Oxygen - First of a project

Hey all

Well here is the first part of my project I have entitled "Classical Jazz"

The idea behind the name comes not only from a play on the famous Mason Williams piece (Classical Gas) But also from the fact that each of the pieces will contain at least part of or 1 whole classical piece in them.

Well let me know what you think

And sorry for the bad quality of the recording, and sorry there's no score, not yet anyway

Cheers all!

SoundClick song info: Classical Jazz - Oxygen by William Daniel Kirkland - Song info page with free MP3 music downloads

*cough*

Okay... I like the premise, it's a cool idea. It's too bad you didn't do more with it... It seems like after the brief statement of the melody, it was abandoned never to be heard from again. A shame, for such a pretty and recognizable melody.

The improvisation was okay, a little unfocused without a clear form/direction.

I think, with a concept with so much potential, you've only scratched the surface. Are you using the melody as a springboard for improvisation? If so, don't be so quick to abandon it. Perhaps you could give us a little more info as to your intent for this project - where do you want to take it?

Your playing reminded me of a Marc Ribot record I've been listening to lately: Saints. Solo guitar, quasi-free arrangements of lesser known standards/pop/other stuff... Very cool. Dig especially 'Happiness is a Warm Gun' ...

I hope you continue and refine this concept, there's much good music to be made. Not sure if I've been helpful, though.

...

Originally Posted by robinjessome

Okay... I like the premise, it's a cool idea. It's too bad you didn't do more with it... It seems like after the brief statement of the melody, it was abandoned never to be heard from again. A shame, for such a pretty and recognizable melody.

The improvisation was okay, a little unfocused without a clear form/direction.

I think, with a concept with so much potential, you've only scratched the surface. Are you using the melody as a springboard for improvisation? If so, don't be so quick to abandon it. Perhaps you could give us a little more info as to your intent for this project - where do you want to take it?

Your playing reminded me of a Marc Ribot record I've been listening to lately: Saints. Solo guitar, quasi-free arrangements of lesser known standards/pop/other stuff... Very cool. Dig especially 'Happiness is a Warm Gun' ...

I hope you continue and refine this concept, there's much good music to be made. Not sure if I've been helpful, though.

...

Thanks for taking the time to listen Robin, and don't worry, ANY advice good or bad is welcome

Well as for plans for the project I hope to make a demo CD and circulate it, you know, spread the love so to speak. And to use it as a foray into the Jazz atmosphere

And yes, I was planning on using the melody as a springboard for improvisation, with the classical piece sprinkled in to make it a little more interesting. I did have the thought of bringing back the main melody near the end of the piece, you know, have an improvised bridge and whatnot, but decided not to at the time of recording. I guess it might have been better to stick with that idea

I will take into consideration what you've said

So as to making the improv have a clearer direction, what would you suggest for me to do?

And don't worry about not being helpful, you have been more helpful than you know (I should've mentioned earlier that if there's something that can be improved I would re-record the piece with any changes that would make it better)

Originally Posted by Will Kirk

So as to making the improv have a clearer direction, what would you suggest for me to do?

First thing, would be to hang out on that melody a little longer. The way you played it the first time is good, take it a little further - alter a few notes, change the bass/counterline...gradually work yourself away from it, developing into a separate entity.

With this new entity, make sure you have a clear idea of where you're headed - something simple as building to 8th-notey lines; dynamics; out-ness/dissonance... basically: energy. While you're playing, figure out what energy level you started out at and go somewhere else.

Your recording, there was nothing bad about the improv, but it stayed at the same energy level throughout: relatively low and sparse. Sparsity is fine, there are other ways to shape your solo than density. Take it further out (more abstract) is a good one - don't be afraid to abandon ALL pretense of form/melody/tonality/rhythm and lapse into sheer sound.

Not sure if that's a direction you're prepared to go...either way, with some concise idea (be it prepared a day ahead, or a beat ahead) of where you're going, it will benefit any/all improv endeavours.

It's tough to explain this stuff (probably toucher to try and decipher these ramblings) ... this stuff comes with understanding and experience. Listen to some free-er solo performances (let me know if you can't find any, I'll hook you up)

...Hope this helps

Hey thanks Robin

If you could PM me some videos or recordings of artists you'd recommend for improv then please do

Hey Will,

First off I'd like to say, very imaginative! To my ears was pleasant to listen to. It's not normally the type of music that would appeal to me personally, but after listening to that I can understand the appeal much better. Do you intend on keeping the texture the same throughout the piece? But yeah, good stuff!

Originally Posted by HKS-920

Hey Will,

First off I'd like to say, very imaginative! To my ears was pleasant to listen to. It's not normally the type of music that would appeal to me personally, but after listening to that I can understand the appeal much better. Do you intend on keeping the texture the same throughout the piece? But yeah, good stuff!

Well thank you, glad you enjoyed it

And in answer to your question, not every piece will use the same ideas (harmonics may be used in this one whereas a standard fingerstyle will be used in the next one etc..)

So it will have a varied substance in the whole of the project

anyone else?