Okay, show of hands…how many of y’all know the volume knob on your amp goes in two directions? I know that’s a silly question, but there are times that I wonder.
I got an email today from a noted guitar player and teacher talking about the video he just made of himself and a band creating jam tracks for a new guitar course he’s working on. In it he happened to mention the earplugs he wore during the session and the fact that the viewer could probably see them in the video.
Okay, so I’m asking myself, “This dude is in a recording studio. Why wear earplugs instead of just turning the damn amps down?”
Does it make sense to you that musicians should be playing at volume levels that require ear protection in a setting where A) they have control of the volume, and B) they’d want to hear the music as well as possible?
I completely understand that there are circumstances where it’s necessary to crank the amps. I just don’t think the studio is one of those.
When I’ve played in bands, it seems that the universal answer to an imbalance in the sound is to keep turning up one amp after another until they’re all dimed or somehow the ideal balance has been achieved. It doesn’t seem to matter whether it’s a small club, the studio or a huge arena, the answer is always the same.
Here’s a concept: instead of turning up when you can’t hear yourself properly, how about asking everybody else to turn down?
It’s difficult for the band to have a good feel for how loud everything is out in the audience unless they have people stationed all over the venue doing sound samples. Unfortunately, club owners and/or the audience often won’t tell you you’re too loud until the gig is over and they’re commenting on that ringing in their ears. It’s better to start out too soft and have them ask you to turn up than realize you’re peeling the paint off the walls in front of you.
One band I was in once played a private party in somebody’s living room. We actually set up our PA for the vocals, which in hindsight was ridiculous. We barely needed the amps and then only because electric guitars typically sound pretty lame unplugged. To our credit, we played at the minimum possible volume and the folks at the party enjoyed it.
The point is: it’s very possible to play at low volume and get the job done. Keep the earplugs for your day job at the airport!
Roots, Rock ‘n Blues
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That Great Rock Band in the Sky has another member. The New York Times reports that Bo Diddley passed away at his home in Florida today. Read the full story here:
NY Time Bo Diddley obituary
I’ve added a video tribute to Bo on the Video Page.
Here are more tributes from around the web:
Rock pioneer Bo Diddley dead at 79 – (CNN) — Rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley, whose signature beat laid the foundation for tunes for decades to come, died Monday at age 79 at his home in Archer, Florida, his family said. Diddley was a contemporary of Chuck Berry, …
Bo Diddley dies at 79 – Legendary guitarist Bo Diddley has died. Born Ellas Otha Bates in McComb, Mississippi, Diddley grew up to create and define a unique style and became a “founding father of rock ‘n’ roll,” according to the Associated Press. …
Bo Diddley Dies At 79 – Bo Diddley, a founding father of rock ‘n’ roll, died Monday after months of ill health.
Blues/Rock Legend Bo Diddley Dies. Below is A Tribute To Bo – Bo Diddley Was a great musician, Its weird because Ive Met Bo on several occasions we both lived in Gainesville Florida, His music inspired so many in Rock and Roll, its just a shame that it takes his death to finally get the credit he …
John Sawyer
Photo by Jeff Christensen/Associated Press
