What's up with my avatar? (In case anyone noticed)... or

Learning from visiting the Past

I was a little off my regular route last night. And you know how it goes: When you are off balance anyway it just takes a nudge and you can lose your footing and land someplace unexpected. I got one of those nudges and ended up in a bar at a loud Blues jam. And that took me miles off my current musical trajectory. It was a throw-back - a good 15 or 20 years.

There were no L1®s in this place. It was loud and rowdy and the crowd was having fun. The culture was well established and I parachuted into this as a stranger. It didn't feel like a place to be dragging in my Compact. I'm pretty sure it would have been swamped by the volume anyway.

You can read all about that here Rocking it out at a straight-ahead Blues Jam (no L1®’s)

So where's the L1® connection?

Well back in the 90's I wasn't singing. I was the lead guitar player standing in the shadow (typically stage right) who stepped into the limelight once in a while but who otherwise laid back or did the occasional tasty fill. The singer always chose the songs and I was there to support the music.

I didn't start really singing until I got my L1® back in 2004. I probably didn't even begin to find my voice until a couple of years ago. But the message here is that I found my voice because I heard it through my L1®.

It wasn't until I was in the car on my way home that I realized that I had stepped into an old situation in a completely different role. Last night I fronted the house band. I chose the songs and did the lead vocals. This is probably nothing special to most of you reading this. But it was startling to notice how much my place in the music has changed since getting my L1®.


What about you?



--∈∞ΘΞ Please click the picture for more details ΞΘ∞∋--

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ST,

Thanks ST. Very interesting observation.

While I've always been a lead singer (40 yrs seems like always), I certainly found a different voice after getting my first L1. I don't think that the sound of my voice changed, but the way I sing certainly has. I do go after notes that I used to avoid or fake.

By the way, BEAUTIFUL guitar!

Respect,
Col. Andy

What's Changed since the L1 entered my life?
Everything!

My voice, approach to arranging and making music, ability to hear myself clearly and objectively, confidence, passion about "getting out there and playing", workload, desire to help out other bands who don't know about this, and the enthusiastic acceptance by my family to rehearsing in the living room.

I'm sure there's more, but that what pops in my head at a moment's notice.

ST, it's been so much fun reading (behind the scenes) about all your recent gigs with all kinds of people.
That could be another change, your social life.

Mine too, I play with such a variety of musicians now.
Hopefully due to an improvement in listening and performing, and not just in the PA gear that I bring to the table.

Hi Col. Andy,

That's really interesting, to hear this from your point of view after 40 years of singing.

Thank you.

Here's another shot of that guitar. I think I'll need to take it outside to get a good shot. The colour gets orangy with a flash. I tried to correct that below but it didn't come out quite right.



I've had this one for ten years. I forget how beautiful it is. But when I take it out, people always remind me. It's a small hollobody, about the size of a Les Paul. It's light as a feather to play. And in front of an L1® you can get it to go into singing feedback (the good kind) effortlessly.

Hey there Drumr Pete,

quote:

Originally posted by Drumr:
What's Changed since the L1 entered my life?
Everything!

... except your travelling companion. I've always admired you two for that.

quote:

My voice, approach to arranging and making music, ability to hear myself clearly and objectively, confidence, passion about "getting out there and playing", workload, desire to help out other bands who don't know about this, and the enthusiastic acceptance by my family to rehearsing in the living room.
I'm sure there's more, but that what pops in my head at a moment's notice.

Thanks for putting words to this.

quote:

ST, it's been so much fun reading (behind the scenes) about all your recent gigs with all kinds of people.

Aw, don't mention it.

quote:

That could be another change, your social life.

Aw, don't mention it. ........................ (kidding)

quote:

Mine too, I play with such a variety of musicians now.
Hopefully due to an improvement in listening and performing, and not just in the PA gear that I bring to the table.

Interesting that you should mention that.

There was a time that I thought that the requirements to be in a band were

- talent
or
- a truck

Later, I added these

- own a PA
- ability to do sound


Now that the L1® elimates the need for the last three, I'm back to working on the first.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ST,

ST... Your AVATAR, I LIKE!!! You're a talented artist too. I think you should save it on the blog along with all your other collection of avatars since 2007... the last one you have there is with just the T1. LOL