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#865254 10/17/25 09:17 PM
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Listen To The Beat

A couple of weeks ag I mentioned that shortly after Di's passing, I pretty much lost myself in music for a month or so. Beth (BYOB) had the best description of that process. She called it "Roulette Music". I simply blindly rolled the scroll wheel on my mouse and wrote a song based on wherever the mouse pointer landed. Some of them were genres I'd never heard of. But I did what I could with the selection. It was simply a mechanism for me to escape everything for a while.

This is one of those songs. I added the lead guitar, changed out the bass and drums, but kept everything else. This is what I ended up with. It's a little under three minutes. Keep in mind, these are genres I didn't choose - just whatever the mouse stuck me with.



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File:Listen To The Beat.SGU

Key=Am , Tempo 100, Length (m:s)=2:33

Style is _FACULA.STY (Facula Driving Slow Rock)

RealTracks in style: 1522:Bass, Electric, PopPower8s Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 2195:Piano, ElectricVintage, Rhythm CoolJazzPopHeld Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 4157:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModCountryPopSoftPowerChug Ev 090
RealTracks in style: 4157:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModCountryPopSoftPowerChug Ev 090
RealTracks in song: 3201:Guitar, Electric, Soloist LaidBackBluesyBrent Ev 100
RealTracks in song: 2740:Synth, Rhythm PepSquadHorns Ev 165
RealTracks in song: 2305:Synth, Background DanceRockTensionPad Ev 120
RealDrums in Song: FunkUpbeatTambo
RealDrums in Song: Tambourine2and4Dark
RealDrums in Song:FunkHalfNoteSync: a: Snare, Kick b: Busy Kick


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Hi Alan

This is a wonderful listen, and knowing the unique backstory of its creation—the "Roulette Music" concept—makes the track "Listen To The Beat" even more significant. It stands as a powerful testament to channeling deep emotion and creative energy into the unexpected.

The solo work is liquid, bluesy, and imbued with genuine soul—it sings effortlessly over the backing band

Love the production and arrangement tweaks

"Listen To The Beat" proves that even when dealt a completely random hand of genres, a skilled artist can transform those elements into something cohesive and memorable. At just under three minutes, this track is highly polished, infectious, and a beautiful piece of work. It’s a compelling reminder that the creative process, especially during challenging times, can yield truly exceptional results.

My ears thank you!

Izzy.

Izzy #865258 10/17/25 11:09 PM
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Hwey Izzy,

Thank you so much! It was quite a challenge I dropped upon myself. It was an escape from the grief of losing my gorgeous wife. And it was successful to an extent.

I appreciate all those kind words - seriously!

FWIW, I spent less than three hours on this entire project - from first concept to finished, ready for posting. Sometimes things just fall in your favor.

All total I did 32 songs. Some of them are only appropriate for people who have lost their hearing! But 8 or 10 of them came out reasonably good. I limited myself as follows: Can't change the style, can remove only two tracks from the original style, can add as many tracks as I wanted. and this is one of those songs created under those restrictions.

Glad you enjoyed it.

Alan


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Alan,

This sounds great. I love the way it starts and then builds steadily. The lead guitar really takes control early on and drives the whole song. The drums are also excellent.

All topped off with an awesome mix. You have another great piece here.

Bob

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STICK WITH THE MOUSE Alan - it's working, another delicious piece!
Love the sweet liquid bluesy guitar and cool feel to the whole track,
lovely balanced mix! You have a FAB gift for knitting things together
so they work as a whole - beautiful job, have a great weekend!!

Carl

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Ha, I like this approach, Alan. Often start there myself. You spun a good one here. Like Carl said, stick with it, and Beth's name is perfect. You always bring out the best in any style. What a fine mix and composition. Good choice on the change of drums, and the synth give it a nice bed to float on.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Well, cool, Alan....letting the music choose you instead of the other way around. I really like the band that found expression through you but I also really like what you did choose with the funky drum.

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Great bit of roulette wheel spinning! Atmospherically it reminded me of something else throughout, but I can't put my finger on it.


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Alan, slinky and cool. I'm not even sure what this genre is, but I like what you've done with it. The lead guitar turned out quite nice, and I like the short reverb(?) tail you've got on it. That's a nice progression, too, with lots of little dynamic twists to keep it interesting. Suspect you've got a lot of these to be proud of in this grouping, 'cause I doubt there are many genres you can't lend your magic touches to. Nice one!


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Hi Alan!
You spun up a really good style here, and I’m going to note it down for future use. I love the chord progression and lead melody. Under 3 minutes? Less is more!
Andrew

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Nice. I could listen to Mr. Mason all day. I listen very intently to your tracks, hoping some of their quality will rub off. We'll see.


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Love the beat
Love the guitar
A damn good listen
fj

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We much enjoyed the backstory on how it all came about.
Your all BiaB productions, as we oft say, are top bar.
And that solo? Wow!
It all sounds like you schooled the session guys.

Great mix and arrangement ... cool build.

Well done!

J&B


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Hello Alan
Having not been on the forum for several months, I've just learned of this sad news and offer you my sincere condolences. As I've said before, I think you're one of those who best masters BIAB in the styles I love, and it's always a great pleasure to listen to your creations.
Sincerely,
Laurent

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As the title promises, there's beat.Great guitars. A clever chord progression. Congrats!

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I think this approach is pretty cool, and when you venture into a new genre, you free yourself from old habits and discover things you didn't even know you could do.
Enjoyed my listen [Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]

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Originally Posted by rsdean
Alan,

This sounds great. I love the way it starts and then builds steadily. The lead guitar really takes control early on and drives the whole song. The drums are also excellent.

All topped off with an awesome mix. You have another great piece here.

Bob


Hi Bob,

Sorry for the late response and brevity. Time is hard to come by for me at the moment. Should be back on track sometime next week.

Glad you enjoyed it. The substitution drums did the heavy lifting I was hoping for. Many thanks for the kind words.

Alan


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Originally Posted by camog
STICK WITH THE MOUSE Alan - it's working, another delicious piece!
Love the sweet liquid bluesy guitar and cool feel to the whole track,
lovely balanced mix! You have a FAB gift for knitting things together
so they work as a whole - beautiful job, have a great weekend!!

Carl

Sorry for the late response and brevity. Time is hard to come by for me at the moment. Should be back on track sometime next week.

That very kind of you to say. Sometimes I get it right! And, yes, it all came together pretty nicely. I appreciate all those nice words.

Take care,

Alan


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Originally Posted by BabuMusic
Ha, I like this approach, Alan. Often start there myself. You spun a good one here. Like Carl said, stick with it, and Beth's name is perfect. You always bring out the best in any style. What a fine mix and composition. Good choice on the change of drums, and the synth give it a nice bed to float on.

Hi, Marty ...

Sorry for the late response and brevity. Time is hard to come by for me at the moment. Should be back on track sometime next week.

You are always so kind to my efforts on the forum. I truly appreciate that. BTW, reread part of your book last week. Will get back to you on that. and I, too, like Bet's moniker for that adventure!

Best to you,

Alan


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Originally Posted by BYOBand
Well, cool, Alan....letting the music choose you instead of the other way around. I really like the band that found expression through you but I also really like what you did choose with the funky drum.

Hi Bet,

Sorry for the late response and brevity. Time is hard to come by for me at the moment. Should be back on track sometime next week.

And thank you for coming up with the perfect name for the process. I'm going to post a couple more of the better ones soon - mix them in with other posts. Glad you liked it. And, as I've said in earlier replies, those drums did their job. I got luck on that call.

Wishing you the very best.

Alan


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