General Music Chat

Hi gang...

I just got hired to do some incidental movie music and I wanted your feedback on a couple of audio sketches I'm doing. Both are now uploaded to my profile here on BandMix. They are:

"Eligy" (Duet for piano and cello) this is supposed to be a soundbed to some footage of an old man in a wheelchair, staring out of a large window.

"Convoy" a soundbed for footage of a US military convoy leaving an Iraqi city in flames, at night.

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Thanks in advance....

*Wipes eyes* "Eligy" is beautiful and has a dramatic feel to it. Perfectly fits the scene that it is meant to be placed to. I can see it in my head, very good job on that song. Brilliant flow and an enrapturing piano melody.

I am listening to "Convoy" as I type this, wow, this is very scary. It has this very dark feel to it, makes you feel lost almost. Plus there was just some kind of screaming sound in it, and my heart just jumped into my throat. My God, this could double as a horror movie piece. Well done, it is brilliant like the first, Irminsul. I could easily use this in any movie where there is a dark/doomful scene. The only thing odd that I noticed is the sharpness of the piano in this, but I figured that is deliberate to keep peoples hearts racing.

I am not sure how you do it, man. But I like the sound of these two pieces, they are perfect, very very professional sounding.

Good luck, and peace out, GuitarAnatomy.

Wow, if only I had more critics like this! Thanks Guitarman.

Of course I will have to whittle these things down as the editor gets persnikkety (they always do) but that's the general feel. Oh, that is a guy screaming back there. I just had to use it because there was so much gut wrenching diaphragm in it. Perfect for the piece.

Thank you again for your comments, I'll take them to heart.

*Makes the rock sign, his way of saying peace*

No problem, man. That guy screaming back there nearly gave me a heart attack, I might have to sue you for that, lol. Oh wait, you own that Ak-47... Well I guess no lawsuit then... See I think things through. Lmao, just kidding around.

Peace out, GuitarAnatomy.

Guitar anatomy summed it up well. Very professional. Good luck man!

Irminsul,

Nice job on both peices.

I only listened to "Eligy" once and my only criticism might be the timbre of the cello. Seemed a bit "edgy" or something.

"Convoy" realy does sound like "soundtrack music" to me!
The sound bit, commencing at 35, I found somewhat "disturbing" . It conjured up images in my mind of "battle worn"electronic hardware.
After a second listen, it did "feel" right for the scene.

When My Lady and I first started renting vidios many years ago,we got into the habit of recording the "Main Title" music to cassette. Most of the music I've listened to for a couple of years were movie scores.In my opinion some of the best music written in those years.

I wish you success in all your endeavors.

J

good job my friend...i liked both compositions but convoy stood out the most to me..i closed my eyes while i listend and i could see it all sync perfectly with an "apocalypse now" type feel, nice score,i tell you i could really use your skills for a "aphex twin" type of project ive been wanting to do for ages,you should get into the advertising scene they would lap up your stuff,nice.

Not really enough information to make valuable critiques.

On Eligy, what is the movie scene emotionally? He is looking out a window, but is he sad, hopeful, reflective, depressed? Do they show what he is looking at through the window? In my mind, the music is meant to add to the emotion of what we see visually, to audibly supliment what we see visually.

I'm unsure of the emotion the scene is coveying, so I cannot know whether the music is properly portraying that setiment.

The piece is pretty, and conveys several emotions, at least to me. Just not sure if they are the "correct" emotions?


On "Convoy" I assume this is a negative portrayal of war, the destructiveness of it. It works pretty well I think, particularly, if the movie is interspersing scenes of the convoy with images of the chaos left behind. It would almost be brilliant if the scene conveyed the tanks rolling out and a few soldiers looking back at the city, and then looking at one another with a "What have we just done" look on their faces. A kind of subdued, "I know" look at one another, but they don't talk about it, just share that look and those doubts. In other words, looks of sorrow where a glimpse of humanity shows through, and self-doubt.

Of course, I'm not sure I like a movie like that, but that song spectacularly fits that emotion. That is, if the scene portrays such images and emotions.

You really need to watch the scene to properly score it don't you? Have they sent the footage to you?

Thanks for your comments so far guys...

HowlinJ the cello probably sounds a little off because its a sample - just a sketch at this point. It has to be approved before they take it to the sound stage, where a real cello player will render it.

Craig -

Yeah this is the fourth one of these jobs I've done and they always give you some footage to cue from. I wish I could send it to you but I can't yet (confidentiality and all that). The old guy is in a dank room, it has a cold feel to it, he's looking out a big picture window on a sort of overcast day. The light is "washed out" strong, if you know what I mean. The scene is a fadein/fadeout montage of his face and various shots of his body in front of the window. Until I see the whole thing I don't know exactly what they will do with it, but time will tell.

Craig -

Yeah this is the fourth one of these jobs I've done and they always give you some footage to cue from. I wish I could send it to you but I can't yet (confidentiality and all that). The old guy is in a dank room, it has a cold feel to it, he's looking out a big picture window on a sort of overcast day. The light is "washed out" strong, if you know what I mean. The scene is a fadein/fadeout montage of his face and various shots of his body in front of the window. Until I see the whole thing I don't know exactly what they will do with it, but time will tell.

Sounds gloomy then. Ravaging of time and age.

And if that is the case, the song may be a little too hopeful. There is hope in the melody that comes through in parts. Mostly from the arpeggios you are playing on piano, when it is not in minors.

I mean, you really did a wonderful job. I sense melancholy in places and resignation, which would definitely seem apropos, as well as a sense of reflection, but it returns to an underlying hopefullness, which may or may not fit. As you said, you don't know the context of the scene, so it is possible you yourself do not know whether that works well or not.

There is some unexpected changes in chord progressions, half-way through, which is ever so slightly jarring, but I assume it is in sync with the scene changes, which of course, we don't get to see on this side... yet. On the other hand, that slight jarring sense could be interpreted as conflicted emotion or thoughts, in which case it possibly fits the scenes quite well?

You did a great job, I'm just wondering if it is not quite dark or gloomy enough? I also wonder if it is a tad too fast, which creates a sense of whimsy with that melody line. Maybe whimsy is not the right word, but less serious or less stark. I'm assuming from the scene description that it is a stark scene, gloomy and even depressing. It may be slightly too fast to express that well. But then, you are looking at the pace with which the scenes are changing, and perhaps any slower would offset the synching of the music with the scene changes. Without seeing it, I can't know.

Sorry, this is frustrating. I assume you are looking for valid critiques and not just praise alone, and I'm really trying to be as seriously helpful as possible. I've listened to it over and over to provide anything that might be useful or helpful to you, and that's the best I can do without seeing the images and understanding the context.

Hopefully, there's something useful in there?

You that's exactly what I'm looking for...ways it can be more effective. Its good to get some outside views because as you know, it's all too easy to get wrapped up in your own work and forget the big picture.

Thank you Craig

Irmy,
Not to throw this to far "off topic",I noticed on another thread that you mentioned Stewart Copland and his involvement in the "movie soundtrack industry". Ironicly,I first became aware of this due to his work with "Jeska Hoop", a talented new artist who caught my ear.

Concerning that cello,i have to "fess up" to the fact that it had me fooled! (me being an ol synth man no less).....anyways,

it seems like you have your hand into something good here,and I have to second most every thing Craig said on the matter. ..."cept to say"...

Keep up the good work.

Eligy seems perfect in my mind for the scene you suggested.

Convoy sounds out of sync to me. The background rythym doesnt seem to fit the parts you are layering on top. I would need to see how fast the convoy is moving in the scene and see if the images and the rythym fit each other. I know Im being nit picky but I guess you want that.

Im not very experienced in this kind of work and it sounds great.

Shouldnt there be a nasty guitar in there somewhere? Just kidding.

Great Work

Eligy seems perfect in my mind for the scene you suggested.

Convoy sounds out of sync to me. The background rythym doesnt seem to fit the parts you are layering on top. I would need to see how fast the convoy is moving in the scene and see if the images and the rythym fit each other. I know Im being nit picky but I guess you want that.

Im not very experienced in this kind of work and it sounds great.

Shouldnt there be a nasty guitar in there somewhere? Just kidding.

Great Work

thanks...you know many times I've needed some good guitar work on a project, and that's not my thing so I got onto a collab site. Hit and miss results, but it's better than nothing.

WOW! So beautiful... I started playing keyboards at 7 and quit at 8 ... Listening to musicians like you and others on this site gives me many regrets... not that I regret taking up guitar, but could you imagine the works I'd be putting out if I kept it up since 7??