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This instrumental (of which there's soon to be a vocal version) was finished in early July, but I didn't post it anywhere - or another new instrumental, "Painted Sky", which followed the latter - as I was still finishing off all of my old material's channel-swaps and remixes which I urgently wanted to get done. Once it was complete it was 'suddenly' September and I had to post a 3rd new instrumental first, "Rachael' Theme", the tribute to my old friend whose birth and passing away day 6 years ago were both in that month. This how is "Venus Twinkles" came about: I'd earlier been researching the Andean charango and I was surprised to find this re the tuning: "The basic charango has five pairs (or courses) of strings, typically tuned GCEAE. This tuning, disregarding octaves, is similar to the typical C-tuning of the ukulele or the Venezuelan cuatro, with the addition of a second E-course. Unlike most other stringed instruments, all ten strings are tuned inside one octave. The five courses are pitched as follows (from 5th to 1st course): G4 G4 - C5 C5 - E5 E4 - A4 A4 -E5 E5." Wikipedia. I was particularly intrigued by the latter 5th to 1st course sequence and as I've never ever used 4ths or 5ths chords in any song or instrumental I've ever written I decided to experiment. I really liked what I came up with, but the sequences I had lacked a chorus section. In my research I also read about perfect 5ths and an example given was in the very old lullaby (worth reading about in Wikipedia) "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and as the chord structure I already had was like an upbeat lullaby I decided to add the latter chords as a chorus. It worked, but it still lacked something, so I did more research on pubic domain lullabies and experimenting with a few I finally decided to add 2 'verses' of "Hush, Little Baby" to 2 of the "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" choruses. Once I had this complete "Venus Twinkles" instrumental it was inevitable that I write my own lyrics for the lullaby sections and it's the song version I'm currently working on with Lucy of two of the "Flowing Lady Deya" song versions. BiaB samples used: Piano: Pop Ballad Acoustic Piano ~ John Jarvis Bass: 3 Guitar Country Rock ~ Tobin Frank Drums: Country Rock Guitar Solo Pop Ba ~ Brian Fullen Guitar: Country Rock Guitar Solo Pop Ba ~ Darin Favorite Acoustic Guitar: Country Rock Guitar Solo Pop Ba ~ Tony King Cello: Sobbing Cello & Nylon Guitar ~ Matt Nelson Violin: Viola & Violin Ballad ~ Avery Bright Viola: Viola & Violin Ballad ~ Avery Bright Harps 1 & 2: Heaven Blissful Celtic Harp Pop ~ Sharlene Wallace Fiddle: Fidget Bluesy Pop with Fiddle ~ Andy Leftwich Koto: New Age Bossa w/ Koto Synth: Miles Black Guitar Solo: Bricks Indie Rock w Guitar Solo ~ Mike Durham I had to do a bit of faffing with the Fidget Fiddle and Bricks Guitar solos, plus even more with the koto sections which are mostly hybrids, but I've too many notes to add here. Key C ~ 120bpm ~ 160 bars ~ 5:28
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Chay,
Nice piano and bass. Fiddle sounds good,
Good mix....
fj
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Chay,
That's a beautiful sound. Excellent blend of instruments and a great production.
So well done...
Bob
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Hi Chay, my eyes are playing tricks...I thought your title at first glance said, Venus Twinkies.  This is lovely...loved the harp, the movement of it. It reminds me greatly of The Music Box which is a song that I loved to listen to as a kid as I fell asleep. Not sure I liked the electric guitars here, but to each his/her own.
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Chay, nice build and development on another pretty, wide ranging tune. Very cool when the cello comes in and the rest of the band morphs to follow. The plucked instrument (koto?) on the outro added a nice whimsical feel and made a nice section to end on. Like the mix on this one a lot, too. Nice one (again)!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Chay,
Nice piano and bass. Fiddle sounds good,
Good mix....
fj Thanks, Floyd! Appreciated.
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Chay,
That's a beautiful sound. Excellent blend of instruments and a great production.
So well done...
Bob Thanks, Bob! I really liked using the 4ths and 5ths chords in this - though there are more 5ths than 4ths - as they create a softer sound which was perfect for this. I don't know if the solos play a start C where I use a C5 (etc), but I felt there was a smoother sound throughout.
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Hi Chay, my eyes are playing tricks...I thought your title at first glance said, Venus Twinkies. This is lovely...loved the harp, the movement of it. It reminds me greatly of The Music Box which is a song that I loved to listen to as a kid as I fell asleep. Not sure I liked the electric guitars here, but to each his/her own. Thanks, Beth! I'd not heard "The Music Box" before so I looked it up on YT and played different versions. I do like that lullaby vibe. I really like the final solo being the electric guitar in this, but as you say, so much comes down to personal taste. If you ever get to visit Venus you'll find that she offers munchable delights better than Twinkies, plus as probably many can't imagine, Venus also tinkles!
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Chay, nice build and development on another pretty, wide ranging tune. Very cool when the cello comes in and the rest of the band morphs to follow. The plucked instrument (koto?) on the outro added a nice whimsical feel and made a nice section to end on. Like the mix on this one a lot, too. Nice one (again)! Thanks, Ron. Yes, the cello, et al, entering after the first "Twinkle" 'chorus' is one of my favourite parts of the tune, plus also the synth koto (which doesn't sound like a synth!) worked perfect in the later parts. I'm already working on the vocal version, which will just have my variations on the lullaby lyrics sung by Lucy. She's had all the details for a couple of weeks, but needs a demo with my vocals so she knows what treatment to give it all, but I'm now behind schedule with that due to where I live. I've only tried one recording, but having external noises start up just at the wrong time I could neither get into the zone, nor hit the right key, which is really annoying as I've sung my lyrics to it when listening on a few occasions and have always been on key. But it's a different ballgame once I'm singing into a mike. I think the song demands a female vocalist, but it could end up part duet if I can get the recording sorted.
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Each featured instrument is great. BiaB in talented hands is remarkable.
The discussion related to the charango was very interesting and new to us.
DC Ron's review articulately touched on several points much better than we could express.
Especially his arrangement comments. After reading his remarks we listened again.
Very well produced ... all around.
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
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Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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User Showcase
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Joined: May 2023
Posts: 2,204
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Each featured instrument is great. BiaB in talented hands is remarkable.
The discussion related to the charango was very interesting and new to us.
DC Ron's review articulately touched on several points much better than we could express.
Especially his arrangement comments. After reading his remarks we listened again.
Very well produced ... all around.
J&B Much appreciated J&B! Your feedback is as ice cream to me ~ ice cream with no bit in it, unlike B&J's! 
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Nice job, Chay. I'm not sure what instrument I was listening to, but I especially like the one with what I'd call a percolating sound. It might've been the harps. So many RTs, so much going on. Yet you crafted it into a pleasant musical journey. Good work.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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Nice job, Chay. I'm not sure what instrument I was listening to, but I especially like the one with what I'd call a percolating sound. It might've been the harps. So many RTs, so much going on. Yet you crafted it into a pleasant musical journey. Good work. Thanks, Rob! Yep, the 'percolating' sound is definitely the harps. I've been using them a lot of late.
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Your instrumentals are always fun to listen to, Chay. Of course I'm likeing the vocal version you're making, and they have as much entertainment value, but with the instrumentals your talent for crafting the best group of players shines through even louder. I love the subtle things you add. Beautifully done!
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Your instrumentals are always fun to listen to, Chay. Of course I'm likeing the vocal version you're making, and they have as much entertainment value, but with the instrumentals your talent for crafting the best group of players shines through even louder. I love the subtle things you add. Beautifully done! Very much appreciated, Marty. Lucy now has the demo with my vocals, the lyrics and backing track so Great Spirit willing I'll be posting the song verion in a few weeks.
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Very cool song Chay. Love your instrumentation and production choices.
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Very cool song Chay. Love your instrumentation and production choices. Thanks for listening and responding, Scott! Always appreciated.
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Chay this is fantastic. Love those string leads. Super piano, koto, and fiddle. The guitar lead fit like a glove. Loved the groove on this one. IMHO this is your best to date.
Loved it
Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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