Sarah Bellum


This is a spec production. One of my neighbors is an aspiring playwright. He asked me to write 4 songs for him. He has an appointment in a couple of weeks with a film producer in Atlanta and one in April with a different film producer somewhere else. He wanted some background music (not as part of the film score, but simply as ambient music in the room) to play as he gives his pitch. "Room ambiance", he said.

I suggested to him that we give the chorus more differentiation from the verses, but he wanted to keep as it is now - didn't want a mood shift. He's paying me, so it's his call. I'm okay with that. I have three more songs I put together for him for his pitches. I'll be posting them at various times over the next couple of months. Like this one, they'll be spec songs I "shaped" to his liking..

This one is supposed to represent the feeling/mood for some sort of space exploration scene.


A list of all 21 (I think) tracks I used:


Title:Sarah Bellum

File:Sarah Bellum.SGU

Key=E , Tempo 100, Length (m:s)=2:43

Style is _ARIES.STY (Aries Ambient Modern Jazz)

RealTracks in style: 2957:Bass, Acoustic, ModernJazz8thsNeil Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 3680:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm ModernJazzJeff Ev 110
RealTracks in style: 3904:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm CinematicMystery16ths Ev 085
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 2332:Koto, Synth, Rhythm NewAge Ev 110
RealTracks in song: 3267:Cello, Background CelticAirFlowingNatalie Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 2952:Strings, Rhythm JazzBalladPads Sw 060
RealTracks in song: ~2293:Horn Section, Rhythm PopPads Ev 130
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 1806:Synth Pad, PopModernGrooveMellow Ev16 075
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 4374:Synth, Arp, SynthMasterDanceArp SyncHits ev16 095
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 4691:Synth, Pad, SynthmasterLDSelfOscMK
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 4689:Bass, Electric, PopModernGrooveHeld Ev16 075
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 4439:Synth, Arp SynthMaster80sArp8ths
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 4675:Synth, Arp, SynthmasterSubtleChordsLowerAlternating
RealTracks in song: 2747:Synth, Rhythm AltHipHopHorn Ev16 085
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 4439:Synth, Arp SynthMaster80sArp8ths
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 4690:Synth, Lead, SynthmasterAcidLeadSyncPulse ev16
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 4688:Synth, Pad, SynthmasterDistantGalaxy
RealTracks in song: 4567:Dizi Flute, Background CalmingMelodic ev 065

RealDrums in Song: WoodblocksEv[single]^01-Clve32LH
RealDrums in style:ElecHipHopMinimal^1-a:Verse , b:Chorus
RealDrums in Song: TropicalHouse^01-QkMelD,QkPcMd

I have the full Synthmaster product and put it to good use!


I'm interested in your thoughts on it. I won't be making any changes as this is exactly how he wanted it. Still, your comments will be of interest to me.

Alan

Alan, gorgeous piece! Love your steady development within the theme. There's a lot going on for a short piece, but you make it all sound very smooth and relaxed. Especially like the Koto floating around and where you have it in the mix. Cute title, too!

You really have fine compositional skills and a master's touch with BiaB orchestration. I can definitely imagine you doing a lot more of this type of work.

Two thumbs up!

Alan,

Complex and beautiful... I love the way this song flows. It sounds thoughtful and optimistic with a destination in mind.

The mix on this is truly unbelievable! 21 tracks! Everything fits so well and has its own space.

You have a great touch with instrumental music. You bring emotion and feeling to every piece.

Bob

Always a lot of mastery and originality in the compositions. The elves have done a good job. the title reminds me of this phrase from the Romans: Si vis pacem, para bellum.
Laurent

Good one Alan! Sounds really nice!

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the time to listen and comment with such nice words. I originally had more of a build in the song -letting five of the tracks come on board in increments until all tracks were playing. But he preferred it to open with everything already in place.

I've been a fan of the koto for many years. I've heard a number of Japanese songs that included a koto paired with taiko drums and a shamisen.

The biggest challenge in mixing this one was determining when and how to weave the various tracks around each other.

Thank you for the nice words about my music creation. I sincerely appreciate that!

Take care.

Alan

Hi Bob,

You wrote, ... "thoughtful and optimistic with a destination in mind." That is the precise intention of the song. Thank you for validating that I might have succeeded in that quest. According to my neighbor, in the scene this music represented, the astronauts on board were in awe of the beauty of space and were enjoying its captivation as their craft moved closer to their intended destination.

It was, indeed, a complex mix to achieve. And thank you for your comment about my music rendering emotion. That's a very nice compliment.

Thanks a bunch!

Alan

Eastern chillout with a touch of Tangerine Dream synthesizer flair.
I like that!

Hi Al and Di.
Sounds luxurious and not too complicated as a background piece.
Good luck with it.

Vic

Nice as ambient music for the puporses your friend wants, but I was surprised that the dizi was so low on gain.

Hi Laurent,

Thank you very much for those kind words. Yes, I made those little elves work hard! And there's a lot of truth in that old Roman saying.

Take care ...

Alan

Hi David,

Thanks for your time to listen and comment so nicely. I appreciate it!

Take care,

Alan

Alan, you are a mix master. How did you get all of those tracks to blend like you did?
I also liked the Tangerine Dream background.
Super leads and great instrumentation.
I liked it!

Hi, Alan.

As usual, you've crafted together a coherent story from diverse sources. It reminds me of the loops in the old Korg Wavestation.

My only negative thought is the synth stabs - they stand out and call attention to themselves. I'd have assumed that an ambient track would be a bit more anodyne, but... the paying customer is always right!

Love it, Alan. So cool that that is going on for you. I dig it rght from the title. It's amazing how you complied with his request creating ambience that keeps the mind awake, interested and receptive. I guess there's no way we can tell what the movie is about since your composition wasn't to reveal any of that, but you did a fine job mixing the perfect piece. He's right about how a catchy chorus could be distracting, but I hear how you're just chomping at the bit to expand the tune. Excellent title. Is the next one going to be called Copious Callosum bringing the listener right and left with clever panning?

Hi Alan, as most of you know I'm a fan of instrumental tunes specially the cinematic type. This one is absolutely gorgeous. It kept my wanting for more. Lots of work here but it was worth every second of it.

Cheers

Mike B.

Great job Alan, you are a BiaB master craftsman for sure.
Soothing, reflective yet creative and flowing.
An enjoyable arrangement, well done.

--Steve

It's a cool thing Alan.
I agree with you regarding the dynamics but the customer calls the shots.

Alan,

It's about time someone start using your music. And paying you for it.
You should be making-a-living doing this kid of thing...
An incredible number of tracks to deal with. Not surprising the mix is excellent...

Nice!


fj

I'd say, mission accomplished on this one, Alan! It definitely sets the mood you described your friend was looking for. There are so many ways to make money with original music and you've touched on one I've never heard before. Thanks for sharing your story and the music!

Dewey

21 tracks?

Man that is light years above our mix pay grade.

We felt your SC comment “… cerebral film piece, Dramatic but cautiously uplifting” was a great description of what we heard.

What to say other than amazing and very well produced. Your friend is lucky.

Enjoyed it!
J&B
PS Just read your comments on Cold Plate … you do realize Bud is older than you? 😀

Mr. Thomas ...

I love the Tangerine Dream analogy! They pretty much introduced the world to legit synth music. I always liked their song "Raum". Thanks for the kindness!

Alan

Thanks for dropping in for a listen. The flute was a bit more forward when I presented the song to him. He wanted it softer, so this is where he was satisfied. I would agree with you, though. But he signed the check!

Thanks again,

Alan

Hi Mario,

The biggest challenge in the mixing process was their respective places, both horizontal soundstage and the depth of each. Determining the depth was more difficult than the horizontal panning. It took about an hour of mixing trials to figure it all out.

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know.

Alan

Good Evening, David,

"coherent story from diverse sources ..". Thanks - I like that! A little trial and error played a big part in that. Anodyne was an excellent word choice. The track was, indeed, meant to represent the temporary respite the astronauts/space explorers enjoyed the demands and challenges of their mission, according to my neighbor.

I assume you're referring to the stabs on the far right periphery. I originally had a different, softer track there. But my neighbor wanted something to remind the subjects there were still important things going on besides the reverie of the beauty of the scene outside their vehicle - his words almost verbatim. So this is what he chose.

When the Name on the "Pay To The Order Of" line on the check is mine, I'm open to change!

Thanks again!

Alan

Hi Marty!

Hope all is well in your part of the Keystone State.

I'm delighted you enjoyed it! he didn't tell me the complete context of the movie - just that three men were en route to a distant celestial body and that the year was 2050. That's all I really needed to know. He said he still hadn't settled on a title.

Hmmm .. Copius Collosum. That's an idea! Over the years, I've made a bit of money with my music (my original music, not when I was playing in a band). I had a Gypsy Jazz piece licensed as the intro music for a British documentary about Django Rhinehardt ($800.00) and a really weird piece I wrote about 15 years ago that was licensed exclusively for a Japanese movie ($2,200.00). I've had several pieces licenses off and on for $50 - $200. So, I've made a few house payments form my music.

Thanks for the the listen and very nice comments!

Take care,

Alan

HI Mike,

Thank you very much! Your words put a smile on my face. Appreciate that!

Take care,

Alan

Hi Steve,

Thank you very much! That's very kind of you to say.

Take care,

Alan

HI Ray,

"... a cool thing ...". I'll take that with a smile! But, as you said, when someone else is signing the check, flexibility is always an option!

Take care, my friend.

Alan

HI Floyd,

Thabnk you very much. I appreciate your words very much.

As I told Marty, I've made a few house payments of my music (referring to writing original music). I mentioned to Marty a couple of nice licensing opportunities that work well for me.

At your suggestion, I'm looking at the possibility of uploading to Spotify, ITunes, etc., and maybe a music library or two. I'm pretty ignorant about all that, so I want to look a little closer and educate myself before taking the plunge. But I'm thrilled you suggested my music reaches that level.

Wishing you & yours the very best,

Alan

HI dewey,

It's always good to hear from you. yeah, there are opportunities abound, but discovering them can be a bit of a chore. This one just fell into my lap. I had a piece picked up for a TV commercial a couple of years ago.

Thank you for those really nice comments!

Best to you,

Alan

Hey Folks,

Well, we need to raise your pay grade as your music is always among the very best on the forum. Glad you liked my SC description. That's how it sounded to me upon completion.

Uh, yes, I know Bud has more time on the job in this world than I do. I defer to his seniority! Actually, I defer to the superior talent both of you always exhibit.

Thanks again for the kindness. Best to both of you.

Alan

Alan,

The sound is very different from your usual musical style, but I can understand that the production was commissioned by someone else.
I think it really captures the atmosphere of space.
Many synth sounds were used accurately, and I really felt your deep understanding of music.
I am also looking forward to the completion of the other three songs.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Hi Shigeki,

Yes, a little bit different from my usual posts. But $$/Yen can foster a change in direction! I'm not so sure about my technical understanding of music, but I think I can usually find decent tracks and make them sound pretty most of the time. I do a lot of experimenting with chords and the [possible RTs for them.

Thank you very much for the nice comments! I'll be posting one of the other three tracks late next week.

Best wishes,

Alan

Beautiful instrumental song!
You really relax and enjoy to listen

Jona