I have been gone for a little while. while I have been away I was working on a new project. A total revamp of my website. I made a guitar chord guide and I made a guitar scale guide. In the process of posting scales on my site I decided it would be a good idea to record songs that people can play the scales on.

I already had 7 tunes that I recorded using Sonar 5 back in the day. I put these songs up on a temporary basis. I will remix them now that I have X2 and Ozone 5. I needed to have some major songs. So I recorded some easy arrangements so students can see how the scales fit. Here is a song in A major.

https://soundcloud.com/marcus-curtis/a-major

The purpose of this song is to provide a backing track for people to play along with. I recorded another one in C major. It is kind of a swing jazzy song. I am thinking about replacing it. I think the drums in the A major tune is a bit much, when it comes to drums I am always over the top. maybe they need to be more simple.

Here is the rest of the songs and the scales in pdf files.

http://marcuscurtismusic.com/guitar-scale-guide/

This is just a hobby or something to do while I am away from the studio. The big question is, do you find it hard to jam along with the A major song? Is it too busy?

Thanks to everyone for their input!

I gave a quick listen. I'll bump you just to agree that "the drums in the A major tune is a bit much". IMO....it's in the ballad genre and the drums do not work at all from my perspective being far too busy and almost frantic in parts. Good luck with your endeavors.

I was entertained. And I kinda enjoyed the drums.

A major? Could also be F# minor? :-) 

Sounds pretty good Marcus. I like the mix, with the way the keys sit and the guitars, very nice. 

Quazelar: The problem is I am a drummer and when comes to my arrangements the drums are always kind of busy. I need to learn how to calm down, but then I fall asleep from boredom. even so, for this exercise I think they are a bit much and I am thinking of redoing the drums altogether.

I always think of ballads as something a little slower in tempo then this song, but that was another good point.

gswitz: Thanks for the listen and the input. I am glad you found it entertaining. Would it be something you can play along with and jam with?

The Band 19: Yes could be F# minor in the chorus. I have not got into modes yet on the scale guide page. I am still working on the artwork. I only covered major, natural minor, melodic minor, harmonic minor, pentatonic, and blues scales. This was one of a few songs recorded to try those scales with.

I need to cover modes, diminished scales (both types) augmented scales, whole tone scales, and diminished whole tone scales. The scale charts are kind of a work in progress. I work on those when I have down time at work.

I don't really play keys all the keys come from the roland gr 55. Thanks for the input and the listen

Marcus Curtis


Quazelar: The problem is I am a drummer and when comes to my arrangements the drums are always kind of busy. I need to learn how to calm down, but then I fall asleep from boredom. even so, for this exercise I think they are a bit much and I am thinking of redoing the drums altogether. I always think of ballads as something a little slower in tempo then this song, but that was another good point.

I repeat....IMO. :)
 
I'm a drummer also and played for many years.
But, my approach would be to play to compliment the song (IE: ballad in this case) being played or the genre that it seems to fall within.
The drums in this song almost seems to be playing by themselves and distracting rather than with the others instruments as a song/band feel.
Personally, I think the drums need to be tamed significantly and not draw so much attention with the busy playing crowding the other instruments.
 
This is your preferential call Marcus as to what you want which is creative license.
I responded because you asked yet I realize that my opinion is ultimately irrelevant.
I felt I should respond a bit more thoroughly.
 
Hope that helps.....carry on....

Quazelar

Marcus Curtis


Quazelar: The problem is I am a drummer and when comes to my arrangements the drums are always kind of busy. I need to learn how to calm down, but then I fall asleep from boredom. even so, for this exercise I think they are a bit much and I am thinking of redoing the drums altogether. I always think of ballads as something a little slower in tempo then this song, but that was another good point.

I repeat....IMO. :)
 
I'm a drummer also and played for many years.
But, my approach would be to play to compliment the song (IE: ballad in this case) being played or the genre that it seems to fall within.
The drums in this song almost seems to be playing by themselves and distracting rather than with the others instruments as a song/band feel.
Personally, I think the drums need to be tamed significantly and not draw so much attention with the busy playing crowding the other instruments.
 
This is your preferential call Marcus as to what you want which is creative license.
I responded because you asked yet I realize that my opinion is ultimately irrelevant.
I felt I should respond a bit more thoroughly.
 
Hope that helps.....carry on....

I did ask, Thank you for your response. When I get time I will change out the drums. Quazelar thanks again for your input!

Marcus Curtis
 Quazelar thanks again for your input!
 
Your quite welcome.
Although I very rarely comment on critique requests anymore I felt I could offer some valid suggestions for this one.
The whole idea is to make your effort on this backing track tune better.....that was my only (albeit subjective) intention on chiming in at all.
If you do repost this one I'll revisit this thread. 
 
For the record.....it's my opinion that if one is going on a public forum for honest assessments of a song one must have the skin of a snow tire and except all opinions appealing or otherwise....it can be a brutal world out there for us creative types.  :) 
Carry on....