Blessed Relief Zappa Medley

b_elliott123 · 09-19-2022, 07:53 AM

100% Reaper using elements of Bela Bartok with Zappa.

https://soundcloud.com/b_123-6884720...rtok-sus-zappa

Cheers, Bill

EDIT: see posting #8 below for a link to 'nother Zappa orch arrangement of mine.

msore · 09-19-2022, 02:15 PM

drums

b_elliott123 · 09-20-2022, 12:05 AM

Thank you for listening and commenting.
I oriented this arrangement around the marimba. The intention was to go quiet for this medley.
For me this was quite a change of direction considering I am a drummer and fan of Chester, Terry and Vinnie. I would agree, they easily could play on this one; instead, the spotlight is on the mallets this time.
Cheers, Bill

Reapology · 09-20-2022, 03:34 AM

Heya- hmm...kinda liked it,just cannot pin why it did not fully engage the senses- maybe a tiny bit left sided and touch too much cowbell_4_me?
Just for sake of ritique might suggest strings does not tonally match the mallets? maybe because its tuesday or something else?

#If you are done,then it is done,and quite enjoyed it.
Thanks4sharing.

b_elliott123 · 09-20-2022, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reapology

Just for sake of ritique might suggest strings does not tonally match the mallets? maybe because its tuesday or something else?

#If you are done,then it is done,and quite enjoyed it.
Thanks4sharing.

Kind thanks Reapology for listening.

FWIW, I belong to the vi forum where passions can run quite high regarding strings, so much so that I backed off using any in most everything I work on. However, for this piece I decided to make my first attempt using vlns, vlas, cellos.

I will need to listen more regarding marimba and strings matching tonally. I am spoiled by Varese's approach to tonality; so, more to learn.

Appreciate all these comments! There is life on this forum.

Best, Bill

Reapology · 09-20-2022, 05:58 AM

Quote:

There is life on this forum.

Oh? there is? ohhh yeah! there is !

Yeah- not knocking this piece at all..but here is my view on strings:
"You just cant beat real strings,real players".
As great digital is- strings especially,should be captured raw,live as possible,analog.
To program the subtleties can take an age even with all the best articulations..some huge libraries make it easier,but why not just do the real thing eh?

Cheers for doing you.

Jorgen · 09-21-2022, 01:42 PM

The marimba sounds good. The synth pads/strings are another matter -- sounds to me like they are not in the groove. Too long attack on those sounds, I think. Wouldn't mind if they also had more reverb, meaning further back in the mix.

Ambitious arrangement and production.

b_elliott123 · 09-22-2022, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jorgen

The marimba sounds good. The synth pads/strings are another matter -- sounds to me like they are not in the groove. Too long attack on those sounds, I think. Wouldn't mind if they also had more reverb, meaning further back in the mix.

Ambitious arrangement and production.

Cool insight. Lots to learn!

Speaking of ambitious you might get a kick outta my latest Zappa arrangement for orchestra: Piece de ResZappance

https://soundcloud.com/b_123-6884720...de-reszappance

Jorgen · 09-23-2022, 02:16 AM

Impressive. Did you program that?

Judders · 09-23-2022, 02:53 AM

I especially liked the first section, though the attack of the strings and choir is a bit slow for the music in a lot of places. Different articulations and a bit of counterpoint would take it up a level, as well as some variations on the "Oh No" theme.

Very in keeping with Zappa's general harmonic palette though, good work!

I listened to it as a rough guide to a performance rather than a finished product. I think it is limited by the samples you are using in terms of articulation and dynamics.

b_elliott123 · 09-23-2022, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jorgen

Impressive. Did you program that?

Yes. In reference to Piece de ResZappance, this was built up inside the Reaper midi editor note-by-note. I use a lot of midi tools I picked up from IDDQ Sound, ReaperBlog (retrograde, flip, ZD-Ultimate reascale, etc.) to speed the whole process up.

About a month ago I created a template based on Mozart's instrumentation from Piano Concerto No. 22. I got the score off IMSLP to guide me.

Then it was a matter of choosing which inst groups I wished to use (winds/brass or strings or piano or percussion). Sometimes one inst is soloed, a duet here, a tutti there: kinda how it got programmed.

@Judders comment re limited by the samples used. [sigh] True that. I use what I can afford. My focus for now: composing/arranging.

I have another Zappa song I finished yesterday (now posted on forum thread Zappa's Toads of the Short Forest).
Prepare for a somewhat amusing dive into the Zappa catalog.

Cheers, Bill

Judders · 09-23-2022, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b_elliott123

@Judders comment re limited by the samples used. [sigh] True that. I use what I can afford. My focus for now: composing/arranging.

Me too!

It wasn't a criticism, just that I enjoyed it listening to the potential rather than as a finished product, if you know what I mean.

b_elliott123 · 09-23-2022, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judders

Me too!

It wasn't a criticism, just that I enjoyed it listening to the potential rather than as a finished product, if you know what I mean.

Yes I appreciate your viewpoint! I do thank you for listening and taking the time to comment. Cheers, Bill