The Daily Grind

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Purple Rhapsody
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2013/02/09 10:54:10 (permalink)

The Daily Grind

Hi,

This is not my most positive piece... perhaps a bit dark and depressing. It symbolises the "daily grind", the bane of the 9 to 5 office worker (or in my case 7 - 3:30), the depressing daily battle to make a dent in the workload before the end of the week.

Usually I enjoy my work but for a few weeks recently I've felt like this... and, as always, the best way to get this out of my system is to write music about it! In this case I've written in a key that I'm not sure I've ever written in before (B Flat Minor... it has too many black keys!) - and as I believe it is true that each musical key has it's own feel and sound I'll blame that for the fact that this may be one of the most depressing pieces I've written in a while! ;-)

https://soundcloud.com/pu...apsody/the-daily-grind

I sincerely hope you manage to enjoy it!


On a technical note - due to the extremes of volume in this I've actually used a limiter which I almost never do for solo piano... is too obvious? Should I have pushed it a bit more?

Thanks,
Terry.

Purple Rhapsody - emotions without words http://purplerhapsody.co.uk/
#1

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    philz
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    Re:The Daily Grind 2013/02/09 13:15:13 (permalink)
    Hi Terry, yes, definitely not a cheery piece, but very effective in conveying the mood that you detailed in the text.  Have you seen the HBO series "Enlightened?" As I listened to your piece, scenes from the show were flashing before me... a perfect fit.  Something to think about.  Effective and well played, despite all the black keys ;-).
    #2
    CLEAN
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    Re:The Daily Grind 2013/02/09 13:34:48 (permalink)
    You need to retire - I did two years ago - haven't had a dark day since. This is really nice though - actually puts me in a very peaceful space. Thanks.

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    Lynn
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    Re:The Daily Grind 2013/02/09 14:28:27 (permalink)
    This is a gorgeous piece of music, Terry.  I didn't hear the limiting, so you got that right, imo.  It's good to write songs that reflect all our moods sometimes.  Bravo, pal!

    All the best,
    Lynn

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    jamesg1213
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    Re:The Daily Grind 2013/02/10 06:35:50 (permalink)
    I love melancholy music Terry, so this is just right for a dreich Scottish Sunday.  Been listening to a lot of late-period Talk Talk lately, and Mark Hollis' voice would be perfect over this.

     
    Jyemz
     
     
     



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    Scottytunes
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    Re:The Daily Grind 2013/02/10 07:10:47 (permalink)
    A nice e piece to wake up to this morning. Nice use of dynamics.

    String Jammer
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    foxwolfen
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    Re:The Daily Grind 2013/02/10 11:04:25 (permalink)
    Beautiful work Terry.

    A scientist knows more & more about less & less till he knows everything about nothing, while a philosopher knows less & less about more & more till he knows nothing about everything.

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    Purple Rhapsody
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    Re:The Daily Grind 2013/02/10 12:15:15 (permalink)
    Hi,

    Thanks to everyone for listening and commenting, as always it's sincerely appreciated.

    Phil - No I haven't seen "Enlightened" (don't even know if it's on in the UK but I'll check it out). I've realised that it's not the black keys that are the problem... I could play on ALL black keys fine, but it's the occasional white key that causes the problem.... Thanks for the positive comment ;-)

    Mark - I wish I could retire... would need to win the lottery for that to happen soon though. Thanks for listening and I'm glad it put you in a peaceful space.

    Lynn - Thanks! And thanks for the feedback on the limiting.

    James - Thanks. I listened back to it again today and it's perfect for a dreich Manchester Sunday too. Whereabouts in Scotland are you? I was brought up in Oban and Edinburgh. I love the word 'dreich', it's so perfect for it's meaning. If I hadn't already called a track Dreich Day on a previous album it would have been the perfect title for this.

    Scott - Thanks!

    Shad - Thanks!


    Thanks again everyone.

    Cheers,
    Terry.


    Purple Rhapsody - emotions without words http://purplerhapsody.co.uk/
    #8
    jamesg1213
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    Re:The Daily Grind 2013/02/10 12:54:04 (permalink)
    Down in the corner, Dumfries & Galloway. Moved here 11 years ago from Gloucestershire..seems to get wetter year on year..

     
    Jyemz
     
     
     



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    Rikkie
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    Re:The Daily Grind 2013/02/10 14:43:49 (permalink)
    Hi Terry, nice piece, you certainly put the forte in pianoforte ; )  

    Rik
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    Freddy J
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    Re:The Daily Grind 2013/02/10 14:50:41 (permalink)
    I think that we have all been in that state at least one time or more.  I highly recommend retirement.
    This is indeed a very melancholy and reflective piece.  It is also a very beautiful piece that is very nicely played and recorded.
    Good one!
     
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    jbow
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    Re:The Daily Grind 2013/02/10 14:51:15 (permalink)
    Very nice Terry. I like the mood of the piece a lot.

    Julien

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    Purple Rhapsody
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    Re:The Daily Grind 2013/02/14 15:03:07 (permalink)

    Hi,

    Thanks again to everyone that's listened.

    James - Every time I've ever driven through Dumfries and Galloway it's been raining... Manchester is getting the same... more and more rain.
    Rikki - no point in not using the whole dynamic range... ;-)

    Freddy - thanks! 

    Julien - glad you like it, thanks for listening!

    Cheers,
    Terry.

    Purple Rhapsody - emotions without words http://purplerhapsody.co.uk/
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