recording to critique

[jmnbass]

I was wondering if you guys could critique this song, and my bass playing.
http://www.myspace.com/laheykalasniehoff
thats the link
the songs is called scabs

[Sam Sherry]

There's no changes; you've just got a drone going for five minutes. There's no melody, just a couple of noodle-y repetitive figures. I'm not hearing it tell a story. It's not a "song" in my book.

Your playing sounds fine although there's certainly nothing going on that presents a challenge. You're on tempo and in tune. It's pretty hard to judge much else over the computer monitor.

[derrenleepoole]

Scabs - It ain't that bad really. Reminds me of real tripped out folk music. Would go down a treat in festivals The repetition is fine in my opinion, I do like Steve Reich et al. It seems to build and drop nicely, and that is where the story telling seems to be coming from. As for the bass, what I could make out of it from the mix sounded okay. It did what was required for the composition, nothing more nothing less. Hard to judge your technique or ability on that alone. And anyway, you don't want worry too much on other peoples opinions on your playing. Do what you do, and you'll be alright

[damonsmith]

Originally Posted by Sam Sherry

There's no changes; you've just got a drone going for five minutes. There's no melody, just a couple of noodle-y repetitive figures. I'm not hearing it tell a story. It's not a "song" in my book.

Well, IMO it is a lot harder (but not impossible) to tell any kind of a story using chord changes and melody these days.
To me it sounds like a few Derek Bailey or maybe some Jim O'rourke or John Fahey samples that are looped.
I have a tough time with rock bands like this calling themselves "experimental", it is pretty regressive as far as real experimental music is concerned.
Other than that it is nice music that is well played.

[Sam Sherry]

Originally Posted by damonsmith

Well, IMO it is a lot harder (but not impossible) to tell any kind of a story using chord changes and melody these days.

Damon, you've lost me. I almost wonder if you've left out a "without" in there.

The main tools available to composers are melody, harmony, rhythm, counterpoint, and lyric, with flavors of dynamics, registration, orchestration and the like. (I'm sure I've left a bunch out and look like an idiot.)

Can somebody tell a story without melody and harmony? Hey, have at it. No doubt a master composer can write a masterwork without pulling out all the stops. But I'm just a novice composer, and I'll use all the tools I can get.

[damonsmith]

Originally Posted by Sam Sherry

Damon, you've lost me. I almost wonder if you've left out a "without" in there.

The main tools available to composers are melody, harmony, rhythm, counterpoint, and lyric, with flavors of dynamics, registration, orchestration and the like. (I'm sure I've left a bunch out and look like an idiot.)

Can somebody tell a story without melody and harmony? Hey, have at it. No doubt a master composer can write a masterwork without pulling out all the stops. But I'm just a novice composer, and I'll use all the tools I can get.

No,
I just left out "new". A story can be told, or maybe re-told is a better way to phrase it.

[Sam Sherry]

Originally Posted by damonsmith

No, I just left out "new". A story can be told, or maybe re-told is a better way to phrase it.

I'm more optimistic or naive I guess. I have to hope that there are still some stirring never-heard-before melodies out there for the grasping. Heck, I hope that there are still some stirring never-heard-before approaches to standards left out there, although I can definitely appreciate what you're saying.

[Ed Fuqua]

ONE HAND - you can have a conversation that explores new ideas, thought , feelings, emotions using the language you have ALREADY


OTHER HAND - the only way to say anything new is to invent a new language

I'm pretty sure everybody knows which side I come down on.

An inability to express anything NEW isn't really a problem with LANGUAGE.

[jmnbass]

Sam Sherry, I totally understand where your coming from. The song is really repetitive and kind of boring. And there is d drone the the whole time. I thought it was just kind of cool becuase I got to play my upright in music other then jazz or classical. The song was just kind of me and my friends jamming and adding overdubs.

[damonsmith]

i just said it is harder, not impossible...