Tried my hand at writing a love song . . .

[guitarstv]

Several firsts on this one:
- First love song I've written
- First time trying to write a song in a major key
- First time messing around with Lydian mode

https://soundclick.com/r/s8c09b


Hit me up with comments and constructive criticisms please!

 

[rgand]

Link doesn't take me anywhere. You may have to check that.

 

[guitarstv]

Link doesn't take me anywhere. You may have to check that.

Gah!  Sorry about that, there was a typo.  Should be good now.

 

[stratamania]

I always applaud people having a go at things and I mean this in a constructive way but the part that I listened to the bends need some work so they are in tune. It might be due to playing in Lydian and not being used to it.

 

[guitarstv]

Fair enough.  Can always use more work on intonation.  Which bends in particular stuck out as being off to you?

 

[stratamania]

Fair enough.  Can always use more work on intonation.  Which bends in particular stuck out as being off to you?

Around the 23 - 25 second mark. There may be others after that.

 

[guitarstv]

Fair enough.  Can always use more work on intonation.  Which bends in particular stuck out as being off to you?

Around the 23 - 25 second mark. There may be others after that.

OK, I think I hear what you're talking about there.  At that point I slide up from the #4 to the 5 in C Lydian, so there's actually no bend at all . . . but I'm applying some sloppy vibrato that's knocking things off pitch.  There's also some feedback that starts (usually record with the amp volume up pretty high - my amp tends to sound better that way) on the held note, bringing in some odd overtones at the end.

Thank you for your comments!  Will definitely pay more attention to control of vibrato in the future.  There were more sustained notes in this tune than I typically play, it seems to have exposed some weaknesses. 

 

[rgand]

That was easy to listen to. The only thing I found myself wanting was a rythm track to support your lead.

 

[guitarstv]

That was easy to listen to. The only thing I found myself wanting was a rythm track to support your lead.

Thanks!

Yeah, I tried adding a couple different rhythm guitar parts underneath it but things kept getting too cluttered in the arrangement.  Probably needed to leave a little more space in the whole track - or write simpler rhythm parts. 

 

[stratamania]

Fair enough.  Can always use more work on intonation.  Which bends in particular stuck out as being off to you?

Around the 23 - 25 second mark. There may be others after that.

OK, I think I hear what you're talking about there.  At that point I slide up from the #4 to the 5 in C Lydian, so there's actually no bend at all . . . but I'm applying some sloppy vibrato that's knocking things off pitch.  There's also some feedback that starts (usually record with the amp volume up pretty high - my amp tends to sound better that way) on the held note, bringing in some odd overtones at the end.

Thank you for your comments!  Will definitely pay more attention to control of vibrato in the future.  There were more sustained notes in this tune than I typically play, it seems to have exposed some weaknesses. 

Thanks, glad you took it in the spirit  it was meant.

 

[Rick]

Man, I like it the way it is, I'm imagining it being played in a live situation, and it works.  As to the intonation, I've been listening to some Tropicalismo, and I could've used more of that.  I'm not a trained musician, just play a lot, I don't know what you call it, but more 7ths or something.

 

[guitarstv]

Man, I like it the way it is, I'm imagining it being played in a live situation, and it works.  As to the intonation, I've been listening to some Tropicalismo, and I could've used more of that.  I'm not a trained musician, just play a lot, I don't know what you call it, but more 7ths or something.

Thanks!  I try to stick to writing music that I'm comfortable playing live (although I find this piece is tricky to time the pickup switching just right).  I'm unfamiliar with Tropicalismo though, is that a band or something?

 

[Rick]

Tropicalismo o Tropicalia es una music que crece (from this point I have to write in English, para falta de pracitar) in latin america, particualrly in Brazil, during the mid 60's to mid 70's.  It is rooted in latin music, acknowledges it's african roots, and absorbed massively from American music, rock, jazz, motown and American roots music.  In fact celebrated that absorption.  It's the most subtle of protest musics.  You can hear bossa nova in it, and it has that just off intonation, not sure what you call it, but it makes it sweet.  While the music was written during a conservative military dictatorship, the tropicalistas also rejected left wing ideology and anti-west sentiment.  They saw the good things in America. It's a marvel they could make such wonderful music. 

Here are some examples to wet your appetite.

Here's Jorge Ben, I can hear the yearning about what is good in life
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkXtVZfGHPs&list=PLLCx7chs1o5Uu5UuPwpV2OOY7cksk7RTe&index=10[/youtube]

here's another by Jorge Ben, you can hear the joy in watching the soccer game when the guy makes a goal
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L8ae2mXHKw&list=PLLCx7chs1o5Uu5UuPwpV2OOY7cksk7RTe&index=1[/youtube]

Os Mutantes  Baby .... Is it a love song, is it a protest song, but it's so good
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dwwa7kzQhpM[/youtube]

Tom Jobim Waters of March  you can imagine the water falling.  He's creating a collage of images, rocks, flowers ... is it about death, is it about the joy of life, wonderfully ambiguous, certainly is happy.



[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBEesrdaRog[/youtube]

I like your off notes, they work and should be explored.

 

[guitarstv]

Nice tunes!  I've not listened to much Latin music . . . it always seemed very dance-y / chaotic with too much stuff going on all the time for my tastes.  Makes me thing I may have to revisit the genre.

Waters of March has been a favorite tune of mine though ever since I heard a female vocalist performing it at the Montreal Jazz Festival a few years back.