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Apprentice
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Hi All, Off topic of course, but always a fun group to share tunes with on the off beat. Sorry gang, no PG products exposed here (bummer, I know); else, they'd be in another topic eh? I thought I would share an instrumental I did a while ago. The brunt of the sonic horsepower is provided by the Yamaha Motif XS, and some one-off guitar work on top of it all (done via Line6 POD and me externaly). Guitars are all in one take...so you get the pleasure of hearing all the "what the heck was that?" moments! Granted, there are a few LOL Have fun, and let me know what ya'll think. It's long...but hopefully, it will keep you interested. Here it is on SoundClick: OPIUS MODULUS Warmest Regards,
JOHN 10:10
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Eric,
Just curious. What's your thinking behind the length of your songs?
The first one of yours I listened to was 9 mins., the next was over 6 mins. This one is 7:27.
You obviously don't owe me or anyone else an explanation, but as a listener and musician I can't help but wonder.
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Beethoven's Fifth was only 45 minuets, but he didn't have to listen to it!
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Don,
I don't think any of us can compare our compositions to Beethoven's 5th. Or even a movement of it or any of the other classics. (And I did catch the "minuets" joke).
I know the temptation of writing LOOOOOONNNNGGG songs. But sometimes we forget that others aren't nearly as "invested" in our songs as we are.
Get in. Give us a "hook" or story. Get out. Leave us wanting more.
Don't make us ask "how long is this song?"
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Quote:
Beethoven's Fifth was only 45 minuets, but he didn't have to listen to it!
Don, that was a good one - made me laugh out loud. 
No offense intended to you at all Eric. It's easy to get caught up in the muse and get lost in time. It's just unfortunately most times harder for the average casual listener to hang in to the end on really long songs.
Okay, I want to edit this to add that I listened to half of it. There's nothing bad about the sound to me. The real pickers can comment on the playing but it sounds like you're really into it.
This has a problem that many "instrumentals" I try to listen to here have. It sounds more like a jam session than a song to me so it doesn't keep me interested. But that's just me.
I do think you'll have a blast with BIAB and Realband.
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Journeyman
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LOL. I agree. That was pretty funny don.
Seriously though, very long songs rarely get pop radio play.
Off the top of my head an exception to that is Stair Way to Heaven witch is over 7 minutes in length.
I'm sure there are others, but can't think of them right now.
I personally love the challenge of trying to say what I want in a 3 to 4 minute song.
Tim
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Josie, Quote:
Okay, I want to edit this to add that I listened to half of it.
Since you're coming clean, ... I will too. I started the song and saw it was going to be the length of a sitcom so I muted the computer, brushed my teeth and got ready for bed, took out the trash and walked the dog so she could use the bathroom.
I then lit a cigarette, un-muted the computer and saw it was STILL playing the same song.
So I "muted" the computer again and started a comment.
Shucks, ...you could start WW3 in less time than it would take to listen to the song. Even if you were throwing rocks! LOL.
Last edited by bobcflatpicker; 04/04/12 10:50 PM.
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Tim I think it's even tougher when there's no lyrics. JESSICA by the Allman Brothers is a pretty long instrumental song. It's full of repeating musical hooks and clever arranging to keep it moving and interesting. I think that's true of successful slower instrumentals too. Sorry Eric - don't mean to hijack your thread. 
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Hey Flan,
Well since you put it on Sound click I went ahead and gave it a listen.
I did listen to the whole thing and think you've got some nice sounds going on here.
I do think it's much too long though.
I really enjoyed it until about the 5 minute mark, then was ready for something really new to happen or it to end.
It's not often I find a song or instrumental that can keep my interest for more then 5 minutes.
I think most listeners are that way unless it's classical music which is another ball game completely.
Like Beethoven's fifth for example.
But that guy was amazing in so many ways.
I mean who can take a friggin 4 note theme and make a entire first movement of a symphony out of it.
And make it very interesting.
LOL. sorry starting to ramble here.
Time to hit the sack.
Tim
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Quote:
Time to hit the sack.
Wait Tim. The song ain't over yet! 
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Thank you for taking the time to write...I really appreciate that. I happen to agree on all points. Bob, I don't think I can give an answer as to why I tend to make some songs so episodic. Like Josie said, I guess I was into it. Moving forward, I will make it a concentrated effort/goal of mine to be very mindful of the song's length in the future (as I attemtp to construct new tunes). This older stuff I'm sharing (for fun) I can do little about. Thanks for having a listen...no matter how long you could stand it! Regards,
JOHN 10:10
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The original, uncut version of CCR"s Heard It Through The Grapevine was 12+ minuets but, in the days of vinyl, before NAB carts, tape or digital playlists, when DJs were actually "jockying disks," it afforded them the luxury of a potty break. Add, alone at night and many cups of coffee and you will realize how much airplay it got. On second thought, that may have MADE CCR so gopher it!
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"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" not the short radio version, wasn't it the whole side of their LP? I wore out the grooves on my copy!
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Okay, I went back for a second attempt at listening, got as far as 2:30 before the guitar began grating on my nerves. Maybe, if sold with earplugs, it would be a great mosquito repellant. I don't think that I could listen to the whole piece on a double-dare.
This, and all comments from this group, is meant to be constructive, not destructive. To my ears, it has none of the marks of success but, I sincerely hope that you prove us wrong.
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Quote:
Quote:
Time to hit the sack.
Wait Tim. The song ain't over yet!
LOL. It was for me.
Man I hit those sheets, said good night to the wife and I was out.
Tim
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Hey Guys...I'm working on it! I get it, I get it...( I am thick headed as a pig on ice)... NO MORE LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG SONGS! ...honest 3.5 to 4.5 minutes TOPS! I love you all!
JOHN 10:10
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Someone just pointed out that I have a 5+ minute tune on SoundClick however, that was merely a function of BPM * Number of choruses. I'll be first to admit that it's tiring to listen to.
We have had previous discussions about psycho-acoustics and came to the conclusion that the brain goes into neutral or actually shuts off when fresh stimuli is lacking. A symphony provides a constant variety of audio stimuli so we can listen intently for an hour or more without being mentally and emotionally drained.
Last edited by Don Gaynor; 04/07/12 01:52 PM.
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Quote:
Someone just pointed out that I have a 5+ minute tune on SoundClick however, that was merely a function of BPM * Number of choruses. I'll be first to admit that it's tiring to listen to.
We have had previous discussions about psycho-acoustics and came to the conclusion that the brain goes into neutral or actually shuts off when fresh stimuli is lacking. A symphony provides a constant variety of audio stimuli so we can listen intently for an hour or more without being mentally and emotionally drained.
Don,
But that's a computer generated peace of music. BIAB's good, but not that good.
I think a gifted composer can easily fill up five minutes with music and leave you wanting more.
I was just listening to California by John Mayal
It clocks out at about 9:20. I've probably heard it at least 50 times and always find it interesting.
I don't think the real problem with flan's music was the length, but the sameness of the music all the way through.
Not enough variety and musical hooks to support 8 minutes of music Imo.
Tim
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Tim, Very true. Quote:
"Not enough variety and musical hooks to support 8 minutes of music Imo."
I only mentioned 5 minutes, partly because it seems to be an acceptable length in Pop music and partly because it's within our brains tolerance level. Of course someone will cite an obvious exception that I am overlooking. Nothing is etched in stone, especially regarding music. There are nearly infinite variables.
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