Will Kirk

Alright Jordan, sorry for the delay but I have our next step. A Cajon is a peruvian percussion instrument. It's basically a box with a thin face and a snare strand attached to it. I would like you to look up some cajon players on youtube and make some observations about the techniques they use. When they use their foot to get different tones I would like you to pay attention to that as well. Also, have you listened to the song I asked you to? If so then I would like to start thinking of a good melody that you like, we're only going to start out with 1 note as a time but feel free to use whatever key or tonality you prefer. We're going to start laying down some foundations for creating songs using some of the basic techniques that we've gone over and we're going to progress towards more complexity and more complicated rhythms. When starting your melody, try to think of a rhythmically interesting melody, try to stay away from "Bach" esque melodies for now. Usually (at least in my experience) major keys work better for blending in percussive elements but again that is up to you. When you have at least 2 motifs done I would like to see them

OK, thanks for letting me know, I am working on your material and I'll try to have it to you shortly. In the meantime I was wondering if you're familiar at all with what a cajon is? Also I have some other listening material for you... Eric Roche --- She Drives me crazy Just that one song will start us down to where we're going next

Hey Jordan sorry about the delay, I had to buy a new computer because my old one fizzled out, it turns out that you can't slave Ableton Live with Pro tools on a PC! lol I'm working on your material, the assignment sounds great, very nice work! although I can hear some places where the chord changes are not as smooth as they could be. it may just be the recording but cleanliness is a virtue when it comes to playing. I will reply when I have finished your material, in the meantime just post here so that I can know if you're still interested to continue

Just checking to see that you're working on this

Whichever is comfortable, upstroke is preferred as it allows for more fluid movement. The key to guitar percussion is fluidity, much like a percussionist practices keeping a steady beat, guitar percussion involves keeping a fluid motion instead of a "stop and go" sort of thing. You can use up or down stroke, whichever one gets you to the most fluid movement and precision

I think it'll be ok, I'm sure a mod will come by and fix it up for us. OK, well your progression is great, you get kudos for that! Now, we're going to add a sencondary rhythm technique except we're going to change up the rhythm from a driving one to a little more laid back style, think "Bossa Nova" with this rhythm. Instead of having the typical bass heavy motion of a true Bossa we're going to replace some of the bass movement with percussion techniques while balancing them out with the usual progression. Here's the finale file to illustrate, I have placed rests where the percussion is to occur. The quarter rests represent the percussion technique we already went over (the string slap) the 8th rests illustrate our new technique which is a "pop". Instead of slapping the lower bass strings, you "pop" the high E and B strings against the fretboard with a free stroke. however you don't let the notes sound as you mute them with your left hand. You need to pluck them hard enough to hear the audible "snap" it won't sound too bad since you'll be muting the notes with your left hand. The strings are much softer the further up the fretboard you play, so try the technique around the 14th or 17th frets of your guitar (with your right hand). percussion excersise 2.MUS

Hey Jordan sorry I took so long getting back to this, I was away for a few days and forgot to mention it sorry about that I can't seem to open the Finale file because my version is a little older I think, would you mind simply writing out the chords for me? (just the chord names not the notes involved) We're going to apply a second rhythm technique to the progression but I'd like to see the progression first

Hey Jordan sorry I took so long getting back to this, I was away for a few days and forgot to mention it sorry about that I can't seem to open the Finale file because my version is a little older I think, would you mind simply writing out the chords for me? (just the chord names not the notes involved) We're going to apply a second rhythm technique to the progression but I'd like to see the progression first

Hey Jordan sorry I took so long getting back to this, I was away for a few days and forgot to mention it sorry about that I can't seem to open the Finale file because my version is a little older I think, would you mind simply writing out the chords for me? (just the chord names not the notes involved) We're going to apply a second rhythm technique to the progression but I'd like to see the progression first

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input!

Hey guys, here's a new piece I finished not too long ago for my current album. It's for a girl that I care quite alot about, enough said :P Since I'm not a complex man I didn't feel like going 100 miles with it but instead trying to create a peaceful feeling and drive. The melodic ideas I borrowed from a few Celtic folk songs and the harmony comes from a bit more new age feel with some Celtic feel thrown in. Here's the file, any comments welcome!! :) http://www.box.net/shared/pqu9o6jz7s

Hey Jordan, I can get the sound file but I can't find the finale file? I think the progression sounds awesome! Well done! I don't have a good ear for picking up certain chord types just by listening but once I can get the score we can continue

Sweet dude, you should've cranked up the gain and tempo but I think it sounded pretty awesome regardless! :D

Ok, thanks for letting me know, just be sure to post it once you have it :D

I like the :censored: one