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Let me tell you a little about my process for this one, since it was a little more involved than usual for me...
I sat down at the piano with the goal and challenge of improvising something using chords and progressions that I don't normally use. Another experiment in moving a little outside my comfort zone. After an hour or so, I had recorded a multitude of different progressions and ideas.
I took these snippets of ideas and sat down with pencil and manuscript paper and spent a couple of days drawing and charting things out. My musical brain works much better if I can SEE the chords and progressions drawn out on paper. I finally came up with a few passages of chords that I really liked.
Now I needed to start building the song. But first, I needed a melody. I sat down at the piano with what I had decided would be my opening chord progression, and I started working out a melody. I wanted something very simple, very accessible, and able to fit with a variety of chords and harmonies. The piano is the first instrument to introduce you to this main theme, and then it is played by a clarinet, later back to piano, and finally by the flute. This theme is played a total of 4 times throughout the song, and every single time it is supported by a different chord progression. I wanted to use this as a tool to keep the song moving forward and constantly growing/evolving while still keeping an element of familiarity and comfort.
Once I had this melody written, the rest of the song just fell into place. This piece uses a full orchestra, with a slightly larger than usual string section and a pretty non-existent percussion section. I used pizzicato strings and compositional changes to give the song movement, and really felt like it didn't need any percussion. Let me know if you disagree! And as always, feedback and constructive criticism is very much appreciated.
Like many of you who have shared with us here at MacJams, I have been struggling with depression. I feel like I have finally begun to find a combination of medication + meditation + therapy + lifestyle that works for me. This is my "light at the end of the tunnel" song. My deepest thanks to each of you who have been a light in my life.
I sat down at the piano with the goal and challenge of improvising something using chords and progressions that I don't normally use. Another experiment in moving a little outside my comfort zone. After an hour or so, I had recorded a multitude of different progressions and ideas.
I took these snippets of ideas and sat down with pencil and manuscript paper and spent a couple of days drawing and charting things out. My musical brain works much better if I can SEE the chords and progressions drawn out on paper. I finally came up with a few passages of chords that I really liked.
Now I needed to start building the song. But first, I needed a melody. I sat down at the piano with what I had decided would be my opening chord progression, and I started working out a melody. I wanted something very simple, very accessible, and able to fit with a variety of chords and harmonies. The piano is the first instrument to introduce you to this main theme, and then it is played by a clarinet, later back to piano, and finally by the flute. This theme is played a total of 4 times throughout the song, and every single time it is supported by a different chord progression. I wanted to use this as a tool to keep the song moving forward and constantly growing/evolving while still keeping an element of familiarity and comfort.
Once I had this melody written, the rest of the song just fell into place. This piece uses a full orchestra, with a slightly larger than usual string section and a pretty non-existent percussion section. I used pizzicato strings and compositional changes to give the song movement, and really felt like it didn't need any percussion. Let me know if you disagree! And as always, feedback and constructive criticism is very much appreciated.
Like many of you who have shared with us here at MacJams, I have been struggling with depression. I feel like I have finally begun to find a combination of medication + meditation + therapy + lifestyle that works for me. This is my "light at the end of the tunnel" song. My deepest thanks to each of you who have been a light in my life.
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davisamerica
not gonna blow this .... BRB