Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day18.mp3
If there was any doubt that this project would, at some point, go off the deep end, I give you today's song. I don't even know if it's good or awful...it just is what it is.
In this song, Noah and Luna are sucked into the massive whirlpool that swallowed up the tragic male plumber from the last song. What, did you think they would escape? Last time I checked, whirlpools don't work that way.
Now, for a brief history of MIDI-rag-metal, which I'm quite sure I invented: a couple of years ago, a couple of friends and I started a little event we called Record Time, where we wrote and recorded a 30-minute album in a week. Only two of us survived the first time through, including me. On that first Record Time album, I decided to fill up space by writing a couple of rags in a terrible guitar notation program, using the MIDI piano sound. I thought the MIDI piano made it sound a whole lot funnier, so I just kept it that way. Then, a year later, I put a MIDI rag in the middle of another song for the second Record Time event...and it was still hilarious. So I decided that from now on, all my speed-composition projects are going to have a MIDI rag somewhere in them.
Unfortunately, I don't have the program I used to use to make them, and this one has a less funny tone to the piano, but I think it works OK. Also, for whatever reason, Finale's 140 bpm is actually exactly halfway between 141 and 142 bpm, which Pro Tools can't really do, so the rag section doesn't start on time. I'll fix it later. End of nerd talk.
Enjoy this one, although if you enjoy it a little too much, I might get a little worried (says the guy who wrote it). Tomorrow's isn't so weird, thankfully.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Day 17 - "Tubi Tango (Reprise)"
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day17.mp3
It's really becoming hard to remember what day I'm on here. 17 songs is a lot of songs, and I'm not even halfway done. Scary. I'm not getting bored with the project, but it is getting quite a bit harder. I decided to do it because it seemed like a big challenge, but up till now it's been pretty easy. Now that it's harder it seems a whole lot more worth doing, if that makes any sense.
So anyways, about the song. Here, after Luna shoots Noah down with her techno song, they are caught off guard by a peculiar event: in a boat floating past them, they see a familiar face...the gruff plumber from all the way back on day 7! Turns out Noah isn't the only one with a thing for Luna, and this guy even has a trick up his sleeve to try and impress her: a french horn!
Now, I want to make a disclaimer here: I'm a trained professional french horn-ist, and the things you're about to hear on the instrument should not be attempted at home. I've always been into challenging conventional notions of beauty, so don't be surprised if you begin to weep and don't quite know why.
In the middle of the dude's heart-wrenching solo, something else happens! He gets sucked into a giant WHIRLPOOL! Just in case you can't really hear the whirlpool-like direction of the water sound effects, I threw in some toilet flushing sounds. When this is performed onstage, the auditorium will be filled ten feet high with water, and then the drain will be pulled in the floor, and the audience won't have any trouble figuring out what's going on. But until then, I thought the toilets would help you, listener! Enjoy!
It's really becoming hard to remember what day I'm on here. 17 songs is a lot of songs, and I'm not even halfway done. Scary. I'm not getting bored with the project, but it is getting quite a bit harder. I decided to do it because it seemed like a big challenge, but up till now it's been pretty easy. Now that it's harder it seems a whole lot more worth doing, if that makes any sense.
So anyways, about the song. Here, after Luna shoots Noah down with her techno song, they are caught off guard by a peculiar event: in a boat floating past them, they see a familiar face...the gruff plumber from all the way back on day 7! Turns out Noah isn't the only one with a thing for Luna, and this guy even has a trick up his sleeve to try and impress her: a french horn!
Now, I want to make a disclaimer here: I'm a trained professional french horn-ist, and the things you're about to hear on the instrument should not be attempted at home. I've always been into challenging conventional notions of beauty, so don't be surprised if you begin to weep and don't quite know why.
In the middle of the dude's heart-wrenching solo, something else happens! He gets sucked into a giant WHIRLPOOL! Just in case you can't really hear the whirlpool-like direction of the water sound effects, I threw in some toilet flushing sounds. When this is performed onstage, the auditorium will be filled ten feet high with water, and then the drain will be pulled in the floor, and the audience won't have any trouble figuring out what's going on. But until then, I thought the toilets would help you, listener! Enjoy!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Day 16 - "No Rhyme or Reason"
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day16.mp3
Wow! I was REALLY surprised by how well this one turned out. I decided to make a techno song (Possibly trance? I've learned not to throw these words around in the presence of electronica fans), and tried not to make it too ridiculous. I've always liked when piano is used in trance music, and as soon as I threw that in there, it really came together.
IMPORTANT: This song is supposed to be sung by the girl (Luna!). However, my sister was not available in time, and so I recorded the vocals myself. The vocal part will be replaced for the final album version, for sure. Though I think I did a pretty darn good job.
After Noah gets on the boat and tells Luna how he feels about her, she sings this song in response...basically saying that he's a crazy freak who needs to be locked up in jail, not rewarded with her love.
I went with the obvious...the Cher/T-Pain effect on the vocals. I did it the lazy way with Antares Autotune 5, set on automatic...there's a way to program the notes in with the MIDI keyboard, and I figured it out once, but I didn't have time to re-learn it again. Other than that, this one is actually really simple, recording-wise...drums, 2 vocal tracks during the chorus, 1 synth pad, the piano, bass, and the synth solo.
Also, I've stopped trying to come up with good titles for these things, I just pick a lyric now. Seems to be working OK.
More comments! More!
Wow! I was REALLY surprised by how well this one turned out. I decided to make a techno song (Possibly trance? I've learned not to throw these words around in the presence of electronica fans), and tried not to make it too ridiculous. I've always liked when piano is used in trance music, and as soon as I threw that in there, it really came together.
IMPORTANT: This song is supposed to be sung by the girl (Luna!). However, my sister was not available in time, and so I recorded the vocals myself. The vocal part will be replaced for the final album version, for sure. Though I think I did a pretty darn good job.
After Noah gets on the boat and tells Luna how he feels about her, she sings this song in response...basically saying that he's a crazy freak who needs to be locked up in jail, not rewarded with her love.
I went with the obvious...the Cher/T-Pain effect on the vocals. I did it the lazy way with Antares Autotune 5, set on automatic...there's a way to program the notes in with the MIDI keyboard, and I figured it out once, but I didn't have time to re-learn it again. Other than that, this one is actually really simple, recording-wise...drums, 2 vocal tracks during the chorus, 1 synth pad, the piano, bass, and the synth solo.
Also, I've stopped trying to come up with good titles for these things, I just pick a lyric now. Seems to be working OK.
More comments! More!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Day 15 - "Tubi Tango"
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day15.mp3
Ooh! This one is spicy. I called it a tango...it might not technically be a tango, but it's a tango in spirit. I think it has a little bit of a Russian flair to it as well. In this song, I finally give the characters some names. The girl is named Luna and the guy is named Noah (big surprise there). I don't really plan on using their names much in the music, I'd just like to use less words to refer to them here. Noah gets on the boat, and they exchange names, and he tells her how he feels about her.
A special note on this one: it features what is without a doubt the most horrific home-made shaker in existence. The story goes like this: I couldn't find a shaker, so I decided to make one. I couldn't find any containers of appropriate size, so I decided to tape two Dixie cups together. Then I filled it with some Orzo rice-shaped pasta. At this point, the shaker had a very distinct rice-hitting-dixie cup sound quality to it, so I decided to completely cover the thing in duct tape. Then I found that it was too big, so I crushed one of the dixie cups down to about half its height. The end result somewhat resembles a coffin for a very poor mouse, and the sound it makes somewhat resembles someone marching around in rubber shoes filled with mud. Luckily it's pretty hard to hear in the mix.
Also, there's a fake trumpet solo in there. Don't hate me. If you play trumpet, come on over to my house and we'll replace it, and everything will be fine. The other thing I feel like pointing out is that in the verse I sing, the line is "I've met a lot of girls...not "I've had a lot of girls", which it sort of sounds like. Important distinction. This is a family show. Enjoy!
Ooh! This one is spicy. I called it a tango...it might not technically be a tango, but it's a tango in spirit. I think it has a little bit of a Russian flair to it as well. In this song, I finally give the characters some names. The girl is named Luna and the guy is named Noah (big surprise there). I don't really plan on using their names much in the music, I'd just like to use less words to refer to them here. Noah gets on the boat, and they exchange names, and he tells her how he feels about her.
A special note on this one: it features what is without a doubt the most horrific home-made shaker in existence. The story goes like this: I couldn't find a shaker, so I decided to make one. I couldn't find any containers of appropriate size, so I decided to tape two Dixie cups together. Then I filled it with some Orzo rice-shaped pasta. At this point, the shaker had a very distinct rice-hitting-dixie cup sound quality to it, so I decided to completely cover the thing in duct tape. Then I found that it was too big, so I crushed one of the dixie cups down to about half its height. The end result somewhat resembles a coffin for a very poor mouse, and the sound it makes somewhat resembles someone marching around in rubber shoes filled with mud. Luckily it's pretty hard to hear in the mix.
Also, there's a fake trumpet solo in there. Don't hate me. If you play trumpet, come on over to my house and we'll replace it, and everything will be fine. The other thing I feel like pointing out is that in the verse I sing, the line is "I've met a lot of girls...not "I've had a lot of girls", which it sort of sounds like. Important distinction. This is a family show. Enjoy!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Day 14 - Inondazione pt. 3
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day14.mp3
Look everyone, it's day 14! 2 weeks of music. This song is also special because a) it's the longest one yet, and b) it takes the whole thing over the 30 minute mark. So hooray for little victories!
This one was done in literally an hour, and it features the ukulele! Folks with good ears will enjoy this one because throughout the course of the song, the ukulele slowly falls out of tune. I personally think it adds to the song. I was going to put a little slide guitar in there, but I decided against it (mostly to save time). But maybe it'll be on the final album version. Now that I think of it, there was going to be a lot more to this song.
Anyways, this is the third part of the 3-part song about the big flood. And finally, the lovers (sorta) are reunited, as she is passing in a boat. Maybe some sort of plumber-boat specially made for this type of emergency. It's important to note that she isn't exactly happy about this, but our main character certainly appears to be. Also, I'm probably going to be giving the beautiful female plumber a name soon, as I'm sick of referring to her that way. Unless I start calling her the BFP. Also, I was informed the other day that there was a special on female plumbers on the Today Show, so I think I'm onto something here.
Look everyone, it's day 14! 2 weeks of music. This song is also special because a) it's the longest one yet, and b) it takes the whole thing over the 30 minute mark. So hooray for little victories!
This one was done in literally an hour, and it features the ukulele! Folks with good ears will enjoy this one because throughout the course of the song, the ukulele slowly falls out of tune. I personally think it adds to the song. I was going to put a little slide guitar in there, but I decided against it (mostly to save time). But maybe it'll be on the final album version. Now that I think of it, there was going to be a lot more to this song.
Anyways, this is the third part of the 3-part song about the big flood. And finally, the lovers (sorta) are reunited, as she is passing in a boat. Maybe some sort of plumber-boat specially made for this type of emergency. It's important to note that she isn't exactly happy about this, but our main character certainly appears to be. Also, I'm probably going to be giving the beautiful female plumber a name soon, as I'm sick of referring to her that way. Unless I start calling her the BFP. Also, I was informed the other day that there was a special on female plumbers on the Today Show, so I think I'm onto something here.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Day 13 - Inondazione pt. 2
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day13.mp3
Alright, so this one isn't much, at all...but I've been busy, OK?!? I'm also posting it quite early because it's Memorial Day, and I will soon be attending a cookout.
If you are very observant, you will see that I changed the title of yesterday's piece to include (Inondazione pt. 1) This, obviously, is part 2. There will be a third part tomorrow, but I have no idea what it's going to be, and it'll probably be just as rushed as this one. All three parts are just depicting the flood happening throughout the city, and possibly the world. As it is the second part, you have to imagine it beginning immediately after the end of the last one. It would go something like this. Duhhhhhhhhh dududududu. BOOM. It'll work. I hope.
For this one, I really just wanted to introduce the little melody in the middle so I could use it later. I've had that melody floating around my head for a long long time, and I never really got it down anywhere. But I thought it could be cool to come back to later down the line. So this is more of me just building up my melody stash for later.
Also, that melody is REALLY hard to "ooh." REALLY hard. My sister was having trouble with it, and I didn't fully appreciate her pain until I had to sing it myself. After reading that, you'll probably try to ooh along with it, and you'll think you're doing it right, but trust me, it's not the same. Microphones can be quite unforgiving sometimes. (Speaking of microphones, I'm only using one microphone for this entire project, a Rode NT1-a). So if the melody DOES come back, you can be sure it won't be in a vocal part.
So yep, have a good Memorial Day everyone!
Alright, so this one isn't much, at all...but I've been busy, OK?!? I'm also posting it quite early because it's Memorial Day, and I will soon be attending a cookout.
If you are very observant, you will see that I changed the title of yesterday's piece to include (Inondazione pt. 1) This, obviously, is part 2. There will be a third part tomorrow, but I have no idea what it's going to be, and it'll probably be just as rushed as this one. All three parts are just depicting the flood happening throughout the city, and possibly the world. As it is the second part, you have to imagine it beginning immediately after the end of the last one. It would go something like this. Duhhhhhhhhh dududududu. BOOM. It'll work. I hope.
For this one, I really just wanted to introduce the little melody in the middle so I could use it later. I've had that melody floating around my head for a long long time, and I never really got it down anywhere. But I thought it could be cool to come back to later down the line. So this is more of me just building up my melody stash for later.
Also, that melody is REALLY hard to "ooh." REALLY hard. My sister was having trouble with it, and I didn't fully appreciate her pain until I had to sing it myself. After reading that, you'll probably try to ooh along with it, and you'll think you're doing it right, but trust me, it's not the same. Microphones can be quite unforgiving sometimes. (Speaking of microphones, I'm only using one microphone for this entire project, a Rode NT1-a). So if the melody DOES come back, you can be sure it won't be in a vocal part.
So yep, have a good Memorial Day everyone!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Day 12 - "When it Dries (Inondazione pt. 1)"
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day12.mp3
This one wins the award for most work yet. I spent a whole lot of time on this one, and while that alone doesn't make it the best yet, I think it's in the top few. The music itself isn't necessarily weird, but it does give off the impression that I just strung a few riffs together however I felt like it. That's about half true. I was also very pleased to learn that I can quite easily play sixteenth notes in 5/4 time at 220 bpm (if you really want to count it in quarter notes).
Probably the strangest thing about the whole project is how much better I'm getting at guitar because of it. I would also like to take this moment remind the guitar players out there that open C tuning is the way to go, always. It's been 4 years since I switched to it, and I do not plan on switching back for quite some time.
The vocal part in the middle of the song is actually a sort of reprise, going all the way back to Day 2! But this time, I nailed the harmonies a little better, and it sounds a whole lot more "right."
So this is the main character, sitting on the rooftop (of the water treatment plant, I guess), watching chaos ensue below him. I promised you some metal, so here it is.
Also I would like to remind the audience that I am not being paid for offering you all of this free, seemingly endless entertainment...instead, I work for comments. Anonymous comments are COOL, but leaving your name is WAY COOL. So if you want to be as cool as this, leave a comment, and don't be shy...tell me who you are!
(but I'd rather have anonymous than none at all...)
This one wins the award for most work yet. I spent a whole lot of time on this one, and while that alone doesn't make it the best yet, I think it's in the top few. The music itself isn't necessarily weird, but it does give off the impression that I just strung a few riffs together however I felt like it. That's about half true. I was also very pleased to learn that I can quite easily play sixteenth notes in 5/4 time at 220 bpm (if you really want to count it in quarter notes).
Probably the strangest thing about the whole project is how much better I'm getting at guitar because of it. I would also like to take this moment remind the guitar players out there that open C tuning is the way to go, always. It's been 4 years since I switched to it, and I do not plan on switching back for quite some time.
The vocal part in the middle of the song is actually a sort of reprise, going all the way back to Day 2! But this time, I nailed the harmonies a little better, and it sounds a whole lot more "right."
So this is the main character, sitting on the rooftop (of the water treatment plant, I guess), watching chaos ensue below him. I promised you some metal, so here it is.
Also I would like to remind the audience that I am not being paid for offering you all of this free, seemingly endless entertainment...instead, I work for comments. Anonymous comments are COOL, but leaving your name is WAY COOL. So if you want to be as cool as this, leave a comment, and don't be shy...tell me who you are!
(but I'd rather have anonymous than none at all...)
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Day 11 - "The Control Room"
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day11.mp3
So, the actual song for today isn't phenomenal, but I think the production of it was pretty surprisingly good. I really had absolutely nothing planned for this one, and by the end it almost sounded a little pop-country-ish.
Now the story gets going again. This one is preeeeeety far fetched, but here's whats supposed to be happening. After our hero sabotages his own house to see his love again, he fails (the male plumber shows up instead.) So in this one, he's taking it about ten steps further by infiltrating his city's water treatment plant. Inside he finds a big red button marked "nation's water supply", and he presses it. For some fantastical reason, this dumps out all of the water...everywhere, causing a flood on a massive scale. Un inondazione, if you will. I haven't really decided if he floods the entire world, or just the country, but either way, it's bad, and he's a pretty evil dude for doing it. That's basically what you need to know. If you think this part of the story is weird, or doesn't make sense, you might be in for some more suprises later down the line. I've got some ideas, yes indeed.
Also, for some reason, this song is sung as a voicemail to the main character's friend. I have absolutely no idea why I decided to do this, other than the fact that when I started playing the chords on my guitar, the first words out of my mouth were "Hey man, I'm calling you back."
This song taught me a valuable lesson: bad lyrics can be covered up if they're immediately followed by a jarring sound effect.
I've had lots of fun comments on this thing. To respond to some of them:
-Yes, you can play or sing on the album if you want, just let me know when you want to do it and I'll write a song just for you.
-The story seems like it's going nowhere, but hey, I'm taking it 2 minutes at a time, and there are still 29 songs left in this thing. Relax...trust your friend Dan.
-Yes, some of the songs are too short. But that's better than too long, right? RIGHT?!?
Anyways, enjoy today's. Heavy on the plot development, light on the originality. Forecast for tomorrow: epic, with a 100% chance of metal.
So, the actual song for today isn't phenomenal, but I think the production of it was pretty surprisingly good. I really had absolutely nothing planned for this one, and by the end it almost sounded a little pop-country-ish.
Now the story gets going again. This one is preeeeeety far fetched, but here's whats supposed to be happening. After our hero sabotages his own house to see his love again, he fails (the male plumber shows up instead.) So in this one, he's taking it about ten steps further by infiltrating his city's water treatment plant. Inside he finds a big red button marked "nation's water supply", and he presses it. For some fantastical reason, this dumps out all of the water...everywhere, causing a flood on a massive scale. Un inondazione, if you will. I haven't really decided if he floods the entire world, or just the country, but either way, it's bad, and he's a pretty evil dude for doing it. That's basically what you need to know. If you think this part of the story is weird, or doesn't make sense, you might be in for some more suprises later down the line. I've got some ideas, yes indeed.
Also, for some reason, this song is sung as a voicemail to the main character's friend. I have absolutely no idea why I decided to do this, other than the fact that when I started playing the chords on my guitar, the first words out of my mouth were "Hey man, I'm calling you back."
This song taught me a valuable lesson: bad lyrics can be covered up if they're immediately followed by a jarring sound effect.
I've had lots of fun comments on this thing. To respond to some of them:
-Yes, you can play or sing on the album if you want, just let me know when you want to do it and I'll write a song just for you.
-The story seems like it's going nowhere, but hey, I'm taking it 2 minutes at a time, and there are still 29 songs left in this thing. Relax...trust your friend Dan.
-Yes, some of the songs are too short. But that's better than too long, right? RIGHT?!?
Anyways, enjoy today's. Heavy on the plot development, light on the originality. Forecast for tomorrow: epic, with a 100% chance of metal.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Day 10 - "Why I Plumb"
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day10.mp3
This one is great. It's only about a minute long, but expect to listen to it at least 10 times in a row. I wanted to write something like the ridiculous Mozart opera stuff I saw on the videos in music history. To me, Mozart's music sounds like it was written before anyone had any problems, and I don't really mean that in a good way. So, this is me making fun of goofy music by writing more goofy music.
Maria sings on this one again. The female plumber is explaining to you, the audience, why she does what she does...what keeps her going each day, etc. Since the lyrics at the end don't quite emphasize it enough, I'll give you the character development I was going for: she became a plumber because she can't swim, and if someone doesn't keep the water where it's supposed to be, something disastrous could happen...
Oh, and don't forget to DANCE! Grab your favorite person and waltz for exactly 15 seconds when you are instructed to.
Edit: Also, thanks to everyone for the comments, and for listening! I'm a quarter of the way there, and without your support I would have given up by now!
This one is great. It's only about a minute long, but expect to listen to it at least 10 times in a row. I wanted to write something like the ridiculous Mozart opera stuff I saw on the videos in music history. To me, Mozart's music sounds like it was written before anyone had any problems, and I don't really mean that in a good way. So, this is me making fun of goofy music by writing more goofy music.
Maria sings on this one again. The female plumber is explaining to you, the audience, why she does what she does...what keeps her going each day, etc. Since the lyrics at the end don't quite emphasize it enough, I'll give you the character development I was going for: she became a plumber because she can't swim, and if someone doesn't keep the water where it's supposed to be, something disastrous could happen...
Oh, and don't forget to DANCE! Grab your favorite person and waltz for exactly 15 seconds when you are instructed to.
Edit: Also, thanks to everyone for the comments, and for listening! I'm a quarter of the way there, and without your support I would have given up by now!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Day 9 - "A Watery Lullaby"
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day9.mp3
This one isn't much, but I like it. It's my sister Maria singing again, but there are no lyrics, as you will hear. Wrote this one pretty quickly. There were actually a lot more instruments on here, but I just started taking more and more of them away, so this is what's left.
As for how this fits into the story...I don't really know. I suppose if it was in a movie, this would be sort of the opposite of the last song. If the main character was singing and looking out his window, now the girl plumber is doing the same thing. Then, in this fictional movie, it would cut back and forth between her singing and him going to sleep after he's done singing...sort of like she's singing him to sleep, but they're nowhere near each other. So if anyone wants to go ahead and write that down on the list of ideas for the feature film, that would be fantastic.
Oh, and for you music nerds, WATCH out for the sneaky switch from 4 to 3! It'll get you every time.
The story gets back on track tomorrow, and it's going to be a real treat. Tomorrow's song is easily my favorite thus far. And so I continue the pattern of good song - OK song - good song, etc. Oh well. Enjoy!
This one isn't much, but I like it. It's my sister Maria singing again, but there are no lyrics, as you will hear. Wrote this one pretty quickly. There were actually a lot more instruments on here, but I just started taking more and more of them away, so this is what's left.
As for how this fits into the story...I don't really know. I suppose if it was in a movie, this would be sort of the opposite of the last song. If the main character was singing and looking out his window, now the girl plumber is doing the same thing. Then, in this fictional movie, it would cut back and forth between her singing and him going to sleep after he's done singing...sort of like she's singing him to sleep, but they're nowhere near each other. So if anyone wants to go ahead and write that down on the list of ideas for the feature film, that would be fantastic.
Oh, and for you music nerds, WATCH out for the sneaky switch from 4 to 3! It'll get you every time.
The story gets back on track tomorrow, and it's going to be a real treat. Tomorrow's song is easily my favorite thus far. And so I continue the pattern of good song - OK song - good song, etc. Oh well. Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Day 8 - "Shine"
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day8.mp3
I think this is probably the best song yet. I knew early on that some of the better songs should stay away from the story a bit, so that they could be taken out of context and still be nice songs. So in this one, I kept the lyrics a lot more vague, so that it's just a nice/depressing unrequited love ballad. In other words, you don't have to be in love with a plumber to connect with this one on some level. I think it still works in the story, though...every musical needs a good staring-out-the-window song, and I think this one fills that spot pretty well. Obviously, this is the main character reflecting on his romantic situation.
This whole project is definitely looking up now...I think the songs are getting better on average, and the writing process is getting quicker and a lot more enjoyable. In other words...it's working!
I think this is probably the best song yet. I knew early on that some of the better songs should stay away from the story a bit, so that they could be taken out of context and still be nice songs. So in this one, I kept the lyrics a lot more vague, so that it's just a nice/depressing unrequited love ballad. In other words, you don't have to be in love with a plumber to connect with this one on some level. I think it still works in the story, though...every musical needs a good staring-out-the-window song, and I think this one fills that spot pretty well. Obviously, this is the main character reflecting on his romantic situation.
This whole project is definitely looking up now...I think the songs are getting better on average, and the writing process is getting quicker and a lot more enjoyable. In other words...it's working!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Day 7 - "Tubi Belli Plumbing (reprise)"
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day7.mp3
So, this one has a lot of explanation to it. First, I knew as soon as I wrote "Day 3" that this one had to happen. After our hero sabotages his plumbing, he calls up Tubi Belli plumbing to schedule an appointment. Unfortunately, instead of the beautiful female plumber showing up, a different employee arrives, and unfortunately, this one likes to sing as well.
I was hoping someone else would do the voice of the new plumber for me (like my dad!), but no one was available, so I did it. So you get to laugh at me doing my best gruff singing plumber voice. I thought this track would turn out a lot funnier than it actually did...my voice is simply not gruff enough. I may re-record the vocal track for the final version of the album.
Also, there's a baby crying in the song. I thought it would be funny to have it in there to emphasize the contrast between the beautiful version of this song sung by Maria, and the rather annoying (on purpose) version of it here. However, this backfired too, as I think the baby just made the song a lot cuter, not more annoying. The glockenspiel didn't exactly bring down the cute factor either. Oh well.
This is day 7! A week's worth of music, and morale is still high. It really is just a matter of time before the whole thing just devolves into complete nonsense and/or madness, but it won't be for quite a while. Tomorrow's is a good one too!
So, this one has a lot of explanation to it. First, I knew as soon as I wrote "Day 3" that this one had to happen. After our hero sabotages his plumbing, he calls up Tubi Belli plumbing to schedule an appointment. Unfortunately, instead of the beautiful female plumber showing up, a different employee arrives, and unfortunately, this one likes to sing as well.
I was hoping someone else would do the voice of the new plumber for me (like my dad!), but no one was available, so I did it. So you get to laugh at me doing my best gruff singing plumber voice. I thought this track would turn out a lot funnier than it actually did...my voice is simply not gruff enough. I may re-record the vocal track for the final version of the album.
Also, there's a baby crying in the song. I thought it would be funny to have it in there to emphasize the contrast between the beautiful version of this song sung by Maria, and the rather annoying (on purpose) version of it here. However, this backfired too, as I think the baby just made the song a lot cuter, not more annoying. The glockenspiel didn't exactly bring down the cute factor either. Oh well.
This is day 7! A week's worth of music, and morale is still high. It really is just a matter of time before the whole thing just devolves into complete nonsense and/or madness, but it won't be for quite a while. Tomorrow's is a good one too!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Day 6 - "Sabotage"
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day6.mp3
Alright, so this one started out COMPLETELY different than what you hear now. This was going to be an all out percussion fest...with banging on pipes and whatnot, but then I realize I don't have any pipes laying around, and it was pretty late at night when I finished it up. It's supposed to represent our hero tearing up his plumbing in an effort to see his unrequited love for a second time.
So I found some cool pipe sounds, and then I found some other sounds that I really liked, and I made a little beat, and by the end of it, it had nothing to do with anything, other than the fact that it was pretty dark, which I liked. This is a dark moment in the story, so I think it works. The little melody is mostly stolen from Liszt's "La Campanella" piano etude, one of about 5 "classical" pieces I really like. Here's an awesome video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=5y9Wiqsd9xY
So anyone, this one is alright. If nothing else, I've never written anything in F# minor before. So that's cool.
Alright, so this one started out COMPLETELY different than what you hear now. This was going to be an all out percussion fest...with banging on pipes and whatnot, but then I realize I don't have any pipes laying around, and it was pretty late at night when I finished it up. It's supposed to represent our hero tearing up his plumbing in an effort to see his unrequited love for a second time.
So I found some cool pipe sounds, and then I found some other sounds that I really liked, and I made a little beat, and by the end of it, it had nothing to do with anything, other than the fact that it was pretty dark, which I liked. This is a dark moment in the story, so I think it works. The little melody is mostly stolen from Liszt's "La Campanella" piano etude, one of about 5 "classical" pieces I really like. Here's an awesome video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=5y9Wiqsd9xY
So anyone, this one is alright. If nothing else, I've never written anything in F# minor before. So that's cool.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Day 5 - "From the Bottom of My Heart"
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day5.mp3
Ok, so here's the thing about this one. I love the song, but as I was working on it, I realized it was almost an exact copy of Tub Ring's "I Could Never Fall In Love With You." Some of the lyrics are similar, the hand claps are the same, the main riff is essentially the same, and lots of other little things came right out of that song. I also stole a little melody from the intro of "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahontas, for whatever reason. AND on top of that, there's a little nod to Dick Dale in the guitar solo track. You'll hear all of it. So, awesome song, but written with questionable methods.
In the song, our hero decides he needs to see the beautiful plumber again. His new love is clouding his judgement, and so he decides that the only way to see her again is to sabotage his plumbing so that she returns. Yes, in today's futuristic world, we can actually call businesses on the telephone and find out employee's names, but that's just not very romantic.
The lyrics, since it's a little muddy:
---
So yep, I like this one, though the mixing is kind of a nightmare. Comments!
Ok, so here's the thing about this one. I love the song, but as I was working on it, I realized it was almost an exact copy of Tub Ring's "I Could Never Fall In Love With You." Some of the lyrics are similar, the hand claps are the same, the main riff is essentially the same, and lots of other little things came right out of that song. I also stole a little melody from the intro of "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahontas, for whatever reason. AND on top of that, there's a little nod to Dick Dale in the guitar solo track. You'll hear all of it. So, awesome song, but written with questionable methods.
In the song, our hero decides he needs to see the beautiful plumber again. His new love is clouding his judgement, and so he decides that the only way to see her again is to sabotage his plumbing so that she returns. Yes, in today's futuristic world, we can actually call businesses on the telephone and find out employee's names, but that's just not very romantic.
The lyrics, since it's a little muddy:
Now I know just what I have to do
So that I know exactly where you’ll be
From the bottom of my heart
I’ll tear it all apart
Just to make you fall in love with me
There will be destruction by my hand
My living room will turn into a sea
Oh it’s such a shame
I don’t even know your name
But soon enough you’ll be alone with me.
I pick up a hammer and prepare
I target everything that I can see
From the bottom of my heart
I’ll tear it all apart
Just to make you fall in love with me.
---
So yep, I like this one, though the mixing is kind of a nightmare. Comments!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Day 4 - "All Wet (reprise)"
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day4.mp3
I knew going into this project that the reprise would be an important survival tool. I'm a little disappointed that the first reprise had to come this early, but it's alright. This one is a nice little ditty I did very early this morning.
In this track, our hero comes to a very predictable realization: he's got some strong feelings for the lovely plumber from yesterday.
Tomorrow's track is awesome, so make sure to check it out.
Comments, people, comments! (Although there's not much to say about this one) Comments!
I knew going into this project that the reprise would be an important survival tool. I'm a little disappointed that the first reprise had to come this early, but it's alright. This one is a nice little ditty I did very early this morning.
In this track, our hero comes to a very predictable realization: he's got some strong feelings for the lovely plumber from yesterday.
Tomorrow's track is awesome, so make sure to check it out.
Comments, people, comments! (Although there's not much to say about this one) Comments!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Day 3 - "Tubi Belli Plumbing"
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day3.mp3
Finally! The first good song is here. I wrote the melody to this one in literally 5 minutes, on my way out the door. Then I wrote all the lyrics during some of the dead time at work. Which brings up an interesting point...even though I said I'm taking a day to write each song, it's actually no more than about 2 hours for each. One of the things I wanted to make sure of was that this project didn't get in the way of my social or work life...all I have to do is replace my few hours of bumming around on the internet each day with songwriting. It's kind of like a diet...for the soul.
This song features my sister Maria as a beautiful female plumber, who is, at this point in the story, nameless. She is a skilled employee of Tubi Belli plumbing, and apparently likes to sing a bit while she works. By the end of this song, you should pick up on where the story is headed.
I'm very happy with this one. Expect to hear Maria singing throughout the rest of the project...she's a quick learner!
Finally! The first good song is here. I wrote the melody to this one in literally 5 minutes, on my way out the door. Then I wrote all the lyrics during some of the dead time at work. Which brings up an interesting point...even though I said I'm taking a day to write each song, it's actually no more than about 2 hours for each. One of the things I wanted to make sure of was that this project didn't get in the way of my social or work life...all I have to do is replace my few hours of bumming around on the internet each day with songwriting. It's kind of like a diet...for the soul.
This song features my sister Maria as a beautiful female plumber, who is, at this point in the story, nameless. She is a skilled employee of Tubi Belli plumbing, and apparently likes to sing a bit while she works. By the end of this song, you should pick up on where the story is headed.
I'm very happy with this one. Expect to hear Maria singing throughout the rest of the project...she's a quick learner!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Day 2 - "P"
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day2.mp3
So when I started this project (yesterday), I decided it would be a good idea to see how long I could last without making a metal song. I lasted exactly one day. To you metal-haters: there won't be that much more. To you metalheads: when the metal does return, it will be heavier, and I could very well be working on the first musical with a blastbeat. But for now, I can rest easy tonight knowing that I've written the only metal song about flipping through a phonebook.
After the flood that took place in yesterday's song, our hero decides it would be a good idea to hire a plumber to get things in order. That brings him to the Yellow Pages, which make a brief guest appearance in the song (as a musical instrument). The chord progression is what I call the "Batman progression" (minor i to major II for you music nerds). I'm not sure if it's actually in a Batman movie, but I feel like it is.
Since the lyrics are a little hard to hear:
Here I am looking through the phonebook
And I flip right to the letter "P"
Countless names of plumbers fill the pages
But which is the perfect one for me?
"Tubi Belli Plumbing!"
Tubi Belli is Italian for "beautiful pipes/tubes", at least according to freetranslation.com. So...maybe a little clue?
I feel a little better about this one. Tomorrow's song, however, is fantastic. (I'm actually doing each song the day before I post it, don't remember if I mentioned that.) So come back tomorrow, for sure.
So when I started this project (yesterday), I decided it would be a good idea to see how long I could last without making a metal song. I lasted exactly one day. To you metal-haters: there won't be that much more. To you metalheads: when the metal does return, it will be heavier, and I could very well be working on the first musical with a blastbeat. But for now, I can rest easy tonight knowing that I've written the only metal song about flipping through a phonebook.
After the flood that took place in yesterday's song, our hero decides it would be a good idea to hire a plumber to get things in order. That brings him to the Yellow Pages, which make a brief guest appearance in the song (as a musical instrument). The chord progression is what I call the "Batman progression" (minor i to major II for you music nerds). I'm not sure if it's actually in a Batman movie, but I feel like it is.
Since the lyrics are a little hard to hear:
Here I am looking through the phonebook
And I flip right to the letter "P"
Countless names of plumbers fill the pages
But which is the perfect one for me?
"Tubi Belli Plumbing!"
Tubi Belli is Italian for "beautiful pipes/tubes", at least according to freetranslation.com. So...maybe a little clue?
I feel a little better about this one. Tomorrow's song, however, is fantastic. (I'm actually doing each song the day before I post it, don't remember if I mentioned that.) So come back tomorrow, for sure.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Day 1 - "All Wet"
Link: http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/day1.mp3
Well, here it is, the first day's music. I'm definitely a little on the disappointed side, but it could have started off much worse.
Seeing as how the project is going to last 40 days, I decided on the obvious: it has to be a flood story. So our narrative begins with a man whose heart, and plumbing, have recently become broken.
Upon hearing the track, you may think to yourself, "Dan, you're digging yourself into a hole by starting your musical with poop humor." But you're just going to have to trust me. It's going to get better, and by better I mean weirder.
Finally, don't listen to this, or anything else, on built-in laptop speakers. It's gross.
Well, here it is, the first day's music. I'm definitely a little on the disappointed side, but it could have started off much worse.
Seeing as how the project is going to last 40 days, I decided on the obvious: it has to be a flood story. So our narrative begins with a man whose heart, and plumbing, have recently become broken.
Upon hearing the track, you may think to yourself, "Dan, you're digging yourself into a hole by starting your musical with poop humor." But you're just going to have to trust me. It's going to get better, and by better I mean weirder.
Finally, don't listen to this, or anything else, on built-in laptop speakers. It's gross.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
First post
As the description of the blog says, I'm going to be composing a musical, by writing a song a day for 40 days. All of the music will be posted here beginning Wednesday, if all goes according to plan. So bookmark this page and check it out often! The songs will only be up for a few days. Leave comments as often as possible! Since I won't even know where the plot of is headed, you can leave suggestions and you might just change the course of the project altogether!
And now, some free music: if you haven't already, download my latest opus, "Love Songs to my Future Girlfriend: A Musical Request for a Female Companion" here:
http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/DWLoveSongs.zip .
This album was written and recorded in one week, so it'll be quite comparable to what I'll be doing for this next project. I've got about 20 other albums, so if you enjoy my music, contact me and you can have any of them for free.
Next time I post here, the first song will be up, and 40 days after that, a new musical will have been born...that is, if I survive. Wish me luck!
Dan
And now, some free music: if you haven't already, download my latest opus, "Love Songs to my Future Girlfriend: A Musical Request for a Female Companion" here:
http://djwaldkirch.iweb.bsu.edu/DWLoveSongs.zip .
This album was written and recorded in one week, so it'll be quite comparable to what I'll be doing for this next project. I've got about 20 other albums, so if you enjoy my music, contact me and you can have any of them for free.
Next time I post here, the first song will be up, and 40 days after that, a new musical will have been born...that is, if I survive. Wish me luck!
Dan
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