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This might be a little off-the-wall, but its Friday (at least it is in
California)...
Do you have mental images of specific surf-related phenomenae when you
hear certain musical elements? I do, but I am not sure how
effectively I can describe them. So here is an attempt:
1) The classic descending muted tremolo picking slide (like the
opening to Pipeline)
Image: perfect tubular wave crashing from right to left, hypnotic
almost like dominos falling. Also captures the feeling of being in
said tube.
2) Tremolo-bar chords (like an A, with a slow subtle dive and warble
on the whammybar, evoking Hawaiin slide guitar)
Image: the crystal clear 2" of water pushing up the beach, perfect for
skimboarding, then slowly receding. The feeling of water washing over
your legs suddenly and cleanly as you are wading out.
3) The spanish/arabian/"exotic" chord progressions and scales
Image: this is elusive, but very present. I guess it somehow makes me
think of the sand... the sahara and the dunes at Pismo are not all
that different. Same with spices and salt air.. there is some kind of
correlation on an internal or primal level. Overall these sounds
capture the ambience of the ocean perfectly. A bit of their creepy
sound evokes the fear of too-large waves, sharks, other unknown
dangers in the grey water.
4) Tremelo picked low notes, like open E and A (Mar Gaya):
Image: similar to above, the wave rippling from open end of the tube
to the breaking side. Also evokes a sharks tail rapidly flapping from
side to side, but I have an active imagination.
When this style playing raises in pitch, again a la Mar Gaya, it
definately evokes tension mounting, getting closer. Might correlate
to stepping out on the nose and feeling tighter vibrations.
5) Percussively-strummed single chords with heavy reverb:
Image: wave crashing suddenly and harshly, perhaps with me underneath
it. Ever had a mouthful of sand? I have.
Theres many more... I aplogize for my lack of both musical and
oceanographic vocabulary. Hopefully some of you know what I mean and
can add to this list.
Enjoy the long weekend-
rob in long beach, ca
