MacJams.com - Song: Tsunami by kassia

Garni	Garni said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	Wonderful In amongst the variety of playing here, which I enjoy btw, I find it has an enlightened hope here that many of the victims need so desperately. Beautiful and touching work Shay G-) Check out my latest song called Break Me

kassia	kassia said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	Garni Nice to see you! Thank you for listening and sharing your thoughts. You're right, there's definitely some hopefulness in the song - and it's definitely needed. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

alackbass

alackbass said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)

Tsunami
I love the first theme. Beautiful and haunting.

On first listen I was struck by the way you establish the second theme quite clearly (1:36). Then as you restate the theme it becomes ever so slightly obscured by clusters of notes, some of which are dissonant (2:00 on) and rising dynamics. That really conjured the image of violent turmoil caused by the earthquake and tsunami. It's never too dissonant. Just enough to help capture a mood. The dissonant notes captured the image of rubble and chaos without ever becoming unmusical.

Dynamically you do a very effective job of evoking the quite normality before, the violence of the earthquake and tsunami, followed by the quiet in the aftermath.

Why would you think this is an icky blob? I would say it's an excellent example of imagery of sound.

Check out my latest song called Just Ain't Worth a Song (2 Track)

kassia	kassia said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	Andrew after weeks of working on this, I started hearing just a mass of notes and totally lost my perspective. that's why I love MJ - can always come here for great feedback. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and for listening. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

gail60

gail60 said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)

yes you are insane....
If you think that there is even a slight chance that any of your creations could be considered a big icky blob...This is wonderful Shay. So much emotion here and perfect for the topic. You have tons of talent ma'am and I am honored to get to listen to it. Thank you for using your gifts so perfectly. Very enjoyable as always. :)

Check out my latest song called Ed - Forever in our hearts

kassia	kassia said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	gail lol...maybe icky blob was a bit over the top, but I really had no idea if the middle section would appeal to anyone but myself. I appreciate your kind words and ongoing support. thank you! Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

Outtaorbit	Outtaorbit said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	Wonderful blob...... Subtle beauty..... Check out my latest song called Strange World

kassia	kassia said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	orbit if you call pounding on a piano until your hands hurt subtle, then yes. :-D thanks for coming by rocketman. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

michaeljayklein	michaeljayklein said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	Tsunami Well, it did not conjure up an image of a tidal wave and your bass is a bit sloppy here and there (you are aware of that I'm sure), but on it's own it's a very nice piece, but I'd name it someting else, yanno? Check out my latest song called Old Man Mose is Dead

kassia	kassia said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	michael you're right, it's definitely not a finished piece. mostly I needed to hear what people's thoughts were before I go forward with it, so thank you for sharing yours. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

Char

Char said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)

You tell a story.
Something monumental sweeps away the calm and relentlessly establishes itself, for a time. Then, there is perhaps sadness but resolve to move forward. Far from being any kind of mess. This would work for the turmoil caused by a death or a loss and it has a quiet strength that balances the disruptive elements in the middle. Thanks. A mature work for one so young. Thanks.

Check out my latest song called The Sea

kassia	kassia said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	char thank you very much lady friend. i almost always wrap pieces up with an ending to mimic the beginning, not ever really leaving the listener in the midst of the intensity of the middle. a habit of mine I guess. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

magnatone	magnatone said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	tsunami icky blob - are you serious? this is very cool, and if i don't think there's too much dissonance in here, then we all know there can't possibly be, since i'm dissonance-phobic. some beautiful and powerful themes - very cool shay! Check out my latest song called Blind Love (Seeing Heart) - Orchestral Version

kassia	kassia said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	karen hmmm...not sure I believe you that you think this is cool. ;-) i did a little bit of pounding, though, so maybe it all balances out in the end. lol...thank you for listening and saying nice things. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

ShadowofNine	ShadowofNine said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	Blob No More Not Bloby at all, it has an appeal, much like an improv piece would appeal to those who like on the spot creation, which I do..I enjoyed (as I always do) your work Shay... Check out my latest song called A Sad Goodbye (Julia's Song)

kassia	kassia said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	shadow thank you very much dave. i appreciate all your support and encouragement - glad you enjoyed this. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

Jarvoid	Jarvoid said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	Actually I love pounding on a piano.....hmmm now that I read that back I realise how bad it looks ....you know what I mean....strong piece ,many themes and nice nuabces. Cheers Jarvo Check out my latest song called Cripple Creek Revised........By Jarvoid and the Banjo Bedraggled Manic Mandolin Accordion Squeezers

ted23	ted23 said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	..... :p Check out my latest song called Living Dead Love Song in Z minor (HALLOWEEN 2012)

kassia	kassia said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	chris your typing skills amuse me almost as much as what you have to say. lol...thank you for listening and sharing your thoughts. always appreciated! (you will be happy to know that Mango has already caught many frogs to celebrate Spring). Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

Jarvoid	Jarvoid said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	AAAAAAAAAhhh.... NuanCes....nuanCes....not new abcesses.....geeeez I type about as well as I play music ,sheesh !! Check out my latest song called Cripple Creek Revised........By Jarvoid and the Banjo Bedraggled Manic Mandolin Accordion Squeezers

papag	papag said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	Aftermath This sounds like a landscape panorama as the user surveys the aftermath of the tsunami. I think this has elegant overtones and mood. The worst part of a tsunami is the backwash that pulls everything that was weakened already...sorry, getting maudlin. I love this piece of music and appreciate that you let me download it. Thanks! Check out my latest song called How Can I Know?

kassia	kassia said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	papag wow great imagery, thank you for sharing. i'm glad you found something in this piece that spoke to you. and you're welcome! Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

Sigmund

Sigmund said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)

Tsunami
This is a lovely piece with your typical beautiful playing. The change in direction at 1:30 or so is a great visual moment. I would like to hear even more emotion as the section unfolds, kind of like a "what's happening" event to an "OMG!!", but you do capture a certain seriousness and sense of urgency with your playing.

From a conceptual point of view, I would not end the song as it began. Once the event happens, things can never be the same; sure calm returns, but along with it utter and massive destruction. Perhaps the same musical theme, played to convey not calm, but sadness and loss.

The piece, however stands on its own as a beautiful piece of music. It was an enjoyable listen to be sure. Nice work -
Sig

Check out my latest song called Under Your Bed - feat. strangedream, rok41 & Steve Ritter

kassia

kassia said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)

sigmund
you are absolutely right, and last night as I was putting in that fade-out ending I was agreeing with you, but I love the idea of the ocean going back to normal and receding quietly just as if nothing had happened. absolutely the land and the people will never be the same, but the ocean just goes back to tide in tide out. so yes, if there is some I way I can weave the two stories together better in the end - i'll work on it. thank you!

Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

neilh79

neilh79 said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)

Tsunami
I cant believe you are even questioning whether there is a song in here or not! The dissonance and pounding as you say, is required in this as it adds intensity which I am sure the folks in Japan certainly felt. You have beautiful tone in your playing. Would be interesting with a Tenor vocal in it too. Awesome tribute well done

Check out my latest song called Resurrection of Life Final Mix! (w/ Loob, Rok41, Symphony101, Gadzooks)

kassia	kassia said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	neil it's always surprising to me when someone says vocals would go well in a song, since, as an instrumentalist, i very rarely even think about vocals. but you're right, I think a tenor vocal would be great in this - something plaintive and probably wordless. anyway, thank you for listening and sharing your thoughts! Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

sheilad	sheilad said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	a picture may be worth a thousand words but this tells the entire story. I agree with Andrew that it really reflects the events of that day with the violent surge of water destroying everything in its path and then the quiet and reflection as people came to terms with what had happened. Well done Check out my latest song called Nana Lives

kassia	kassia said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	sheila it's so amazing how music affects everyone differently...lol....some don't hear a tidal wave at all and others hear exactly what a tidal wave sounds like. i love it. thank you so much for listening and sharing your thoughts with me! Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

Symphony101	Symphony101 said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	You know Shay I'm not good at analyzing music, I go by feelings, and I love this. Check out my latest song called Lonely Generation

kassia	kassia said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	yves we make a good pair, because i write by feeling. i'm glad this spoke to you - thank you yves. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

Mosaica

Mosaica said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)

A beautiful piece
I tend to agree with some of the comments already made - perhaps too gentle for a tsunami, but it definitely gets across the impassioned change in mood for a disaster or bad news of some sort, and perhaps consider more variation on the 1st movement for the 3rd. Anyway congratulations on your creativity and accomplished playing.

Check out my latest song called Stride La Vampa

kassia	kassia said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	mosaica i agree that the 3rd section needs a little variation from the first. i'll definitely be working on this song some more. thank you for listening and sharing your thoughts! Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

drakonis	drakonis said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	not quite "pounding" per se However, the light dissonance and the rhythmic left-hand rolling gave an insistent inertia, and your piano choice sounded rich and important. Sad, but important. Very lovely, Shay. Wishing you well. ttfn, Drakonis Check out my latest song called Belle Aire (for Mandolin Orchestra)

kassia	kassia said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	dragon thank you very much sir. this is about as far into pounding as i can get. i just used the JP steinway for this, with a little EQ tweaking. i'm glad you liked it. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

PeterB7858

PeterB7858 said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)

Feedback :-)
Hi Shay. The gentle opening conjures up images of a peaceful, unsuspecting landscape but, as much as I like the change in mood, it doesn't really sound violent or disruptive enough to convey what it must have been like when the tsunami hit. The end theme, again very enjoyable, sounds too "nice" to portray what must have been the utter devastation and confusion in the aftermath. Very enjoyable piece but perhaps mis-named? Hope this is useful. Regards, Peter.

Check out my latest song called Autumn Falling

kassia	kassia said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	peter thank you very much for your thoughts, i appreciate you listening and sharing. upon reflection, after hearing what people think, this song is more from the ocean's point of view than anything else. if that makes sense. again, thanks for stopping by! Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

RAVENS	RAVENS said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	Sad Yet beautiful... You are so talented, Shay. Icky my foot, foo-wee for thinking that. To me, it is just beautiful. RAVEN ;-) Check out my latest song called Tattooed Scars (w/ Sigmund, Scofugate, Rok41)

kassia	kassia said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	ravens lol...foo-wee to you too. thank you, i think you're a little biased but who cares. :-D Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

awigze	awigze said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	talent more talent in your sustain pedal foot than I have in my whole being. Well, allright, I'll arm wrestle ya over that claim, Love how there are movements in the theme-nearly ironic... perhaps this can become another Shine. Also love the fade at the end... the story continues. Check out my latest song called Dark Waters w/scofugate, ktb, Pickquickrecords, Ren-Tin-10

kassia	kassia said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	andy hahahahahahahahahahahahaha.....you win the talent contest hands down, silly man. glad you liked this one. it's a little bit cathartic to me, hoping so, too, for the listener. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

KissMeKate	KissMeKate said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	A disaster has many layers For me, the visuals I get when I listen to this piece isn't a wave itself, but instead involve the survivors and the rescue workers as they grapple with the destruction, devastation, loss, toil, exhaustion, perseverance, hope.

kassia	kassia said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	kate interesting how we all hear it differently. even when we live in the same house! thank you for all your support - wasn't sure you'd like this so i'm glad you do! Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

ktb	ktb said 758 days ago (April 28th, 2011)
	Tsunami To me nothing but lovely tensions and powerful emotion. May be one of my ATF Kassia pieces. Beautiful and mournful. Love it. Check out my latest song called Blackwater (by Tokai)

kassia	kassia said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	wow quite a compliment john. thank you very much. it was fun to play, and meditative and purging all at the same time. i'm glad you like this one! Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

Reinholt56	Reinholt56 said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	Hi Kassia...... I think that your ideas about this event are spot on and the 'pounding' component is very apt. I also see your reasong for the ending being as it is and tend to agree. The force of the wave. As ten thousand hammers do their Worst. Calmness returns. Nudged by the moon. Take care. Paul Check out my latest song called When The Time Comes (An Ambiental Mix)

kassia	kassia said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	paul how wonderful to see you here. and thank you for the beautiful words. perfect - exactly how i experience the song. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

tadashi	tadashi said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	The tsunami deprived of everything. The tsunami deprived of everything. Check out my latest song called Morning glow

kassia	kassia said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	tadashi I can't even imagine the experience, only the emotions of my reaction to seeing and hearing about it. thank you for listening. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

RochaMalhada	RochaMalhada said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	tragedy Shay, way to capture the emotion. This is compelling that way - nice work youv'e done . - Harold Check out my latest song called Ascent of a Tree (w Mike_D & FEEL)

kassia	kassia said 756 days ago (April 30th, 2011)
	Harold thank you. very glad this moved you. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

scofugate

scofugate said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)

dissonance and lots of pounding
Are you kidding me!! Its great!
I am in no place to give real feedback on the direction, only on the emotions that flow. What I do like are the dynamics here. I really feel the distress in your playing (not you but the Japan theme). I also feel the saddness and hope. I must say (YES) there is a song in here!!!
Wonderful to my ears!!

Check out my latest song called Prelude and Jam W/Ibstrat

kassia	kassia said 756 days ago (April 30th, 2011)
	scott awesome thanks! sometimes i just so totally lose my perspective that I need a bunch of fresh ears to tell me i'm on the right track. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

egobandit	egobandit said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	pound away No insanity here just the beauty of your notes, Lots of expression, emotion, intensity and hope! Another beautiful composition! Check out my latest song called time to time

kassia	kassia said 756 days ago (April 30th, 2011)
	ego thanks ego! glad you listened and liked. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

Soundhound

Soundhound said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)

Very Nicely....
Done.....

I was told by a great Jazz Man, that there are no bad notes, lots of feel
and emotion in every note you played...
Not many can say that, that they real feel what they play they know these notes go together and will sound good...
But they don't feel where the notes go, they can't feel the harmonies...
You've done it well here.....

Check out my latest song called Call To Arms...

kassia	kassia said 756 days ago (April 30th, 2011)
	no bad notes as long as you believe in what you're playing. thank you for your kind words and shared advice. much appreciated. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

notsosweet	notsosweet said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	... as others have said, no icky blob here,... just a very emotive piece and very well done Check out my latest song called Noel Parisien - Charles Quef

kassia	kassia said 756 days ago (April 30th, 2011)
	notsosweet thank you very much for listening and sharing your thoughts. i'm glad you liked it. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

jfisenne	jfisenne said 757 days ago (April 29th, 2011)
	Tsunami I got the sense that a lot of genuine emotion went into this piece. I don't think the dissonant parts were too messy. I enjoyed listening to this. Check out my latest song called She's One Of The Walking Dead

kassia	kassia said 756 days ago (April 30th, 2011)
	jfisenne i have a tendency to infuse a bit of emotion into my songs. :-) not sure I would be willing to share them if that weren't true. they would feel incomplete to me. i'm glad you enjoyed this. thank you for your kind words. Check out my latest song called Greensleeves

bud	bud said 755 days ago (May 1st, 2011)
	I know a thing or two about icky blobs having created many - and relishing their dissonant abrasion. This however is an extremely well crafted tone poem using all the colors in the box to express an emotional response to a devastating event. Really well done Shay. The opening theme is beautiful and te second powerful. Check out my latest song called ditto

davisamerica2	davisamerica2 said 755 days ago (May 1st, 2011)
	A tsunami is an icky blob, Shay So there really IS a song here, and I could feel it more than hear it. You played from the heart. Thanks for this. Terry Check out my latest song called Muddy Fields/ w DWL & rmarris

rok41

rok41 said 753 days ago (May 3rd, 2011)

Tsunami
Lovely movement. I especially enjoyed the second movement...I know it is a piano piece but I think a string progression would give you the flow you need to carry it through the "wave" section. I like the big chord at 3.08 prior to the outro, could even stand to be more dramatic there. I think you have something with this Shay, enjoyed my listen!

Check out my latest song called The Game

mvh9591	mvh9591 said 752 days ago (May 4th, 2011)
	Very Nice____ This is very emotional and well played - Enjoyed - Thanks for sharing, mvh : ) Check out my latest song called 01-15-13 Not sure where it's taking me.

PatriciaGirl	PatriciaGirl said 751 days ago (May 5th, 2011)
	you have a voice :) and a lovely one at that...for me just playing the piano and venting sometimes yields a meaningful song; like this one:) thanks so much!! Check out my latest song called Derelict

Diviner	Diviner said 750 days ago (May 6th, 2011)
	Wow Always love the pieces of music that you do. You know me, I love dissonance and dischordance so this sounds fine to me. Its your expression of a horrific disaster, its perfect. Check out my latest song called The Apothosis Of Us All (Remix)

Doug Somers	Doug Somers said 739 days ago (May 17th, 2011)
	Aftermath I get a picture scanning slowly across the complete desolation and destruction then turning to survivors' inner anger and frustration over what literally changed for them overnight. In the end, anger or not, the desolation remains. A hauntingly beautiful work Shay. Peace, Doug Check out my latest song called The Asteroid [Doom2012]

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 728 days ago (May 28th, 2011)

Still...waiting...
...for the icky dissonance...

Must be in the left hand notes that my monitors tend to short change a little...Or, you just aren't as icky dissonant as you think you are...

One could definitely layer a song over this, Shay... It's rich enough to support going in a number of different ways, I think...

I recommend listening to the version of Peter Gabriel's "Here Comes The Flood" that ended up on Robert Fripp's 'Exposure'...

Check out my latest song called Uno/I Like The Way... (with Macaudion, SISTERS, ktb, and ziti)

SomeMadGirl	SomeMadGirl said 631 days ago (September 2nd, 2011)
	Wha??? This is as far from "icky blob" as I could imagine! It is dissonant, but without being aimless. It's obvious there is still a lot of construction and thought within the middle section. Nice work. Check out my latest song called A New Day on Arus (mj space race 2011)

oldlibmike	105
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