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OK, so I'm a rockabily and psychobilly guitarist (as well as upright
bassist), but I've been into surf for a while. The problem is, while
I can play surf music fine, for some reason it's really hard for me
to WRITE surf music. I was wondering if anyone knew of any websites
with surf licks or tips or theory or anything like that. Especially
if there's a surf scale (like the blues scale, y'know, 023 012 012
etc. etc.).
Thanks in advance.
--- In , "punktackle" <mad_dog_33@h...>
wrote:
> OK, so I'm a rockabily and psychobilly guitarist (as well as
upright
> bassist), but I've been into surf for a while. The problem is,
while
> I can play surf music fine, for some reason it's really hard for me
> to WRITE surf music. I was wondering if anyone knew of any websites
> with surf licks or tips or theory or anything like that. Especially
> if there's a surf scale (like the blues scale, y'know, 023 012 012
> etc. etc.).
> Thanks in advance.
Misirlou Scale:
E string: 0 1 4 5 7 8 10/11 12
Mike/USK
byzantine scale...ask dick dale
good luck
dp
--- punktackle <> wrote:
> OK, so I'm a rockabily and psychobilly guitarist (as well
> as upright
> bassist), but I've been into surf for a while. The
> problem is, while
> I can play surf music fine, for some reason it's really
> hard for me
> to WRITE surf music. I was wondering if anyone knew of
> any websites
> with surf licks or tips or theory or anything like that.
> Especially
> if there's a surf scale (like the blues scale, y'know,
> 023 012 012
> etc. etc.).
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> .
> Visit for
> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
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>
>
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>
>
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aka byzantine scale...or spanish 8-note scale...
dp
--- urbansurfkings <> wrote:
> --- In , "punktackle"
> <mad_dog_33@h...>
> wrote:
> > OK, so I'm a rockabily and psychobilly guitarist (as
> well as
> upright
> > bassist), but I've been into surf for a while. The
> problem is,
> while
> > I can play surf music fine, for some reason it's really
> hard for me
> > to WRITE surf music. I was wondering if anyone knew of
> any websites
> > with surf licks or tips or theory or anything like
> that. Especially
> > if there's a surf scale (like the blues scale, y'know,
> 023 012 012
> > etc. etc.).
> > Thanks in advance.
>
> Misirlou Scale:
>
> E string: 0 1 4 5 7 8 10/11 12
>
> Mike/USK
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> .
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> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
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>
>
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yeah, these are excellent tips, byzantine scale, a lot of minor chords
instead of sevenths (although that is by no means a hard and fast rule)
and these have helped me get started
but isn't writing good surf tunes a bit more than this?
from the ventures to the shadows to los straitjackets to the ghastly ones
there is such a wide variety of tunes, modes, scales, and feelings....
so what does unite it all into a 'genre' that is recognizable enough for
people to say "hey, that's a surf tune"?
does it have to be instro? does it have to follow the 12 bar structure?
does it have to be played on a fender guitar through a fender amp? does the
drum beat have to be XOOXO??
yeah, maybe, sometimes... but not always
I dunno maybe writing surf tunes is more of a mind set, an effort to create
a landscape or an image of some sort
like the feeling you had when you first got wiped out by a killer wave and
ate a bunch of sand
or that time you took a train through the greek islands and met a bunch of
cool people and stayed up all night dancing and drinking
or the time you got your first car and drove around the mountains really fast
or perhaps, the real key to a good surf tune is that you can tell it's good
because all the women hearing it
get wet panties. uh, sorry I guess that's a different type of 'wave'
seriously though, I guess what has helped me (I'm not saying I'm any great
surf songwriter or anything)
is just listening to as much surf as often as possible and learning to play
all the songs by heart
I think eventually it starts to seep from your pours and you can't help but
do it naturally...
just my 2 cents,
james
At 07:06 PM 3/5/2003 -0800, you wrote:
>aka byzantine scale...or spanish 8-note scale...
>
>dp
>--- urbansurfkings <> wrote:
> > --- In , "punktackle"
> > <mad_dog_33@h...>
> > wrote:
> > > OK, so I'm a rockabily and psychobilly guitarist (as
> > well as
> > upright
> > > bassist), but I've been into surf for a while. The
> > problem is,
> > while
> > > I can play surf music fine, for some reason it's really
> > hard for me
> > > to WRITE surf music. I was wondering if anyone knew of
> > any websites
> > > with surf licks or tips or theory or anything like
> > that. Especially
> > > if there's a surf scale (like the blues scale, y'know,
> > 023 012 012
> > > etc. etc.).
> > > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > Misirlou Scale:
> >
> > E string: 0 1 4 5 7 8 10/11 12
> >
> > Mike/USK
> >
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > .
> > Visit
>
<>
> for
> > archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> > <>
> >
> >
>
>
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> does it have to be played on a fender guitar through a fender amp?
ABSOLUTELY! Well, maybe there are a couple niche guitars. Folks were in for
Dan Electro effects; are they in for Dan Electro guitars?
> because all the women hearing it
> get wet panties.
No, that's the reason to play ANY music. :)
> just listening to as much surf as often as possible and learning to play
> all the songs by heart
> I think eventually it starts to seep from your pours and you can't help but
> do it naturally...
Bingo! Let the congregation say amen.
--
Malcolm <<-- not a signature
"They should know they're the Grateful Dead now." -- Phil
"It's never too late to be up-to-date" -- Dan Hicks
"My clock loses time like there's no tomorrow" -- Malcolm
> > does it have to be played on a fender guitar through a fender amp?
>
> ABSOLUTELY! Well, maybe there are a couple niche guitars. Folks
were in for
> Dan Electro effects; are they in for Dan Electro guitars?
Listen to Teisco Del Rey and his crazy collection of cheap-o
electrics. He has serious TONE!
I've been playing a 4 pick-up EKO from the 1950/60s lately, much to
the chagrin of my strat, but it sounds great.
Has anyone actually heard real/authentic Byzantine Music?
Mike/USK
> Listen to Teisco Del Rey and his crazy collection of cheap-o
> electrics. He has serious TONE!
Well, I suppose it can be retrofitted.
> been playing a 4 pick-up EKO from the 1950/60s lately, much to
> the chagrin of my strat, but it sounds great.
Now THAT is surprising. I remember those as the most awful guitars.
I have a friend who's got about 15 Teles, but his fave guitar is a '50s
Silvertone. His uncle's girlfriend bought it at a garage sale to hang on the
wall, believe it or not! Dave took it off the wall and hasn't given it back
yet. :) Plays through an old 15W Fender amp with a Tube Screamer. The sound
is killer. But he doesn't play surf.
--
Malcolm <<-- not a signature
"They should know they're the Grateful Dead now." -- Phil
"It's never too late to be up-to-date" -- Dan Hicks
"My clock loses time like there's no tomorrow" -- Malcolm
Guitar Player magazine had a nice primer... try this:
But really, I don't think you can sit down and say: "okay, here is a surf
song, I'll start with this scale" and mechanically pound it out. I agree
with the others, just learn as many songs as you can in the genre and see
how its done. Put your own spin on things then.
And I agree with USK/Mike, does Dick Dale really know what a Byzantine scale
is? He of all people strikes me as one of those brilliant, but non-schooled
intuitive players who just goes by gut feeling. The fact that he just
flipped a guitar over without restringing it makes me think this.
But take that for what its worth given my credentials..
BN
(whose never written a surf song either...although I am working on some)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: punktackle [mailto:]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 3:29 PM
> To:
> Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Little help....
>
>
> OK, so I'm a rockabily and psychobilly guitarist (as well as upright
> bassist), but I've been into surf for a while. The problem is, while
> I can play surf music fine, for some reason it's really hard for me
> to WRITE surf music. I was wondering if anyone knew of any websites
> with surf licks or tips or theory or anything like that. Especially
> if there's a surf scale (like the blues scale, y'know, 023 012 012
> etc. etc.).
> Thanks in advance.
> > been playing a 4 pick-up EKO from the 1950/60s lately, much to
> > the chagrin of my strat, but it sounds great.
>
> Now THAT is surprising. I remember those as the most awful guitars.
>
I brought it in to my fave gtr tech, and he brought it back into
shape, but didn't mess with the electronics, just action, neck
relief, etc. Pickups 2 & 3 thru a reverb tank, and into a 1960
Vibrasonic with a 15" is pure vintage surf!!!
Mike
I almost forgot,
Ferenc wrote an incredibly well done message on the subject of songwriting a
while ago. Here is the link from our archive:
BN
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Brian Neal [mailto:]
> Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2003 8:04 PM
> To:
> Subject: RE: [SurfGuitar101] Little help....
>
>
> Guitar Player magazine had a nice primer... try this:
>
>
> But really, I don't think you can sit down and say: "okay, here is a surf
> song, I'll start with this scale" and mechanically pound it out. I agree
> with the others, just learn as many songs as you can in the genre and see
> how its done. Put your own spin on things then.
>
> And I agree with USK/Mike, does Dick Dale really know what a
> Byzantine scale
> is? He of all people strikes me as one of those brilliant, but
> non-schooled
> intuitive players who just goes by gut feeling. The fact that he just
> flipped a guitar over without restringing it makes me think this.
>
> But take that for what its worth given my credentials..
> BN
> (whose never written a surf song either...although I am working on some)
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: punktackle [mailto:]
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 3:29 PM
> > To:
> > Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Little help....
> >
> >
> > OK, so I'm a rockabily and psychobilly guitarist (as well as upright
> > bassist), but I've been into surf for a while. The problem is, while
> > I can play surf music fine, for some reason it's really hard for me
> > to WRITE surf music. I was wondering if anyone knew of any websites
> > with surf licks or tips or theory or anything like that. Especially
> > if there's a surf scale (like the blues scale, y'know, 023 012 012
> > etc. etc.).
> > Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> .
> Visit for archived
> messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>
>
>
sorry bout that - wasn't trying to be a chauvinist sexist rock/male pig -
and sure didn't mean to offend by talking about heterosexual sex from a
male perspective
I actually debated with myself about whether to include the wet panties line
and decided to go for it cuz that's just how I felt
but I realize not everyone is into that sort of thing...
surf on
james
At 07:38 AM 3/7/2003 +0000, you wrote:
>--- In , MalcolmO <MalcolmO@c...> wrote:
>
> > > because all the women hearing it
> > > get wet panties.
> >
> > No, that's the reason to play ANY music. :)
> >
>
>Hey guys,
>
>what's up with all that male chauvinist macho rock attitude? No lady
>surfers on the list to get offended by this sort of talk?
>
>For me getting a woodie myself is reason enough to play a surf tune.
>But then again, I'm a big fan of the DIY-ethics. And besides, I'm
>getting marrried in 6 weeks, makes me a bit sensitive. Don't want to
>risk the investment ;-)
>
>Wannes
>
>
>
>
>
>
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><>
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> brought it in to my fave gtr tech, and he brought it back into
> shape
Didn't realize they came from the factory in shape. :) Glad it's doing it
for you!
--
Malcolm <<-- not a signature
"They should know they're the Grateful Dead now." -- Phil
"It's never too late to be up-to-date" -- Dan Hicks
"My clock loses time like there's no tomorrow" -- Malcolm
--- In , MalcolmO <MalcolmO@c...> wrote:
> > because all the women hearing it
> > get wet panties.
>
> No, that's the reason to play ANY music. :)
>
Hey guys,
what's up with all that male chauvinist macho rock attitude? No lady
surfers on the list to get offended by this sort of talk?
For me getting a woodie myself is reason enough to play a surf tune.
But then again, I'm a big fan of the DIY-ethics. And besides, I'm
getting marrried in 6 weeks, makes me a bit sensitive. Don't want to
risk the investment ;-)
Wannes
Hi Mike,
Hahaha, that's cool. I also got a Tescio Del Rey kind of guitar with
some kind of sliding PU switches and indeed on Pu 2 and 3 thu a reverb
tank it sounds great . Pure Surf. Hahaha, Thinking I rescueded this
guitar from the garbadge.
I only got a problem with a little neck wrapping, but it plays well.
It's only cheap wood wit a great sound.
Mine has a metallic blue finnish at the front and a pearloid shell kind
of finnish at the back....the trem looks a bit like a Bigsby meets a
Fender floating tremolo, but plays cool. It's the most Kitchy guitar I
have.
I also done a mod on a Bellwood SG copy with a short scale arm, I
swapped all of the hardware with MIJ Jazzmaster stuff, it has now a nice
Jaguar kind of growl it it. Also great for surf.
Fender is really nice, but not always necessary to my opinion.
Keep up the Surf,
Jerry
-----Original Message-----
From: urbansurfkings [mailto:]
Sent: vrijdag 7 maart 2003 3:08
To:
Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: Little help....
> > been playing a 4 pick-up EKO from the 1950/60s lately, much to
> > the chagrin of my strat, but it sounds great.
>
> Now THAT is surprising. I remember those as the most awful guitars.
>
I brought it in to my fave gtr tech, and he brought it back into
shape, but didn't mess with the electronics, just action, neck
relief, etc. Pickups 2 & 3 thru a reverb tank, and into a 1960
Vibrasonic with a 15" is pure vintage surf!!!
Mike
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:.
Visit for archived messages,
bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
Are there any ladies on this list at all? Now that
it's come up I'm curious.
--- james <> wrote:
> sorry bout that - wasn't trying to be a chauvinist
> sexist rock/male pig -
> and sure didn't mean to offend by talking about
> heterosexual sex from a
> male perspective
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Hi Jerry,
My EKO has a gold metallic front, an accordian/candy apple red back,
a gold rope style binding, a tiger stripe pickguard with candy cane
striping. I think this was the norm. Plus 4 accordian slider pu
selectors, that do not work individually, but in weird combos. If
I'm having a so-so night, I can always dazzle the audience with the
sight of it.
Mike
> what's up with all that male chauvinist macho rock attitude? No lady
> surfers on the list to get offended by this sort of talk?
Haven't seen any. Even if they were here, I sort of have the feeling that
they'd _expect_ MCMR attitude and we wouldn't want to disappoint. :)
> For me getting a woodie myself is reason enough to play a surf tune.
> But then again, I'm a big fan of the DIY-ethics.
Just _everything_ tells me to leave that line alone. :)
> I'm
> getting marrried in 6 weeks
Congratulations! Maybe it'll get you out of the DIY thing. DOH! I _knew_ I
should've left that line alone! :D
--
Malcolm <<-- not a signature
"They should know they're the Grateful Dead now." -- Phil
"It's never too late to be up-to-date" -- Dan Hicks
"My clock loses time like there's no tomorrow" -- Malcolm
> My EKO has ... [wild stuff]
Now you've got me thinking I should go around picking up whatever garish and
horrendous guitars I can find, just in case I find a gem or feel like going
all Frankenstein on them. :)
--
Malcolm <<-- not a signature
"They should know they're the Grateful Dead now." -- Phil
"It's never too late to be up-to-date" -- Dan Hicks
"My clock loses time like there's no tomorrow" -- Malcolm
--- In , MalcolmO <MalcolmO@c...> wrote:
> > My EKO has ... [wild stuff]
>
> Now you've got me thinking I should go around picking up whatever
garish and
> horrendous guitars I can find, just in case I find a gem or feel
like going
> all Frankenstein on them. :)
Get searching!!! I traded an 80s metal guitar for mine. I think I
got the best of the bargain!!!
Mike
