Were any of the Astronauts tracks sped up? Some of their tracks sound humanly impossible to perform and sustain , ie , the relentless attack of the rhythm guitar.

I know this was common back then and figure they may have?

I thought for a long time that Surf Party was vari-speeded up 3-4% so it sounds one semitone higher (in Gm) when played-back than the original performed pitch (F#m). However, when I hear the Live in Japan recording, it seems clear that they performed live at A440 and Surf Party and Movin' match the pitch of the "studio" recordings.

Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada

chiba wrote:

It's amazing what musicians can do when skill, talent, hard work and dedication combine. Not saying that to throw shade at anybody, just ... I know what I used to be able to play when I was 22, practicing 3-4 hours a day, rehearsing twice a week and gigging almost every weekend. I sure can't play like that any more!

The energy of the moment is a major factor, as well. I know that if I’m just playing alone, at home, my playing isn’t particularly inspired, but if I’m playing a gig, or jamming with a friend, my playing is much more inspired by the moment.

Speed is not my greatest strong point. I can play 16th notes at a good clip, but it takes a lot of effort. But when I’m playing a gig, I don’t even notice, because I’m not thinking about it, but relying on the ingrained procedural memory that comes with practice.

What was hard for me to learn was that to speed up, I had to slow down when I practice, to this day, if I am fighting to master a passage, I play it slowly, and as precisely as possible. Once the precision is in place, the speed comes on its own.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

There is a way for the modern player to cheat. Get a delay pedal with tap tempo. Create an 1/8th note delay with just one repeat at volume level parity with the original note, set the tempo play 1/4 notes and you've got it!

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

Last edited: Feb 03, 2024 11:25:39

Anyone consider amphetamines?
The 60s, especially the second half, is dominated by a narrative of hippies on pot and lsd, but going back into the 50s, the use of speed (first used by the military) had been steadily increasing into the early 60s by practically everyone, from truck drivers to executives, to athletes, to housewives, to artists and musicians. They were so commonplace, that people didn't consider them part of the drug revolution that was on the horizon. I can see it now, The Astronauts, fresh from Boulder are in L.A. to record their album and stay up all night partying in Hollywood. Things just aren't going well in the studio, so somebody from RCA comes around, "here boys, take a couple of these, harmless as aspirin", maybe it's even Lee Hazlewood...next thing you know, it's magic!
This occurs to me because it's not only fast, but it's jerky. A little tense...

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Last edited: Feb 03, 2024 23:47:57

My buddy Garrett thinks that amphetamines are what's behind The Ventures Live in Japan '65 performance, you know, jet lag and all.

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DannySnyder wrote:

spskins wrote:

My buddy Garrett thinks that amphetamines are what's behind The Ventures Live in Japan '65 performance, you know, jet lag and all.

Seems plausible. I spent a lot of time in the TomorrowMen quite caffeinated - granted it's not the same but it helped

You need help Danny. Gotta get that coffee-bean-monkey off your back.

Just kiddin’, cause I’ve met you, and you didn’t strike me as being too jumpy.

I, personally, have to be careful with caffeine. When I moved back to Minnesota as a young adult, I was in an environment where coffee drinking was very serious business. If you went into a restaurant and ordered coffee, they came back a a filled cup and an insulated pitcher with about 4-5 cups of coffee, so you could refill it yourself. Each person got their own pitcher, and when it was -20 outside, it made sense. However, after a few years of that, I had to back it down a bit, because it was making me jittery. These days, I drink one 20 ounce cup of cold-brew most mornings, and never have caffeine later in the day. I just couldn’t keep up with the hard core Minnesotan coffee drinkers.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.