Beginner recording Let Freedom Ring

[Veggie Dave]

It doesn't seem very English to be so stupidly happy about something you've done, but I can't help it - I'm bloody ecstatic how well this has come out.

I can hear loads of errors, and as an ex member of the rhythm section I'm still in the dark regarding how to structure a solo, but I don't care. I think this is the first time I've recorded something that sounds almost like a real song and I couldn't be happier!

It may just sound like everything else I've done to everyone else, but to me it sounds like my first genuine step into playing the saxophone.

Did I say how happy I am right now?

https://soundcloud.com/veggie-dave/let-freedom-ring

 

[ProfJames]

You have every right to be happy well done!

 

[Ivan]

Knockout

Reminder of a Fela Kuti vibe

 

[Veggie Dave]

Reminder of a Fela Kuti vibe

altissimo said the same thing about the last thing I posted. I'd never heard of him before then.

 

[Jeanette]

Great stuff, keep them coming, your enthusiasm is infectious 🙂

Jx

 

[Veggie Dave]

I think part of the big step forward is the new mouthpiece. It sounds 'right' which makes you want to play more.

The other big change this recording has made is that I now know I can play quick flourishes that are planned, intentional, rather than simple finger wiggling like I did on the 'noodling' track I posted. Sadly it only dawned on me as I was finishing recording (the very last few notes, in fact). I probably should have gone back and rerecorded some bits, but there's always next time. 😉

I killed my last Vandoren Trad 2 this afternoon, so tomorrow I'll be trying my first V16 2.5. If the last three months are anything to go by, a new reed will trigger another recording adventure. 😀

I know the next track is going to be my first cover (if everything goes to plan), although I think I'll be adapting it somewhat. In fact, I can't wait! Fingers crossed, it'll raise some eyebrows.

 

[thomsax]

Very cool. And you sounds like a ska/reggae saxman as well. Almost an "overdubbing" sound.

 

[Veggie Dave]

I'm going to show complete ignorance now, but what's an ''overdubbing' sound'?

 

[ProfJames]

Overdubbing - is a technique used in audio recording, whereby a performer listens to an existing recorded performance and simultaneously plays a new performance along with it, which is also recorded. The intention is that the final mix will contain a combination of these

 

[Veggie Dave]

Ah, 'dub' - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dub_(music)

I've never listened to dub but a Google suggests it does indeed share a similar vibe. It's strange how I seem to play a melange of styles that I'd never heard before until you lot told me about them.

 

[ProfJames]

Listen to some dancehall reggae as well such as Admiral Bailey....these guys were from Staines and Slough............excellent band...................play along Veggie!...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3HbjbfI6jg

 

[Colin the Bear]

http://youtu.be/DzeIFr_RK2o?list=PLFC43561FD6DF9F46

http://youtu.be/0T3tg6Xwt7A

http://youtu.be/tUa7DDJ36Wc

Some classic 1980's albums.

I used to jump around the living room to "UB40 signing off" The simple lines and solos of Brian Travers were an inspiration to me

Dub is a style of music.

Overdubbing is a recording technique. I seem to remember someone in a documentary talking about Buddy Holly using it? I don't think it's used as much since the development of multi tracking.

 

[thomsax]

Yes, I mean the recording technique. Uffe Andersson, the great Swedish saxplayer, used the technique on the song "I Do, I Do " (ABBA)... . John Laughter also wrote aboit it in "Top 40 Solos" Top 40 Saxophone Solos
Uffe Andersson about his recording:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6egChRGzqk


A more simple way to sound in this way, is to play without using the octave key!

 

[Veggie Dave]

Oh, I see what you're talking about now. We call it double tracking. I did actually try doing that a few weeks ago but hated how it sounded. I found it phased like mad, even inverting the second track didn't help.

On this song, the repeated phrase is two saxes, the main melody and a harmony, with a bright reverb and (I think) a little delay.

Main melody and harmony saxes

The solo is just one sax with some bright reverb and a little delay. I then took the mono reverb, duplicated it and panned each track hard left and right and then put each slightly out of synch with the other and the main sax.

Solo, with reverb and delay

 

[Veggie Dave]

http://youtu.be/DzeIFr_RK2o?list=PLFC43561FD6DF9F46

I've never listened to Aswad before, but I can see that changing rather quickly.

http://youtu.be/tUa7DDJ36Wc

Steel Pulse! There's a blast from the past. I've got recordings of them from Manchester's Electric Circus. Original punks will probably recognise the name but I doubt anyone else will.

 

[ProfJames]

That Steel Pulse album is a must for anyone's collection. Superb call Colin.