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Since December 2010 I've been working on a song - or well, I guess the correct way to phrase it would be, that I've had an unfinished song. One of those things, that when I sit down at the piano, I'll play a couple of the sections and modify some stuff. It won't stay modified though - I know that to make the song as good as it can possibly be, I need to change the surroundings - or well, the whole scape of the song. Add things that I can't on the piano.
So ... the way I go about music is often to start out with improvising - that is the core of my whole "style". When I was young my biggest inspiration was Keith Jarrett (I guess he still is in many ways), but somewhere along the way I stumbled onto this amazing program called Ableton. Having no one to teach me, I sat down myself and started learning how it all came together, when you were actually making a song.
In December 2010 I made a song, that I was actually quite satisfied with. It wasn't done, mind you, but I liked what I had ended up with. I decided, that I'd come back to the song later - in a few months maybe, when a fresh pair of eyes and a new and revitalized mind would look upon the picture I was painting differently. Well, I tried to sit down and work with the music, but nothing came. Until today, where I decided to rework the whole song.
The Search
It's not done - but I can feel that I've developed a ton over the course of the past three years. I still lack a ton - but improving and inventing is part of the challenge that makes music what it is. This is a recording of a mix I did about an hour ago - I do quite a bit of it live, record it all in arrangement view and then render it.
I think ... there's atleast a good 20-25 hours left until I can possibly have this song done. Probably quite a bit more - fine tuning always takes ages, and when you're done with that, you've discovered something that HAS to be changed or REALLY should be implemented - and then you fine tune again.
It feels good though - getting it out of your system. I've been working on this song, have had it in my mind for so long, that I really need to get it done. Do I like how it all sounds right now? Well ... I think the drums might be scrapped completely and redone - probably something with more "movement" that differs from the "movement" created by the rest of the players. Something sidechained would be nice - but of course listening to french music just makes you want to sidechain every single fucking thing. The whole ending part is probably what I'm the least happy about, though that isn't to say, that I'm not gonna work on the intro section and the middle section a ton too. Hmm ... Maybe separate the sounds some more, I guess ...
Well - whatever happens, I think I might finally soon be rid of this song !
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Always amazing to see someone put so much work in a piece. 
It was not my kind of music, really. But your blog was worth the read (and the listening to the song!)
I hope you can finish your song soon - and then move on to the next one. What a great hobby you have there.
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i love the part between 1 and 2 minute marks. Especially the slightly glitchy syncopation. The part after 2:20 kinda loses me once the percussion comes in. Maybe you should try a more muffled, mellow percussion track? Keep workin' at it. ^_^
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I definitely think the rhythm the percussion is great, but I agree with Fishgle that it be a bit more in the background. I liked the intro quite a bit though.
I have 4-5 unfinished "songs" (more like melodies) that I've come up with over the past year, but it's more something I do when I'm bored and want to mess around than something I do seriously, so it doesn't bug me as much but it would still be great to finish them...
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I really like this! That glitchiness as Fishgle put it is really cool. Followed you on Soundcloud and going to check out more of your songs in just a bit
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rofl I think I have over 400 unfinished tracks on my computer
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I have written over 500 songs in my life. (mostly pop songs, but also electronic music, metal, indie rock and some neoclassical soundtrack stuff for obscure animated films of ex-girlfriends.  )
For me, finishing things is the most important factor in staying creative. If I have a tune in my mind, I basically sit down and work on it until it's done. And once I've finished a track, it's very unlikely for me to ever put a hand on it again. In other words: I like getting shit done.
Working for years on a single piece of art can be necessary, especially when it's very complex. But most of the time, it leads to a terrible mess. Old ideas clash with new ones, and the final outcome is often very mediocre.
Your track is pretty cool. Unfortunately, the drum sounds are a bit "too much" for my taste. The whole track is very mellow and laid back, the harsh bass drum and snare sounds are killing the atmosphere. I would use a more "clicky" bass drum.
Otherwise, it's a nice ambient track.
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Hey guys!! Just wanted to say A TON of thanks for the responses! It might not have been many, but to you six, know it really meant a lot!
I have re-uploaded the track and made a couple changes - nothing drastic mind you, but changes I feel help the track towards my vision. I completely agree, that more ambient drums quite possible would suit this song better, but right now I am (sadly, perhaps) in a phase where I quite enjoy forceful drums - I've become captivated by the french electronic scene, and these drums are my poor imitation. I what I want is for the track to go up a notch, and I simply do not have the knowledge about making ambient drum beats to do it in a way which would mesh well with track - at least not in my mind.
I hope to expand my knowledge and someday do it! Multiple versions of the same songs is bad either, but right now, I'm simply not knowledgeable enough.
Again, thanks a ton for the responses!
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EPT
