I've been doing a lot of reflecting today. I was thinking how the process of learning an instrument changes over time..... back and forth back and forth

Like, when I first took up bass, it seemed that I learned new things everyday and that I was picking up songs right and left, everything was so easy. Then that learning spike kind of leveled out... I got really frustrated because playing became less effortless I was happy to still be plugging away, but things got hard all of a sudden. Then things started picking up again, learned new stuff, but you never know when you're going to get into a lull and feel uninspired. It's just the nature of the beast.

Anyways, I just picked up Fear of a Blank Planet today ... I love the song, I just never really thought to learn it until today. It's really fun to play though. And I don't need the POG to play it, just down-tune.

Seriously, though, that song is a blast. The next step is to learn to sing it and play it at the same time.

I'm halfway there. But it is going to drive me insane, I swear.

The hardest part is definitely "almost again..." with that sixteenth-eighth bit under it.

You are going to be ok.

Don't worry zyprexa, as with everything, moderation is the key. Once you've settled in a bit, you should find some more people than a crazy czech lady.

That is actually some pretty serious win.

You guys are awesome. I feel lovely today. I did all the breakfasts myself and she just went shopping and even failed at that (because she "couldn't carry anymore" (even though there was a carton of orange juice, a sliced pan and some eggs in the bag. WTF, weakling?!). She did stop to correct me several times just to be a pain, but she mostly just cleaned up and did tea and toast. Everyone was very happy and contented with their food for the first time, and coincidentally it was also the first morning she didn't help... Leechy can even testify to the fact that yesterday she was complaining that she had "way too much work". I'm sorry, WAT. It's like being in a bad Ben Stiller film. Although what Ben Stiller film is good.

On an unrelated note, I have 1650 euro which doesn't belong to me. How can somebody trust a person they've known for less than a week with that kind of money!?

[swervedriver]

Random thought of the day: what the hell am I going to do when I get my Master's degree in Chem Eng but secretly want to be doing something more related to music? I wonder if there's any combinations I haven't thought of...

Oh well, back to the lab.

"It's crazy how depression is gratifying in the same way anger is...you have to learn ways to snap out of it, because ultimately, it's gross."

- Dev, on twitter

Takes the words right out of my mouth, and puts them in such perfect sentences that i could never have conjured.

Seriously, though, that song is a blast. The next step is to learn to sing it and play it at the same time.

I'm halfway there. But it is going to drive me insane, I swear.

The hardest part is definitely "almost again..." with that sixteenth-eighth bit under it.

Yeah don't think I'm playing that right.

Random thought of the day: what the hell am I going to do when I get my Master's degree in Chem Eng but secretly want to be doing something more related to music? I wonder if there's any combinations I haven't thought of...

Oh well, back to the lab.

Alchemusic? Fill your guitar with chemicals, and see if the chords change their basic properties!

Seriously, no idea.

Random thought of the day: what the hell am I going to do when I get my Master's degree in Chem Eng but secretly want to be doing something more related to music? I wonder if there's any combinations I haven't thought of...

Oh well, back to the lab.

I've been having the same thoughts. What am I going to do with a PhD in (astro)physics if I really just want to compose and play? There aren't really any awesome options, but a BS in astrophysics doesn't do much good, so I ought to get a PhD in order to have a "real job." I've come to the conclusion that my professional life will likely be comprised of having a decent job (teaching? research? engineering?) with which I'll be largely unhappy while I pursue music on the side. We'll see...

And I have sort of the same thoughts about what I'm going to do next year. Going for music/sound engineering/producing, I can specialize in either producing, technical sound stuff like mic setups and shit, or songwriting. I'm probably going for producing but I'm thinking like "how the hell am I going to live off of that..."

Someone make it be Saturday, eh?

I've been doing a lot of reflecting today. I was thinking how the process of learning an instrument changes over time..... back and forth back and forth

Like, when I first took up bass, it seemed that I learned new things everyday and that I was picking up songs right and left, everything was so easy. Then that learning spike kind of leveled out... I got really frustrated because playing became less effortless I was happy to still be plugging away, but things got hard all of a sudden. Then things started picking up again, learned new stuff, but you never know when you're going to get into a lull and feel uninspired. It's just the nature of the beast.

Anyways, I just picked up Fear of a Blank Planet today ... I love the song, I just never really thought to learn it until today. It's really fun to play though. And I don't need the POG to play it, just down-tune.

That's like the funnest song to play That riff that comes in after the monster drum fill owns me.

I've been doing a lot of reflecting today. I was thinking how the process of learning an instrument changes over time..... back and forth back and forth

Like, when I first took up bass, it seemed that I learned new things everyday and that I was picking up songs right and left, everything was so easy. Then that learning spike kind of leveled out... I got really frustrated because playing became less effortless I was happy to still be plugging away, but things got hard all of a sudden. Then things started picking up again, learned new stuff, but you never know when you're going to get into a lull and feel uninspired. It's just the nature of the beast.

Anyways, I just picked up Fear of a Blank Planet today ... I love the song, I just never really thought to learn it until today. It's really fun to play though. And I don't need the POG to play it, just down-tune.

That's like the funnest song to play That riff that comes in after the monster drum fill owns me.

LOLS for real though! I didn't know it would groove so hard!! It takes some dexterity though, let me tell you
Oh God, you mean that crazy part at 2/3 of the way through where it just goes fucking nutz? Yeah I'm still trying to work through that bit. Same with that fucking nutz part in Anesthetize right before part 3. *whew*

Another dexterous song is Signify... that one's fun for to get your hands warmed up quickly.

*sigh* Sometimes I just wish I were Colin Edwin. I love everything he does so much.

I love seeing you guys who are newer to your instruments talk about the songs you're learning It takes me back to a time when I was just starting out.

On that note, I'd have to say the most fun PT songs to play are Fear of a Blank Planet, Open Car, and Dark Matter(if you are willing to memorize all the parts and solos) I also remember Wedding Nails being really fun too, very different for them. Mother and Child Divided has some of the best grooves PT has ever done though, as does Futile.

You wanna talk about a song to learn?! Try "Guitars Suck" by Bumblefoot and tell me if you dont want to quit your instrument...

I love seeing you guys who are newer to your instruments talk about the songs you're learning It takes me back to a time when I was just starting out.

On that note, I'd have to say the most fun PT songs to play are Fear of a Blank Planet, Open Car, and Dark Matter(if you are willing to memorize all the parts and solos) I also remember Wedding Nails being really fun too, very different for them. Mother and Child Divided has some of the best grooves PT has ever done though, as does Futile.

You wanna talk about a song to learn?! Try "Guitars Suck" by Bumblefoot and tell me if you dont want to quit your instrument...

Open Car is probably one of my favorite songs to play. It sounds good, and it looks good Mother and Child Divided is an all time favorite as well as Futile (I like the way you think Alucard). I use Mother and Child Divided and Futile to get used to using a pick. They're kind of pick-beginner-friendly songs. Wedding Nails is awesome, but it's more of a guitar song

But really, Halo is one of the best bass songs hands down. Oh and so is Strip the Soul. Hell yeah, Strip the Soul - that is my JAM. Oh, and Orchidia, that song is pretty straight forward, but it grooves so hard. I love stuff like that.
Oh oh oh, and Slave Called Shiver is THE bass song. That song revolves around Colin Edwin's slinky bass playing. SLINKY!!!

And like I said before, Signify is great because I had to work for it

Alright, I WILL shut up.... but Porcupine Tree songs have helped me realize that bass can be complicated riffs; or simple, deep grooves, and both are equally valuable. There's nothing wrong with simplicity as long as it adds to the song appropriately.
Mendez is another example of a tasteful, mindful bass player. He seems to feel when to be really present and when to just play the supporting role. It's all gravy.

EDIT:: I think this is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Separate link because the image is kind of large. But it's so Coollll!!!

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n1/catlinsmall/BESTPICTUREEVER-1.jpg

I love playing PT songs on both guitar and bass, especially Open Car! That riff after the vocal verses fucking DESTROYS. Another one I really enjoy is Shallow, real easy to get into to that one except for the MOTHERFUCKER of an instrumental bridge in that weird as time. And Mother and Child Divided was the first song I learned by ear. Like half the song is only 2 notes, but still IT WAS A BIG DEAL AT THE TIME! Halo is one hard motherfucker on the bass, props to you for being able to play it. Woah come to think of it, I can play like half of PT's catalog! All their songs are really easy apparently.

That pic makes me sad Martin cut his hair. Very, very sad.