This is my first posting of a song ever. I just wanted to see how BIAB and RB worked, and then try uploading to soundcloud.

50 Years-Rough Version

About the writing and production...It's not even close to finished. I am still adding another chorus at the end, but am figuring out timing yet on that.

It's also not mixed yet...pretty obvious!

This is ALL new to me.

The song itself is an anniversary song for my parents. It's basically their story. That being said, it's not so much for a "general" audience. If I was writing for airplay, I wouldn't be so specific

Also, a BIG thank you to jazzmandan for helping me with some chording issues I had. I don't have an ear for that kind of thing, so it's greatly appreciated!



-Verse 1-
He was from a small town
A big family
One of fourteen children
about as close as you could be
She was from that same small town
and a smaller family
it was just two brothers and her
She one of three

The same side of the tracks
but two different worlds
coming together
to wed
boy and girl…

-Chorus-
Now Fifty years
goes by just like that
live every moment
make every moment last

Treasure every day
as another day
to say "I do"
Fifty years goes by
Just like that

-Verse 2-
They had two sons of their own
Now grandchildren too
Though it seems like yesterday
That they said "I do"
There's so many memories
from such an awesome life
Shared by two people in love
as husband and wife

A great example
of what love truly is
Love's what they have
Because...
Love's what they give

Very nicely presented.
You have an excellent voice that really fits the style.
The back ground vocals remind me of the eagles.
Above average write for me.
Love to hear this when its finished.
Rob

You are not new at this. It's quite obvious!! I'll Steal Floyd Jane's line: This ain't your first rodeo. Beautiful song, beautiful vocals, sweet arrangement with just the right amount of instrumentation. If there's one thing I would change, it would be to replace the word "awesome" just because it is so overused it has lost it's meaning (which I think is exactly the meaning you wanted). Great stuff!! I hope you continue to post. Take care. Greg

Now don't you feel better you got this first effort out? Nice job with this one.

Brilliant.

I dub thee "Here To Teach".

Danny Fogelberg....is that you?


Regards,

Bob

Hello HearToLearn,

Welcome to the forum! What realtracks did you use? (It's more or less a forum rule to write them down too).

Anyway, a very, very professional first post!
Your voice, which is beautiful, sounds almost exactly like Don Henley, and the backing vocals almost similar to the Eagles.

Hope this isn't your last post.

Regards,
R & AM

Yes, it seems the first post is the hardest hurdle. Great first post.


Charlie

indeed.

I think this is one of those cases where the person apologizes for lack of preparation to set our expectations at a low level, then resets our expectations by blowing the roof off!

You have an EXCELLENT voice, and the quality of everything else says a lot about your musical experience! Welcome to the game! I have a feeling we're going to be hearing a lot more from you!

At least I HOPE so!

Ok, many things to cover...

First the real tracks I'm using (now I know to do that!)

Style is _SL16PNO.STY (16th PopBallad with Piano [65RS])

RealTracks in style: 1592:Bass, Electric, Pop16ths Ev 065
RealTracks in style: 1602:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Pop16 Ev16 065
RealTracks in style: 1596:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Pop16ths Ev16 065
RealTracks in style: 1601:Mandolin, Rhythm Pop16Melodic Ev 065
RealTracks in song: ~369:Pedal Steel, Background Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 1543:Synth Pad, PopBelieve Ev16 065
RealDrums in style: NashvilleEven16^5-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Next, and a BIG thing to cover, the vocal...that's not me! That is a singer I have available from work. I work with a lot of musicians and vocalists. I always try to use talent better than myself whenever possible. So, that's not hard to do. lol!

As far as the use of the word "awesome", I'm with you! The reason that was used is, my parents often use the phrase "such an awesome life." So it plays specifically to them. Thanks for the honesty though!

I was REALLY please to hear the Eagles sound was being heard. They like the harmonies of the Eagles and they also like Kenny Rogers ballads. I was trying to go somewhere in between.

I am exited to mix it as best as I can. I'm not playing down where I am with my love of song writing. I have studied it and it's a passion for me.

The technical side of production is where I am truly lacking. That is why I I state things as I do. It will be a HUGE learning experience for me. It is going to take time. I am looking forward to learning from all of you! That is why I picked the name "Hear to learn"...it's actually to remind myself to working on the "hearing"/technical part.

Again, thank you for all for all of the input. It means a lot to me that people take the time to comment. That's not lost on me, with how busy people are.

And lastly, it feels REALLY good to actually get this first pseudo post out of the way! I'm here for the long haul! Thanks for all of the inspiration I see in the forums!

I'm also noticing I will have to start using " "'s and names when responding to make things easier to read.

Learning!

Hi whatever your name is,

wow, what a great first post!
Welcome to the forum.
You picked a beautiful voice and
background vocals.
If that is a first draft then I'm looking
forward to the end result.
Only nit: you cut the ending.

Guenter

Hello to you as well! I go by Caaron (pronounced like "see aaron")

Thank you very much for the kind words. It is a work in progress to be sure, along with a few others I have in the works. I'm really like these programs! A song writers dream!



I'm glad you noticed that. It shows people really do pay attention on here! That's actually not the ended. It is going to go into a break and one last chorus. I just needed to figure out a few things on how to do it with the program.

Thanks again for the input, I really appreciate any feedback

Caaron,

Welcome to the Showcase! "Awesome" first post!

Zowie! What a singer! He sounds very much like a friend and co-writer of mine - who was looked at hard by several labels for a deal... Your guy is that good... the background vocals are beautiful, too - did the same person do those, as well?

Your arrangement is excellent. Nicely balanced and allowing the vocals (and lyric) to shine. The mix is nice. I think the drums are a tad soft (meaning too low) - everything else is right where it needs to be. (as Guenter mentioned the ending is cut, but you already addressed that)

Very nice prosody in your writing. Very reminiscent of Dan Fogelberg (I'm surprised that Greg did not mention that). Simple wording that doesn't sound simple as it is sung - that is not easy to pull off. And a beautiful message. Excellent melody, too...

Well done. Looking forward to what's to come...

floyd

Yup... you certainly arrived with a grand entrance....

Not only did you set the bar higher for the rest of us, you did for yourself too. That's a good thing.

Be cautious about adding too much to the song. Don't make it longer for the simple sake of making it longer.

You also know the secret to success.... surrounding yourself with folks who are better at things than you.... Everyone should always strive to "write/work up"....as they say in Nashville.

Great first song.

Hi floyd! Thanks for the input all the way around! You may laugh when I say this, but I'm always paranoid of the drums being too loud. I'm a drummer and always hear all the jokes about the drummer (or lead guitarist, or lead singer) wanting to be louder in the mix. So this is a great thing to have you say!

Originally I was thinking of leaving the drums out all together. I was focusing on the sounds my parents like and point out in songs. Then I remembered, they have always been proud of my accomplishments as a drummer, so I should probably have SOME in there!

Lastly, I would much rather get my own drumming in there. BIAB has done a great job of creating drums to work with, no doubt. But, I would really like to be able to add the one element myself.

A quick example...I feel, in the second chorus, the snare is much to low in the mix and/or just not beefy enough. From what I'm guessing, there isn't much I can do about it, because it's part of the track. I did consider laying some additional samples, but am also thinking I may just do my own drums at that point...but then that leads in to all of the things I don't know yet...eq, effects, etc...

I feel a steep learning curve coming on.

That being said, I am going to start a thread on drums sounds to have record of where this all goes. I like to be able to refer back, and/or have others see the great advice from others.

Thanks for the response on views!

I am here because of the bar that was set by all of you! Thank you for the compliments!



Agreed! I am only adding one additional chorus and natural ending. I work shopped it and it seems to play out better. I will have the other version (hopefully) fairly soon and I would welcome your input on your preference between the two. Thanks!



Agreed. I am not going to be an island when the world of song writing and production is at our finger tips. There is so much greatness going on right here. I learned years ago to surround yourself with people who have skills you may not have right now...possibly ever. Standing on the shoulders of giants my friend!

Thank you again!

I got a chuckle out of that... It's usually guitar players who mix drums too low... A drummer who mixes drums too low... HA! that's a new one on me... (still chuckling)

You can process the BIAB drum tracks to bring out different aspects. With the right EQ and compression, you can make that snare POP!... or if you are willing to spend the time, adding a snare sample on top of each of the snare hits (I also do the kick sometimes) works wonders.

There was a good post in the tips and tricks section (posted by Mario) that is a great way to get some control of a combined drums track.
http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=273337&gonew=1#UNREAD

It would be great to hear someone adding their own, too!!!

That can be a secret between just us...and the internet. I may not be considered a drummer if my fellow drummers see what I did! Would I officially (finally) be considered a musician then? Would this one act have be able to "cross over."



Great info, thanks! I watched the video and there are some really great tips there!


That's what I'm hoping for. It opens a bunch of new cans of worms though. It can be a bit overwhelming! All for the love of expression though!

Thank you for taking the time to respond!

What a great first post! Nice write and production. Louder Drums Please. I would also put a little reverb on the vocal. Nicely sung. It's very exciting to hear something this good from a new member. Welcome, Tom

HTL, really nice arrangement, good lyrics and very well presented. Top song, and I really think you underestimated yourself.
Well done.

Anything I would say has already been said soooo....

Welcome and smashing first post!

Josie

Absolutely!! Dang that is an excellent intro to this forum.

All else has been said except my thoughts on the ending. Leave it as it is and just let the last notes/chords fade away a lot longer than now, under the words "Just like that".

Alyn

Caaron,
Sorry to be late to welcome you to the forum. Nice composition and production. I look forward to your posts .
SD

Caaron,

As has already been said this is an excellent first post. Looking forward to more and also to having someone do their own drum part... I don't think anyone has done that.

Nice job.

Greg

Caaron,

You parents are going to be smiling from ear to ear when they hear your song for them.

Wow! Not what I expected for a first effort. Everyone agrees you are good at this song making stuff.

Caaron,

Welcome to the forum!
Loved this song! Backings are stellar!
Hope to hear a lot more from you

Fred

Hi Caraan. I am a little late to say welcome to the forum. Great first post and a wonderful tribute to 50 years. What an achievement. Most people cant stay together for 50 days! Great song. More please!

Thank you again everyone. It really means a lot to me to have these comments coming from songwriters! I'm sure you know what you mean. It seems family and friends are pretty quick to give compliments...or be WAY more critical than they would be of other songs they like. Ha! Go figure!

Anyway, I don't take lightly the comments you have all offered.

JosieC-You are so right. I keep saying it's not about the song. The song is about THEM. Thanks for your perspective with that!

Hi Caaron
Beautifully done on all fronts.
Particularly like some of the vocal rhythms and that voice of course.
Cheers.

Really nice and welcome aboard!
The vocal has a Don Henley feel to it
and I can't say I've ever said that
about a vocal before. The choice
of RT/RD works very well and
the arrangement is well thought out.

We enjoyed our listen -- a lot.

J&B

Bump

Hi, HTL !


This was simply wonderful
and a lot different than
jingles !!!(chuckle)

You have a nice voice
very suitable for this genré
and probably for many others
too !

The backing vocals were spot on !

Cheers
Dani

What a great song! love the singers voice, I also hear Don Henley.
Enjoyed

Kenny

This is a really lovely song HTL. Would love to hear more.

Thanks so much for the comments and compliments. I absolutely loved giving it to my parents. It meant a lot to them, so it meant a lot to me.

Incidentally, the final version (non biab) was posted on soundcloud as well if you there is any interest. The only reason I didn't finish in biab was I had JUST started using the program and was under a time constraint. I personally believe my parents would have liked the biab version better had I had more time to go that route.

Thanks again!

Ok, so I have some comments and am also curious about a few things.

1.) You have a GREAT rock and roll and singer songwriter voice. Just great. Radio great. I was reminded of Bob Seger a little bit--in a really good way.

2.) The simple style you have chosen works extremely well. I would not try and overcomplicate things moving forward. The hardest thing in the world to do is a simple arrangement that holds up with just a voice, a great lyric and minimal instrumentation. I think you should stick with that. That is what's golden.

3.) Your lyrics are heading in a great direction with the story telling vibe. I would keep going with that Bruce Springsteen thing and just write my butt off if I were you. I think you are on to something.

Here is where I am curious.

It says you are an "expert." Why have you not posted a song before.

You are extremely talented. Why the long wait?

Inquiring minds want to know. Post more man!!!

Welcome Caaron

Loved this tune. Vocalist was awesome. Can't wait to hear more of your stuff

Hello,

Very nice song: I have heard in it something of Air Supply's style
Very pleasant listening.

Sergio

David, thanks for the comments. They are always appreciated. I apologize I didn't respond sooner; but keep getting caught up listening to what others have done. I'm very much that way for some reason.

This song was actually from a while back. It was specifically written for my parents anniversary. It's not a style I typically don't write in, but am not opposed to by any means. I like to write all different styles.

There have been a number of reasons why I don't post more in the showcase. My favorite style of music to write in currently is pop-country. I don't hear much of that here; and didn't know the reception it would get based off of comments in other threads. It turns out, it's all fine and good I will be posting some thing in the next few months.

Probably a bigger part of me not posting is I write every working day for my job. I'm not burned out by it, but this usually would take a back seat for now.

I really don't consider myself as much of a musician as a writer/producer. I have very methodical ways of writing and am always looking to improve on that. I primarily look for commercial appeal, but completely appreciate and delve into the artistic side as well.

More to come, I promise. It will be different than what most here write; but maybe that will be a good thing.

Thanks again for the comments and interest!

BIG + one on this


There have been a number of reasons why I don't post more in the showcase. My favourite style of music to write in currently is pop-country. I don't hear much of that here; and didn't know the reception it would get based off of comments in other threads. It turns out, it's all fine and good wink I will be posting some thing in the next few months.

Probably a bigger part of me not posting is I write every working day for my job. I'm not burned out by it, but this usually would take a back seat for now.

I really don't consider myself as much of a musician as a writer/producer. I have very methodical ways of writing and am always looking to improve on that. I primarily look for commercial appeal, but completely appreciate and delve into the artistic side as well.

Go for it buddy that was real good I would say more...but that's a privilege for those that can ...

For now anyway ..take care

So true! One funny thing about that is I tend to write my verses, choruses, and bridges in my songs 30 seconds each. It's hard to break those habits! I end up just changing the tempo



Thanks for the voice compliment...I wish I could say that's me. That's one of the many studio singers I use for work. They ALWAYS make me sound MUCH better than I am!

I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. I love hearing people's perspective on everything. I think everyone of us knows the feeling of being so close to something that it's hard to know how it would resonate with anyone else. Thanks again!