I'm Just a Thinker

Here's a piano tune with arrangement I made in the Sonar 8.5 piano roll using my tried and true "same-y" sample libraries.

As with most of my "pop" type stuff I usually use a flute-y instrument (usually a synth flute like with this) for the lead melody. Kind of as a place holder or guide for if I should ever include a vocal.

This one is a heavily influenced Beatles sort of thing.

The main chord progression might sound familiar because it's not terribly original on my part (though I don't think the Beatles ever used it).

I'm always unconsciously running my internal musical blender on puree with bits and pieces of this or that song I've heard then stuffed away in my cranial filing cabinet. But it's seldom, if ever, deliberate. If I were a professional song writer I'd likely be spending most of my time in court for plagiarism  *hehehe*.

Enjoy.

-Rick

Hello Rick!

6 hours ago, epii said:

I'm always unconsciously running my internal musical blender on puree with bits and pieces of this or that song I've heard then stuffed away in my cranial filing cabinet. But it's seldom, if ever, deliberate. If I were a professional song writer I'd likely be spending most of my time in court for plagiarism  *hehehe*.

Haha for me many pop music sounds alike if not plagiarising! I myself sometimes unconsciously quote other music in my works especially from Beethoven since he's my favourite one! For others I may draw inspirations from the great composers though! It's definitely not a bad thing to do so!

Again you have very mature harmonic progressions well fitted for a pop song. You use that flat-mediant key well as always.

6 hours ago, epii said:

As with most of my "pop" type stuff I usually use a flute-y instrument (usually a synth flute like with this) for the lead melody. Kind of as a place holder or guide for if I should ever include a vocal.

Will you consider writing lyrics for this one! It will be very soothing to hear that I!

6 hours ago, epii said:

The main chord progression might sound familiar because it's not terribly original on my part (though I don't think the Beatles ever used it).

Many use the same chord progressions but what determine the originality is how to use it, and I think you use it here successfully with great effect! 

Thanks for sharing again!

Henry

Hi Henry,

Seems I can always count on you to make me feel happy... that is to say, to make me feel less sad which is seemingly my natural state. So much sadness everywhere.

I guess that's why most all the music I write has a tinge of melancholy.. ho hum.

Will I consider writing lyrics for this? Yeah I probably will at some point but I always put off writing lyrics because it's too hard and everything has already been said in songs a million times. But if I do write lyrics for this one don't expect soothing... I have chronic depression *hehehe... uuug*.

And searching for rhyming words is a pain in the butt!

You'd assume from the title that I like thinking which, I guess, can involve words, but considering that the working title for this song was "I Don't Want to Think", it might have been my brain saying; "I don't want to think about writing lyrics for this, just stick to the music because you'll just depress the hell out of everybody if you fill it out with words."

I gotta have a sense of humor... ya know?  🙂

-Rick

1 hour ago, epii said:

Seems I can always count on you to make me feel happy... that is to say, to make me feel less sad which is seemingly my natural state. So much sadness everywhere.

I guess that's why most all the music I write has a tinge of melancholy.. ho hum.

Ha it's hard to keep oneself optimistic with the events worldwide. Wars and politics, culture and trend... It's great to have means to express ourselves at least through music. I am not a happy person either but at least I am grateful I can release those negative emotions through music and reading.

1 hour ago, epii said:

Will I consider writing lyrics for this? Yeah I probably will at some point but I always put off writing lyrics because it's too hard and everything has already been said in songs a million times. But if I do write lyrics for this one don't expect soothing... I have chronic depression *hehehe... uuug*.

Even you consider yourself depressed, your music doesn't reflect this and I always find your music soothing! 

1 hour ago, epii said:

And searching for rhyming words is a pain in the butt!

I like doing this!

1 hour ago, epii said:

You'd assume from the title that I like thinking which, I guess, can involve words, but considering that the working title for this song was "I Don't Want to Think", it might have been my brain saying; "I don't want to think about writing lyrics for this, just stick to the music because you'll just depress the hell out of everybody if you fill it out with words."

No I just feel like the music itself fits for having lyrics in it!

1 hour ago, epii said:

I gotta have a sense of humor... ya know?  🙂

Haha

Henry

I like this! I fell like all the composition you create have something in common with each other, that makes clear they were composed by the same author. It's a good thing, because it's like you have your own "style" that is recognizable in everything you create and this is not an expection 🙂. 

Also, I really like the melody of the flute and the atmosphere of the composition in general. The title "I'm just a thinker" makes sense with this, but only for happy or nostalgic thoughts. I can't imagine thinking of something sad with this in my head!

Anto21,

Having my own style might be the nicest thing anyone's ever told me. I personally like to think that I have a style but the obvious Beatles influence is ever present.

In addition to John, Paul, George, and Ringo I have to also include their producer/composer/arranger George Martin.

You can also add Gilbert O'Sullivan to that short list. So, is it "my" style? Or am I just a hack? The answer is; probably a bit of both.

But so too were those guys I just mentioned a bit of both. Though I'm not so sure about George Martin, being that he was more of a classical music kind of guy. But his compositions, for example on the album "Yellow Submarine", are incredible! And as far as I can tell completely original too.. The man was brilliant! Not just musically but technically on the nuts and bolts of engineering but don't get me started on George Martin or I'll never shut up. Check out his "Pepperland" composition here: 

Just beautiful I must say. He was literally "The 5th Beatle" and I draw on much from George Martin's arrangements. It seems one can't avoid one's influences.  🙂

Thanks again,

-Rick

I don't think this is even close to plagiarism.  First off, chord progressions can't be copyrighted, and you have plenty of original harmonic turns in this that are surprising and creative.  My favorite one is your slight of hand at around 1:14 - 1:20 where you make the listener think that they're returning home only to take them somewhere wholly unexpected before eventually actually taking them home but with a taste of delayed gratification.  Thanks for sharing.