Safe Zone

[donnypike]

This song is a lot less complicated than most of my other work. It is called Safe Zone and I wrote it in 2001 on my guitar before I started using MIDI. I tried to get as close to the original guitar sound as I could. Let me know what you think. Click my link below and download the taxiguys zip on my startup page. Thankshttp://donnypike.tripod.com

[mazz]

Hi Donny,I really like this piece. I think this has the best sound and the most natural feel of all the pieces of yours I have heard so far. I like the melody and the harmonic progression. The strings sound a bit synthy but they work well in the context of the supportive role in this piece. In this genre, you can get away with synth strings, IMO. The guitar sound is pretty nice as well.There are two comments I have about this piece:1. The drums are the weak link here. They sound like the same loop over and over with maybe slight variations and no fills or crashes, builds, etc. I know you're on a limited budget and I also know that drums are the most commonly available samples and even loops are very available. I bet there are good loop collections as sound fonts that you could get and construct a more interesting drum part. The drums could even come in later to add a build (see #2).2. The arrangement is pretty much the same all the way through. I'm sure now that you have the basics parts, you can go back and re-do your drum part and make the arrangement build texturally as the piece progresses. I know you have the chops to pull this off.You have a very nice piece here. I think with some arrangement work and a better drum part, you could have a contender.Enjoy,Mazz

[donnypike]

Thanks for listening Mazz, I also have the lyrics that follow the exact line that the flute has. I try to be the player of each instrument I write but I have difficulty with percussion for some reason. I guess I just have to sit down and do it. Thanks again for the feedback. If I feel I have made any improvements I will let you know.