Some stuff I've learned while switching to flats and learning
America songs (TL;DR folks will want to skip this
):
The flats (sometimes with the mute) get me very close to the sound I'm after. The flatwounds (Rotosound 77) are still new - this week - and are still a little bright and clicky, but hopefully they will mellow a bit with time. Overall they're very comfy to play (a lot softer on the fingers than the rounds) and sound close to that warm 60's - 70's tone I like so much. I was surprised to find I still had callouses flaking off my fingers from them. I thought it was only roundwounds that ate flesh
. I'm hoping that the mixes and EQs are ok.
For those not in the know,
America is an American rock band formed in England in 1970 by Dewey Bunnell, Dan Peek (RIP), and Gerry Beckley. The trio met as sons of US Air Force personnel stationed in London, where they began performing live. Back in the 80s, I wore out my cassette tape of
America History: Greatest Hits in my car. It's an amazing album to drive to, btw. As my cassette was Canadian, it had a different running order than the rest of the worlds' copies. I'm following the rest of the worlds' track order for my covers of that fantastic album.
America is a fun band to cover. I just started learning their bass parts 1 week ago today and at times, it's been very challenging. My favorites are the ones that the legendary Joe Osborn played on
<wiki link to Joe>. Maybe it's because I'm so used to playing with a pick and coming in at odd times...(thank-you Christopher
). At times,
America has also employed Timothy B. Schmitt (
Poco/Eagles), Russ Ballard (
Argent), Mike Porcaro (
Toto), Nathan East and Lee Sklar.
On a side note, as there doesn't seem like there's too much action on this thread, I think I'll just let it die and continue filling up my Youtube channel with lots of songs. I really like learning and sharing them. I learn them all by ear and record them all in one take. Videotaping has brought some surprising insights into my techniques (or lack thereof...) and is definitely going to improve my skills. Recording songs also forces me to finish bits that I've been missing for years. So, if you want to keep up with what I'm posting, check in with my Youtube page every so often. I'm doing it for free, with no ulterior motives other than to celebrate my favorite songs on my favorite instrument. Maybe, some day, a kid will find my channel and get inspired to start the greatest Prog band known to mankind! Or not... I know how inspired I got hearing Roundabout in 1972 as a 10 year old kid. It changed my life. So if it gets quiet on this thread, I haven't gone away, just next door. Thanks for reading this and listening to my attempts.
Cheers TB.
Neal.
