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Writer's block, for a while. Wrote this, now. See what you think? Thanks for listening  Always In My Heart THE BAND: Soloists: Flute, Oboe, Cor Anglais (MIDI sounds from Mixcraft Pro Studio 10) ****** Song Summary ************* Title: 22 July 2025 File:22 July 2025.SGU Key=Db , Tempo 50, Length (m:s)=4:09 4 bar intro, 44 bar chorus, from bar 5 to bar 48. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Style is _HOLD.STY (Hold Dreamy 12-8 Country Pop) RealTracks in style: 3546:Bass, Electric, AmericanaSlow12-8SteveAB Sw 040 RealTracks in style: 3086:Organ, Rhythm AmericanaSlow128Mike Sw 040 RealTracks in style: 4211:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModCountrySlow128DreamyHiPads Sw 050 RealDrums in style:ModernCountrySlow128Sw^2-a:HiHat & Sidestick , b:Ride & Snare ******************* Mixed in Mixcraft Pro Studio 10
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James,
What a great blend of instruments. That flute has a vocal-like quality to it. Very beautiful and moody. I also think the 4211 Electric guitar was the perfect choice - it really holds the arrangement in place throughout. Beautiful mix.
Loved this - excellent song!
Bob
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James..I really liked that initial short phrase that set the tone for the entire piece....and how you "stretched" it out at the end, and then resolved it---very effective!
Another thing...you used quite a few accidental passing tones, which also made this interesting.
Great work, kicking yourself out of that writing block---and thanks for posting!
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
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Some wonderful chord choices there, James. The melody played by each instrument builds this each round, and I agree with Tom about the passing notes - delightful variations.
Well done.
Andrew
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Peaceful song. Nothing to complain about in this. Nicely done
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Hey James, glad you broke through the block! Nice to hear oboe for a change. Love those unexpected high flute notes! Really wakes up an otherwise kinda rainy afternoon song.
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Lovely instrumental, James. The midi oboe sounds excellent I want oboe and bassoon on BiaB1 - but while the flute was also good I would have liked to have heard more oboe for variation.
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Excellent melody, James. Loved the tradeoff from oboe to flute. To my ears, the oboe sample was lacking a little, but not a big deal. It's your composition that is the star here, not the samples.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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Thank you, Bob. Ever so kind, as always ... glad you enjoyed it!
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Thanks, Tom ... thanks for noticing the passing notes, too
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Thanks, Andrew. Wasn't sure how it'd sound, after my "writer's block", so I'm glad that people seem to have enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time with it
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James,
Very pretty and soft on the ears . . . Melodically, it's quite compelling. Somewhat agree with TuneMonger that the transitions early on could be a touch smoother (between the oboe and clarinet?) . . . but, gosh, that's really getting nitty. Really nicely done, James! Particularly like how you ended the song.
Dave
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Hi, James. Nice melody and mix! It's a shame you can't shape the longer notes of the woodwinds, but they're still lovely to listen to.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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The first creative endeavor after getting over an artist's block always feels that much more special and rewarding somehow. Great job with this, and I bet it feels pretty good to be over that block now!
Cheers,
Ember
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James, that was absolutely one beautiful piece of music.
Excellent choice of instruments.
An outstanding melody and mix.
loved it
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
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Very nice. That third section transitions fabulously from the second. Variations in melodies that complement each other: Well done.
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Thank you so much, Herb! Glad you liked it!
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Thanks, BYOBand, for taking the time to listen and comment! Yes, sometimes we just have to write what we feel, and hope It IS a kind of "rainy afternoon song", but hey ... that's what came through when I sat down to write, haha. Again, thanks!
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WaoBand: thanks. That was (and still is) my major worry with this song: i.e. not too much variation in it, the way I've written it. But, there we are, for now ... I'm honestly a little reluctant to change it now, but we shall see! In any case, thank you for taking of your time with it!
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Lovely ... as we watch the hummingbirds outside our "studio" window.
Great choice of tracks and an excellent mix.
No need to parse things out as it all sounds fine in toto to us.
Enjoyed the song and accompanying relaxation,
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
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