A christmas song to you

[Gary W]

Hey gang,
I was messing around with my guitar the other day and decided to try to do an instrumental version of Silent Night.
I have a little Yamaha MT-50 4 track recorder. It is old technology now and records on cassette tapes (remember them, lol).

Anyhow, I plugged in my Washburn DM2000SCE and recorded the main melody as it is in my head along with a simple drum beat from my Casio keyboard.
Then I played that back and added some chording, etc.
Then I played that back and added a bit of bass with my Yamaha RBX260.
Finally I converted it to a digital recording.

I hope you enjoy it. Keep in mind I am old and have arthritis in my fingers, so cut me a bit of slack, lol.

To download it, click on this link: http://www.sendspace.com/file/f6lixj
If you see Regular Download, click on it.
Click on: click here to start download from sendspace
Just ignore the ads.

[Phil]

Very, very nice! You impressed me !

Phil

[Gary W]

Thanks Phil, Arthritis did the main part. lol

[bassy9]

I am sure you and my husband have the same tract of mind - he has been playing an instrumental version of Silent Night [among other tunes] for the last two weeks [on his Les Paul Epiphone] and trying out different chord progressions - unfortunately not recorded. Fred also has a problem of Muscular Myopathy wherein he has lost a lot of his muscles, particularly in his hands, and getting back in to his guitar playing after 20 years [whilst now trying to teach me Bass in the last 12 months], seems to be good therapy, but still has some trouble with bar chords due to lack of strength, but has compensated this with a different style of playing, which he claims is more pleasing to the ear.

[Gary W]

I learned most of my bar chords in a bar, lol.

[bassy9]

Very nice - Fred does his version in the key of A [that allows him to get to the lowest note E and the high A on the 17th fret E string] - Fred says for a 'pair of old crocs' you two aren't doing too bad - a pity that you can't get together. Ever thought of holidaying in Australia [Queensland in particular] - Fred doesn't travel too much these days, he is visually impaired and no longer can read music [although I must say as long as I have known him [40 years] he has always played by ear. Someone asked him one day, if he could read music, and he told them, yes, but not enough to affect his playing.

[bassy9]

Thanks for the tip, if he can afford to, he will follow your advice

[Gary W]

Bassy9, I am the same way. I play 99% of the time by ear. I can read music very slowly. The song would be over before I got a measure in. I can read tablature but seldom use it.
I just get the tune in my head and go for it. If I hit some really crappy notes or wrong chords I just remember not to hit them again, lol.

If I ever find myself in Australia (which is unlikely) I will give you a shout.

[sparky]

Gary W
Instrumental version of Silent Night very nice

[reddevils]

Hi Gary, sorry mate I was unable to download it and was wondering if yo could possibly send me an mp3.

Best regards reddevils.