El Paso

[gavink]

Hi everyone. Its been years since I've been on here. Thought I'd sign back up and try Taxi again.This is a new instrumental I just finished called "El Paso". I'm thinking it might be suited for film/TV. If you guys could give me some feedback on what you think and where it might work best in commercial or film. I'm a little lost on this one. It's hard to place I feel. seems too pop like. anyway if you could give me some feedback it would be most helpful.Thanks.ElPaso: http://www.taximusic.com/hosting/home.p ... avinkmusic

[lestonal]

Hi there.Absolutely love the mode you are playing in. I have always enjoyed the Flamenco styles. This isn't quite as progressive as I normally experience or like, but falls into the same circle. Although you do begin to really catch my interest right as the song fades. Give me more of that. More emotion.Isn't kind of obvious where this song would fit into film or tv? Anything Mexican oriented... ...Desperado type material. Possibly a commercial for a getaway to Cancun, etc., etc. Seemed a rather obvious placement my friend.There isn't really too much to say about this piece. It is what it is. A Spanish style Flamencoesque instrumental that serves it's purpose. The track is just about at the perfect length to get the job done without the listener falling into that boredom that often happens when an instrumental writer doesn't know when to say when. You did good there.The guitar motifs were absolutely beautiful and clean for the most part. The exciting runs toward the end was exactly what I pictured coming, and although there was the ever-so-slight not-so-clean technique there (hardly noticeable).. ..very well played.If you were to ever revisit this song in a recreation type setting, I think I would have brought out the dirty electric a bit more. As of now, you have it as an accent piece and that works beautifully, but I love to hear a soaring, dirty, modal type passionate lead shortly arrive right after your progressive runs prior to the fade. Even maybe small, subtle, reverb saturated licks in between the acoustic passages. That would really add some depth to a pretty flat line mix.One thing that really surprised me, knowing your background as a bass player, was the lack of well, exciting bass. This song has a very cool foundation for a melodic, moving bass line throughout. Seems you made the bass line here, more of an accent piece, and that is fine as is, but I could hear alternatives in my head that really bring this piece alive from the bottom end and make me FEEL. You have studied under a Jazz bassist. Show me.You have much talent, and considering YOU consider yourself a bass player... ...you are a guitar player. At least on this track. Your guitar prowess far outweighs the bass licks performed on this track. Now that may differ on your other material, but on this, the guitar carried the weight and did it rather well but still left room for the bass to color in some of the blank spots.Well, I won't nitpick too much more here. It's a fine piece presented in its current state, but as you will learn from me, I always hear the "what it could be" no matter how good it already is. On a side note, and it may just be the internet streaming, I recommend brightening up the mix some. Overall the production and mix was well for a decent demo, but the track as a whole seemed to fall flat by lacking that crisp, bright clarity as well as dynamics and feeling. Something to think about nonetheLes.On my fourth listen here and it almost appears as if the levels were set on each instrument and then left alone for the final mastering. Nothing changes. No ups and downs. No DYNAMICS. The song begins and is a constant line of sound. The only slight variations in the mix come from you playing harder or softer on the acoustic. Everything else just remains the same. It is very rare to just set a level for each instrument and it works out. At that point you are relying on each player (or you in this case) to create the dynamics naturally, and that normally falls flat. Use volume envelopes my friend. Get to know them. Shake up your songs. Add flavor and dynamics.You have a great deal of talent. You have an ear. No doubt about that. Time to polish things up and take another step up the ladder.Well worth the time to do so.

[gavink]

May 14, 2009, 1:50pm, lestonal wrote:Hi there.Absolutely love the mode you are playing in. I have always enjoyed the Flamenco styles. This isn't quite as progressive as I normally experience or like, but falls into the same circle. Although you do begin to really catch my interest right as the song fades. Give me more of that. More emotion.Isn't kind of obvious where this song would fit into film or tv? Anything Mexican oriented... ...Desperado type material. Possibly a commercial for a getaway to Cancun, etc., etc. Seemed a rather obvious placement my friend.There isn't really too much to say about this piece. It is what it is. A Spanish style Flamencoesque instrumental that serves it's purpose. The track is just about at the perfect length to get the job done without the listener falling into that boredom that often happens when an instrumental writer doesn't know when to say when. You did good there.The guitar motifs were absolutely beautiful and clean for the most part. The exciting runs toward the end was exactly what I pictured coming, and although there was the ever-so-slight not-so-clean technique there (hardly noticeable).. ..very well played.If you were to ever revisit this song in a recreation type setting, I think I would have brought out the dirty electric a bit more. As of now, you have it as an accent piece and that works beautifully, but I love to hear a soaring, dirty, modal type passionate lead shortly arrive right after your progressive runs prior to the fade. Even maybe small, subtle, reverb saturated licks in between the acoustic passages. That would really add some depth to a pretty flat line mix.One thing that really surprised me, knowing your background as a bass player, was the lack of well, exciting bass. This song has a very cool foundation for a melodic, moving bass line throughout. Seems you made the bass line here, more of an accent piece, and that is fine as is, but I could hear alternatives in my head that really bring this piece alive from the bottom end and make me FEEL. You have studied under a Jazz bassist. Show me.You have much talent, and considering YOU consider yourself a bass player... ...you are a guitar player. At least on this track. Your guitar prowess far outweighs the bass licks performed on this track. Now that may differ on your other material, but on this, the guitar carried the weight and did it rather well but still left room for the bass to color in some of the blank spots.Well, I won't nitpick too much more here. It's a fine piece presented in its current state, but as you will learn from me, I always hear the "what it could be" no matter how good it already is. On a side note, and it may just be the internet streaming, I recommend brightening up the mix some. Overall the production and mix was well for a decent demo, but the track as a whole seemed to fall flat by lacking that crisp, bright clarity as well as dynamics and feeling. Something to think about nonetheLes.On my fourth listen here and it almost appears as if the levels were set on each instrument and then left alone for the final mastering. Nothing changes. No ups and downs. No DYNAMICS. The song begins and is a constant line of sound. The only slight variations in the mix come from you playing harder or softer on the acoustic. Everything else just remains the same. It is very rare to just set a level for each instrument and it works out. At that point you are relying on each player (or you in this case) to create the dynamics naturally, and that normally falls flat. Use volume envelopes my friend. Get to know them. Shake up your songs. Add flavor and dynamics.You have a great deal of talent. You have an ear. No doubt about that. Time to polish things up and take another step up the ladder.Well worth the time to do so.wow thanks for the in depth review and the kind compliment. I wrote this about 1 year ago...before taking up the bass. Just finished it up last week. I've been playing guitar 15 years but only recently took the bass up 6 months ago.I understand completely about the bass but I decided to leave it as is...a Spanish guitar track concentrating more on the guitar. However future tracks the bass will be there. my bass teacher Bernard Miller http://www.broadjam.com/artists/home.php?artistID=24438 ....he's a Taxi member as well reviewed the track and recommend playing some counterpoint bass on it. I haven't got that far on bass but maybe a good lesson for next week. Yes will keep looking in the TV/film section for possible pitches for this song. Now you have given me an idea what to look for specifically.Many thanks again for the great review and valuable advice.

[ideascapes]

Gavin,You definitely have the right recipe going for film/TV placement: good sound, solidly played lead instrument. The backing instruments are fairly generic and you might need to get to some exciting guitar lines sooner so the listener/screener knows you have the goods. Vince

[gavink]

May 15, 2009, 3:15am, ideascapes wrote:Gavin,You definitely have the right recipe going for film/TV placement: good sound, solidly played lead instrument. The backing instruments are fairly generic and you might need to get to some exciting guitar lines sooner so the listener/screener knows you have the goods. VinceThanks Vince. Yes more interesting chord progression would be a direction I'd like to go in. actually meeting with my jazz bass teacher next week and we plan to knock out a song. should be a fun colab.

[k o star]

Hi Gavin... good to meet U...Wow... Ur guitaring is... ... lost for words here!This is Awesome stuff IMHO and I can definitely see this in alot of Tv/Film scenes...I have a feeling Ur gonna get lots of deals from here quite soon... seriously.with much respects,Kel

[gavink]

May 15, 2009, 9:31am, reasondemon wrote:Hi Gavin... good to meet U...Wow... Ur guitaring is... ... lost for words here!This is Awesome stuff IMHO and I can definitely see this in alot of Tv/Film scenes...I have a feeling Ur gonna get lots of deals from here quite soon... seriously.with much respects,Kelthanks for the kind words.

[billg]

This is cool Gavin. I think you could make a pass with an electric guitar playing the melody (lower pitch with reverb and tremelo) and get a "spaghetti western" type of track out of this also-

[gavink]

May 16, 2009, 7:30am, billg wrote:This is cool Gavin. I think you could make a pass with an electric guitar playing the melody (lower pitch with reverb and tremelo) and get a "spaghetti western" type of track out of this also-Thanks.originally was an electric lead but opted for the nylon acoustic.got to move on to other songs now. if this gets placed then good. if not there's always tomorrow.