Pop/rock ballad

I copied the style of this song from a few pub rock bands I have seen play in Melbourne (I actually used to be in a rock band a few years back, but as a guitarist). It's kind of meant to be a kind of bittersweet love song... imagine being in a smoke-filled Australian bar and half drunk sipping on a beer after breaking up with your girlfriend/boyfriend. I can't write lyrics or vocals to save my life though so at the moment its just instrumental (all done with midi). Pretty much its just a progression of chords with some harmonies.

The main insruments are piano + drums, but there is also a brass section, a violin and a bass guitar. There's also a short span in the middle where I attempt to use some sax (but I have no clue how to arrange a brass section - gotta read up on it one day). If I was going to add another instrument I would probably use a slide guitar (electric), but I haven't figured out how to do this with midi.

The playing is pretty sloppy here and there, and I haven't really bothered to do a proper mix yet (note the brass distorts at the end). I think it maybe drags on too long even for a ballad. Anyhow, would love some feedback as to whether you think this could be a decent song if I find a good vocalist.

Only posting the mp3 link at the moment. If somebody is interest I will post the midi too (actually it sounds terrible, but it might give you an idea of the notes used)...

http://home.mysoul.com.au/bengibbs/songs/ballad1b.mp3

This is a pretty good song, IMO. It has motion to it, starting off sparse and low-energy, and building to a definite climax. I love the piano part. There are some great ideas in here; I can definitely see laying some lyrics over this to turn it into a "real" ballad. That would also add the interest you would need to eliminate any "dragging" qualities that the piece does have.

Glad u like it nhomas!! I actually think this is one of my better songs now (apart from the mix - only using a $10 pair of speakers on my pc ). I recently added a guitar part and more violin plus a few other changes... the ending is much more climatic I think.

Any other comments appreciated

I like it!!!!!!!!!! Do you have a Midi version of it?

like you already said, the rhythm feels too sloppy for me to actually get into it.
the violin sounds to dry as well, it doesn't mix well with the rest.
the guitar sounds absolutely terrible, sounds like either a mixer pre-amp distorting heavily or a horrible amp modeller (which models an 10watt guitar amp). fix it or leave it out.

i like the 'fullness' around half-way through. towards the end, i think you should try to use a string section to play the violin's part which might make it, well, more 'ballad-y'. also, i like the way the drums sound, the really fit well.

overall, this is a nice ballad, keep it up.

i think this is pretty cool, but i didn't really like the mix so much it seems like some things could have been balance better , but as an idea and everything its pretty cool

New version here....

I changed a couple of things - lowered the guitar levels and changed the solo violin to a string section at the end. The mix is also slightly better, but it still needs some work. And yes, the song is still sloppy!

Also uploading a .midi file for emoo.. It sounds terrible, but if you want to find out the notes then maybe it helps.

Sounds very good! Thx for the midi file.

thank you man for this amazing piece !!!!!!!!!!
I always wanted to make such style
keep doing this kind of stuff

very nice again

Originally Posted by ZaLaBaNy

thank you man for this amazing piece !!!!!!!!!!
I always wanted to make such style
keep doing this kind of stuff

very nice again

Thanks for the review Zalabany. Don't you think you're kind of going over the top?? Amazing?! Others have said they like the tune, but have given me feedback on how I can improve it. But if you really think it's perfect then maybe I should rush out and find a record company right now...