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Description
This started out as an ambient piece. Then, I broke my own rule and added drums and other percussion. Taking Paul's advice (see below), it's now a Cinematic Soundtrack, although what I know about composing soundtracks is even less than I know about composing Ambient. So, it is what it is ... more or less ... ambient rock synth prog soundtrack, not very Ex_Silentio. Another in my continuing series of tunes dedicated to the animal world. This one is about zebras, although the music is in no way an attempt at an African-flavored composition.
I have heard that animals live very much in the moment --- things are either good --- right now --- or they aren't. This is unlike the human animal, for whom a funny look or a disparaging remark from another human can ruin the whole day. We brood and we ponder. An animal's mood can flip-flop in an instant. I imagine that a typical savannah herbivore undergoes this good-bad switch on a daily basis, from moments of lethargic contentment to moments of full-on racing heart adrenaline surges. I tried to represent this quality in the start-stop arrangement.
6 Zebra 2 tracks, 2 EXSP24 bass tracks, 1 Addictive Drums track, a few random perc tracks
Thanks for listening. I am always up for a good critiquing, by the way.
Backstory:
Another zebra day. Savannah sunrise. Windless. The only truly quiet time of day. The heat and flies will not be long in coming. Two mares leave the huddle, and trudge down to the watering hole. Their foals begin to follow, but can't resist stopping to clash in a mock dominance battle, then run aimlessly, jumping awkwardly away from imaginary predators. The awkwardness will not last another month. Reflexes are being imprinted, and smooth, hard muscle is starting to erase the foals' babyish appearance. An industrious parade of roller dung beetles gets their attention, but only momentarily. The foals are quick learners. The rest of the herd moves listlessly toward the watering hole. A rustling in the tall grass beneath a nearby canopy interrupts the herd stallion's long drink. Ears go up, snorting sounds erupt from the herd, which turns in unblinking unison to face the canopy. Even the foals know to turn, then freeze, fighting their urge to run. The stallion makes a threatening charge. A ragged hyena lopes off, long tongue lolling between fearsome canines. A loner, feeling not quite up to a confrontation. It's too early to hunt. The day wears on. The rains have provided lush thickets of grass to forage. A tawny brown shape meanders off in the distance, but the herd remains placid. A while later, a mare spots the lioness prowling nearer, who signals her intent with a crouch, ears flattened. No match for the interloper, the herd is in coherent motion, a response to unseen signals quickly transmitted throughout the herd, perhaps a gesture, perhaps a subtle sound. The foals are quickly flanked by two mares. The herd pounds away, their blood injected with that strangely exhilarating mix of terror and joy --- the joy that arises from the mere exercise of unbridled power and agility. The lioness, spent, gives up the chase. It was just a whim, after all. Towards evening, a light breeze moves through the acacias, ruffling the mohawk manes of the herd. A hawk rides an updraft, silhouetted against the red ball sun, dying on the horizon, rippled by rising waves of heat. The herd gathers again, content, safe. How long will it last? Another zebra day.
I have heard that animals live very much in the moment --- things are either good --- right now --- or they aren't. This is unlike the human animal, for whom a funny look or a disparaging remark from another human can ruin the whole day. We brood and we ponder. An animal's mood can flip-flop in an instant. I imagine that a typical savannah herbivore undergoes this good-bad switch on a daily basis, from moments of lethargic contentment to moments of full-on racing heart adrenaline surges. I tried to represent this quality in the start-stop arrangement.
6 Zebra 2 tracks, 2 EXSP24 bass tracks, 1 Addictive Drums track, a few random perc tracks
Thanks for listening. I am always up for a good critiquing, by the way.
Backstory:
Another zebra day. Savannah sunrise. Windless. The only truly quiet time of day. The heat and flies will not be long in coming. Two mares leave the huddle, and trudge down to the watering hole. Their foals begin to follow, but can't resist stopping to clash in a mock dominance battle, then run aimlessly, jumping awkwardly away from imaginary predators. The awkwardness will not last another month. Reflexes are being imprinted, and smooth, hard muscle is starting to erase the foals' babyish appearance. An industrious parade of roller dung beetles gets their attention, but only momentarily. The foals are quick learners. The rest of the herd moves listlessly toward the watering hole. A rustling in the tall grass beneath a nearby canopy interrupts the herd stallion's long drink. Ears go up, snorting sounds erupt from the herd, which turns in unblinking unison to face the canopy. Even the foals know to turn, then freeze, fighting their urge to run. The stallion makes a threatening charge. A ragged hyena lopes off, long tongue lolling between fearsome canines. A loner, feeling not quite up to a confrontation. It's too early to hunt. The day wears on. The rains have provided lush thickets of grass to forage. A tawny brown shape meanders off in the distance, but the herd remains placid. A while later, a mare spots the lioness prowling nearer, who signals her intent with a crouch, ears flattened. No match for the interloper, the herd is in coherent motion, a response to unseen signals quickly transmitted throughout the herd, perhaps a gesture, perhaps a subtle sound. The foals are quickly flanked by two mares. The herd pounds away, their blood injected with that strangely exhilarating mix of terror and joy --- the joy that arises from the mere exercise of unbridled power and agility. The lioness, spent, gives up the chase. It was just a whim, after all. Towards evening, a light breeze moves through the acacias, ruffling the mohawk manes of the herd. A hawk rides an updraft, silhouetted against the red ball sun, dying on the horizon, rippled by rising waves of heat. The herd gathers again, content, safe. How long will it last? Another zebra day.
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Reinholt56
This track is wonderful. I've only heard it one, as I write this, but I'm going to be listening to it many times during today.
It reminds me in some ways of Genesis and Van Gelis but with your sparkle and flare. The lead synth parts were to die for and the build up and quiet places were excellent.
As for genre. I don't know. It had Ambient elements and Rock elements, as you suggested, but something such as Cinematic Soundtrack or Filmscore, as it is trying to depict a specific theme (in your imagination). Doing this with the genre neatly sidesteps the musical genre, from one point of view.
All in all it was very professionally and tastefully done, playing, produciton and all.
Take care.
Paul