tookatooka
1847 posts
Nov 15, 2010
2:07 PM
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Hello Fellow harp players. I haven’t been able to post quite so frequently as I used to. I got sidetracked into other things and something quite surreal is going on.
Let me explain. I always wanted to learn to play an instrument because I didn’t want to just play music, I wanted to create and invent music. The harp was my salvation in that respect because I don’t have the time left to learn the piano to any great level and my fingers are not quick enough for the guitar. I re-discovered the harp in 2007 and from all the members here on MBH I was able to muddle my way through to learn little bits and pieces which have been extremely useful to me.
Well, now I have just about enough (but not as much as I would like) knowledge that has enabled me to attempt to write the theme music for the 2012 London Olympics. I have made an attempt at this and will be submitting it to the authorities in due course.
I have not used harp in this but have used all the tricks that I have learnt on here. E.g. a solid 12 bar blues backing with variety and little twists and turns along the way. I feel it has a good driving chug-like rhythm which gets the foot tapping nicely. I’ve used a sequencer (fruity Loops 3.5) to create all my sounds. I don’t have a keyboard or anything it was all done with my mouse, PC and voice.
Anyway, I was kind of wondering if you guys would have a listen and let me know what you think? I’ve made a temporary YouTube video here which I will leave up for a short time. I have not made it public because the quality is not 100%. I want to release it eventually as a longer dance track MP3 so have kept the quality down to 96kbps until I’m ready to do so.
Don’t take too much notice of the video, it was just something I threw together for the tune. I didn’t want to do it as a downloadable MP3.
When you listen to it you’ll see that it got way out of control, I just couldn’t help myself. It just all came out that way and I don’t want to change it. I’ve been messing with this for a few weeks now and I’ve got to stop.
So if you could just give it a listen and let me know what you think, and whether you actually got to the end. I’d be eternally grateful. Full volume and headphones are best.
Tookatooka. xx
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Last Edited by on Nov 15, 2010 2:21 PM
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nacoran
3243 posts
Nov 15, 2010
2:29 PM
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Yippie!
Overall, I like it a lot. The main instrument is a little on top of itself. It sounds like maybe it's echo of one beat is carrying over to the next, which may be muddying the beat a little. Maybe a little less echo on the voices too (some, but not quite as much) and maybe bring them up in the mix just a smidgen. I'm not listening through great speakers so I could be wrong.
Maybe it's just because I'm playing around with it in one of my songs, but I'm kind of hearing the possibility of a full stop, a quick pause, followed by the main instrument coming in alone for a bar or two before everything else comes in. Again though, that may just be because I've got that particular idea stuck in my head. Another possibility is a pitch shift or key change for one pass through the 12 bars.
I could be completely wrong though. Just throwing ideas out. Your right, it is really catchy. :)
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Nate
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tookatooka
1848 posts
Nov 15, 2010
2:33 PM
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Thanks Nate. Yes I was looking for a sort of "fast sawing wood" sound but I'm not certain how to describe it. I did intentionally record it at a low bit rate so that may be part of the problem you have if your speakers are a bit suspect too. Thankyou though for your input.
Whoops! Just realised the sawing sound is played in one speaker and an octave lower in the other speaker. That may be what you mean.
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Last Edited by on Nov 15, 2010 2:37 PM
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saregapadanisa
260 posts
Nov 15, 2010
3:16 PM
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Great you're competing for the Games !
I definitely like your approach to music.
For what it's worth, I would throw sequences of different ethnic percussions in the mix. That would make your wild piece wilder, stenghten the groove, add changes to the texture, and fit the game spirit.
The timing is just right : 7 minutes is what I need to complete the 100 m sprint ;-)
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jodanchudan
141 posts
Nov 15, 2010
3:51 PM
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I don't know much about this type of music so I wouldn't want to give any advice (if it was up to me, I'd throw in some 4/5 draw warbles, a couple of octaves and some deep 2 and 3 draw bends, but I don't suppose that would help much here!) but I liked it and, yes, I made it to the end. I think it has the right energy and vibe for its purpose - if that makes any sense; told you I don't know much about it - and it remains interesting all the way through. Good luck with it!
Last Edited by on Nov 15, 2010 3:51 PM
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tookatooka
1850 posts
Nov 16, 2010
2:08 AM
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Thanks guys.
@saregapadanisa. Ethnic drums sounds good. I'll look into that but it may be a bit advanced at my level.
@jodanchudan. I expect I could sneak a warble in here and there. I'll see what I can do. Thanks.
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phogi
452 posts
Nov 16, 2010
4:15 AM
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I can't help but think that you are pulling our leg a bit. Don't get me wrong, your tune is cool and interesting, but is not exactly creating an Olympic spirit.
The Olympics are serious, whereas your piece seems to have a comical bent. Honestly, I would be offended if this were the music used for the Olympics. While that may be a jerky thing to say in the forum, it is my honest opinion.
Think about it: imagine you are an athlete who has trained your entire life for a chance to compete at this level, and when it's your turn, the soundtrack on the TV is the part where you have what sounds like a laughing elf. It's just not respectful.
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tookatooka
1852 posts
Nov 16, 2010
4:36 AM
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@phogi "imagine you are an athlete who has trained your entire life for a chance to compete at this level, and when it's your turn, the soundtrack on the TV is the part where you have what sounds like a laughing elf. It's just not respectful." No, but wouldn't it be funny?
Listen, we Londoners are paying money out of our taxes every week so that the world can have the Olympic Games. For those of us that don't really enjoy sport (but are still forced to pay for it) we could at least have a laugh couldn't we?
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