my demo

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my demo

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Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

my demo

Guys, I am in the process of putting together a demo/album, something to give to prospective clients and to sell to the general public. I want somethng that is rather commercial and easy on the ears, even for those not familiar with flamenco. On the other hand, I would like to sneak as much flamenco in there as possible. I would like some advice on this. The idea is I want a CD that the average music lover would like... Something you would give out as gifts without fear of people saying "he sounds like he's dying!" Any opinions are more than welcome.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 1 2003 15:49:42

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: my demo (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

Miguel what exactly is the question ?

Are you asking whos music should you record ? or have you composed your own stuff ?
they wont say "he sounds like hes dying" unless you got a singer, do you ?

give me a bit more details on what your plan and your goal, hopefully i can be a litlle bit more helpfull

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 1 2003 16:11:10

Thomas Whiteley

Posts: 786
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: my demo (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

I am with Florian. We need a few more details to be of any "real help".

What type of music and what is the source? If you want to make a living at this be sure to play what the audience wants. Flamenco is not for everyone.

_____________________________

Tom
http://home.comcast.net/~flamencoguitar/flamenco.html

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 1 2003 17:19:47

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: my demo (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

Okay, I guess for this one let's say all instrumental. I plan to compose most of the music, perhaps all... Now I'll probably have a couple of "mark antoine" or "ottmar liebert" type songs on there, things with a rumba background and a fairly tame guitar line. But I also think I'd like to throw some flamenco in there, guitar pieces. Are there are any flamenco palos which, as guitar pieces, make for commercial stuff? Any pieces in the public domain which might be good covers?

Is there stuff in your repertoire which non-flamenco lovers like, that makes them perk up? What is it?

Thanks, amigos.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 1 2003 17:54:56

gerundino63

Posts: 1743
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands

RE: my demo (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

well, as you call it, my two cents:
La Lola - Rumba
cancion - Petenera Both from Paco Pena
Tempestad - Rumba from Juan Serrano

But the most non flamenco's like, is a Rumba with three chords(!)
I made to train all my right hand techniques, It goes from really slow to really fast.
when people hear that, they say:"well, that guy can really play"( you would say, that guy is a showoff, and can really cheat!)

good luck with it !

Peter.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 1 2003 18:35:35

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: my demo (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

Also another thing to consider that is not necesarely the palos that can make a cd non confrontational but the mixing of it has alot to do with it, it decides if the cd takes center stage on your attention or becomes a cd that can fall into the background.

for example : Vicentes Ciudad de las Ideas, plays some of the most serious palos but because the way is mixed (in this case his amazing reverb ) alows the cd to become a cd that you could play in the background (apropiate for cafes etc )

Recepie for a commercial rumba cd :

Have one catchy melody (the simpler the better ) make sure you repeat it into the song about 3 times. <---(the most important point )

Use only about 3 or 4 repeating chord sequences.

Not too many notes.
And check that the mixing is such that the cd can be playd in the background without demanding concentration.

Other palos you could play in it : columbiana, guajira, garrotin.

this is just my 2 cents worth.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 2 2003 2:45:28

Guest

[Deleted] (in reply to gerundino63)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 3 2003 16:41:32

gerundino63

Posts: 1743
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands

RE: my demo (in reply to Guest)

Hi Andy,

I am sorry, I am not Peter Bulck.

I am another Peter, living in Holland.

greetings, Peter.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 3 2003 17:55:32

Guest

[Deleted] (in reply to gerundino63)

[Deleted by Admins]

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 3 2003 18:13:18

Jon Boyes

Posts: 1377
Joined: Jul. 10 2003

RE: my demo (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Miguel de Maria

Guys, I am in the process of putting together a demo/album, something to give to prospective clients and to sell to the general public. ..Any opinions are more than welcome.

Hi Mike

First of all I think recording an album and recording a demo are two entirely different things and I think you need to focus on what you actually need at this stage.

Look at it this way, if you intend making a living from this, you need to very business like and that means you don't go giving away albums to clients! These are the people you will be *selling* your albums to when you play.

If you are making a demo in order to get gigs, either record a couple of tracks and burn them to CD, or compile a mix of clips(which was my approach). I deal with promoters, agents and private clients all the time - if someone is going to book you, they are not going to listen to a whole album to think about it, people just don't have the time. You have got about five minutes at the most to grab their attention so make the most of it. Keep it simple, go for strong recognisable melodies and forget about trying to impress people with your chops.

When you are gigging regularly, you will be able to try out material on your audiences, whether its covers or stuff you've written yourself, and *then* you will be in a better position to judge what's to go on your album.

Another thing is that you'll be suprised how long it takes to put together an album. Apart from all the writing and arranging, there is a huge load of stuff to learn if you are recording it yourself, especially if you are not recroding just solo guitar.

My advice: go for as short demo first, just covers, worry about writing your album later.

Cheers.

_____________________________

Spanish Guitarist in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 3 2003 19:12:09