Tone Port UX1 demo

[mrsteve]

Alright, I think I'm starting to get the hang of the new software so here is a re-make of a song I did called "Give Yourself A Chance". All guitar parts are recorded using my AE185. Eventually I will do a version that has no slop but I wanted to post this anyways. Let me know what you think.

soundclick.com/share?songid=6578905

[WWLaidback]

Hello Mr. Steve,

You're getting good full tone. Which kind of P/Us are you using on the AE-185? Your equipment is working good.

I'm going to give you a top rating. ;D
Listening to your fingertapping track I can tell you are a good guitarist.

As for the song, the Bmaj7 intro seemed just a little busy. It has a nice sound and I'm not saying you should necessarily change it. Without an identifiable key, it builds some tension. When you say maj7th you are typically saying "this is the key" or "this is the 4th of the real key." The listener's perception needs to resolve pretty quickly if it's not the key. (Major 7th makes a strong statement because it includes a half step).

After you got past the intro you shined as a guitarist.

Please do not take this as criticism. I think the piece is quite original.

Personally I struggle with "a hook riff" in my songs. I think a reasonable compromise is to either come back to the B in your Bmaj7 or do something that moves the listener to the A -- maybe something that says "I know you thought you were in B but we're really in this key." It all worked -- please don't get me wrong.

This is my last music teacher coming out in me (for better or worse).

I'm trying to help, and I hope I succeeded.

PS: the wife said she likes the song just like it is and wouldn't change a thing.

Steve, I think you have talent. Do keep it up!

[mrsteve]

Thanks Laidback, I appreciate it! I'm using both S22's for the rhythm part, the neck pu for the octave overdub, and the S22B for the "lead" part.

I will most likely re-record the finger tapping song "Time Portals" because I'm just not happy with how it sounds. I may even play it differently.

Sometimes when I come up with new music, I like to incorporate more than one key in a song. Heck, sometimes I like to mesh things that you normally would not hear together just for fun and variety. ;D I also attempt to make up for absent instrumentation by having a full style of playing. The beginning establishes the mood of the song and the next part is just a means to branch off. I wanted to bring back the beginning of the song as sort of a "mini-verse" and expand on the second part to bring that out more. The main riff or intro seems to stick out more in my mind than the other part so that's why I constructed the song like I did. It's one of my shorter songs that I like playing. Hopefully I didn't confuse anyone!

[WWLaidback]

You didn't confuse me.

I'll listen to your song again. Please forgive me if you thought I sounded critical in any way. You're a good guitarist and I assure you I will listen to more of your stuff.

This forum has a reputation to maintain, as a friendly and helpful guitar forum.

I doodled a little with your tune, and a "B" note at the end of each run (instead of A#) gives my ear what it's looking for. A# is ok, but nailing the B gives a fuller sound and telegraphs the transition better IMHO. Just a thought See what you think.

[mrsteve]

I didn't think you were being critical at all. I'm not quite sure what you are referring to when you say "do a B note at the end of a run instead of A#". Are you referring to a chord progression? I tried a few things but it sounded "off". Would you be able to post a clip to further describe what you were meaning?

[WWLaidback]

I'm mainly talking about notes, not chords.

In the intro, you are playing on a Bmaj7th chord which contains the following four notes: F#, D#, A#, and B.

There is only 1/2 step between A# and B because it is a major 7th and speaks strongly toward a key as all 1/2 step chords do.

Hence when you pick your note run of D#, E, F#, and then back to D# there could to be B note nailed off of the A# instead. D# is not really leading us to your transitional chord which is the "A" chord. That's why it leaves my ear hanging. You've put both of your half steps in the intro which says "this is definately the key of B" but we aren't resolving to the key of B.

Then you change to the key of A, which is fine, but D# had nothing to do with the key of A. Hence you "tricked" my ear and it got a little bit fussy. It can still listen and appreciate, but it says "the guitarist isn't going to resolve tension the way I like."

[mrsteve]

Ok, I know what you're saying now. I tried it the other way but that isn't quite the mood setting I'm going for. I'll be honest, I used to have some idea about music theory some years ago (back in high school) and I still retain some of that info but I'm not really able to explain it any more. I just don't practice it. In fact, I can't remember the last time I actually "practiced" anything on guitar. Essentially I just "play". For the amount of years I have been playing (15+) I know that I'm nowhere near where I should be technically speaking. Maybe someday I will get back into high gear and be able to play some Uli Jon Roth! ;D

[WWLaidback]

The song is fine as played. It was just my ear saying something about a key.

[mrsteve]