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Aug 30 2014, 10:07 AM
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I just uploaded some songs I wrote since I started playing guitar:
https://soundcloud.com/angelo-tricarico-1/s...brani-originali What do you think? I said in the past I have some problem completing a song. I usually come out with a cool riff/arpeggio and I'm not sure how to turn it into a complete song. Do you have any suggestions? 
This post has been edited by Deleted: Aug 30 2014, 10:14 AM |
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Aug 30 2014, 10:24 PM
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Faith
Interesting ambiental tune. What I'd suggest in this song is to develop more the main theme as in the current form it doesn't provide a strong foundation to base the whole song around it alone. The chord progression starts to sound a bit too repetitive after some time. I think that this song could benefit a lot from adding more development to the backing track/chord progression as at the moment we are mostly seeing arrangements (added instruments etc) over the same progression/theme. Try adding a new section, for example a bridge section somewhere in the middle. Also, experimenting with a new "chorus" section could allow for more theme development (and cool soloing possibilities). I generally like the open vibe of the tune and atmosphere. Somehow it feels it doesn't have a "resolution" to the "tension" but that could a cool trick if that was the intended feeling. Labyrinth I like this tune very much. It has really cool parts and structure which keeps the attention of the listener and sounds fun. It would be really interesting to hear this song with vocalist track. If there would be no vocals, I'd try to add a lead guitar track mimicing vocal like qualities and expression to go as "verse>chorus". Part at 3:00 sounds cool by itself but feels like it doesn't belong to the same song. If this was meant to go as outro, you should try to gradually work it in at the end of the main track, slowly killing instruments one by one leaving bass and ambient guitar at the very end. Sheep on drugs Intro riff on the guitar sounds very cool and catchy. The verse riff (0:30) sounds a bit less strong as it might have too many notes. Try simplifying it for better flow and groove. Clean section which follows sounds very nice, try making the change from and to aggressive verses a bit smoother. Ending part 2:14 onward sounds interesting as outro, maybe try to develop it slightly more to have certain "message" which it conveys. This could be done in chord progression or lead guitar melody. _______________ I wanted to suggest some general things which I have noticed listening to these songs : - Try working on transitions between song sections. Intro>Verse ; Verse>Chorus ; Chorus>Verse etc. I'm noticing that you start with one idea and finish with a completely different one. This makes the song like 2 or 3 songs in one. Try using only one idea you have which you think sounds the best and developing it further. Chorus doesn't need to sound like something completely different, rather as an extension of your previous idea/section you were playing. Try analyzing famous songs you like to see how the sections are connected there and try to emulate that in your own composing. - How to turn parts into full song? For example if you have a certain chord progression, try to find out in which key is it and which other chords are available within that key. We usually end up using same chords from the verse with possibly added 1 or two from the same key in order to create a chorus. Sometimes it can be just 1 or two chords derived from the verse played with a different feeling/rhythm. I think learning more about chord progressions and some essential theory like harmonizing major and minor scales could help you establish a "colour palette" for painting other remaining parts which are missing. Usually, a song starts with a cool riff or arpeggio and than you just need to build that up in arrangement to create the feeling of a full song. Start slowly by coming up with an intro, than verse than experiment how to best connect those two sections. Once you have that, jam on the guitar looking for a chorus section. A section which opens up the song and provides resolution as well. It should be in the same vibe as the rest of the song, just slightly more powerful in dynamics and expression. Once you have something you like, experiment with connecting it to the verse (you might need to add 1 or 2 "transition chords" or build up). I like to approach songs like this, building them like Lego, one brick (section) at the time. - What I think could work wonders for your songs and recordings would be to work more on the backing track instruments. Composing/arranging drums track which compliments your initial idea which you have composed on the guitar can do wonders for the song. If you can't find a pre made groove which matches your idea, try a similar one and then edit it to emphasize your own rhythm of the song. Fills are also important as they help connect sections more effectively. Same with bass and other instruments. Try working on them one by one and you'll see a whole new world of ideas opening up. You should aim to compose parts for those instruments with the same care as you do your guitar parts. Bass line can be composed on your guitar and then written down in midi triggering a nice sounding bass VST. Overall - I think you have nice ideas and from your opening post I think you are well aware of what you need to work on. To sum it up : i'd put more effort into learning about chord progressions/keys and harmonizing scales to be able to come up with chords which sound well together. Also, I would do a lot of analysis of famous songs in the similar style to see how they do it. Once you have the cool part (initial ingredient of the song) try jamming with it and see where it leads to. Simplify! Any new section in the song doesn't need to be very different from the previous one. After all - it's the same song. I have a feeling you are working to hard to come up with completely unique new sections which somewhat breaks the flow of the song. Another experiment: try writing a lead guitar line first and that in reverse find chords which work well over it. All in all - it is great that you are writing songs and with some practice, as with any other technique/skill - you will get better and better with it! -------------------- For GMC support please email support (at) guitarmasterclass.net
Check out my lessons and my instructor board. Check out my beginner guitar lessons course! ; Take a bass course now! |
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Aug 31 2014, 10:32 AM
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Wow Bogdan, you gave me a tons of great suggestions. I'll definitely print this useful post
. Thanks for taking your time listening to the song and giving advices!
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Aug 31 2014, 10:36 PM
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Great to hear you found my tips helpful
Please note that this is very subjective and that I gave my best to provide you with some insights how I felt about the songs as I was listening to them but there is no "clear path" for one to take when composing. Each composing/producing style is unique and different so the possibilities are endless - therefor I'd encourage you to experiment as much as possible and practice composing songs. Since you are recording all these songs, you'll have a great reference over time how your style has taken shape and the progress you've made - so please keep going! I'm back with feedback for two more songs: Piano Ultimate This is a very interesting theme which allows for a lot of possibilities. What I have reacted initially was the sudden drop of energy by backing guitars disappearing at 0:48 just as they were warming up the listener. I think this song would benefit a lot from including a lead guitar throughout with a simple melody/theme/story. Also for the crazy "epic" effect you could consider building up the atmosphere throughout the song and having it explode somewhere towards the middle or something with full blown arrangement/distorted rhythm guitars and drums (while still having the lead going on). Untitled This song starts well. At 0:34 the expended variation to the harmonics theme doesn't sound very good and feels forced. At this point the song needs to already explode into the verse. The main lead guitar theme might not be strong enough and you might be hitting a lot of "outside" sounding notes in the scale which create tension. Also, it would be worth double checking the guitar tuning. Try to compose a theme which uses more of the strong notes - chord notes (arpeggio notes). Notes which make up the chords in the backing track are always your best bet in creating such type of repetitive short theme/lead as those notes will feel well connected with the backing track and melodic. Of course, you'd also need to mix in some other notes from the scale to make the line work but try basing it on chord tones to see the effect. Rhythm at 0:58 could be played tighter and it is not clear what this section represents, would there be vocals over this section or some other instrument playing lead? If not, try making the rhythm more "self sufficient" by making up some riffs or line which combines rhythm and lead (fills) playing. Chorus section progression sounds cool but lead guitar again needs to provide a stronger melody. Pay attention to the transition from chorus to next verse section, it is very sudden. You could extend the chorus to last longer (double the length) and than come up with a transition chord which will easy it back into the verse. Ending is also a bit abrupt, feels like you might have run out of ideas there. Try to develop it more and maybe have a repetitive outro chorus which goes into fade out. -------------------- For GMC support please email support (at) guitarmasterclass.net
Check out my lessons and my instructor board. Check out my beginner guitar lessons course! ; Take a bass course now! |
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Sep 1 2014, 01:46 AM
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Hi mate! I can say that there are many cool ideas there on your songs. You have different atmospheres and feelings happening there that could be worked to get a very interesting list of songs. I think that the tracks need to be polished in order to make those ideas become clearer.
In this cases I like to see the music creation process as if the musician would be a sculptor. You work on music as he works on wood, the more he works it, the clearer the image becomes. Visualize this idea, and try to connect it to your music. See yourself as a music sculptor. There are 3 topics that you could have in mind in order to make your compositions stronger: - Define main melodies. I notice that your songs have very clever atmosphere, but most of them lack defined main melodies. Your melodic work is usually a bit shy and this is something that you could improve. Find the stronger melodic ideas and develop them, make them more important, repeat them, create variations, develop them during the structure of the song. - Adjust structures. The structure of a song is very important and I think that your songs don't have a defined structure. The best way to become better on this topic is analyzing music that you like. Write down the structures more used by your favorite composers, and analyze how the different parts are, what's the difference regarding arrangements, instruments, chord progressions, tonalities, rhythm. This can be a bit obsessive, but it will help you to have some templates in your mind, that combined with your own style/personality will make your music stronger. - Sound: Improving your guitar tones, drum sound, bass sound, improving mix and mastering it another good thing to have in mind while you record your music. I know that this is not totally related to composition but I believe that a more polished sound will bring more inspiration. Creativity and composition are things that need practice as it happens with technique. The results are usually less tangible but trust me, that you will feel surprised of your own compositions if you work diary on your composing skills. Keep on the good job!
-------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Jan 19 2015, 10:46 PM
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I just wrote a new piece, what do you think about it?
https://soundcloud.com/angelo-tricarico-1/the-end-of-something-beautiful This post has been edited by Deleted: Jan 19 2015, 10:46 PM |
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Jan 19 2015, 11:10 PM
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Haha wow deleted, when those high gain guitars kicked in I got CHILLS!! Very well done
 I hope we'll see more from you.
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Jan 20 2015, 09:33 PM
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Thanks Kris, I really appreciate your feedback
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Aug 12 2015, 07:03 PM
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I just published another piece, I hope you'll enjoy it...
https://soundcloud.com/angelo-tricarico-1/changes |
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Aug 13 2015, 04:13 PM
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Hi mate! This is epic! I love your new composition. The intro is very cinematic, and then it has a Satch feel that make me want to smile. You rock friend.
-------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Aug 14 2015, 10:48 PM
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Thanks a lot Gabriel! Your feedback counts so much for me!
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Aug 15 2015, 10:20 AM
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QUOTE (Deleted @ Aug 12 2015, 08:03 PM)  I just published another piece, I hope you'll enjoy it... https://soundcloud.com/angelo-tricarico-1/changes Great to hear another song from you! Here are my first impressions: - Intro with piano and orchestration - WOW - Groove and backing for the part where first soloing starts - awesome sounding - 2:10 - chorus and buildup of the song sounds amazing, really well done Now, I do felt there is something with the guitar solo 0:34-2:10 which just doesn't do it (for me personally!). I think it is a combination of your rhythm phrasing (which note values are you using and combining) that starts to sound a bit repetitive/exercise like. Also, I'm noticing there is very little breathing space (pauses in playing). Lastly, I would like to hear more melodic phrasing over a tune like this. Maybe try combining note values and introduce more of longer notes which land on strong notes when chord changes occur (notes from the backing chords) to get simpler melodies for the section which goes before the chorus (we could call it the verse) and include some pauses in playing/phrasing which will allow the track to breath a little bit better and allow for backing track (which is awesome sounding) to have an effect on the listener. Overall, very impressive work and I'm really looking forward to hearing more song from you -------------------- For GMC support please email support (at) guitarmasterclass.net
Check out my lessons and my instructor board. Check out my beginner guitar lessons course! ; Take a bass course now! |
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Apr 10 2016, 03:27 PM
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Hi friends, just uploaded another track. I'd like to hear what you think
 https://soundcloud.com/angelo-tricarico-1/the-good-and-the-evil |
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Apr 12 2016, 09:38 AM
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Thanks for the tip Monica, I really appreciate your feedback
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