• Songs
  • Romanza - Easy but Still Timeless
2017/10/01 20:03:53
AndyB01
A timeless piece - needs no introduction - and if you ever tried to learn classical guitar this is probably one of the first pieces you tried to master. Perhaps surprisingly rated as a Grade 5 piece (probably because of the slightly more difficult and therefore less frequently played second movement) but definitely within the capability of most with a little effort.
 
Still can't quite get the recorded sound I am after with my Taylor acoustic - I'm using the ES/2 system plugged in direct to a Scarlett 2i4 but it still sounds a little too thin in the treble voice and too much boom in the bass. I'll have to keep playing with the EQ - I'm sure I'll get there in the end. Maybe some background strings would sweeten this a little - might try that.
 
In the meantime - enjoy
 
https://soundcloud.com/andyb01/romanza-1
2017/10/01 21:21:19
emeraldsoul
Very cool, and hardly easy, at least for my elephantine fingertips. I'm impressed with your piece as I think acoustic guitar is likely the most difficult thing to do well. I'm betting this is a two year old effort? Do you find it measures up or have you gained in proficiency?
 
The eq range on this wasn't bad - I might take the midgrange notes down a hair, precisely I mean the second note of your triplet, is it a B? That puppy is loud and I wonder if you have an eq that can take a db or two from a particular note, might be worth a go.  
 
I don't know what your can do but at :23 and in a couple of other spots you've got a little buzz when finger sticks as its leaving the string? Are you compressing this piece? If so, noises like that will be more audible as the noise floor is brought up by the comp.
 
I really liked the brightness of the guitar, a Taylor trademark, and although I can see it being difficult to record di, you've done a good job. I think some soft strings as underlayment would be cool. Ever try it with a microphone? That brings its own set of problems. Never ending fun!
 
cheers, and good job!
-Tom
2017/10/01 21:38:27
AndyB01
Thanks Tom - the buzzes are down to poor technique and not compression. It happens when I accidentally brush an open string on transitioning between fretted positions (less of an issue with nylon strings).

I've tried with a mic - with spectacularly bad results. Actually I re-recorded this recently, my technique used to be much better but I have only recently started to re-acquaint myself with classical guitar pieces.

My discipline to practice as diligently as I should is sadly lacking.
2017/10/03 11:33:49
Wookiee
I enjoyed your playing Andy, sometimes those fret sounds add something and they do not distract in this piece.  Have you tried recording with two microphones neck and body or even crossed?

Thanks for sharing. 
2017/10/03 14:57:55
markno999
Andy,
 
Very nice playing.     Really enjoyed this classical "classic".:)
 
Sometimes mixing your direct acoustic signal with a mic capture will give good results.  Also had less than stellar results with my acoustic mic'ing in the past until started using this very simple method below.   Your Taylor is not too bad, my Ovation was horrible with just the direct output.     Not sure what your recording environment is like but my own bad results were done in a carpeted office and the acoustics were terrible.   Now I record acoustic guitar in the bathroom as it as ceramic tile floors and a carpet in the middle of the floor.   Pretty good acoustics and seems to work pretty well.   I guess the lesson there is you need good mic technique plus a good environment for recording acoustic guitar.
 
Anyway, your recording is pretty good so you may be able to tweak with your EQ and balance it out a bit.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZRnrA5GOx0&t=4s
 
Regards
2017/10/03 20:02:15
AndyB01
Thanks guys will try some of these suggestions out. My mic is a SM58 and have tried with that and tried 'converting' it to a SM57 by removing tbe ball (I read about that online but not entirely convinced).

Thanks also for the compliments on the playing - much appreciated but always plenty of scope to do better.

Andy
2017/10/03 22:50:26
eph221
This was one of the first songs I learned (arpeggio practice!).  I think you understood that the top *melody* note should use a rest stroke for more accent.  The idea is there's a melody with an accompaniment.  Other than a few minor misses on barre chords it's beautiful!
2017/10/04 06:18:52
AndyB01
Great ears David, I hear those misses too. More practice required!

Appreciate the feedback.

Andy
2017/10/04 10:30:06
daryl1968
lovely Andy - the EQ sounds great to my ears - nice, warm bottom end and the top end not too brittle
2017/10/05 22:29:54
Rikkie
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