Jazzimprov

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Jazzimprov

Author Comments

This is an improvistation with a somewhat jazzy (some kind at least) style that I recorded about two weeks ago or so. As usually, I recorded it on my Yamaha Clavinova CLP - 230 (Reverb/EQ added with Cubase).
I chose the genre "Solo Instrument" (even though it's an octaved piano), as the title kind of already hints that there just perhaps might be a bit of jazziness to the piece :p
As usually, the title is of course most creative. I have no idea where it came from; the idea just popped into my head somehow while listening through what I had played o.O

Now, let me tell you a secret. For some reason, I absolutely suck at everything when it comes to jazz, I can't explain why. Probably because of my bad sense of rythm (although it has gotten better). As you'll notice, I'm only really using one scale through the entire piece, and the same general three or four chords, with minor changes here and there. The rhythm stays pretty much the same as well. This makes for a pretty boring piece, I'd say, not to take into account all the obvious mistakes. Not only that, but my left hand played very stale stuff for some reason, it would seem :/ This may work as backround music, but can only take a couple of minutes or so of active listening, imo :')

The recording actually stopped in the middle of everything, as all my storage on the piano was full -_-
No matter, as I simply faded away the rest instead XD

That said:

En... Joy?

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1080Pineapple

2015-02-04 10:32:08

For some reason I feel like it's a jazzy kingdom hearts. Maybe it's because of the minor base chord progression. Anyway, this is sick :p

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

You've got a good ear! This isn't meant to resemble Kingdom Hearts, but the chords I used are pretty much the same as the ones used in "Dearly Beloved" (even in the same key!)
Thanks for the review ;)

TaintedLogic

2014-11-30 21:58:16

Ooooo...so jazzy! :D This piece really displays your excellent sense of rhythm. I love the variety - sometimes it's emotional and light, at other times it's dark, energetic and heavy. I'm usually a fan of using clashing chords to channel emotion, but I think you almost went a little too far this time. Improvised jazz can seem random if not carefully structured. That said, there was a good sense of direction throughout the piece. I thought it was all pretty smooth-flowing, and I especially love the transition into 4:45. Very groovy around that part. It then quickly evolves into a lighter, emotional piece around 5:10, though - I love all the ups and downs! I also really liked the part at 6:50. There's no doubt that you're incredibly skilled at playing the piano. I would suggest that you try this improv again with some of the same themes/ideas, now that you've had an initial chance to flesh them out. I understand that you used only a few chords throughout, and it's all in the same key, but to the casual listener it comes off as a little arbitrary at times. Oh, and I know the recording got cut off while you were playing, but please at least reverb your way out next time (yes, I just used "reverb" as a verb). Electronic manipulation would do you some good at the end of this piece in order to properly wrap it up. Sorry I'm being so critical. Overall, I was very impressed, of course. Keep up the great work! I love your piano improvs, LSD! :D

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Hahha, jazzy indeed. I don't know.. My sense of rhythm is actually not that good, considering I'm a musician. It is improving though!
Variety is a pretty common thing in my compositions and improvisations. That said, I personally think this is a quite repetitive improv. The only thing that really changes some is the melody, and it's in the same key all the time :)

"Improvised jazz can seem random if not carefully structured"

=> Oh, I assure you, this is very random and not carefully structured XD

4:45 was really a total accident, and I lost grasp of the jazziness for a while. Mistakes though, don't have to be bad! I always find that the most interesting of results and sounds show up because of them ;)

Ups and downs ey? I pretty much unconsciously play around the whole piano, using softer and harsher tones without even thinking about it. I guess it's just the flow, when you're living through the music (or something else that is as cheesy).

You know, I probably will try working with the same theme again sometime in the future!

Yeah. There's nothing initially wrong with playing everything using the same chords and the same key. As long as it sounds good and keeps the listener listening, everything is fine :)

That ending was quite rushed indeed...

Wait... Critical? I must have missed something XD

Thanks for another long review! I owe you a good one in one of your future songs ;)

neBSounds

2014-10-29 08:59:42

Great little improv, do you mind if I sample it?

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Thanks, and no I don't mind; I'd be happy if you did! :D

UrnSudden

2014-10-25 21:34:12

As a standalone piece, this is great! But as has been covered through some of the other reviews, the rhythm doesn't breathe a good jazz kind of feeling. Your right hand certainly knows what it's doing, haha, but the left is playing on the first beat of the measure almost exclusively. I'd try practicing getting a good pulse on the offbeats with your left, maybe a 1-(rest)-(and)-3-4 kind of rhythm, and work the right hand into the emotion of the left.

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Thanks for the tips! I'll make sure to take them to heart ;)
Once I get time...
(Oh, and my right hand sure doesn't know what it's doing; it's just pretending! That's a secret though, so shh!!!)

Mattashi

2014-10-19 17:00:11

Great Improv! I heard lots of beautiful melodies in this while listening :)

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Thanks for yet another uplifting review, and for listening in the first place!