Old 05-22-2019, 11:00 AM   #1
sammydix
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Default A bit of jazzz

Doing a complete change up and trying some jazzy stuff. I didn't write this one, just added the vocal melody. I have to say the harmonies in this were some of the most complex I've ever attempted (thanks for the challenge, Billy). Glad I was able to do it without resorting to a single vocal going thru Autotune. Each of the 3 parts were manually sang--which is what made the chorus vocs so difficult and I hope that's easy to hear. No homogenized robots allowed.

Billy Playle: Music composer and performer, mix
Freddy Jam: Jazzy drums
Me: vocals

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ezhm58a62l...hange.wav?dl=0
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Old 05-22-2019, 11:14 AM   #2
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You really like harmonies!
And you're good at it too!
But I think it's too much of it. It gets less dynamic.
There are a few (very few) places were you sing without doubling (clean). More of that!
I think you should go for less is more this time.
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Old 05-22-2019, 01:22 PM   #3
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Wonderful !
(Even though I in fact would use less "aggressive" chords on the "somehow..." phrase. )
-Michael
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Old 05-22-2019, 01:55 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by sammydix View Post
Doing a complete change up and trying some jazzy stuff. I didn't write this one, just added the vocal melody. I have to say the harmonies in this were some of the most complex I've ever attempted (thanks for the challenge, Billy). Glad I was able to do it without resorting to a single vocal going thru Autotune. Each of the 3 parts were manually sang--which is what made the chorus vocs so difficult and I hope that's easy to hear. No homogenized robots allowed.

Billy Playle: Music composer and performer, mix
Freddy Jam: Jazzy drums
Me: vocals

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ezhm58a62l...hange.wav?dl=0
Really nice job ! I'm doing a double jazz album atm so this hits me just right. :-)
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Old 05-22-2019, 02:15 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by msundh View Post
You really like harmonies!
And you're good at it too!
But I think it's too much of it. It gets less dynamic.
There are a few (very few) places were you sing without doubling (clean). More of that!
I think you should go for less is more this time.
I think there were more than "very few" un-doubled vocals--the main verses being one. I mainly doubled the chorus, the ooh's and the final verse/bridge. But yeah, I may have overdone it a bit. Couldn't help myself. thx man.

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Wonderful !
(Even though I in fact would use less "aggressive" chords on the "somehow..." phrase. )
-Michael
The music chord or the vocal harmony chord? If you meant the music, I'm not the writer. If you meant the harmony chords, it's the best I could interpret it. A perfect base-third-fifth wouldn't even come close (I'm sure it was some b fifth sus-9 thingy or something that's beyond my chord knowledge), so I had to improvise. Thanks!


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Really nice job ! I'm doing a double jazz album atm so this hits me just right. :-)
I appreciate that Coachz. Is this an instrumental or vocal double album (or both)? Any samples uploaded that I can listen to?
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Old 05-22-2019, 02:22 PM   #6
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I appreciate that Coachz. Is this an instrumental or vocal double album (or both)? Any samples uploaded that I can listen to?
It's about 1/2 and 1/2 vocals and instrumentals. Sorry no samples atm.
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Old 05-22-2019, 03:22 PM   #7
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Top notch! Really enjoyed this! Great harmonies Sam! Music is stellar! You guys should bottle this and sell it!! ;--)))))
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Old 05-22-2019, 03:49 PM   #8
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Billy Playle: Music composer and performer, mix
Freddy Jam: Jazzy drums
Me: vocals
I think this is great Sammy, well performed by everybody.

I sort of agree with Michael, there are places where the keys are maybe a little aggressive, but it doesn't mess too much with the performance.

As far as the vocals are concerned I think they're good, you did a great job on them. In fact there are ways you could even add more texture, I don't mean make them louder, but some EQing and subtle compression could make them a little more full bodied.

I really like how this Billy Playle plays and the drums are good too.

Great job Sammy.
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Old 05-22-2019, 06:54 PM   #9
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Yeah what they said ^^^^^ up there.

by that I'm mainly referring to the comments like

Great Job, Really Nice etc.


Unfortunately Sammy I'm not ready to let you be free from your grittier vocals
just yet........you'll understand shortly(evil maniacal laughter)
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Old 05-22-2019, 09:46 PM   #10
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Wow, such fine singing. Beautiful harmonies in the BG vox.
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Old 05-22-2019, 09:58 PM   #11
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I I'm sure it was some b fifth sus-9 thingy or something that's beyond my chord knowledge
I did not mean each single chord being "aggessiv", but the progression that to me sounds rather odd. And yes, supposedly using more and differently alterated single chords with less frequent or less "far" steps between them might sound less "harsh".

-Michael

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Old 05-23-2019, 02:35 PM   #12
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In the song I presented here -> https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=216213 , also an unusual "directional" chord progression ( Dm11 - Ebm11 - Em11 - Fm11 - F#m11- Fm11 - Em11 - Ebm11 - Dm11 - EbDim - C6/E - Fm6 - Cm7 - G7#5#9 ) is used (at the location “Now it’s over ….”). Here IMHO, the feeling provoked is not “aggression” but “menace”, and this is exactly what I need at this point in the text.

-Michael

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Old 05-23-2019, 03:46 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by BCF1 View Post
Yeah what they said ^^^^^ up there.

by that I'm mainly referring to the comments like

Great Job, Really Nice etc.


Unfortunately Sammy I'm not ready to let you be free from your grittier vocals
just yet........you'll understand shortly(evil maniacal laughter)
That's not going anywhere. Too far ingrained. Still, a change of pace is always cool sometimes.

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It's about 1/2 and 1/2 vocals and instrumentals. Sorry no samples atm.
Ok. I was just curious because I don't think I've heard any of your music.

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Top notch! Really enjoyed this! Great harmonies Sam! Music is stellar! You guys should bottle this and sell it!! ;--)))))
Thanks Mark. Freddy (the drummer) instigated the whole thing. He's like the match-maker of musicians, always trying to bring people who may not be aware of each other together. Both me and Billy were willing to give the match a try and this was the result.

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I think this is great Sammy, well performed by everybody.

I sort of agree with Michael, there are places where the keys are maybe a little aggressive, but it doesn't mess too much with the performance.

As far as the vocals are concerned I think they're good, you did a great job on them. In fact there are ways you could even add more texture, I don't mean make them louder, but some EQing and subtle compression could make them a little more full bodied.

I really like how this Billy Playle plays and the drums are good too.

Great job Sammy.
I understand about the compression, but what you suggest for the eq'ing? Too little low end? My voice is naturally low-midsy, so maybe I overcompensated.
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Old 05-23-2019, 03:55 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Timothy Lawler View Post
Wow, such fine singing. Beautiful harmonies in the BG vox.
Appreciated, Timothy.

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Originally Posted by mschnell View Post
I did not mean each single chord being "aggessiv", but the progression that to me sounds rather odd. And yes, supposedly using more and differently alterated single chords with less frequent or less "far" steps between them might sound less "harsh".
I think, no, I KNOW that's why trying to sing in some parts was really tricky. I wasn't ready for those changes.

-Michael
Quote:
Originally Posted by mschnell View Post
In the song I presented here -> https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=216213 , also an unusual "directional" chord progression ( Dm11 - Ebm11 - Em11 - Fm11 - F#m11- Fm11 - Em11 - Ebm11 - Dm11 - EbDim - C6/E - Fm6 - Cm7 - G7#5#9 ) is used (at the location “Now it’s over ….”). Here IMHO, the feeling provoked is not “aggression” but “menace”, and this is exactly what I need at this point in the text.

-Michel
I've heard that old classic many times in dozens of versions. Always liked it though. Your singer's voice brought it alive in this version.
Those trumpet sections were pretty damned sweet! The highlight for me. Tasty guitars too. Going thru a second playthrough right now. Nicely put-together arrangement on the whole, I think. And yes, the chords are much more complimentary.
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Old 05-23-2019, 09:44 PM   #15
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Many thanks for commenting on our work

I am really thrilled that the for me merciful fate enabled me to do appropriate lyrics for the melody, otherwise there would have been no room for our fabulous singer.

In this live recording, I played the trumpet part with a keyboard and a TEC BBCv2 Breath controller using "The Trumpet" plugin by Sample Modeling.

-Michael

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Old 05-24-2019, 05:29 AM   #16
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Many thanks for commenting on our work

I am really thrilled that the for me merciful fate enabled me to do appropriate lyrics for the melody, otherwise there would have been no room for our fabulous singer.

In this live recording, I played the trumpet part with a keyboard and a TEC BBCv2 Breath controller using "The Trumpet" plugin by Sample Modeling.

-Michael
Sounds like Billy did something similar (if not the same) with his sax. I can honestly say I enjoyed your version as much as any "pro" version I've heard, esp with the extended instrumental section near the end. Is there a dl button?
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Old 05-24-2019, 07:04 AM   #17
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For some days ań umpresressed file will be here -> https://wetransfer.com/downloads/b11...ecipient_email
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Old 05-24-2019, 10:05 AM   #18
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For some days ań umpresressed file will be here -> https://wetransfer.com/downloads/b11...ecipient_email
Got it. Thanks.
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Old 05-24-2019, 11:16 AM   #19
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Sammy - This is a fun ride. Agree about the harmonies. Beautiful, but too thick or forward.

Seems to me you ventured into jazz territory on your own a few years back, with some sampled horns, etc?
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Old 05-24-2019, 12:47 PM   #20
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Sammy - This is a fun ride. Agree about the harmonies. Beautiful, but too thick or forward.

Seems to me you ventured into jazz territory on your own a few years back, with some sampled horns, etc?
I can think of at least twice right off, both songs I wrote. One was a duet with a female friend, and the other just me.
I'm pretty sure Billy used sampled horns (judging from the sound), but he did a good job. It wasn't cringe worthy, which is how badly played or bad sounding samples usually effect me. They can be cool when done well.
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Old 05-25-2019, 01:41 PM   #21
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Sounds like Billy did something similar (if not the same) with his sax.
I suppose that your piece is done in a serial recording, while our "Stolen Moments" is just a multitrack recording of the band playing together. And for me, this is when a Breath controller with a decent software instrument perfectly comes to life.

-Michael

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Old 05-25-2019, 03:25 PM   #22
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But I suppose that your piece is done in a serial recording, while our "Stolen Moments" is just a multitrack recording of the band playing together.. And for me, this is when a Breath controller with a decent software instrument perfectly comes to life.

-Michael
Yes, and it shows. The trumpet/horns sections were my most "look forward to" part of the song. Very non-cringe-worthful. hah

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Old 05-26-2019, 10:14 AM   #23
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Cool Vocals like modernised 50s harmonies (LesPaul Mary Ford) style almost. Clever stuff all round.
I'm glad I wasn't asked to sing it.........
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Old 05-28-2019, 05:10 AM   #24
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Cool Vocals like modernised 50s harmonies (LesPaul Mary Ford) style almost. Clever stuff all round.
I'm glad I wasn't asked to sing it.........
Trying to do that M Transter thang. thx Barry.
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Old 05-30-2019, 10:32 PM   #25
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Excellent track, cool melodic sound, cheers Sammy.
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Old 06-01-2019, 08:53 AM   #26
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Excellent track, cool melodic sound, cheers Sammy.
Thanks Morg.
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