Dinner Bell by guitapick
Genre: Fingerstyle Guitar
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Keywords:
mother (37), dinner (7), bell (13)
Description:
Dedicated, with all the love in the world, to my mother.
I will always answer
the call
of the dinner bell.
I first started this piece long ago. Nothing particular in mind. Just liked the basic melody.
Kept the tune up on the shelf for quite a while. Recently revisited it and was very taken. For some reason it reminded me of when my mom would ring the dinner bell from the porch, and we'd come running (whether we wanted to or not) (usually wanted) home to a great meal. Didn't matter how far away in the woods or fields we were. That bell rang loud and true.
So I played with the original tune a very little bit and added a second part which "rhymed" with the first. Like two separate periods in my life, talking to one another.
© Bob Prince 2008
I will always answer
the call
of the dinner bell.
I first started this piece long ago. Nothing particular in mind. Just liked the basic melody.
Kept the tune up on the shelf for quite a while. Recently revisited it and was very taken. For some reason it reminded me of when my mom would ring the dinner bell from the porch, and we'd come running (whether we wanted to or not) (usually wanted) home to a great meal. Didn't matter how far away in the woods or fields we were. That bell rang loud and true.
So I played with the original tune a very little bit and added a second part which "rhymed" with the first. Like two separate periods in my life, talking to one another.
© Bob Prince 2008
Hardware:
Fernandez Classical GuitarRode NT3 condensor mic
M-Audio Firewire 410 Interface
800 MHz PowerPC G4 (swivel screen)
Software:
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fantastic. yngwie meets page, meets howe, with a touch of blackmoore. nah, it's all you, bro. this is wonderful. any plans on vocals? lyrics?
this one deserves some acompanyment (sp)
Allen
guitapick
...I can definitely hear those guys shredding to this tune, Allen.
In fact, maybe you'd like to take YOUR metallic hands to this li'l baby?
Hmmm...:
"Hey, Mom! Check this out! Happy Mother's Day!!!"
Thanks for the listen and kind words...no lyrics in mind, at this point...
Ibstrat
playing of beautiful piece.For a second I thought it was an overdub- you separated the parts so well.Very nice recording.Did you write this out or just memorize it?My only complaint- I wish it was longer!
guitapick
I'll be writing it out soon. Paul's asked me for the chords, so I may as well do the whole thing. I'm a lazy writer... though I do know how.
I've always practiced right hand technique with both arpeggios and scales. Gives a lot of slants to the music and, as you said, separates the parts nicely.
Have to say, though, that I don't turn my nose up to editing. Had a good friend who was a famous violinist, since passed on. Though said with some regret (he was a very wise man), his motto: They don't have to listen to the same mistake, over and over again, in a live performance.
I did a few edits in this...but the separation wasn't really affected by them. Tonal shifts and variations were there all along. More a problem with some "lost" notes. I'm hoping, some day, to be able to practice as much as I used to so I can "find" those notes, again.
;)
paul f. page
Bob, What a sweet little melody and nice arppegiation for accompaniment. This is just a delightful listen that's very pure, simple, direct. The "less is more" deal just works perfectly here.
Peace.
Paul
guitapick
...you know how much I enjoy hearing from you...
I probably could have added more to this, but the bell really wasn't rung very long, either. And, if it was...well, that meant I was in for some trouble when I got back home. Not too much into looking nostalgically back at that, you know...
Feter
Man how powerfull ..and peacefull ...amazing pickin
my freind .this time the tone of the guitar more back
and relax and not much effects to it .its deffinetly
one of your never ending gems thnx alot what a great
dedication song !!
guitapick
...effects are cool...but this one definitely doesn't need them. Glad you liked the piece.
lengold
just so lovely Bob - I could have listened to a lot more of it.
Cheers
Len
guitapick
...for the drop by and listen...the kind words are much appreciated.
DWL
A lovely melody and beautifully played.
A great sound as well.
Cheers
Dick
guitapick
...that's just sounded better and better through the years (decades)....glad you like it, too.
chipan
Very soothing, beautiful piece, Bob. Your guitar playing is so nice to listen to. I agree with the comment about wishing it were longer.
chip
guitapick
...it ain't!
(Longer that is)...
;)
I'm truly kidding (not the insulting kind of "kidding")
I can definitely imagine extending this tune...but I really wanted it to be short and sweet. Like the sound of the bell. Maybe someday I'll come back to it again and add on....like I did this time.
Hmmm....
Thank you...
mowguy3
tone with some fantastic playing. As I read the discription, I to went back in time for a moment. Thanks for the music. Thanks for letting me take it with me.
Take Care, Russ
guitapick
...my name's Bob. Thanks so much for the listen and for posting such a beautiful song as "Away" is...
... on its own here really fine. Not too short as I guess, maybe we're feeling this because of the beauty, the feelings and the whole composition. This is truly a magnificent piece of work. Elegant picking and wonderful dedication. Thanks for sharing this special work... Well Done!
Take Care
- Yeman A. Al-Rawi
guitapick
...thanks so much. Means everything to me...
Roxylee
and reading the story behind it brought tears to my eyes, thinking about the sweetness of consistency of something as simple as a dinner bell, and how we are losing things like this, due to family life being so scattered these days. Your guitar playing is lovely, and the extra piece compliments it so well! Thank you for dusting this one off for us and for the story behind it. :-)
guitapick
...is a wonderful person. I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful childhood from both her and my dad (I'm writing a piano piece for him). We're doing our best to give that to our daughter, too. One of the many reasons I've loved teaching...the time spent at home.
Thanks, Roxy. The piece means a lot to me, too...as does your sharing your thoughts and feelings, here.
Bob
tokai
beautiful and melodic. Played so well and with such a feeling. Super ace.
guitapick
...I shall now venture forth into your sphere...
...ooohhhh, yeah...them's monsters, alright...cool changes..."I say".
J.A.Stewart
but someone has to do it. Raising us (you ALL know who I mean) is a real chore. We don't fully appreciate the extent of it until we have our own.
How much love is invested in the process?... inestimable.
This simple, lovely piece reflects the warmth and elegance of a mother's love and invites the listener to ponder the *belle* behind that dinner bell.
Very nice work, my friend. ;)
--- Joe
guitapick
...and "yep", again...
Thanks, Joe...
ziti
this is one of your finest....really quite perfect. you play with a sweet sadness here....very moving.
deepest of bows to you my friend...loved every second.
z
guitapick
...HEY!!!
.....HEY!!!!!
Can't think of anything witty to say...
so: Thanks, Fran
SJB
This is truley outstanding playing Bob. Ibstrat mentioned the how well seperated the lines are - that's so hard to do yet you get the melody strings singing out so pure against the bass. The tune itself is beautiful and the qulaity of the recorded sound is amazing in my headphones. I really enjoyed this - can you check the shelf again to see if you've anymore like this hiding up there!
best wishes
Steve
SJB
I meant to ask how your NT3 handles steel strung guitars. I've listened to a good few of your brilliant posts but didn't find an example of a steel stung guitar - have you recorded one and if so what would you recomend it for that application? I've got the cheaper NT1a which is good value for the money but maybe a bit bright on steel strings.
Thanks
Steve
guitapick
...I'm very into your playing. Glad you like the tune.
Actually...this is one of 3 that I recently "dusted off". And there's a whole lot more where they came from. I'm a collector...
:)
guitapick
...the NT3 is a great mic for both recording and performance. I love it. Funny, though...your NT1's got too much treble and, for my taste, the NT3 has too much bass. Having to roll the bass down when I use it either live or in the studio...but I really don't mind that. Just something that must be done.
The higher priced models have a bass rolloff switch. Fancy that...
;)
I love the way it records steelstring guits. Here's my Martin OM-21:
http://www.macjams.com/song/36424
And here's my National Radiotone resophonic guitar:
http://www.macjams.com/song/41019
Both using the NT3...
It's a very nice mic...jiguma uses it, as does coriander, I believe.
Scott Carmichael
not only is this a wonderful composition, played with finese and heart... but I remember when you first arrived, you were posting things you'd done in a studio... and now you've crossed over into that "do it at home" crowd... and that's where you belong... this sounds incredible...
yea! Bob & Yea! RodeNT3
guitapick
...how u? You in on the new stadium?
It's really something, learning to record. I love it. Thanks so much to you and many others here.I'm going to get the stuff pro mastered, though. Want to be sure the collection/cd comes out top notch. I know nothing about mastering.
And yeah: the Rode NT3 is a great, great mic...
Thanks for the drop-by, Scott. You're a class act...
drakonis
What a beautiful first tune, simple, clear, sweet... then it "grows up and matures" with a bit of jazzy uniqueness... I can see you as an adult, looking back on those childhood years here. There's a bit of wistful longing in it. What a wonderful dedication for mother's day. I don't see a need for anything extra here, it is just beautifully all YOU. Where's that Insta-Fave button?
ttfn,
Drakonis
guitapick
That's pretty much it, in a nutshell...thanks, Eduard...very much...
Bowman
and most everyone on this Bob. This feels so true and direct. I"m so glad I checked in and found this wonderful gem.
Charlie
guitapick
...looking forward to listening to your latest...
cchaplin
I love the very subtle shifts here and there.
guitapick
...there's a lot going on for such a short piece. I was surprised how tough it was to really get it under my fingers (both hands), at first...took awhile to feel comfy enough to record...
magnatone
Your skill on that classical guitar is incredible. This is so lovely, and with the addition of the dedication to your mom, becomes poignant and heartfelt also. I don't know HOW you get those perfect sounds out of your guitar, but you do!
guitapick
...from an excellent artist and musician. Thanks so much.
Flyinghorse
Just wonderful!
Thank you
:-)
guitapick
...I just checked out your website. Very, very, very cool...
I'm pleased that you liked the piece. Thank you...
gail60
Gorgeous, Gorgeous...did I mention gorgeous? Bob, what a fitting tribute to your mother. I know she is so proud of her multi-talented son. This is so beautiful, heartfelt and tender. As always, I just loved it. Thanks for sharing the love. Wonderful job.
guitapick
Thanks, Gail...
I'm the middle son...so it's not so easy to make my mother proud...
"We try harder"...
I never realized how much she really loved me 'till I had my own...
davisamerica
another beauty man .. your mom should be pleased ... excellent work as always my friend
guitapick
I'm looking forward to playing it for her....thanks, davis...
kristyjo
I don't show up here for a couple of weeks at a time, lately, but when I do, I always feel very fortunate to have come when I did. This is a really beautiful tribute to your mom, and we are all very lucky to have been let into this sweet story. Just a wonderful listen. Really, just a great, relaxing, yet poignant piece. DL & F
guitapick
...haven't been around as much lately, either...great to hear from you and looking forward to your next piece...thanks much for the very kind words.
Vic Holman
very articulate and clean. a beauty of a melody too.
I can imaging you holding your breathe while playing this. I know I was, just to hear each note.
guitapick
...that's why it's so short...
;)
I'm going over to your house right about now to see what's cookin' there...
Bob Its sounds wonderful. Your a Wonderful Guy. I can hear !!
Your Mother should indeed feel extremely proud of you her son
.And I am sure she does. And this tells me that you are indeed of your beautiful Mother.
I could also hear all the love you put into this wonderful sounding guitar.
thank you. I have also downloaded it on to my Ipod now too.
Peace Dee
guitapick
...I'm happy that you'd listen to my music and take the time out to say such nice things...
...now, if they WEREN'T such nice comments (aka: "this is garbage"), I don't think I'd be quite as happy...
jiguma
Great tones and lovely playing.
Neil
guitapick
...cool avatar...love the bass and the beard...
Years from now, someone might read this and you'll have a picture of a rubber duckie up there...
"What's he talking about..."?
jiguma
It's already happened Bob!
:)
guitapick
You've still got a beard...
Tadashi Togawa
This is beauty.
The beauty of the sound is the world commonness.
This is so wonderful.
guitapick
...I hope the sun is shining or the rain is falling gently in your world, right now...your poetry is always welcome in my world.
echoroom
I always get embarrased listening to you - as a quantize/cut n paste jockey, I feel kinda awed when i hear real musicians .... you are the real deal Bob. Wonderful playing, fab melodies.
steve
guitapick
~
The guitar's been one of my passions for a long time, Steve. When we apply ourselves to something we love...
I recognize voice and composition as two of your passions. I'm working on my voice to get that kind of fluidity and expression that you have. You've got a great voice and I love your songs.
Thanks for the visit, Steve...
Dj French Toast
Funny enough my mom used to ring an old cowbell to call me and my sis in for dinner . It was so embarrassing then but is a great memory to me now . Sweet tune man !
guitapick
...if I was with anyone other than brother/friends, it could be pretty embarrassing...and sometimes we were just having so much fun...but it's a big part of who I am, today. Such a small thing...so huge.
talented, Bob. I am just glad to have the opportunity to hear your music.... This is gorgeous, simply so fine.
Jack
guitapick
...not to be cliche; but I'm glad to have the opportunity to play the music for you folks to hear. And I always enjoy listening to yours...
Please pass on my happy mother's day wishes to your wife...
dirigent
When this bell rings, I'll hurry to come at once - What a beautiful piece of music, enchanting and magic atmosphere, so very well played. Bravissimo!!!
guitapick
...and please keep posting here. Your music is wonderful...
Ed Hannifin
We don't USE it very often...I think the neighbors wouldn't love that...but when boy and dog are on the far side of the field, they always hear the bell, and it's sort of fun to respond to it, so they do...
Lovely composition, Bob. Pretty and sweet without being glorpy. Stands on its own two feet. Sits up straight. Doesn't talk with its mouth full...
Nicely played and recorded, too. At first I thought I was getting distortion, but it turned out to be the MacJams player. Switched to Quicktime and it was clean, clear and gorgeous...
Ed
guitapick
I would'nt think of speaking with my mouth full of glorp, Ed...
I always have to roll off some bass when I eq this guitar. Otherwise the bass is too boomy and will distort. The NT3 seems to be built more for violins and instruments of that range...though it's a great mic and I don't mind making the necessary adjustments. Maybe some day I can train it to fetch my slippers...
Interesting about the two playback mechanisms. Wonder what that's about...
Thanks for the listen.
egobandit
Im shure your mom loves this what can I say just great!~
guitapick
...she's actually completely computer illiterate, about 300 miles away, and was enroute, home, from the Outer Banks all yesterday. Should have thought to send her a cd...doh!
Thanks for the idea...
Monkaton
A very nice song and played extremely well.
Nicely recorded too.
I think They Might Be Giants has a song called "Dinner Bell" too, but it's a little bit different.
guitapick
...great, great band; They Might Be Giants...I'd like to hear that tune...
Char
In simplicity. How perfect a piece, in every way. Thank you for sharing. My friend found you and alerted me. :)
guitapick
Thanks to both you and your friend.
Welcome to MacJams...you might consider posting some of your poetry at some point...
buckhorn
Always come up with some interesting and original compositions, not to mention great playing technique. Good one.
guitapick
...I'm very taken with your avatar. Reminds me of many places I've been. Did you take that shot? Where is it?
...I'm so late Bob. Just back from vacation.
Wonderful Mother's Day post!
Man this is good. I pretty much fake it as a guitarist. You are the real deal my friend...LOVE IT!
Be well!
guitapick
...should know better than to take a vacation when I put up a tune, Micheal...
;)
Hope you had fun. Glad you like the piece...
I had a nice rest thank you...And I got some recording done for a couple of collabs. Yardwork, family and music...I've got it made!
thoddi
This makes me want to buy a nylon stringed classical guitar... What beauty you are able to send to us through your guitar. You are such a great musician. Every touch on the strings are delivered with great gusto and you play very confident.
The recording sounds brilliant at my end.
Very, very good!!!
guitapick
Your latest rocks...
mvh9591
This is a wonderful song. Not much more I can say except thank you for sharing.
mvh : )
guitapick
...and thank you...
bud
beautifully played and excellently recorded. I thought mom's only rang that bell in the movies - what a charmed childhood memory.
guitapick
...I had a black and white childhood, Kevin...
Lassie...
:)
The memories are real and vivid as though it was 2 weeks ago...
...glad you liked the piece, man. And thanks for noticing the production...I've done a lot of work on that, the past year.
dajama
is outstanding, and it's a wonderful tune to boot. I love the sound of the guitar, and the arrangement is great. Great sentiment behind it, too. Very impressive piece of music from a talented dude! Nicely done. Peace.
guitapick
...one of 4 that I've recorded in the last couple of weeks. I like the sound of the guitar, too...lots of nice colors and shades...
Thank for taking the time...
rsorensen
wow this is really something else. so good! what a wonderful sound you have. .i'm so glad you didn't add a ringing bell ;)
guitapick
...a clanging bell with the shrill sound of an irate mother's voice, screaming out,
"If you don't haul yourselves home right NOW, I'm gonna tan your butts!!!!"
Thought better of it, though, at the last minute...and just threw the harmonics in as a bone, instead.
Warren Smith
This mellow mood piece got me to recollecting how we kids were called in for dinner. It wasn't by a bell, I knew that, but I was having a hard time remembering how it happened. Then it hit me: when we were playing outside and it was time to be summoned for supper, my Dad would step out the back door, put two fingers in his mouth and blast out a shrill whistle which carried through the neighborhood. Obviously, I hadn't thought about that for years : >
Nicely played - with deft little nuanced painterly touches here and there.
Yes, it could be cheesy, but I really expected to hear a dinner bell with Mom yelling "Come and get it!" at the end.
guitapick
...but not what I had planned, either. I actually think the bell/voice could sound really sweet. I opted to leave it as a full guitar solo, though, which could be played in performance. Had thought about leaving it out althogether (worried about the cheese)...but it's my tune and I'll do what I WANT with it!!!
Glad I could stir up some memories, there, Warren...
Bob
lavalamp
I wish I could play like this..........
LL
guitapick
...I know how you feel...
stratcat
Sweet tone and great style. The recording quality is top notch. Great chops, chord voicings are perfert. Thanks GP
guitapick
...glad you liked it...
Macaudion
I'm a little late, but at the time that this was posted, I was some 3000 miles away visiting my mother. (I expect that she doesn't have much more time here) That makes this tune all that much more special to me, Bob. This is a beautiful dedication to your ma, for which, if it hadn't been for her, and all the rest of the mothers represented here, we wouldn't be able to receive this wonderful gift. So thank you, this was a very special treat!
Macca
guitapick
...we're in the same camp, Macca. Sweet sadness. Very nice of you to say those things...wish I lived closer to my mom...hope it was a nice visit for you...always nice to hear from you.
Elevator_Funk
I can't believe I missed this when it came out. Everybody else already has such nice things to say, so all I can say is I agree with ALL of the above complements. Thanks for posting it.
guitapick
...you'll have to pay a latecomer's admission fee, now.
Sorry about that...club rules and all. I'm sure you'll understand...
kingbee
Don't think it needs vocals.
It's a beautiful piece of music just on it's own.
Just the right length to convey the emotion and thought behind it.
Thank you
guitapick
...vox don't come easy to me, anyway...I'm happy with this. Glad you are, too. Thanks.
Bob
Rebsie
Blimey Bob, this is absolutely beautiful. Immaculate playing and crisp production values but still loaded with emotional power and subtlety.
Just gorgeous.
guitapick
...I see you've got a new one just up. I shall have to hop on my horsie and gallop on over...
BossHook
I am late to your fingerstyle party but Holy Bat Talons, that's some nice tone you got!
jpfeiff
Very nice melody, and the playing and production are outstanding!
12parsecs
brilliant piece of writing. well played. scratch that... VERY well played.
what's more, is you can really enjoy this composition because the production is flawless. the NT3 is a great mic, but it takes a great engineer to mic an acoustic guitar that well. nice placement, nice compression, tasty little plate reverb. dood, you should be proud!
guitapick
...checked out your music and loved it.
As far as the production: I've put a lot of time and effort in the past year, learning how to record myself. The compliment it very appreciated.
Lots of experimenting with mic placement/angle. Changes in different situations. The eq is very important, too, as you really have to roll off a lot of bass for this guitar/mic combo...and, yes, I love the reverb...not too much...but it's a nice complement to the guitar. Compression, however, I, personally, do not use for acoustics. On my electric, yes...but I like to leave the compression off of the hollow ones...find that it fattens the tone a bit, for my taste. And that really IS for my taste. I've got some friends who can play like nobody's business...and they love to use compression.
Appreciate the visit, hombre...
Cadman
Lovely composition - performed very well. Great feeling of contentment recalled.
That stuff that's been on the shelf for a few years and still sounds OK when you dust it off, always worth posting up, isn't it :-)?
More of it if you've got it, please.......