I have been playing guitar for a number of years and in a number of styles but mainly finger picking. But, over time I have learned other stringed instruments including the bass guitar, banjo, and mandolin. But, I have also tried harmonica and piano and enjoy the challenge of learning something new. But, I consider myself an amateur and have always played music for fun.
About 5 years ago I decided to figure out how to accompany myself and do something like a “one man band”. The obvious answer was a simple 4 channel tape recorder that allows putting down one track with the acoustic guitar, playing that back through headphones, and adding the bass on track 2. Then, while playing both of those tracks, add the electric guitar on track 3. Then finally, add the harmonica on track 4. Although it sounds simple, it is labor intensive but really fun. (As an aside, I could have done it all digitally but a higher cost). So, since I was going to do that anyway, I might as well write some songs and really go big or go home! So I did write about 10 songs; some were instrumental and some were vocal. But, to be perfectly clear, I really could not write songs as I don’t read music. And, you can’t write what you can’t read. So, I made them up as poetry and added the chords. So, since I was the “composer”, there was no chance of copyright infringement! The next logical step was to copy them all after taping to a CD and distribute them to friends and family. Of course the big flaw in my use of analog tape for a natural sound is changed by burning to a CD and making the songs mp3’s. Oh well, here is a clip of one I call “Scrambled Eggs” which defies genre!