Passionate, Dangerous, Edgy and Romantic Tango rework

[eliotpister1]

Hi Georgie,

I liked this piece - it hooked me early, and the string sounds were quite nice - even sexy. I kind of take the contrary position on the piano placement as Mazz mentioned. Yes, it does sound like it's right upfront in the sonic field, but that to me made it interesting, and a little quirky.

I feel like it kind of started to fall apart around 1:40-2:00, and I needed it to either give me something new to keep interest, or become a less-sparse tango feel. All the percussion shots and big spaces I think got tiring, where I was thinking.... "ok, there's a pay-off right around the corner here, where we get into a more consistent rhythm". But it never came.

But heck, this is musical support for picture, so maybe I'm off-base that there should be a climax?

Really cool, though, and I think it's got a real sensual mood to it. What are you expecting to do with this piece?

Cheers, Eliot.

[georginasaint]

Ha ha Dave! Shall I retitle it "The Adams Tango"?
I think the Adams family bass riff is a straight 5 note scale isn't it? Anybody confirm that? Mine is 5 notes too, but chromatic...


Georgie

[mazz]

I'm on different speakers but I do think the piano sounds better back a bit. When it's playing those high descending notes during the violin playing on the low G string, it sounds more like it's textural rather than competing with the violin like it did before.

I think you did well building the piece with the snare at the beginning and then eventually using the low drums as accents toward the end.

Think of percussion as the spice, kind of like the Horseradish in a Bloody Mary. Without it it doesn't have the same kick but too much and your eyes start to water!

I think the sections feel better defined now, also the intro feels more focused. Did you shorten it or just make it better defined? Either way, the form feels much more balanced.

Speaking of the high piano notes during the low violin passage: I'm not sure the "loose" rhythm is working on a couple of those phrases. It feels too loose to me, like on the verge of sloppy instead of expressive. You might try tightening up a the last two in particular just to see if it works. I'm not talking total quantization, it can still drag a bit, but be a little closer to the beat, if you know what I mean.

Cool!

Mazz

[crs7string]

Georgina,

Have you tried a mix with no percussion?

To me there seems to be a lightness and floating quality in the tango. The lower percussion in particular may be weighing down the dancers feet.

In the places where the snare drum is carrying the rhythm, the pizzicatto basses (and /or cellos) may be able to do the job.

I always try to picture my ensemble on stage. If I were in the audience I would wonder about the guys in the percussion section.

+1 on the Gypsy Violin. You ahve learned how to "PLAY" it very well.

Chuck

[georginasaint]

Hi Mazz!
Thank you for your comments. I agree the piano is much better now.
[quote="mazz"]
I think you did well building the piece with the snare at the beginning and then eventually using the low drums as accents toward the end.
** Well thanks - I think it could be a whole lot better, but as I say, I find percussion difficult - I do think it makes more sense this way.

Think of percussion as the spice, kind of like the Horseradish in a Bloody Mary. Without it it doesn't have the same kick but too much and your eyes start to water!
**I LOVE this idea - brilliant!

I think the sections feel better defined now, also the intro feels more focused. Did you shorten it or just make it better defined? Either way, the form feels much more balanced.
*** I shortened the intro by a whole 11 measures, can you believe it! I don't miss them at all and it does all hang together better.

Speaking of the high piano notes during the low violin passage: I'm not sure the "loose" rhythm is working on a couple of those phrases. It feels too loose to me, like on the verge of sloppy instead of expressive. You might try tightening up a the last two in particular just to see if it works. I'm not talking total quantization, it can still drag a bit, but be a little closer to the beat, if you know what I mean.
*** I know exactly what you mean! I did in fact re-record them a couple of times and I wasn't sure any more if they were ok or not - so I'm thrilled that you caught that - I will redo them!

Cool!
** you are very cool indeed.

Thanks for your help.
Georgie

[georginasaint]

Chuck,

Have you tried a mix with no percussion?
*** You know, I haven't and yet when I lightened the percussion, it sounded so much better to me - I wonder why I didn't listen to it with none at all. I will do that and probably have an alternative version. Thanks for the idea!

To me there seems to be a lightness and floating quality in the tango. The lower percussion in particular may be weighing down the dancers feet.
*** Yes I think you're right.

In the places where the snare drum is carrying the rhythm, the pizzicatto basses (and /or cellos) may be able to do the job.
*** Yep!

I always try to picture my ensemble on stage. If I were in the audience I would wonder about the guys in the percussion section.
*** Would you wonder if they'd been in the pub too long before the gig?

+1 on the Gypsy Violin. You ahve learned how to "PLAY" it very well.
*** Thank you! It's taken almost a year to get to this point, so it's GREAT to hear that from you and Mazz!

Georgie

[fusilierb]

Listening to version 2 now. Wow! So much more defined in every way. If you do try a no percussion version, I'd like to hear it with no percussion up to the key change at 1:19. Feels like it's building up to that and no better place than a transition up the anty. Really, really nice improvement. I thought the first version was cool. I love the second.

Probably just me, but I'd have pizzed that last note over the the bartok slap in the low strings.
B

[georginasaint]

Thanks Bryan! So happy those changes have improved it so much!

>Probably just me, but I'd have pizzed that last note over the the bartok slap in the low strings. >
*** Dah! You are SO right - why didn't I see that?!!! Gonna make that change...

Thank you!

Georgie

[mazz]

Yeah, you have to be sure you don't pizz off the low string players.


OK to groan now!

[fusilierb]

Yeah, you have to be sure you don't pizz off the low string players.


OK to groan now!

ouch