Bradley Laird's Grass Talk Radio - Bluegrass

GTR-129 - Recording Basics

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 129

Recording Basics

 

This episode is the first installment in a short series on home recording. In this introduction I discuss the difference between analog and digital, why we record, and talk some about older technologies such as the Edison cylinder and magnetic tape.

 

I think this background primer will help you even if all you want to do is record your banjo picking on an iPhone app. Do you know what an A/D converter is? If you talk on a cell phone you use them everyday! Do you know how to make your own record player with a sheet of paper and a pin? This fun stuff and more are contained within.

 

Technical note: I saved this audio file in a larger, less compressed format than I have been using. It should improve the audio quality just a bit but make it a tad slower to download. Let me know if you can hear any difference.

  

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

 

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

 

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-129-show-notes.html

GTR-128 - Should I Just Give Up?

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 128

Should I Just Give Up?

 

This episode has two topics. After giving you a rundown of the trials and tribulations of starting up my own bluegrass jam session--with four weeks under our belts-- I answer a listener's question about trying to decide whether to join a band or just sit around playing quietly at home after the kids go to sleep.

 

I hope that my direct and honest approach does not offend too many people, but by golly, you deserve to be happy too! It is a balancing act and I think I do a better job talking about in the podcast than trying to describe my thoughts here in this description. Just go listen and then let me know if you think I am all wet.

  

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page.

 

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

 

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-128-show-notes.html

GTR-127 - Nobody Bats a Thousand

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 127

Nobody Bats a Thousand!

 

After two years of steady podcasting I have discovered a lot of similarities between the art of podcasting and the art of learning to make good music.

 

One of the ten similarities I discuss in this show is the fact that nobody gets a base hit every time they step up to the plate. In fact, everybody is going to strike out sometimes. That's all part of the bluegrass game. I hope you enjoy this episode and that it offers you some encouragement and food for thought.

  

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page.

 

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

 

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-127-show-notes.html

GTR-126 - Song Structures

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 126

Song Structures

 

The majority of bluegrass songs and tunes will fall into five categories based upon their structure. There are two main types of instrumentals and three variations of vocal songs. Recognizing these structural differences will help you determine what to do during your solos and to better arrange songs for your band or jam session.

 

I present audio examples of each structure type. After listening to this you'll never ask this question "Am I supposed to play the verse or the chorus during my break." Enjoy the show!

  

If this podcast helps you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

 

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

 

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-126-show-notes.html

GTR-125 - Stall Recovery

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 125

Stall Recovery

 

The last thing you want to do in an airplane is to stall. You either recover or go into a chaotic spin towards earth. Hearing the warning signs and being able to correct before it is too late is vital for maintaining safe and level flight. The same is true for learning to make music. I'll explain in this podcast.

 

Contrary to your natural instinct, the solution to counteracting a stall is to push the nose down. Yikes!!! Your reaction will be to pull back on the stick to avoid the sudden stop when you hit the ground! You must gain air speed and point your nose down. Same with music.

  

If this podcast helps you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

 

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

 

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-125-show-notes.html

GTR-124 - Doug Hutchens Interview

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 124

Doug Hutchens Interview

 

In this episode I talk with Blue Grass Boy Doug Hutchens. Doug was working and mowing the grass at Bean Blossom and was in the right place at the right time to become Bill Monroe's bass player in 1971.

 

Doug's story is fascinating and he has been involved in documenting the history of the Blue Grass Boys and honoring Bill Monroe for many years. There were some technical issues with the recording and Doug has offered to come back on the show at a future date to discuss his time at Gibson and other topics. Enjoy the show!

  

If this podcast helps you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

 

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

 

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-124-show-notes.html

GTR-123 - Son of Podcast Shoutouts

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 123

Son of Podcast Shoutouts

Back in Episode #75 I ran down a list of the other podcasts I listen to and find interesting. This episode is a repeat of that idea and I shout out the ten podcasts that I have been listening to lately. Before I get into the list I spend some time talking about where bluegrass fits into the over arching umbrella of so-called "country music."

 

I hope you enjoy the show. And thanks ED!

  

If this podcast helps you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

 

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

 

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-123-show-notes.html

GTR-122 - Don't Be Bad

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 122

Don't Be Bad

 

Most folks, when starting out, have a desire to be good; to become a good picker or singer. But I think it may be a better idea to start at the other end of the quality spectrum and work on NOT being bad.

 

This episode also features the first installment of a special Bluegrass History feature written and presented by my son Jackson.

  

If this podcast helps you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

 

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

 

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-122-show-notes.html

GTR-121 - The Power of Small Things

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 121

The Power of Small Things

 

After a quick update about that "pickup gig" I did last Friday night, I launch into a discussion of the power of small incremental change over time. The analogies are all over the board, from the Federal Reserve System, to hair loss, lifting cattle as an exercise technique, and growing tomatoes. Of course, I talk about bluegrass too! Have fun.

  

If this podcast helps you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

 

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

 

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-121-show-notes.html

GTR-120 - Pickup Gigs

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 120

Pickup Gigs

 

This episode is a rambling discussion of pickup gigs. Those are the sort of gigs which are done with no rehearsals--just a collection of musicians who show up at the same place and at the same time--and somehow, seemingly by magic, sound like a real band. I tell you my strategy for that sort of gig.

 

I also answer a listener question regarding learning and performing bluegrass with electric bass instead of an upright. I have been asked by several people recently whether or not my Bluegrass Bass Instruction Course can be used with electric bass and it certainly can.

 

This discourse takes the usual Ranger Brad Style of meandering turns and touches on the need to have some understanding and appreciation of Bill Monroe, the size of catfish in the Flint River, the nocturnal feeding habits of large carnivorous reptiles, and the question "Should you have a crop duster bomb your home?" Have fun.

 

Technical note: I noticed a couple of tiny "dropouts" in the audio this week, probably caused by my museum artifact Mac G3 recording setup, which I hope you will overlook. I have a bass gig today and just didn't have time to go back and investigate the causes. It does not detract from the content.

  

If this podcast helps you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

 

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

 

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-120-show-notes.html

 

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play bluegrass music.