'Ostinato Trip' ...a progressive rock/ fusion piece

[Doug Lauber]

I began this composition with the idea of 'ostinato', which is a motif or phrase which is persistently repeated in the same musical voice. 

 

I'm persistently attracted to the use of ostinatos, so I found it easy to go in that direction. I tried to balance the cacophony of ostinatos with sections of chord changes- totally different textures. I wanted to contrast the more chaotic sections with sections that felt much more soothing and controlled. I usually adhere to classical concepts of beauty- the use of juxtaposing 'opposites': darkness vs light, calm vs agitated, good vs evil, soothing vs agitation, etc. 

 

I often begin a composition with a simple concept, like I might write a tune that changes its chord on every quarter note with very few repetitions. One idea I like is the concept that if a particular series of chord changes happens over the span of, say, 10 bars, then it can also work at a much faster rate, ie eighth notes. So a simple idea like that can give rise to a full-scale composition.

 

Feel free to share your criticisms and cover aspects regarding the technical recording and/or the flow of the composition.  I appreciate all feedback.

[Emily Miller Bond]

Hi Doug - Nice composition. The ostinato certainly unifies the piece, and there were places where it stopped and there were smooth transitions to new material. Also, I really liked the sax sound. Was that you playing live?

[Doug Lauber]

Emily- thanks! The tune was co-written by Christopher Alpiar, who played the amazing sax part in his studio in Atlanta. Seth Burkhart added his excellent drums at Garden Rock Studio on Nantucket Isle, MA. I played bass, keys, and guitar. -doug

[phil Kelly]

Doug: Great start!  It's got a nice basic feel to  it.  Elaborating on your comments about contrasts, I'd like to hear you include a spacier section based on some pitch centers somewhat more remote from the A modal ostinato section and using less moton. for example :

 

Amodal ......... || Bbmi9 /Eb .......Eb /F / F/ G ..........Bb /C / GbMA7 5b ........ || Amodal

 

just an idea ..

 

BTW: Sounds like Chris has been working on shedding his chops a bit since moving to Atlaanta ..sounds really good.

[Doug Lauber]

Thanks Phil- I think you're right about getting away from the A. I'll keep that in mind for future works. I really like Chris's improvs. Most of what you hear in this piece, were what he called 'warming up'.  :)

[Chris Alpiar]

finally back in town from Europe and got a chance to check this out. Very cool Doug! You really worked hard finding the right clips of the 0293840923840928340928384 tracks I sent ya haha! I think you flatter me a little too much in that I am pretty hot in the mix and while it gives me a woody of course I would not feel bummed if I was equal in presence to your great guitar playing bro. I had a great time recording on your stuff, tho I do wish we could do it in the same room, something about continuity as a result of synergy that happens when you are hanging out together in the same place. Still pretty damn cool tho and am very happy to have been a part of this. Great work man!

[phil Kelly]

 ...mmm ..a "woody" ?

 

still , I hope your hegira  across the pond was successful, refreshing, and also gave you a  woody .... :)

[Chris Alpiar]

haha, no pics on facebook, SORRY, well at least of the woody! LOL Yea man, it was really great, I got to play with some amazing players, some jazz and some funky stuff, the funk band packed the house with people screaming, it was a lot of fun. And they really treat musicians with respect there, that night the 9 of us ate a gourmet meal with wine and drinks that would have easily been 150 bucks each, the club didnt even blink, and the green room had a super nice spread, again with tons of different wines and beers and other drinks and different foods. Just a VERY different attitude towards musicians - we are treasures of culture there instead of miscreant vagrants that we are too often treated as in the US. And just enough playing to experience music in different places but enough time off to do touristy stuff too (like the Louvre, Notre Dame, etc). Now Im exhausted and need a vacation! Oh but I have 2394582093 things to do back in the studio doh!

[Doug Lauber]

Hey- welcome home and glad you like the recording. In the near future, I'll re-listen to the mix and make some adjustments. ..Is the sax really too prominent? I guess I need to hear it with fresh ears. I'm doing some photography today, and then on to a couple of newer tunes with Seth's drums from February.

[Chris Alpiar]

Oh I dunno man, maybe just a tad in a few spots. It sounds great overall tho, lots of nice energy in that mix