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Soundcloud: Pool of choices YouTube: Pool of choices DEVELOPMENTA song about having the courage to step out, particularly in terms of mixing with others. The pool and ‘diving in’ are about the courage, but I’ve got no idea about the lines on coke, drinking and winking in the first and second verses. Maybe I’m saying subconsciously that mixing with others is like dating and buying someone a drink? Maybe that’s my quirky superpower again. The music for the song was written in 2007 or maybe earlier, and originally used a midi rumba style. The title ‘Pool of choices’ was there from the start – I often have a word or phrase while I’m working on the music, then I build lyrics around this title after the music is written. It’s abnormal for me to write lyrics and music at the same time, and even more abnormal for me to write the lyrics first. The competition to be last is usually one between the lyrics and the bridge – if there is one. So, it sat in my pile for years and I would occasionally come back to listen and say ‘I must do something about that one.’ In the last month, I pulled it out – both the song and my finger – and recorded it. Most of the band is BIAB, other than the programmed piano ‘riffs’ in the bridge and doubled lead guitar in all choruses other than the first – the latter being a highlight that added some icing on top. I did my usual thing of bringing in instruments in layers, and I still get delight when the drums and bass enter part way through verse 1. RECORDING SUMMARYStyle is _DUETPOP.STY (Latin-Beat Piano Duet Pop) RealTracks in style: ~~700:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 085 RealTracks in style: 1275:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopUpliftHeld Ev16 120 RealTracks in style: 1276:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopUpliftPulsing Ev16 120 RealTracks in style: 2933:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking SongwriterFolkSlapQuinn Ev 120 RealTracks in song: 3582:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm PalmMuteRockPushSlow Ev 100 RealTracks in song: 4196:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm SongwriterGentleStrum8ths Ev 100 RealDrums in Song: Tambourine8thsAccent2and4 - I added the tambourine for the choruses RealDrums in Song: ElecClapSlow[single]^2-Clap2&4 - I added the claps RealDrums in Song:Pop rock drum beat and salsa percussion [Multi] - I removed the multi percussion Recorded and mixed in Reaper. My main vocal, doubled - it's a little strained in parts as I attempt to sing outside my 1+1/8 octave range. I seem to have an ongoing problem singing words containing a long 'o', like 'Coke'. Harmony vocals, doubled Spitfire LABS Autograph Grand – programmed in Bridge I played my Ibanez Vintage Artcore AMV10A semi-hollow, doubled in the choruses LYRICSINTRO VERSE 1 There’s a shrinking pool of choices but plenty of possibilities All it needs is the will to act and the desire to please I pull out a glass and ask what to pour in They might not like Coke but as long as they’re drinking? VERSE 2 I’m not one for coining phrases - it’s not who I want to be They come across like a joke - they say “What was he thinking?” I quickly retreat and hide myself away I might regret that I spoke but as long as they’re winking? CHORUS 1 I should just dive in. It’s a case of sink or swim Going out on a limb - it’s all the same VERSE 3 I’m limiting what I pack these days, I don’t go out half as much I’m trying to shake how I’m set in my ways, without the need of a crutch My superpower is to demonstrate the quirky side of life I’ll be myself in mixed company like I’m walking the edge of a knife CHORUS 2 Come on in – it’s warm. You won’t know you’ve been born. You won’t have to perform - it’s all the same BRIDGE Oh - to be in the midst of voices with rich and varied harmonies And through the air they’d float on our choices, carried on the wings of life’s melodies CHORUS 1 & 2 OUTRO CHORDSINTRO: F | Dm | F | Dm | VERSES: F | Dm | F | Dm | x2 Bb | Dm | Bb | Bbm | F | Dm | F | Dm | CHORUS: C | Bb | C | Bb | C | Bb | F | F | BRIDGE: Bb | C | F | Am / / F | Bb | C | Dm | G7 |
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Andrew, this has another very cool, breezy feel that's very easy to listen to AND entertaining. Your doubled vocals sound great, and the harmonies are very nice, too. Great instrument choices and a nifty bridge. I would have guessed there were some non-BiaB guitars in there since I'm hearing some sounds I haven't heard before, but no. Guess I'll just have to dig deeper!
Super tune!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Andrew,
Very nice. Another good song and vocal. This also has an excellent mix.
You're making some great music these days!
Bob
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Andrew, this has another very cool, breezy feel that's very easy to listen to AND entertaining. Your doubled vocals sound great, and the harmonies are very nice, too. Great instrument choices and a nifty bridge. I would have guessed there were some non-BiaB guitars in there since I'm hearing some sounds I haven't heard before, but no. Guess I'll just have to dig deeper!
Super tune! Thanks Ron! Yes I like the bridge when it enters and the piano I programmed on it. Re BIAB instrumentation: it is a benefit to hear RTs in another’s hands to discover one might have overlooked or not been aware of them - this is the beauty of this Showcase - seeing what others do with the same tools. I know I have thought that myself with some of your own RT choices. Thanks for listening! Andrew
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Andrew,
Very nice. Another good song and vocal. This also has an excellent mix.
You're making some excellent music these days!
Bob Thanks Bob - for listening and your kind comments. I wonder if I am the same as others when having some hesitation about each mix as I’m finishing and wondering if I am overlooking or overthinking? Andrew
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Hello Andrew, this sounds really good. I love the playfulness of the tune and the tambourine on the chorus. Great lyrics as usual.
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Andrew, ear candy at its best. Super vocals and harmonies. I really liked the groove and instrumentation on this one. the mix was spot on. This song is so relevant today as I see more and more cellphone zombies. No one is having face to face conversations anymore. Now it is facebook to facebook!
Loved it
My boss calls me "the computer".
Nothing to do with intelligence. I go to sleep if left unattended for 15 minutes.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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You had me hooked on this one right from the outset with that steady acoustic rhythm Andrew. The production is so clear and slick on this and really has come up very well indeed. Love the introduction of the tambourine and the Ibanez Artcore sounds a treat in the chorus. I know I sometimes come up with a lyric and tune that doesn’t work and put it aside hoping for later inspiration, but to date I haven’t gone back and revisited those. It must be hard to capture the original feel, concept, inspiration that sparked the initial thought processes. So that was from your back catalogue circa 2007 or earlier, are you telling us you have 18 years of back catalogue still to produce?
Another good song Andrew, nice one. Kind regards.
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Andrew, ear candy at its best. Super vocals and harmonies. I really liked the groove and instrumentation on this one. the mix was spot on. This song is so relevant today as I see more and more cellphone zombies. No one is having face to face conversations anymore. Now it is facebook to facebook!
Loved it Thanks Mario! I volunteer at my local hospital and there are often people walking the corridors with heads down in their phones and bumping into beds, patients and visitors! As long as the brain surgeon doesn't do it while at work I guess? I'm thinking of getting a 'dumb phone' on my next upgrade - I really don't want a 7" screen sitting in my pocket (or in my arthritic fingers). The song was partly informed by my experience when I left high school at 17 - I had become quite introverted and lost a lot of confidence and it would take a lot of gumption to go and speak to people I didn't know. Thank goodness I heard from a friend that my (now) wife was interested in me and arranged an outing where we realised we both liked each other - otherwise, I would have been 'history'. Andrew
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You had me hooked on this one right from the outset with that steady acoustic rhythm Andrew. The production is so clear and slick on this and really has come up very well indeed. ... Thanks Lee! It sounded okay, but my ear fatigue during mixing makes me wonder if I am imagining a good mix. I'm learning to insert reasonable breaks to the next day. I am always trying to find 'space' in the panning and frequencies so that similar instruments and vocals are not competing for the same space. Herb Hartley (Guitar Hacker) put me onto a good mixing book I am reading at the moment, so you can borrow it once I've finished if you wish. ... Love the introduction of the tambourine and the Ibanez Artcore sounds a treat in the chorus. ... The guitar sound was a bit of a fluke - I set the dial on my Katana to 'crunch', fiddled with a few knobs and pressed record. Once I had a successful take, I was very happy with the tone I got and how it sounded next to everything else. I haven't touched the amp yet and plan to take a photo of the settings. ... I know I sometimes come up with a lyric and tune that doesn’t work and put it aside hoping for later inspiration, but to date I haven’t gone back and revisited those. It must be hard to capture the original feel, concept, inspiration that sparked the initial thought processes. So that was from your back catalogue circa 2007 or earlier, are you telling us you have 18 years of back catalogue still to produce?
Another good song Andrew, nice one. Kind regards. Fortunately, I had BIAB back in 2000-ish and either did my writing on it or put a song (or part song) into it so I could remember what I was thinking. I've still got a few completed ones to record - about twenty that are worthy - one about Ali and I dating; playing golf; 'why are my songs never happy'; 'soup'; a car crash; an alien girlfriend; and a song about Sundays. Then I've got tonnes of bits and pieces - mostly music, very little lyrics - so I'm hoping I can sew a few of them together. If you hear me post a medley, you'll know what's going on. Andrew
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Great chord structure and melody in this song - all very gentle. It's also a really nice selection of Real Tracks and a great mix.
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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I like that. You use a beautiful chord progression and have found a wonderful melody for it. The mix is also very good. Enjoyed my listen ![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/images/icons/default/thumbs_up.gif)
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Great chord structure and melody in this song - all very gentle. It's also a really nice selection of Real Tracks and a great mix. Thanks Chay! Yes I didn’t stray too far out of the key signature on this one, apart from a chord in the bridge. I wasn’t sure at first if 3 acoustic guitars and 2 pianos would be too much, but they seemed to have a doubling effect rather than competing for room. Thanks for listening! Andrew
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I like that. You use a beautiful chord progression and have found a wonderful melody for it. The mix is also very good. Enjoyed my listen Thanks B.D.! Despite the chords being mostly in key, they seemed to have some uniqueness (or maybe better said as freshness). I wasn’t sure at pretty happy with my piano and lead embellishments as well. Andrew
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You really have a knack for creating smooth, easy-rolling music like this--I enjoyed it throughout!
I esp liked that little "motif" of bended 3rd tone that you repeated in the background--very cool!
And your vocal doubling is perfect for this.
Great work!
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
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Hi Andrew,
Very cool tune!
I enjoyed the mellow vibe, your vocals and lyrics.
The bridge was a nice change of pace, with some new chords and soaring melodies.
Thanks for "putting yourself out there" in your song, well done!
Bob
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Hi, Andrew. Nice song - some fun rhymes, good vocals, and arrangement that moves it along.  Solid mix, and the handclaps keep it feeling light. It's easy to listen to a mix too long and no longer be able to hear it anymore. Sometimes it just needs a couple of days of being left alone, and sometimes it just needs to be called "finished". 
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Andrew - really good song and lyrics, great clear mix and production,
very good arrangement - enjoyed it!!
Carl
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Hello Andrew, this sounds really good. I love the playfulness of the tune and the tambourine on the chorus. Great lyrics as usual. Hi Beth! Firstly, my apologies for not replying sooner - somehow I missed your post. I wanted to give the chorus a little zing, and while removing the ‘multi’ percussion from the drum track, I came across claps and the tambourine - the latter having just enough in it to sizzle a bit. Re playfulness of the tune, I’m starting to settle on a style of singing where I am not so hung up about a bum note - trying to push on through like it is intentional. I hope the playfulness is also a reflection of using more interval jumps/drops in my melodies - as opposed to tone or semitone movements - I heard this on a YT tutorial that distinctive melodies come from larger intervals. I think the playfulness also comes from my quirky nature and being prepared to look at my own weaknesses humorously. About quirkiness, I once created a spectrum of quirkiness - arranging words like odd, strange, weird, quirky, eccentric, enigmatic, unusual etc. into a spectrum ranging from normal difference to downright eck! Hmm … that sounds weird just writing it! Thanks for listening! Andrew
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You really have a knack for creating smooth, easy-rolling music like this--I enjoyed it throughout!
I esp liked that little "motif" of bended 3rd tone that you repeated in the background--very cool!
And your vocal doubling is perfect for this.
Great work! Thanks Tom! I do hope these songs keep easy-rolling out of my mind. I don’t know what I’d do with myself if I wasn’t writing songs. Andrew
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