This sounds great &mdash 01/27/08 - 05:02:39 PM
Roxyleeeeeeeee &mdash 01/27/08 - 05:09:30 PM
Wow, such fast response! Thank you for listening and the feedback! OK, I'm heading in the right direction then. At least you're not tired of it yet :-) I need to stop listening to it now... I'm starting to hum it in my sleep.
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Central -South &mdash 01/27/08 - 05:15:48 PM
America? I think the music all stays in keeping...
I imagine a dance, partners to form a circle, circle and pause in the step; twirl -> and on...
I think I definitely like this more than the first
. - Harold [ Reply to This ]
Dance of the condor... &mdash 01/27/08 - 08:08:31 PM
Reading your descriptiion gave me an instant vision of a band playing this in a verdant mountain valley, and brightly colored dresses doing just the dance you outlined :-) I'm glad this sounds improved to you, I appreciate you lending time, an ear, and such imagination!
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Andes Off! &mdash 01/27/08 - 05:21:44 PM
Authnetic ..the insteruments set just true to its
music .the arragment more clearer .and it sound
so brighter .I loved this !! [ Reply to This ]
Feter the guitarist... &mdash 01/27/08 - 08:14:38 PM
Well, if I can sneak my note-by-note written guitar-strummed music past you and it sounds nice to you, then I'm getting better! I worked on "adjusting" the timing on some of the notes/strums to make the guitar part sound human-played. And I worked on the Charango (Bolivian Mandolin-like guitar) to sound more like their instruments sound. Thank you as always for listening and commenting Feter... you are a great help here!
ttfn,
"Draki" [ Reply to This ]
wonderful !!! &mdash 01/27/08 - 07:23:32 PM
This sounds more crisp and I noticed and loved the harmonies with the pan flute. Sounds more live to me than before. I would swear you were the guitarist and flutist live and in person. (maybe I was the dead one) You did a great job Eduard. Really no surprise considering your work record! Thanks for taking up for the birds and bringing attention to a needed reminder of how we take so much for granted.
[ Reply to This ]
championing big flying things... &mdash 01/28/08 - 09:57:19 AM
Thank you, as always, for stopping in to give me your thoughts Gail! I'm glad to know this is starting to have a live folky feel (I actually spent a lot of time going back and adjusting notes/volumes here and there to "roughen it up" a little.
The condors were breathtaking, I can understand why the native Indians saw them as the "ThunderBirds"... I'm glad I could capture some of the excitement of seeing them and share it with you! Bringing some attention to them has been a treat for me.
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Very nice! &mdash 01/27/08 - 08:24:10 PM
You not only added strumming, but you varied the rate. Very cool. This sounds so much better than the last one, and I liked that one. Great work, Drak!
Joe [ Reply to This ]
slow progress &mdash 01/28/08 - 10:45:19 AM
Hi Joe, thank you for comparing the progress and letting me know I'm faking the guitar-work better! Yes, I added a little bit of timing-sloppiness to some of the notes, made the up-down strumming a little more pronounced, and panned the two guitars apart so they don't blend and fight with each other so much (Paco and Pico are brothers, and don't get along well.)
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
I watched &mdash 01/27/08 - 09:02:01 PM
the video which is just unbelievable! The music is perfect-I really like the way you syncopated the bass.My daughter got me into birding-she has been obsessed since she was about 3(she is now 17)That's like the Holy Grail of bird watching!(Other than seeing an ivory billed woodpecker)Great music and video! [ Reply to This ]
Big Bird &mdash 01/28/08 - 11:06:09 AM
My wife and I are part-time birders (we only have 3 bird books :-) The golden eagle is my favorite bird, and I thought I'd seen it all when we videotaped a golden eagle on her nest in Utah several years ago... and I had just assumed I would never see condors in the wild, so this experience just blew the top off our bird-watching, and I love having captured it and sharing what we saw! Hopefully your daughter will enjoy the video too, they are giant prehistoric-looking birds. When one flew over my head about 15 feet above me, I could feel the air compression as he flapped his wings, you can hear some of that on the video. And I remember following the Ivory Billed woodpecker excitement a couple of years ago, but I'm not one for dragging my expensive equipment into the bayou :-)
Thank you for listening and commenting, Mark. I'm a big fan of your wonderful works too!
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Big improvement &mdash 01/27/08 - 09:12:22 PM
Yes, this is a lot better than the first version. This bass is an improvement over the original.
The whole thing still has a great care-free folksy outdoorsy quality that should be perfect for your video.
(Erm, the percussion is a bit timid. I would shake that egg a bit more assertively, for instance hitting a couple of 8th notes, instead of this 1-2-3-rest rhythm. Personally I would have played rest-2-&-rest-4-&. Or something like that.) [ Reply to This ]
Shaker booty &mdash 01/28/08 - 02:21:27 PM
Hey Victor, thank you again for your excellent suggestions on the first version, and on this one... glad to hear I'm getting it to sound "looser" and more lively (thanks to you, Alfalfa, and others for suggestions!) As for the percussion, it is buried in the background because I'm still terrible at writing rhythm sections... but I'll try altering it with your timing ideas, thanks! Perhaps with those changes, "Al" can be promoted up front with his shakers and sticks and be heard more... if he can't get it right though, we'll have to send Al Packing.
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
"Whipped this up..." &mdash 01/27/08 - 09:53:01 PM
Hmmm...
That's quite a "whippin'" thar, Mr. Dragon...
You made some really nice adjustments with this...it's crisp and clean; very much what the genre calls for. Fine work, man...beautiful images. [ Reply to This ]
and the images, planted in my brain, still remain... &mdash 01/28/08 - 02:54:42 PM
Thank you for listening patiently to each of my little baby steps toward learning to write music! Crisp and clean is definitely a quality I have always strived for in music, so that's great to hear! Now if only I could find some guitarist who would want to read the sheet music and record a live performance... hmmm...
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
My impression... &mdash 01/27/08 - 11:42:17 PM
...is that this is a "live" performance with all the cool feel of being "real" ... there is a sort of ambiance going on in the interplay of each instrument that gives this a very authentic feeling...and a comfortable one as well. Your meticulous care shows (but it doesn't show...that's the beauty). Nice.
Peace.
Paul [ Reply to This ]
the delicate balance &mdash 01/28/08 - 04:59:02 PM
Very helpful feedback here... I'm very happy to know that this is starting to feel "comfortably live-sounding", and not (as Henke often points out with my pieces) "Harmony-Assistant-sounding", that is, mechanically MIDI. I got a chance to spend a lot of time adjusting notes to help the flow... it's good to know that shows up! I appreciate your patient help with my slow education here.
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
right then &mdash 01/28/08 - 09:33:51 AM
yep... strings much more natural and is a brighter, airy feel. personally feel the percussion is ok...... longer please [ Reply to This ]
then... right! &mdash 01/28/08 - 09:30:33 PM
Wonderful to hear your opinion Jack... so the percussion is OK... but you want me to keep adding to this, huh? Well, I'll have to wait a bit... it's harvest season now down there, and Paco, Pico and Al have wandered back into the hills. I'll try to catch up with them in a couple months. In the mean time... do you want a slightly used Llama?
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
I like the changes &mdash 01/28/08 - 01:48:12 PM
The back and forth between the flutes and the guitar works really well. Also, the dual flutes. My initial reaction is that I like the original guitar sound better, but I need to listen to this one with the headphones after work to really hear whats going on. Now whenever I hear this peice or any similar theme, I will always think of those condors. [ Reply to This ]
Good helpful ears &mdash 01/29/08 - 03:45:30 PM
I was leaning toward completely re-doing the guitars, and getting more rhythmic strumming going, but that is still on my to-do list. Of course, having a real guitarist give me pointers, or even record a live bit over this... well, that would be really cool! (smirk) I still have ideas of making this longer with a new (different) section, but that's down the road a bit. Anyway, if you have suggestions for better guitar parts, I'm all ears, Stephen! :-)
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
love it &mdash 01/28/08 - 03:15:01 PM
sounds so nice Drak, it really evokes a vacation too. like you're somewhere completely unknown, but you feel right at home. everyone is friendly, and the food is great. love those turnouts up around BIg Sur. If only I could afford the price of a house there. [ Reply to This ]
nice place to visit &mdash 01/29/08 - 10:18:13 PM
Thanks for swooping in, Michael... glad it took you off to a good place... nice food and friends, sounds great to me! As for Big Sur, it is a wonderful place to visit, but I really prefer being closer to the corner store and work than that :-) And what if that was YOUR house that those condors all decided to congregate on that day... :-)
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
A terrific latin flav &mdash 01/29/08 - 05:41:16 PM
The other I heard had a nice feel to it to.
Great use of the bass I think and how it plays with the synth guitar and flute. Interesting really! Got a nice big sound as well out of this !
[ Reply to This ]
synth guitar... &mdash 02/01/08 - 11:06:01 PM
I always worry about my guitar stuff... I have some ideas to make the guitar parts more realistic, and hope to incorporate that into a final version of this. But I'm glad to hear the other bits are sounding good to you Bill, thanks for lending your ear!
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Condor Video &mdash 01/29/08 - 09:21:37 PM
Eduard, I heard the 1st version of this, I think, and I saw the video, during which I thought the music had become more organic and appropriate to the condors (I like the guitars, pan flute, chirpy-chirps, everything). Sounds just like this, actually, only I think that as you say, this is a faster tempo. For the purposes of the video, I like the slower tempo; it really brings out the melancholy, thinking of the condors' history.
Great, great work you are doing... [ Reply to This ]
P.S. &mdash 01/29/08 - 09:22:42 PM
Aww, what a nice dedication to your wife, under "software"--how cute! [ Reply to This ]
thank you! &mdash 01/29/08 - 10:26:12 PM
So nice of you to check in on this update and offer me your thoughts... very valuable. I agree, for the video, it is nice at the slower pace. But as more of a dance-like number, it may want to be a little peppier, so per Alfalfa's suggestion, I sped it up a bit. As you know I love to wallow in a bit of the slow, melancholy longing... but then I get all bouncy again and have to be more upbeat. Thank you for noticing the romantic wink to my wife... she is a great part of the music and video (she's the one in the purple sweater sitting at the end of the guard rail... Such an inspiration she is to me. You hear her in all my music :-) We dragons are hopeless eternal romantics.
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Loved it! &mdash 01/30/08 - 02:14:31 PM
I faved this two days ago but now returning to complete my listening expereince with a remark ;-)
Drak, this got to be one of your most entrancing pieces. Those strings just sucks you right in and and keeps you entranced... my imaginations of this song include a woman dancing into the spanish song with flowing skirt and all.. what a visual and aural delight.... I have a weakness of Spanish guitar or any of this genre.. must be my hispanic cultural heritage. But its the musician who makes it happen, and every element here including the flute are precisely in place!
Bravo. [ Reply to This ]
Hey, glad you're back &mdash 01/30/08 - 04:18:58 PM
I'm glad that this is just what the doctor ordered. Evoking imagery is my ultimate goal in music, so I'm happy to get those ladies swirling in your mind! I'm planning on doing an even better job with the guitars (Charangos) here in one last version. Thanks for following my stuff, and letting me know how I'm doing!
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Not only &mdash 01/31/08 - 01:19:59 PM
are you working in the right direction on this one, you have passed the final goal (without noticing, it seems) ;-) I liked the first version too, but of course this has audibly been much improved - even I can hear that! No Harmony Assistant thoughts while listening this time :-) Good work!
/Henke [ Reply to This ]
There is no finish line... :-) &mdash 01/31/08 - 01:55:15 PM
Hi Henrik... I am always glad to have your ear and thoughts on my pieces! This piece is growing on me, and I have a few more ideas coming in from our good friend Alfalfa who has been quietly helping greatly with an upcoming "Take 3" too! There is a mournful/romantic charm to the Bolivian folk music that has always hooked me. So, stay tuned for a really fun update... but don't hold your breath, as we have some house-remodeling to focus on first in the next couple of months! So... isn't it about time for a new one from you, anyway? :-)
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Ouch, &mdash 02/01/08 - 05:12:00 PM
You got me there ;-) It would be nice to get some music done, but I am just not inspired at the moment. Everyone else seem to have a snowfull of winter, but we have got none this season (possibly one day in November or so). Some narcisistic(?) flowers actually think it's spring already - and February is supposed to be the coldest month around here. Global warming or not - this is NOT nice!
Well, I haven't given up. Maybe there will be snow and maybe there will be some more Henke music... (Linnea actually made a CD-booklet for Dreams in Cerulean Blue as a school project. It was very nice, with texts from MJ and more...)
While waiting I'm looking forward to take 3 on this song!
Take care!
/Henrik [ Reply to This ]
Great Stuff &mdash 01/31/08 - 10:55:24 PM
I watched the video first to hear the piece in context and I really liked it. Now I've listened to it sans images and find it really stands well on its own. Very authentic South American feel. Thanks for sharing the music and the incredible video.:) [ Reply to This ]
Good to know! &mdash 02/01/08 - 07:54:32 AM
Thank you for listening in and out of context, that is helpful feedback! If it were simply movie background music, then I'd not be interested in working on it further (it still needs some help, I think.) Thank you also for checking out the video and commenting. Lets hope bird and man can do better together *this time*. History suggests otherwise... sigh.
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
mmm &mdash 02/01/08 - 06:40:20 PM
I like this take better because of the clarity, at least I recall that the music accompanying the video is less clear (still fits the vid and sounds lushes). I like the tranquility of this song, its gentle and soothing feel. And somewhat of a native american feel to it. Enjoyed! [ Reply to This ]
Marc my territory! &mdash 02/01/08 - 10:22:11 PM
Glad to have you relax in my corner of the world for a bit... good to hear from you again. Yes, I worked on making things sound more distinct in this version after the movie version. I have a few more ideas coming before I let this one rest. Native American... there are similarities between North and South American native music. Perhaps the Thunderbird (condor) carries the soul of music between the continents? Sounds like the beginning of a story could develop...
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
People Dancing in Some Exotic Garb &mdash 02/01/08 - 07:48:24 PM
I know I'm supposed to be seeing condors but I kept seeing people dancing in some step that's been passed down for generations, all of them wearing some exotic highly-colorful outfits. Well, ok, some condors flying around overhead. Yeah, that's it! Very pretty! [ Reply to This ]
Welcome to the dance &mdash 02/01/08 - 10:28:39 PM
Hey, if this gives you images of ageless folk dancers, I'm very happy with that... but if you want to see the condors for real, please check the link in the song description, I have a 10 minute Youtube video I shot of some really exciting condor footage. Glad to see you again Alan... uh, reverend, uh Silas!
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Real sweet &mdash 02/02/08 - 04:32:43 PM
& soothing ! A light feel to it Ilike the panflutes wouldn't mind more of them or perhaps that they could be in the foreground(louder)? Seems FUN experimenting !: ) : ) [ Reply to This ]
more pan flutes... &mdash 02/02/08 - 06:42:32 PM
Hi Lena, it is always good to have your happy words grace my music. I started with one pipe, and realized it needed two... so this version has two. I will try to make them stand out more, like you suggest... but the guitar players want to be heard too, and they get into a fight if I don't let them have their solos. Paco and Pico (the guitar players) tend to get feisty. :-) A new version is coming soon, I will work on the pan flute parts more, as well as the guitars (Charangos). Thank you for listening and for your ideas!
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
earth &mdash 02/05/08 - 06:00:21 AM
This is awesome, you have captured nature so well. I would like to get my music to flow like yours someday. It sounds alive. [ Reply to This ]
Rhythms of Mother Earth &mdash 02/05/08 - 08:11:39 AM
Hey Adrian, thank you for checking my music out... and thank you for the wonderful compliment! I am always trying to write music that "flows", so if you sensed that here, I must be doing something right! I did do a lot of work on the timing and even making teeny adjustments to certain individual notes to get it to feel like a "live" performance. Music, a lot of fun and a lot of work! ;-) Glad you have found Garageband and Macjams, and are sharing your stuff with us too!
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Andes Off ! &mdash 02/07/08 - 10:42:12 AM
Hello
thank you so much.
Magician of Music effects. Your brilliant.
More for my Ipod,
Thanks again
Dee
[ Reply to This ]
iPod iz YouPod &mdash 02/07/08 - 11:49:03 AM
Hi Dee, I consider one of my tunes being downloaded for repeat listening a SINCERE compliment, so thank you! And I appreciate you stopping by to listen to my music... I also have a video that goes along with this, related to some huge birds that almost went extinct but are making a comeback. Hope you enjoy some of my other stuff, and I'm glad you are finding other great music and people on Macjams.
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Beautiful!! &mdash 02/18/08 - 12:54:51 PM
Tango - cheek to cheek with a condor ;-)
the choice of instruments is beautiful and the soundscape is great. It's good that it is a little longer than the first part. [ Reply to This ]
Andreas, thanks again! &mdash 02/18/08 - 01:06:38 PM
Glad you tango-ed back to listen to the "better" version! Also, if you didn't see it, there is a link in the song description above to my "Youtube" video where I video-taped these gorgeous HUGE birds recently (that caused me to have to write this "movie background music) :-)
I am really enjoying your very talented works here on Macjams too! Danke!
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
i went on today.... &mdash 02/22/08 - 04:01:15 PM
....looking for some relaxing music....and this hits the spot...flutes will do that too me every time...and the guitar mixes well here too! nice [ Reply to This ]
Relax in that alpaca hammock &mdash 02/22/08 - 04:18:21 PM
and enjoy the Peruvian folk music wafting through the mountains. So glad to relax you Mark! I'll send you the video link for your weekend watching pleasure :) I'm still working on this piece, and hope to get some tweaks to improve the guitars even more soon.
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Loveliness! &mdash 05/14/08 - 04:01:26 PM
another world &mdash 05/14/08 - 04:45:59 PM
such a succinct and sweet sentiment... you made my whole night! Thank you for stopping in to listen... and I'm very glad to envelop you in the warm wings of music.
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Andes Off! (Take 2) by drakonis &mdash 05/27/08 - 06:21:10 PM
I scrolled back up and saw the great pics with the song! Wow! It instantly changed the 'meaning' of the song for me as I had envisioned it in my mind's eye. Just added a whole new depth! Anyhow . . . Pleasure to listen to, this is one of those songs that%u2019s so easy to play over and over and sit back and let the mind play a video to the music each time! Crisp, harmonious, and just right!
[ Reply to This ]
not the remake... &mdash 05/28/08 - 12:01:08 AM
so, now I'm all excited and curious to know what original movie was playing in your head, before you got diverted by condors? I love knowing if any imagery is invoked in the listener's head. Thank you so much for visiting and commenting on so many of my pieces of music (and my daughter's), it is very kind of you!
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
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