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#767241 06/01/23 09:55 AM
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Background
Here is a song that I’m not sure what genre bucket to place it in but it’s a continuation of my experimentations with my keyboard and BiaB and was a ton of fun to make. Planobilly provided the rhythm guitar.

Fragments Of A Dream

Technicals
Key: Dm
Tempo: 120 BPM

BiaB:
Drums: RealDrums in style:LatinRock8thsPerc^1-a:SnareClosedHat , b:SyncSnareClosedHat
Lead Guitar: 2604:Guitar, Electric, Soloist JazzRock8thsJon Ev 120

Planobilly:
Rhythm Guitar (Guitar Rig 6)

Me:
Korg Rock Organ
Korg FM Vamp Pad
Korg Flute
Korg Acoustic Piano
Korg Synth Bells
Bass Guitar

Mixed in Studio One

All comments welcome especially thoughts on the genre.
Thanks for listening if you do.


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BiaB 2026 Windows
For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Hello Bass Thumper & Billy ...

Man, I really enjoyed this - a lot! As far as genre, I'd simply go with Cinematic. Billy has some nice guitar rhythm in there. But the short lead guitar riffs (1:24 - 1:40 & 2:44 - 2:55) need to come up quite a bit. Also about 30 seconds, or so, from the ending. They're barely audible. But other than that, this really works for me.

It has a full, pleasant soundscape that's quite captivating.

Nice work!@

Alan


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Originally Posted By: Al-David
Hello Bass Thumper & Billy ...

Man, I really enjoyed this - a lot! As far as genre, I'd simply go with Cinematic. Billy has some nice guitar rhythm in there. But the short lead guitar riffs (1:24 - 1:40 & 2:44 - 2:55) need to come up quite a bit. Also about 30 seconds, or so, from the ending. They're barely audible. But other than that, this really works for me.

It has a full, pleasant soundscape that's quite captivating.

Nice work!@

Alan

Hmmm, Cinematic. We don't go the cinema much these days so I'm not really calibrated on that. The only "Cinematic" that Wikipedia shows is "Cinematic Soul" at this website. I'll have to explore what that is.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_music_genres_and_styles

Regarding the low volume on the lead guitar I completely agree. I guess I was thinking to let the acoustic piano shine more that it should.

I also agree about Billy's guitar work, I like his tone and his playing style on this.

I really appreciate your comments Alan, thanks so much smile


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BiaB 2026 Windows
For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Bass Thumper ...

Here's another link that might be more helpful regarding cinematic music.

https://mystiquemuzik.com/what-is-cinematic-music


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Hey Alan, thanks so much for sharing that link; this is an education for me. I had no idea about any of this when composing; I just write and play what feels right to me.

"The beauty of cinematic music – or producing music with the thought of film placement in mind – is that there is just so much scope and freedom for creativity. Tracks can be ridiculously short or drawn out and long. Instrumental music can often take pride of place in this genre because at times a scene in a film will be hampered by the inclusion of vocals. Cinematic music can be orchestral, hardcore rock, ambient, pop. Practically anything goes."

The italics are mine and express why I like instrumentals; I certainly like songs with vocals too but instrumentals allow more freedom for the listener's mind to go where it wants.


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For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Why worry about categories?

Pleasant sound, moves along... the only nit is the guitar solos are too quiet.

The Korg flute sounds very much like a Mellotron, which for me has associations with the early '70s, while the bell-like synth sounds a lot like mid 80's.

Cool stuff.


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Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

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BassThumper:

Very cool instrumental . . . very engaging and easy on the ears. The acoustic piano and flute really resonate . . . Nice work on this one!

All my best,

Deej

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Some very pleasant chunks of melody in the middle of the mix...the güiro on the right suggests Latin but that's not reinforced by the rest of the arrangement.
I middle of the mix seems a little muddy - I suspect it's one of the guitars that's a little swampy mid mud ish.
Really pleasant listen with new things popping up to catch the ears.


Cheers
rayc
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NICE! I just came from PianoBilly's amazing guitar work on his post, and here he is again. Excellent addition. Steve, that piano is coming along quite well. I really enjoy your educational experiments and progress. Man, that's solid bass. The mix is also well done --everything clear.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Originally Posted By: dcuny
Why worry about categories?

Pleasant sound, moves along... the only nit is the guitar solos are too quiet.

The Korg flute sounds very much like a Mellotron, which for me has associations with the early '70s, while the bell-like synth sounds a lot like mid 80's.

Cool stuff.

Many thanks David. I wouldn't say I'm worried about categories but I am curious about what category my songs fall into and think that it's basic info I should know. One benefit in knowing the genre might allow me to search for professional examples of songs or artists and learn from them. In other words, I want to be influenced if that makes sense.

It's funny you mention the mellotron, of all the dozens of voices on my keyboard, the mellotron seems to be absent.


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BiaB 2026 Windows
For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Originally Posted By: Deej56
BassThumper:

Very cool instrumental . . . very engaging and easy on the ears. The acoustic piano and flute really resonate . . . Nice work on this one!

All my best,

Deej

Thanks so much for the listen Deej.
I appreciate yours and everyone's comments.


https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677
BiaB 2026 Windows
For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Originally Posted By: rayc
Some very pleasant chunks of melody in the middle of the mix...the güiro on the right suggests Latin but that's not reinforced by the rest of the arrangement.
I middle of the mix seems a little muddy - I suspect it's one of the guitars that's a little swampy mid mud ish.
Really pleasant listen with new things popping up to catch the ears.

Thanks for the listen Ray.
Yep, I chose a BiaB Latin RealDrum kit and I do like the guiro but elsewhere there is no Latin influence, hence my question as to what genre this may be.

Cinema seems to be the prevailing thought.

"I middle of the mix seems a little muddy". I think you mean "In the middle of the mix. . ."?

I really don't hear the "mud". The panning is
Rhythm Guitar: L25
Lead Guitar: R25
Flute: L25
Piano: R25
Everything else is centered.

I'll let Billy comment further if he chooses to.


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BiaB 2026 Windows
For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Originally Posted By: BabuMusic
NICE! I just came from PianoBilly's amazing guitar work on his post, and here he is again. Excellent addition. Steve, that piano is coming along quite well. I really enjoy your educational experiments and progress. Man, that's solid bass. The mix is also well done --everything clear.

Hey Marty, thanks for the listen. Yeah, the experimentation, learning, exploration and stumbling continues. But it's all a barrel of creative and intellectual fun.

In addition to the faint lead guitar I think I could have done better on the intro; it's a bit abrupt and should have ramped-in gently with a dream fragment of organ or something smile


https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677
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For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Man, you have come a very long way in a very short time!
Super groove and bass lines.
Billy did a hell of a job on the rhythm guitar.
I agree that the lead guitar track should be louder, but that did distract to much from the song.

Great work.

PS I'm glad that all of the fragments came together for this one!


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Nice tune and chord progression. I agree, the melody line needs to come up front some. Other than that, nice piece. Yes, the genre could fit into a cinematic style.

Cheers

Mike B.


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Originally Posted By: MarioD
Man, you have come a very long way in a very short time!
Super groove and bass lines.
Billy did a hell of a job on the rhythm guitar.
I agree that the lead guitar track should be louder, but that did distract to much from the song.

Great work.

PS I'm glad that all of the fragments came together for this one!

Many thanks Mario, if I have improved it is in large part due to the inspiration and examples I get from you and others here on the forum.

There is so much musical talent here that some of it is bound to rub off on amatuers like me; so keep the "pollen" coming smile


https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677
BiaB 2026 Windows
For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Originally Posted By: cubanpete
Nice tune and chord progression. I agree, the melody line needs to come up front some. Other than that, nice piece. Yes, the genre could fit into a cinematic style.

Cheers

Mike B.

I appreciate your listen and comments Mike.

Regarding the chord progression, I wasn't sure that the Fmaj7 fully worked but I guess it did smile
I find that chord (in this context) a bit surprising but it added a slight jazz flavor.


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BiaB 2026 Windows
For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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BT,

I like the production!
Interesting stuff happening at various places in the space.
As Alan said, the lead guitar could use some volume.
I thought it could use a "drop" at some point. The band seems to play throughout the whole piece. Having a "quiet" section (band-wise) in the middle or towards the end might be something to consider.

I think I recall you saying you were not a Steely Dan fan... the opening to this made me think "oooh...a little Dan sprinkled in there..." smile

A good listen.

fj

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Bass Thumper / Billy,

This truly has a dream-like quality. Great mix and a lovely soundscape.

Bob

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Originally Posted By: floyd jane
BT,

I like the production!
Interesting stuff happening at various places in the space.
As Alan said, the lead guitar could use some volume.
I thought it could use a "drop" at some point. The band seems to play throughout the whole piece. Having a "quiet" section (band-wise) in the middle or towards the end might be something to consider.

I think I recall you saying you were not a Steely Dan fan... the opening to this made me think "oooh...a little Dan sprinkled in there..." smile

A good listen.

fj

Hey Floyd, many thanks for your insightful comments.

Totally, agree about the drop, I've done that before and it would have made a positive difference here. Actually, I considered adding a bridge to inject a twist but that never happened.

I never would have said I'm not a fan of Steely Dan (but I think somebody did say that here), in fact, they are one of my favorite "bands"/collaborations. Aja, Black Cow, Reelin' In the Years . . . are all great. Any similarity between them and anything I've written would be purely coincidental and randomly occurring. To be sure I'd love to be able to write something in their style . . . maybe in another 10 years if I'm lucky . . .


https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677
BiaB 2026 Windows
For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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