[quote="Marekenshin"]
IMO, the reason the songs we write in a single quick session are so satisfying is because our subconscious is far better at sorting patterns than our conscious mind. Thus, if you leave more of the work up to the subconscious, you get a much more cohesive and rich result. Inspiration of that sort, where a song simply pours out of you, means that it has been forming within you for some time, in my experience/opinion. Like a feeling you've been aching to express for days or months that you manage to write just perfectly, somehow, you know?

Basically, I'm aimed at capturing THAT process - the inspiration and pursuit of it - rather than "writing" or "composing." Songs that I wrote in my early years where I completed them in spite of the inspiration having hit a temporary stop are not nearly as pleasing to me; something seems to be missing in my mind.[/quote]

Very cool outlook; I never thought of it that way and it makes sense! For the longest time, I have been wanting to incorporate violin, Cello, and Viola into my songs. Just this last week, I got a pack of instruments that I can use to imitate the sounds of those instruments and let me tell you, I've been pretty pleased with what I've been able to express. I know it may sound silly, but I'm really anticipating the finishing of this new themed album I have been working on.
Glad you could share some experience on the subject!

You had me at "cello," I'm definitely looking forward to hearing it when you finish!

[quote="Dewith"]I will say that some of my influences have helped me produce a different feel to a song I originally intended to be. My biggest influences (overall) have been The Pillows (of course), Elliott Smith, Sparklehorse, Hayden, Hermit, the Chewinggum Weekend and Barzin. I will say I get periodical influences that change my mood like phases that got me into Alex G (very Dissonance), Dinosaur Jr, Built to Spill, Iron & Wine, Why?, and Neil Young. The periodical influences may have changed my outlook on songs and how they are written and what not. I've always been a person attracted by overall sound rather than lyrics; although, once I like the song, I feel compelled to listen closely to the lyrics and truly get a grasp on whether I really like it or just enjoy it.[/quote]

I've heard of Elliot Smith and I liked his cover of Because, but other than that song, I haven't checked out anything else by him. Sparklehorse heard of one song by them, and thought it was okay, but their album covers tend to creep me out, so i didn't wanted to check out anymore by them. I heard of Hermit before, but I haven't listened to him in years, so I forgotten how I he sounded like. The Chewinggum Weekend I've heard and liked though mostly their self-titled stuff, but their later stuff including b-sides were also pretty good too. Romance is some really deep stuff! Even though I listed them as an influence I've not attempted songs that reminded me of them yet. I'm familiar with with Dinosaur Jr. can't say they fit my taste, but i do like their sound. "I heard a few songs from Built to Spill, not too bad but yet not something I'm interested listening over again. I heard of Neil Young too and liked Heart of Gold, but yeah other than that and knowing his ability to solo on one note, and his involvement with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, I don't know anything else from him. I agreed with you on being interested in the sound overall, I feel the same way too! And some of the lyrics do get me however usually those songs contain interesting music and they're not just there as background.

[quote="Dewith"]10 minuets to write three songs? Now that's wild! I will say I'm quick to get ideas down, but to actually finish 3 songs in ten minuets sounds intense! Or it is just getting the idea down rather than recording/finishing 3 songs? Funny you brought up tension chord for songs you had to rework...I've have a handful of those myself. Actually, they have been songs consisting of fingerpicking that was both too fast paced and finger straining, so I too slow them down and simplify them; to my surprise, they turned out to be songs I really really enjoy playing and re-hearing. Have you been working on any new songs or are you still taking a break from last month's demands?[/quote]

It was an improvisation challenge where you had 10 minutes to improvise three distinct songs on the spot. And the songs had to be close three minute. I asked the leader of the challenge about the recording but I never got an answer for it, so probably for getting the idea down rather than to record on the spot. Still taking a break from writing any songs until July 4th when 50/90 starts. However during April, I will continue to do rerecordings of my past 50/90 songs and post them on my SoundCloud. The goal is to get the rest of all of my 48 (11 from 50/90, 4 from FAWM, and 33 outside of FAWM and 50/90) songs on SoundCloud before 50/90 starts. This will be quite of an adventure don't you think? Btw, I have been collecting ideas that have been piling up from guitar playing for my 50/90 songs already!

[quote="Dewith"]A question out of curiosity for everyone here: When you record or get an idea for a song, do you write lyrics first or lay down a track or two?[/quote]

If I get an idea for a song from noodling on guitar, I would record it on my phone and come back to it later. If I get ideas not from the guitar, I would jot 'em down on ol' notebook app. In general I usually start with the music first and then the lyrics, but on occasions, vice-versa. For songs like, "Dream", and "Notebook", the lyrics came first. These songs were also my more meaningful ones, I had a concept for these songs before applying the music. For "Dream", I believed I lay-downed the lyrics first and then synced the music to them. But for "Notebook", I had the music first and then fit the lyrics to the music. I explain the process I went with my songs a lot better in my liner-notes on SoundCloud.

[quote="CARNVAL372"]
I've heard of Elliot Smith and I liked his cover of Because, but other than that song, I haven't checked out anything else by him. Sparklehorse heard of one song by them, and thought it was okay, but their album covers tend to creep me out, so i didn't wanted to check out anymore by them. I heard of Hermit before, but I haven't listened to him in years, so I forgotten how I he sounded like. The Chewinggum Weekend I've heard and liked though mostly their self-titled stuff, but their later stuff including b-sides were also pretty good too. Romance is some really deep stuff! Even though I listed them as an influence I've not attempted songs that reminded me of them yet. I'm familiar with with Dinosaur Jr. can't say they fit my taste, but i do like their sound. "I heard a few songs from Built to Spill, not too bad but yet not something I'm interested listening over again. I heard of Neil Young too and liked Heart of Gold, but yeah other than that and knowing his ability to solo on one note, and his involvement with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, I don't know anything else from him. I agreed with you on being interested in the sound overall, I feel the same way too! And some of the lyrics do get me however usually those songs contain interesting music and they're not just there as background.

It was an improvisation challenge where you had 10 minutes to improvise three distinct songs on the spot. And the songs had to be close three minute. I asked the leader of the challenge about the recording but I never got an answer for it, so probably for getting the idea down rather than to record on the spot. Still taking a break from writing any songs until July 4th when 50/90 starts. However during April, I will continue to do rerecordings of my past 50/90 songs and post them on my SoundCloud. The goal is to get the rest of all of my 48 (11 from 50/90, 4 from FAWM, and 33 outside of FAWM and 50/90) songs on SoundCloud before 50/90 starts. This will be quite of an adventure don't you think? Btw, I have been collecting ideas that have been piling up from guitar playing for my 50/90 songs already!

If I get an idea for a song from noodling on guitar, I would record it on my phone and come back to it later. If I get ideas not from the guitar, I would jot 'em down on ol' notebook app. In general I usually start with the music first and then the lyrics, but on occasions, vice-versa. For songs like, "Dream", and "Notebook", the lyrics came first. These songs were also my more meaningful ones, I had a concept for these songs before applying the music. For "Dream", I believed I lay-downed the lyrics first and then synced the music to them. But for "Notebook", I had the music first and then fit the lyrics to the music. I explain the process I went with my songs a lot better in my liner-notes on SoundCloud. [/quote]

Elliott's cover of "because" is grand. If you have the time, check out this album by him (overall, it's a pretty good album you might like): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuizNQU ... z12UjMcJWC
Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse) is a pretty strange guy, but after learning more about him and dissecting his lyrics, I grew an obsession for his unique style and utilization of instruments as well as making do with whatever he had. Here's a pretty piece by him that doesn't have that creepy clown cover I believe you didn't enjoy (haha): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dcuCXrGruw
Funny, I didn't like Chewinggum's self titled for the longest time, but recently (about a year or two ago) it has really grown on me!
I didn't care much for Dinosaur Jr, but I will say that the only album I've actually enjoyed by them (so far) has been their Farm album.

Still, that 10 minute challenge sounds like....well quite the challenge! Glad to hear you'll be recording some more songs next month! Let me ask you something, do you find breaks to be beneficial? If so, how long of a break tends to do it for you?

I need to start utilizing my phone for recording ideas down. I get a little tired of opening and waiting for my software just to record an idea. A cool little thing I do (maybe others can make use of this too!) is once a month, I'll open my DAW and spend an hour fiddling with my guitar; i'll press record when I have a few ideas down and even after I'm done with the progression, i'll mess around on the guitar while it's still recording. Sometimes it brings me gold and other times I find it gives me very little to work with; also depends on the mood i'm in I guess. That's cool your meaningful songs were lyrically written first! I've never been good at explaining myself, so I think this is why I tend to (majority of the time) write down the instruments first and let the lyrics correlate with the sound. I have (very seldom) written lyrics first then try to incorporate them into a song, but it just isn't the same for me.

What's your opinion on music that is longer than the average song? I noticed your songs are short (in my opinion, which IS NOT bad!) and to the point; it may be a matter of style too!

[quote="Dewith"]
Elliott's cover of "because" is grand. If you have the time, check out this album by him (overall, it's a pretty good album you might like): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuizNQU ... z12UjMcJWC
Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse) is a pretty strange guy, but after learning more about him and dissecting his lyrics, I grew an obsession for his unique style and utilization of instruments as well as making do with whatever he had. Here's a pretty piece by him that doesn't have that creepy clown cover I believe you didn't enjoy (haha): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dcuCXrGruw
Funny, I didn't like Chewinggum's self titled for the longest time, but recently (about a year or two ago) it has really grown on me!
I didn't care much for Dinosaur Jr, but I will say that the only album I've actually enjoyed by them (so far) has been their Farm album. [/quote]

I'd check out those links, but right now I'm busy lurking on this critique songwriting forum. Thanks for the links!

[quote="Dewith"]
Still, that 10 minute challenge sounds like....well quite the challenge! Glad to hear you'll be recording some more songs next month! Let me ask you something, do you find breaks to be beneficial? If so, how long of a break tends to do it for you?[/quote]

Do you mean taking a break in during the writing process? Or taking breaks songwriting in general? For the former a little. I think if you're working on a song that's in a different style that you haven't quite had the grasp for it, it definitely benefits, because it gives you time to immerse yourself in the song. I think a few days on working on the song should be long enough. However, I never seem to take breaks during the writing process unless it's a song in a new genre or style like I stated above. However, for my FAWM songs, I had no choice but to take a break because I needed help on some of my songs on there. But I believe on "Pity I Will Never Clean Up My Room", After writing the lyrics down, I couldn't do anything else with it because it was late at night and I didn't want to disturb my room mates. So I had to take break on it and finish it tomorrow. But yeah none of the breaks that I took for FAWM benefited me in any other way other than as a reminder that I was way behind on finishing a song!

Now for the latter, I think not, because you lose track of what you've written for writing songs. And not only that but it also kind of serves a purpose as a discouragement for returning to write songs again. Because then you feel lazy to write another song! Before FAWM, I took a week break from songwriting and I totally regret it!! I think a few days of break wouldn't hurt but a week definitely will! Not only that but my guitar playing also falls behind from breaks. Because most of the time I depend on songwriting for playing on the guitar. Though with that being said, I believe if you go back to listening to your current songs
, you should be able get on track with what you wrote before.

[quote="Dewith"]
I need to start utilizing my phone for recording ideas down. I get a little tired of opening and waiting for my software just to record an idea. A cool little thing I do (maybe others can make use of this too!) is once a month, I'll open my DAW and spend an hour fiddling with my guitar; i'll press record when I have a few ideas down and even after I'm done with the progression, i'll mess around on the guitar while it's still recording. Sometimes it brings me gold and other times I find it gives me very little to work with; also depends on the mood i'm in I guess. That's cool your meaningful songs were lyrically written first! I've never been good at explaining myself, so I think this is why I tend to (majority of the time) write down the instruments first and let the lyrics correlate with the sound. I have (very seldom) written lyrics first then try to incorporate them into a song, but it just isn't the same for me.[/quote]

I think it's very handy to record whenever you play an instrument, even if it's a practice on scales or riffs. You never maybe useful for a song later on. I believed the famous riff from Sweet Child Of Mine was based off a practice scale.

Inspiration comes at you the least expected, so I'm pretty sure someday the idea of the lyrics to your next song will come to you soon. While I'm inclined to try different approaches to writing songs, It doesn't entirely matter. Just work with what works best with you. Sailor Moon says.

[quote="Dewith"]
What's your opinion on music that is longer than the average song? I noticed your songs are short (in my opinion, which IS NOT bad!) and to the point; it may be a matter of style too![/quote]

Hard to say, but I will say it's mostly a lot easier to listen to a short song than a longer one. Shorter songs tend to make it easy on you and you can easily listen to them over and over again. Longer songs tend to be a bit draggy to me, and after it finishes I don't have the desire to come back to it. I think long songs can work if the song finishes without you realizing that it ended. Because to me that tells me that the songwriter crafted his song with lots of thought to it. And not just for the sake of making it a long song!

I tend to write short songs because
1. It's easier to write songs that way.
2. It's faster to write songs that way,
3. It keeps the listener engaged with a song longer than a long one.
4. I tend to write AABA style songs than verse/chorus. AABA songs tend to be shorter than verse/chorus songs.
5. It mostly tells you that the songwriter has cut-off any excess to the song that would've made it orginally unwarranted if he didn't.
6. The Beatles did this all the time!

But with being said, I say a song that has been worked to remove any unecessary parts is on it's path to being a great song, regardless of length. Imo when it comes to songwriting, less is always best.

[quote="CARNVAL372"]

Do you mean taking a break in during the writing process? Or taking breaks songwriting in general? For the former a little. I think if you're working on a song that's in a different style that you haven't quite had the grasp for it, it definitely benefits, because it gives you time to immerse yourself in the song. I think a few days on working on the song should be long enough. However, I never seem to take breaks during the writing process unless it's a song in a new genre or style like I stated above. However, for my FAWM songs, I had no choice but to take a break because I needed help on some of my songs on there. But I believe on "Pity I Will Never Clean Up My Room", After writing the lyrics down, I couldn't do anything else with it because it was late at night and I didn't want to disturb my room mates. So I had to take break on it and finish it tomorrow. But yeah none of the breaks that I took for FAWM benefited me in any other way other than as a reminder that I was way behind on finishing a song!

Now for the latter, I think not, because you lose track of what you've written for writing songs. And not only that but it also kind of serves a purpose as a discouragement for returning to write songs again. Because then you feel lazy to write another song! Before FAWM, I took a week break from songwriting and I totally regret it!! I think a few days of break wouldn't hurt but a week definitely will! Not only that but my guitar playing also falls behind from breaks. Because most of the time I depend on songwriting for playing on the guitar. Though with that being said, I believe if you go back to listening to your current songs
, you should be able get on track with what you wrote before.

I think it's very handy to record whenever you play an instrument, even if it's a practice on scales or riffs. You never maybe useful for a song later on. I believed the famous riff from Sweet Child Of Mine was based off a practice scale.

[quote="Dewith"]
What's your opinion on music that is longer than the average song? I noticed your songs are short (in my opinion, which IS NOT bad!) and to the point; it may be a matter of style too![/quote]

Hard to say, but I will say it's mostly a lot easier to listen to a short song than a longer one. Shorter songs tend to make it easy on you and you can easily listen to them over and over again. Longer songs tend to be a bit draggy to me, and after it finishes I don't have the desire to come back to it. I think long songs can work if the song finishes without you realizing that it ended. Because to me that tells me that the songwriter crafted his song with lots of thought to it. And not just for the sake of making it a long song!

I tend to write short songs because
1. It's easier to write songs that way.
2. It's faster to write songs that way,
3. It keeps the listener engaged with a song longer than a long one.
4. I tend to write AABA style songs than verse/chorus. AABA songs tend to be shorter than verse/chorus songs.
5. It mostly tells you that the songwriter has cut-off any excess to the song that would've made it orginally unwarranted if he didn't.
6. The Beatles did this all the time!

But with being said, I say a song that has been worked to remove any unecessary parts is on it's path to being a great song, regardless of length. Imo when it comes to songwriting, less is always best.[/quote]

wow you answered both, nice! I've been working with incorporating different instruments as well as a more themed album, so I was just curious to how you might approach it and I believe you answered my question! Due to my "in-between" living situation, I'm not allotted a ton of time to record vocals and acoustic guitar pieces, so while i'm not doing that, I focus on the keyboard, drums (sometimes that's an issue too), and editing. When I do get those full days of solidarity, I am able to really complete a song.
As for long periodical breaks, I agree. I've done that before and found myself intimidated and lacked major confidence in recording. I kept asking myself if I was really good enough. That's just like with anything you may take a break from and I'm realizing that. When you mentioned listening to your current song, I did that when I started recording music last summer; however, I listened to pieces I wrote/recorded 5 years ago. It did give me an idea and helped me correlate that idea with how I felt at the time I started back up.

Never knew Sweet Child of Mine was based on a practice scale, how cool! I believe I don't know any scales or anythings practice wise for formal guitar playing, so I just pick up and mess around till I hear something that I enjoy (I kinda wish I paid more attention in music class when I was younger! )

I think that the majority of the population enjoys/has time for shorter songs. I, however, like dedicating time to listening to a longer piece, but that's just my approach. I do agree with your numbered reasons, too. There is a piece I am working on that was damn near 8 mins long. I had to really decide whether the orchestrated symphony in the beginning was really needed. I thought to myself "I absolutely love this extended intro and it ties in so well with the actual songs, but will people be patient enough to give it a go?" You're constant feedback and advice lead me to answer that question with a No. As much as I may like it, majority people (again) will more than likely not. The intro is beautiful, but there wasn't enough going on, so I shortened it (the song) considerably (by 2 1/2 mins i believe!). It's still a long song, but not so drawn out. I think I have it where I want it now, so I just wanted to say thanks for your input on that! I don't want to write songs for people, but I still want people to listen to my songs
(damn you pink floyd for making beautiful long songs!) To put into perspective, I really enjoy their Animals albums they did....those are some long songs! I really enjoyed the pillows songs Beautiful picture and Smile as well.

[quote="Dewith"]Never knew Sweet Child of Mine was based on a practice scale, how cool! I believe I don't know any scales or anythings practice wise for formal guitar playing, so I just pick up and mess around till I hear something that I enjoy (I kinda wish I paid more attention in music class when I was younger! ) [/quote]

My mistake, I meant to say it was done on a practice riff/solo in this case the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_skipping]string skipping[/url] technique.

[quote="Dewith"]I do agree with your numbered reasons, too. There is a piece I am working on that was damn near 8 mins long. I had to really decide whether the orchestrated symphony in the beginning was really needed. I thought to myself "I absolutely love this extended intro and it ties in so well with the actual songs, but will people be patient enough to give it a go?" You're constant feedback and advice lead me to answer that question with a No. As much as I may like it, majority people (again) will more than likely not. The intro is beautiful, but there wasn't enough going on, so I shortened it (the song) considerably (by 2 1/2 mins i believe!).[/quote]

I think you should base your decisions on yourself when it comes to looking for things to remove from the song. Don't worry about the audience in this case, if you really think that intro was necessary, then keep it. I think a lot of times the problem is that bands don't take consideration on the intros. They just cyle through the verse chords until the singer is ready to sing. However in contrast to many bands, you ARE taking consideration for your intro.

I also want you to read this [url=http://beatlessongwriting.blogspot.com/2017/03/ticket-4-plant-chorus-grow-intro.html]article[/url] that Matt Blick has recently posted regarding intros. While Matt indeed did a podcast on intros, he never went in depth with Ticket 4 by applying it to your songs. It's very informative, it shows how intros used to work for orchestras, and he goes into detail on how bands like The Beatles would take advantage of their intros and how to applied them to your own songs.

[quote="Dewith"]It's still a long song, but not so drawn out. I think I have it where I want it now, so I just wanted to say thanks for your input on that! I don't want to write songs for people, but I still want people to listen to my songs [/quote]

You're welcome. However, I think you should based on yourself for making these decisions though. Hey, It's their loss if they skip your songs that has an epic intro! But they're most likely not to, since you took consideration on that intro to make it epic, and not just for the sake of "throwing" it in there. In the end, it's your decision and not theirs. I just want you to be aware of the intros you put in your songs. Well, writing songs for people isn't a bad approach as it's another way to refreshen your songwriting. But yeah it's not something you should be doing all the time either.

[quote="Dewith"](damn you pink floyd for making beautiful long songs!) To put into perspective, I really enjoy their Animals albums they did....those are some long songs! I really enjoyed the pillows songs Beautiful picture and Smile as well.[/quote]

Yeah your vocal production reminded me of Pink Floyd (Roger Waters era). Glad I was right. Progressive rock bands took their ideas from Jazz and classical music by throwing away song structures out the window in favor for improvisational works. So their songs are usually warranted to be long! lol I suppose the problem of long songs isn't the actual length but the excessive unnecessary repetitions in them. Beautiful Picture could definitely benefit from cutting off a few repeats, but it has definitely a lot of interesting stuff happening to keep you engage. Smile also could benefit from cutting off a few repeats but to a lesser degree than Beautiful Picture. However, I think Beautiful Picture works better as a long song than Smile. The "kutabare" part was bit too long for my taste, if they would've have shorten it more, I would've liked it as much as Beautiful Picture.

I have only one long song with vocals in my Spotify playlist and that is Michael Schenker Group - Lost Horizons. Everything about that song is fantastic! Including the intro build up, so I can see why you dedicate your listens to long songs.

[quote="CARNVAL372"]

I think you should base your decisions on yourself when it comes to looking for things to remove from the song. Don't worry about the audience in this case, if you really think that intro was necessary, then keep it. I think a lot of times the problem is that bands don't take consideration on the intros. They just cyle through the verse chords until the singer is ready to sing. However in contrast to many bands, you ARE taking consideration for your intro.

I also want you to read this [url=http://beatlessongwriting.blogspot.com/2017/03/ticket-4-plant-chorus-grow-intro.html]article[/url] that Matt Blick has recently posted regarding intros. While Matt indeed did a podcast on intros, he never went in depth with Ticket 4 by applying it to your songs. It's very informative, it shows how intros used to work for orchestras, and he goes into detail on how bands like The Beatles would take advantage of their intros and how to applied them to your own songs.

[quote="Dewith"]It's still a long song, but not so drawn out. I think I have it where I want it now, so I just wanted to say thanks for your input on that! I don't want to write songs for people, but I still want people to listen to my songs [/quote]

You're welcome. However, I think you should based on yourself for making these decisions though. Hey, It's their loss if they skip your songs that has an epic intro! But they're most likely not to, since you took consideration on that intro to make it epic, and not just for the sake of "throwing" it in there. In the end, it's your decision and not theirs. I just want you to be aware of the intros you put in your songs. Well, writing songs for people isn't a bad approach as it's another way to refreshen your songwriting. But yeah it's not something you should be doing all the time either.

[quote="Dewith"](damn you pink floyd for making beautiful long songs!) To put into perspective, I really enjoy their Animals albums they did....those are some long songs! I really enjoyed the pillows songs Beautiful picture and Smile as well.[/quote]

Yeah your vocal production reminded me of Pink Floyd (Roger Waters era). Glad I was right. Progressive rock bands took their ideas from Jazz and classical music by throwing away song structures out the window in favor for improvisational works. So their songs are usually warranted to be long! lol I suppose the problem of long songs isn't the actual length but the excessive unnecessary repetitions in them. Beautiful Picture could definitely benefit from cutting off a few repeats, but it has definitely a lot of interesting stuff happening to keep you engage. Smile also could benefit from cutting off a few repeats but to a lesser degree than Beautiful Picture. However, I think Beautiful Picture works better as a long song than Smile. The "kutabare" part was bit too long for my taste, if they would've have shorten it more, I would've liked it as much as Beautiful Picture.

I have only one long song with vocals in my Spotify playlist and that is Michael Schenker Group - Lost Horizons. Everything about that song is fantastic! Including the intro build up, so I can see why you dedicate your listens to long songs. [/quote]

I'll have to check out Matt Blick's article! It's not so much that my intro wasn't to anyone's liking but mine, but rather that the intro was lacking layering and felt a little empty, despite my enjoyment of it. I couldn't find any fillers or other background noise I could incorporate, so I made the decision to just leave it out; It's not like i'm going to regret it I didn't mean to make it sound like an epic intro, rather a piece that I really enjoyed but lacked finding anything else to go along with it

Honestly, I don't think I should base my decisions solely on my own outlook; rather, I typically take the advice I get on here and apply it to further my diversity on my style (not for all songs, but i'm sure there are recent songs you can hear where I have taken advice!). As well, it's not like I take the advice and say "well, I liked it better my way." It's actually open my thoughts to different approaches to music and other aspects that I never really considered.

Really love Roger Waters's work. As for those two Pillows songs, I really enjoyed that Smile had a few different styles that all linked together in one song. Beautiful Picture is a little long with the repeats, but the wait is very worth it (for me) for the solo as well as the ending bass line; gets me everytime!

I'm going to look into this Michael Schenker Group; at least the song Lost Horizons! Sounds like you're quite taken with this song

I've almost never ventured outside of the pillows subforum here on IM, but I poked around the last few pages here, and I am digging this topic - lots of talent on this forum! Wow! I had no idea, and such variation in sound between folks. Bravo to all of you guys.
I don't have any really well-done recordings of much, like you guys do, but I'd be interested in hearing what y'all think of my band's songs all the same. The ones with the boat hanging in the background are the most recent attempts at putting something out there.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcAAPy ... j85mbFhIzg

Not all of them were written by me (and frankly, the ones that were are the ones that need the most work, haha), but all of the bass lines were at least.

I've also got a SoundCloud page for more independent stuff that I'll hopefully be doing more with now that my new laptop is vaguely geared to record, though right now it just has three guitar tracks. Though I'm hesitant, I need to start recording vocal parts, too. I think it was GR who mentioned something like going out to the car to record vocals, and that'll for sure be my apporach, too!
https://soundcloud.com/aecolangeli/tracks

It's also great to see all the discussion going on about songwriting and different approaches. I feel like there's a lot I could learn for sure!

[quote="ShwahnStuff"]I've almost never ventured outside of the pillows subforum here on IM, but I poked around the last few pages here, and I am digging this topic - lots of talent on this forum! Wow! I had no idea, and such variation in sound between folks. Bravo to all of you guys.
I don't have any really well-done recordings of much, like you guys do, but I'd be interested in hearing what y'all think of my band's songs all the same. The ones with the boat hanging in the background are the most recent attempts at putting something out there.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcAAPy ... j85mbFhIzg

Not all of them were written by me (and frankly, the ones that were are the ones that need the most work, haha), but all of the bass lines were at least. [/quote]

Nice to see some different style here! I've always wanted to use some sort of Bongo in a couple of my songs. Looks and sounds like you all have fun while playing too, or at least you all look "into it." Do you all have a sight that host your music other than youtube?
I thought the bands overall sound was particular and kept me engaged for the most part. I liked how you changed the tempo of the song The Blank; caught me off guard!

[quote="ShwahnStuff"]I've also got a SoundCloud page for more independent stuff that I'll hopefully be doing more with now that my new laptop is vaguely geared to record, though right now it just has three guitar tracks. Though I'm hesitant, I need to start recording vocal parts, too. I think it was GR who mentioned something like going out to the car to record vocals, and that'll for sure be my apporach, too!
https://soundcloud.com/aecolangeli/tracks

It's also great to see all the discussion going on about songwriting and different approaches. I feel like there's a lot I could learn for sure![/quote]

Really wish you had lyrics on these tracks! To be honest, I like these better than your band's music, but that's just preference in taste. Whenever you give the lyric thing a whirl, please post; I would like to here what vocal approach you do! I thought the songs overall were [color=#FF0000]very[/color] pleasant to listen to

Thanks much! It's been great to have Dennis on drums, both for the excitement of playing with more people and a fuller sound, as well as in general having a percussive beat, haha. When we play out or jam in the garage (cliche, I know, haha) with the beefier equipment, he uses a full set, but it's fun to give things a more acoustic-y vibe.

I think you should go for it if you (or someone you know) has a bongo! Are you thinking of recording it yourself or having someone else play? Either way, I'm sure the new dynamic will be inspiring in itself, at least that's what I find!

We sadly do not have any other site for music hosting, but that's more because I have no idea where to go for that, plus we don't really have much in the way of solid recording (but we're working on it!). Any suggestions?

And thank you very much for the comment and feedback on the independent tracks! I'm working on getting some more recorded soon, and I'll see what I can do about updating the others and future tracks with some bass and vocals, though I need a mic before I can get to vocalizin'.

[quote="ShwahnStuff"]Thanks much! It's been great to have Dennis on drums, both for the excitement of playing with more people and a fuller sound, as well as in general having a percussive beat, haha. When we play out or jam in the garage (cliche, I know, haha) with the beefier equipment, he uses a full set, but it's fun to give things a more acoustic-y vibe.

I think you should go for it if you (or someone you know) has a bongo! Are you thinking of recording it yourself or having someone else play? Either way, I'm sure the new dynamic will be inspiring in itself, at least that's what I find! [/quote]

Man, that must be nice! I wouldn't mind playing with others in order to actually hear every instrument at once in live time. Really liked the idea that you guys do both styles of playing. It's always exciting to hear different styles of the same song!
Once I get settled from my move in June to Washington, I'll be looking forward to buying a cheap little bongo. I have a hard time with the idea of having others play for me. I like to learn whatever instrument I have interest in. A bit conceded, I know. Keeping on track, playing and incorporating bongo has been on my mind for a while now; so has playing harmonica in my songs (I have a set of those ) Back to you guys, it's just refreshing and encouraging to actually see people playing and correlating the bongo in songs

[quote="ShwahnStuff"]We sadly do not have any other site for music hosting, but that's more because I have no idea where to go for that, plus we don't really have much in the way of solid recording (but we're working on it!). Any suggestions?[/quote]

I have been seeing a lot of people here on IM use SoundCloud. For myself, I've enjoyed using BandCamp; it might be because I'm so used to it, but I find it easy to use. Also, it seems (just from observation) that soundcloud has been used more for uploading independent songs and bandcamp is more affiliated with uploading albums, EPs, etc. (wasn't your music on a soundcloud link?) Which ever way you do it, do whatever site makes you comfortable. Do some research too about each site! All in all, it's really just preference in my experience.


[quote="ShwahnStuff"]And thank you very much for the comment and feedback on the independent tracks! I'm working on getting some more recorded soon, and I'll see what I can do about updating the others and future tracks with some bass and vocals, though I need a mic before I can get to vocalizin'.[/quote]

No worries, wish I could have said more. Like I said, I like the overall style; it appeals to me. I am anticipating hearing the vocals, along with other instruments, that will be incorporated! You can actually find a descent mic for a descent price out there. I have, and started with, a Rode NT1-A. About a couple months ago, I bought a little Microphone specialized (or geared towards rather) for Harmonicas and experimented vocal tones through that (I used in on a few songs from my last release). The point is, think about the sound you want to produce and do a little research on how you can reach that (or even get close to) that specific sound. I also have a TC-Helicon D1 that I use to mod my voice for certain songs; I think I can sing pretty fairly, but it's always nice to mess around and find new vocal tones and pitches.

Wow this thread really took off at some point, huh? Great work everybody. I thought I'd park a demo I've had sitting around for a while. Been working on other stuff lately, but figured it wouldn't hurt to throw this up.

[url]https://soundcloud.com/sedovmusic/yesterday[/url]

[quote="Tidusauron12"]but figured it wouldn't hurt to throw this up.

[url]https://soundcloud.com/sedovmusic/yesterday[/url][/quote]

Man, this is great! Unique voice, great quality. I really have nothing to add other than thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed listening (I'm still trying to figure out what this song reminds me of....)

[quote="Dewith"]

Man, this is great! Unique voice, great quality. I really have nothing to add other than thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed listening (I'm still trying to figure out what this song reminds me of....)[/quote]

Thanks! I'm one of those types that can't stand to hear his own voice, so I often spend a long time going over vocals on a project. I'll take "unique". Will have some more music to share for sure, soon.

I checked out your stuff, I like the lo-fi experimental sound. Also, I just realized while on your bandcamp that we both live in Jacksonville! Haha