All The Things You Are

[Mark Hancock]

This is my first post of my playing so errr....
I obviously have a lot to work on still, but I'd really like to hear any suggestions for what I could be focusing on. Also tips on improving the recording. here goes....

https://soundcloud.com/mark-hancock-12379222%2Fall-the-things-you-are

View: https://soundcloud.com/mark-hancock-12379222/all-the-things-you-are?in=mark-hancock-12379222/sets/jazz-standards

 

[Clivey]

Did not have time to give full listen and on phone. But this is a very very good start. Tell us about your setups.

 

[nigeld]

Sounds pretty good to me. I've been planning to propose "All The Things You Are" as a Song of the Month some time soon, so you have beaten me to it!

My only comment is that your backing track sounds a little loud to me in comparison to the saxophone.

 

[Mark Hancock]

Did not have time to give full listen and on phone. But this is a very very good start. Tell us about your setups.

Thanks Guys,

My recording setp is:
Large diaphram mic (Thomann SC450)
The mic is directly in front of me, about neck high and looking down slightly.
Presonus Audiobox iTwo and Presonus Studio Artist DAW
I just use the default saxophone eq setting and about 20% medium room reverb.

I also have a Presonus TubePre V2 preamp, but I'm honestly not sure what to do with it. It didn't seem to make much difference when I tried it out,

My instrument is
Yani TWO2,
Syos custom mouthpiece
legere 2 1/4 Signature

I record in a home built practice booth which is fully treated with acoustic tiles and corner traps. It still doesn't sound great in there. I mean, it's great for practice (when using a jazzlabs sax deflector) but there's something unpleasant about the recording. I assume it's the booth, although it could just be the my real tone is worse than what I hear!

A while ago I simplified my improvisations to limit myself to chord tones - it sounds kind of basic to me but at least a bit less random than it was. Now I'm I'm wondering what to work on next! Where could I make the biggest gains???

Thanks again!

 

[Caz]

I also use a booth, and it definately have a negative impact on my sound, a lot of dynamics gets squashed. I think your sound was pleasant, and your focus on time and chord tones also gave something to my listening experience.

 

[Mark Hancock]

I also use a booth, and it definately have a negative impact on my sound, a lot of dynamics gets squashed. I think your sound was pleasant, and your focus on time and chord tones also gave something to my listening experience.

Thanks Caz, I saw your post on the Booth. Mine is very similar. The saxdeflector helps a lot with the sound during practice, but the recording is not still great.

 

[Mark Hancock]

Sounds pretty good to me. I've been planning to propose "All The Things You Are" as a Song of the Month some time soon, so you have beaten me to it!

My only comment is that your backing track sounds a little loud to me in comparison to the saxophone.

Yes I have done about 20 recordings and always seem to get the mix a bit wrong. Sax is too loud in some, and too quiet in others. There's only 2 tracks - it shouldn't be that hard, but when listening with earbuds/speakers/headphones it always sounds different....

 

[6441]

This is a very nice take on a melodic standard.

I'd really like to hear any suggestions

Keep posting recordings!

 

[Ne0Wolf7]

I really like your tone. I must agree with Nigel that the backing track is too loud. I thought your improve was quite nice as well.
Bonus points for choosing one of my favorite songs

 

[Keep Blowing]

A while ago I simplified my improvisations to limit myself to chord tones - it sounds kind of basic to me but at least a bit less random than it was. Now I'm I'm wondering what to work on next! Where could I make the biggest gains???

Reindroduce the non chord tones

 

[Jeanette]

Sounds pretty good to me. I've been planning to propose "All The Things You Are" as a Song of the Month some time soon, so you have beaten me to it!

Perhaps @Mark Hancock could lead on it for us, use this thread

I can retitle and move it

Jx

 

[nigeld]

Perhaps @Mark Hancock could lead on it for us, use this thread

I can retitle and move it

Jx

We already have a SOTM lined up for September, but we could do this one in October.

 

[Mark Hancock]

Wow. In at the deep end....

Sure, why not!

 

[nigeld]

@Mark Hancock - I have sent you a private message.
To read it, click on the little envelope icon at the top right of the window.

 

[Colin the Bear]

A while ago I simplified my improvisations to limit myself to chord tones - it sounds kind of basic to me but at least a bit less random than it was. Now I'm I'm wondering what to work on next! Where could I make the biggest gains???

These two play my favourite improv on this melody. We can all learn a little from the masters

View: https://youtu.be/12Ahmng5ee0

View: https://youtu.be/LDjTc8GzstQ


Sticking to chord tones will give you the ribs of a tune. Joining them up and extending them in a melodic way will add the sinews and tendons but to really flesh it out you need to compose a melody of your own. Once you've done this, you can weave some magic of your own and dress the whole thing in a cloak of music. A few thousand times through and your ideas will start to present and string themselves together.

There are many different arrangements for any tune. There's lots of ways to harmonise a melody,just like there's lots of ways to get from A to B. Go the scenic route.

 

[Mark Hancock]

Reindroduce the non chord tones

Oh right. Blindingly obvious I suppose.

 

[Mark Hancock]

Thank you @Colin the Bear , I never heard that version before. It sounds so natural the way those guys play. I sound like I'm tripping over myself! But right, a few more hundred runs through it.....