’m still spending too much, though I have diligently trying to cut back on spending! Ugh! It doesn’t help that costs for some things have risen lately too. I just keep trying to find ways to save on things we do need. Another reason I quit going to the doctors and started mobility training at home.

    Speaking of that, I’m glad one of my videos is getting more views. I keep waiting for one to go viral! Ha! Several have over 1,000 views, but that seems to be about the top number so far. I need one to get 50k or so.

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    1. YouTube threw up a wonderful black and white old film with a Cigarettes after Sex song playing on it. A YouTuber made it as a collaboration. The song was called Pistol. Instantly fell in love with the song and subsequently the band. I have all 3 of their vinyl albums and also in CD format too. When you ask Alexa to play songs by them, it plays them and ‘songs of a similar nature’. So you get an amazing vibe in the kitchen whilst doing the cooking. That’s when you can hear other people’s songs. Beach House happened like that. I have a double and single vinyl album by them too.

      I opened up a YouTube site a fair while back Sheila. So used it last year to upload lots of my songs. So easy access to the songs is there to be honest. Mind you, my visits are in the count of tens. Well under one hundred. I am truly not seeking to promote. It is just a ‘have fun in retirement’ exercise. And also, it allows a link on WordPress to songs. When I uploaded directly to WP with a video, it took huge % allowed media space. Well done with your numbers Sheila. You put lots of thought into the videos. Looks fun. And good to promote health considerations too. Your USA health system! Wow! Luckily, we have the NHS and do not pay. Although that is on shaky ground at times.

      My ambitions in life now, as said before, are only linked to personal therapeutic values. I don’t give any consideration to success anymore. It is just wasting my, already lacking, energy to be honest. And I’m too old to care and have concerns about the troubles it can bring. We have spoken before about this. Gentle treading through life is very wonderful to adopt.

      I trimmed my WordPress site down massively a few weeks ago. Loads of media was deleted and the published blogs were put into Draft status without their imagery or audio inclusions. I wanted to keep all past comments. So at least they are in the mix still. The allowed storage space on my plan has gone from 93% down to 40% now.

      I realise in my lyrics currently that my more personal thoughts are being used. And my life has turned into the four seasons as to considering myself moving through it. So lyrics are becoming very reflective. Even so, I do have current and past friendships with shared life ideals. So lyrical collaborations can be very relevant when similar emotions become familiars.

      Wales is very wet currently! But the summer, for once, was glorious. We have been considering moving once she retires. That would require huge upheaval though. So will probably stay here. And as you mention, savings would be a much considered decision maker too. Both being on a pension with any other savings getting hammered by the Government tax considerations. They would love to see us all destitute and living in tents it seems. Politics hey!

      Cheers Sheila. 🙏🏽🍁🍂 The leaves? Frail Autumn. 😊

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  4. I will look up the song Pistol. You’re amazing, Gray, buying both vinyl and CDs of new music that soothes you! I can imagine how cooking and music goes together. Ah, relaxing! Yet, savory too!

    Yes, our health system here in the states is a complete mess and will bankrupt our country eventually, and it seems like your future picture of tent living and us all destitute is spot on! You’re a poet and a visionary, Gray!

    I hear you about paring down WordPress. I removed quite a number of followers recently from mine. I noticed where a good many were not subscribed via email and so I simply removed them! Ha! It was sort of like, if someone doesn’t want to be notified, why have them? I now think that might have been harsh for me to do, but I was in a mood. It’s more about quality than numbers now for me too. I want to delete some of my old posts/media, but then think of it as a time capsule. We’ll see. I am getting tired of paying for it. And I’m probably the only one accessing it often via my name domain name too! Ha! Speaking of naming things.

    I’m glad you all had a great summer! Glad someone did! Though this week, while chilly, we have had sunshine. I finally got ONE okra out of five plants. I harvested it for okra water, and chopped down all the other plants before it frosts.

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    1. Pistol was the very first song I heard. The whole first album really resonated after that. And the second two albums just grew and grew. So, every car journey, they are constantly on. Such a relaxing sound to drive to. I’m actually not cooking as often as I used to. Angie has a decent lunch and arrives home around 6.30 evening time. So too late really for us. Not great for the digestive system all the time. Also can’t time meals because there are late deliveries every so often, which means later getting home at times. Hence the tiredness. She is totally fed up with the exhaustion of it all now.

      Working within the NHS is an eye opener. Our private dentist too has stopped the monthly Denplan payment and a company now own the whole caboodle. A doctor, physiotherapist, podiatrist and others are now alongside the dentist in situ. Monthly rates have risen. Ability to see a dentist/hygienist for the regular check up has got far less often now (once a year) and all professional treatment outside of these check ups has to be paid for separately on top of the monthly payout of £68. So can understand your own predicaments.

      On WP I wanted to keep comments. Short of cutting and pasting everything to an iPad file, you can’t send your posts to another source. So by removing all media and left only with words, you then move to Draft status. Unfortunately, I do use some photographs more than once. So Published blogs could suffer if I delete them off the WP system. My subscription is coming to be renewed in mid November. I will keep it going, because in retirement it keeps my brain cells alive. But, I was close to closing it all down a few months back. Then I thought of the people I like and how we exchange and came to my senses.

      I don’t use notifications. I tend to have a core of around 12 people who really matter and I tend to look down the list at Reader alphabetically and see what those favourite people are doing. About one fifth, or less, from the subscribed list therefore are looked at in earnest because others tend to post less often. Or are not really my cup of tea. They never like or comment on the blogs. I followed them as courtesy to them following me. But they never visit. In reality? There are also those that are all one way. Never even put a ‘like’ on the comments they receive.

      We had shed loads of tomatoes, cucumbers, and peas this year. Potatoes and onions weren’t too bad either. Herbs were cut back and then taken out completely. They had been there a for fair few years, so we need to freshen the herb bed up come this Spring. But again, last year’s basic survival kit for culinary herbs list produced loads! Okra? I never tried. May look into that one for next year.

      You say about the tent. There are people who are selling up their houses and going into van life. But the Government want them to pay Council Taxes now. Use of non existent facilities? Why? Nuts. It’s all nuts.

      On that note. Cheers Sheila. All the best 🙏🏽🍁🍂

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  5. I have a core of blogger pals, such as yourself, Gray, who are the reason I keep my WP going too. As well as, brain matter stimulation as you noted.

    I am sorry to hear Angie is getting home a bit too late to enjoy dinner at a good time of day for digestion, but at least you can see the light at the end of the tunnel (for when she retires). Yay!

    Yes, all the insurance, medical costs are insane. I keep getting mailers for me to buy the extra Medicare insurance for when I turn 65 in a few months. It’s open enrollment for me currently. I don’t or need it! Richard never bought it either, though it would have helped us pay for several things when he had the stroke 4 years ago. But we just paid monthly to the hospital/Emergency docs etc. til we got it all paid. Cheaper than all the insurance costs would have been. Now, old age homes or such is a whole other ball of wax. But we doubt we will live long enough to need one. Sad to say. But true in our estimation.

    I’m glad you mentioned more about why you were drawn to the Pistol song and band. It makes sense. Relaxing, cocooning music really.

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    1. Of course we are both drawn to Complementary therapy ideals that keep life balance in pushing ailments away. The big events that happen, such as Richard’s, are the game changers. Our mortgage has a life insurance attached. As soon as we pay for the house totally though, it stops. We slowed down payments, but are now extremely close to finishing. Which means years upon years of money has just gone. Used for no purpose at all. But you have to prepare for possibilities I suppose.

      Angie has been downstairs this morning sorting out shift schedules for staff. Her business partner Jon dropped in to assist. Best away from the shop because they keep being asked to go and sort things in the shop. Thing is Sheila, it truly is a busy as busy shop. With locals and tourists there are often long queues to be seen at many times in the day. But it has an amazing atmosphere too. So many gravitate to it. Also, as you can imagine with a Wholefood shop with herbs, spices, scented candles, joss sticks, aromatic soaps, etc. it smells divine.

      My life long ideal? My VeeDub Bus parked up deep in the middle of an expansive woodland and embracing each new day with peace and serenity. And the possibility to write songs, paint, read and journal every day. Then an odd excursion into the small town to get supplies. Maybe I have Hobbit blood.

      Cheers Sheila. 🙏🏽🍁🍂

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  6. Ah, yes, Gray. It is wild to think about the life insurance attached to the mortgage, but then when the house is paid for they no longer pay anything to one of the two after one dies. Obviously, the insurance is only for the bank! So, the bank should pay the insurance premiums!! And thus, another reason my parents also thought insurance (all insurance) was a scam/ponzi scheme! They only ever had it when a law required it—such as car insurance.

    I hear you about Angie’s shop. Busy all the time. And yes, I bet it does smell divine! I always thought it would be a dream to work in such a shop. I only got to do that once for a few weeks to help the owner with a website while I was in between IT jobs. It was not as full of good scents though, as Angie’s shop.

    Your VeeDub dream also sounds divine. Yes, enjoy every moment of bliss planning that out and hopefully, living that dream soon!

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    1. Angie knows outlay regarding finances. My headspace is useless in that area. There are thousands on thousands of pounds paid out with no actual reimbursement at all at the end of it. So your parents were very wise. But I would be mortified if Angie had to find the money if needed. So had my colours nailed to the mast of ‘Should I shift from the mortal coil I don’t want Angie struggling’. So the companies have emotional leverage don’t they.

      When Angie and myself moved into a flat above a Health Food shop it was that same aroma downstairs. But more herbs and spices. Also freshly baked breads, when delivered each morning. Angie eventually managed the shop. Hence her love of the Wholefood dream and owning her own business. Fourteen years opened early next year. And 11 staff.

      The VeeDub is a conundrum. A 54 year old vehicle is never truly trustworthy and it then provides doubts. The Den is so instantly accessible for comfort and calm, that the VeeDub role has taken second place. Being in and amongst Nature is the rationale for keeping the Bus. And of course, that has now grown into the theme idea of ‘The VeeDub and Cloud 9’ music philosophy. If I had more musician friends around me? Then things would move faster. So, as you say, the hope for that dream is still alive. 🙏🏽🍁🍂

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  7. It is dreamy and lovely that you and Angie had the wonderful experience of living where you have! Oh, the scents of those items, baking and herbs! Plus essential oils too! All of it splendid.

    emotional leverage, yes. Insurance companies use a tagline here (have for decades) “peace of mind.” I’d like to give them a piece of my mind! Ha! They can’t give ME peace of mind! (Bet you are laughing, Gray)! Hope so anyway, at my dry humor.

    Yes, poor Veedub playing second fiddle to your cozy den. I get that. Hopefully, next spring!

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    1. As I have typed down before when considering aroma. Rudyard Kipling says it so well. ‘Smells are surer than sounds or sights to make your heartstrings crack’.

      I do not respect insurance companies one bit. After my parents had a fire on Christmas Eve in the front room, all the Christmas presents under the tree went up in flames. The large front windows blew out with heat intensity. The insurance guy, who lived locally, was around on the same day! He said my parents couldn’t claim for the gifts because they hadn’t been opened yet and so they were not their property. He pushed my parents, who were distraught, to sign his findings on the same day. Loads of other smoke damage in other rooms went unclaimed for. You couldn’t make it up could you!

      I like your humour Sheila. Or should I say humor 😉.

      All the best. 🙏🏽🍁🍂

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    1. We often reflect on that situation. We were younger and very naive as to understand the situation. We were all a bit shocked at the fire situation too. Jerk is a very good word for someone who does that sort of thing in a time where it is supposed to be the season of goodwill. Maybe he had just read A Christmas Carol. But maybe didn’t finish it, because Scrooge came out okay in the end!

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