Re: Help: Lame Song

reed kotler ( (no email) )
Wed, 06 Nov 1996 14:40:18 -0800

At 03:52 PM 11/6/96 -0500, you wrote:
>>
>> At 10:30 PM 11/5/96 -0500, you wrote:
>> > Last week I agreed to record a couple of bass tracks for a female
>> >vocalist producing her own CD. She labelled her music as being "adult
>> >alternative." Fine, I really don't care. So today in the mail I
>> >received bassless recordings of the two songs, lead sheets, and a letter
>> >explaining that she really wants to completely re-do the first song, a
>> >country ballad. She wants to lose the country sound and rework it.
>> >I didn't agree to doing this kind of work, but it may lead to some gigs.
>> >I'm hoping for some help as I've never done this before.
>> > I get the impression that she thinks it needs just a different
>> >rythmic feel, but IMO, a different feel won't work without some reharm,
>> >the song will probably just sound worse. I realize it's difficult to
>> >do this without knowing the melody, but I don't want to do something
>> >real extravagant that would require a lot of melodic alteration anyway,
>> >however some would be just fine.
>> >
>> >Here are the changes as she wrote them:
>> >
>> >| A | A | E Esus| E | E | E |
>> > Asus | A | D | D | A Asus| A |
>> > E | E | A Asus| A | A | Asus |
>> > Dmaj7 | Dmaj7 | D | E | A | Esus E|
>> > A | Asus | D | Dmaj7 | B- | Esus |
>> > Amaj7 | Dmaj7 | B- | Esus E | A | Asus :||
>> >
>> >I've got some questions:
>> >1. What are these sus chords? I always thought these were used to
>> > lead into other chords.
>> >2. Can I begin by adding a b7 to these triads?
>> >
>> >3. Can I put something like A7|A7 F-7 B-7|E7| in the first line
>> > without altering the melody too drastically? Then follow the same
>> > kinda thing throughtout, Eb7b5 back to the A7, etc.?
>> >
>> >I know there's a lot that can be done with this progression, but I'm
>> >sure the vocalist would not be able to handle it.
>> >
>> >Thanks for your ideas and opinions,
>> >David Kaczorowski
>> >kaczordk@umdnj.edu
>> >
>> >
>> David,
>>
>> Esus = [E A B]
>>
>> This song looks pretty simple.
>>
>> I wouldnt try rehamonizing the song at all.
>> Dont add b7 notes to the triads.
>>
>> Just play roots and fifths on the strong beats
>> (1 and 3) for starters and then try add passing notes in the key
>> of A.
>>
>> Try playing along with the recording using what I
>> suggested and see if it works.
>>
>> The most important thing is to lock into the time
>> feel with the rest of the band.
>>
>> You are dealing with a basic pop song here.
>>
>> reed
>>
>>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>
> Reed,
> Your comments are exactly right. However, this is not the problem
> at hand. She wants to completely change the feel of the song.
> I'd have no problem doing something with this song as presented, as
> you said, it's a basic pop song. But apparently she decided she no
> longer likes it as is and wants something different. My attempt at
> a reharm is not just for the bass part, but for the guitar, vocal,
> etc. Or, are you suggesting I tell her to leave it as is, not re-do
> anything, record my part, and go on my way, which is just fine with
> me also, because in my opinion the songs not worth it.
>
> Thanks,
> David Kaczorowski
>
>
>
David,

Well it's up to you.

If she wants you to arrange the song, that's another job altogether.

I couldnt offer much advice on changing the chords without
hearing the song.

However, you can still change the rhythmic feeling of the song
and leave the rest alone.

reed