A Shadow In The Dark

This is the first time I've attempted a piece like this. I've always been partial to piano-violin semi-classical pieces. I think this sits somewhere between semi-classical, symphonic and orchestral. I think it might be a decent track for either part of a film score or the theme for a film. I worked on this for about 6 hours last night and this is where I said "I ain't gonna get it much better, so go with it." I think writing a song is much like writing a novel in one way in particular: You consider it finished when you get tired of tweaking it.

I'm not real happy with the background choir on the chorus, but it'll do for now. Packed away somewhere I have a pretty nice set of choral loops and string sections. When I'm not so lazy/tired, I'll dig it out and make a few more tweaks. I also would like to add some timpanis one bar before the chorus

I redid the chord pattern from the style demo and added six more Real Tracks. The demo track only had the String Quartet and Horn Section - I'm to blame for everything else.

This style is a completely new adventure for me so any comments for improvement are seriously welcome. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.



The nitty-gritty:

Title: A Shadow In The Dark.SGU
Key=A, Tempo 80, Length (m:s)=2:36

Style is _SYMPHON.STY (Symphonic Horns & Strings)

RealTracks in song: ~2482:Bass, Acoustic, Bowed Held Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~2291:Horn Section, Rhythm SlowPopPads Ev16 065
RealTracks in song: 2457:Strings, Rhythm CelticAir Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 2335:String Quartet, Rhythm PopHall Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 2337:Violin, Background, PopHigh Ev 085 (1TrackStringSection)
RealTracks in song: 2365:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CelticAir Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 3063:Vocal Aahs, Rhythm Pop3-part Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 2747:Synth, Rhythm AltHipHopHorn Ev16 085

Loop in Song: Dubstep\Dubstep - no_way_out_140_choir_f_sharp_minor.wav

Also a midi vocal choir from another program that I will replace with a better one later.
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Hi Alan,

this is definitely different from your last songs, but it's very very nice and I like it. It's got a great chord progression and could even imahine to have vocals on it.

Like I said in an earlier comment: Your stuff is so tasteful !

Thanks für sharing this beautiful tune.

Stefan

Man, what a beautiful piece of music! Stirring and emotive. I could certainly see this as a film score.

And yes, a full choir would just put this right over the top! Definitely worth revisiting at some point, Alan, because I think you have something special with this one.

Best to you and Di.

Wow - wouldn't have thought this was your first rodeo in this styling. You definitely did a fantastic job It is truly beautiful. Hits all the right notes, and sounds solemn and cinematic. I wouldn't bat an eyelash hearing this as part of a movie soundtrack.

You should be proud of this one - thanks for sharing!

Nice job Alan! Really enjoyed this!

Hi Al-David, what a marvelous piece I might say! I found this very easy to listen and I dig the overall timbres. Definitely has that tension and release a soundtrack piece would call for. Thanks for sharing!

Dear "Al-David"...

Your composition, "A Shadow in the Dark", is an expansively peaceful, exquisitely composed and heart-tugging piece of musical imagination. It possesses a classically eloquent sense of drama, wave after wave of musical tension resolved by the sweetness of the strings arrangement, and ends so abruptly that it hurt.

You are a man of many musical faces (as if you didn't know that already!) Sure, it would work just fine on the soundtrack of a film, but as far as I'm concerned, it works best in the form I hesitantly imagine that it was conceived in: a piece of tranquilizing "memory" music that reflects the sensitivity and spiritual nature of its composer -- you.

Borne aloft by it,

LOREN

Alan

That was nice, and a very impressive piece.
Excellent use of the tracks and some serious imagination.

Peter

This tune reminds me of rolling surf. Great melody and feel. Rob

Nice!

Since you asked for feedback, I'll be happy to oblige! Feel free to ignore.

The music abruptly starts, full on. If the track begins like that, you might want to add a bit of a fade in.

I can't tell if it's the piano or strings at fault in the introduction, but something isn't smoothly connecting - it sounds a bit like a record skipping, or you're using a Mellotron instead of a real string section. This isn't as much of a problem later, when there are other instruments in the mix, because they help to cover up the abrupt change. It might be the piano pedaling that's doing it, I can't tell.

Whatever it is, it's probably better to leave that instrument out on the introduction. If you really need strings, perhaps they could hold a single chord as a pedal tone while the other instruments change?

The texture of the music never changes - perhaps could change things up by dropping some of the instruments out for a bit, and then bringing them back in? Perhaps you could give the melody to a MIDI flute and let the violin rest for a bit?

You could turn down the violin and strings a bit when the choir comes in - that would also be a nice change in texture.

Just some thoughts.

I have said this before Alan. You move from genre to genre with such ease. This is such a pretty song. Love the violin and piano. Well done..

Alan,

This swept me along " solemn and cinematic"as Deryk said. Your chord progressions are invariably pleasing and its no surprise you are able to move into this orchestral style with authority.
DCuny made some points I`d agree with on the abrupt beginning and possibility that a changeup in the intensity might work... definitely a keeper whether you tweak or not!

Robert

Hi Stefan

Thank you very much. I really appreciate your very nice words. best to you,

Alan

Thank you Dave! I'm more than delighted with your comments and encouragement. I do plan to revisit this after the holidays (gonna wait and see what BIAN 2019 has to offer). Wishing you the very best.

ALan

Thanks, Deryk,

Yes, it's my first foray in this genre. I'm delighted it turned out fairly good. Best to you.

ALan

Thank you, David. You are much too kind! Best to you.

ALan

Joe, Many thanks - sure do appreciate all that. Wishing you well.

Alan

Hello Loren.

Your reviews are always so exquisite and put a smile on my face. The song was actually inspired from a novel i wrote quite a few years ago. A young woman emerges from a comma with pure retrograde amnesia (total memory loss) to learn she may have brutally murdered her mother. This piece refers to moment of reflection on the part of the young lady.

Thank you again. Wishing you the best.

Alan

Alan… If this is “dipping your toe” into this genre, I give it a Bravo!

I think what you were getting at, comparing this type of writing to songwriting, is that in songwriting efforts, you definitely have a complete story to tell, and it defines the piece. But in this kind of writing, it is sometimes uncertain where to take it, and how to move the piece along… At least that’s been my experience. I really marvel at a lot of the classical composers and how they were able to keep the shape of their work in their mind and they moved along.

I like your overall idea, and the mix of instrumentation and the choices of RTs..I’ll be interested to see how this experiment find its way into your general work… I’ll bet we will see bits of it from time to time!

Hello, again, Alan...

A writer, too? Cool! The plot you described provides a shuddering contrast to the loveliness of your composition.

I hope your novel is produced as a movie someday, so you can compose the score for it!

Surprised,

LOREN

A very nice piece, Alan. A really nice melody/theme. Sounds like you've been doing this type music for a long time....

I thought the piano sound did not fit the style. It sounds like an upright - when I would expect a grand. It appears you used an RT not a MIDI SuperTrack? - so, of course in that cae you get what you get... The strings could use some "softening" - perhaps some reverb? or maybe some high EQ rolled off - they are rather "crisp".

I really like the piece.

fj

This is just plain gorgeous!!! Damn!!!! Great work Alan! Take care. Greg

That is lovely Alan and certainly cinematic!

The advantages of the BiaB Midi SuperTracks are HUGE for a piece like this. This one begs for a Grand Steinway sounds as floyd mentioned. The MST's have been revelatory for me. I'm very fortunate that my DAW, Logic Pro X, comes packed with hundreds of sounds. It's fun to audition the piano sounds against the same MST to hear the differences.

Actually, I feel a bit presumptuous with my comments as I do not work with this genre but I feel that strong about the MSTs!

We enjoyed it!

Bud

Thank you, Peter. I really appreciate that. Wishing you the best.

Alan

Hi Rob,

Many thanks. I'd never thought of that analogy but you might be right! All the best.

Alan

Hi David,

I NEVER ignore suggestions - the great majority of them are very helpful. I wish I had more time for a more detailed response to your terrific breakdown. Please know that I sincerely appreciate all the observations and suggestions. As I mentioned, this is totally virgin territory for me so I'm more than happy tp get such great feedback. When I redo this, your review will be one of the very first I refer back to. Again, many thanks!

Alan

PS: Never be bashful - I want to learn what I can. It's a fun journey!

Hi Scott,

You are very kind with your comments. I'm delighted you enjoyed it - thanks for letting me know. Best to you.

Alan

Thanks a bunch, Robert. I agree with you that David's suggestions appear to be very helpful - I plan to give it a real good look when I rewrite I'm glad you liked it. Many thanks and best to you.

Alan

Hello Tano,

You are so right about this genre requiring a focused direction by the composer. I've had some very good suggestions to work with when I get back to this. I always appreciate your comments and insights. Best to you.

Alan

Yep - several books on Amazon. That the movie agenda you mentioned would be great!

Hi Floyd,

I'll definitely relook those areas and try something new, as per your suggestions. I always appreciate your ear and suggestions - you never fail to lead me in the right direction. Much appreciated! Best to you.

Alan

Why thank you, Greg! It's all a new process for me - lots to learn. But I'm glad it works for you as is. Wishing you well and hope the smoke from the fires lessens with the rain. We have distant family in Chico, very close to the Camp Fire. They are well, thank God. Best to you and everyone in your part of the country.

Alan

Hey Ya'll (or as my mother used to say - You-uns all),

Appreciate the feedback and the suggestions for the MSTs. I'll give them a listen as soon as I can. And I'll keep them in mind for future projects. Never feel presumptuous to offer me suggestions for improvement - I eat'em up but don't spit 'em out! Thanks so much. Best to you.

Alan