Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#20186 04/16/09 04:00 PM
Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 262
P
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
P
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 262
This started out awhile back as an acoustic piece - then one day I got to thinkin' - this is a song about a Kentucky coal miner - maybe it should be bluegrass.

Since bluegrass is not my usual genre - any thoughts will be appreciated.

Special thanks to my granddaughter CoCo - who gave me a hand on the outtro

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7524474


The Powderman
Learning something new everyday
Off-Topic
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 809
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 809
Nice song. I like the bluegrass feel. I think you chose the right style here.

I have two comments just trying to help.

You have a good voice.
I've learned by trial and error that you sing more in tune when you sing out. I think this would help you too.

I think it would better if you upped the tempo.


My website to hear my stuff-

http://www.edbulmer.com/


guitar player, vocalist, sailor
Off-Topic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
For some reason, the playback is all distorted and messed up for me. I checked my soundclick stuff and that sounded OK. Maybe you uploaded it at some other resolution than 16bit 44.1 khz? (Edit: Odd, I downloaded and it seems OK, but I can't stream it. -- what is that rhythm instrument that sounds like a frog in there? LOL!) I'll come back and listen when I get a chance tomorrow.

Kevin

Last edited by Kemmrich; 04/16/09 05:52 PM.

Now at bandcamp: Crows Say Vee-Eh @ bandcamp or soundcloud: Kevin @ soundcloud
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,523
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,523
Hey Powderman, this is outstanding. I really like this song. Super job.

Ps – how about a song featuring CoCo? She sounded very good on this one!


The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal".
Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 262
P
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
P
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 262
Kemmrich,

I never could find anything for the drum track that I liked - yeah what I ended up with is a little corny - guess I was wishing for a washboard type effect. Used what BIAB threw at me then used Kontakt. I will probably keep searching for something there.


The Powderman
Learning something new everyday
Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 262
P
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
P
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 262
I was traveling at the time I recorded the vocals - actually recorded them in my room at the Holiday Inn - probably had something to do with not belting them out a little more.


The Powderman
Learning something new everyday
Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 262
P
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
P
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 262
Mario,

Coco is 14 and does a pretty good job. She wasn't too sure about helping Grandpa on this one - but I reminded her who had been paying for her piano lessons. Once she heard the end results - she felt a lot better about the whole thing.


The Powderman
Learning something new everyday
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
powderman, very nice and your granddaughter did a fine job. to my ear it didn't sound 'bluegrass' though. it sounded more 'americana' or 'folk' to me. that's not a bad thing. enjoyed your vox. please keep 'em coming.

Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436
Powderman;

That was great. You are lucky, you have a real good timbre to your voice. I love your stuff. And Coco, wow, 14? She has a very grown up voice, it fit perfectly in the song. Maybe she will be inspired to get involved much more. Were you standing up when you recorded your voice? I have found this helps for some reason, to belt it out more. Please post more when you can. The songs are always what I click on first when I visit the forum. I love to see what everyone is doing.

Gene

Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 474
T
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
T
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 474
Wery nice song powderman. I enjoyed listening to it. To me the song seems to fit more into the cowboy/country style and not typichally bluegras. Maybe it also could be nice with some harmonies on the chorus? Also it sounds to me that the intro is a bit to long. (maybe the last four bars on the verse is enough).

Best regards
Tono

Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 235
A
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
A
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 235
Well well, interesting. You have a very recognizable sound, which in my opinion is a very good thing. As I allready said before, your voice is great. The fact that you did not completely sing out, is not such a bad thing, it adds a bit of fragility to it, although it might be better if it was controlled fragility. Nevertheless, it is very nice. The backings of your granddaughter doesnot sound like a 14 year old, very nice voice as well. A pity she only comes in at the ending of the song.

I am not the type that likes to place things within boundaries, so I am not saying how a bluegrass should sound like or what would be a better style. My idea is that when it sounds good, it is good, and a "style" doesnot matter. There are so many styles, which have substyles, subsubstyles, crossoverstyles and so on, sometimes styles that are hard to define at all, which only emphasises and confirms my ideas about music. As we get stuck in a style, we get restricted in our creativity, so I refuse to do that.

A few notes: Your timing could be a bit better, you seem to run behind the "band", I think you should be a bit more on top of the rhythm. As I said before, the backings could be used a bit more often throughout the song. A little variation in the vocal melody line would not hurt either.


I'll be back...
Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 262
P
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
P
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 262
abaudio,

Thanks for the pointers - you know I did have a some harmony parts - which I actually sang rather than use software - but then I changed a couple of chords and never went back to redo.

The timing seems to be an issue - I know part of it is me - but I am wandering if latency plays any part - I'll have to try a little nudge and see if it brings it in closer.


The Powderman
Learning something new everyday
Off-Topic
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,576
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,576
It's all good here Mate. I agree on the harmonies.

The only real thing with this song is it's supposed to be bluegrass. You're not singing thru your nose. Good on ya Mate. Really liked it.


Russ
Anyday above ground is a good day

Computer is Hp Pavillion Vision
6 Ghz quad core AMD processor
8 Gig memory
1 TB hard drive
6 GB hard drive
Windows 7 Premium
Loose nut behind the keyboard laugh

Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 235
A
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
A
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 235
Citaat:


The timing seems to be an issue - I know part of it is me - but I am wandering if latency plays any part - I'll have to try a little nudge and see if it brings it in closer.




Could be latency of course, although some parts are right on the beat, so that makes me wonder as well why those parts seem not to be influenced by that latency. But anyway, if it is latency, then well it is a matter of adjusting it a bit aye? Do you use asio?


I'll be back...
Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,122
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,122
Good song Powderman.........I think all the pertinent points have been covered. If you had to put a style lable on this I'd say it was a "Bluegrass flavored, American Folk Tune, with shades of non ASIO latency issues, as sung by a Grandfather and granddaughter"

Good Job.

Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 262
P
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
P
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 262
Good description Toucher - I do think that covers it all.

Thanks


The Powderman
Learning something new everyday
Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 235
A
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
A
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 235
Hehehe, good one Toucher!


I'll be back...
Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722
Nice overall effort Powerman. All has been said already other than I am extremely jealous of you having your granddaughter singing along with you. I can't get mine even close to a mic. I think it was Mario who asked for more tunes featuring her, or even written for her, well I second that emotion.

Later,

Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 262
P
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
P
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 262
Danny,

Thanks for listening. I've got a couple of pieces with a softer feel to them with no lyrics - think I 'll try to get her to help finish them. I've helped her record a couple of cover songs before - she does pretty good. She was playing keyboards for the middle school jazz band - but she was the only girl - and she said the boys were starting to be a pain .

take care


The Powderman
Learning something new everyday
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!

If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!

Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!

PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.

The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.

The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.

Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!

Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.

Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!

Order now!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,048
Posts799,350
Members40,017
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
Newest Members
kimmolsn25, addsomebottom, m3talmud, Chunie, Karandeep
40,017 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 148
DC Ron 104
rsdean 104
DrDan 74
WaoBand 70
Today's Birthdays
dipalma18, Joey45, Karantois
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5