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10-24-2011, 07:47 PM
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#41
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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cornpone
Ozbald. Loved your ever moving strong chord strumming, and the sassy attitudes in the lyrics. Very toe-tapping. Do you do any ballads or torch songs?
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10-25-2011, 07:31 AM
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#42
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 106
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Quote:
Originally Posted by msore
Do you do any ballads or torch songs?
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Hmmm, I guess not. Probably never tried. I just tend to go with whatever ideas are flowing at the moment. And usually, even when I'm trying to be dead friggin serious, my smart-assedness comes shining right on through anyway.
So what is your approach to composition?
Last edited by ozbald; 10-25-2011 at 07:34 AM.
Reason: ...
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10-26-2011, 11:38 AM
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#43
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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How Can We Be Religious
Ozbald. I compose out of the details and debates of life.
For example. My latest song came from a discussion/debate I had about how you CANNOT know the world unless you see the BAD stuff in the world. Obviously I put out some of this attitude here on the Reaper forum, but it was also going on in my family. The world we thrive in is so full of positive and negative and they are so intertwined, it just CALLED out for a song.
Of course, there are themes that I keep going on about. My wife just told me about a poem I wrote that there have been a number of references recently by me that talk about father mountains, or grandfather stones, or voices from rocks, etc.
Writing not only helps you express, not only helps to define, but also to refine and perfect all that stuff going in circles in the brain.
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_10748035
lyrics:
How Can We Be Religious
The walker walked along the river
slipping into the muddy bank
who but god is to blame
who but god is to thank?
The seeker who seeks only
the gold of his mythology
will quickly and fatally be laid
in a tomb of heavy cognition.
Corruption around our children
manure in our databases
how can we be religious
and not see the world as it is?
The walker walked along the river
slipping into the muddy bank
who but god is to blame
who but god is to thank?
How can we worship the best
and not move in another direction
from the one we stuck ourselves in
avoiding introspection?
God said at the foundations
of the world it requires evil
and suffering to know the good
to know anything we owe the devil.
The walker walked along the river
slipping into the muddy bank
who but god is to blame
who but god is to thank?
=============
[verse]
C /// F /// Am11 /// C#9/ G7 /
C6 /// D7/// F13 /// Eb9 / D9 /
F9 /// E9 /// Eb13 ///
[chorus]
G7 /// Dm7 /// Am7 /// C7 / Gm7 /
C6 // D7 // C#9 / G7 / ////
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10-29-2011, 05:50 PM
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#44
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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Saw Her Again
Here is one done (written, composed, arranged, recorded, everything) on Thursday, Fri, Saturday. Some will feel it is too slow, but it may be too fast. Actually another faster version with rock feel is being developed but I like this one.
Comments are welcomed.
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_10787321
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Saw Her Again
One night
I fell almost in love
with a woman going off
to Ireland.
It was a matter
of heavy drinking and talk
something was in the backnforth
but what?
Saw her again did I see her again
Saw her again never saw her again.
Face to face
over glasses of whoknowswhat
wanting to be more
than students.
In the morning
I awoke unable to speak
I acted like I could
be a man.
Saw her again did I see her again
Saw her again never saw her again.
At a time
in my life when I made
something out of not having nothing
and who cared?
The other side
of the world sea-beaten
with the beauty of pirates
and ballads.
Saw her again did I see her again
Saw her again never saw her again.
A gruff need
in her voice and my wonder lasted
a year although I never
saw her again.
One night
recently that shakey feeling
came like grapes heavy and ready
to be crushed.
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11-01-2011, 09:13 PM
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#45
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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Debts of Generosity and Guile
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11-08-2011, 02:53 PM
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#46
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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Downhill From Downtown
A jazzy instrumental piece in three parts with horns and guitars.
In place of drums, what I did here (not wanting distraction from the harmonies from any intrusive "beat") was create a track with EZDrummer on it. I copied my MIDI basslines (one for each part A, B and C) onto this drum track, selected all the MIDI notes and made them short, and then turned the volume level down. So I get percussion that follows the bass (quarternote) rhythm, but no drum beat.
Comments are welcomed.
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_10914701
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11-12-2011, 09:06 AM
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#47
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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Getting Up Early
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_10964419
That is my new jazzy arrangement. No words. Yet.
Comments are welcome.
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11-16-2011, 07:49 AM
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#48
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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Goddam Greasy Machines
This one is more funky, less guitar, conflicting chugging rhythms, and exploratory sax.
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_11011435
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11-18-2011, 04:16 PM
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#49
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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Beyond Breaking
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11-21-2011, 08:52 PM
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#50
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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Transversals
Transversals. This one is about data. A big bite. Too big. But don't we like bites too big?
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_11086882
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11-28-2011, 02:56 PM
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#51
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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jazzy instrumental
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11-29-2011, 11:01 AM
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#52
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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Call It What You Will
Another jazzy one, with contrast between fast and slow parts. Again, my interest is in constructing a collage, not in displaying any great solos. Thanks for listening, and for any advice.
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_11176689
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11-29-2011, 06:53 PM
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#53
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,892
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Call It What You Will
always love a song where i just don't know what's gonna happen next. i was neutral at the beginning, but was hooked when the "brassy" sounds came in. from there, it was quite a journey. got a Zappa/Beefheart kinda feel.
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11-30-2011, 11:14 AM
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#54
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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power and harmony
THanks. I wish I could approach the Zappa/Beefheart flavor, but in my memory that stuff was more about funk, about impact. They did changes for the sake of shaking you up, and emphasized those changes with powerful rhythm and horn sections. My own estimation is that I don't do as much "funk" and "power" as I would like. Maybe that is a stage in the future. For now, I just LOVE harmony. Gracias for checkin in.
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11-30-2011, 11:17 AM
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#55
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,892
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...mind you, just the "feel," not "sounds like."
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11-30-2011, 11:26 AM
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#56
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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not just?
Sammy, what do you mean there? I'm dense and need a few more words on that. thanks.
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11-30-2011, 11:29 AM
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#57
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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Singin the Snow Down
Here is yesterday's song. This has somewhat the same approach to harmony - lots of changes that are non-traditional, more chromatic. But in this one the voicings are simpler (more bluesy). And there is a lot less rhythmic pulse.
I suspect people would say this is NOT like Zappa. But I may be wrong. Zappa and I both get a kick out of chords.
Singin the Snow Down. Written the other day (about an hour). Recorded yesterday afternoon (about 3.5 hours). Short, relaxed and not well-behaved.
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_11185584
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11-30-2011, 11:56 AM
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#58
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,892
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Snow Down: LOVE the chords and guitar in that one.
as for my earlier statement: i meant there are elements that bring those artist to mind, but it doesn't sound like those particular artist. It sounds like YOU within that genre.
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11-30-2011, 10:04 PM
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#59
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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thanks
I first heard Zappa on FM radio KCSB in 1968. Beefheart didn't get the same airplay, I think. Not the splash of adrenalin and wonder that I got from Hendrix or Cream, but Frank's band was certainly putting out the message that there was a lot more to listen to in the world than rocknroll.
So I did.
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12-06-2011, 08:41 PM
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#60
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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Very Big Little Things
This song (piece) was inspired by my thinking about how cool babies are, especially my youngest grandson, and how he brings out the best in his mother. It is short, but still has development. It is snappy, but still has complexity.
[NOTE: This link is to a sped-up version of the song.]
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_11281414
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Last edited by msore; 12-07-2011 at 12:05 PM.
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12-07-2011, 08:00 AM
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#61
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,892
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says "invalid link"
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12-07-2011, 12:09 PM
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#62
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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notation
Try again.
Here is a written representation of Very Big Little Things.
[Thnkslot sammydix!]
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12-07-2011, 01:23 PM
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#63
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,892
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Holy $#!T. what's that?
uh, isn't that called "notation," or something?
didn't know that it still existed. haha!
put those 9th chords to good use, but my fav of the song is the keys.
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12-07-2011, 01:37 PM
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#64
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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ninths are nice sixths are sexy
thanks.
I have looked over a few recent pieces and suspect that I have a habit (maybe a good one) of creating an overall back-and-forth tension between I and V by using 6th chords for I and dom9 chords for the V. This lets the 6 of the Major chord be the SAME as the 9th of the dominant chord, and then the bass can use THAT note how it wants - either as passing note or pedal note.
[sidenote: reviewing on paper what patterns you have been creating in songs - by examining the paper manuscripts with notes and chords written down - is ANOTHER good reason for doing standard notation. Hearing is king, but seeing helps too.
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12-07-2011, 02:16 PM
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#65
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,892
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Quote:
Originally Posted by msore
thanks.
I have looked over a few recent pieces and suspect that I have a habit (maybe a good one) of creating an overall back-and-forth tension between I and V by using 6th chords for I and dom9 chords for the V. This lets the 6 of the Major chord be the SAME as the 9th of the dominant chord, and then the bass can use THAT note how it wants - either as passing note or pedal note.
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huh? say wha?
but seriously, i understand all the jargon, but not in the prev context.
also, i see you going beyond the "happy" majors and "sad" minors and threw in some cool new personalities. 6ths are indeed sexy and i think 9ths are "pleading" in the sense of "aw, c'mon, please, pretty please?" gotta love abstract thinkers. to bad i don't know you in person.
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12-07-2011, 02:28 PM
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#66
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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knowing
Sammy, if you're listenin to my shit here, you know something about me.
later.
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Last edited by msore; 12-10-2011 at 11:21 AM.
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12-10-2011, 11:23 AM
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#67
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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Villains All
This song is about politicians. No lyrics. Yet.
As you listen, consider some of the conflict and echoing of voices back and forth (and mistakes) as reflecting politics.
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_11318099
m
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12-10-2011, 01:05 PM
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#68
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,892
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always appreciate your keys man--particularly the organ in this one. this is one of my favs from you so far. very beefy sound. I could hear some Gentle Giant type convoluted vocals is this (as in Knots, if you're familiar). again, not "sounds like." i just can hear that type vocal.
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12-10-2011, 02:05 PM
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#69
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 6
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Sound like Henry
Sound much like Henry Threadgill to me.
I want to participate pm me.
Very well done!
Last edited by Frenk; 12-10-2011 at 02:10 PM.
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12-10-2011, 03:31 PM
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#70
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 106
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Just checked out Singing the Snow Down - I love the mood of that one.
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12-10-2011, 08:12 PM
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#71
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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sammy, frenk, ozbald. yes yes yes, and thanks thanks thanks.
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12-21-2011, 08:54 PM
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#72
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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Got Legs
Here is one struggled over and then declared done. A raucus piece, with goings-back-n-forth between organ and guitar, but with sax and piano stuff added for color. It is like a Jackson Pollack painting but with four VanGogh-ish chairs added in a row across the splattered canvas.
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_11466052
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12-23-2011, 11:13 PM
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#73
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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Trying to do
Today's song, "Trying To Do", is didactic but in a fun way. It celebrates being different.
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_11492993
Little boy is in the office
in trouble again somehow
cannot learn to not do
what the teachers don't allow.
Little girl with imagination
filling up and flowing free
trying to do what's natural
from the top of every tree.
[B]
Knock down the troublemakers
trying to do anything
singing like the meadowlark
roaming like the buffalo.
Which kind of humans
will first go extinct
those watching television
or those trying to think?
[A]
Goddam artist in another world
painting from a palette of whys and hows
trying to do what cannot be done like
turning weapons into plows.
Creative people don't work
unless they're broken somehow
they keep trying to do
what mama don't allow.
=====================
[A]
Bb / Bb13 / Eb13 ///
A6 /// Db9 ///
Bb / Bb13 / Eb13 ///
Bb / Bb13 / Eb13 ///
A6 /// Gb9 / C7 /
Bb13 / A13 / D /// G7 Gdim7 Gbm7 F7
[B]
F9 /// Bbm7->Bm7-> Cm7 Db9 /
Gbm7b5 /// Ab7 / G7 /
D9 /// D9 Eb9 E9 / D7 /// F#7 / F7 /
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12-24-2011, 08:32 AM
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#74
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,892
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the lyrics sound like my biography...
don't think i ever heard you sing! cool sax, what did you use? it sounded like a second emphasizing voice. the guitar at "creative people" was a treat; could have heard more of that. couldn't resist playing the chords on my acoustic when i saw them there, interesting combo of progressions.
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12-24-2011, 11:30 AM
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#75
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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some arranging facts
Thanks sammy. The sax is DVS Saxophone vsti, by Martin Best, which I love. Of course, a true sax line would not have the chords that appear in the sax track, but that is one of the beauties of MIDI and VST.
I tried to stick to the melody, but couldn't resist some harmony. Note the "lazy" use of the SAME harmony lines/comping appearing at different places on piano and sax. As I input the guitar-written music into MIDI, it started out rather stodgy, straight. My jazz side wanted to fuxss around with it but my lyrical side said Don't let the accompaniment get in the way. Adding some off-rhythm stuff, applying some humanize to some parts, and doing some non-steady things with EZDrummer gave it more life as I went along.
Long live the misbehavers!
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01-01-2012, 08:23 PM
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#76
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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The Sound of Ambiguity
Here is a new instrumental I did. With a jazzy verse alternating with a groove-oriented section. Comments welcome.
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_11592195
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01-02-2012, 07:04 AM
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#77
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,892
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i hear some very cool progressions in this one. Ambiguity is easily one of my favorites from you so far. the guitars shine in this one and you can take your pick of favorite sections. there's a piano part ~1:17 that's brief, but it loved it, shows up again ~1:55. whole song sounds inspired.
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01-02-2012, 12:27 PM
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#78
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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some repeating, some not.
Thanks. My brother (a Stones fan and big doper) asked me if I used dice in making up songs. No dice, but I do take chances. Glad this one gets praise from you. merci.
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01-04-2012, 01:43 PM
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#79
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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Left and Followed
Here is a new song that is so deeply personal and so deeply musical that few will tolerate it. I figure if most people are afraid of a piece of music, there must be something there, eh?
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_11628119
Comments welcome.
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Left and Followed
Alone and wondering
thinking or feeling
[damage valued
over easy]
going and then finding out
like cars on the road without tires
like tourist traps trapping only the locals
out of here offers no future.
No culture like the present
no looking over the walls
left and
followed.
Left and followed
found and neglected
[all mine all yours
scattered behind]
make no mistake about it
what was here is not here
ook backwards a few years to when we were
all loaded up without baggage.
No culture like the present
no looking over the walls
left and
followed.
Knocked on doors nightly
looking for fun
[did you find any
worthwhile?]
knocked on windows for thrills
still broke in spite of opportunity
we would not have it any other way
locked in to the outdoors ain't we?
No culture like the present
no looking over the walls
left and
followed.
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01-04-2012, 09:37 PM
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#80
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Rafael
Posts: 11,594
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Getting In Trouble
Here is another one that turned out quicker than I expected. Wrote it on guitar on Dec 29, laid out the basic melodies and harmonies yesterday, and then laid down guitar lines and did the whole arrangement today. I like it. Hope you all do. And holy camoley it has the same speed and time signature throughout the whole thing!
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_11634943
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