Funk?Jazz?Fusion?What style do you think my 3 new songs represent?

[Project Alpha]

Hello,

Cool?

Project Alpha ( that's me) has started to bring out work. The first reviews were encouraging but the project is looking for more feedback. Hence I post this message here as well to ask you all to take a moment and go listen and give your opinion/feedback.

My question is also in what style this music should be fitted, is it modern day jazz, fusion, funk, lounge, new age or what?
Some call it Mellow House, can you relate to that?

I play all instruments one can hear, record and produce all things myself, no samples used in the music.
Accept maybe a drum machine which I programmed myself, played the pattern in live so to speak.
I'm a bassplayer originally.
I think I still have to learn much so any help/advice/critisizm/encouragement is very welcome. :eek:

If you are interested please go and listen at:
http://www.radioindy.com/jamroom/bands/1054/music.php

I put three pieces there.
The top one called Soaring Eagle I just finished recently.

Thanks in advance and with kind regards, Project Alpha. :D


__________________
It don't mean a thing if the bass isn't in!

[MarleyRocks]

well i think any of those categories fit your style pretty well but if i had to pick one i would probobly say funk. This type of music definetly isnt my genre of choice but its pretty good.

[Black Star]

dude!!! Your stuff is awesome man. That had me really groovin. I would like to do a collaboration with you for sure.

[noobcake]

dude!!! Your stuff is awesome man. That had me really groovin. I would like to do a collaboration with you for sure. The great Black Star wants to do a collaboration with you, that's saying alot man...ok not really cause he actually let ME do a solo for his metal song :D . But it's very good stuff man I really can't say what genre it is its some really original stuff, but out of the 3 suggestions I'd say it's more funk.

[idontknowyet]

well...it depends on what u consider jazz and funk to be. I honestly think the incredible slap bass and drums is more funky sounding, but the back reminds me of the fusion part so im not too sure. but i love it. :)

[Tonkie]

Since you've composed all of this yourself I can totally dig that since I'm shipping off to college for composition in about a week. :cool:

I'm interested in what you use for your MIDI voicings. Do you use a rack synth and MIDI controller w/ a foot pedal, or do you just use a keyboard? I've always tried to stay away from the special effects on keyboards however...

I know a groove's a groove, but I felt like there wasn't very much form to it. Some parts even had a very Mr.Bungle feel to it, which is cool, but not my thing. I'd go for some deeper orchestration to add some more depth to your songs. There just wasn't that much to listen to after a while which got old.

But keep on writing man. Your sound is very origonal. \m/

[Project Alpha]

Hey.

ROFL!!!
Yeah any of the above, that's good!
Okay Funk than. Problem is I really do not know in which direction the next one will be. I'm influenced by what comes up in my mind or what I happen to see or hear.
I played (roots) reggae for a long time and would love to play in a roots reggae band again. The gentle ( at least I hope it is considdered gentle) repetition and laid back feel of some parts come from that period I think.
I saw Marley in your screen name so I reckoned it comes from Bob Marley because for me he still rocks too.

Thanks for feedback :cool: in spite of it not being your kind of music.
It is appreciated.

With kind regards, P-Alpha :D

well i think any of those categories fit your style pretty well but if i had to pick one i would probobly say funk. This type of music definetly isnt my genre of choice but its pretty good.

[Project Alpha]

Hey Dude,

Thanks!!! :D I'm very glad to hear that!!!!
What do you play?
Do you perhaps have some stuff of your own somewhere???
I use Cubase for recording.

Don't know when the next one will pop up, I'm finding out that it cann't be forced. These three pieces were produced in a period of approximately four months. Soaring Eagle I finished two weeks ago. Took me a week, day and night ( aspecially nights, hehehehe) from beginning to end.
Still, I got the tracks, so no problem. Do you know a trombone player by any chance. I would love to see a trombone solo on Soaring Eagle.

With kind regards, P-ALPHA :D



dude!!! Your stuff is awesome man. That had me really groovin. I would like to do a collaboration with you for sure.

[Project Alpha]

Hey,

How goes it?

Cool?

ROFL!!!
I hear ye!!! ;)

Again having trouble to place it, like myself.
Gee maybe I made something genuine, thanks.
But you say funk as well , okay two for funk so far. I'll definately keep that in mind. Some listened to it and called it "mellow house", Do you agree?
Myself I wouldn't know.

Thanks for the feedback, man.

With kind regards, P-Alpha :D


The great Black Star wants to do a collaboration with you, that's saying alot man...ok not really cause he actually let ME do a solo for his metal song :D . But it's very good stuff man I really can't say what genre it is its some really original stuff, but out of the 3 suggestions I'd say it's more funk.

[Project Alpha]

Hey,

Excactly ... what is jazz and what is funk?

Thank you very much for your compliments on my bassplay. I'm truly grateful for that. I gives me courage to persue this further. :o

It's puzzling as to what style it is eventually I said in my other answers as well but as long as it's sounding okay according to you, you don't hear me complaining, hehehehehe!!!

I have tried to put different layers into the music and also into the mix so that each instrument or melody can be heard separately and a in a different spot in the stereo picture if listened to carefully, In Deep Down Under I experimented with that the most. Maybe you heard?

Again thank you very much as well for your feedback and your obvious enjoyment(?) of my music.
It means a great deal to me.

With kind regards, P-Alpha :D


well...it depends on what u consider jazz and funk to be. I honestly think the incredible slap bass and drums is more funky sounding, but the back reminds me of the fusion part so im not too sure. but i love it. :)

[Project Alpha]

Since you've composed all of this yourself I can totally dig that since I'm shipping off to college for composition in about a week. :cool:

Hey, GOOD LUCK and lots of inspiration wished to you ;)

I'm interested in what you use for your MIDI voicings. Do you use a rack synth and MIDI controller w/ a foot pedal, or do you just use a keyboard? I've always tried to stay away from the special effects on keyboards however...

I just use a keyboard, no samples no midi no nothing, call me old fashioned if you will. To be clear I do not judge nor condamn those who do use those things. Music is music and certainly a matter of non negociable taste, but I just think that single notes played by a person have a different feel. A part of that person goes into that particular note so to speak. Yeah, yeah sounds rather vague but well so is my music it seems, hahahahahaha!!!!!
I only have a Korg X3 Workstation I play upon. And my bass of course.
O yeah to be honest I used samples of Whale songs and the genuine sound of a cracking glacier on Deep Down Under. The Whales didn't respond to my invitation to come to my house in order to do some singing and the glacier well it was to big to drag along :) so I was forced to seek refuge by using a sample.


I know a groove's a groove, but I felt like there wasn't very much form to it. Some parts even had a very Mr.Bungle feel to it, which is cool, but not my thing. I'd go for some deeper orchestration to add some more depth to your songs. There just wasn't that much to listen to after a while which got old.

Mr Bungle????? :confused:
Techniccally and as for matters of taste you could be right I think but a kind of laid back repetition was meant in it. Also I'm hopefully past the fact of wanting to stuff all of it up with too many notes. Lately I'm trying to get where I want to go with as less as possible in order to keep my music open. The atmosphere ( or story if you want) I'm finding more and more important. If I can reach that with only one note I must have the curage to use only that one, if I need many I must use that.
Deeper orchestration I would not know nothing about, sorry.
I play/compose what comes to heart/mind along the way, what sounds right for the piece in my ears.
I'm not a schooled musician or anything.
You will be I reckon.
Please don't loose your heart in technicalities or to much competition, it would be a shame of your talent. I do think that technique is a means to reach a goal not a goal at itself. Allthough one needs it surely. I often wish I would have been given an opportunity like the one you have now.
Make good use of it allright??!!


But keep on writing man. Your sound is very origonal. \m/

Thanks man, thanks indeed.
With kind regards, P-Alpha :D

[Tonkie]

The atmosphere ( or story if you want) I'm finding more and more important.

I'll be doing my best in college, but what you said right there is already half the battle. Knowing what you want, and where you want to go is great. I -always- write with a story in mind.

You do a good job at writing very 'chill' music and what I meant about deeper orchestration is peaks and valleys in the songs it self. Since you already stated that you write to a story, and what you want to hear, your story should have a climax no? Switching up the tempo, the drum tracks, and when it comes time to reach the pinnacle of a piece, I'd add more tracks as well. That way your piece -goes- somewhere and does 'crescendo' if you will.

Cheers mate,
Tonk

[Project Alpha]

I'll be doing my best in college, but what you said right there is already half the battle. Knowing what you want, and where you want to go is great. I -always- write with a story in mind.

Hey,

GOOD!! :cool:
Half the battle yep! And forcing it won't work either I found.
To be able and tell a story or communicate a feeling, an emotion is great.
I still got a long way to go though.


You do a good job at writing very 'chill' music and what I meant about deeper orchestration is peaks and valleys in the songs it self. Since you already stated that you write to a story, and what you want to hear, your story should have a climax no? Switching up the tempo, the drum tracks, and when it comes time to reach the pinnacle of a piece, I'd add more tracks as well. That way your piece -goes- somewhere and does 'crescendo' if you will.

Cheers mate,
Tonk

Okay, now I understand what you mean, thanks!
Got some of your tunes lying around somewhere maybe?

With kind regards,P-Alpha. :D

[Tonkie]

I have my portfolio at home on my laptop, however I've never uploaded any of the files since my connection there (I'm at work right now) is terrible, and even with these .wavs it would take a year.

But... I'll try to upload at least one of them tonight and post a link here. If not I'll sneak one of my cds in to work with me thursday. = )

[Project Alpha]

Hey,

ROFLMAO!!!
Yeah you do that but be careful :D
When you do get caught, blame me. I'll back you up, hahahahaha!!!!

Looking forward to it.

When I went from dial up to DSL it was a blessing. Been on dial up a long time to though :annoyed: so I know what you mean.

With kind regards, P-Alpha.



But... I'll try to upload at least one of them tonight and post a link here. If not I'll sneak one of my cds in to work with me thursday. = )

[Tonkie]

Haha yeah... I am very envious of this T1 connection, and even my friends Comcast cable hook up. But hey, with any luck I'll get home in about 2 hours so maybe an hour later I'll upload on of my favorite/better pieces.

Tonk out. = P

[Project Alpha]

Hey Tonky,

How goes it?

Any chance of you uploading your piece so we can hear?
I'm curious man :cool:

With kind regards, P-Alpha :D


Haha yeah... I am very envious of this T1 connection, and even my friends Comcast cable hook up. But hey, with any luck I'll get home in about 2 hours so maybe an hour later I'll upload on of my favorite/better pieces.

Tonk out. = P

[Project Alpha]

Hey dudes,

Cool? :cool:


I added a poll.
Check it out and fill it in please.

With kind regards, P-Alpha. :D

[Project Alpha]

Hey,

Thanks to you I hit the top 10 musicians at the site where I put my music!!!!! :eek:

Never thought that to be possible, there are over 500 bands there.

Thanks again for all feedback.

Hey Tonkie, get up there with your music too man!!!!!

With kind regards, P-Alpha :D

[Project Alpha]

Hey,
As said, Project Alpha made it to the TOP 10 on the site my music is situated.
Never thought that possible.
Go to:
http://www.radioindy.com if you care to check it out.
Scroll down to the right, at present I'm at number 6 !!! but still many listen to my music apparently, so the Project might even go higher still.
Over 7800!!!! :eek: streams and downloads now in only 6 months or so.
The slap piece really seems to be received well.
Perhaps I should go in that direction more as I do now.
What do you think?

Does anyone have any experience with recordlabels and how to get them interested maybe?? Of course with so many streams at that site I start wondering about my chances in that direction. :cool:

And feel free to listen any time.
http://www.radioindy.com/jamroom/bands/1054/music.php

With kind regards, P-Alpha. :D

[idontknowyet]

Hey,

Thanks to you I hit the top 10 musicians at the site where I put my music!!!!! :eek:

Never thought that to be possible, there are over 500 bands there.

Thanks again for all feedback.

Hey Tonkie, get up there with your music too man!!!!!

With kind regards, P-Alpha :D

dude!!! congrats, thats hard to do. but ur stuff was very good so i couldn't see why it wouldn't do well. way to go

[Hawk]

Err...

Ye olde links won't work... :( .

[Project Alpha]

Hey,

How goes it?

Thanks man!!!

I've been to soundclick.
You got music there too?

With kind regards. P-Alpha. :D





dude!!! congrats, thats hard to do. but ur stuff was very good so i couldn't see why it wouldn't do well. way to go

[Project Alpha]

Hey Hawk,

Allright?

Sorry about that, probably maintenace or something.
It does work again now.

Currently I'm at place 5!!
More than 8600 streams and downloads!!
http://www.radioindy.com/jamroom/bands/1054/music.php

Incredible, I can hardly believe what I see, you can imagin that :eek: .

Thanks people!!

With kind regards, Project Alpha :D

Err...

Ye olde links won't work... :( .