NAMM Clinics with Steve,Dave, Tony,Blues, Travis, and Jennifer

[Big Poppa]

I want to thank Steve Morse, Tony Levin, Blues Sarasceno, Dave Larue, Travis Larsen, and Jennifer Young for busting their butts at the NAMM show. Each and everyone of them but their hearts into the job that this year was just out of control.

It was out of control for many reasons....The interest in the GameChanger, The scary amount of video being shot, and finally NAMM has totally spun out of control...Too many rats in the cage due to poor planning and NAMM greed.

I said in the Steve Morse Clinic yesterday that I had been doing clinics with Steve since 1986 and it used to be guys in black t shirts with their arms folded with the expression "I could do that, you suck!" pasted on their face. Now it is someone wearing a reissue of the same tee shirt to show he is hip with one arm folded with the same look but with his cellphone in the other hand. There were at least 50 cameras running for every 100 people watching the show. Welcome to the death of spontaneity. Welcome to the death of public improv. This is not just me...each and every clinician feels about two tons more pressure anytime they play anywhere....especially sitting in or jamming. I now know how Paris Hilton feels. It used to be that you knew if you did a tour that when you hit lets say Omaha that you would get murdered by the same hatchet journalist...now it's a guy who has never done anything or never been invited to play with anyone being venomous. Its the negative by product of the new world. I believe that these are the same people who urinate on the toilet seat in public bathrooms.

 

[mantrarock]

On the other hand, I and a bunch of Knuckelheads around the world are waiting to find some footage and see something that we weren't able to be part of years ago.

Technology goes both ways. The sad part is jerks seem to be entitled to the biggest microphone.

 

[threeminutesboy]

price to pay to be a game changer

You will always find people with a total lack of respect, the best way is to ignore them

 

[Big Poppa]

Guys this wasnt me whining it was to give you an inside look at how the artists feel

 

[Mike Y]

If it's any consolation, I thought that each of them did a great job presenting the technology.

They were all very well versed in it and presented the Gamechanger in clear concise manner that was easy to understand.

The performances were top notch as well.

If they have reservations about being filmed then it certainly didn't show.

Looking forward to seeing it all again today too.

 

[lukather101]

The pressure on these artist's must be huge , can't be to much fun playing in front of all those eager to shot you down critics...

On the flip side for the past few day's I’ve been searching the web for some footage specially after the disappointing London show i attended last year

 

[Gio_Force_One]

It must get vert frustrating after a while with a camera in your face. It seems like no matter where you are or what your doing someone has a camera taking a picture or something. I'm only in cover bands and it's a small scale and I don't like it , I played a bar one night next thing I know someone said go check so and sos facebook there's video up of you there, it was weird and sometimes I just don't feel completely comfortable playing all the time.

 

[ScreaminFloyd]

The proof will be in the pudding to see what the writers write about in the coming months. The video cameras should be limited to do interviews and a small preview of whats to come. I seriously think most of the video being taken at the NAMM was just lazy journalism posted on Youtube with crappy sound and used later to write their articales. Cell phone video is awful when a professional artist is video taped and that stuff is posted all over the internet. I'm in Gamechanger mode now and can't wait to play one. I really had no idea even after trying to decifer all of BP's little hints. This is going to be a real Guitar and Bass revolution....Stay Tuned!!

 

[savannah_sean]

The sad part is jerks seem to be entitled to the biggest microphone.

They're not entitled to it, they just grab it and start yelling; and all they're really saying is " I wish that was ME up there! that should be ME up there!! why isn't it ME?"

 

[Mordimer]

The worst is what BP wrote - "at least 50 cameras running for every 100 people" - they're not coming to learn sth, to search for inspiration or just to see "the star"... Most of them came there to record this clinic and put it on Facebook, YT... I think there is no "rock 'n' roll", no fun, just superficiality :/

 

[Gio_Force_One]

The worst is what BP wrote - "at least 50 cameras running for every 100 people" - they're not coming to learn sth, to search for inspiration or just to see "the star"... Most of them came there to record this clinic and put it on Facebook, YT... I think there is no "rock 'n' roll", no fun, just superficiality :/

this seems to ring so true , it seems like some people just want to be the first to put it up online somewhere. its like the people at concerts with their phone up recording the show , just have fun and watch the show why do you have to record and put it up on youtube.
anyone ever see the concert with leslie west getting pissed off and stopping the show cause someone in the front row was on the phone , well leslie west took it.

 

[Smellybum]

Something that suprised me was the lack of published video footage out there on the game changer - don't get me wrong the documentary covers it all but the reviews and freak with a phone stuff has been very little (Are they playing it in their own homes???) Drew did very well on the guitar world vid - but it puzzled me why they didn't give it more time....

I saw a jonny highland video where somebeody did a 360 spin and it was all cameras (and obviously I was watching it on something someone had recorded) I can see it being a bit like a presidential press conferene - you can hear the beat for the click of cameras.

that said to these people who've published it - I'm really greatful, that and facebook pictures have given me a sniff of what NAMM is like - normally you get 3 pictures in a March's guitar mags becuase they missed the print deadline.

I saw the tony levin and poppa vid- you could see it was 'hard work' as there were interuptions -not anyone's fault - I guess -just seemed a busy time when the video was shot. if it was like that for even half the day you guys must have been ready for bed by the end of the day!

Do they have proper stages in NAMM?? rather than booths? - you guys must be fighting for noise levels with whoever is accross the aisle??

Looks like it was a good show though, well done to all at EBMM - sit back at wait for the gamechanger orders to come in!

I know you must all be knackered but any indications as to the UK RRP?

 

[Air-Time]

Excellent thread!!!

BP has muuuuuch broader view on this thing, but as I practice my profession in public I'd like to throw in my .02...

If one makes a living as a performer who is paid to do ones 'thing' infront of live audiences, then this is the reality.

To me it's okay, that someone expects 'more' when an endorsee performs - that's one of the reasons why the particular artist (musician or e.g. athlete) is getting paid.
It comes down to being The Professional - preparation and co-operation amongst all participants. Even in live-tv, like talkshows or half-time studio chat, have some sort of script. If it's not written, still subjects of discussion are gone through before the red light turns on, so that awkward silence etc. would be avoided and still create an atmosphere like it's spontaneous chatting what's going on or that's at least how things are done here.

No big secret, that this can be applied to music- and sporthappenings.

I have some sponsors and in those contracts it's said clearly what I must and must not/am not allowed to do, so when I put my name on that paper I'm aware of what's coming. Public appearances at expos aren't always the easiest of happenings, but as I know what I'm expected to do I prepapre myself the best way possible (refresh my bag of tricks or trim my presentation), so that less room for error is left.

But as it's not a perfect world that we live in things don't always go as anticipated. During those times it's useful to remember, that "errare humanum est", because haters are gonna hate no matter what. Even if ones performance is flawless they won't vanish - they'll just wait until you stumble.

 

[the24thfret]

Bothers me too when I'm at any arena rock show and the entire crowd is just a sea of camera and cell phone glow. It's depressing. But I think it's just a natural end for having these devices in the first place -- who wouldn't want to record it?

As for the reissue t-shirts, for some reason in guitar rock world the "heroes" remain the same even as years continue to pass... a "Dark Side" tour tshirt is cool because who would wear a "Continuum" shirt? It pales in comparison. Same reason why the gamechanger is questioned -- people never saw Jimmy Page playing one and thus the guitar playing masses are inherently against it.

I share your frustration, BP, even though I'm not the performer... but I am a witness to this phenomenon just like anyone else.

 

[metalmarty]

The thing with compressed to hell internetclips of gear and performances is that it totally kills dynamics and nuances. People listen to clips and videos of some pretty awesome equipment and say "I don't like it, sounds like crap, etc". Of course, there's nothing left people!

People dissing a Bogner XTC because some random dude with ****ty eq, a badly made guitar and a webcam posted a clipping bedroom vid...amazing.

As for the people taping almost an entire concert on their mobile: WTF people. Enjoy it and watch the thing on a professional DVD later. Your phone-clip will sound like crap anyway. Same thing goes for people that see their entire vacation through a lens. Filtered experience.

 

[fbecir]

As for the people taping almost an entire concert on their mobile: WTF people. Enjoy it and watch the thing on a professional DVD later. Your phone-clip will sound like crap anyway. Same thing goes for people that see their entire vacation through a lens. Filtered experience.

+1
Some people are not able to enjoy the moment. Sad !

 

[Big Poppa]

AIr Time Ebverybody accepts it. Trust me. They prepare and expect the down side. One of them is no matter how well you sound it will suck on you tube.

In one of the clinics I started by saying that if it doesnt sound good today it is because we recalibrated the sound for you tube. Everybody was kind of shaking their head in agreement like "That makes sense" and then I told them I was kidding...The next clinic I pretended that we were debuting the auto eq machine that automatically maximizes your sound to Flip video....they didnt know it was a joke either.

 

[the24thfret]

In one of the clinics I started by saying that if it doesnt sound good today it is because we recalibrated the sound for you tube. Everybody was kind of shaking their head in agreement like "That makes sense" and then I told them I was kidding...The next clinic I pretended that we were debuting the auto eq machine that automatically maximizes your sound to Flip video....they didnt know it was a joke either.

I like to think I'd get those jokes if I was in the crowd

 

[jcm900]

AIr Time Ebverybody accepts it. Trust me. They prepare and expect the down side. One of them is no matter how well you sound it will suck on you tube.

In one of the clinics I started by saying that if it doesnt sound good today it is because we recalibrated the sound for you tube. Everybody was kind of shaking their head in agreement like "That makes sense" and then I told them I was kidding...The next clinic I pretended that we were debuting the auto eq machine that automatically maximizes your sound to Flip video....they didnt know it was a joke either.

Good one, but this whole thing is actually sad

 

[Big Poppa]

I love that on a jam with la Rue one guy who was banned here (not by me) bashes me and my costume and another is wondering why Im dressed like Caesar...I need a thing around my neck at the namm show that says:

"Attention You tube Viewers. I am wearing this stupid costume because each year we pick a theme and win best booth in show. I dont wear this at home"

By the way the banned death metal guy that bashed my playing I agree with...but I listened to his band and was really laughing. Love to see him sit in with La Rue