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So this one is a little strange, and I don’t quite know what to think of it myself. Here is how it came to be.

Watchers at the Gates of Dawn
by David Snyder

https://soundcloud.com/david-snyder-gigs4/the-watchers-at-the-gates-of

I sat down at the piano and in one take (one of my one take experiments) wrote a chord progression and piano part for a twenty minute piece of “trance music” to help me go into a trance like state when I am writing. (I use that every day now BTW.) Then I snipped off the first five minutes (have no idea why) and decided to add a lead part on the bass. Never done that before, using a “lead bass” as opposed to a lead guitar.

Then I went back and added a lead guitar loaded with effects and feedback for the second half. I had both the Les Paul and my jazz bass wired to send midi, and used that to trigger string parts, so I could have some string parts that were the same notes as the bass and guitar.

The end result is this.

I call it Watchers at the Gates of Dawn.

Again, I have NO IDEA what to make of this, but I kinda like it, and am kinda thinking about doing a whole album like this. There is something I like about it but I can’t say what. The chord progression (which BIAB analyzed for me) seems kind of cool, but definitely trippy.

Music copyright David Snyder 2025
ASCAP/DAY OF FAITH RECORDS
David Snyder: Guitar, Bass, Piano, Strings



RealTracks in song: 1004:Guitar, 12-String Acoustic, Rhythm ClassicRockStrumming Ev16 065
RealTracks in style: 3018:Vocal Aahs, Background Pop3-partFemale1 Ev 085 (1TrackVocalSection)
RealDrums in style:Americana16thsBrushSyncFred^1-a,b:Kick13

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David, interesting, intense, unexpected, dreamy, totally you. Why am I not surprised? Think you've captured something here, but I can't tell you what it is. Maybe the slipstream of subconscious thought, or something groovy like that. It's hypnotic and cool for sure. Good luck on the album!


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David,

This has such a grand and dream-like feel. I love what you are doing here. Some really beautiful textures and excellent mixing.

Bob

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David, a very interesting piece of music that I would call "The Subconscious Surfaces". Lots of textures within an interesting chord progression. Great guitar leads and loved the vocal. A super choice of sounds and mix.
Loved it.


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Hi David!
I liked the way the piece progressively crescendoed - at least that’s what it sounded like to me. I imagined the slow increase of the dawning sun as it peeks above the horizon then becomes fully seen. All the instruments illustrated the shimmer of the sun through the morning air.
Good one!
Andrew

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Really interesting soundscape, David! I wasn't sure where you were going at the outset, but then the entry of the guitars filled in some harmonics that brought things together. You sure kept my engaged throughout as I was listening carefully for new elements as they came in. Great work!


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Hi, David.

Exactly as described - the music was going somewhere, but it wasn't exactly clear where, or even if it arrived.

Interesting! smile


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

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Thanks DC!

Yeah I was definitely riding my freakaholic space trip crazy train.

But I appreciate the listen man, and I hope you came back from outer space in one piece!!!

Happy upcoming Thanksgiving.

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David,
VERY cool. One thing struck me though - I'd be inclined to replace the bongo boop bits with something more esoteric or spacey to take it away from the mid 80s drum machine that particular sample suggests. Then again, that may be the vibe you're going for.
Well done on a) experimenting & b) finding something in that experiment that WORKS really well.
The string from bass thing works a treat.


Cheers
rayc
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I think it's very good, with beautiful background arrangements. It's lovely ambient music.
Laurent

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I really liked it. I guess I was in the mood for something like that. It was easy to follow and I definitely felt it affecting my mood in quite a good way. Nice work!


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Different but interesting. I like the build that starts around 1:45 and develops into a textured sound collage.

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Let that freak flag fly!

Mesmerizing in the good sense of the word ... indeed.

We enjoyed applying our own imagery to it.

Cool!

J&B


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Wow wild piece David. What a cool experimental song. You have some really cool textures floating around a very wild melody. Loved how you placed the different effects. Love when music transcends from music to colors. Well done..


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