Hi All, Janet added piano and cello parts to my solo guitar piece "Etude no. 2"  which was inspired by some old guy from Germany, Johann something ; )   Mix is all my fault. Have a listen if you like : 
 
  http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11926511
 
or 
 
http://soundcloud.com/rik-frieling/etude-no-2-1
   
    

     
    
      

 
Rik
 
 
Edit : For some reason I'm having trouble with the midi timing of this, please consider this a work in progress for now.
 
edit 4-10: remix 
 
edit 4-10 bis :  re-remix
 
edit 4-20 bis/bis  : re-re-remix
 
edit 8-10 : final mix, tried my best to incorperate the advice given here ; )

Well, I like it!  :)

The piano has a "music box" quality about it right there in the beginning. 

I like the second part when the soft strings come in. 

The down side is..... it sounds a bit busy with guitar and piano playing together.... and the timing is awkward in several places. Piano & guitar are off slightly from each other. 

This needs more "space" in the music.... it sounds a bit too cluttered at the moment.  The more I listen the more I wonder if the piano is the right instrument to use in this...... at least in the way it was used. Not a criticism... just an observation.

This is a lovely collaboration between the two of you.  It does have a few notes that aren't quite together timing wise, but that should be an easy fix in PRV.  Otherwise, this is a good piece to showcase your talents.

Herb, yeah I considered that it might be too busy.  I guess it's just grown on me now.  I let him have full license to cut anything he wanted.  Anyway, we may revisit this.  Thanks for the listen!

Thank you Lynn.  You'd think it WOULD be easy to fix in prv, but it's got me stumped.  

Yeah - I like this.  Of course, I've heard Janet's piano work many times and is always solid.
 
From a production and mix standpoint maybe hearing the instruments defined more from "front to back" rather than from "side to side"?  Strings in the far back; piano "phased in" to sit up close but from behind the listener (some M/S channel tweaks) so it is not competing in the same frontal direction as the guitar.
 
Like some others have said, there might be some movements in here that clash, but it's sometimes surprising when getting the mix tweaked with some depth tactics how some of that can disappear.
 
But don't let my production comments above take anything away from the solid musical talents you both display.  This is very nicely performed.

Hi All, thanks for listening and comments. For some reason I can't seem to get the midi timing of this right, it's certainly not Janet's  playing ! Please consider this a work in progress for now.

Rik

Hard edits with envelopes. Trade the spot light back and forth.... and when playing together, the parts need to compliment each other..... such as the guitar is doing a lead melody and the piano is accenting with harmony notes to that melody. 

The main thing I see (my personal opinion only) is that both are playing what would be a spotlighted performance if played solo..... that makes the combination a bit busy. 

Listen to: Above the Clouds, Season's End & Sept Nights... they are old, but, that's what I'm talking about. Take turns and share the spotlight. 

Hi Herb , I hear what you're saying and will certainly consider it. This one has been a real technical nightmare for me, midi timing flaky, not able to render midi etc etc. no excuse but it does kill the creativity.

Rik

Well, it's my fault really...I did think about playing more simply.  Just got carried away.  I hear what you're saying, though, Herb.  I think I'd have to leave it for a few weeks and come back to it as it's really stuck in my mind now.