Ah, you fickle Project. I had thought that I'd be posting my latest hymn tune this week ("Navy Hymn"-click for a gorgeous, if brief, performance) or even a new Mars piece ("Medusae Fossae"). But, alas, it was not meant to be.
Instead, I've been writing backing tracks that I can use at St. Mark's. My drummer has recently gone AWOL (and the bass player has been missing for months!). As much as I'd rather have a living body filling those roles, I've decided that I can't wait any longer. Unfortunately I don't have enough arms and hands to play all those parts by myself. Yet, with the wonders of modern technology, I can record myself playing bass and (synthesized) drums and then use them while I play live guitar during the church service. Today I demonstrated this for the rector at the church, who mightily approved (it does sound pretty good, if I say so myself).
Anyway, I've been busy programming Mainstage and writing drum patterns and recording bass lines. When I'm done I should be able to control a wide variety of backing tracks with foot switches (thanks to Apogee GiO). Once I get the basic rhythm tracks down, maybe I'll get really adventurous with some guitar leads or piano backings.
Honestly, it's been a ton of fun and I don't mind that I have temporarily shelved my other compositions. Besides, there's a good deal of composition that goes into writing these parts and this has been satisfying that particular itch.
Some related notes: Swing Memories is at the VFW this Saturday with two more swing gigs next week. Also, the Mesa City Band performs at Friendship Village next Tuesday (with my conducting debut!).
And for an unrelated note: I just discovered The Ministry of Shakespeare, a podcast where they explore different readings of Shakespeare. I only listened to the most recent episode, but it was very cool.
Instead, I've been writing backing tracks that I can use at St. Mark's. My drummer has recently gone AWOL (and the bass player has been missing for months!). As much as I'd rather have a living body filling those roles, I've decided that I can't wait any longer. Unfortunately I don't have enough arms and hands to play all those parts by myself. Yet, with the wonders of modern technology, I can record myself playing bass and (synthesized) drums and then use them while I play live guitar during the church service. Today I demonstrated this for the rector at the church, who mightily approved (it does sound pretty good, if I say so myself).
Anyway, I've been busy programming Mainstage and writing drum patterns and recording bass lines. When I'm done I should be able to control a wide variety of backing tracks with foot switches (thanks to Apogee GiO). Once I get the basic rhythm tracks down, maybe I'll get really adventurous with some guitar leads or piano backings.
Honestly, it's been a ton of fun and I don't mind that I have temporarily shelved my other compositions. Besides, there's a good deal of composition that goes into writing these parts and this has been satisfying that particular itch.
Some related notes: Swing Memories is at the VFW this Saturday with two more swing gigs next week. Also, the Mesa City Band performs at Friendship Village next Tuesday (with my conducting debut!).
And for an unrelated note: I just discovered The Ministry of Shakespeare, a podcast where they explore different readings of Shakespeare. I only listened to the most recent episode, but it was very cool.
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