An Elf's Funeral

Comments were made about my Bridge to Nowhere that Dwarfs would fight with the Elfs because they could not enter the Mystical Elfland. Well that fight did happen and all but one Elf made it to safety. This is the song they played at that Elf's funeral.

Sometimes things just fall into place. The weather is so bad here that BobH couldn't make it over today; we get together every Sunday to play guitar. So after shoveling out my driveway I had an idea for this song. I found a BiaB style I liked, chose the instruments, then played my parts, and did the mix. All of this happened in about four hours.

BiaB style = Neon Sign MIDI Smooth Jazz Waltz
Tempo = 50 BPN\M

I deleted the bass and drum tracks.
Piano - EZLeys2 - Dream Machine - preset Celesta Mellow
Guitar - Keyzone Classic - preset Basic EP
Strings - Kontakt - The String Collection - preset Percisa Strings
Me-Bass - Kontakt - Amadeus - preset Basses
Me via my new breath controller and keyboard controller the Swam Viola and EastWest's Play - Alto choir.

Before anyone asks I use the combination of those controllers because it gives me more simultaneous control over the selected patch. My right hand can play the note(s) while my left can control the nuances like tremolo, vibrato, slurs,etc. If I desire I can also program my MIDI foot pedal controller for more options. I can also play polyphonically while the wind controller is only one note at a time. The wind controller does have it benefits so I will be using that also. I had to experiment so this is my first time with the breath controller.

As always all comments are welcomed.

I find it interesting that most everyone who writes and records music here has one or more personal styles, sort of like a musical thumb print. And this song is a good example of one of your styles. Calming, soothing, other worldly, mysterious, but peaceful.

I can envision this elf travelling to his next world in the form of a slowly rising shooting star.

Nicely done Mario, especially the e-piano.

Hi Mario,

This is so beautiful. You own this genre. This matches or exceeds anything I've heard as bg music in high-production films. Mysterious, mystical, and masterfully executed. The richness and full use of the soundstage fills the listener's ears with an encompassing richness that's so beautiful and moving.

What a wonderful example of the genre.

Best to you,

Alan

Mario,

Ethereal and haunting... You create such beautiful compositions. Your new breath controller is a win.

This is excellent!

Bob

Good stuff, Mario! Especially like what you did with the breath controller.

Wow, so soothing, I really enjoy the instrumental!!

Seriously, Mario, you gotta hook up with some movie writers. You have a great imagination, and tell stories so brilliantly with your music. No kidding, this is so compelling, and you really bring out the sadness that even the most soulless dwarf would feel. And yet you add compassion and comfort for the grieving elves.

Ok, Gandalf, stop with the sorcery already! Seriously, Mario, this is really cool stuff. You really know how to create a sonic landscape. Your creative use of instruments is very impressive, too. Well done (again)!

Hard to add to the above accolades other than to say we agree totally.

Great track choice, mix and performances.
Sounds like you are having fun with the new controller.

And most importantly we hope the elf community appreciates this fitting tribute to their fallen comrade!

J&B

Nicely done.

As was pointed out, you seem to do this style exceptionally well.

Very calm and serene.

Heavenly.

Thanx so much Steve for this very kind review. That EP track is all BiaB, all I did was choose the sound.

Thanx Alan for this kind review. Sometimes the quick and dirty songs come out the best, at least for me they do. I'm glad you liked it.

Thanx Bob. I do like that breath controller as it open up more natural expression, at least for me it does.


Thanx so much Dave.

Thanx so much Ronnie.

Thanx so much Marty. I try to tell stories via music both with and without vocals. Sometimes they come out just fine while other times.....well I don't post them

Thanx Ron I appreciate your kind review. I try to paint sonic landscapes with the instruments I have. Sometimes they come out OK while other times they don't get posted!

Thanx Janice and Bud. Yes the elfs did appreciate this tribute and in fact gave me a box of chocolate cookies!

Thanx so much Herb.


Thanx Floyd.

Mario, if there ever was a magical elf on The forum that would be you.

You have more elven magic in the tiniest top sliver of your pinky finger on your right hand then some elves have in their whole pipe stem, and I'm getting that directly from Tolkien himself because he's sitting right here believe it or not.

But seriously man you have mastered this genre of freaky, bluesy, melancholy, surreal, yet happy and ethereal improv jazz genius .

I hope your elven music never dies and there will never be a need to have the funeral March or burning pyre for the last ritual of the elven King. I hope it lives on in eternity in the hallowed Halls of Narnia.

Loved it.

David, thanx for this wonderful review.
The head elf is one called Peter and he has generated a music making program and told me to produce and distribute elfin music to the human world. Thus far the response has been positive.

PS - Tolkien is sitting next to you? That must have been a grave undertaking!

Ah boo ha ha ha ha!

A little Dickens I think!

Perhaps a little more of gravy than the grave, dear spirit!!!

Ah boo ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!

I can do this all day, Mario.

Mario,
Cool idea. Neat soundscape. It's amazing what you do with MIDI controllers! Very pleasant tune.
Thank you for sharing.
Misha.

P.S. All I wanted after 5+ hour of snow cleanup last week is a pair of warm & dry socks

Hi, Mario !✌️😍

This is so beautiful funeral music
as it can get !

Cheers
Dani

I know! It's fun isn't it!

Thanx Misha. 5+ hours of snow cleanup. Do you live near Buffalo NY? You can PM me if you do not want your city made public.

Thanx Dani for listening and commenting on this quick and dirty song of mine.

Incredible Mario! Hard to believe you got that much sound and put it together so perfectly in only four hours. I'm jealous.

Magnificently beautiful. Musical storytelling at its finest and the composition is aptly titled.

Thanx Brad. It just one of those very unusual days when almost everything I tried fit. That doesn't happen very often. On the other hand I have worked for days on a song, listen to it a couple of days later, then delete the whole thing and say "what was I thinking"!


Thanx so much.

So sooothing!

Glad you're able to put your new musical tool to good use!

Lovely, lovely. It's also the 2nd forum post I've listened to today which had me recalling a time in my late teens when I got stuck in a shower when the door jammed. It's how I felt when I only had cold water and a soggy spliff. Not even a towel.

Thanx David for listening and commenting, I appreciate it.


Thanx so much. Stuck in a shower with a soggy spliff (I had to look that up)! How terrible, not being stuck in the shower or the cold water but that soggy spliff

Wow a beautiful piece of music. I thought it was gentle yet full of passion. Excellent choice of instrumentation, and a really nice production. Very Nice !!

Thanx Elliott, I really appreciated your very kind comments.

Mario, this is a chilled out example of your mastery of midi. Very cinematic and perfect for a movie soundtrack. The breath controller works well. Another fine piece, Tom

Thanx Tommy. I do like that breath controller.