One More 70s Instrumental

[BradGray]

Hey Rick,

It's certainly getting better! I really like the sound of it with the acoustic, piano, bass and high-hat right at the beginning. Very full and warm; very 70s.

Listening to the track, your lead melody is still not that strong. I believe it song is in the key of E and it sounds like the only melody notes being played are E F# G# and A, over and over, in a very similar pattern - also in the same register on guitar. It makes for a very repetitive sounding pattern, as the song is only 2 chords - E and A maj. It's not bad initially, but it needs to develop and go somewhere as the music is not moving anywhere other than E and A.

That said some suggestions:

1) For the melody and related ideas, you could check out some pentatonic shapes (Maj/Min Pentatonic) scale that can help you come up with some ideas. I.E. Pentatonic Shapes
- I just did a quick google on this one, but scroll down to the shape that says "Pattern 1". The red notes are the root. For the key you're playing in, Pattern 1 would actually start on the 9th Fret C# (low E). Something like this can give you some other ideas to play with, for the melody.
- Also, you could take your current melody and change octaves with it in different spots. Start it low, move high, then low...or vice versa.

2) For the chords, if it just stays with 2 chords, I think alternating bringing the piano forward, and guitar back to build excitement will be key to keeping the listeners interest. Additionally, have the piano also move into different tonal registers (in parts) than guitar, as it's an easy way to build interest, and it gives each instrument their own "space" in the track.

3) For the breaks you could consider using some additional chords and sounds to play with, to take it somewhere else than E and A.

Key of E - E F# G# A B C# D#
I (Emaj) ii (F#min) iii (G#min) IV (Amaj) V (Bmaj) vi (C#min) vii (D#dim)

I IV V <--- Major Chords (You're using E (I) and A (IV)
ii iii vi <--- Minor Chords
vii <--- Diminished Chord (great for leaving a feeling that's unstable, that wants to pull you back to the I)

Hope that helps!

Cheers,
Brad

[RickBourassa]

Hey Rick,

It's certainly getting better! I really like the sound of it with the acoustic, piano, bass and high-hat right at the beginning. Very full and warm; very 70s.

Listening to the track, your lead melody is still not that strong. I believe it song is in the key of E and it sounds like the only melody notes being played are E F# G# and A, over and over, in a very similar pattern - also in the same register on guitar. It makes for a very repetitive sounding pattern, as the song is only 2 chords - E and A maj. It's not bad initially, but it needs to develop and go somewhere as the music is not moving anywhere other than E and A.

That said some suggestions:

1) For the melody and related ideas, you could check out some pentatonic shapes (Maj/Min Pentatonic) scale that can help you come up with some ideas. I.E. Pentatonic Shapes
- I just did a quick google on this one, but scroll down to the shape that says "Pattern 1". The red notes are the root. For the key you're playing in, Pattern 1 would actually start on the 9th Fret C# (low E). Something like this can give you some other ideas to play with, for the melody.
- Also, you could take your current melody and change octaves with it in different spots. Start it low, move high, then low...or vice versa.

2) For the chords, if it just stays with 2 chords, I think alternating bringing the piano forward, and guitar back to build excitement will be key to keeping the listeners interest. Additionally, have the piano also move into different tonal registers (in parts) than guitar, as it's an easy way to build interest, and it gives each instrument their own "space" in the track.

3) For the breaks you could consider using some additional chords and sounds to play with, to take it somewhere else than E and A.

Key of E - E F# G# A B C# D#
I (Emaj) ii (F#min) iii (G#min) IV (Amaj) V (Bmaj) vi (C#min) vii (D#dim)

I IV V <--- Major Chords (You're using E (I) and A (IV)
ii iii vi <--- Minor Chords
vii <--- Diminished Chord (great for leaving a feeling that's unstable, that wants to pull you back to the I)

Hope that helps!

Cheers,
Brad

Thanks you so much for taking the time to listen and provide suggestions.

For today, I think I will tweak the melody a bit so that I can submit it before the deadline. If it gets returned, I will try spicing it up a bit. If not, I will apply this to my next song.

I am not much of a piano player, but I am starting to learn some of the midi tools in Logic. (Midi Transposer, Chord Trigger, Arpeggiator, etc)

I am discovering that knowing music theory and knowing how to tastefully apply it are two very different things. (And also Sync Music guidelines)

Thanks again.

[BradGray]

Thanks you so much for taking the time to listen and provide suggestions.

For today, I think I will tweak the melody a bit so that I can submit it before the deadline. If it gets returned, I will try spicing it up a bit. If not, I will apply this to my next song.

I am not much of a piano player, but I am starting to learn some of the midi tools in Logic. (Midi Transposer, Chord Trigger, Arpeggiator, etc)

I am discovering that knowing music theory and knowing how to tastefully apply it are two very different things. (And also Sync Music guidelines)

Thanks again.

Anytime Rick, and hope that helps!

Personally I find I learn a tremendous amount on each and every piece that I create for submission. It could be composing, arranging, playing, engineering, production and even just trying to submit what they're looking for. If I don't submit, I won't push myself enough, and I find that deadline really helps try to get it all done. Plus, I pick up a little more speed with each submission so...just keep swimming, just keep swimming. =)

Cheers,
Brad