JetPilot Chord Signs

In the interests of working on our album we got together this Saturday to experiment with drum recording techniques. Dennis has some new and interesting ideas on how we can get really great  sounding drums, which we are always keen to try out. The one is called Front side mid and the other is something called Glynn John’s technique. Anyway it’s amazing how knackered and time consuming setting up and experimenting can be, We thought we had made some real progress and where commenting how cracking Glyn John’s technique was, so I decided to experiment with the mix on Tuesday only to discover that in our 8 drum microphone setup, we had managed to record one microphone eight times instead of 8 microphones one time. Don’t ask me how, but it happened.

  Even while we currently honing and polishing our recording techniques and working on the subtle nuances of our album the search for our next best song never ceases, currently we are working on a couple of crackers. In point of fact one of the song we are working on has the designation NNBS, which is Next, Next Best Song (After Next best song which is completely different). Part of the problem with trying to work out new songs in the early stages of song writing is the communication gap between the bass guitarist and the guitarist when they are discussing chord sequences. When you have ear plugs in and you have been playing loud songs, the difference between a C and a D becomes remarkably blurred, when combined with a late Monday night and the prospect of work and maybe the stray beer that crept in to say: “Hi...” Anyway this problem has resulted in the cunning ploy of using Call Signs instead of chord names and prevents conversations like the one below.

   (The music stops and for a moment and I look at Francois and he looks at me, sharing accusatory glares)

Dave: “So it that C then D or D and then C”

Francois: “Its D and then C”

(A Drum roll echoes in the background from Sholto, who is getting bored)

Dave: “Oh right, C and then D”

Francois: (voice raising in intensity) “No D and then C”

(In blinding flash of insight we switch to the magical world of call signs to help us)

Dave: “So that’s Charlie Delta or Delta Charlie”

Francois: ”No Delta Charlie”

Dave:”Ah....” and we kick into the chorus

 I thought I would include a little montage with an actual in rehearsal incident of what I’m talking about, you’ll need to have your speakers on, but you’ll get the idea when you listen this little interlude while working on a song currently designated as NNBS,  the clip is 11 secs so give it a listen.

Cheers for the moment.

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