Dave's gettin' soft

[onemoredrink]

Seems like Dave's new material (i.e. Everyday to now) is so much easier than his old stuff. He's just using alot more chords, simpler riffs, and rehashing old patterns from other songs. Anyone else think Dave may be losing his touch, having some creative problems? Only complicated or trickey songs I can think of recently have been Fool To Think or maybe Some Devil. You just don't see anything with the difficulty of the Verse on Tripping Billies or the muting on Warehouse, or songs like What Would You Say, So Much To Say, or even The Stone.

[Beauford33]

he had his fair share of songs that are easy back in the day. not too many hard songs on BTCS which is the best album. simple usually is better then busy.

[ericwormann]

I thought the same thing. Since 2000, he's written like maybe 20 songs at the most. Last time I brought this up everyone jumped all over me, but I totally agree with you.

[Matty Boom]

yea, i see what you're saying

but, simplicity isn't necessarily a bad thing either

digging a ditch for example

[GreyBlueAnt]

He's got a wife and two kiddos now. That changes things for everyone. I think we'll hear some more difficult stuff on their next album, probably some funky time sigs too.

[Ranting Thespian]

Also, if you notice, he is been playing some songs more simple, like the Maker. His Carpul Tunnel could be really getting to him.

[onemoredrink]

Yeah Maker is all chords now. And plus there are useless little songs like Loving Wings that are really simple.

You're right though, simple can be good. Halloween for instance.

Seems like alot of times he'll have a simple structure sometimes but the song will still be trickey. Think about Captain, its all bout making the stretch, after you get that down its fairly easy. Or Proudest Monkey where its a simple riff but its hard to sing to.

[Beauford33]

I have a hard time singing to typical situation.....yeah

[onemoredrink]

I never could sing to PFWYG

[Davy28]

I still occasionally have problems with satellite.

[c_tietze]

Dave has written many, many songs using very similar chords and sometimes the same chords. The stretches and unorthodox chord voicings can take a toll on one's hands and I personally think that Dave in an attempt to stay fresh is using standard open chords and different, albeit simpler riffs to make more music.

I think eventually these "Dave" chords ala Grey Street, Billies, Let You Down, Say Goodbye, etc. leave you in place where it's difficult to write new and fresh tunes.

Who knows? The shadow knows.

Whoever said carapl tunnel is probably right on.

Peace,

CJT

[erech]

i was listening to kenosha 4.4.03, and i laughed when dave was talking right before SOL, about how he had his friend change the strings on his guitar, so he can "play the same thing and have it sound like a different song".

[c_tietze]

That's an interesting quote.

I have a clip courtesy of Tony of Dmbvideos.com wherein Big Voice Jack asks Dave to explain him the timing of OSW and Dave's like, "I'm really bad at explaining music".

I'll be honest w/you, I'm not a Dave impersonator, nor do I attempt to "copy" him, but Dave Matthews gives hope to a guy like me who really is clueless when it comes to theory. Dave's a rare bird who does his own thing kind of like me, of course minus the talent, the fans, the song catalog and the money.

CJT

[1eyed_jack]

while agree dave does his own thing, dont let him fool you. he knows some music theory. a lot of his chorde arent just random notes. for example, this chord that we see a lot

x
x
8
x
6
7

i think that the chord at least. anyway, that is just like a stripped down Bm chord. a lot of his chords are just stripped down peices of other chords. he knows some theory, i dont know how much, but remember he did take lessaons for a litle bit

[ericwormann]

while agree dave does his own thing, dont let him fool you. he knows some music theory. a lot of his chorde arent just random notes. for example, this chord that we see a lot

x
x
8
x
6
7

i think that the chord at least. anyway, that is just like a stripped down Bm chord. a lot of his chords are just stripped down peices of other chords. he knows some theory, i dont know how much, but remember he did take lessaons for a litle bit

That would be a B major. I think the Bm you're thinking of is:

x
x
7
x
x
7