LSD at it again, with a very cool Jazz style. I've heard that Jazz is quite challenging, and I don't hear it that much on NG compared to other genres, so kudos!
Author Comments
This is the track that I composed for the second round of the NGMT. Somehow, it ended up scoring the most points for that round. And that is despite the lack of a bass, and despite the percussion that I didn't have time to do properly (I started too late)... So I excuse myself for not giving this track its full potential, as the percussion kinda messes things up here and there XD
Thanks a lot!
Anywho. I made this track by first thinking out some basic chords I would use (about 30 of them, as this is jazz). After that, I improvised for 5 minutes at a time, several times. The 6th time, it sounded pretty good, and there were no real mistakes, so I ended up taking that midi file, and applied it to soundfonts (A bright Piano and a Rhodes) from the Fluid GM bank (which was a requirement for the round).
After that, I was in a hurry to add some basic percussion (also soundfont), so I did that. Of course, the track still sounded empty, and I would've wanted to add a guitar and a bass. But the only thing I had time for is the sax, that enters after the 1:30 mark (ofc, soundfont). Luckily, I was feeling the flow, and came up with some pretty neat melodies. The time I spent playing with the Big Band, and going to Jazz bars with my grandfather seem to have payed off :p
Anywho. The contest can be viewed here:
http://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/topic/1400791
And the wonderful and inspiring art was created by Kiabugboy:
http://kiabugboy.newgrounds.com/
Now, if possible, enjoy some old soundfont chill music!
LucidShadowDreamer responds:
One again, you're quick to leave nice reviews :)
There is jazz here on there on Newgrounds, but you almost need to look for it to find it. Jazz is definitely not one of my stronger sides. I'm not sure that I'd call it more difficult at this point, depending on how you approach it. Then again, I've played in a Big Band, and I go to jazz bars quite often, so I hear a fair share of jazz. But in the end, like with every style, it just comes down to analyzing what makes the genre what it is, and go from there. I already use a lot of chords (complex ones too), in almost every piano piece that I make, so in that way, the difference with jazz is mostly the rhythm and style. I find dubstep to be a lot more challening XD
But I think that it differes for different people, depending on their background to music :)
Didn't mean to go on a weird rant there, but it kinda happened, hahha.
I really feel like composing something big now, but I kinda have projects to work on.... Ugh....
Thanks again!
Chills, my friend. It brought one of the hugest smiles to my face. I think of a 1920's/40's smokey bar or speakeasy with the dame and the hard nosed, distinguished chin looking man sipping a martini and smoking in the dark, glaring at the sexy singer. Very nice, relaxing and full of life in my opinion.
LucidShadowDreamer responds:
Thanks, Jay :3
Yeah, I was definitely imagining that kind of bar when making this. I'm glad to hear that you liked it. Sorry I haven't updated you lately, but I've been pretty busy (apart from the anime I watched), so I don't have anything physical yet. But I have tons of ideas for Audra's theme now (I've been playing around on the piano, and been getting myself some inspiration). I'm hoping to catch a lot of different emotions in the track, which all connect together to reflect her.
Also, good work with your uploads lately! You sure do a lot, quickly :D
I'm always fan of jazz when it appears on my feed. Your elements are nice. Piano - as always - is super! The drums is probably what really captures it. I love how ambient it is in comparison to your piano who is sitting in the front of it all. GAH! The song has such a weird combo!! You got really nice piano playing jazz and then an ambient kinda drum kit. Hmm, Interesting...I think I'm floating. ~~
Well done!
LucidShadowDreamer responds:
Yeah. I rarely compose anything jazzy, as it's usually not my style. But if it's for a competition, I'll go for it. I like the drumset (or the soundfont drums) that I was using, but I didn't have time to make some good beats out of it, and I had to repeat a lot too, which distanced the beat from the piano to some extent. The piece is indeed a bit ambient. I wanted it to be experienced as something you listen to in the background of a (dark) pub, while you're talking to friends, or sitting alone and enjoying the music. Thanks for listening and for reviewing!
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