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Eds Theme


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Description
I think it is a true sign of the man when you meet him and in just a few short years you come to love him like a brother.

While I know Ed is no longer suffering and he only want us to laugh and rejoice I can't help feeling sad that I didn't have more time with him. I'm so thankful that I had the chance to visit with him in July.

I know I will miss him in a big way. My emotions are running strong and deep.

Once again I couldn't sleep last night and I put my efforts into a little music. I decided upon the chords but then I found I simply could not finger pick them without making a ton of errors. So I tried something a little different. I divided and conquered... This consists of 6 guitar tracks where in each one I played a single string. I'm not sure if this was easier than practicing and fixing my lousy finger picking skills or not... It took me forever to get the parts right and still there are some big time mess ups in this.

I'm posting this as an Open Collaboration. I'm hoping someone will add bass, perhaps some keyboard, maybe even a soft female vocal, horns you name it...

Let's do this for Ed... I'd like to keep control of the project but if you want to add something please let me know what I can do to help and send me your tracks. Or if you'd like to morph this into something of your own I'll send you my audio tracks.

Thank you MacJams for making this such a wonderful place!
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Lyrics
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Song Stats
Hits: 1554
Comments: 48
Fans: 61
Plays: 172
Downloads: 47
Votes: 4
Uploaded: Aug 18, 2011 - 02:53:57 PM
Last Updated: Aug 18, 2011 - 02:53:57 PM Last Played: Feb 09, 2013 - 08:32:17 AM
Song License
Creative Commons License:
PublicDomain

Creative Commons

Song Actions
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Hardware:
Acoustic guitar
Software:
Logic Pro 9
Comments
Char said 642 days ago (August 18th, 2011)
Lovely, Mark.
The earth is not our intentioned home. It is more a school for spirit. Some few people, like Ed Wemmerus, learn their lessons well, teach others and leave a lasting legacy of love and kindness. You made me cry, honey. You made something special. Thanks, Mark.

Check out my latest song called The Sea
sheilad said 642 days ago (August 18th, 2011)
at work
Right now and then at other work but as soon as that is done I will be back as I know you and I know what you are capable, I already know that this will be a wonderful tribute
Check out my latest song called Nana Lives
sheilad said 641 days ago (August 19th, 2011)
I might try
to add something even though it may not be much, this is so beautiful and fitting
Check out my latest song called Nana Lives
ToniRastelli said 642 days ago (August 18th, 2011)
Wonderful.
It would be nice to write verses, even if it's wonderful as it is.
Check out my latest song called Under a sky without stars
slopartner said 642 days ago (August 18th, 2011)
Ed's Theme
Oh Mark, What can I say? The love everyone has shown for Ed is unbelievable! The thought that you would start a song like this just
takes my breath away. I love you for the love you have shown Ed and I both. I know Ed is hearing this and loving every moment of it. Unfortunately, I am sitting here with tears coming down faster than I can wipe them away. Thank you for this beautiful tribute to my beloved Ed.
Feter said 642 days ago (August 18th, 2011)
Ed's
Ed was a true gentleman we had a very warm relation and a true respect ..I do installed a software on my laptop and I think I can put some lead lines here and there ...I see someone already participate ..
good one Mark ..God Bless ..RIP Ed


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Alannah said 642 days ago (August 18th, 2011)
What I think might make a nice piece ....
might be to try something like Thoddi does at Christmas time ... have a lot of people each sing a different verse that they write themselves maybe ... and then sing along on a chorus verse together which might be pre-written? an idea ....
Check out my latest song called Street People (Anomalous w/Alannah)
jdholliday said 642 days ago (August 18th, 2011)
Very nice Mark
touching fitting tribute to a macjams friend.
Check out my latest song called Please Help, Pride of NYC needs tracks!
PatriciaGirl said 642 days ago (August 18th, 2011)
There is love here
Wonderful beginnings to keep your memories of your dear friend alive in the hearts of others. I know this piece will undoubtedly blossom into something wonderful!!

Thanks for sharing.
Patty
Check out my latest song called Derelict
davisamerica2 said 641 days ago (August 18th, 2011)
Ed would truly love this, Mark
and I would definitely encourage all MacJammers to download this and add something of their own that would would express their love for our dear friend. You've laid a beautiful foundation here. I'll listen more and see if I can add to it. I think some soft female vocals would sound good too. Terry
Check out my latest song called Muddy Fields/ w DWL & rmarris
crissew said 641 days ago (August 19th, 2011)
Beautiful
Love this tribute to Ed. Great as is but if you need something I can provide, let me know.
Check out my latest song called Devil's Argument!!!
bud said 641 days ago (August 19th, 2011)
Amazing the lengths a person will go to
when moved by the muse and emotion. Single picking each string is just plain crazy and sounds just plain awesome. Beautiful work and a wonderful tribute to the man who kept us cool.
Check out my latest song called ditto
MarkHolbrook said 641 days ago (August 19th, 2011)
LOL
I sux at finger picking... The way I did it was to get the part right for each string for each chord then I admit I cut and pasted some of them... that is why it sounds kind of robotic... sigh... I guess I should learn to finger pick the correct way...
Check out my latest song called My 911
spitlogic said 641 days ago (August 19th, 2011)
Thanks
I just heard the news. Strange how I decided to listen to this while reflecting on him. this is a great tribute.
Check out my latest song called Measures
dancedivine said 641 days ago (August 19th, 2011)
Beautiful...
What a beautiful tribute.... I can hear a nice melody & some soothing harmonies on this.... I didn't know Ed, but after watching the video that Jack posted, it's obvious that he was a wonderful man with a very sweet spirit. It's nice to see the MacJams community rallying together in honor of this beloved comrade.
Check out my latest song called Drive These Blues Away - Remastered
alackbass said 641 days ago (August 19th, 2011)
Eds Theme
Beautiful stuff Mark! A touching tribute!
Check out my latest song called Just Ain't Worth a Song (2 Track)
maxruehl said 641 days ago (August 19th, 2011)
RE: Ed's Theme
A beautiful tribute, Mark.
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lyzak said 641 days ago (August 19th, 2011)
moving,
touching results from your sleeplessness, and playing your feelings for a departed friend. Nice
job, just as it is!
Check out my latest song called Bro .. with A-man and gadzooks
ShadowofNine said 641 days ago (August 19th, 2011)
Ed's Theme...
Dang I'm not at home with my equipment.. I'm sure many will jump into this tune and make it even more memorable...
Check out my latest song called A Sad Goodbye (Julia's Song)
Moviz said 641 days ago (August 19th, 2011)
Very
poignant melody with a beautiful tone to the guitars.... very suitable for such a time as this, when nostalgic thoughts are running through people's minds, regards M
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Vic Holman said 641 days ago (August 19th, 2011)
ed
quite the concept on how you pulled this together mark....... but the end result sure sounds great...... i'm just enjoying it as is.......to me it seems fitting
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damiengh said 640 days ago (August 20th, 2011)
beauty
Really sounds from the heart. Surely, Ed is listening.
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finkeldink said 640 days ago (August 20th, 2011)
Great song
and a really great tribute to a heck of a nice guy and helluva musician.
Check out my latest song called The Trader (Curtain Call- with Loob and egodays)
Bob6stringer said 640 days ago (August 20th, 2011)
Exactly right.
Mark, I'm unable to describe how much I want to be part of this. I can pitch-in on bass or some guitar embellishments, which if I do I understand I'd have to be willing to redo to suite any lyrics/vocals that come. We'll discuss... I must get back to my daughter.
Check out my latest song called Call Me (Turn to Me Reprise)
awigze said 640 days ago (August 20th, 2011)
Mark
Ed would be smiling. I love what Char said in the first comment.
Earth 101
tonestones said 640 days ago (August 20th, 2011)
Beautiful
This is a great tribute.
Check out my latest song called In Some Other World
Sigmund said 640 days ago (August 20th, 2011)
Eds Theme
A beautiful and fitting tribute to Ed. Your method of recording guitar is a little unorthodox, but the end result is captivating and expressive. I began listening before reading your full description and was surprised how well you pulled that off! Very moving and inspirational work, Mark!
Sig
dave_b said 640 days ago (August 20th, 2011)
Eds Theme
Really pretty chord progression, I'm sure Ed would have loved it. It sounds great, it blows my mind that you did it one string at a time.
Check out my latest song called Llarions Blues
Philip18 said 639 days ago (August 21st, 2011)
Amazing
A beautiful piece of music produced in an extraordinary way. I love the flow of the piece. A lovely tribute.
MarkHolbrook said 639 days ago (August 21st, 2011)
Apologies...
I'm way behind in answering the comments posted here! I've had a few people surprised at how I did this. Frankly it wasn't really that hard. The song consists of about 7 chords. I figured out the fingering for each chord. Some where new to me which is why I could not simply pick and play it straight through.

Once I knew the fingering I recorded each chord as a short audio collection of each string played in order. Yes I admit... I adjusted the timing some in the audio tracks. Once I had the chord sounding as I wanted, I bounced it to a file (all strings). So now I had a file for say Am(add9).

I moved on to the next chord. After I got all 7 chords working I just pieced them together and the result is what you hear. It took me about 30 minutes on the first chord then I moved on and each other chord only took about 10.

When things were pieced together there was an issue with popping and clicking of the audio transitions. I had to go in and smooth those using the audio tools in logic. That took about 30 minutes.

Finally I bounced the entire guitar sequence in place and that is what you hear.

Normally I would have just played this straight through but I'm not that great of a finger picker and with some new chords I was struggling and making mistakes. This string by string idea was something I had been thinking about for some time and finally just dove in and gave it a try.

The only negative I can see to this is that it does sound sort of robotic in that each chord is played exactly the same because it is just cut and pasted. I think my description may have given the wrong idea that I sat there and plucked a single string at various times for a full 5 minutes. LOL wow... that would have been really hard!

Anyway thank you all for the support and love you've shown Ed. I will miss him terribly. I still would like to see people play with this sound bed and come up with variations on it.

Call it the "Ed Challenge" if you will.
Check out my latest song called My 911
shavingronaldscar said 639 days ago (August 21st, 2011)
Gorgeous
These changes are pure eloquence, mate. A wonderful tribute.
Check out my latest song called A Rubber Ball's Day Off
XMaramena said 639 days ago (August 21st, 2011)
lovely
it's just lovely to listen to. I'm quite new to macjams, and I sit on the electronic side of things so I never got to talk to ed. I started my own little version, but being the style that it is and what I do, it just wouldn't be right. a really nice way to say goodbye.
Check out my latest song called Improvisation
woofer3 said 638 days ago (August 22nd, 2011)
Ed's theme
Nice work Mark, I love it when someone milks a key for all it's worth. Like old Bach a bit.
Check out my latest song called burning hitler
woofer3 said 638 days ago (August 22nd, 2011)
Ed's theme
Nice work Mark, I love it when someone milks a key for all it's worth. Like old Bach a bit.
Check out my latest song called burning hitler
Loob said 638 days ago (August 22nd, 2011)
Well done Mark!
Very fitting!
Check out my latest song called Don't Remove My Hat / adf & Paulo
Soundhound said 638 days ago (August 22nd, 2011)
Yes.....
He will be missed....
And I think he heard this and this alone, where ever his soul is......

Well done.....
Check out my latest song called Call To Arms...
jibes said 638 days ago (August 22nd, 2011)
Very nice Mark
A great song and tribute!
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KCsGROOVE said 637 days ago (August 23rd, 2011)
lovely
I still get the goosebumps thinking that Ed is no longer among us..
Fine tribute!
KC
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rok41 said 637 days ago (August 23rd, 2011)
ED
Beautifully done...
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egobandit said 637 days ago (August 23rd, 2011)
Each note with its own track
I recently lost my brother, loss is such a hard thing you think you know all about it untill it happens to you, Love the contant sound your guitar gets split up or not it sounds whole to my ears that is what matters, great writing skills in this, Beautiful what key is this and bpm?
Check out my latest song called walkin out my door
slopartner said 637 days ago (August 23rd, 2011)
Ed's Theme
Mark.......What can I say? The love you all have for Ed is so amazing to me. And I must admit it will definitely be "ED'S CHALLENGE" because anyone who knew him, knew it had to be a challenge to do anything with or for Ed. He was a perfectionist when it came to his music and everything had to be 'just so' with him. Just remember he's in Heaven's Band jammin' with the best of them right now and pain free! Thanks Mark
DWL said 636 days ago (August 24th, 2011)
One string at a time?
I think Ed would have loved that approach.

I'd love to add something but there are far more talented artists here who will make a better job of it than me.

Nice work Mark.

Cheers

Dick
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Macaudion said 636 days ago (August 24th, 2011)
...
Beautiful...
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thetiler said 635 days ago (August 25th, 2011)
Thanks for sharing!
Good luck Ed! God bless !
Check out my latest song called When Your Strange
michael2 said 635 days ago (August 25th, 2011)
nice
i love the chords in this, and I actually like the robotic feel as well. I can hear something in my head on this, so I'm going to go ahead and download it. great track, great workaround on the playing difficulties, and great tribute to Ed ( a great guy).
Check out my latest song called yes you told me (that you're cynical)
Jarvoid said 634 days ago (August 26th, 2011)
Nice one...
very nice one....


Jarvoid
lilmom said 634 days ago (August 26th, 2011)
Beautiful, soulful tribute.
This has a TON of potential. I sincerely hope our talented macjammers will pick up on this one! What an excellent start! You are wonderful.
Check out my latest song called Tribute to Jeannie and Ed
alfredthepelican said 458 days ago (February 18th, 2012)
a good tribute
and an atmospheric piece.
Cheers
Mark
Check out my latest song called Now Is The Hour Late
Artist Info
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Name: Mark Holbrook
Location: Fort Collins CO United States
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Yes... I'm the guy that wrote the MJPlayer iOS app for MacJams. I hope you are enjoying it. Feel free to send me a note or post in the forums if you like or are having issues with the player. Although there is very little I can do to fix much of a... [see more]

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