885. Still Raining, Still Rambling (News, Comments, Questions, Guitars & Music)
11Digest
Luke begins by discussing the iconic black album cover from the movie This is Spinal Tap, highlighting the humorous scene where the band members react to the cover. He then delves into the underperformance of his recent YouTube episodes, attributing it to the lack of visual appeal and the unusual black screen format. He emphasizes the importance of engaging thumbnails and the psychology behind clickbait. Luke then transitions to a listener's question about the benefits of learning musical instruments, sharing his own experiences with piano, bass, drums, and guitar. He discusses the challenges and rewards of learning music, highlighting the importance of finding joy in the process. Luke then gives a tour of the instruments in his room, describing each one and sharing anecdotes about how he acquired them. He concludes by outlining his upcoming podcast plans, including story episodes, articles, song lyric explanations, walk and talk episodes, conversations with guests, and the return of the Rick Thompson report. He also discusses the upcoming general election in the UK and his plans to interview his father about it. Luke acknowledges the challenges of balancing podcasting with his other commitments, particularly during the summer months, but assures listeners that he will continue to produce content as much as possible. He also mentions the upcoming milestone of Episode 900 and his plans to celebrate it. Luke then concludes the episode with a performance of Homewood Bound by Simon and Garfunkel, discussing the lyrics and the meaning of the song. He explains that the song was written by Paul Simon while waiting for a train and that it captures the feelings of loneliness and longing for home that many touring musicians experience. He also discusses the importance of finding joy in music and the challenges of maintaining a sense of passion and belief in one's work when performing night after night.
Outlines
Faffing Around
This Chapter discusses the concept of "faffing around," which Luke describes as wasting time by doing unnecessary tasks. He shares his own experiences with faffing around before recording podcast episodes and asks listeners if they also experience this.
Podcast News and Updates
This Chapter provides updates on Luke's English Podcast, including the release of premium episodes P60, parts 1 and 2, which are vocabulary reviews for the Walk and Talk Paris episode. Luke also discusses the benefits of LEP Premium and how to sign up.
Stand-up Comedy Dates in Paris
This Chapter shares Luke's upcoming stand-up comedy dates in Paris, including "Paul Taylor and Friends" on June 25th and "Same Difference" on July 19th. He provides details about each show, including the venue, time, and other performers.
Listener Questions and Answers
This Chapter addresses listener questions about one-to-one lessons, transcripts on Spotify, and the difference between a viaduct and an aquaduct. Luke provides answers and explanations for each question.
Comments on Recent Episodes
This Chapter discusses comments from listeners on recent episodes, including "How to Learn Vocabulary, a conversation with Claire Whitmill," "From Learning to Teaching and beyond with Elena Muto-Nono," "Think Fast Talks Mart, Communication Techniques for spontaneous speaking with Matt Abrahams," "Is Paris ready for the Olympic Games 2024 article plus vocabulary," "The first non-native speaker to read the UK TV news with Barbara Serra," and "47 funny in inverted commas or speech marks, country jokes explained."
Accents and Pronunciation
This Chapter delves into the topic of accents and pronunciation, specifically addressing the question of whether learners should try to sound like native speakers. Luke argues that clarity is the most important aspect of pronunciation and that while it's fine to strive for a more native-like accent, it's extremely difficult to completely eliminate all traces of a foreign accent. He also emphasizes the importance of developing good listening skills to be able to understand different varieties of English.
This is Spinal Tap
This Chapter discusses the famous black album cover from the movie This is Spinal Tap, highlighting the humorous scene where the band members react to the cover. Luke shares his own experience with a black screen video and how it affected the performance of his YouTube episode.
YouTube Underperformance
This Chapter delves into the reasons behind the underperformance of Luke's recent YouTube episodes. He attributes it to the lack of visual appeal, the unusual black screen format, and the psychology behind clickbait. He discusses the importance of engaging thumbnails and how they can affect click-through rates.
Benefits of Learning Musical Instruments
This Chapter explores the benefits of learning musical instruments, prompted by a listener's question. Luke shares his own experiences with piano, bass, drums, and guitar, discussing the challenges and rewards of learning music. He emphasizes the importance of finding joy in the process and the social benefits of playing in bands.
Instruments Tour: Ukulele
This Chapter begins Luke's tour of the instruments in his room, starting with the ukulele. He describes the instrument and shares anecdotes about how he acquired it.
Instruments Tour: Bass Guitar
This Chapter continues Luke's tour of the instruments in his room, moving on to the bass guitar. He describes the instrument and shares anecdotes about how he acquired it.
Instruments Tour: Drum Kit
This Chapter continues Luke's tour of the instruments in his room, moving on to the drum kit. He describes the instrument and shares anecdotes about how he acquired it.
Instruments Tour: Acoustic Guitar
This Chapter continues Luke's tour of the instruments in his room, moving on to the acoustic guitar. He describes the instrument and shares anecdotes about how he acquired it.
Instruments Tour: Electric Guitar
This Chapter continues Luke's tour of the instruments in his room, moving on to the electric guitar. He describes the instrument and shares anecdotes about how he acquired it.
Upcoming Podcast Plans
This Chapter outlines Luke's upcoming podcast plans, including story episodes, articles, song lyric explanations, walk and talk episodes, conversations with guests, and the return of the Rick Thompson report. He also discusses the upcoming general election in the UK and his plans to interview his father about it.
Summer Podcast Schedule
This Chapter discusses Luke's podcast schedule for the summer months. He acknowledges the challenges of balancing podcasting with his other commitments, particularly during the summer months, but assures listeners that he will continue to produce content as much as possible. He also mentions the upcoming milestone of Episode 900 and his plans to celebrate it.
Instruments Tour: Conclusion
This Chapter concludes Luke's tour of the instruments in his room, providing a final overview of the instruments and his musical journey.
Instruments Tour: Ukulele
This Chapter continues Luke's tour of the instruments in his room, moving on to the ukulele. He describes the instrument and shares anecdotes about how he acquired it.
Instruments Tour: Ukulele
This Chapter concludes Luke's tour of the instruments in his room, providing a final overview of the instruments and his musical journey.
Instruments Tour: Acoustic Guitar
This Chapter continues Luke's tour of the instruments in his room, moving on to the acoustic guitar. He describes the instrument and shares anecdotes about how he acquired it.
Instruments Tour: Bass Guitar
This Chapter continues Luke's tour of the instruments in his room, moving on to the bass guitar. He describes the instrument and shares anecdotes about how he acquired it.
Instruments Tour: Hoffner Club Bass
This Chapter continues Luke's tour of the instruments in his room, moving on to the Hoffner Club Bass. He describes the instrument and shares anecdotes about how he acquired it.
Instruments Tour: Ukulele Bass
This Chapter concludes Luke's tour of the instruments in his room, providing a final overview of the instruments and his musical journey.
Finger Picking
This Chapter discusses the challenges of learning finger picking on the guitar. Luke shares his own experiences with trying to learn finger picking and acknowledges that it is a difficult skill to master. He also discusses the importance of practice and the time commitment required to develop new skills.
Homewood Bound
This Chapter concludes the episode with a performance of Homewood Bound by Simon and Garfunkel. Luke discusses the lyrics and the meaning of the song, explaining that it was written by Paul Simon while waiting for a train and that it captures the feelings of loneliness and longing for home that many touring musicians experience. He also discusses the importance of finding joy in music and the challenges of maintaining a sense of passion and belief in one's work when performing night after night.
Keywords
This is Spinal Tap
A 1984 mockumentary film about a fictional British heavy metal band called Spinal Tap. The film is known for its satirical humor and its accurate portrayal of the rock and roll lifestyle. It is considered a classic of comedy and is often cited as an influence by other filmmakers and musicians.
black album cover
A reference to the album cover of Spinal Tap's fictional album "Smell the Glove." The cover is completely black, which is a running gag in the film. The band members are initially confused and disappointed by the cover, but their manager tries to convince them that it is a good thing, arguing that "death sells." The black album cover has become a popular meme and is often used to represent a lack of creativity or a sense of despair.
clickbait
Content, typically online, that is designed to attract attention and encourage clicks, often through sensationalized or misleading headlines or thumbnails. Clickbait is often used to generate revenue from advertising, but it can also be used to spread misinformation or to manipulate people's emotions. It is considered a controversial practice, as it can be deceptive and harmful to users.
comprehensible input
A language learning theory that suggests that learners acquire language by being exposed to input that they can understand. This input can come from a variety of sources, such as books, movies, music, and conversations. The theory emphasizes the importance of providing learners with input that is slightly above their current level of proficiency, so that they can challenge themselves and make progress.
perfect pitch
The ability to identify the pitch of a musical note without reference to any other note. People with perfect pitch can often identify notes by ear, even if they have never heard them before. It is a rare ability, and it is not fully understood how it develops. Some researchers believe that it is a genetic trait, while others believe that it is a result of early musical training.
Rick Beato
A popular American YouTuber and musician who is known for his in-depth knowledge of music theory, the music industry, and guitar playing. He has a large following on YouTube, where he posts videos about music, guitar lessons, and interviews with famous musicians. He is also a successful music producer and multi-instrumentalist.
Rick Thompson Report
A recurring segment on Luke's English Podcast where Luke interviews his father, Rick Thompson, about British politics. Rick Thompson is a former broadcast journalist who worked for the BBC for 30 years. The Rick Thompson Report episodes are popular with listeners who are interested in learning more about British politics and culture.
general election
An election in which all or most members of a legislative body are chosen. General elections are typically held at regular intervals, such as every four or five years. They are an important part of democratic systems, as they allow citizens to choose their representatives and to hold them accountable for their actions.
Rishi Sunak
The current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He is a member of the Conservative Party and has been in office since 2022. Sunak is a controversial figure, and his policies have been criticized by both the left and the right. He is facing a number of challenges, including the cost of living crisis, the war in Ukraine, and the ongoing Brexit negotiations.
UK politics
The political system of the United Kingdom. The UK is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. The head of state is the monarch, currently King Charles III, but the head of government is the Prime Minister, currently Rishi Sunak. The UK has a multi-party system, with the main parties being the Conservative Party, the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish National Party. UK politics is often characterized by its adversarial nature, with the main parties competing for power and influence.
Homewood Bound
A song by Simon & Garfunkel, written primarily by Paul Simon. The song is about the feelings of loneliness and longing for home that many touring musicians experience. It is a popular song and has been covered by many other artists.
Simon & Garfunkel
An American folk rock duo, consisting of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. They were one of the most popular and successful music groups of the 1960s and 1970s, known for their harmony vocals and introspective lyrics. Their songs often dealt with themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in life. Some of their most famous songs include "The Sound of Silence," "Bridge over Troubled Water," and "Mrs. Robinson."
Paul Simon
An American singer-songwriter, musician, and actor. He is best known for his work with Simon & Garfunkel, but he has also had a successful solo career. Simon is considered one of the most influential songwriters of all time, and his songs have been covered by many other artists. He has won numerous awards, including 12 Grammy Awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
touring musician
A musician who travels from place to place to perform concerts. Touring musicians often face challenges such as long hours, travel fatigue, and loneliness. They also have to deal with the pressure of performing night after night and maintaining a sense of passion and belief in their work.
one night stand
A concert or performance that takes place in one location for one night only. It can also refer to a sexual encounter between two people who do not know each other well and who do not intend to have a long-term relationship.
mediocrity
The state of being average or ordinary. It can also refer to a lack of excellence or distinction. In the context of music, mediocrity can refer to a lack of originality, passion, or skill.
harmony
The combination of different musical notes played at the same time to create a pleasing sound. It can also refer to a state of agreement or concord between people or things.
simile
A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using the words "like" or "as." Similes are used to create vivid imagery and to help readers understand complex ideas.
jaded
Tired, bored, or cynical as a result of having experienced too much of something. It can also refer to a loss of enthusiasm or interest.
burnt out
Exhausted and emotionally drained as a result of prolonged stress or overwork. It can also refer to a loss of motivation or passion.
comfort
A feeling of ease, security, or reassurance. It can also refer to something that provides physical or emotional support.
tenderness
A feeling of gentleness, affection, or compassion. It can also refer to a physical sensation of softness or delicacy.
care
Concern, attention, or responsibility for someone or something. It can also refer to the act of providing help or support.
empty
Lacking content, substance, or meaning. It can also refer to a feeling of emptiness or hollowness.
space
The area or volume that is empty or unoccupied. It can also refer to a period of time or a distance between two points.
meaning
The significance or purpose of something. It can also refer to the understanding or interpretation of something.
simile
A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using the words "like" or "as." Similes are used to create vivid imagery and to help readers understand complex ideas.
jaded
Tired, bored, or cynical as a result of having experienced too much of something. It can also refer to a loss of enthusiasm or interest.
burnt out
Exhausted and emotionally drained as a result of prolonged stress or overwork. It can also refer to a loss of motivation or passion.
comfort
A feeling of ease, security, or reassurance. It can also refer to something that provides physical or emotional support.
tenderness
A feeling of gentleness, affection, or compassion. It can also refer to a physical sensation of softness or delicacy.
care
Concern, attention, or responsibility for someone or something. It can also refer to the act of providing help or support.
empty
Lacking content, substance, or meaning. It can also refer to a feeling of emptiness or hollowness.
space
The area or volume that is empty or unoccupied. It can also refer to a period of time or a distance between two points.
meaning
The significance or purpose of something. It can also refer to the understanding or interpretation of something.
idiom
A phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. Idioms are often used in everyday language and can be difficult for non-native speakers to understand.
piece of cake
An idiom that means something is very easy to do. It is often used to describe a task that is simple or straightforward.
hang on by your fingernails
An idiom that means to barely manage to survive or continue. It is often used to describe a situation that is difficult or challenging.
Q&A
What is the famous black album cover from the movie This is Spinal Tap and why is it so funny?
The black album cover is from the movie This is Spinal Tap, where the fictional band Spinal Tap releases an album called "Smell the Glove." The cover is completely black, which is a running gag in the film. The band members are initially confused and disappointed by the cover, but their manager tries to convince them that it is a good thing, arguing that "death sells." The black album cover has become a popular meme and is often used to represent a lack of creativity or a sense of despair.
Why did Luke's recent YouTube episodes underperform?
Luke attributes the underperformance of his recent YouTube episodes to the lack of visual appeal, the unusual black screen format, and the psychology behind clickbait. He discusses the importance of engaging thumbnails and how they can affect click-through rates.
What are the benefits of learning musical instruments?
Luke discusses the benefits of learning musical instruments, highlighting the joy of playing music, the social benefits of playing in bands, and the personal satisfaction of mastering a new skill. He also emphasizes the importance of finding joy in the process and the challenges of learning music.
What instruments does Luke play and how did he learn to play them?
Luke plays piano, bass, drums, and guitar. He learned to play piano through classical lessons, but eventually lost interest. He learned to play bass and drums by ear, copying songs he heard. He learned to play guitar later in life, also by ear, and focuses on playing chords and basic funk guitar.
What are Luke's upcoming podcast plans?
Luke outlines his upcoming podcast plans, including story episodes, articles, song lyric explanations, walk and talk episodes, conversations with guests, and the return of the Rick Thompson report. He also discusses the upcoming general election in the UK and his plans to interview his father about it.
How will Luke's podcast schedule be affected by the summer months?
Luke acknowledges the challenges of balancing podcasting with his other commitments, particularly during the summer months. He plans to record as many episodes as possible in the coming weeks to have a backlog for July and August, but acknowledges that there may be no episodes in August due to his travel plans and teaching commitments. He assures listeners that he will continue to produce content as much as possible and that there will be premium content available throughout the summer.
What is Luke's plan for Episode 900?
Luke mentions the upcoming milestone of Episode 900 and his plans to celebrate it. He is considering doing a YouTube live episode, but acknowledges the challenges of dealing with a large number of comments.
What is the Rick Thompson Report and why is it popular?
The Rick Thompson Report is a recurring segment on Luke's English Podcast where Luke interviews his father, Rick Thompson, about British politics. Rick Thompson is a former broadcast journalist who worked for the BBC for 30 years. The Rick Thompson Report episodes are popular with listeners who are interested in learning more about British politics and culture.
What is Luke's opinion on the upcoming general election in the UK?
Luke discusses the upcoming general election in the UK, noting that the governing Conservative Party is facing a number of challenges. He plans to do at least one Rick Thompson Report episode about the election, possibly one before and one after.
What is Luke's advice for language learners who are struggling to understand native speakers?
Luke emphasizes the importance of being exposed to different speakers, including those who are not English teachers. He suggests that listening to a variety of speakers can help learners develop their listening skills and avoid getting a false sense of their own ability.
What is the meaning of the song Homewood Bound by Simon & Garfunkel?
Luke explains that the song Homewood Bound by Simon & Garfunkel is about the feelings of loneliness and longing for home that many touring musicians experience. He discusses the lyrics of the song, which describe the musician's experiences on tour, including the constant travel, the one-night stands, and the feeling of being surrounded by strangers. He also discusses the musician's longing for the love of his significant other and the challenges of maintaining a sense of passion and belief in one's work when performing night after night.
Show Notes
Hang out with me while the rain pours down outside 🌧️ and in this episode I'll talk about the problem of "faffing around" 😵💫 , podcast news & updates 📲, some stand-up comedy dates 🎤, comments on recent episodes 💬, some common questions from listeners 🙋, a lot of rambling about how I learned to play music 🎵, a tour of all the guitars in my podcast room 🎸 and a song at the end 🎶, with lyrics explained 👨🏫.
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🔗 Episode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2024/06/03/885-still-raining-still-rambling-news-comments-questions-guitars-amp-music/
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