General Music Chat

Hey, guys.
Remember a thread a week or so ago, asking if 3 guitars can sound good playing together?
I said yes.
Well, I re-recorded one of my older songs, "SPRING SONG," with several guitars, and - what the hell, I added several vocal tracks as well.
It's all background stuff - all harmonies. I'll Add lead vocals when I can get my friend over here again.
I might have gone overboard, but I've heard it so many times, I can't tell anymore . . . .
I'm in the middle of the forest here, and I can't see the edge, because the trees are in the way, if you know what I mean . . .
It might be 'busy,' but it seems to work . . .
Click my picture, open up my profile, and select "SPRING SONG."
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Opinions?
Thanks
Alan

Alan,
Spring song seems a bit to "muddled" for my taste. I much prefer "The 4th Emotion" and "From Earth To Station". I dusted off some old vinyl last night and listened to "Joan Armatrading". Kinda got me in the mood for some good acoustic playing. I like those "jazz chords".
John

Yeah, at times there were 8 guitars, but there was no game plan on what they played . . .
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Glad you like "The 4th Emotion" and "From Earth To Station."
There are, indeed, a few unusual chords in those songs . . .
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Spring Song; Anyone else care to comment?
Does anyone LIKE the song?
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Remember, the song (as recorded) is basically a background for a Folk type- song.
So - those who only listen to hard rock, punk, or metal won't like this song, anyway . . . different style . . . .
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So, anyone who comments - let me know what your music of choice is, ok?
Thanks . . .
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I don't think there's a lot of Folk-Musicians on this site . . .
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WHen I record songs I generally record 2 rythym guitar tracks and pan them hard right and left. For leads I ussually record 2 harmony lines and pan them hard right and left and then a main guitar track down the middle. Backing vocals I generally do a backing line hard left and right.

On my player the song The Day Jesus Died has 5 guitar tracks and 3 vocal tracks. The lead is harmonized. I try to make all the guitars sound like one, as I said that is my goal, it doesnt always work out that way.

Currently I am working on a couple of songs and havent been able to get my guitars working right. They sound muddy or too busy. I will keep trying.

3 guitars can work if they respect each others space. Its a lot easier when its just one person layering a song together.

Yeah, I agree. Almost all my songs usually have 1 guitar and a bass; sometimes 2 guitars . . .
I'll tell you, though, it was a lot of fun recording this. When recording, I actually muted every previous recording, so as not to be influenced; I wanted to see what kinds of melodies presented themselves.
The final cut will probably have 1 guitar playing the chords, and 2 'back-up' guitars doing fills . . .

I agree with HowlinJ, it is a bit "muddled" sounding, however, I think it is very pretty. It has a very nice feel to it and is very calming and soothing to the soul. Very well done for just one person writing all of the parts in it, I imagine that is very hard. Nice job, RhythmMan.

I have seen with many songs when they layer guitar parts on to give it more depth. Perfect example is Metallica's "Orion," it has many layered guitar parts in it to my knowledge. It gives it a fuller sound, but you have got to be careful with that kind of thing because it will give it that "muddled" sound.

Keep writing, RhythmMan. I look forward to hearing more!

Peace out, GuitarAnatomy.

Spring Song...


I like it. Pretty song.

Almost "feels" like nature waking up for spring.

I think there are good ideas in there.

hmm, now don't be amazed but I'd bet I could get 7 guitars to harmonize together... but oh boy, I wouldn't try this at home.
I know a lot of you are probably thinking "this guy is crazy... 3 is one thing but 7?!?"
sorry samick, couldn't help myself.

I did it as a lark - and I wasn't really trying to harmonize, because I muted all previous tracks when recording.
The 'real' song has 1 guitar; the rest can easily be muted.
This was more like 'brainstorming,' than anything.
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. . . just having some recording fun . . . never tried so many guitars before, and thought the results were, umm, 'interesting . . .'
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But (among other things) I came up with 3 - 4 different melodies for my singer to try for the song; she didn't know which way to go . . .
. . . and, I tripped over a bass pattern (or 3) for the song, and also a few legitimate 2nd and 3rd guitar harmonies and leads . . .
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In the future, I'll post something with several PLANNED guitars . . .
. . . something REAL, and not so fanciful . . .
But I won't be able to start any new projects for a while; I have several other songs I really, really need to record first . . .
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But, I'll tell you what. I had a blast doing this.

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If you fellows haven't tried this yet - give it a shot.
Record a simple lead for your song. Make it slow & simple.
Then mute it, and play the song back while recording a new and different lead.
Be sure to make it different.
Mute that, and keep recording melodies which are different.
I guarantee you guys will have a hell of a lot of fun; and you will be teaching yourselves some new musical directions, by always trying to do ad ifferent melody than before . . .
Thanks for your comments . . .