April 29, 2007
Hitting a different note
I wonder if the jazz music I write is generally not suited for loud, rock-style concerts. My style is much like Miles Davis and Bill Evans - cool and understated, with the 'less is more' concept.
This is because the song I've composed which my band the Moon Jumpers will be playing, called Ridin', may not be 'rousing' enough and Victor has asked me to change keys and add another layer of notes behind the melody line, which I felt would be too distracting.
Anyway. Nobody likes having their songs edited, especially when they think the song's fine just as it is.
Posted by vantan at 10:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 4, 2006
Songwriting time!
Things have been quiet over here at the Korg Blog. I had a lot of work to complete today, and am ready to rip and roar in my music studio once again!!!
Mr Rambling Librarian will be gracing my little studio with his presence, hopefully in the next couple of weeks. We hope to collaborate not just online, at work, but also in music!
Posted by vantan at 7:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 24, 2006
Over the moon
An update on my recently-formed jazz band, the Moonjumpers.
Let's just say there's one less guy jumping with us now. At least that's what I heard. I'm trying to verify this with the guy in question first. Being the band leader, I was a bit down when I got the news second-hand, but was told by our music school manager that it's normal for kids these days to not give proper notice. That got me even more concerned about our future generation.
But I can totally understand when a talented young man has another commitment that's already gotten him a recording contract with potentially regional fame. Who'd want to play in a little-known, new jazz band? (I'm not trying to sound bitter - that's life.)
Jazz is not a genre that gets you mass popularity, compared to others like pop and rock. Playing jazz in a competition full of mat rockers and rappers isn't going to win you anything (unless you're really very good - and even then, you just may not be what most of the audience is looking for).
What's my philosophy, playing in a band, and being a band leader?
Firstly, I only want dedicated members in my band. I think whoever stays with jazz and doesn't run off chasing other genres must be pretty devoted already. My dream is still to play fusion, which includes funk, a bit of pop, smooth jazz, traditional jazz and latin. So it's not like we'll be stuck on one kind of sound.
When I was in Sydney, I harboured (pun!) the thought of bringing back a digeridoo, so we could try out some Jamiroquai sounds. However the digeridoos looked pretty touristy so I didn't buy one in the end. Maybe I need to go to Cairnes or something to get the real thing.
In any case, once you join a band, it's no longer just about you. Other people have spent their time travelling to the studio and back. We may have postponed or cancelled other commitments just to make it for the session. We have spent hours (hopefully) practising our parts. It wouldn't be fair to have no-shows, or people coming in grossly late, or last-minute pullouts. Because that sets our schedule back by another few weeks, when all of us are free again to meet.
If what I've heard is really true, and I fear it is, then the next few weeks may be spent looking for a new member. Which then sets us back further.
On my part, I will have to ensure better and more frequent communication, so this kind of thing doesn't happen again. Or, at least, I'd know about it earlier.
It's a learning process for all of us.
Posted by vantan at 12:58 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 3, 2006
Rehearsals and revivals
The new band is meeting up this weekend for our first rehearsal. I also have a worship team rehearsal on Thursday for church on Sunday.
I've grown to like playing Sade's Punch Drunk on our Bosendorfer. Especially late at night, when I'm still in my long sleeved-shirt and trousers (feeling like I'm wearing a suit).
I tidied up a song I produced (using an older version of Reason), which I had accidentally deleted some time ago. I had at least backed it up in MIDI format, so I could import that back into my new Reason 3. I still can't find the original drum files, but it's close enough. Sigh.
Posted by vantan at 12:42 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 1, 2005
Update
I know this blog hasn't been updated in ages. That's because I took a break in November from my jazz piano lessons to take care of a family member.
However, the break has done me some good, and I managed to squeeze in some time to fill in for the pianist in the church worship band.
Which somehow confirms that too much of one thing could actually lead to a saturation in creativity and inspiration.
I have yet to send anything to TAXI. I have yet to register one of my songs with COMPASS. I'm such a procrastinator. But I just found another friend who loves KORGs!
Posted by vantan at 8:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 24, 2005
Registration
Presently, I'm occupied with registering of one of my songs, with the Composers and Musicians' Association of Singapore. This song should be enough for me to become a member. I'm a bit half-hearted about it, because I'm nowhere near any of their celebrity members eg. Dick Lee, Marc Chan... and even if I do become a member I may not retain my status if I don't make a certain amount of money from royalties. But anyway, no harm trying.
Hopefully by tonight, my song's scoresheet will be ready, and I will spruce up the recording.
Posted by vantan at 7:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 1, 2005
Antisocial again
If I want to cut music, I need to cut down on social activities. After the birthday gatherings are over, I need to focus fully on completing my submission for the Penguin Remixed competition, copywriting the song I'm performing at the Jazz concert, rehearsing for the choir performance, my solo performance, as well as the rest of the Jazz concert itself.
A dinner out after work means I come home late, spend time with my parents later, bathe and sleep even later. That's why I'm still up, after just practising ONE round of the most difficult part of Blue Rondo.
I wonder what will happen if I practice the "(insert time here) and I will walk out of the restaurant, so please start on time and end on time" maneouvre. Something has to give.
Posted by vantan at 2:00 AM
May 27, 2005
It's only Logical
Apple Centre Orchard is having an anniversary sale, and I am sorely tempted to add 1GB of RAM to my PowerMac G5. I think I will. I tried to open iPhoto at the same time as a Logic Demo file, and Logic basically crashed on me after many minutes of processing.
I still haven't figured out how to mix the music with the vocals, in Logic. Dang.
Posted by vantan at 11:07 PM
April 4, 2005
More songs
I've nearly completed another song belonging to the album, Stereotype (i.e. something more on the alternative side).
I have a company choir performance coming up, and I have to write scores for vocalists in our forthcoming music school concert. Yikes.
Posted by vantan at 12:22 AM
January 23, 2005
The consequences of letting non-professionals listen to your recordings
Surgeon-General's warning: Non-professionals, or at least those inexperienced in listening to unfinished productions, can cause damage to composers and producers' self-esteem.
Who are we talking about here? Well-meaning friends, relatives and everything in between. The more vocal ones will have an opinion on every sound you make, whether it was intended that way or not.
One problem I often encounter is that people tend to prefer songs played in a genre they listen to more (e.g. Jazz). They may not therefore appreciate the sounds of Heavy Metal, even if it happens to be the best of its kind. [For clarification, I write the former, not the latter!]
It can even get distracting when your listener has a strong preference for certain types of vocals or instruments, and suggests that your production is changed to fit in that style - even when the song was written with a totally different intention! Of course some suggestions make sense, while others don't. Most listeners are fairly mainstream and won't appreciate something out of the ordinary. (Imagine if I did a Bjork on them!)
What is fascinating is the fact that you can play ten different songs to various people, and get rather different reactions from them. You then realise that they tend to prefer songs in genres they usually listen to. Thus their views are highly subjective and may only be applied within their genres of familiarity.
Example 1. I played trance music (not my own) to a friend who usually listens to musicals and popular jazz. She asked me if my CD skipped.
Example 2. I played chillout/dance music to a friend. She commented that it looped too many times. I thought, hey! Michael Jackson's songs loop many more times than that!
Example 3. I played a hit by French electronica band 'Air' with an intro that looped. Musician friend who usually listens to Christian rock and more trashy stuff, listened to only the first half-minute and asked if all it did was repeat itself.
Also, most people will listen to your song only once. Thus their views only express their first impressions. After numerous experiences, I am sure if I played a chart hit which the listener doesn't know about, he may not necessarily appreciate its worth either. Some hits need to be played multiple times on the radio and TV to grow on people.
Thus the fact that some people leave the session humming a tune I just played to them, is already a sign of success. Now if that could only be multiplied to numerous recording industry execs and fans all over the world.
Don't get me wrong. Some end-listener critic friends may be your target audience (most of them should like your music, if you want to go into Pop or Rock). Their advice is useful. But take it with a fistful of salt.
Posted by vantan at 10:26 PM
