Can a new style get me out of this rut?
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- čas přidán 23. 09. 2023
- Equipment used today:
Gretsch 6120 Keith Scott signature
Cornell Romany 12
Boss Blues Driver
TC Electronics flashback delay
JHS Emperor
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No computers, no audio interfaces, no special mics or cameras. Just my iphone, then uploaded to iMovie then to CZcams
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If you have a query, or if you simply wish to buy me a coffee via PayPal, then my PayPal address and email are one and the same:
paul_ursusarctos@hotmail.co.uk (or 078900 67773)
Thanks folks 😊 - Zábava
Gypsy Jazz sorted me out. Few weeks of those brutal changes and I was ready to take on the world. 🤣
Alex Farran's channel is great for Gypsy Jazz and more 😉
I 2nd Alex Farran. His Jimmy Bryant and Marc Ribot stuff is class.
Check out the band Khruagbin, more eastern/bluesly style if you’re familiar with playing around the scales you know but with a completely different vibe
Oh yeah great suggestion
Definitely a great band to listen to.
Actually, I watched a great rig rundown with them. Is it Mark Spears? Yeah, what a unique guy and great approach to playing.
@@paulstaffordcook8799 yes that’s the guy! One of the best players I’ve seen live that has his unique tone/style. I love how most of their stuff is instrumental
Be careful with that ambient guitar paul....ive got a setting on my roland Gr55 guitar synthesizer unit... soaked in reverb/delay.. and a lush string pad that is highly addictive...its the codeine/tramadol of guitar sounds...lol...i find the only way to break the addiction is to plug my les Paul junior into a valve amp and play pete Townshend live at leeds era type stuff for a week...or go cold turkey and play acoustic ....some people like U2s a the Edge can somehow handle it and survive ..in much the same way keith Richards survived heroin from 68....to the 80s......but be careful that ambient shit is only one step from finding you're freebasing the crack cocaine of effects pedsls...the Wah Wah pedal....kelly Jones of Stereophonics fame once became so strung out on Wah Wah...at one stage he could not do a guitar solo without doing some Wah..personally..i blame the likes of Hendrix and Clapton...who experemented with it and in some respect glorified its use in the 60s so younger impressionable players copied their heroes....leading to widespread wah wha abuse in the 70s...this led of course to deviant porn soundtracks....and the general moral decay of the western civilization...you are an highly influential player yourself Paul...and with that comes a responsibility.....dont let your reckless experimental detour into this style ruin the lives of your followers...!!!.... lol...great player as usual man...
Tasty musical adventure into the mysteries
Thanks for sharing
Much gratitude Paul
Your opening demo is very listenable and something that, in a song-structured form, I would happily have playing in the house. So, how about putting together an instrumental EP of your favourite tunes? Having a mission can focus the mind in very constructive ways.
That's a manoever I would call the old "Frisellian Slip", when executed as well as its namesake. Well done, mate!
Wow.....mesmerising........
Good to see you getting back to it bud , 👍
Sixties spy film noir, Smiley not Bond, trilby and a mac with the collar up in the rain. That's where my minds eye took me to that piece. Yes the 'Bond' chord was in there but the vibe was there from the resolution of the first phase. All about the mood. Thats a whole other achievement. Now the Gretsch makes sense.
Maybe the answer to a rut is just taking the blinkers off for a while, You've been pushing hard for a good long while, you've nothing to prove, enjoy the journey. Sometimes its about what you don't play. This I have learned from the stupendous Eric Haugen. We all have our theories and remedies, what's important is you know there's a massive love and respect for you out here.
Nice car by the way. Peace.
The Style suited you very well indeed Paul...very nice!
Nice! And what a lovely tone you have there. WOW!
Beautifully done, Paul.
Wow you certainly pulled something cool out of the bag 🤘
Good Lord that Intro is incredible. I could listen to that all day!!! Thanks Paul
Nice Paul and Nice to have you back
That is a beautiful guitar. Those pickups sound lovely. Great playing.
Beautiful inspiring piece, I enjoyed it very much
You need to check out Hermanos Gutierrez! Desert ambient music. Two brothers playing guitar and lap steel!
Yeah, I just watched their rig rundown. Awesome tones 👍
Good to see you sort out the blues my friend. Congrats on the car and I love the sound of that Gretsch.
funny , I'm in a rut too... overwhelmed...
Yup, I feel your pain.
@@paulstaffordcook8799 but in past decades, it happened so many times, I know it's going to pass. One day I'll just get over the hump, beeing that some new knowledge or old forgotten song...
Paul, you crack us up. This was a fantastic lesson! I have a Gretsch Electromatic hollow body and can't wait to give this twirl. Thanks, for a GREAT lesson.
Really interesting: I play my Gretsch very similarly to the way you are here.
Also the first little Dmadd9 you’re playing is basically the beginning of “Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me” by The Smiths. One of my favorites!
When I am in a rut, I find most everything I do is in a rut. My guitar playing of course is as well since it’s mainly a mode of expression. Switch music genres, play different guitars, just change the pattern somehow and a new normal or unexpected interest can emerge. I also find it helps to see new live music somewhere, meet a favorite player, pull together a jam session, sit in at a coffee house open mic, and some other human to human experiences. As wonderful as the Internet and CZcams are, one has to encounter others in person along the way. Is it a little stressful to perform in front of others? Of yeah, but so what?! Paul you’re good enough to shine in lots of gigs. Even cocktail party background music is worth doing. My darkest days come from getting stuck in the hyper-mindfulness depths of my own head between the frosty poles of rumination and dread. At those times I just try to keep moving, trying, adapting, inventing and when successful, my world gets better-including my musical art.
I like your words Tom, cheers mate 👍
Sounds amazing. Really like that guitar. I have always thought hollows with wood bridges are too soft and mid range, but this actually sounds good even on the treble pickup.
Brilliant big yin. Made me think of the film Desperado with Antonio Banderas in it. Closed my eyes whilst listening to that and could see Banderas jumping about the bar shooting all the bad guys. Also made think of the beautiful Salma Hayek who was also in that film 😎😎😎😎 hope you get out of your rut soon.
Thanks Derek. And yes, I know what you mean about Desperado 👍
I appreciate this. I have a Gretsch that i never play. This certainly inspires me to get it out of the corner. Lovely stuff, sir.
Glad you liked it. Cheers
Also in the past when I wanted to get out a rut of any kind I would change my daily routine for a month or so. Drive to work different way. Etc. Anything to change up different obscure habits. Then you get different experiences. Not just a musical changes. Good luck man!
I second that. Each time I 'go away' and don't touch the guitar for a while I come back refreshed with a new starting point and the ideas just flow, for the most part. Taking a break is my main takeaway.
i ran to beebop a couple years ago to break the rut. helped me tremendously.
Great playing, great style, and best of all it still sounds like YOU! Keep going Paul
Very interesting. And really unexpected. Loved it.
Thank you Paul for another great video, hope you have a great weekend, best wishes from Glasgow
I needed to get back into playing guitar regularly. Ambient is very relaxing for me and now I stream some random ambient stuff every sunday. Just to do something regularly. That Gretsch sounds fantastic!
We all go through this process of development !! And need to push through a new barrier every so often but I'm In awe still of where you're at and how far you've come!!You're always an inspiration and you're definitely not alone in this we all feel this shit!!! I always thank God of where I'm at haha😂 at least you're not digressing !that western swing / desert session idk gypsy Spanish thing is awesome!
You ever heard of the Reverend Horton Heat ?! The dude is amazing Jim Horton Heath is his real name ! He plays rockabilly but also plays stuff similar to the jam you played
Thanks man, I appreciate your words! 👍
Could smell that riff a mile off. It's what made me purchase the shallow water. Beautiful playing Paul.
Yep! Exactly what I did! Got into the deepest rut and could not get out of it! Watched a Rabea video, absolutely master, and decided to try out some ambient stuff. Have now recorded a few ambient bits, have fun every day BUT... I am still in the rut 😞 Still playing the same "crap" when not ambient stuff!
Good work Paul.👍🎸
Nice , very nice.
Was just listening Paul thinking I hear a James Bond theme then you chuck in that last chord…….cue the brass section and the Oswald 👍
You could get out of the rut with some live and recorded ensemble performances. Tends to concentrate the mind and drag one out of the comfort zone.
Hey Paul, that was enjoyable! Maybe ruts are not so bad when they lead to ambient beauty on a cool Gretsch. You are doing well, and all of us go through the lulls now and again. Still with you and not going anywhere! Peace to you and be well - NRG
I really enoyed that piece of music Paul, and you played it very well 😁
Thanks Graemero 👍
Sounds great paul.
What inspired me the most is a different application of guitar and that is how I learnt to love the guitar even more
-you can play a song
-or you can just stuff u like , stuff like Greg Koch demo-ing instruments, Peach Guitar demoing instruments, those inspired me the most and showed me that it does make sense and its so fun and cool to mix all the genres and techniques i like, guitar is so fun!!
SO basically: think about something else outside of the guitar that u like, maybe you like hiking, how would hiking feel and sound if it was actually guitar playing? or maybe a movie scene you kno ? how would a country scene or a star wars scene feel and sound ? guitar is so fun ;D
I like what you’re saying Cechichan 🍻👍
I find a nice spliff helps guide me into new territory 😉
Hey man, EVH didn't know what the hell he was doing either and look at how far he got! Sounds really great for being in a rut man!. Loved the style and the vibe, maybe you should dive into the ambient a bit more.
My rut is deep, deeper than the Grand Canyon, so deep when I call out for help, it just echoes~! 😁
I never seem to have time to lock in on inspirations I have NOR do I have the requisite music theory knowledge to try logical (perhaps non-creative) steps. Secondly, my mind wanders a lot when I play and I have never seemed disciplined enough to focus on what I know I need to learn. (I start writing a song). I have been a singer-songwriter all my life so there have been periods where I am very creative.
I am a plaintiff's litigation attorney in Washington State and I am constantly working though I would much rather be playing guitar.
I admire your facile fluent movement on the fretboard and your melodic sense.
Not sure when I will have the time or energy to get out of the rut but I hope I do.
My lack of progress I believe is solely on me however. It is not for a lack of innate ability but rather an innate lack of discipline.
Nice sounds great ...recently had the rutts so tried learning tunes in different tunings by ear. Im basically a rock/metal and blues n Beck but learned "headmasters ritual "the Smiths ,"Top jimmy" Van Halen and "All flowers turn towards the sun" Jeff Buckley/Liz Frazer. Great variety and learning song writing skills tae boot!
Any time you like
It will definitely help. It does me. And I'm not half the axeman you are Paul.
That was one of the most beautiful geetar playing ive ever heard..whale sound icludid.. hang in there paul
Thank you so much man, I appreciate that 👍
I passed my test in a swift back in 07 haha.
Hi, Paul. Sorry, I didn't watch your "rut video" but those things happen all the time. The best advice I can give you is to find inspiration outside the guitar world. Get it from the music world instead. Listen to things you've never listened before, explore, put yourself in unconfortable listenings experiences. You're an amizing guitar player but you're more than that. You're an amazing musician, guitar is only a small part of thye process!!! Chears.
Ha ha I sometimes thought we have a lot in common. Useless to say that I had a big rut ( Midlife crisis ) when I was 50 something , and I can promise you it will disappear. And now guess : I love my little 2007 Suzuki Swift Sport. ☺I bought it in 2009 and I had never any problems with it . 125 PS on 1000kg is pure fun. 2017 I bought another car to my 60 th birthday . I's an Oldtimer and a long time dream since I was a child. Okay the last advice is : Go outside the house an walk or run . Or both. That helps everytime. Good luck my friend
Thank you Slowhand! Appreciated. Looks like we’re Suzuki Swift twins 🤣
did Rachael shout at you for using a chipped cup ? 😃are you going to teach hanbrake turns to your pupils ? would have loved to hear you playing Private investigations with that setting. As you said, "it'll do you no good knowing what you played" 😆I think there's a James Bond theme tune in there somewhere, hopefully some big wig producer watches this and gives you the gig 😁 enloy the new car, are you a nervous wreak handing a brand new car over to a learner ? spose the first scratch is always the worst, anyway, cheers for posting keep 'em comin
Thanks Charlie. Hmmm….Private Investigations you say…🤔. Yeah, I’ve always loved that tune. Maybe I need to take a closer look, cheers Charlie
Well, just another 'maybe try this'. In 1985 I spent a week with Robert Fripp and a dozen or so players in the U.S. - the 'Guitar Craft' workshop. Basically Robert was working with his 'New Standard Tuning' - 5ths (think Cello / Viola / Violins) as opposed to 4ths, so from low to high C G D A E G (the high G essential because you can't even take a 008 up a 5th). It was a blast for me because everything I would normally reach for just didn't work anymore - it was literally starting from scratch. I have kept one of my guitars in that tuning and fall back on it when I need to avoid clichés . . . might be worth a shot! 😀
Thanks Morton, interesting 🤔. Cheers mate
I’m coming up to The Braids soon….I will look out for he Suzuki….once had a Suzuki….but I was Barry Sheene….whenever I’m tired of electric guitars I tune into SiccasGuitars….play something hard says the compère….girl thinks…ok then…about to start and the boy says….but play it left hand….then we find out electric guitar players are kidding themselves on….just play Iron Man….watch the smile on your face and thank me later……keep going👍👍👍
Please do the “if Les Dawson payed guitar” video to try to break the rut!
Actually, that is a really good idea…. genuinely, I need to do that!
Augmented....just two notes away.....ghostie sound.......theory for Dummies, like me, every day is a school day, thanks. If you want to experiment and explore more of the ambient, try it on a Baritone ? I had an old Hohner electric and put a baritone neck on it with B to B tuning. Plays as normal but a perfect 4th down ?. I'd love to hear you play your style on one of these ? Great video today thanks.
You’re the first person to make the comment about trying a baritone….. You know what, I have a strong urge to try one! I’ve had this weird feeling this last few months that I’d love one. I keep watching videos on the Castidosa baritones etc. And Joey Landreth has a new Novo baritone that he makes sound awesome. Oh dear, the G.A.S. Is starting….
@@paulstaffordcook8799 Castidosa and Novo, you really do go for the top end quality gear, I'm in shock with the prices anyway Maybe Santa Claus may be good to you, however if not you could experiment the way I did with slumming it with a winter month project ? Hohner Strat and a purchase of a baritone neck from Ebay and I got lucky with the neck pocket and scale length working out. Small investment to find out and explore with. Might even make a good video ??
Best wishes, Les
I just posted a comment on one of your last videos about persevering. Seeing this title of yours with ambient guitar made me very, very excited. Have you listened to much post rock/shoegaze Paul?
Actually, no, I’m pretty new to the whole shoegaze thing…. I’m kind of intrigued though….
Mogwai, God is an astronaut and Maybeshewill. Three bands that you'll get alot out of. Standout tracks i'd reccomend: Pat stains -Mogwai, He films the clouds pt 2 - maybeshewill, green unpleasant land- maybeshewill all is violent, all is bright - god is an astronaut There is also a great 3 piece band i've found in this realm recently called glasgow coma scale; enjoy!@@paulstaffordcook8799
...maybe you should put the Mahavishnu Orchestra on your listen list? 'The Inner Mounting Flame' features 'The Dance of the Maya' and personal all life favourite 'YOu Know. You Know' (both a bit bluesy too) ...or maybe Pat Metheny's 'Bright Size Life'? ...another life-time favourite 'Midwestern Nights Dream'
...Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine got together in the 70's might be worth a listen - 'Snow Shadows' on 'Splendid' ...'Homecomings' on 'Twin House' (I know you'll like their version of 'Nuages' too)
...and here's a youngster I respect czcams.com/video/gBzq-p7SdRk/video.html
...I'm sure this won't be lost on you czcams.com/video/cEqgeN27Hhk/video.html
...i'm way off the beaten track but Blake Mills czcams.com/video/im-Avcv7deE/video.html
Thanks Neil. Just sitting in the car listening to your suggestion (“You know, you know”). Yes, I like it! I’ll listen to more of that, thanks Neil
been thinking of buying an strymon couldburst pedal to play some ambient guitar , but there so pricey , they do sound great though .
I have my eye on the Strymon but the wallet says no. So I have rigged up a cheap delay with two outputs so I can run one dry and the other is a full wet signal that goes into my reverb pedal then into a vibrato pedal for modulation. So now I have predelay, pre-verb and modulated trails just like a strymon without the pricetag.
@@murrayguitarpickups9545 yep , sometimes you have to work yourself around things : )
Well , I can say that you music is getteing better already with your strugle...
Amazing clean tone with this guitar.
You can try to go for a heavier tone just to shake the basis.
But this video today is amazing music...
I dontn't know shit... do waht you're doing. It is working fantastic...
Thank you Samana, that’s appreciated 👍
If you really want to get out of a rut, learn to play the piano. A huge eye opener for me on seeing the guitar differently.
sounds ace Paul! Have you ever heard Arundel by Papa M (David Pajo) or his other track Krusty? He's a legend in modern playing.
No, haven’t heard of him 🤔. So that’s going on my list of people to listen to. Cheers 👍
Go upbeat like country swing or a bit of Brian Setzer rockabilly, even some metal, to get out of a rut you need to switch off completely to what you were doing.
You’ll never forget what you like but you need to completely step away from your norm…
Delighful,with a hint of private investigations.
Try Brazilian jazz bud. it can be depressing to play but extremely rewarding. 😊
I'm,,a 40yr player .... I lour styte I don't ndersta
Is this live
R d
Lych
Try a different tuning for a while, it might help to put your mind in a different space 👍
Thank you Karl. Yeah, I think I’ll try that. Or maybe I’ll try a baritone guitar…. 🤔. The adventure continues. Cheers for stopping by my wee channel Karl.
@paulstaffordcook8799 Baritone's are so very cool, while different tunings are a cost free option
We would probably be good friends. Sorry not weird but there's a plane there...
I know what you mean 🤣, cheers
Try playing the guitar upside down 😊
It’s worth a try…🤔
Ok....
I gave you a couple weeks to sulk and whine a bit.
Plenty of viewers gave a lot of different suggestions, all good.
#1, Stop trying to be someone you are not!
You are an excellent musician with just as much talent as any one of the people you are comparing yourself to.
What you are looking for is simple, but it is hard and takes quite a lot of time.
Remember, you are just you. You don't have a bunch of songwriters giving you a ton of options to choose from. It's just you.
Anything original is going to take time. Once you come up with something it will seem like you are on a roll, but in reality, you will be using a variety of variations of one original you came up with. That's just how it works.
Sometimes you might come up with 2 or 3 things that turn into a handful of different things and then they too come to an end.
You are dead on about everything else going on around you. The more things you have on your mind, the more difficult it is to focus and concentrate.
A simple reminder.
You are a professional musician just like millions of others.
Sometimes the ideas flow like a river and other times you just have to wait for the rain.😉
What is the difference between a cover band and a Headliner?
A cover band only has to learn the songs they want to play.
A headliner has to come up with new, original material to continue to be fresh and new.
There is no comparison between the two.
After the stroke I decided to only do original music. The ruts are deep and wide, and they can last for a very long time, but it is up to me to remind myself why I chose this particular journey.
Everyone finds a groove from time to to, but they also ride the ruts for a lot longer. Some seem to be more fortunate than others, but they too will find the same challenging times because things change, people, music, trends, styles, everything changes over time.
You are learning to step back and breathe, that is a necessary thing to do because it keeps you from overwhelming you.
When you run out of fresh ideas, it doesn't make you crap, it just shows that you are human like everyone else.
Paul, you have built a community of musicians with every different level of ability, just like all of the other musicians you compare yourself to.
I was once a Headliner back in the 80s, but I walked away to stay alive and keep my sanity. I am satisfied to have the memories and still be able to play. The drive will always be there, but reality will always keep the maniac in check.😉
Your over compensation for perfection is getting in the way of your need for fun.
Perhaps you should do a video of how you get all the parts together. Show how you make the loop, maybe even show everyone how to actually use the looper. I'm sure there are plenty of newer players who want to know.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is break up the routine and do things differently.
You don't have to be a pedal show or any of that, just show people what you go through once in a while, you have quite a few new viewers.
One thing I do to break up monotony is play random chords that don't go together and use different positions for variation.
Maybe I will start with an F#m or a Bflat. I might even start in the middle of the fretboard with a couple of random fingers down and see what happens. It might sound awful and I'll change things to find a sound that is better or it might sound good and I'll add to it.
I ask the impossible of myself a lot because I am searching for particular sounds, but I will always go back to the familiar sounds to keep the joy of making music going.
There is a time for chasing new sounds, but it has to be fun!
The joy of music is what it's all about. 🍻🤙
What a great comment, with loads of ideas GW. I’m fact I read it twice! Cheers my friend.
@@paulstaffordcook8799
Cheers!🤙
You didn't take my advice and play some rock music like Humble Pie or the Faces. That total change will get your Juices flowing. This "ambient" video is still you but with more saturated effects. Break the mold.
Never sweat the artsy-fartsy stuff, never ever emulate others, avoid like the plague messing about on big silly big box'y twang contraptions at all costs, personally I'd prefer to go down in a screaming plane crash head first.
Have you considered buying a new guitar to alleviate the situation?
That’s a great idea!🤣.
I’d say this is hardly ambient in the true sense of what ambient guitar actually is. It comes down to your playing style. Go listen to some Hammock.
I imagine the sentence "Go listen to some Hammock" has never been written before.
@@superreality3823I’m proud to be the first one, if so.