GUITAR
TIME TO CREATE | James Duke
One thing a lot of us have in excess these days about how I developed my sound and tone and a demo of that pedal and be confused how
is time at home. We are sheltered in place what the process was. I thought I’d discuss that would ever work on the songs they play
and googling new Zoom backgrounds every what I spoke about with my [WM] friends. every Sunday morning. Maybe the effect is too
day, all in hopes of having the best/funniest
fuzzed out or maybe very modulated. Surely it
background for our next virtual work meeting. First of all, I never spent a lot of time “working” I have set up shop in my music room, working on tone. If it didn’t sound right, I tried to fix it. off my computer for my day job and working That was basically my thought process. What I My friend and musical partner of many years,
at night tracking guitars from home. Mrs. Duke did do, was experiment with sounds and playing John Mark McMillan, told me something, years
has set up a make-shift desk in another corner styles. Along with Rock and Pop music, I loved ago, that I’ve never forgotten. He said that
of the house so she can study and attend her Blues, Jazz, Bossa Nova, Flamenco guitar… I he doesn’t allow himself to be edited during
own zoom meetings. We also, like so many listened to a lot of music. I would try to figure the creative process. He allows himself to
of you, have become homeschool parents! I out parts, here and there, and incorporate it go wherever his mind takes him, lyrically or
have a new respect and admiration for my kid’s into my playing. musically. He allows himself the space to create
teachers, that is for sure.
must be too out of the box for church!
without confines. He can then go back and
I also have always loved creating sounds with shape it to whatever his vision is. The important
I miss people and I am going to hug everyone effects. I consider that equally important to my thing is he got out what he was thinking and
I see when I finally get the green light to do so, creative process. I researched what my favorite feeling, at the time, for the song.
and I mean everyone. No-one is safe. The Duke guitar players used, and tried to track that stuff will hug you. down, or at least find something similar. That That thought has inspired me for years. It’s
was a good way to add new options with a something I take with me to every session, live
reference point to start from. show, song write, and musical opportunity I
I’ve tried to make sure I play guitar as much as I
can during the day, just to clear my head. Even
have. I try to give myself that same space. It
if it’s for five minutes. I am trying take some The creative process that goes into blending allows you to engage in the music fully and your
time to learn what some of my fancy Chase those two things together is where it can be imagination can run wild!
Bliss audio pedals do. I have even read the confusing for people. Often times we, as guitar manuals. Like I said, I’ve got some extra time players, will spend a lot of time learning parts Take advantage of the time you have been
on my hands. I’m dragging old guitars out of for a specific song, but not a lot of thought gifted with during this crazy season. Go play
the closet and playing them. I’m just taking goes into how to achieve the tones that also go guitar.
advantage of the time. into the specific parts. That can also become
a common theme in your own music that you
A few days ago, I was speaking to a music
may be writing.
school, via the previously mentioned video
conference platform, about worship and guitar People regularly ask me how I use a certain
playing. One of the questions I was asked was pedal in a worship setting. They might watch
96
May 2020
James Duke
James is a musician, songwriter, and producer from
Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Most known for playing
guitar alongside artists like John Mark McMillan, Matt
Redman, Johnnyswim, and Steven Curtis Chapman,
James also records his own music under the name
All The Bright Lights. He currently lives in Nashville,
Tennessee with his wife and 3 kids..
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