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JonSolo

Holy cow. It has been a weird month. So much has NOT gotten finished. Oh well.

This is a rough draft that I have been writing off of for the past three weeks. I have partial lyrics but no REAL arrangement. That might come tomorrow, since I have a day off for a change.

Meanwhile, see what you hear on this rough demo music bed...I WILL be posting the final in several days, but this is me under the wire:

http://www.thesolofactor.com/music/Octoberdemo.mp3

No title...yet. And OH, it is sure to change considerably in arrangement.

Jon
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Jon Solo

http://www.solosounds.net
http://jonsolo.me
http://www.soundcloud.com/jonsolo
http://www.twitter.com/thejonsolo

Windows 10 | Intel i9 9900K | 64 GB RAM | Scarlett 18i20 | Nektar Panorama P6
Korg Kronos - 88 | Korg Kronos 2 - 61 | Roland Fantom 6 | Push 2 | Maschine Mk2 | Slate ML1 | JBL LSR308/310
Nuendo 11 | Ableton Live 11 | Reason 12 | FL Studio 20.9

sewa · Platinum Member Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 1293

Well, the vocals will be essential for this track but the arrangement already sounds promising. The drums really stand out, how did you do that? There are enough variations in the rythm to make me think that it was played by a real drummer.

It all evolves gently, peaks and then ends "firmly" but not overly so. Very nice so far, but I imagine it will be a challenge for the vocalist..

looks like you'll be having a busy weekend Wink

sewa

DrWho · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 12:24 pm Post subject:

Nice draft - I like the arrangement. Yes - so much space for the vocals. I agree w/sewa - your acoustic drums sound awesome!

Hmmm .. it is interesting to hear others draft versions of tunes. We all go through these phases during development.

Please post your latest / final revision - I can't wait to hear it with vocals!

Cheers,

={> Art
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georgeinar · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject:

I like imagining all the harmonic possibilities in these great chords you've developed, some classic bass lines and there's an underlying tension and anticipation that sets a good mood for vocals. Is this the method you usually take? Do you start with a bed of chords and then work up from there? I'm starting my next song with an idea of vocals already and plan to do the music and vocals simultaneously if that'll work. I do agree the drums sound very good here too. This sort of song wouldn't necessary need a lot more of instrumentation, but you always nail that side of it as well. Can't wait to hear where this goes.
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ellll · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 1:03 pm Post subject:

Well, I of course agree right away!!!,

with the prev. writers..... The perc is really ...real sounding...., and rather exciting and soulful in the elevated section!!! .., which I appreciate, as I cannot do it PERIOD .....never could....So it is TRULY well done to me!

This..., will indeed be a great tune with lyrics..., and perhaps we will hear that sometime soon, as you say...

Perhaps you will at the least...., supply the "feel" and "idea" lyric series you have developed this for...., or the idea...; It would be obvious even without your confirmation.., that you have a GREAT lyrical theme...

Be sure to finish...We will BE WAITING....

My Regards!!! John (ellll)

JonSolo · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 1:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the first listens. I really just posted this so as not to be tardy! Laughing

Some notes:

Writing: Usually the melody, a hook if you will, comes first. There are usually some chords that fall naturally with that melody. As I hum through the melody while at a keyboard or guitar I experiment with various chords (i.e. using an A minor verses a C which is kind of common, or even an F7 over a C minor which would be a weird change which is what I look for). This also means that I might make variations in the melody.

Drums: These are my finger drums. I always play to a click track. In case you are wondering about how I handle tempo changes...easy, I create a tempo/time signature track within my DAW. This means I need to know how and where the song changes, but it is fairly easily accomplished since I usually write the entire song before arranging it. Anyway...the drums are one of several kits I like to use for my sounds. OF INTERESTING NOTE- I just actually purchased an electronic kit last week (the Alesis with the real heads and real cymbals) and it is totally cool. So you will be hearing a real drummer coming soon to some of my music.

But right now it is all fingers.

Starting reworking this track...vocals are ready to drop.

Jon
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Jon Solo

http://www.solosounds.net
http://jonsolo.me
http://www.soundcloud.com/jonsolo
http://www.twitter.com/thejonsolo

Windows 10 | Intel i9 9900K | 64 GB RAM | Scarlett 18i20 | Nektar Panorama P6
Korg Kronos - 88 | Korg Kronos 2 - 61 | Roland Fantom 6 | Push 2 | Maschine Mk2 | Slate ML1 | JBL LSR308/310
Nuendo 11 | Ableton Live 11 | Reason 12 | FL Studio 20.9

chordial · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:06 am Post subject:

It's nice to hear the track in it's current form. Good strong piano, and I like what you've done with the bass. As already mentioned the drums sound great. The arrangement is coming together, I like the chord progressions. This sounds like it's going to be a dynamic song, the more times I listen, the more I start imagining possible vocal lines. It's too much work, and I would probably fail, but wouldn't it be nice to post our songs in various states through the month until completed. We've heard a few being prepared, and of course re-mixes and the like, all very interesting.

Look forward to the lyrical version.
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Chordial

JonSolo · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 1:57 pm Post subject:

Chordial, believe it or not, I think that the OSAM was originally supposed to kinda be that way...gradual postings throughout the month, and getting feedback.

Even if not, it is a great idea.

Since this CD is almost complete, I will likely do the rest of OSAM and the next OSAM that way, because I will not be as focused as I have been on a singular project for myself. In fact I think it will be more fun for me that way.

Thanks for listening. I should have SOMETHING up later today I hope.

Jon
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Jon Solo

http://www.solosounds.net
http://jonsolo.me
http://www.soundcloud.com/jonsolo
http://www.twitter.com/thejonsolo

Windows 10 | Intel i9 9900K | 64 GB RAM | Scarlett 18i20 | Nektar Panorama P6
Korg Kronos - 88 | Korg Kronos 2 - 61 | Roland Fantom 6 | Push 2 | Maschine Mk2 | Slate ML1 | JBL LSR308/310
Nuendo 11 | Ableton Live 11 | Reason 12 | FL Studio 20.9

Diego · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 10:09 am Post subject:

Wow Jon, if it's a rough draft, I can't imagine how great should be the final version!
Very interesting chord progression, I'm sure there will be room for great vocal harmonies!

Keep us posted!
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Dee · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 10:26 am Post subject:

Hi Jon

I agree with all above - how good to hear this while still in its first stages. And thanks for telling us your method too. So it's melody first for you - is this in general?

What do you mean you create a time signature track in your DAW for handling tempo changes? Do you mean as in slowing down or speeding up?
Tell me more... I can't imagine how this would work.... Question

This is going to be another great song from you, I'm sure - Some of those chords have me rather puzzled....I"ll be trying to figure them out for sure Very Happy

Regards from
Dee

JonSolo · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:09 pm Post subject:

Thanks Diego! I thought I would be finished by now but I have once again been tied down to another project and just don't feel like doing more music afterward.

Dee, I like to make "melody first" my rule of thumb for writing. In trying other methods, such as chords first, I find that it is too limiting. It robs me of ideas for melody and forces me into a box. But with melody first, it could be any type of chord progression and a simple chord change would change the whole feel of the song...something that is very hard to accomplish once those chords are locked in.

As far as "time signature" track...it is actually called a tempo track. Yes you can change tempo AND time signature. Very handy for speedups or slowdowns in a song, though I mostly use it for time signature changes. I wrote a song that started out in 7/8 and then switched to 4/4 in the chorus. While the actual overall tempo never changed, having that click fall on the one beat kept me from losing my place during the 7/8 phrases, particularly laying the drum beat.

Don't sweat the chords too long. They are all fairly basic chords...it is just when and where they change that makes it sound unusual. But have fun!

Jon
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Jon Solo

http://www.solosounds.net
http://jonsolo.me
http://www.soundcloud.com/jonsolo
http://www.twitter.com/thejonsolo

Windows 10 | Intel i9 9900K | 64 GB RAM | Scarlett 18i20 | Nektar Panorama P6
Korg Kronos - 88 | Korg Kronos 2 - 61 | Roland Fantom 6 | Push 2 | Maschine Mk2 | Slate ML1 | JBL LSR308/310
Nuendo 11 | Ableton Live 11 | Reason 12 | FL Studio 20.9