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Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 6 2014, 06:46 PM

Hello guys! In this new series of forum threads we will dedicate some time to activate our spiritual side. So let's forget about reason for a while, and search deep within for creativity.

This might sound weird to you, but I guarantee once you have got a hang of it, that it will open up new possibilities.

The first experiment consists in visualizing an image that I will share. Using your deeper perception - you should musicalize it with a note, a chord, a noise, a melody, an unfinished idea, a song or whatever you can create. The creation (music) must be original, recorded by yourself and shared here.

Each of us has a different perception of reality and it will be interesting to see different GMC:ers create different musical ideas for the same image. We will then analyze the results.

Ok guys, I hope this will be the first step of something new at GMC.

I will share the first pic tomorrow in the morning.

Who is in?

Posted by: Renan Feb 6 2014, 08:05 PM

I'm in!! sounds really interesting.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 6 2014, 10:31 PM

Hey mate! We have a first brave heart! Great!

Posted by: bleez Feb 6 2014, 11:12 PM

this sounds very strange indeed very intriguing, I'll give it a go

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 7 2014, 03:44 PM

Cool! The first image is coming soon.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 7 2014, 06:38 PM

Ok guys! This is the first image:



Pic by Damon Winter. (http://www.damonwinter.com/)

Posted by: SlowFingaX Feb 7 2014, 07:04 PM

Sounds different and it's very intresting, so I'm in!

I'll think this is possibility for me to learn some creativity and maybe also something else...who knows

Posted by: Rammikin Feb 7 2014, 07:53 PM

First instinct reaction to that picture:
https://soundcloud.com/bryster/cre-7-feb

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 7 2014, 08:00 PM

You gave me chills. Beautiful man. I listened to your audio while looking at the picture and I felt inside the scene. That mix of sadness and aggression. You did it!! Feel free to post new ideas, or continue / arrange this one.

Thanks a lot for trying this new idea. What do you think of the result? What did you feel?

Posted by: jstcrsn Feb 7 2014, 08:05 PM

is this what you meant

Posted by: Rammikin Feb 7 2014, 08:16 PM

I think this is a great idea. A way to grow as an individual as well as an artist. Normally I would have done a second take which is more polished, but I think the point here is to be expressive, not polished. I felt the desolation of the individual when the ultimate hammer comes down, and that's what I was trying convey.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 7 2014, 10:00 PM

Chills again!! Do this exercise guys. Turn off your lights, focus on the picture and play the two ideas. I's awesome how deep both are. Jst's is even darker, I can feel the lady's mind on that piece of music... a mix of desolation, broken dreams, sadness, there are a lot of mixed feeling there.

What did you feel composing this Jst? Share a bit the experience...




I couldn't use better words to explain the reason of this project and the feeling behind your piece. Well said Ram.

Posted by: jstcrsn Feb 7 2014, 10:19 PM

thought if it was me, started doing these slow sad bends and thought it needed delay and when that delay started clashing the notes so close together, made me feel kinda dizzy

Posted by: mad Feb 8 2014, 01:04 AM

Great idea Gab! So here's a quick recording of what came into my mind when I first saw that picture..

https://soundcloud.com/mad-gmc/gabscreativityworkout_scene1

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 8 2014, 07:45 PM

So awesome! I feel desolation coming into my veins when I hear this audio and watch the picture. It's so awesome how much feeling a track can get thanks to an image. I'm so amazed of the results of this experiment. What did you feel while you were creating it?

Hey guys! I just had the idea to contact the photographer and send this tracks and thread to him. What do you think?




Nice moment. Thanks for sharing it.

Posted by: SlowFingaX Feb 9 2014, 02:57 PM

Hello everyone!

Very nice and different kind of feelings here from same picture...great.

This is my short take, I looked picture and tried to get somethig from my guitar what I feel about it..I made two tracks with my Reaper. I also thought like jstcrsn if it was me I feel sadness...and thought...how everything was before this chaos and something like that.

https://soundcloud.com/slowfingax/gab-gmc-creativity-workout-1

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 9 2014, 06:05 PM

Hi Slowfinga! Awesome tune!! Thanks a lot for joining this first experiment! It's a perfect mix of sadness, melancoly, loneliess and even some dark suspense. It's awesome how deep this composition is. I listened to it while watching the picture and I felt again like inside the scene. The power of music is amazing.

Slowfinga, have you ever composed something in this way? what differences have you felt?

Posted by: Renan Feb 9 2014, 07:59 PM

Hey, here's my take :
https://soundcloud.com/rteuman-1/photo1

And gab , how did you download that picture from the site ?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 10 2014, 12:10 PM

Hey mate! This is a very cool addition. Your composition made me remember how some of the most recent series are usually musicalized. That weird feeling, I cannot explain it with words... maybe the close is desolation but there must be another one to describe this feeling. I remember a "Walking Dead" teaser that gave me the same feeling, and some "Breaking Bad" stuff.

Check this one at 2:39 and tell me what you think.



I found the pic searching with Google.

Posted by: SlowFingaX Feb 10 2014, 01:14 PM

Thanks Gab for encouraging words!

I'm still seeking tones for different kind of feelings at the same time as learning better skills to play, but it's long journey, like you said before to me!

I haven't ever composed anything in this way or another way, just some riffs. But after my skills is going to be better, I'll think it's time to test maybe this way or other way to compose some music.

One main reason to participate this kind of expriment is learn to increase my creativity and it's also easier to listen and empathise to others sounds about same picture, if I'll give my time to this one. This topic and subject is just a win- win possibility for me and everyone here!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 10 2014, 05:30 PM

Hey friend! You used a perfect combination of words: win - win. That's what happens when creativity is genuine and reciprocal, and it becomes limitless!

and just to show another example, your idea resonated in me, and this is what I got in just 5 minutes. There is an instrumental version and another one with some vocals as reference (no real lyrics)

 Gab_Slowfinga_Idea.mp3 ( 1.25MB ) : 109

 Gab_Slowfinga_Idea_Vox.mp3 ( 1.25MB ) : 89

Posted by: SlowFingaX Feb 11 2014, 12:28 AM

Hello mate!

Very nice version Gab, especially if you got it like this in just 5 minutes..WOW..great!
I happy to give you this kind of inspiration with my idea
By the way how you made drums and bass, at least drums must be with some kind of software?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 11 2014, 11:34 AM

yeah! this is what you can get with a combination of creativity training and software practice. I'm used to create music all the time, and I need to make the time between my mind and the computer the shorter possible.

I record everything using Cubase, which is a Multi track software. I wrote the drums with MIDI, and assigned the sounds to SSD 3.5 which is a drum VSTi (virtual instrument). I did the same with Bass, but assigned it to Trillian which is a specific bass VSTi.

Here you can find a good tutorial:

Posted by: SlowFingaX Feb 12 2014, 10:21 AM

[quote name='Gabriel Leopardi' post='674443' date='Feb 11 2014, 12:34 PM']yeah! this is what you can get with a combination of creativity training and software practice. I'm used to create music all the time, and I need to make the time between my mind and the computer the shorter possible.

I record everything using Cubase, which is a Multi track software. I wrote the drums with MIDI, and assigned the sounds to SSD 3.5 which is a drum VSTi (virtual instrument). I did the same with Bass, but assigned it to Trillian which is a specific bass VSTi.

Here you can find a good tutorial:

Ok, I have to check those drum softwares later and practise. I have addictive drums, but it's going to take some time to learn to use it.
But it's nice if, it's later possible to get faster my ideas to computer. But first I'll need better skills with guitar, so this isn't most important for me right now. But it's nice to know, that it's possible to get good sounding version very quickly at home, if you know what to do.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 12 2014, 01:33 PM

Well, it's easier than you can think. You just need to dedicate 15 minutes every day and you would be writing drums in a week. Let me know if you want my help for it. Writing drums can also help you with your practice because you can create your loops and backings for it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 12 2014, 03:06 PM

Ok guys! We already have 5 compositions for this pic. Is there any other GMCers who want to add his creation? If not we can share this EP with the other guys at the Practice Room board. I was thinking to post a link where everybody can download the tunes with the info regarding the composers and a link to the pic, just for fun. What do you think?

Posted by: SlowFingaX Feb 13 2014, 06:05 PM

Hi Gab!

Sounds good to me!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 13 2014, 07:02 PM

Cool! Let's see what the other guys say!

Posted by: mad Feb 13 2014, 08:53 PM

Great - let's go for it I say

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 14 2014, 11:31 AM

Ok! We will also be working on a new experiment soon.

Posted by: Renan Feb 14 2014, 08:47 PM

Good idea man , can't wait to the next one

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 15 2014, 07:34 AM

Cool! Next one starts this Monday.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 18 2014, 01:56 PM

Hi guys! I'm compiling the songs for publishing our first EP.

I need names for your songs. Could you post it here?

PS: Please also allow downloads at soundcloud tracks.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 19 2014, 10:04 PM

Ok guys! I'm compiling the files to share our first EP at the practice room sub-board but I have our second photo to work on. Remember that everybody is invited to join this experience!

"In this new series of forum threads we will dedicate some time to activate our spiritual side. So let's forget about reason for a while, and search deep within for creativity.

This might sound weird to you, but I guarantee once you have got a hang of it, that it will open up new possibilities.

The first experiment consists in visualizing an image that I will share. Using your deeper perception - you should musicalize it with a note, a chord, a noise, a melody, an unfinished idea, a song or whatever you can create. The creation (music) must be original, recorded by yourself and shared here.

Each of us has a different perception of reality and it will be interesting to see different GMC:ers create different musical ideas for the same image. We will then analyze the results."

This is the new pic:



Pic by: Dorothea Lange (http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothea_Lange)

Posted by: Amitai Kedmi Feb 21 2014, 05:24 PM

Hey guys, I'm in!

When I thought about this picture, I saw what the mother is looking at.
Soldiers are coming to take over the village, the men going out to fight.
Tried to tell a story. I guess you can call that a rough cut of some sort.

https://soundcloud.com/amitaik/creativity-workout-21-2-14

And Gabe, how about something a little bit less depressing next time? haha

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 21 2014, 11:52 PM

Wou!! I love it! I like how you interpreted the picture. While I listened to your composition I had a similar feeling than the one I have every time I listen to One by Metallica. Did you have this song in mind?

I think that you have half a song there mate, I would continue it. What do you think?

PS: Ok, I will go for a happier pic next time.
PS2: I received a first idea from another GMers who is still working on this one and I must say that you will be impressed!

Who else will join this one?

Posted by: jstcrsn Feb 22 2014, 12:16 AM

niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice

Posted by: Renan Feb 22 2014, 08:26 AM

I'm in !

Posted by: SlowFingaX Feb 22 2014, 01:29 PM

I'm in again of course!

Try to find out some time for this one on sunday or monday!

Very nice start for this one Amitai! I liked especially the first part (about first minute).

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 22 2014, 03:00 PM

Great guys!! Looking forward your takes!

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Feb 22 2014, 04:28 PM

Well done everyone so far. I've not exactly come up with anything I like yet for either of the two pictures, but I'll see if something pops up soon enough.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 22 2014, 04:43 PM

Great! Good decision. This process must be natural so be patient, maybe this one, maybe next time. Even it can also appear when you are not in front of your computer watching the pic.

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Feb 22 2014, 04:45 PM

Absolutely. I do have some ideas in my head, but I can't translate them into the guitar at the moment. Maybe it's time to get on the piano instead. I haven't used that for a long time.

I'm also struggling with connecting my melody ideas on guitar to chords and a fuller sounding song.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 23 2014, 07:31 PM

Some of my favorite composers and producers are pianists so it would be great to try using piano for composing.

Posted by: mad Feb 23 2014, 08:21 PM

Hey Amitai!
That's an awesome song man, love how it builds intensity and then slows down in the end, great work!


OK guys, let's make it to an LP this time

Cael, I'm curious to hear your idea(s) on this, especially on piano, because I think that'll work great on this. You have such a great feel and melodic style in your playing.
I'm trying to incoorporate some piano lines, too this time. But as I'm not a piano player it will sound very simple

Posted by: gregc1 Feb 24 2014, 12:24 AM

Just really got a chance to see what you guys are up to, this is a really cool idea! I'm not sure when the deadline is for this image but I'll try and get something up by tomorrow for it. You guys have put up some really cool interpretations so far.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 24 2014, 11:46 AM

Cool! It's ok if you post your take tomorrow!

Posted by: gregc1 Feb 24 2014, 04:54 PM

Here is my composition for image #2. I see a lady and her two kids living a very hard life. She's reached a hard realization that she's now all alone and it's going to be a very tough road ahead for her and her kids.

Just several layered guitars and a simple drum beat. It could use a nice bass line, better drums and a refined theme/melody.

https://soundcloud.com/gregc1/gabs-creativity-workout-image

Posted by: SlowFingaX Feb 24 2014, 05:47 PM

Nice tone Grerc1! Sounds very good and nice version!

So now it's time for my version:

I thought a mother and her three kids living a very hard life and they are starving. She's alone with his children's and the smallest one is so weak and don't even cry anymore. She's very desperate and don't know what to do, just crying inside to her, because she cannot show to her children's, how desperate she really is.

This story sounds much more better than my version, I think...because it's still very hard for me to get out everything I like to tell with my guitar.
But time after time this is going to give more for me and us! This kind of "must" do something are good for me
I don't know much about drums and I'm learning to use Addictive Drums with Reaper.

https://soundcloud.com/slowfingax/gabs-creativity-workout-2

Posted by: Amitai Kedmi Feb 24 2014, 07:51 PM

Awesome compositions guys!

Posted by: gregc1 Feb 24 2014, 09:15 PM

Thanks SlowFinga, I'm digging your version too. Really interesting to hear what you guys are coming up with for these images.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 25 2014, 01:48 PM

Beautiful tune mate! I like the feeling, I can really imagine that story in your melodies and overall layering. There is some kind of melancholic, listless, sad vibe there. It's cool that your track tells or suggest a different story from the one that Amitai's tune tells.
Do you agree?

Thanks a lot for joining our 2nd album!




Hi friend! I'm so proud of you! I have to say that this is fantastic. I don't care about technical issues that will improve with practice (and be sure that this is endless). I'm proud because your composition makes me feel exactly what you described. Once again we have a different perspective compared with the other takes. This time we are inside the girl's mind, that insufferable frustration mixed with sadness... epic.

Don't worry about technical issues, you are advanced very fast. I recommend you to continue joining this workouts because here we are training different things compared to Gab's Army thread and I can see you improving a lot in those aspects.

Posted by: gregc1 Feb 25 2014, 03:43 PM

Thanks Gab, and thanks for having me! My original idea was to use a dirty slide guitar for the main lead but I couldn't find my slide so I went with a more bluesy tone/style.

I think this is an awesome idea and it is really cool to see how people interpret the image, and then hear the soundtracks they come up with for it. I thought Amitai's and SlowFinga's takes both fit the image (and their stories) perfectly and I'm looking forward to hearing more.

Posted by: SlowFingaX Feb 25 2014, 04:53 PM

Thanks mate for very encouraging words about my composition.
Of course I'm going to continue these workouts so many times as possible, because these are so fun and great learning possibilities.
Versality is good way to keep it fun in the long run.


Awesome guys!

Posted by: bleez Feb 25 2014, 07:36 PM

Not been able to get anything I like as yet, sorry Gab. I'll keep working and hopefully join in at some point

Greg, seriously dude that is soo cool. Its really got a bit of a pink floydy type vibe going on, which is an excellent thing in my book! you've got a great ear for melodies.
You should expand this one, it would be awesome to hear more of it.

Posted by: gregc1 Feb 26 2014, 04:36 AM

Thanks a lot Bleez, I really appreciate it man.

I'm a huge pink Floyd/Gilmour fan. I actually got the red Strat a long time ago because I wanted one like he used on tour back in the Pulse and Delicate Sound of Thunder days.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 26 2014, 07:00 PM

Hey guys! I'm really glad to know that we are having great feedback and experiences about this workout. It's interesting to see how each of you can see the picture from a different perspective and I'm still curious to know what other perspectives you find and what happens if you decide to change our first perspective and use another point of view. I mean,

what happens in the children minds?
what happens in the girls mind? Is she sad? is she worried? is she relieved that she is safe with her children?
what happens in the overall scene? what happened? what will happen?

There are lots of questions that we can do and I'm sure that each question will provide a new musical idea... what do you think?

Posted by: mad Feb 27 2014, 12:13 PM

These are mindblowing takes gregc and SlowFingaX!
Gabe, today I'll try to continue the recording I already sent you!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 27 2014, 04:57 PM

This sounds great. The teaser that I've heard was very promising.

Posted by: gregc1 Feb 27 2014, 05:39 PM

Thanks Mad! Looking forward to hearing what you're working on.

Posted by: SlowFingaX Feb 27 2014, 09:45 PM

Thanks Mad! I'm also waiting for your version.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 28 2014, 01:52 AM

hehehe we are all waiting for Mad's masterpiece.

Any other would like to join?

Posted by: Ricky9 Feb 28 2014, 04:07 AM

I wasn't aware of this topic, photography is one of my main passions.(http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricardo_mangual/) I never thought to make music out of a photo. This is great idea, I definitely want in on this. Let me see what i can come up with.

Posted by: Ricky9 Feb 28 2014, 04:38 AM

Here is my take!!!! This picture says so much, But her face screams "Uncertainty", she is trying to figure out what gonna be for her and the kids.

https://soundcloud.com/rickynine/uncertainty-mp3

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 28 2014, 02:21 PM

Awesome! What do you think if I choose the next photo from yours?





Hey mate, I'm so glad to be able to awake your artist side in music. I'm sure that you connect with reality in this way when you take photos but not sure if you have ever created music in this way. You composition is deep, I listened to it watching the picture and it told me a story around the picture, I also could feel woman's mind. Congrats!

How was the composition process? how much did it take?

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 1 2014, 02:46 AM

Sorry for the late reply been out all day just got back home.It will be an honor if you want to use one of my pics.
Also I had this song idea for awhile now, just never really had any inspiration to finish it. That pic send a strong message to me that help set the mood for the song. I tried to keep the progression on a minor chord and the I just went from there. Thanks for such an inspirational way to use my two greatest passions( photos and music).

Posted by: Amitai Kedmi Mar 1 2014, 03:45 AM

Great composition Ricky!
There's an certain atmosphere throughout the composition that I really like.
Great job

Posted by: SlowFingaX Mar 1 2014, 01:31 PM

Nice feelings on your version Ricky, good job!

I checked some of your photos and I liked many of those. Cute and awesome puppy!

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 1 2014, 05:36 PM

Thank you for your kind words. Glad you guys like it!!!



Thanks Slowfingax you're take in awesome too also thinks for taking the time to check out the pics, there are thousands of them from all over the world. And that puppy is not cute anymore he is like almost a 100 pounds now LOL.

On this link you guys can see the pics by places i been too, its a lot easier to browse the photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricardo_mangual/sets

Posted by: gregc1 Mar 1 2014, 06:43 PM

Really nice take Ricky, that classical guitar sounded so nice and sad. Kind of reminded me of Desperado.

Good stuff man.

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 1 2014, 07:14 PM

Thanks Greg ,your take is so great also. Am so surprise that you guys like my take. I honestly thought that it sucked . But hey I guess not .

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 3 2014, 06:37 AM

Hey guys! I'm so happy of seeing you interact here, and discussing about the experience and the compositions that you are getting from this experiment.

Who else is working on something?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 7 2014, 05:53 AM

Ok guys, are you ready for a new pic? Is there any other GMCer working on the current one?

Posted by: Renan Mar 8 2014, 04:55 PM

Ready for the new pic !

Posted by: Amitai Kedmi Mar 8 2014, 06:12 PM

Yep, me too!

Posted by: SlowFingaX Mar 8 2014, 08:32 PM

Same here!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 8 2014, 09:51 PM

Excellent! I'm writing Ricky to ask him for one of his photos. The new one will be uploaded here as soon as he sends it to me.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 9 2014, 07:36 PM

Ok guys! Here we go with the 3rd picture for this workout. I decided to choose a pic from our friend Ricky9 to make this experience even more connected with us. He has lots of beautiful photos so it was difficult to choose one, but I feel something special on this one.

Here you can find the info about this workout. Remember that everybody is invited to join!

"In this new series of forum threads we will dedicate some time to activate our spiritual side. So let's forget about reason for a while, and search deep within for creativity.

This might sound weird to you, but I guarantee once you have got a hang of it, that it will open up new possibilities.

The first experiment consists in visualizing an image that I will share. Using your deeper perception - you should musicalize it with a note, a chord, a noise, a melody, an unfinished idea, a song or whatever you can create. The creation (music) must be original, recorded by yourself and shared here.

Each of us has a different perception of reality and it will be interesting to see different GMC:ers create different musical ideas for the same image. We will then analyze the results."





who is in?

Posted by: SlowFingaX Mar 10 2014, 10:39 AM

I'm in of course

Really nice photo, good choice Gab. I'm going to look it more later with guitar on my hand and start to create something at the same time.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 10 2014, 10:51 AM

Cool! One good exercise would be to write down some words that comes to your mind when you see the photo. The words will help you to give a direction to the music. It would be a different approach so you can try it if you want to keep on experimenting.

Posted by: SlowFingaX Mar 10 2014, 11:46 AM

Hi mate!

This is very good idea and this is my way for this photo, because I want to keep on experimenting.

Posted by: gregc1 Mar 10 2014, 04:37 PM

Very nice image. I bet there will be a wide range of emotions/music coming from this picture. I can see anything from sad/gloomy to beautiful/heavenly.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 10 2014, 05:20 PM

Great! Please share the experience here!




Nice perception of the picture.

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 11 2014, 07:24 PM

You can see in this picture the four elements at work "Earth, Air , Water and Fire" Now is time to translate each one into music!!!!!!

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 12 2014, 12:55 AM

Ok guys guys here we go!!!!

https://soundcloud.com/rickynine/earthairwaterfire-mp3

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 12 2014, 02:16 PM

Hi Ricky! Awesome work!! Thanks for being the first brave for this photo. Your track moves through different atmospheres and vibes starting rom a more percussive section that is totally connected with the Jungle. I wonder how the following sections appeared, are them also part of the photo or they appeared after composing the first section? How was the composition process?

I want to congratulate you because the quality of the composition is outstanding, you have skills to write film music.

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 12 2014, 02:50 PM

Hi gabriel and thanks for the kind words, I split the photo into the the four basic elements Earth , Fire , Air and Water. So in the same order i wrote each section of the song starting with the "Earth" which is the most dominant element on the photo. I used the classical guitar for that "organic sound" which is very warm and full, then i jump to the next element which is "Fire", You can see that by looking at the sun in the picture struggling to shine through the clouds. Then i use "Air" so i use the electric guitar with some delay and reverbs to give it that airy feeling. Lastly is "Water" which is another dominant element of the photo, but in this case water has taken the form of clouds. So i use some octave playing and flanger to give it that sense of something wet and fluid. I tell you this exercises have open a pandoras box for me, I never have thought of having a visual stimulation by using photos to write songs. Thank you so much for this!!!!!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 12 2014, 03:12 PM

Fantastic!! Great example and explanation mate. I think that composers, players and even producers would take a lot from these approaches. Imagine a whole band creating or arranging their songs using these concepts! Now effects, techniques and sounds start to make sense because they are telling a part of the story. Do you note how deep your music becomes when you think like this?

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 12 2014, 04:52 PM

This is reason while i love having you guys here at this community and i give you all a sincere Thank you!!, I found through this exercises that if you have a purpose and direction your music creativity goes out the roof. Here i post the same track without melodies just to help out the other guys here with some inspiration. Hope it helps and enjoy!!!!. The first two parts of the song are in the key of E minor the last two are on G major.

[attachment=36253:EarthAir...acktrack.MP3]

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 13 2014, 12:38 PM

I'm so glad of having waken up something new in you. It was the original purpose of this thread and as this is my first experiment I wasn't sure about what was going to happen.

The backing track is beautiful, let's invite everybody to create some melodies over it!

Posted by: SlowFingaX Mar 13 2014, 01:53 PM

Hi Ricky!

Very awesome version with so many elements on it, it's not easy to get so many elements and atmospheres for short compose! Maybe you have more wisdom and secrets with this picture, because you have taken it
I feel right now very hard to get something else, than just some noise without nothing special and true feelings. But I'll try to get something for this one on sunday. Maybe I'm just too tired or something and need more sleep.
This is first picture without peoples on it, so maybe that's the reason for my difficulties, even it's very nice picture.
But these kind of difficulties are good learning process, that's the way I'll take it!

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 13 2014, 03:19 PM

Hi Gabriel, hope you guys are doing fine. Thanks for the reply, I tell you that this exercise is been a great eye opener for me, i really thought that by use my sense of hearing i could get inspiration to write, but i was wrong. I finally know that i need visual stimulation to get the inspiration. I guess its somehow connected since i do photography.For this and many things to come i thank you!!!!



Hi SlowFinga i thank you for your kind words. You are a very talented young man and i know you just tired, just put this on the backburner and relax. You will see that after a break your mind will be clear. Remember this; music creates different emotions when we hear it, so lets reverse the process by finding something that stimulates emotions on us first, Then the music will be created from within.

Posted by: SlowFingaX Mar 13 2014, 03:36 PM

Thanks for very kind words and we are still so young (time goes so fast..too fast). I'm just a few years older than you
Of course very often many guys like me...are mentally much more younger than numbers...
I'm not going to take any pressure and just relax and enjoy with this one later!

How much you use your Boss GT-10 and do you use many presets or modify hours for good sounds by yourself? I also have it, but I'm lately used more Guitar Rig 5 and Ezmix 2, because I'm lazy and like to play more than fix hours after hours for good sound from my GT- 10.
It's still pretty new for me, because I got in on last december

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 13 2014, 05:54 PM

I thought that it was cool to do this new exercise with a picture without people because it could be trickier at first. However it opens our mind to new horizons and avoid focusing always in a same point of view. There are some questions that we can do from a picture like this one.

1. How would I feel if I'd be there?
2. What kind of people lives in this place? How do they feel? Are they happy? What do they do?
3. What makes you feel the landscape?
4. Are there animals? What kind of animals? What are they doing?
5. Insects? Is there a march of ants? Awesome! Let's musicalize the march of that army!
6. Native people? Do the do music? How does it sound?

just some brainstorming that can make me think on different musical ideas...





I can assure that next workouts will show you that not only visual stimulation is needed.

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 13 2014, 07:28 PM

Hey slowfinga, i do all my recordings with the GT-10, But i connect the GT-10 via usb to the laptop. If you wanna do it that way you have to download the driver from the boss website. then you have to select the GT-10 from the input menu or asio driver within the app you use to record. If you want to learn how to use it more let me know its a great multieffects pedal. They are a few tweaks for the GT-10 you need to do to get a great sound. Let me know if you are interested on using it more and i walk you through it.

Posted by: SlowFingaX Mar 13 2014, 09:00 PM

Hello friends!

Very nice ideas Gab like always!
I made first version which was total metal mayhem (it's not ready)...with thinking...dark clouds.. storm bom bom..bam bam..and then starts to little by little...change...more rock version..and then.....softer.... situation before that storm.
March of Ants army would be nice, even the picture on my mind is funny (little helmets and pike and other weapons), mainly from animation Antz right now I think. But those guys isn't lazy like me sometimes

Thanks Ricky for your offer about teaching some good tips for GT-10. I already have USB cable and use it with laptop. I tested many times those presets and some downloaded patches and some are ok sounds....also used GT-10 FxFloorBoard, but if I have 2-3 hours time in the evening to play guitar..I don't like to fix...2 hours to find good sound, just testing...without knowing, what I'm excatly doing.
Lately I used my GT-10 like external soundcard for Guitar Rig 5 and Ezmix 2 (I'll get ok sound much more faster from those softwares).
I can ask more about GT-10 with private messages to you, so this topic isn't full with GT-10 things. Here we can talk more about this creativity workout.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 14 2014, 10:46 PM

This sounds very interesting mate. When can we hear anything??

Posted by: Renan Mar 15 2014, 08:44 AM

I wrote something gloomy I think. Today gonna record it and Ricky , your work is great man !

Posted by: Renan Mar 15 2014, 11:54 AM

Here's my idea:
https://soundcloud.com/rteuman-1/idea-jung

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 15 2014, 01:41 PM

Hi Renan! Very nice composition! It has a melancholic feeling, and I wonder what were you thinking while you were composing it. It's curious but watching the picture and listening to your song made me think on the plane that recently disappeared. I imagined some survivors in the middle of that jungle, lost, sad, but starting to move, to learn how to live there until somebody finds them.

how was the composition process?

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 15 2014, 02:57 PM

Thanks Renan!!!!, Your piece has such a great vibe to it. Good job man!!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 15 2014, 03:07 PM

yeah! I hope that we receive more music ideas for your photo Ricky.

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 15 2014, 05:47 PM

Yeah!! I guess landscape photos does not create a lot of emotions on people . Maybe next time we should do one with people in it.

Posted by: Renan Mar 15 2014, 06:01 PM

thank you guys !
It didn't took a lot of time. The first part is the sad mood in the jungle, and after there comes hope

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 15 2014, 09:18 PM

yes, I knew that it was more difficult, but I think that creativity can be trained so everybody should give a try to this one. I think that both Renan's and your idea are very deep and fresh.

Posted by: SlowFingaX Mar 17 2014, 11:58 AM

Hi Guys!

I had a pretty busy weekend, but now my version is here.
I made a little changes to the final version and I'm not very happy with it, but this is a longer learning process and maybe the next photo is easier for me.

https://soundcloud.com/slowfingax/gabs-creativity-workout-3

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 17 2014, 12:16 PM

I like it! It's intense! It has different moments, different vibes as happens in the picture. As this is a trickier picture, I can notice that it has been more difficult for you to create a "clear" idea. This idea reflects some feelings but would need more work to be polished. As you are not very motivated with the idea, you can let it there by now. But be sure that this is as you said "a longer learning process". Your creative side is working, is getting in shape, keep going friend!

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 17 2014, 04:34 PM

This is great bro!!!!! keep up the good work.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 17 2014, 05:02 PM

I think that we are getting ready for a new photo... what do you think?

Posted by: SlowFingaX Mar 17 2014, 09:05 PM

thanks guys for nice words!

I'm ready for new photo!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 18 2014, 03:25 AM

Ok! I will post a new photo this week. Check out the Creativity Workout 2! I published the first backing track there...

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 21 2014, 01:48 AM

Ready for the next one!!!!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 21 2014, 04:14 AM

Can we go for one of yours gain?

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 21 2014, 04:33 AM

Sure use as many as you need.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 21 2014, 04:35 AM

Great! I'll choose one and post it later here.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 22 2014, 07:03 PM

Ok guys! Let's go for a new photo! Once again I choose one from our friend Ricky9.

Workout description:

"In this new series of forum threads we will dedicate some time to activate our spiritual side. So let's forget about reason for a while, and search deep within for creativity.

This might sound weird to you, but I guarantee once you have got a hang of it, that it will open up new possibilities.

The first experiment consists in visualizing an image that I will share. Using your deeper perception - you should musicalize it with a note, a chord, a noise, a melody, an unfinished idea, a song or whatever you can create. The creation (music) must be original, recorded by yourself and shared here.

Each of us has a different perception of reality and it will be interesting to see different GMC:ers create different musical ideas for the same image. We will then analyze the results."

Posted by: Renan Mar 22 2014, 09:20 PM

I'm in,
With deep sorrow after seeing that picture

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 22 2014, 09:59 PM

Ahhhh nice one, you been digging deep through my albums , Am in too.

Posted by: Jeroen Mar 23 2014, 08:19 AM

Great idea Gabriel. I'll let this photo sink in and see what I can come up with...

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 23 2014, 09:56 PM

Excellent guys! I'll wait for your ideas!

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 24 2014, 09:08 PM

All right guys here we go!!!!!

https://soundcloud.com/rickynine/mothers-love-mp3

There is no way to know how much a mother loves it child. In this photo i just capture a glimpse of it, While she was carrying her child starring at the ocean.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 25 2014, 12:47 AM

wou! I can really imagine the scene with this music. There is something behind that piano intro that makes me feel of a mother with her child. It's awesome how different instruments can be applied to different scenes, people, and situations. Once again the photo, not only suggested melodies and atmospheres, it also suggested instruments and arrangements. Very nice job Ricky!

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 25 2014, 01:36 AM

Thanks for the kind words Gabriel, Glad you like it!!!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 25 2014, 03:57 AM

My pleasure friend! Now I wonder who's next??

Posted by: dcz702 Mar 26 2014, 01:51 AM

hey gab,
thanks for the message to this.

Posted by: dcz702 Mar 26 2014, 10:25 AM

had fun with this thanks for the idea gab, and ricky https://soundcloud.com/rockmusic-915/gabs-creativity-workout2

Posted by: dcz702 Mar 26 2014, 11:13 AM

gab this thear kicks ass! ive gone through everyones ideas for the photos and i wanted to say what a awsome idea this is, so much creativity, and i think creative juices are gonna start flowing. this one really stuck out to me, great job greg. cant wait for the next photo

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Mar 26 2014, 12:25 PM

https://soundcloud.com/spasemoonkey/gabs-creativity-03-22-14

Talk about as far from my gain as possible!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 26 2014, 01:18 PM

This is fantastic mate! The vibe of this track is unique. I listened to your composition while watching the photo and for moments it was real, it was moving. There is something special in your track that reminds me to the greatest modern tv series (this happened to me earlier at this workout with another composition). It doesn't sound like music in the scene, or in the person's minds, it sounds like an incidental music for a movie or series. Did you noted it?

What did you feel while you were composing this idea? how was the process?




It's so cool to read this. There are two dimensions on this workout. The first one is to see the picture and compose what comes to mind, the second one is to play the other guys ideas, while watching the photo and feel it.



26 seconds of pure majesty. I have to be honest with you, the combination of phrases and tone (I can't notice if you are using and effect of something in your lead guitar) gave me chills while I was listening. I love your take, and I would love to listen to an extended version of this one. Not a full song, but maybe a minute version.

How was the composition process?

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Mar 26 2014, 03:09 PM

Actually considering that took me around an hour, pretty simple. Was rather weird that the more I do the creativity/collabs, I tend to hear more and can toss them out.

Been listening to tons of Buckethead lately and always loved how emotional his music can be with simple lines.

So I figured be like everyone else and use the typical chord combos G,C,A. Then was like that's way to happy lets add an F to bring it from the light into some darkness. Kind of like the picture holds, as if they have something tragic they are walking away of with remembering what happened yet, glad to still have one another.

Then I have a kind of organ sound added in to give a bit of a backing to bring out more than just the notes I used from the chords to fill in some space. As for the lead, I was just clicking patches to get something to offset the tone to stand out but not trying to control the entire track.

As for the lead patch it had a Compressor, Pedal Pitch, Reverb, and a Delay kind of blended. Like I said tons of Buckethead, odd effects yet makes an impact!

Posted by: Ricky9 Mar 26 2014, 03:19 PM

This takes are great, good job guys!!!! Rock on!!!!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 26 2014, 08:16 PM

Thanks for this post mate. It is a very good auto analysis of your creation and this will inspired other students for sure. The pedal pitch is what is giving your lead tone a very special sound. I thought in Buckethead but also in Frusciante when I heard your tune.

Thanks again for joining this workout and for sharing the full experience.

Posted by: dcz702 Mar 26 2014, 09:09 PM

Thank you gab when I looked at the photo I pictured the women was thinking about something. The mood of the photo seemed a bit sad like she was waiting or maybe wondering. Because of that I wanted to chose a minor tonality, and give it a bluesy feel. Then I turned my attention to the child and wanted to give the sound some atmosphere and wonder, so I added a violin, wich was really fun to work with.
You mentioned incidental music, I tried to picture the photo as a end shot to a story and made a story up in my head

When you say greatest modern tv series do you mean breaking bad? If so I'm actually sitting here watching it again from season 1 cause my girl has never seen it and she watched 1 episode on Netflix got hooked and now I get to relive the series. ,wich is cool such a great show, not to mention I can dip out while her attention is taken and jam.

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Mar 26 2014, 10:42 PM

https://soundcloud.com/spasemoonkey/gabs-creativity-02-03-26-14

Alrighty, had a good run of playing and thoughts arise. So without hesitation round 2! 1 minute long as asked for.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 27 2014, 02:34 PM

Hi mate! Thanks for this fantastic description! It's very interesting to know how you took the decisions regarding tonality, instruments, sound, etc. You both composed and arranged this tune with the photo in mind and I can really feel it. This workout opens a new door in composition and I hope that it adds some more deepness into your future music.


and yeah, I was talking about Breaking Bad for example.




hahaha this is killer!! You did it again! Are you used to compose music with this quality? Buckethead would be proud of having composed this tune man. When everything exploded I imagined drums...

Congrats for your great job!

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Mar 27 2014, 03:02 PM

I've never really made anything over a 30 second loop with some soloing. I kinda blame the Kemper for the quality tho, it is so easy with plug in play. I just EQ a high/low pass in the DAW and that's pretty much it.

At the drums... I made the same kinda comment myself yesterday!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 28 2014, 01:49 PM

hehehe I have an idea! Please allow downloads and I will add drums to your track, what do you say?

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Mar 28 2014, 05:38 PM

I'll just put it right here!
[attachment=36439:Gabs_Cre...03_26_14.wav]

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 31 2014, 04:51 PM

Excellent! I'll be back with news.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 31 2014, 10:10 PM

Hey Spasemoonkey! Check this out! I added drums and bass to your idea.

 spasemoonkey_idea_with_drums.mp3 ( 2.67MB ) : 58

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Mar 31 2014, 10:45 PM

Much thanks! That really makes the difference on the track, also makes me want to buy a bass now.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 1 2014, 03:23 PM

hahaha nice to know that you liked it! I didn't use a real bass, I used Trillian, a virtual instrument that works with midi.

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Apr 1 2014, 04:20 PM

How do you guys go about writing songs, even if it's just shorter ones? I can come up with lots of different riffs, but I can never seem to connect them, and then they quickly lose their value.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 1 2014, 04:36 PM

I would like that any student that provided a musical idea for this workout tells you how he got it.

Posted by: SirJamsalot Apr 1 2014, 06:55 PM

The struggle of every musician I find that if I record my riff / lick in a DAW to a tempo track and loop just that riff, then pick up a bass and play with different notes to challenge the lick, ideas begin to write themselves and beg for something to follow the riff.

for example if you play 2 notes - alternating between a root and a 5th and a root and a diminished 5 th, then drone a bass note on the root, and move it down the neck 1/2 note ever 2 beats - that root & 5th will take on a new mood every 2 beats, and something in that progression will spark you to want to emphasize or resolve it. You're personal taste will guide how you want to move on from that loop, so record it so your loop is longer now. you'll find yourself creating a song ~ albeit probably not a pop song in this case, but it's an idea.


chris!

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Apr 1 2014, 07:32 PM

I'm curious as to how to beat the "this is not really good enough" thoughts that pop into my perfectionistic mind though. I've sort of come to the conclusion that whatever I write has to be as close to perfect as it can be, while of course I know that that's likely never going to happen.

Posted by: Ricky9 Apr 1 2014, 08:46 PM

I usually start with some chords, then turn them into a progression. Then give it different grooves or drum beats, then try to sing a melody in my head or out loud. What really has help me a lot is to try to listen to different genres of music. Some guitaris usually become one trick ponies because they just don't listen to nothing else. Listening to other genres really expand your musical ideas and guitar skills. I most of the time start with one of my acoustic guitars so I can listen to the notes clean without any distortion or effects. Just pure musical notes. Also keep in mind that your mood or emotions play a big role on your music writing skills. Also try to get inspiration by doing different activities other than just playing guitar, for example try too exercise every day the extra flow of blood will bring more oxygen to your brain, try to do a little photography or site exploration , nature and fresh air works wonders. Also seek some king of spiritual inspiration. You could try to meditate or any other thing the can make you relax and make your head clear.Remember music comes from within. Just my 2 cents it works for me!!!

Posted by: SirJamsalot Apr 1 2014, 09:13 PM

I have no idea ~ that's a personal battle we all have to overcome. Sometimes it's best to beat that feeling back with a stick and just give it a go by recording the imperfect piece for the sake of getting the song structure down from start to finish. Once you have a structure, it's easy to go back and change pieces (to a certain degree). I really have no answer to that though. Perfectionism is a great thing to have, but as you know, it can also be debilitating. Sometimes getting something imperfect done is better than getting a perfect nothing done I share your struggle! Perhaps we can help each other overcome it?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 2 2014, 06:31 PM

This is something that we have to learn to manage, it mustn't stop us to create. Some tips about this:

Don't block yourself. Let the ideas flow. Don't wait for a masterpiece or for a brilliant riff or idea. Try to compose songs that you don't like, and after some of them you will compose one that you like by accident.

Don't give up an idea before you develop it. Sometimes the original idea can bring other ones that wouldn't appear if you wouldn't have recorded the first one. (this is exactly what SirJamsalot explained, it definitely works for me too)

Finish the songs, no matter if you don't like them too much. Composition is a skill that needs practice.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 3 2014, 01:20 AM

Well guys! We already have 3 musical ideas for this photo! Is there any other GMCer interested on submiting and idea?

Posted by: Ricky9 Apr 3 2014, 01:37 AM

I think we should just do another pic. It seems no one else wants to participate on this one.

Posted by: dcz702 Apr 3 2014, 06:23 AM

im by no means good at this right now, but im trying and would also like input on composing, right now im working on theory and im trying to compose with what ive learned. what im working on right now, ive started with a 1-4-5 with the 6th thrown in, chord progression coming up with a main melody and main progression. im adding a little theory to it, its in Emajor. i try to come up with 3 maybe 4 sections of the tune all staying in Emaj. To make it not sound so repetitive while still using the same progression i keep the same rythym and groove to the tune but on the different sections say im on the fisrt part of the song for 2 measure, and im playing the typical major 1-4-5 with minor 6th, on the 3rd measure im using the same progression but changing the chords, i been learning how to subsitute being that chords are made up from scales using 1-3-5, im learning to replace notes adding the 2nd or the 7th and learing my intervals have seemed to help me to come up with some ideas and not sound like im playing the same thing over and over, then when i got a few sections i throw it together. having drums and bass in my daw really help to theory gets really confusing and it seems like alot to remeber but with practice learning it will help me know what i am playing and why wich will help me be able to compose better sounding songs
a quik clip of how i am trying to understand how to alter chords https://soundcloud.com/rockmusic-915/theory-workout

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 3 2014, 02:26 PM

Hi Dcz. That's a very useful exercise and I recommend you to do it deeply, slowly and enjoy it. The knowledge that you will get from this process will stay with you forever. There is nothing better than recording and comparing when you want to hear how the different chords work there. You can try replacing chords that has the same function, trying other chords from the tonality and also using a concept called modal interchange that says that you can take chords from a parallel tonality, for example if you are in E major, you can take a chord from E minor, E dorian or any other mode and get very interesting results.

Your musical idea has very good guitar arrangements and that makes more interesting the classic 1 - 4 - 5 progression, and the addition of the 6 minor gives it more air.

Keep on experimenting and sharing your results here!

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Apr 5 2014, 12:00 PM

Any plans on a new picture? I know I haven't added anything so far, but I've been close!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 5 2014, 06:23 PM

Hello guys! For this new workout I decided to use a photo that is very special for me. There you can see my brother and me just after the first gig with Metallica. We stayed like that for some minutes, with tears in our eyes... I would really like to hear what music inspires you this moment...

"In this new series of forum threads we will dedicate some time to activate our spiritual side. So let's forget about reason for a while, and search deep within for creativity.

This might sound weird to you, but I guarantee once you have got a hang of it, that it will open up new possibilities.

The first experiment consists in visualizing an image that I will share. Using your deeper perception - you should musicalize it with a note, a chord, a noise, a melody, an unfinished idea, a song or whatever you can create. The creation (music) must be original, recorded by yourself and shared here.

Each of us has a different perception of reality and it will be interesting to see different GMC:ers create different musical ideas for the same image. We will then analyze the results."

Posted by: Ricky9 Apr 5 2014, 07:21 PM

Lots of emotions on this pic. This is great.

Posted by: Ricky9 Apr 6 2014, 01:04 AM

Ok guys here is my take.

https://soundcloud.com/rickynine/glad-you-are-here-mp3

This photo has so strong emotions, The one that caught my eye is "Relief". Let me tell you there is nothing better in this world than to receive a hug at the right moment.

Posted by: SlowFingaX Apr 6 2014, 12:25 PM

Hi Gab!

This must be very special moment and pic for you!
I'll try to create something special for this one!

Good job Ricky!

My version is ready no later than next Sunday!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 6 2014, 05:57 PM

Wou!! Now I can see my life like a movie! This is beautiful mate. Your tune made me see my brother and me as two strangers feeling the relief that your song reflects. You song is very special, there is something in the structure or arrangements that makes me think on it as music for a film. I think that this workouts are definitely expanding your composing skills.

Thanks a lot for this composition. This is obviously a very special photo for me, I will share these compositions with my brother and the other band-mates.




Sounds great!!

Posted by: Ricky9 Apr 6 2014, 07:52 PM

Thank you brother!!!!, for sharing such a wonderful and powerful photo, That i know is very personal for you. Also for trusting us enough to share this beautiful moment.



Thanks for you kind words brother!!!!, Hurry up and post your take, can't wait to hear it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 6 2014, 08:04 PM

You are awesome guys.

Posted by: Ricky9 Apr 8 2014, 10:20 PM

Its lonely around here

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 9 2014, 12:29 AM

yeah... anybody working on new stuff?

Posted by: SlowFingaX Apr 9 2014, 03:45 PM

Hello my friends!


First I thought that I have to make something very beautiful, but finally I made backing track and then just improvisation and it's more rock than something acoustic or something. This is my version with improvisation, without too much fixes or anything. so it's not a perfect, but honest (good way to say...I'm too lazy)

No more excuses, so it's here:

https://soundcloud.com/slowfingax/these-awesome-feelings

Posted by: Ricky9 Apr 9 2014, 04:06 PM

Awesome song brother!!!, it was worth the wait. I love that wah!!!

Posted by: SlowFingaX Apr 9 2014, 04:19 PM

Thanks my friend, I'm happy you liked it. This was truly pretty fast version,
everything was ready for under one hour and it's very fast for me.

It's GT-10's wah, almost first time I even used it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 9 2014, 07:38 PM

That's a very cool tune mate! The backing sounds very groovy and the overall idea sounds very good. I like your phrasing and how you used wah wah on it. I think on the photo, I think that this tune sounds like the ending titles song of a movie that finish with that last moment.. I can imagine it.

What did you feel while you were composing this one? Was it directly connected with the photo?

Posted by: SlowFingaX Apr 9 2014, 09:40 PM

Thanks Gab and I'm glad you like it. I like it myself too, of course it's even better if many hours fixing, but sometimes it's more funny to make it fast without too much fixing After I saw that you said this is the ending song of a movie...that's just what I think about this one, I can also imagine it right now!
Maybe I'll even continue this version some day, who knows!
At least with this idea something else.

I just looked that picture and trying to find the sound for the moments when those feelings finally erupted. How you feel inside after that very exciting day is finally over.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 9 2014, 10:10 PM

That's so cool! I was wondering if you would like to work a bit more on the backing and its mix to use it for the Creativity Workout 2... what do you think?

Posted by: SlowFingaX Apr 9 2014, 10:59 PM

Sounds good to me I'm involved in!

What you think we have to do for that backing...right now it's just about a minute long. I can make it longer of course, maybe about 2-2.30 minutes is better? It's ok this way or also good if I'll add some parts to it, what you thinks about it..of course it could take more time then. (2-3 days). Or more work with it and then it's good for Creativity Workout 2 (part III, so not the next one). I happy to use this backing someway..just asking about your opinion.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 10 2014, 05:12 PM

yeah, it could last around two minutes. I was thinking that you could add a chorus (at 00:32, and just when this backing ends now) with this progression: F# - G# -A#m - C# - F# - G# . What do you think?

Posted by: SlowFingaX Apr 10 2014, 07:01 PM

Ok Gab, I'll try to do it this way. I hope it's ok, If I'll do it on sunday. I'm not sure if I have enough time before that to make it ready.
It's not maybe so easy for me, but I like it, because this is a very good learning possibility for me!
Usually I create everything just with by ear..without thinking about notes...I know notes....maybe not so fast, but if I think some seconds about it!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 10 2014, 09:33 PM

it's ok. Try those chords (1 measure for each) and see how it sounds. I think that you'll like it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 21 2014, 07:18 PM

Hi guys! Are there any Breaking Bad fans?? This next picture is special for Breaking Bad fans but everybody is invited to compose something related to this one. Here you can read the guidelines behind this workout:

"In this new series of forum threads we will dedicate some time to activate our spiritual side. So let's forget about reason for a while, and search deep within for creativity.

This might sound weird to you, but I guarantee once you have got a hang of it, that it will open up new possibilities.

The first experiment consists in visualizing an image that I will share. Using your deeper perception - you should musicalize it with a note, a chord, a noise, a melody, an unfinished idea, a song or whatever you can create. The creation (music) must be original, recorded by yourself and shared here.

Each of us has a different perception of reality and it will be interesting to see different GMC:ers create different musical ideas for the same image. We will then analyze the results."





Who is in?

Posted by: SlowFingaX Apr 21 2014, 09:22 PM

I'm in!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 22 2014, 02:36 PM

Great!! Looking forward your composition!

Posted by: SlowFingaX Apr 27 2014, 11:52 AM

Hi mate!

Now there's something for this picture!

I think it's ok, even I still haven't seen even one episode from Breaking Bad.

I just watched this picture with this kind of thoughts:

Two men think inside, can I trust to him anymore.

This track is also good to me for later, because I'm going to update those "solos" someday, with my faster fingers

But here it is!

https://soundcloud.com/slowfingax/can-i-trust-slowfingax

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 28 2014, 04:36 AM

Can I trust to him anymore?? That's exactly the feeling that the photo reflects and you created a perfect soundtrack to this feeling! I like the atmosphere that this melody generates. How was the composition process? What did come first, the melody or the backing?

Posted by: SlowFingaX Apr 28 2014, 03:25 PM

Hi mate!

This time I made first backing with this kind of order: drums, rhythm guitar, bass and melody was the last one...and some kind of spice to it with those "solos" .
Of course this isn't full song, but it's nice process to think about some kind of structure and I'm going to understand about it better after some time. I just have to find my inner voice and get it out with my fingers and also get my technique better and better so it's also open more doors to me in future! These workouts are very good training!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 28 2014, 03:34 PM

I can affirm that you are definitely going on the right track. Your compositions are getting deeper each time and also more consistent. It's important that you keep on composing stuff every week.

Posted by: Renan Apr 28 2014, 03:55 PM

I'm in too!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 28 2014, 04:49 PM

Great!!

Posted by: Ricky9 Apr 30 2014, 09:13 PM

Great take brother!!!, I have to agree with Gab, your songs are getting better by the day. Keep it up and rock on!!!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 30 2014, 10:30 PM

Definitely! Are you working on something?

Posted by: Ricky9 Apr 30 2014, 11:12 PM

Shhhhhhhhh!!! It is a secret

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 1 2014, 03:16 PM

promising secret.

Posted by: SlowFingaX May 1 2014, 09:21 PM

Thanks mate! These kind of nice words makes me happy and also encourages me to continue!
Let's rock all together over and over again with our great leader Gab!




Sounds intresting!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 2 2014, 06:13 PM

Nice to know this mate! I'm enjoying this journey a lot and it's very inspiring to see you very involved and evolving as a composer. We are definitely on the right track!

And I would like to remind that everybody at GMC is invited to join this workouts! Who else is in?

Posted by: Ricky9 May 3 2014, 03:13 AM

Hello guys, Hope you are all doing ok. Here is my take on that picture. I love that series "Breaking Bad", It strikes me because how a person that is so by the book, becomes such a different person based on its different experiences through out the show. The picture reminds me of all the "Lies" this guy has to say, just to keep his family on the dark. Its a great show.

https://soundcloud.com/rickynine/liesmp3

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 3 2014, 05:45 PM

This tune is so perfect Ricky9! I listened to it many times, while watching the photo and I could really feel inside the scene. I'm impressed of the quality of your track. It has very tasty melodies but it also sounds very good. How was the process to get it?

Posted by: Ricky9 May 3 2014, 08:02 PM

Thank you for the kind words Gab, you are very supportive. I started looking for a dark/sad sounding mood, so i wanted a minor chord progression. I grab my acoustic and started strumming different minor chords starting from G minor , B minor, etc, until i reached A minor. That one sounded good while looking at the photo. From there i try adding/taking the 3rd , sus 4 , etc until i came with the first riff of the song. From there i try to add some more chords within the A minor progression. I believe the second part of the song was inspired by so many song that use that descending kind of riff, which i believe sounded pretty cool for the idea in my head. Am glad you like it. Cant wait to hear other peoples ideas.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 3 2014, 08:10 PM

This is a very interesting approach. It has a great value for us that you could share this experience in a very detailed way, even telling us the different steps and decisions that took you to the final result. I hope that more GMCers join this thread and notice how much valuable your post is. Thanks a lot for it.

Posted by: SlowFingaX May 4 2014, 07:18 PM

Sounds great mate I also listened it many times! Very nice feelings on it and so good quality! After the end I feel, this should be longer and you must continue it someway, of course it's just it my suggestion!



Like Gab already said, this is very intresting and valuable stuff. Thanks!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 5 2014, 05:54 AM

This is a great idea. A longer version would be so cool.

Posted by: Ricky9 May 5 2014, 03:33 PM

Thank you guys for your kind comments and support. I really appreciate that.I will go back and make a longer version

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 5 2014, 04:07 PM

Cool!!

Posted by: Ricky9 May 5 2014, 08:09 PM

I really went all out on this, so bear with me!!, Hope you guys are in for a crazy story. Enjoy!!!

https://soundcloud.com/rickynine/liesextendedvermp3

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 6 2014, 01:42 AM

hehehe this is very crazy!! what happened at 00:48?? Are Hank and Walter fighting?? I'm not sure what happened there but I'm sure that something aggressive happens there. And then, peace comes again. Nice composition man, very extreme.

Posted by: Ricky9 May 6 2014, 03:21 PM

Thanks Gabriel, glad you like it. It was like seen a whole scene from the series. I guess after a while they started to argue and probably fist fight.
Thats what i saw when writing this short song. Am anxious to hear other peoples takes!.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 6 2014, 04:32 PM

yeah, and that's what I could feel while listening to your composition. Thanks a lot for joining this new workout.

Who else would like to join this one?

Posted by: Jim Seekford May 6 2014, 05:02 PM

Love the show and this scene reminds me of the Pantera song "concrete primal sledge." So mean, nasty and ready to smash your house down. If I write something for this it's gonna feel like a sucker punch.

Posted by: Ricky9 May 6 2014, 05:20 PM

Wow, That would be a great idea. Come on and join the mosh pit!!!!!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 6 2014, 05:37 PM

hehe so this would be the best soundtrack for the photo in your opinion...




I like it, VERY aggressive. I can imagine Hank feeling that music in his head.

Posted by: Jim Seekford May 6 2014, 08:25 PM

Ha I just may!

Yes Gabriel that's exactly my idea of what Walt is feeling...

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 6 2014, 09:12 PM

heheh and what about something like this:

Posted by: SlowFingaX May 6 2014, 09:23 PM

Wow mate, this was fast and good answer for our kind wishes to listen how this "story" continues.
Thanks for you effort! Nice ending, there's again peace and some hope!

This is even funnier to listen after Gab's thoughts about it!

Thanks guys!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 7 2014, 02:30 PM

heheh yeah, it's very funny to hear. I like when instrumental music tells a story, it's like magic.

Posted by: Ricky9 May 8 2014, 08:21 PM

Thanks SlowFinga!!! Its was a pleasure and very fun to extend this track. Thanks for helping me push the envelope!!!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 11 2014, 10:35 PM

Well done mate! Do we have any other GMC:er interested in joining?

Posted by: SlowFingaX May 14 2014, 11:20 AM

It was a pleasure to be helpful and the result was great! Good job mate!



Yeah it's true magic and it's so nice when you find something new and learn more and more, almost every time...even those not so good days (tired...without any creativity)..it might give you something for the next time.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 14 2014, 04:43 PM

what do you do those "not so good days"?

Posted by: Ricky9 May 14 2014, 05:30 PM

Me personally, I try to do something else; like watching a movie, taking a walk with my dogs, take a nap and just do nothing

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 14 2014, 06:17 PM

well done, it's not the main topic but we end up talking about this here: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=52060

Have you sees that thread?

Posted by: SlowFingaX May 17 2014, 06:38 PM

Usually just something else, like watching movies, listening some music and take nap.
Then I'll try to learn to sleep more (very often it's big challenge for me...so I'll think it's lifelong learning process for me).

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 18 2014, 04:29 PM

Sleeping problems? How many hours are you sleeping nowadays?

Posted by: SlowFingaX Jun 3 2014, 04:51 PM

Hi mate!

I've been very busy a few weeks, but I'm back here and about week from this moment and then I'll have about 3 weeks holiday!

Usually I sleep about 6-7 hours and sometimes a little bit less. I have some sleeping problems, but most of them are just, because I like to watch some movies, series, listen music or something like that and then I just "forgot" to go sleep early enough time after time.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 4 2014, 03:05 PM

Welcome back!! What are your plans for this next 3 weeks?

Posted by: SlowFingaX Jun 14 2014, 01:33 PM

My holiday started yesterday and some beers after that I'm here and hmm...3 weeks football..football...football and also some guitar playing.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 14 2014, 06:48 PM

that's cool! watching or playing football?