I don't think I've ever spent an hour and a half playing one song before. But thanks to Miguel, that's just what I did today.
Ok, ok, so it sounds a little harsh and a little bitter when I put it like that. No, it was a lot of fun. I really love practicing with different people. Maybe that sounds a little weird, but I feel like it gives you a new perspective on them, like you understand them at a different level. You start to understand what parts of themselves they're comfortable with, and which parts they're not. You learn their strengths and weaknesses, how harsh they are on themselves, and you get to know each other a little better.
I guess in that sense the best example that I can give is that when you've been practicing for so long with someone, some things just don't need to be said. You learn to read each other on a different level, and you can predict the other person's reactions. On the most rudimentary level, this means that after practicing a certain song with someone for so long, you don't need to tell them how many intro measures you're going to play. They just know when to come in.
Then after you've been practicing for a while, you learn where the other person is likely to have trouble. As a guitarist, this means cue-ing your singer in. Sometimes, it means you help them along with the pacing of a certain verse-- and if the singer doesn't need to be coached along, sometimes it means that you end up with some really cool harmonizing when all the recording is said and done.
On top of that, you get a little more comfortable with each other. Both of you have things you need to work on, and eventually you're not afraid of showing the other person that you're not perfect-- because you realize that they're not judging you. You feel comfortable pointing out the things you need to work on, and the things that they need to work on. And you're cool with helping them learn it. And then on top of that, it makes you really happy when the other person gets something that they've been working on.
Like when we were recording, and Miguel hit the high notes in the song. That made me really happy. He probably didn't notice the smile on my face for the rest of the song, but I really enjoyed it. I don't think he realizes what an amazing voice he has.
So by this point, you're probably wondering where this lovely recording is. Well, it doesn't exactly exist yet. This was the first time that we practiced together, and we spent almost the entire time on just one song. We played for an hour and a half and recorded maybe twice. By the end of all of this, the pick slipped from my hand, and my chord fingers were really starting to wear out. By the last recording, I had to stop and say I couldn't finish. Like I said, I've never done just one song for that long before. Since you're using the same fingers (all 4 of them in this case) plus the same muscles in your hand, it's tiring. So, we're back to the mic tomorrow to have another go at it.
And that's not to say that today wasn't productive-- it was very productive. It was a lot of fun. I actually can't wait for tomorrow.
On another note, Miguel, Rose, and I are just now looking at a set for Open Mic Night next Thursday. If we aren't able to pull it together by then, I'm happy to perform with Miguel or try to memorize a monologue by then. But this set list is going to take a lot of work on everyone's parts. Rose has to learn the lyrics and learn to harmonize with Miguel. I'm learning a song from scratch, and Miguel is basically putting together a violin solo by ear.
If not next week though, we'll try to record it for you right here.
Oh, and if I haven't mentioned this, I'd really love to record with Béa as well, if not this school year than definitely during the summer.
-Kal
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