Absolutely gawdeous, my dear! 

Thank you, Janet. This is just what I needed this morning, something soothing. Thank you.

Hi, Janet,
 
Great playing, as always, and a beautiful, relaxing song with gorgeous melodies!
 
The warm strings fit perfectly with the piano, and your drums are coming along really nicely.
 
Excellent work, Janet, have a great night!
Bob

Great tune and the signature instrument wonderful job. I really dig the color. Who taught you that? And whomever asked about vocals, the piano "singing" is enough.

The composition, arrangement and production were really good! Keep up the good work, Janet!

Janet


Thank you so much, Rus.  The color?  Of the chords, or what?  I'm not sure what you mean.  As far as who taught me anything...I think I just copy pianists I like...so I'm a watered-down version of every pianist I've ever heard and enjoyed.  :)  And I agree...in this version, the piano does it all.  If I can find a singer, the piano will definitely fill a far different part.  

Well, most certainly the harmonic coloring. I think I heard quite a few suspensions (tension/resolve) in there and the close voicing seemed like it suited this song. Copying? No crime. As it's been said: Good composers/performers write/play from scratch, while the great ones steal. Having said this, I don't consider my great or even pretty good, but influences are heard, so there you have it.


This version: was there another one? I did read you came up with this from re-working something else or do you mean version as in same song, but many tweaks? Speaking of which how long did it take you to do this?

Janet


OIC.  Yeah...not sure where I came up with those chord ideas...lots of influences and probably trial and error.  :)  

No, there's no other version yet.  You mentioned vocals.  I've written words to this one and would love to find a singer but haven't done much (if anything) to find one yet.  In the meantime I had to record this or my head might have exploded.  :)  

How long to do this?  Well, maybe 5-6 hours of actual recording.  Or probably more, I can't remember.  A few hours to write the words.  3 seconds for the opening line to come into my head and 6 hours or so to figure out the rest of the melody. :)  It was one of my faster ones, but it's a pretty simple arrangement.  Thanks again.  

Trial and error, huh? That's the whole "If it sounds good,: deal. Oh, since you mentioned "stealing." I posted in another thread about listening to some Alicia Keys tracks (I just got done listening to "Brand New Me") as the piano is her signature instrument. She's also classically trained, but indeed the tunesare wonderful to listen to. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjY1GQmbbD0


Wait! "Figure out the rest of the melody"? That's supposedly the easiest thing to come up with (Very ironic coming from me) or at least fols say to come up with the tune first. 


Ah, I see. You know, those "I have to get this song down" are the hardest ones to write probably due to unintentionally forcing things. I've been there! However, I'm glad you finally got it written!

Thanks Rus...I'll listen to Alicia Keys some more.  Someone new to steal from.  :)  

The rest of the tune...I almost always come up with the hook first and then have a heck of a time figuring out a verse.  On this one I realized that that first 'hook' should probably be the verse instead.  After I sang it in my head enough, it made sense.  Anyway, I sang what's now the verse for days and just couldn't get it to go anywhere.  Finally I sat down at the piano and thought of the next line (now the chorus) 'the sun comes up in your eyes' and the tune was just THERE.  Then I could finish it.  Sigh of relief!  :)  I've got another one in my head that's the same deal.  I'm wondering if maybe I put words to it if the tune will come.  Hmm..I'll have to try that.  :)  Cause now it's just sitting there going nowhere. Well, except that one night I arranged all in my head and it was beautiful.  Wish I could remember it....

I think when I said 'I have to get this song down' I meant I had to record it or it would keep swirling around in my head forever...or until the next song took its place.  ;) 
Yeah, Eko, that's sorta how I do it.  But I can change things later if I miss a note or hear something that could be better.  I know...a great pianist would learn it right before recording.  I just don't have the time and now my right arm hurts if I play too much.  Another reason to love Cakewalk. :)  Anyway, thanks!  

Client mentality?  

Playing, working, mousing, etc.  I think it started when I was sanding drywall above my head for two days.  Didn't have surgery, but I got an little ultrasound machine and have been working on it.  I think it's getting better, but I'll see if/when I start practicing the cello again...

lurvely tune Janet.
The piano fits in the mix really well which is not an easy thing to do.

OIC.  I think.  :)  Yeah, I can spend hours at my DAW, get up and go to the restroom with the music still going thru my head and suddenly say 'WAIT!  THAT's how I want that section to go!"  I wonder if I should just move my DAW to the restroom.  lol

I don't play the cello yet.  Well, like a beginner, I guess I do.  I think I was subconsciously out to prove that it can't be THAT hard to play.  (and I just love the instrument and I found one for a good price.)  Well, I'm here to say it indeed CAN be that hard to play well!  lol  So...IF I can start practicing again, I'll try to at least get decent.  :)  The piano is still my favorite, but my goal is also to be able to play the drums and the bass so at least real drummers and bassists think it's not bad.  :)  Unfortunately, every instrument seems to require your hands and arms.  Oh well...