Originally Posted by Johnny Daubert
"How Are You?":
https://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=13669399

Tracked in a broken-up day, (Time wise), and sung the next.

Tinnitus and having freaky Hyperacousis forces me to TRY to track correctly in the first take or two, then sing with the same needed focus, to later edit anything needed. (I have gotten good at editing)! haha!

The first line, "First flurries of the year", was from an actual moment a few years ago when outside and seeing JUST one flurry, way ahead of the first snow day in the Philly area. I was actually in Philly with Cindy, driving her to her insurance job field work she had to do that day. When we got home, I wrote this simply tune, based on that one snow flurry. I felt good when seeing it, so is why I went right into the hook, "Woke Up Feeling Fine". I didn't wake up to see the flurry, but I know many people do, seeing the first flurries out of their bedroom window. So,,,that's what I imagined when writing that hook line.

I played a real Hi Hat, to go with he keyboard, finger playing in real time, drums. (Yes I had sound blocking headphones on for that hi hat playing). Also played a Les Paul knockoff, (Epiphone Special II Model), for the two tacks of them, (L and R channels). A piano from my keys, and the bass from the keys. All in real time. NO loops or programs. I like to play as if playing the song all the way through, on the clicker. I edit later as needed. I will either push or pull the tune with drums here and there is I FEEL it works. Same for the bass. I will line up the bass note with the kick drum, if wanting a push or pull.

Thank you for any comments. If anyone wants demos done by how I can do them for ANY style music, have your head checked! Ha!


Cool rocker with a retro vibe and a dash of Beatles thrown in for good measure.

I liked the song and the production was good except I was not a fan of that super-thin sounding snare drum. The changeup in the intro grabbed my attention when the song really kicked in; nicely done.

I approach my songs like you do. I always play them all the way through on every instrument, and rarely cut and paste anything. I feel like this linear approach keeps the song evolving even if it is just nuances. I leave little mistakes in there, too, because there is such a thing as 'too perfect.' However, I never use a click track except for self rehearsal. I feel like a straight click track sucks the life out of songs a lot of the time. After I get the main progression and the basic arrangement down, I do my drums next to outline the song and then play to them (instead of a click). I can always edit or even redo the drums later but having a percussion track with the feel of the song helps me swing the timing the way I want.

Overall, great job!

Peace,
TC

If it has strings I will find a way to play it!

You can hear my tunes at https://soundcloud.com/tc-gypsy