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I'm still at the stage where I'm toying with thoughts on how I can get the most benefit from using or creating a backing track.
I admit, it's just in my nature to want to think 'outside the box'.
So, what are the few rocks rattling around inside my head to use for building blocks?
💥 SharonC's split screen duets bring up possibilities -
- Finding/using counterpoint - playing a completely different melody as backup
- Recording non-musical instrument sounds mixed with human or animal vocal... maybe over-done, but worth careful consideration.
- Play a different instrument (not so 'out of the box') - maybe play in an unexpected style
💥 Use a ready-made backing in an unconventional way -
- Mix genres
- Mix speed - how much does the backing need to converge with the tune to be coherent? Per so many measures? Per phrase?
- Loops for trying more complex Indian rhythms in: Indian Music Structure - Thread, Post No.18
My mind is in Halloween mode!
Found "Aviators Archive" - an unusual site with diverse instrumentals for backing!
Here's 3 examples - I can see they have potential just by changing the video speed.
The Longest Road (Instrumental) [Dark Southern Rock]
Godhunter (Instrumental) [Alternative Rock] - Playlist
GODHUNTER now has instrumental versions, freely available for those of you who enjoy background music without vocals. Alternatively, for remixers, vocals stems and MIDI files are provided as well!
Circle The Drain (Instrumental) [Alternative Rock] - Howling at The Moon Playlist
Also found a few really GREAT sites with Guitar+ backing in every key & style imaginable!
1.) AUsher Tracks - gives chords and suggestions in each video! Here's from just ONE playlist - check out the rest!
Slow Moody Blues Groove in C minor - Blues Backing Tracks Playlist
2.) Elevated Jam Tracks - phenominal number of tracks/different style collections & some are even Modal - showing chords!
Dirty Blues Rock Guitar Backing Track Jam in D Minor
3.) Now YOU Shred - LOVE this video site! GREAT tips, chords, Modal Keys & BPM - backing to jam with!
Wicked Game Chords: Moody 1990's Psychedelic Rock Backing Track [B Dorian - 110 BPM]
...has my mind REELIN'!
- Emily
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coming around to playing with all those guitar backing tracks I see! I think the easiest thing instead of going to crazy is start with something you know really well and experiment. find a backing in a key/mode you know and try to play it with the backing going. dont be too concerned about what chords are playing...for the most part it will work..the groove may not be right...especially if you pick a 4/4 backing and are playing a jig.
or just practice scales, arpeggios, improvisation. practicing a pentatonic scale sometimes is easier.
heres a link we had about swallowtail using one of the guitar style backings.. maybe something to look at closer now
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@ABitRusty -
Hey, Thanx!
That was ages ago, for me (time flies 😏) - great time for me to revisit that thread!
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Been feeling a little spark of creativity... maybe just enough to get me started.
I have been mulling around the idea of trying to get some good recordings of 'language' from my 2 cats, but it's not easy - many cool ones can't really be predicted, coaxed, or demanded.
Watched some videos for sound on YouTube last night. 🤔... I used to LOVE the sound of a Huey - jet engine winding up & rotor blades beating. Really miss it 🙁 there are very few still operating that have only 2 blades.
Think these, and other favorite sounds, could be looped/modified & try to find a home in a fiddle backing track! 🤣
...just stuff whirling around inside my head.
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Nothing beats the sound of a two blade Huey, not even a viola! lol
The old curmudgeon!
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@JohnG -
You are right - you also know that a big part of the experience is the vibration that goes with it!
I peeked at some DCS videos - I don't see where there's even a hint that there's vibration in any of these so called "realistic" simulations! And to think I used to have to listen & feel for abnormalities through all that. 🤣
Sorry... I digress. If anyone wants in on the secret, you can hear the differences (Huey is the last): Best Helicopter Sounds Video. I enjoy where their sound/rhythm has been combined with music in some iconic films.
Bugsy has an amazing array of interesting meows, chattering, chirps, open-mouth purrs, yeowls & weird stuff in between. Been having a hard time getting motivated to devote (waste?) some time capturing them - I'm always too late.
🤔... wish I could capture & use the sound of the raccoons I hear gallivanting across the roof some nights!
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@ELCBK @JohnG Here you go-- 
Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words.
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@SharonC -
CLASSIC! 🤗
Thank you!
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@SharonC - Love it, thanks!
The old curmudgeon!
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Thought I'd share an interesting example of where not only helicopter rotor blade noise is used in a composition, but also the helicopters' hovering & flight capabilities - for Karlheinz Stockhausen's "Helikopter-Streichquartett".
Different helicopters have been used in other performances - here, they are using UH-60's (Black Hawks).
Four rotor blades makes for an amazingly smooth ride. 😊
This is supposed to be a unique piece of Spatial Music - where the 3d co-ordinates and movement of a musician or sound source become an important part of a composition.
I'm not so sure about this, because I can't find anything saying the monitors (that displayed the musicians) were spatially moved about to mimic what the helicopters were doing - now,THAT would be cool, but I think only the sound was manipulated for that effect (?)
...if anyone knows for sure, please tell me!
Stockhausen came up with the idea after several dreams he had - one involving Bees and a violin. Wiki says he felt "The buzzing made by lots of bees is a magic sound to me". ...bees in a hive are one thing, but I can think of other words I'd use for the sound of a swarm of angry bees, none are "magic".
This has been performed quite a few times, which is amazing, but it's a shame the helicopters couldn't stay low enough to effectively use their loud hailer's (or find some way to enhance them) - AND have a door open to keep the musicians visible so the whole thing could be completely experienced live, outside!
As it was, people could witness the helicopters' flight patterns from outdoors, but no one could see/hear the actual performance of the musicians - until they went indoors to view it on monitors, with a sound crew manipulating the sounds. 😕
- Emily
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so the other day taking grandkids to an event, we drove a mile or so down a bumpy gravel road. To be funny i started making a sound so when the bumps were hitting it make my voice change..kinda like you would if you were to hmmm a sound and beat your chest at the same time. kids got a kick out of it..big laughs.
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@ABitRusty -
🤔... now, how would your weekend sound on the fiddle?
I had a nice dose of child laughter today, myself - unexpected visit by 3 of the Grandkids! They were all in a great mood & so was Bugsy - thought he was actually going to win at 'tug-of-war'. It's amazing, all the laughter & giggles that come from a simple yard of ribbon and a shoe lace!
If I were to capture my day in music... polytempic comes to mind, the riffs had some large intervals, and they alternated with some chromatic runs. It started in a Major key, but I have the feeling of a deceptive cadence when it modulates to minor, so I ended up with a circular progression, and there was some pretty intense dynamics - all for a whirlwind of a day! 🤣
...sorry, my life is becoming way too consumed by music. 🥴
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ABitRusty said
so the other day taking grandkids to an event, we drove a mile or so down a bumpy gravel road. To be funny i started making a sound so when the bumps were hitting it make my voice change..kinda like you would if you were to hmmm a sound and beat your chest at the same time. kids got a kick out of it..big laughs.
Oh ya, I've done that too. lol
______________
These examples are really cool. On TikTok there is this one kid that stuttered on an interview and it went viral as use for a backing track.... You guys should check some of them out. Here is one of them.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRuTYnDw/
"Have you ever had a dream....."
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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@Fiddlerman -
That was so COOL!
I had thought about looking over videos of my Grandkids - just for their laughter, but this is so much better!
While I'm in a learning/analyzing mode - not quite sure if the clip of that cute kid can be considered just a lick, or a more complete riff (?) Either way, along with that rhythm, added keyboard, clapping, guitar & 2nd voice - it's amazing how poignant it all becomes because the spoken & sung words enhance the expression!
🤔... doesn't it feel like it needs at least one more phrase added to make it complete - make it become a fabulous song?
- Emily
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ELCBK said
🤔... now, how would your weekend sound on the fiddle?
I had a nice dose of child laughter today, myself - unexpected visit by 3 of the Grandkids! They were all in a great mood & so was Bugsy - thought he was actually going to win at 'tug-of-war'. It's amazing, all the laughter & giggles that come from a simple yard of ribbon and a shoe lace!
If I were to capture my day in music... polytempic comes to mind, the riffs would have some large intervals, and they'd alternate with some chromatic runs. It would start in a Major key, but I have the feeling of a deceptive cadence when it modulates, so I end up with a circular progression, and there was some pretty intense dynamics - all for a whirlwind of a day! 🤣
...sorry, my life is becoming way too consumed by music. 🥴
Trick or treat?
Think if i could play yakkety sax on fiddle..that wouldve summed it up pretty well. Creative description you have for yours!!🤣
@fiddlerman that IS a cool video and creative. Ive watched several how to's on sampling..and have gear to do it but thats a rabbit hole Ive been reluctant to jump in. I know Id be consumed by it.
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ELCBK said
@Fiddlerman -That was so COOL!
I had thought about looking over videos of my Grandkids - just for their laughter, but this is so much better!
While I'm in a learning/analyzing mode - not quite sure if the clip of that cute kid can be considered just a lick, or a more complete riff (?) Either way, along with that rhythm, added keyboard, clapping, guitar & 2nd voice - it's amazing how poignant it all becomes because the spoken & sung words enhance the expression!
🤔... doesn't it feel like it needs at least one more phrase added to make it complete - make it become a fabulous song? ........
Maybe, but I agree, it's cool. But what's hilarious is how it went viral and lots of people are doing the same thing. I somewhat feel sorry for the young man though.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I thought it was something everyone could relate to - I'm grateful that incredible child shared (his folks let him share) how full of wonder & excitement he feels!
...something I don't want to lose, no matter how old I get.
Here's a loop of my youngest Grandson laughing. It's a rare occurrence when only one is laughing or talking, so think there's also a tiny giggle included from my youngest Granddaughter (he was playing hide & seek with her). (lol)
Haven't found how I want to use it yet, might need to make the loop shorter - there's also another section I could add, but if anyone else has ideas... go for it!
- Emily
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Okay, staying up too late (again) reading & learning more - playing around with my little loop, seeing how it feels with some tunes of different time signatures and rhythms. 😏
I've dipped my toes in this water, on & off, the past year or so - tried different combinations, but the recent posts here really renewed my interest!
How often do fiddlers think beyond a steady rhythm & harmony for back-up - other than just for a little improv?
How many of you consider a different rhythm for a 2nd voice, for a duet?
🤔... polyrhythm, cross-rhythm, phasing → syncopation!
- Emily
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