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Keywords:
jazz (370), new age (89), classical (369), acoustic (455), piano (590), solo piano (18), instrumental (408), Morning Whispers (7), keyboard (41), keyboards (34), Ivory (10), tobin (67), neoclassical (7), film (48)
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Description:
I am writing a series of commissioned pieces for solo piano and searched around for a piano plugin that would help inspire me. This song uses Ivory's Yamaha C7 Grand, a new grand piano sound module by Synthogy. The track highlights the use of Ivory's Sustained Resonant sounds in the first half; the clean keyboard and key noise of the hammers on the strings in the middle section. If you would like to hear the additional pieces I am writing using Ivory, please go to the Morning Whispers Project page on my website. the songs are meant to be solos in the New Age genre, music for healing and quite joy. Also, for a review of Ivory, please see the Ivory Review section of MacJams.com. (Artwork is my coloration of the 6th century woodcut, Discovering The Heavens.)
This is the third track of my solo piano CD "Morning Whispers" - available through Simig Media, iTunes and CDBaby.
Lyrics:
(You may need to turn the volume up a bit since solo piano is difficult to compress. Sounds best in headphones.)
Hardware:
Roland A-90 88-key controller; G4; LaCie Firewire 800 drive
Software:
GB; Ivory piano module by Synthogy
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that's some piano! &mdash 11/15/04 - 10:40:01 AM
i thought the yamaha c90 had a convincing piano sound.
that's pretty impressive! i'm curious to know how
expensive that piano module is... you have it working
directly through GB?
as for the song--it works for the genre. i used to love the
windham hill record label, and still like this kind of stuff
for chillin' on an autumn day. your performance and
composition are very effective! another great effort.
one thought: that last low note (last one of the piece)--it
sorta sneaks up on you at the end. i might just move it up
a half a beat so it sounds like it's more a part of the piece.
i thought it was a mistake at first. just one person's
opinion. [ Reply to This ]
that's some piano! &mdash 11/15/04 - 11:04:51 AM
That last note... actually, my first draft of the piece didn't have it in at all. But
as Suzanne was listening to it (a thousand times) over my shoulder, she
suggested that I "end" the piece with a resolution, since several other pieces
in this commissioned cycle don't have substantive harmonic resolutions. So I
delayed it for dramatic effect, to work with the other pieces in the cycle. I
kind of like it better this way. The Ivory module retails for $349. [ Reply to This ]
that's some piano! &mdash 11/15/04 - 12:40:34 PM
Very... &mdash 11/15/04 - 11:14:36 AM
...Beautiful. The single note repeating with chords and
other notes playing was wonderfully executed. I just love
it when it is only piano playing. Your pieces are very
inspiring. Thank you. [ Reply to This ]
Always an inspiration.... &mdash 11/15/04 - 11:37:22 AM
This is why you are the leader of the pack....long live art,
music, and the life we have to share. Thank you Tobin. [ Reply to This ]
childishly sweet &mdash 11/15/04 - 02:22:57 PM
I kept picturing the opening sequence of Mr. Rogers
Neighborhood. This has a such a tenderly sweet and
childlike playfulness. I really liked the first 2/3 of the song
and the way you returned to it in the last 1/4 of the song.
I liked the last low note, but could hear it echoed by a soft
higher octave chord - something to resonate the tender
qualities instead of that one low note. What a great piano
sound! And the dynamics in this are outstanding. Well
done!
Miss Chaos [ Reply to This ]
childishly sweet &mdash 01/27/05 - 07:31:28 AM
Thanks. "Playing" is always an aspect of joy for me, and playing is always
involving the child. My original version of this didn't have the last note... that
was Suzanne's idea. As always, she remains an inspiration. [ Reply to This ]
New York State of Mind... &mdash 11/15/04 - 05:29:21 PM
Wow. This piece is dripping with professionalism and
emotion. Well done T! [ Reply to This ]
What a rich sound!!! &mdash 11/15/04 - 05:56:59 PM
Brilliant sound here... your composition is wonderful (as
usual). Are you sharing this piano? LOL [ Reply to This ]
Where's the obligatory dance beat? &mdash 11/15/04 - 11:11:00 PM
Arrgh! I wish I knew more about chord arrangements. That first progression (about the first fifth of the piece) has some really interesting chord forms.
I like the transformation here. The first third of the piece seems to be mostly arpeggiated and the movement into the quieter, more melodic section is strengthened by that. The return to the arpeggio pattern is very subtle. I like that you didn't progress into a crescendo but rather let the melody do the work as the piece evolved toward the end.
The instrument does sound terrific. The panning of the keys truly enhances the illusion that this is a recording of a live piano. The only thing that keeps me from dropping an even higher score was the absence of a physical performance. Its fantastic writing and midi scripting, but that last ounce of expression just has to come from fingers on the keys! Looking forward to the remaining pieces... (10-8-9-9) [ Reply to This ]
Where's the obligatory dance beat? &mdash 11/16/04 - 07:28:22 AM
Thanks. I actually hear notes that are too fast, too slow, too soft, and wonder
if I should play it again, but want to move on to the next piece (and am afraid
the other good parts of the performance will be lost if I change something). I
played different versions of the song, some with many more tempo shifts,
and thought they sounded too sentimental, not as simply stated, which is
part of the charm of this version, I think. I tried to stick with the metronome
but fail throughout... I ended up ignoring downbeats and at least tried to
stick with quarter notes in most places. [ Reply to This ]
DANG! &mdash 11/15/04 - 11:31:47 PM
That is one heckuva' piano! I'm also curious to know how
much that puppie's gonna run.... although naturally, I'm
sure it will be much cheaper than buying the real thing.
OUTSTANDING performance! You're timing is perfection,
almost to a fault. I think I would've preferred minor dips in
speed every now and then, but what a minor request. [ Reply to This ]
DANG! &mdash 11/16/04 - 12:45:53 AM
DANG! &mdash 11/16/04 - 06:51:22 AM
I actually paid about $30 less by talking them down since I purchased it
before it was actually available and because of past purchases with Ilio.
Hopefully, in time, it will come a down a bit more... But it is much less than
the $6000 for the used Studio Yamaha I was looking at... [ Reply to This ]
Refreshing... &mdash 11/16/04 - 05:57:42 AM
What beauty you have created here. The muses have been
kind to you Sir. Inspiring.
Thank you.
And thank you for each and every note, especially the last
note!
Downloaded.
[ Reply to This ]
Refreshing... &mdash 11/16/04 - 06:05:26 AM
What beauty you have created here. The muses have been
kind to you Sir. Inspiring.
Thank you.
And thank you for each and every note, especially the last
note!
Downloaded.
[ Reply to This ]
ahhhh.... &mdash 11/16/04 - 07:21:53 AM
i need to get some incense and a nice bottle of wine and
lay back n chill to this mellow musical offering...a sure
tension remover.........if u make a cd of this music i'll
gladly pickone up...... [ Reply to This ]
ahhhh.... &mdash 11/22/04 - 08:11:13 AM
Windham Hill &mdash 11/16/04 - 09:17:06 AM
This sound is very realistic, especially the Sustained
Resonant portion of this track. I found the clean keyboard
and hammer noise section to be slightly less realistic, but
still better than most synthesized piano sounds out there.
As for the piece itself -- I liked the beginning material
very much but the tempo just seemed a bit fast, for my
tastes anyway. I would have liked to hear it lay back and
"breathe" more. Just my $.02 -- I hesitate to say anything
less than glowing about your compositions, because they
are excellent and you're a great musician!
I enjoyed the middle and ending sections, which sounded
a bit more flowing and contemplative.
There were a couple of spots where the repeated rapid
eighth-note figures actually sounded like one, long
sustained note, over my SoundStick speakers anyway. This
happened early on in the second section and again
towards the end.
I look forward now to listening to your other pieces in this
commissioned set of piano pieces. The "commissioner" is
in for a treat! [ Reply to This ]
Amazing! &mdash 11/17/04 - 02:13:48 PM
Being a solo piano composer, I know some good shit when I hear it!
Very interesting chord progression, what form is it? And is that more the result of the controller or effects in GB? [ Reply to This ]
Amazing! &mdash 11/17/04 - 06:28:07 PM
The effects used in this track are all Ivory effects, included in the AU. None
were GB. Not sure what you mean by "form" tho. I try to write music with my
ears and not a balance sheet, so I am not sure what the form of this piece is.
It follows the sense of many New Age pieces, tho, progression wise, and is
essentially A-B-A. If that helps. [ Reply to This ]
lovely &mdash 11/17/04 - 04:40:49 PM
I posted my comments to this song with your article on
the piano software. But I have to say again, it really is a
nice piece of music. You have a new fan. [ Reply to This ]
Progressive melodies &mdash 11/17/04 - 06:31:57 PM
I really respect how you utilize key changes. Your key changes become an aspect of your melody in this organized way that is masterful. Again, I am awed. [ Reply to This ]
Progressive melodies &mdash 01/27/05 - 07:47:35 AM
Thanks for noticing. Key changes have always been a thrilling part of an
arrangement to me, and so I have strived to incorporate them as aspects of
melody, of chords substitutions, of theme and variation. In this series of
piano pieces, I am try to use them to lift, as it the song always climbs. Again,
thanks for being so aware. [ Reply to This ]
Two Words... &mdash 11/17/04 - 09:42:35 PM
Joy and admiration. Wondeful music, maestro T.
Good luck with the rest your project. I'll keep an ear
out. :) [ Reply to This ]
Nothing To Hide Behind &mdash 11/18/04 - 05:14:17 PM
Bare piano perfection!
A truly brave and inspiring piece. Oh I envy you natural,
"real-time" musicians! There's an energy that flows
through your fingers that no cut-and-paste sequencer
could eve capture! [ Reply to This ]
Nothing To Hide Behind &mdash 11/18/04 - 05:19:39 PM
Bare piano perfection!
A truly brave and inspiring piece. Oh I envy you natural,
"real-time" musicians! There's an energy that flows
through your fingers that no cut-and-paste sequencer
could eve capture! [ Reply to This ]
Versatility verified &mdash 11/20/04 - 08:21:01 AM
New Age music grew out of the search for a spiritual sense of self and life amid the cold war corporate culture oppression of the 70s and 80s. Fresh air, unashamed inspiration of hymnal songbooks and the freedom of jazz influence harmonies. When I hear your music, although there are influences from many places apparent, it sounds like a timeless oasis all your own. You are able to carve out sounds from a place I had believed inexcessible. Thanks for helping me believe. [ Reply to This ]
Versatility verified &mdash 01/27/05 - 07:34:47 AM
Wow. Thanks. I'll try to keep going there. For me, that is my Eden. And I
don't want to lose it. [ Reply to This ]
Nice commision. &mdash 11/20/04 - 11:30:50 PM
Wow, just listened in order love them all, and that is an
amazing piano sound. You can really feel the strings and
the wood and I think it must even do some emulation of
the sympathetic vibration, it just feels very real. Very nice
to hear that much range being used too, the bass sounds
nice and thick and brassy - I actually think I like the first
one best, though I can understand why others might
gravitate toward the last one. The middle is very angular
and perfect for what it seems to be conveying. I guess I
just really dug the kind of push pull from more quartal
harmonies to more standard triad based and back and
forth. I guess you could think of it as constant suspension
- anyway me likey.
I can't think of anything really negative to say about these,
though, there is enough range in this that my poor little
HK iMac speakers couldn't quite handle it at full blast, but
that's not really your fault. [ Reply to This ]
Nice commision. &mdash 12/15/04 - 08:17:21 AM
Yes, of the first three, the first is my favorite too. That's why I decided to
name the project after it. Nice to have confirmation. Thanks! [ Reply to This ]
Impressive Playing &mdash 11/22/04 - 06:39:56 AM
After awhile the repeated note started to remind me of the
"3-handed" technique that performers/composers used to
use in the middle of the Romantic Period. The idea was to
create an impression that you had to have 3 hands to play
the piece. Very nicely done. I do agree that the tempo
sometimes seems to rob the piece of the contemplative
essence implied by the melody at times. I'd love to have
that module, but I think I need to get a good controller
first... [ Reply to This ]
Impressive Playing &mdash 12/15/04 - 08:19:47 AM
I've been listening to Chopin (and a few others) preparing for these songs.
The influence is thoroughly absorbed. Thanks for the comparison and careful
listening. [ Reply to This ]
Very relaxing, I needed that! &mdash 12/13/04 - 12:15:09 PM
I love your graphic, very nice!!
I really thought your tune was very relaxing and
imaginative. You sound like a pro!
thetiler [ Reply to This ]
Love your playing &mdash 01/03/05 - 05:06:00 PM
Great piece of music, soft and light and freely dynamic,
The 'artwork' I saw a long time ago on the inner sleeve of
"Cosmic Wheels" by Donavan.
Great Playing Though. [ Reply to This ]
Love your playing &mdash 01/27/05 - 07:23:11 AM
Sometimes music is like a language &mdash 01/05/05 - 10:23:40 AM
that you recognize, a native tongue in a foreign land,
comforting, like a voice from long ago: your mother's,
your father's, God's.
Sometimes music is like that, and you remember, and you
are healed!
Thanks for this. [ Reply to This ]
Sometimes music is like a language &mdash 01/27/05 - 08:05:43 AM
Yes, I know exactly what you mean. And sister's, added to this list. Thank
you. [ Reply to This ]
Wondrous &mdash 01/08/05 - 02:05:22 AM
This piece is illumination and discovery, joy and
rejuvenation. The thrill of a musical journey as each note,
like eager footfalls, leads the listener to a wondrous vista
at its end.
Thank you so much for sharing your talent :) [ Reply to This ]
Wondrous &mdash 01/27/05 - 08:11:25 AM
Yes, eager footfalls. That was, partly, what was in my mind. And the title, that
this eagerness made me feel just above the ground, like the couple that
kissed and floated into the air at the end of So Long And Thanks Form All The
Fish (Douglas Adams). Thank you. [ Reply to This ]
the vocals are too low &mdash 01/11/05 - 06:03:52 PM
and the drums were getting burried. just playing, very smooooooth, the emotion in that piece is addicting. [ Reply to This ]
For a song without lyrics.... &mdash 04/26/05 - 07:06:47 AM
...this says volumes, and is is deceptively contagious. I
had thought it would be another repetitious new age
piano song but you begin by subtle changes to your
melody and then transformed the lines into something
wondrous. Like doors opening to new dimensions, the
way you carefully yet surprisingly add just a few changes
here and there, and lift and lift, as if floating on wind...
breathtaking. [ Reply to This ]
For a song without lyrics.... &mdash 04/26/05 - 07:17:13 AM
...this says volumes, and is is deceptively contagious. I
had thought it would be another repetitious new age
piano song but you begin by subtle changes to your
melody and then transformed the lines into something
wondrous. Like doors opening to new dimensions, the
way you carefully yet surprisingly add just a few changes
here and there, and lift and lift, as if floating on wind...
breathtaking. [ Reply to This ]
For a song without lyrics.... &mdash 11/11/05 - 07:58:43 AM
Funny you mention the new dimensions, as this is something I feel when
playing. Thanks for cheerleading as I step thru... [ Reply to This ]
Very nice &mdash 11/08/05 - 11:28:02 AM
I like the minimilistic approach to the repeating note. The sound module sounds great. Your feel around the dynamics of this composition are really nice. i like your use of retards in transitioning to new sections. [ Reply to This ]
A composition of rare beauty &mdash 12/26/05 - 05:56:17 PM
Tobin,
I will perhaps be able to say more after letting your song wash over me a few dozen times through my iPod earphones, but for now, I'l just say that the arpeggios remind me of the saying that the piano is a sideways harp.
I personally like the uptempo speed of this piece. It makes it stand out from all the other contemplative piano music one can hear.
Let us know if you ever plan on publishing sheet music for any of your music.
Jon
www.jonswerens.com [ Reply to This ]
beautiful &mdash 02/10/07 - 03:53:14 PM
I love the rythymic texture you give it. There's a serene flow and cool melody. The break in the middle was mesmerizing. Can I ask if you played this live? it has such vibrant ontinuity and pace. Brazo [ Reply to This ]
Great piece &mdash 06/29/07 - 02:15:25 PM
Just a quick comment to say I discovered this because it started 'auto-playing' on the forum thread on how to get the MacJams player into your profile page. For the longest time I couldn't figure out what was causing the music to play, or whose it was, but I couldn't ignore it, it was so captivating. Really, really good work here. It's a bit like a new age version of the G major cello suite prelude by JSB, and in fact made me want to try something like this too.
Great piece here, Tobin. [ Reply to This ]
Pursuit &mdash 07/02/07 - 04:06:13 PM
Yes, a definite Bach (and Chopin) influence. Really appreaciate you pursing the music to its source and letting it inspire you to do something yourself. Thanks for that. [ Reply to This ]
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that's pretty impressive! i'm curious to know how
expensive that piano module is... you have it working
directly through GB?
as for the song--it works for the genre. i used to love the
windham hill record label, and still like this kind of stuff
for chillin' on an autumn day. your performance and
composition are very effective! another great effort.
one thought: that last low note (last one of the piece)--it
sorta sneaks up on you at the end. i might just move it up
a half a beat so it sounds like it's more a part of the piece.
i thought it was a mistake at first. just one person's
opinion.
[ Reply to This ]