monkeywandering
Joined: Aug 25, 2007
Posts: 4
U.S.A.
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Posted on Aug 31 2007 10:24 AM
New guy hereâ¦
I have been playing around with guitar for a decade or so and playing a little bit of this and that and not as good as I should be for all the time I have invested noodling around. As a result I feel like itâs time to focus on a style. I have learned a couple of surf songs and really want to focus on surfâ¦it seems to incorporate so much of what I love about playingâ¦working on the big 10 foundation at the moment.
Anywho, I was wondering if you all could help me define surf music a bit. I am starting to wonder about arranging songs or melodies that I like in surf fashion. What makes a tune really feel like surfâ¦lotsa reverb, 4/4 time, any hints????
Thanks for the input and inspirationâ¦Iâm hooked!!!
MW
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11046
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Aug 31 2007 11:13 AM
Welcome to the world of surf music Monkeywandering. You're best bet is to wander over here and do a little monkeying around 
tip:click on 'articles'
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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kenposurf
Joined: Feb 23, 2007
Posts: 1650
Santa Rosa, CA
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Posted on Aug 31 2007 03:31 PM
What Danny said....
— www.northofmalibu.com
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Spud
Joined: Jul 23, 2007
Posts: 666
Oz
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Posted on Sep 04 2007 07:22 AM
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monkeywandering
Joined: Aug 25, 2007
Posts: 4
U.S.A.
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Posted on Sep 04 2007 10:23 AM
Thanks Spudâ¦.that is a greet article on the subject, but I think I am more confused now than I was before. I come from a âjam bandâ background and am trying to form my first surf bandâ¦.I really want to come up with original stuff that is truly surfâ¦.
I guess Iâll just keep trying to write stuff that feels and sounds rightâ¦..perhaps my greatest friend in this quest will be my earsâ¦..
MW
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11046
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Sep 04 2007 10:38 AM
monkeywandering
Thanks Spudâ¦.that is a greet article on the subject, but I think I am more confused now than I was before. I come from a âjam bandâ background and am trying to form my first surf bandâ¦.I really want to come up with original stuff that is truly surfâ¦.
I guess Iâll just keep trying to write stuff that feels and sounds rightâ¦..perhaps my greatest friend in this quest will be my earsâ¦..
MW
MW, we're here to help. Post some demos and we'll supply the constructive criticism. Continue to immerse yourself in the music as well, it'll sink in I promise you.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on Sep 04 2007 10:41 AM
monkeywandering
What makes a tune really feel like surfâ¦lotsa reverb, 4/4 time, any hints????
reverberated guitars and the surf beat
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monkeywandering
Joined: Aug 25, 2007
Posts: 4
U.S.A.
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Posted on Sep 04 2007 11:15 AM
I am hoping it starts to sink in...listening to surf music as much as I can.
Does anyone have a resource for a surf beat mp3 or backing track I could use to try to record some stuff...I would love to open myself up to criticism...shoot...who wouldn't???? 
MW
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PolloGuitar
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 5091
San Francisco
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Posted on Sep 04 2007 11:35 AM
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on Sep 04 2007 11:43 AM
on the other hand d boon of the minutemen said:
" ...(surf) music: it's whatever we want it to be..."
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Ruhar
Joined: Jun 21, 2007
Posts: 3909
San Diego, CA
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Posted on Sep 04 2007 12:01 PM
dp
" ...(surf) music: it's whatever we want it to be..."
So true.
— Ryan
The Secret Samurai Website
The Secret Samurai on Facebook
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Spud
Joined: Jul 23, 2007
Posts: 666
Oz
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Posted on Sep 04 2007 04:58 PM
and according to Phil Dirt, 'no vocals'
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Jimbo
Joined: Aug 26, 2007
Posts: 8
Melbourne, Australia
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Posted on Sep 15 2007 01:18 PM
Judging by the opinions so far, opinions are mixed, so Ruhar is right, "surf music is whatever you want it to be". I do feel though there is a definite consistency in the sound and style. If we go to the definition quoted by Wikipedia:- "In the early 1960s, one of the most popular forms of rock and roll was surf rock. It is characterized by being nearly entirely instrumental and by heavy use of reverb on the guitars. The spring reverb featured in Fender amplifiers of the day, cranked to its maximum volume, produced a guitar tone shimmering with sustain and evoking surf and ocean imagery.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surf_music".
I think they got it pretty right. There was a definite attempt by the surf muso's to try to bring out the sounds of the smashing surf. It was usually all instrumental and shouldn't be confused with beach music. Beach music, which was anything emphasising sand, surf and fast cars. Also music to dance on the sand. This would include anything that sounded good in summer like, the "Beach Boys", Jan & Dean, etc.
Combine the two styles and you have it all covered. Have a nice day. Jimbo from Aus says, G'day. 
— Seeya later
from Australia,
regards, Jimbo.
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Sep 15 2007 01:33 PM
I am continually shocked when having conversations with surf fans from California on how trad they think we are. Overall people find us very trad. And then there are other bands I think are very trad and people don't really agree.
It really varies from person to person. I do think there are several very important elements that must be there, or that must not be present. What are they? I'm not going to tell, or rather I'm not so sure.
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Jimbo
Joined: Aug 26, 2007
Posts: 8
Melbourne, Australia
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Posted on Sep 20 2007 04:29 AM
Hey Jake, scuse my ignorance, what does "Trad" mean.  No offence intended, I'm just curious. 
— Seeya later
from Australia,
regards, Jimbo.
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Mustard_Man
Joined: Jan 16, 2007
Posts: 100
England
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Posted on Sep 20 2007 04:38 AM
Jimbo
Hey Jake, scuse my ignorance, what does "Trad" mean. No offence intended, I'm just curious.
"Trad" is short for "Traditional".
It's the opposite of "Rad" which means "Radical".
Dictionary corner has spoken, the thread may continue..
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25541
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Sep 20 2007 07:32 PM
Since I'm here I'l answer for Jake,
Trad is short for traditional, as in old surf from the 60's or any modern band that is trying to sound just like that music.
Jeff(bigtikidude)
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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Spud
Joined: Jul 23, 2007
Posts: 666
Oz
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Posted on Sep 20 2007 09:08 PM
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tdsurf
Joined: Aug 13, 2007
Posts: 409
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Posted on Sep 20 2007 10:34 PM
Spud
What Is Surf
Part VII: The Answer Is Behind Door Number 7
Read this, it will help.
Great article, shed light on a lot of things for me. The whole site for that matter. thx. td.
— Sound of the Surf, the movie
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