Category: Before I Die - The Evolution of a Song
Posted by: michael
So the piano part is going pretty well. Basically there are two versions. One has a busier arrangement than the other. Both will be pre-recorded before the next recording session. How the rest of the instruments come out really should determine which we can drop into the final mix.
All along we wanted to lay down the piano part first but we failed miserably at the last recording date because that hack of a piano player couldn't keep time and was all over the place! That hack was me. So we fired that guy and got a better one. The new piano player is me too. To save you any confusion when reading this story I will rename the old me, Dick. To save any further confusion the new piano player will be called Harry.
So at the last recording session we ended up telling Dick to take a break and get some coffee. With him out of the room we decided to lay down the drum and bass part first. The drummer did a marginally better job keeping time. The drummer was me. But to save you any confusion when reading this story I will rename the drummer, Tom.
All along we wanted to lay down the piano part first but we failed miserably at the last recording date because that hack of a piano player couldn't keep time and was all over the place! That hack was me. So we fired that guy and got a better one. The new piano player is me too. To save you any confusion when reading this story I will rename the old me, Dick. To save any further confusion the new piano player will be called Harry.
So at the last recording session we ended up telling Dick to take a break and get some coffee. With him out of the room we decided to lay down the drum and bass part first. The drummer did a marginally better job keeping time. The drummer was me. But to save you any confusion when reading this story I will rename the drummer, Tom.
Category: Before I Die - The Evolution of a Song
Posted by: michael
Okay. So I found my metronome right where I left it about 7 years ago; in the back of my desk drawer with some floppy disks and my Texas Instruments BA II Plus Advanced Business Analyst Calculator. Both the floppy disks and calculator are soon to go on eBay so to all interested parties, get yer biddin' hands ready!
I cleared the dust off the metronome and, low and behold, it still works. The thing came highly recommended to me when I started taking piano lessons from a trombone player in college. Sy, that was his name, sold me on it when he said he left his in a snow bank all winter and when he found it the following spring it still worked. It has never let me down.
Though I have to say there were times when I wish it didn't work because you have to be a serious sadomasochist to practice with one these things. In fact if I were to ever pop its cover and check for a battery I think I would find an inscription that read “Powered by Satan”.
But I digress…
I put the old version of the b4Idie to the metronome and came up with a tempo of 90. When I ran it against the new version it hit 105. I ran through it on the piano a couple more times and the tune really felt right at about 100. At that speed it still had some kick but didn’t feel too rushed. So there it is.
Next, finish off the keyboard parts.
I cleared the dust off the metronome and, low and behold, it still works. The thing came highly recommended to me when I started taking piano lessons from a trombone player in college. Sy, that was his name, sold me on it when he said he left his in a snow bank all winter and when he found it the following spring it still worked. It has never let me down.
Though I have to say there were times when I wish it didn't work because you have to be a serious sadomasochist to practice with one these things. In fact if I were to ever pop its cover and check for a battery I think I would find an inscription that read “Powered by Satan”.
But I digress…
I put the old version of the b4Idie to the metronome and came up with a tempo of 90. When I ran it against the new version it hit 105. I ran through it on the piano a couple more times and the tune really felt right at about 100. At that speed it still had some kick but didn’t feel too rushed. So there it is.
Next, finish off the keyboard parts.
16/11: Where to start...
Category: Before I Die - The Evolution of a Song
Posted by: michael
Okay. I just watched the Sex Pistols documentary, CHOAS! Ex Pistols, and I am totaled inspired to start shaking out some of my ideas for Before I Die. I figure if those no talent ass clowns can write something with some sticking power so I can I right? Don't get me wrong, I like the Sex Pistols. I am sure if they knew who I was they would call me the no talent ass clown too. God Save the Queen.
So John, Aric, Kelly and I will get back together sometime closer to the holidays to record Before I Die one last time. Wow, that last sentence sounded eerily prophetic. Anyway here is what I plan on doing between now and then.
1. Establish a tempo for the song. The first recording was a little too slow. Thanks to the beers and coffee chasers the recent recording is too fast. Somewhere in between the two is the right tempo and me and my SEIKO DM-20 metronome are going to find it! Now all I need to do is find my metronome.
2. Flesh out the chorus by revamping the piano and organ parts.
3. Practice the drums. Practice, practice, practice.
4. Pen an arrangement for the song that includes a polished intro and exit.
Wow, I am reading through what I just wrote and it looks like too much work. I need a nap.
So John, Aric, Kelly and I will get back together sometime closer to the holidays to record Before I Die one last time. Wow, that last sentence sounded eerily prophetic. Anyway here is what I plan on doing between now and then.
1. Establish a tempo for the song. The first recording was a little too slow. Thanks to the beers and coffee chasers the recent recording is too fast. Somewhere in between the two is the right tempo and me and my SEIKO DM-20 metronome are going to find it! Now all I need to do is find my metronome.
2. Flesh out the chorus by revamping the piano and organ parts.
3. Practice the drums. Practice, practice, practice.
4. Pen an arrangement for the song that includes a polished intro and exit.
Wow, I am reading through what I just wrote and it looks like too much work. I need a nap.
15/11: New version of Before I Die
Category: Before I Die - The Evolution of a Song
Posted by: michael
So we got together a couple of weeks ago and recorded a new version of Before I Die. You can play on the home pages jukebox. We pretty much followed the formula we developed in our first recording session.
1. Don't practice before hand.
2. The level of enthusiasm should be directly proportionate to the level of disorganization.
3. As the natural energy in the room fades, supplement it with alternate shots of coffee and beer.
4. Never stop reminding ourselves that we are musical Gods.
This day had some real benefits. It was fun. I have to admit the new version didn’t come out like I expected it. But considering I put no thought into it prior to the recording session I am not sure what I actually expected.
I am pleased to hear the extra instrumentation in the song. I had some vague ideas of how the song should be arranged but it wasn’t until I listened to this newest version that those ideas really came together in my mind. It is easier to put the puzzle together when you can see (or in our case hear) all of the pieces first.
I am pretty sure I can sit down now and put pen to paper to arrange the tune in its entirety (of course always allowing for some spontaneity during the next recording). So it looks like we are going to take one more run at perfecting this thing. Aric is hard a work on fine tuning some guitar licks. I think sometime in Christmas break may be our magical day.
In the meantime I am going to be posting you, our awesome fans, on my progress.
1. Don't practice before hand.
2. The level of enthusiasm should be directly proportionate to the level of disorganization.
3. As the natural energy in the room fades, supplement it with alternate shots of coffee and beer.
4. Never stop reminding ourselves that we are musical Gods.
This day had some real benefits. It was fun. I have to admit the new version didn’t come out like I expected it. But considering I put no thought into it prior to the recording session I am not sure what I actually expected.
I am pleased to hear the extra instrumentation in the song. I had some vague ideas of how the song should be arranged but it wasn’t until I listened to this newest version that those ideas really came together in my mind. It is easier to put the puzzle together when you can see (or in our case hear) all of the pieces first.
I am pretty sure I can sit down now and put pen to paper to arrange the tune in its entirety (of course always allowing for some spontaneity during the next recording). So it looks like we are going to take one more run at perfecting this thing. Aric is hard a work on fine tuning some guitar licks. I think sometime in Christmas break may be our magical day.
In the meantime I am going to be posting you, our awesome fans, on my progress.
