How do you feel about fade out endings?

ryco · #1 05-15-2008, 08:07 PM

Me, I don't like 'em so much. Feel they are kind of a cop out.

OK, maybe they're alright for some ballads.

I always put an ending on a song. Sometimes it can be a challenge, but it gives the whole idea a feeling of completion.

This is a personal opinion - not a criticism for ppl who do use 'em.

Nyarlathotep · #2 05-15-2008, 08:11 PM

I like fade outs, but imagine that live it could be interesting. Youl'd have to get some real cooperation with the sound guy or have everyones volume controlled by a midi exp.pedal.

I tend to use either fade out endings or the "hold a note till it naturally fades" ending when I "write" stuff.

silen7ce · #3 05-15-2008, 08:20 PM

I tend to use the hold a note kind of ending myself when I write but for some songs fading out works well.

heroincredible · #4 05-16-2008, 05:09 AM

I'll try to write an ending to the song, but sometimes its just not possible to write a suitable ending. Fade outs are ok, occassionally. Live? Medley the ending into the beginning of another song.

DWBass · #5 05-16-2008, 05:50 AM

IIRC, that was something started by radio as many songs were way longer than the standard 2-1/2 to 3 minute standard radio play.

ogrossman · #6 05-16-2008, 06:12 AM

I think of a fade out ending as if the singer or band is walking off into the distance while playing this song that isn't going to end. If that idea fits with the rest of the song then I'm cool with it. Otherwise I think it's a bit lame.

swagar · #7 05-17-2008, 07:25 AM

I'm a little sick of the whole go crazy for about 30 seconds, slow down, then hit the last note. Maybe because I used to listen to way too much AC/DC.

I think the best ending to a song is in Pink Cigarette by Mr. Bungle. It gets to the bigass climax and suddenly BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP..

Baryonyx · #8 05-17-2008, 09:26 AM

I don't mind them, and it's always nice to see how bands will actually end the song live.

Depth_Charge · #9 05-17-2008, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielTulip

I like fade outs, but imagine that live it could be interesting. Youl'd have to get some real cooperation with the sound guy or have everyones volume controlled by a midi exp.pedal.

Or the band can dynamically lower their own volume on the fly. Not as easy, but doable

Fadeouts are fine if they fit the song.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #10 05-17-2008, 09:49 AM

I started a thread on the same topic long ago:

What's the point of fadeouts?

You'll find my take on the subject and some interesting points of view.

Hoppes · #11 05-17-2008, 09:59 AM

Im not sure where a fade out is ok, but i know when i dont like them. When the band is rocking out really good and your really into it then it just starts to go away.....Ahh! A quick example i can think of is Led Zeppelin - Black Dog. I wish i could hear Jimmy continue cause he was on a roll!

Dennis098 · #12 05-17-2008, 10:02 AM

Some songs would sound dumb to resolve and end.
How do the Eagles Play Hotel California live?

winstonthecat · #13 05-17-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis098

Some songs would sound dumb to resolve and end.
How do the Eagles Play Hotel California live?

They don't end it...they just play it forever. Or maybe it just seems that way

I don't like fade outs for the vast majority of songs....it does seem like a cop-out. I am not an original songwriter, so I haven't really had that challenge. I have helped a friend on some arrangements of his originals, but they are always for a live setting, so the fade won't work.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #14 05-17-2008, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis098

Some songs would sound dumb to resolve and end.
How do the Eagles Play Hotel California live?

Here's the answer.

AlphaMale · #15 05-17-2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryco

Me, I don't like 'em so much. Feel they are kind of a cop out.

OK, maybe they're alright for some ballads.

I always put an ending on a song. Sometimes it can be a challenge, but it gives the whole idea a feeling of completion.

This is a personal opinion - not a criticism for ppl who do use 'em.

Mr. Crowley - ozzy Osbourne uses it well.
It makes it sound like the solo is never ending.

Nyarlathotep · #16 05-18-2008, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Here's the answer.

I did not realized that the Eagles singer was also the drummer

Benjamin Strange · #17 05-18-2008, 08:34 AM

The only perfect use of a fade out was Nirvana's On A Plain. Beyond that there's not much to say about them.

UncleBalsamic · #18 05-18-2008, 08:43 AM

It can work but generally I'm not a fan.

JmJ · #19 05-18-2008, 08:53 AM

My Blues band does live fade outs, its probably hardest for me as I'm from the Loud amp/Light touch school. Iv'e noticed that if we do a lot of fades at one session the next one will feature 'stabs' or some other kind of endings. We always will have some kind of ending but they are not all planned. The live fade is something every band should try, a true test of dynamic ability.

jsingles · #20 05-18-2008, 09:04 AM

i feel some songs work so well with fade outs that I would not like it if they had an ending part instead.

However, I HATE when there is a song that HAS an ending, and then on some compilation or greatest hits or remastered album, they add a fade-out instead

example: no woman no cry by bob marley... the version I have fades out INSTEAD of the ending guitar solo, which I do not get to hear... and that pisses me off because that is the best part of the song!