vesterberg.se

Today I was thinking of Ruby and Smalltalk again. Concerning Java, I often get the feeling that the language is in the way, hindering us to solve complexity. As software complexity increases and it surely does, we need to find better and better tools and construction paradigms to be able to effectively build applications.

For example, I get the impression that metaprogramming is forced into the java-language, as well as generics that in fact does not affect the bytecode. It feels like a half solution. Annotation is an afterthought that is very useful, but should have been possible to express in the language itself. Frameworks become overly complex in this way. Java has its roots in device programming. Yes, it has grown, but some limiting ideas are still there.

My opinion is that we have to head for more dynamic languages that will lift the possible abstraction level higher. As we invent new construction paradigms they can be seamlessly integrated into the language.

How wonderful it is to be together with people who really listen to what you are saying, instead of just waiting for their turn to speak. Have you been there, when you exchange ideas, share your feelings and you give and receive back. When we talk to each other it is a good thing to try to understand the meaning of the other persons words and thoughts. To look into his or her’s world. Even to step into their world. You don’t have to accept everything before doing that. Active listening, I call it.

Another important thing is that you are willing to change your ideas and opinions as a result of your conversation. Communication is not persuation. These are key ingredients I have found in relationships with your children, in marriage and even between people of different cultures.

I think of a friend of mine who always pauses after he has said: How are you? He really wants to know. A while ago when we were having lunch, he said: How are you and your wife getting along? Pause. I did not say hastily: It is OK. It was OK, but I had to think for a while and give an honest answer.

After having thought about it for almost a year I have finally put my thoughts into action and bought a Bass POD before Christmas. Several years ago I used a Behringer Bass Vamp and it turned me off digitally. It was noisy, had bad dynamics and switching between patches took forever for the software inside. But this line6 is different. I chose the floor variant, POD XT Live because I wanted to be able to switch quickly between patches.

I am very satisfied. It is quiet, have good dynamics and modelling is great. I am in the exploring phase right now and I try out different sounds every time my band meet. The SVT patch is (of course) #1 favourite. Line out from POD goes to the effects return on my EBS HD350 bass amplifier. I have as clean setting as possible on the HD350. The only drawbacks I have seen is the Line Level Out seems to be a little low. Also if you have the expression pedal half-way and switch between patches, the level will start at full. If you touch the pedal slightly it will take control. It behaves like the other controls on the board. It would be better if the pedal decided the level continously.

It is one thing to try out sounds at home with your headphones on. It is another thing to try out the sounds alone with your rig. But the real thing is to try out the sounds at full volume together with the other instruments. You cannot just take the factory settings, but have to spend time to find your sound that fits your type of music, your rig and the setting of instruments. The greatest difficulty with these kind of tools is that you have so many options that you almost drown.

I have made an observation about playing at clubs, restaurants etc. The three most important things to get the crowd going on the dance-floor is: variation, recognizability and groove. My band play cover rock, blues, funk and some softer songs. We decided early that we wanted to have variation in our songlist and many times people have commented on that. They like it! It also gives the possibility to tailor the song-list according to the situation. How fun it is to see how people rush to the dance-floor when they recognize a song. People love Mustang Sally, Jonny Be Goode and Credence. The third important thing is to create a good groove as a band. Even lesser known songs is appreciated if they have danceable rythm. It takes time to find the groove together as a band, but it surely pays off.