Another shameless plug ...

[Jackal]

Feels pretty embarrassing to post one's own stuff on here, but why the heck not. This is a little tune I was inpired to write last winter when I was freezing cold. I'm thinking of making a song out of it, about two birds migrating for the winter from the cold north to the warm south, and I'd like to write the song as a conversation between an older and experienced bird and a bird who's migrating for the first time. Silly concept perhaps, but could be fun. For now it's just an instrumental. Don't judge me too harshly ...

 http://www.youtube.com/

[Fletch]

Smooth and jazzy, I just had to have a go at playing along... (Cmaj7-Fmaj7-Am7-Dm7??) please tell me where I'm wrong and you also had a nice little descending change, possibly using Abm7?? I'm really not up with my musical theory!! Must get some lessons one day.

Anyway, a very nice listening experience that was, thank you. Have no advice regarding song lyrics, but consider that when my hero writes a title track with Truffle Dogs in it, you can't go too wrong. 

[Jackal]

Thanks, Fletch. Glad you liked it.

The A part of the tune is just alternating between Am7 and D9 (D7/9 if you like).

The B part or the descending part is bit trickier:
Dm9 - Db#9 - Cm7b5- Bm7b5 - Am7 - Am7/G - Fmaj7 - E#9 - Eb9 - Am7 - D9 -
Dm9 - Db#9 - Cm7b5- Bm7b5 - Am7 - Am7/G - Fmaj7 - E#9 - Eb9 - Am7 - B11 - E7

I can post a clip of just the chords, if you're interested.

[Fletch]

Jackal, it has occurred to me that you might have the knowledge to interpret the pretty middle bit of Smooching (local hero)?

After the basic D, Bm, G and A stuff, there is a flurry of jazzy chords that disturb me! Ha ha! And then the saxophone bit goes back to a simple progression. Any help appreciated!

[Jackal]

Oy, cheapskate 

I could have tried, but I'm a bit lazy. If you really want to learn it, just go here and buy the sheet music. With guitar chords and all: http://www.sheetmusicscore.com/browse/download-detail.phtml?Artist=Knopfler%2C+Mark&AssetId=31926 . USD3.95.

Remember, those fancy jazzy chords are very often just used as in-between or passing chords, i.e. when passing from a more "normal" chord to another "normal" chord. The passing chord is usually just a normal chord with a changed bass note or an added or changed note somewhere. If you know the notes of a normal major scale (8 notes), can count to 13 (8 being an octave over 1, 9 an octave over 2, etc.), and know that b lowers the note by a half step and # raises the note by a half step, then you can pretty much work out any chord.

[Best Brown Baggies]

Hi jackal. The song about the birds sounds real nice.
There were lots of bits in the song that reminded me
alot of different MK guitar passages.
Also reminded me of a great JJ Cale song called 'Artificial Paradise'

Cheers  BBB

[Best Brown Baggies]

Also, I know nothing about playing a guitar, but what I do know
is that I love the acoustic song. It had a lovely feel to it, and this
time reminded of some of Larry Carltons solo acoustic songs from
His 'Discovery' album.
Thanks for sharing.

Cheers. BBB

[superval99]

Hey BBB,  You and me are definitely telepathic!   When I heard Jackal's jazzy piece the other day, I immediately thought of JJ's Artificial Paradise and was going to post my thought, but I decided not to in case it sounded stupid!   Now you think the same thing!  Scary! 

Jackal, I like your acoustic piece very much.  It would make a lovely background for a home video of a summer holiday, on the beach or riding bicycles and exploring, etc!   

[Best Brown Baggies]

Hey Val that's really freaky!!!!
I love it when things like that happen.
I think when you are ultra passionate about
a certain style of music, these things do tend to
happen.
I'd love it if a group of us fans could rent a big house
in the country for a weekend, and bring say 50 of our favourite cd's,
Firstly, we'd probably all bring the same cd's
but secondly, we'd all probably introduce to each other
at least one artist which would make us all go WOW!!!

How about it?

Cheers. BBB

[superval99]

I LOVE that idea BBB!   When?   

[Best Brown Baggies]

Perhaps we should start a new thread & make plans
for next spring/summer.
I remember when Ingrid & I first spoke about having
a joint 40th Knopfler themed party, it took 2 years to plan.
But what a fantastic day that was.
I will do some brain storming over the next week or two.
It wouldn't need to be expensive.
Just think, a weekend with nothing but great company, great music (of course)
& plenty of wine & beer.
What do you think?

Cheers.  BBB

[Jackal]

Thanks for your kind words, Val and BBB. Much appreciated.

[superval99]

Perhaps we should start a new thread & make plans
for next spring/summer.
I remember when Ingrid & I first spoke about having
a joint 40th Knopfler themed party, it took 2 years to plan.
But what a fantastic day that was.
I will do some brain storming over the next week or two.
It wouldn't need to be expensive.
Just think, a weekend with nothing but great company, great music (of course)
& plenty of wine & beer.
What do you think?

Cheers.  BBB

I'm up for it!   (Col too)   

[Jackal]

Well, here's a draft with vocals. It's kind of like a sad and happy song at the same time. For sure room for improvement, particularly the vocals, and the solos are a bit rough, but overall I'm quite happy with the song. Had to raise it to Cm from Am, by the way.

The swooshing leaves sound at the beginning and the end are real leaves. Recorded the wind in a nearby forest, in stereo! Walkers gave me a strange look as I had rigged up my laptop, Line6 device and two microphones

Please connect headphones or some loudspeakers to hear the bass.


 http://www.youtube.com/watch

[koobaa]

Well done, Jackal. Pleasant voice, nice guitar work both rhythm and lead, and overall good feeling. Lyrics fit the music really well too. I think you could make a buck or two doing music