November Blues, Instrumental Options

[dorio]

Sometimes a song just cant be finished. I've been playing with a few ideas for sometimes but now it seems to me that this tune will stay that way. Or it may not. Its an instrumental without a chorus and there's nothing but my guitar in there. No loops no other instruments and the mix is clean apart from a couple of cuts there are no effects. Depending on your precious feedbacks friends and neighbors the tune will remain that way or I might expend the idea. We'll see. I've decided to call it November Tune because I recorded it today November 2. So yeah. http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8298789

EDIT: He I didnt realize it sucked that bad. I've edited track and title its now called November Blues. Geez.

[Mantrasolo]

I like the semi-sinister walkdown of the intro.
There's nice playing in there, especially when you round circle around the 7ths and then later bringing out and landing on that major chord.
This brings back memories to my first demos, heh. They're so rough - but keep them, and you'll be able to track your progress years from now.
At times it feels like several ideas rolled into one, and it lacks a bit of direction. It might be the lack of lyrics that's throwing me off though, I did get a sense of home towards the end when you returned the musics from the beginning.

How did you record the acoustic? Distance from guitar, pointing towards? etc.

Glad to see (hear) you forking out demos!

[dorio]

Cheers for the feedback, its very cool since there aint much to hear on that track! Originally it was a 20 minutes recording and I've cut the essential moments in the second edit.

The long intro its the "Wots...uh the Deal" arpeggios a Pink Floyd song from the Obscured by Clouds album. Always loved that song. The idea was the moment I play the C its the main theme that begins - its not really a chorus - thats the part when I hum a tune later on the track the rest could turn into a kind of melancolic arpeggio rap a la MC Solaar when the picking goes faster by the end. Solaar is one of the only rapper who impressed me with his witty/poetic lyrics but I didnt feel like singing anything so its work in progress.

The mic was pointed towards the guitar say about 8 to 10 inches. I'd love to soundclick another song I've mixed but I am not 100% happy with it. Also I dont want to clutter the forum with my shît. I did some backing vocals today and maybe I'll get some new ideas before its finished. I save most of my tracks but I'll have to sort the wheat from the chaff one of these days.

[Mantrasolo]

I personally wouldn't mind you, or anyone, posting several songs each week (if possible, haha). This forum needs the action. Nobody can come on here and be angry with anyone else "flooding" the board with songs when there's nothing else happening. Just my opinion.

My advice to you: Try placing the microphone closer to your acoustic to see if that brings more volume and more sound. A good place to start is 3" away from the sound hole. From then on you can move it around and experiment. For example, try aiming the microphone around the 12th fret for some more string action. It depends on the song/sound your going for though. But personally, I like to mic the guitar as close as possible to bring out all the clarity and sound and not pick up too much room.

[dorio]

Yeah. Sure. Makes sense. Its November blues indeed. Let us hope that December will be better.

I was reading some old threads of 04/05 when there were lively discussions in here. These days it seems like there's some activity every twenty four hours and after the forum goes back to sleep.

I'm not yet ready with the demo. I've made many different tracks. Its a demo of an old song I recorded six years ago that was on my "to finish" list. For the mic I'll do as you suggested next time I will record something that is when I'm done with the old stuff.

[w00dy]

theres some really mad edits in here (im guessing this is version 2, massive difference in listener continuity from v1 - much more fluidity than te first edit). tbh d even with your edits this is a listen to piece (and any of us should be so lucky) and as beautiful as it is (how i only wish icould make cowboys not dieing foolishly music, as well as you can) you face the very real problem of just this being pitch. rock that ###### up man, thats why those crazy samples where so at home in your other pieces - you belong, but unfortunately no ones told you where. the choice is yours dude. pls play that sexy guitar - but remember its a means to an end to just playing

[dorio]

Yeah the first track was terrible and thats why I edited it. Serves me right for uploading unfinished material. I posted this rehearsing session (I'm rehearsing on this recording) because this tune is haunting me whenever I pick up the guitar. Someday its gonna be a song. Someday.

I like to think that I belong to Pepperland and that my mission is to annoy Blue Meanies. Thanks for the compliment w00dy and remember: sometimes the means is the end.

[dorio]

Here is the old demo I was talking about. I know its not much of a tune but the mix took a lot of time.

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8325615

[Mantrasolo]

You learn something from every mix, huh. =)

[deadskin]

That was relaxing...ahh..just what I needed at this time of the day . I loved the harmonized humming (or that's an instrument?) towards the end..Lovely.

Thanks..

[dorio]

Cool

The humming is an instrument. Its the organ thats on the Greensleeves - slowed down - intro. I've put it on the intro/outro. Since I'm not writing/recording new ones at the moment I'm doing another oldie.

[dorio]

Another track for your listening pleasure. Its an instrumental. Like w00dy says the "crazy samples" sounded great in my first tracks so I've used them again. There're five virtual instruments in there.

Had some trouble to determine what music genre it is so I went for "instrumental old school" eh eh.

--------> Shuffle 'n Skiffle

[w00dy]

haha thats bleedin mental ~ big D = nuts

its a shambolic mess, but thats not stopping it from being well good. really, once id got my head round the first bit of loop (un?)syncing i think its pretty groovy. i think the early chess era inspired sounds work really well at pulling the listener in (though that might work against you too, with ppl subconciously being revulsed at you daring to mess with a classic vibe). it made me wanna rock out, i could hear loads of different rock animals in there

This post has been edited by w00dy: Nov 14 2009, 10:58 AM

[dorio]

Shambolic is spot on. And the early Chess reference is clever. Had not thought of it. Glad you found it groovy but the whole thing is indeed chaotic. I wanted to create a jam vibe but I wont try to edit the un synch bit it'd be too complicated and I'd end up editing it all. Some purist may find it sacrilegious that I mess with one overused classic chord progression and I say to them its just the intention that counts. Dont shoot me my intention was good.

[igorski]

Admittedly the freeform of 'November blues' was confusing me after a while, I enjoyed the opening with the gloomy bass motif under the arpeggios, but until the humming (love the sound of a child going around the back here) it felt like the ideas were floating around without a center, having the extra layer coming in helped ME out as a listener.

The 'shuffle and skiffle' track is a lovely composed mess. The jarring guitars coupled with the harmonica and loud bass string bashing make for a energetic 'stomp', fun track to listen to.

[dorio]

Thank you Igor. November Blues will have to materialize sooner or later. I'm just waiting for it to happen. About the loops you guys are fantastic. I personally think a couple of cuts are rough and what with the lack of cymbals lol. Its been funny to synch these instruments. The bass should have been louder. The child is one of the neighbors daughter. We celebrate her 11th birthday today.

[Mantrasolo]

As Igorski mentioned, the Shuffle n' Skiffle track is indeed a mess, but there's something in there that I like. Maybe it's the metallic sound of it all, maybe it's the rythm, I dunno. But what it makes me think of is a Guy Ritchie movie where there's a big brawl exploding, guys fighting, freeze frames of fists, and this mad song playing.
Nuts.

[dorio]

Ah ah thanks Mant. I've got the same set of guitar loops on acoustic I may try a softer version with some singing later.