Egyptian Safari: Sound Painting

[ernstinen]

Hi Everyone,

I just recorded a new piece entitled "Egyptian Safari." It's a sound painting, meant to impart a certain Middle Eastern mood. Get on your camel...

http://www.box.net/shared/ttrmg4c2y0m9gf97oyx6

Any thoughts are appreciated!

Ern

[Cruciform]

I really liked it but the sustained 'ahh' wore me out.

[feaker66]

ern

Haven't I heard this before?? You said it was new. I must be losing it.

How do you cut and paste an "ahhh". No way that was one breath.

I agree the ahhh was a little long, but all the other elements were spot on.

Bet you doc has no trouble checking your tonsils with and ahhh like that. Say ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......

Paul

[ernstinen]

Ah, I like the ahhhh Maybe I'm married to it because I sang every track --- 64 of them bounced... 8x8. Man, was I getting an oxygen rush by the time I was done!

I've practiced TM since I was 20, and hear stuff like this in my little pea brain straight from the cosmos!

But if it wears you guys out, maybe I'll remix it and bring it up and down in the mix for a fix? Either that, or y'all start meditating!

Thanks for listening! I'll do a re-do, that's what I'll do...

Ern

[ernstinen]

Aah, this mix is more like it --- the old ears were tired last night, and I was hypnotized by the Aahs!

http://www.box.net/shared/701ry610svosj2i3cxgu

Paul, this *is* a new recording --- the previous one had all 12 pitches singing a tone cluster. This is all one note, "C." I have used my antique Art Violin before, though. I really like the sound, even though it's completely out of tune! But I open-tuned my acoustic guitar to C to give more of a tone center to the piece because the Art Violin is all over the place tuning-wise.

Better?

Thanks in advance,

Ern

[utremifa]

Hi Ern,

Nice evocative track with some interesting timbers in the accompaniment.

I tend to agree with the others about the "ah", but my concern has more to do with the overall drone than just the fact that it is vocal. You might try processing the sound some to add variation to it, esp. when the tune repeats at about 1:36 or so. I would also suggest changing the orchestration altogether at that point, so that the tune sounds new and fresh. As it stands, there's not much contrast and the piece becomes somewhat monotonous. I would dump the oboe and flute there and use a solo stringed instrument, either ethnic or violin and perhaps alter the accompaniment pattern as well.

Just some thoughts.

Vince

[thokus]

Ern... mighty fine stuff. the ahh's fit nicely .. Love that out of tune steel string guitar .. makes it "Real"... great mood setter... Way to go ..
Tom

[ernstinen]

Thanks for listening Vince & Tom!

In defense of the "monotony," it's supposed to be that way! Imagine a mirage in the desert that shimmers but doesn't really change. That was my concept.

But I will rethink the second half. Actually, I already did. I previously thought of singing a similar line, rather than having the woodwinds play. The solo oboe sounds so similar to the winds in part two, that I agree it doesn't go anywhere. Not that it's supposed to, but hey!

Best Regards,

Ern

[utremifa]

Hi Ern,

The "monotony" idea was not lost on me when I listened. The piece definitely has a meditative quality to it and I totally got it. Just thinking in compositional (and perhaps, marketing) terms. Variety can be the spice of life! But you get the picture.

V

[ernstinen]

Hi Ern,

The "monotony" idea was not lost on me when I listened. The piece definitely has a meditative quality to it and I totally got it. Just thinking in compositional (and perhaps, marketing) terms. Variety can be the spice of life! But you get the picture.

V

Yea, I got the picture! I just did a remake, with a few changes! I'll post this soon.... Thanks for the ideas!

Ern