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Hi Alan,

I didn't know what I could expect from you, working with those Chinese and Japanese instruments.
I kept tight, because I have a bunch of those instruments from Native Instruments and i never could get along with them
I think the vibrato was too much for my mind...

And then I heard your song or experiment. and what amazes me was that I liked it a lot.
I think it's because the beats in the song are 'Western-like' and the Oriental instruments worked out very well.
To say this in other words: the synergy between those types of instruments was attractive for, not only my ears, but for me too!
I think you did a really good job on this song and I'm also happy to see that you want to go beyond the boundaries... on your age ;-)

Hans


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Alan, I find this hypnotic and gently soothing. You sure know your way around different genres and have a special gift for arranging instrumentals. I wasn’t sure what to expect but with your name attached I should have known that I would like it, Tom

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Originally Posted by dcuny
Sounds good!

Of course, "Longing for the Lotus" has a drug meaning, as the blue lotus has mind altering effects, and the Homer's lotus eaters were in a "state of dreamy forgetfulness and idleness as a result of eating the fruit of the lotus plant."


Hi David,

Didn't know about all that - a new day, a new lesson! There's a lot more to learn on this form just the machinations of music creation, production, and delivery. Glad ya liked the song. And thanks for the lesson!

Best to you,

Alan


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Originally Posted by Janice & Bud
Great venture into what is assuredly for us the unknown!

So many adjectives ... moody, sublime, mysterious, contemplative and more.

Nicely mixed and an adventure for you and your listeners.

J&B


Howdy Folks,

Hope all is well in Northern Georgia. I have a dear friend who lives in the extreme northeast corner of Georgia - the town of Hartwell.

Anyway, thanks for dropping in to listen and leave some very kind words. We appreciate that very much.

Wishing both you the very best,

Alan


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Originally Posted by Greg Johnson
Fantastic!!!! Sounds like a movie score!!! The solo track is panned left. I think it could be center, a bit quieter and a bit wetter.....just a thought. The composition is gorgeous!!! Take care. Greg


Hi Greg,

Always great to hear from youI Yes, movie score was in my mind as I put this together.

I panned the Erhu slightly left to balance the Guzheng on the right. It's panned 9L

Wishing you and yours everything good.

Alan


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Originally Posted by jannesan
Always pleasure to hear that there are new BIAB world instruments and how they are used in your capable hands. Mesmerising mood, a very good counterweight to contemporary pop songs. This and your another one Whispering Asia are great introduction to these RTs and I hope to hear more this kind of songs from you and other forum members, hopefully inspiring also myself (although I probably wouldn't/couldn't use those RTs in a traditional way like you have excelled).

Janne


Hello Janne,

I'm delighted this one pleases you. Of all the descriptive adjectives I've read in the comments, I think mesmerizing is the best. I'm glad that caught your attention, too. I'll be posting Whispering Asia sometime next week. And thank you for those really nice comments!

best to you,

Alan


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Originally Posted by Birchwood
Hi Alan,

I didn't know what I could expect from you, working with those Chinese and Japanese instruments.
I kept tight, because I have a bunch of those instruments from Native Instruments and i never could get along with them
I think the vibrato was too much for my mind...

And then I heard your song or experiment. and what amazes me was that I liked it a lot.
I think it's because the beats in the song are 'Western-like' and the Oriental instruments worked out very well.
To say this in other words: the synergy between those types of instruments was attractive for, not only my ears, but for me too!
I think you did a really good job on this song and I'm also happy to see that you want to go beyond the boundaries... on your age ;-)

Hans


Hello Hans,

I always look forward to your comments. I used a pretty standard pentatonic approach as that is all I know to do with them. Thank you so much for all the very nice comments about the song. I'm more than delighted you liked the song - thanks for telling me!

Wishing you the very best,

Alan


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Originally Posted by tommyad
Alan, I find this hypnotic and gently soothing. You sure know your way around different genres and have a special gift for arranging instrumentals. I wasn’t sure what to expect but with your name attached I should have known that I would like it, Tom


Hi Tom,

Well, I truly like almost all genres and origins of music. I spent a couple of years in Asia - but none in China, per se. Just a couple of weeks in Hing Kong. A year and a half in Vietnam and six months in Japan. i think the ear has to become accustomed to these non-western presentations of music. I find most Asian music, as you said, hypnotic and mysterious. But it left a positive impression on me.

Those were very comments from you. Thank youo very much!

Wishing you everything good.

Alan

PS: I would post a couple of videos of me playing guitar, but I have no idea whatsoever how to do that. Hell, I can't even figure out how to use a DAW, other than Audacity - an almost DAW. I think some folks wonder, but I really did play country lead guitar for over 50 years - and not too bad at it. But I'm clueless regarding how to create and post videos to the Internet - totally clueless. I seldom do anymore (play my own lead guitar parts) because of a disease called focal dystonia - which makes my fingers stiff and numb. But, thankfully, I have no arthritis anywhere. pretty fortunate for a guy approaching 80 years old!


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Very cool Alan. Love the different instrumentation. Really well done..


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