A song I'd like you to hear.

[jeffe]

I've been trawling through some of my material to put up on Taxi, and came upon a track that I did quite recently. I quite like this one myself, because It's got my good friend 'Steve Morgan' playing lead guitar (I'm jealous. I can't play like that).A couple of points to note. I have issues, trying to fit the tone of my voice to the arrangement. However, I'll be pitching the songs, and not me, so I hope that means something.The lead guitar has a bit of a timing gaffe in the middle, but apart from that, it's ok.OK the song is called 'Sight Or Sound'and can be found on my page at:http://www.taximusic.com/hosting/home.php?userid=920I think the overall composition has some potential.What do you think?Also, I like to play games with my songs, and there is a couple of puzzles in this one. Well, links you could say. Can anybody work out what they are?I'll post the answers at a later date.

[dgolding]

Hi Jeffe, I agreee that the overall composition has potential. I don't think the production is doing the song any favours though. There seems to be a lack of clarity. It could use some light and shade too, maybe some harmonies on the vocal now and then would help. If I was producing this, I'd try a simple acoustic guitar, maybe a 12-string as the main backdrop.For me, the lead guitar part has quite a piercing sound, and as it's playing all through the song, it tends to dominate, taking the focus away from the vocal. Just my 2 cents anyway. One of the things I find interesting about this forum is how different people see different things in the music. Maybe with this song a different mix would make all the difference.Best of luck with it

[jeffe]

Interesting point of view. Thanks You've just pointed out my lack of arrangement, which is so true. I'm glad someone else told me that because I've always thought it myself. One of the problems with this track is that my friend recorded his guitar with effect through his amp, so I can't remove it. I just chucked a load of other stuff around it, because I believed the principle melody was ok.12 String eh!I got offered one of those a couple of weeks ago.Bit beyond my skill range at the moment, but who knows.Thanks for listening. I appreciate it.

[mazz]

Hi Jeffe,This is an interesting song and I think it has a lot of potential. I can't comment on lyrics because I don't write them and don't feel qualified. But I have some ideas and suggestions on arrangement / production.1. The rhythm and lead guitars are out of tune with each other. This alone is a vibe-kill and will be a deal killer for any commercial potential. A library I recently signed up with has as one of their criteria: instruments in tune. So it's not just me Even if you're pitching just the song, the instruments still need to be in tune.2. The lead guitar is constant throughout the song. As much as you like the lead and your friend, the song would be better served if the part was edited so as to comment on or answer the vocals. Then when it's his turn to step out, the listener will want to hear more and the lead feature will be more special.3. The drums sound as if they're in another room. This might be a cool effect for an intro or breakdown but if you're going for a more commercial production, then the aesthetic is having the drums louder than you do. If you want that vibey quality to the drums, they need to be taken further in that direction, maybe some creative filtering, echo, or...........If you're just pitching the song, I suggest leaving out anything that does not totally enhance the song. Anything the least bit extraneous or distracting may have the effect of making the potential buyer pass, even if it's a great song.I'm sure other songwriters in the forum will have some experience with this issue.Good song. Keep writing, I look forward to hearing the next one.Mazz

[jeffe]

This is the sort of stuff I need to hear. I'm glowing. Thanks Mazz.I agree with you 100%. I am going to pitch this one but I'll have a little play around with the percussion effects and guitar levels, and perhaps either cut the guitar in sections, or drop it's volume in the vocal passages.Now we're cooking