Choose my song!
Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 12:14AM Well, sort of.
Here's the deal. A fellow I work with, Spencer Shepherd (a pretty beastly guitar player, might I add) and I have been practicing for a project. A project that brings two of the finest guitar players in the Treasure Coast area together for a multi-genre duet.
It's called... well actually we don't know what we're going to call it yet, but there's still time for that. Either way, we want to play live. Doesn't matter where, we just want to play (and possibly make some money, too). We will be covering a variety of styles from Classical, Jazz and Latin to Folk, Rock and even a little Fusion-esque jamming.
So how are we going to go about being able to play at places... Well, one thing we decided upon is to create a demo CD to show off a bit of what we can do to potential customers. The track listing will include one solo song from each of us, and then two differently styled duets.
Here's where you come in! This weekend, I'm going to upload three different takes of the tune "Have You Met Miss Jones". One right now, one tomorrow and one on Sunday. I'm still trying to work out the logistics of a good way to vote, but for now just comment to vote. I'll leave the voting open until lets say... Sunday of next week (November 1st). After that the votes will be tallied up and the winner will be put on the demo CD (which I'll also make available on here after we finish it).
So without further ado... Here's the first take of "Have You Met Miss Jones"!(thatIthoughtIcouldhavedonebetterbutheygottacommitright?) Hope you enjoy!
Mike
Here's number 2. This one is more Rubato than the other one. I focused mainly on just trying to create basic background music with it.
I guess I'll go ahead and explain my thought process in this little experiment, because I really didn't have one when I thought of this last night.
How it started was me just going in and sitting myself down and playing the tune for a while until I came up with an idea. Then I tried and flesh that idea out a little bit. And then I hit record. That's how it started. Afterwards, I came up with the idea for "audience participation" in the process.
So you might be thinking, "why aren't you arranging everything so that it sounds perfect?" And that's an excellent question. And I have an excellent answer. Because I'm lazy! Also, because I like the idea of capturing a (mostly) improvised performance. It brings an air of authenticity to the record similar to what I would be doing live.
Is it the best way to sell myself? Maybe not. Is it great practice? Sure. Can I play like Joe Pass? Absolutely not, but it sure is fun to try.
Today, while I was at work, I was trying to think of a way to not just play the same thing I did yesterday with a new solo. I thought of all kinds of ideas. Everything from making it latin to trying it in a different key and time signature. Fortunately for my brain and my fingers, I settled on just playing it rubato and taking my time with it.
Anyways, take a listen and hope you dig one of them. And if not, maybe tomorrow's will be the one to rule them all. And hey, if you don't like any of them, let me know that too. Tell me if I need to go back to the drawing board again.
- Mike
Mike
Here's take 3! It's a pretty good one, I think, although I made a couple glaring (at least to me) errors... Can you find where they're at? Regardless of my errors, though, I think this is my favorite take. Sounds the most like how I want it sound. Listen and comment and let me know which one you like!
-Mike
CD, Guitar, Have You Met Miss Jones, Jazz in Music Blog 
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Reader Comments (1)
You picked a winner yet mate? I like take 2/3 myself, 2 probably edges it for me as the sound level is more consistent, 3 goes quiet/loud in places.
They all sound great though ;)
Gift.